You have to tip your hat to Coach Fisk - seems motivated and competent.

Is there a presser with Plough floating out there somewhere?

Didn't see one.

usually today at noon

Here is my not-so-expert analysis. Sorry for being late to the party, and I have read nothing else that has already been stated:

-Portland State is better than anticipated. Their QB is very good, their fronts were physical, and they had a couple good skill players. That little WR was outstanding.

-PSU lost the game as much as the Aggies won it. Either the Head Coach or Offensive Coordinator got spooked in the 3rd quarter and they played not to lose. By the time they tried to shift gears in the late 4th, they were in panic mode and pressing.

-I didn't notice any huge adjustments at the half on either side of the ball. Davis bounced in and out of a 4-3 (with #31 as the adjustor) and a 4-2 Nickel with 5 DBs. Sat in 2-high secondary shell the entire game.

-Cleeland was a first time starter for most of the first half. He was throwing fastballs on every pass and the game seemed to be really sped-up. His arm slot was pretty low from what I could see. Different dude in the second half, he showed why Plough/Shelton handed him the keys. Some of the second half throws were pretty spectacular.

-Offensive Line held up pretty well.

-TEMPO is so critical to Aggie Offensive success. Must win on 1st & second downs in order to avoid the 3rd & 10s and preserve the tempo.

My beef list as a fan:

-I would have run the ball a lot more.
-I would have played some Cover 3 or 3 Roll coverages to take away the easy flat throws that turned into big runs after catch. Also would have helped with the QB Bash runs that gashed the Ags at times (If you want an explanation of Bash later, let me know. Might make for good, midweek filler content).
-The Corner and Nickel Corner play was surprisingly suspect at times. Anyone not wearing #11. Why were they playing so soft in some of the 3rd and medium and 2nd and long situations? Nickel coverage was concerning at times.

I love all your analysis. Please add Bash and any other type of analysis as midweek filler content or earlier. I come with no football background, and I sometimes would need to watch some YouTube videos to understand terminologies like Cover 3 or 4-2 Nickel.

I would add that special teams looked explosive but still some early season stuff to clean up. I thought the blocking was tenacious and they played with real juice. Maybe just too much at times, which I believe is where those penalties came from on the long returns.

Agreed, they looked improved to me as well. The early punts, like the first 3, were line drives which absolutely hoses your coverage team. Hence, TD #2. Overall, the intensity was there and they just need to clean up some of the antics after the play and behind the ball carrier.

I actually have to work some today, so I'll bang out a Bash intro tomorrow

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kc_aYzYTiJQ

Perez was in on some very important running downs in the second half, even late. Couldn't figure that out, was wondering if there was something up with Fisher.

my only gripes on the special teams were the 2 penalties that wiped out two great punt returns (one for TD -> that COULD have been a back breaker), and the kick off out of bounds after we cut the lead to one score - i believe they scored on the short field that drive. that was so reminiscent of last year. probably the only time i raised my voice watching the game!

I think they like Perez when we need short yardage. Fish is a flashier runner but not necessarily a bruiser.

You may be right, but they are the same size.

was skeptical that a freshman coming from a run first hs offense would be able to operate at a high level out the gate but that second half was extremely impressive and the ball really jumps out of his hand.

I did not know Cleeland’s H.S. team’s offensive strategy (run first) until the announcer calling the game said so. Now it makes sense why his high school numbers weren’t that impressive. But man does he throw a beautiful ball (also mentioned on the Griz board so not just my biased assessment) and he has the biggest arm I have seen at UCD in a long time. Moroski threw a pretty ball but it didn’t jump out of his hand like Cleeland.

I admit I have never seen Kollock throw a ball (nor Cleeland prior to Saturday). Kollock is really built so I expect he has quite an arm too.

CP threw I believe a 45-yard dart into the back of the endzone last year on a rollout in not-ideal circumstances.