That was a great, gritty win in a really tough emotional setup

[zeek55]

I don't care what anyone says; that game meant a ton to everyone that played or coached in it (or the purple fans that watched it). That was the definition of an emotional game.

We were ranked for the first time in the Braun era going into the Fitz bowl against a hungry, desperate Michigan State team that Fitz had amped up to play. Fitz's best quality as a coach is to have his teams play up in games like this.

It's a lot harder to play in that game than it is in the New Ryan Field opener where our student section was going crazy and we had a full house or the last Lakeside game against Colorado. Even the Indiana road game, we were sort of playing with house money.

This was the game where we were favorites on the road against our former player/coach who has had a tough start to the season. If there ever was a trap game, this was it, and yet we managed to escape with a win.

Braun made a mistake late, but I think today proved his worth as a head coach. And the team covered for him wresting the game back after that call. That was an outstanding final minute of play (and the earlier 8 point drive to tie it), which showed how good this team is when it needs to be.

 

[Eurocat]

I was more frustrated that we kept running it up the middle again and again and again and getting stopped again and again. I don't know why that happened, but to my dumb fan eyes it seemed like we should have passed much more and run it much less. I know all about "a good running game sets up passing" but in this case the passing was taking care of itself just fine.

And the fake FG call was odd and was it even planned that way? None of the guys downfield seemed to look back for the ball? I was like huh?

That said this was a great example if never giving up until the last whistle, always giving your best, it's not over til its over, etc. and I am delighted by the spirit shown.

 

[zeek55]

I was more frustrated that we kept running it up the middle again and again and again and getting stopped again and again. I don't know why that happened, but to my dumb fan eyes it seemed like we should have passed much more and run it much less. I know all about "a good running game sets up passing" but in this case the passing was taking care of itself just fine.

And the fake FG call was odd and was it even planned that way? None of the guys downfield seemed to look back for the ball? I was like huh?

That said this was a great example if never giving up until the last whistle, always giving your best, it's not over til its over, etc. and I am delighted by the spirit shown.

I'll say this: Chip Kelly (and the rest of his offensive staff) are the best offensive staff we've had since we had Walk and Wilson on the sidelines.

Chiles threw it 27 times; I don't think they want him throwing it 35 or 40 times a game because at that point, you're probably having him do too much - at which point you raise the risk of mistakes; he was brilliant in 3rd and long situations today and at extending drives, which he'll need to be if the running game doesn't work as well as it did in other games.

Usage wise, they don't want him trying to have to do everything for entire games like he had to do at Michigan State (and where there were a lot more mistakes made).

Today was an example of a game where our offense was effective when it needed to be.

That last 90 seconds, everything came together: great defensive stop, great special teams block, great offensive drive followed by a FG. The whole team played to the quality that it had to when it mattered most.

 

[Fanaticat98]

I don’t know man, there wasn’t any emotional stake for Chip Kelly and the gameplan seemed like he didn’t even make the trip. How do we go from the wizardry of the last few weeks to, run up the middle with no attempt at disguising it, run up the middle on 2nd and 15, run the reverse/sweep motion several times but don’t hand it off to the sweep back - guess what, run up the middle from that formation too.

Honestly it looked like we made no offensive gameplan whatsoever and it almost looked like we were trying to hand them the game.

 

[zeek55]

I don’t know man, there wasn’t any emotional stake for Chip Kelly and the gameplan seemed like he didn’t even make the trip. How do we go from the wizardry of the last few weeks to, run up the middle with no attempt at disguising it, run up the middle on 2nd and 15, run the reverse/sweep motion several times but don’t hand it off to the sweep back - guess what, run up the middle from that formation too.

Honestly it looked like we made no offensive gameplan whatsoever and it almost looked like we were trying to hand them the game.

It looked bad at times, but we did have 23 first downs went 7 for 14 on 3rd downs (and the average 3rd down attempt had a long distance to go). When we had to have it, we had it, especially on those 3 touchdown drives and the final FG drive.

The game probably should have been easier, but that's how these things go.

I think Chip wanted to take the ball out of Chiles hands to make the game easier for him given Chip knew this game meant a ton to Chiles.

 

[Fanaticat98]

I think Chip wanted to take the ball out of Chiles hands to make the game easier for him given Chip knew this game meant a ton to Chiles.

I was questioning that too, wondering if it was actually Chiles that was making bad run reads on those plays.

 

[Jaguar 88]

This team has character and doesn't give up!!!! I would like to see them air out more, but this was a gritty win. Braun has instilled a fighting spirit into his team! A mark of a very good coach! He is hungry, and ready!!!!!

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

I don’t know man, there wasn’t any emotional stake for Chip Kelly and the gameplan seemed like he didn’t even make the trip. How do we go from the wizardry of the last few weeks to, run up the middle with no attempt at disguising it, run up the middle on 2nd and 15, run the reverse/sweep motion several times but don’t hand it off to the sweep back - guess what, run up the middle from that formation too.

Honestly it looked like we made no offensive gameplan whatsoever and it almost looked like we were trying to hand them the game.

I am loving the wins and I LOVE being able to run the ball, but...the PSU game may have been fool's gold. We didnt run well against IU or BSU. We all know Colorado is poopoo. Turns out PSU also no good.

The OL got mauled at the LOS. 9 TFL and 5 sacks. You can be Dumbledore calling plays and not do well in that case

 

[Fanaticat98]

The OL got mauled at the LOS. 9 TFL and 5 sacks. You can be Dumbledore calling plays and not do well in that case

Wowzers. Being at the game I wasn’t following the stats. That is an absolutely horrendous and inexcusable stat, 14 TFLs against a poor, depleted defense.

 

[Jaguar 88]

I am loving the wins and I LOVE being able to run the ball, but...the PSU game may have been fool's gold. We didnt run well against IU or BSU. We all know Colorado is poopoo. Turns out PSU also no good.

The OL got mauled at the LOS. 9 TFL and 5 sacks. You can be Dumbledore calling plays and not do well in that case

Sounds like we need to pass first to open up the run. I really like our WR Corp, we need to utilize it more obviously. Those stats don't bode well for the post Rutgers schedule. I would like to see a 9 win season!

 

[zeek55]

I am loving the wins and I LOVE being able to run the ball, but...the PSU game may have been fool's gold. We didnt run well against IU or BSU. We all know Colorado is poopoo. Turns out PSU also no good.

The OL got mauled at the LOS. 9 TFL and 5 sacks. You can be Dumbledore calling plays and not do well in that case

Look around the country this week.

Seems like every other ranked team is getting the business from a mediocre squad.

Feels like we played better than most in just coming out with a win.

 

[MCC_Cat]

Look around the country this week.

Seems like every other ranked team is getting the business from a mediocre squad.

Feels like we played better than most in just coming out with a win.

Yeah we survived and that's what counts. Let's get healthy now, we are starting to get some players back while losing others. To win today without Robert (no relation) Fitzgerald was a boost. Nice to see Walters and Turner back on the field.

 

[Fanaticat98]

Look around the country this week.

Seems like every other ranked team is getting the business from a mediocre squad.

Feels like we played better than most in just coming out with a win.

I didn’t see most of those scores until this evening as we left the game and drove back home to a party. That game me some perspective seeing UGA lose to unranked Auburn, Texas going down to unranked Florida, Miami now in OT vs mediocre FSU.

 

[WestCoastWildcat]

Wow another exciting game and final play ending. Domers go down! Domers drove down the field under 2 minutes only to fall short. The final pass play might have looked close to interference from contact on the receiver, there was no way the receiver could make the catch. Lots of shuffling in the poll rankings with many top 10 teams losing today. Cats should move up a few spots.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

Wow another exciting game and final play ending. Domers go down! Domers drove down the field under 2 minutes only to fall short. The final pass play might have looked close to interference from contact on the receiver, there was no way the receiver could make the catch. Lots of shuffling in the poll rankings with many top 10 teams losing today. Cats should move up a few spots.

All those unranked teams that beat ranked teams will leap us

 

[DaCat]

I am loving the wins and I LOVE being able to run the ball, but...the PSU game may have been fool's gold. We didnt run well against IU or BSU. We all know Colorado is poopoo. Turns out PSU also no good.

The OL got mauled at the LOS. 9 TFL and 5 sacks. You can be Dumbledore calling plays and not do well in that case

Our OL was terrible. Needs work, lots of work.

 

[HKKJB]

I have to wonder two things:

1) Does MSU now have an offense? They had a good 2nd half against Illinois, and exposed us as well. Time will tell tell. I was a Fitz fan, then a Fitz critic - with that said he had MSU playing with intensity despite their injuries.

2) Is it more then just Brendan Flakes who didn't feel well? Maybe a team flu bout? I'm looking for any explanation I can find for the close call.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

I have to wonder two things:

1) Does MSU now have an offense? They had a good 2nd half against Illinois, and exposed us as well. Time will tell tell. I was a Fitz fan, then a Fitz critic - with that said he had MSU playing with intensity despite their injuries.

2) Is it more then just Brendan Flakes who didn't feel well? Maybe a team flu bout? I'm looking for any explanation I can find for the close call.

Chiles was sniffing regularly during the press conference, but legit might have been emotions

 

[Figrating II]

Some talk here and there that this wasn't an emotional game, but IMHO it was an all-time emotional game.

As expected, Fitz had MSU ready. Very even game. Then the last some 90 seconds came and suddenly NU can't be stopped.

Aidan Chiles heard all the trash talk, but there wasn't anything left for the trashers to say after Chiles delivered the winning drive. Now and then the karma bus shows up on time.

This game is surely near the top of the all-time Cardiac CATS heroic Ws.

 

[Fanaticat98]

I don’t know if the coaches were trying to downplay the emotional angle so much, on the sidelines it looked like our guys were just not there, no energy until the very end.

 

[Jaguar 88]

All those unranked teams that beat ranked teams will leap us

I wouldn't be surprised. The game was closer than the odds makers thought it would be, and against a sub .500 team. We can't look past Rutgers though.

 

[zeek55]

Some talk here and there that this wasn't an emotional game, but IMHO it was an all-time emotional game.

As expected, Fitz had MSU ready. Very even game. Then the last some 90 seconds came and suddenly NU can't be stopped.

Aidan Chiles heard all the trash talk, but there wasn't anything left for the trashers to say after Chiles delivered the winning drive. Now and then the karma bus shows up on time.

This game is surely near the top of the all-time Cardiac CATS heroic Ws.

You rarely see a final 90 seconds where the entire team performs at that peak level. Defense got a huge stop, special teams got a huge block, offense made play after play to drive in less than a minute, and then a perfect FG to get the win.

That final 90 seconds showed that maybe we have something special going on here because that was a far higher level of play than Michigan State could have reached.

 

[AtlantaCat]

You rarely see a final 90 seconds where the entire team performs at that peak level. Defense got a huge stop, special teams got a huge block, offense made play after play to drive in less than a minute, and then a perfect FG to get the win.

That final 90 seconds showed that maybe we have something special going on here because that was a far higher level of play than Michigan State could have reached.

I agree 100%. That's why I quibble with the site's headline that it took a "miracle". It wasn't a "miracle" for MSU to block our FG after the Wagner "miss". It was a good special teams play. Flakes' block was a clutch special teams play, ACwas clutch in managing the 1-minute drive, Wilde's catch was amazing, and Kleather came through. No miracles, just cool, clutch performance all around

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

I agree 100%. That's why I quibble with the site's headline that it took a "miracle". It wasn't a "miracle" for MSU to block our FG after the Wagner "miss". It was a good special teams play. Flakes' block was a clutch special teams play, ACwas clutch in managing the 1-minute drive, Wilde's catch was amazing, and Kleather came through. No miracles, just cool, clutch performance all around

I have to process every time I see AC.

Austin Carr? Atlanta Cat? AC by Marriott?

Oh...#0, of course