CATS IN CAMP NOTEBOOK: Day #15

Trevor Bolton

Photo by: Kelly Gorham

8/23/2015 5:47:00 PM | Football

Defense fared better on film Sunday than it did before the naked eye Saturday

By: Bill Lamberty

Video review of Saturday's final Bobcat football scrimmage of the fall had MSU head coach Rob Ash seeing red – as in, the red jerseys donned by quarterbacks to keep them from contact.

"Better than I thought on the defensive side," was Ash's quick analysis of an 80-play session that ended with five offensive touchdowns. "There were a bunch of points scored, but some of the issues just had to do with the red jerseys on the quarterbacks. There were a couple plays that probably would have been sacks, some that would have impacted drives, possibly a turnover or a big play. We make them stay away from the red jerseys and they do a good job of that, but it had an effect."

Saturday marked the first time in camp the Bobcat offense has had all its firepower assembled. Running backs Chad Newell and Gunnar Brekke, and offensive linemen Kyle Godecke and Alex Eekhoff, appeared with the first offense early in the scrimmage, to positive results.

"The offensive execution was good," he said. "The offensive line, the number ones, played extremely well. It was good to see Newell and Brekke healthy, and I thought the receivers caught the ball well and blocked well, and a couple them made guys miss. That was all good."

Not surprisingly on a unit replacing eight full-time starters, Ash said eliminating assignment mistakes remains a work in progress.
"We had some assignment problems on defense, I think those were the result of inexperience, we just have young guys, guys that haven't played a lot," Ash said. "There are some guys who didn't play in the defensive front, like Zach Hutchins and Marcus Tappan, that we need to get back."

Fall camp's final two days focus on maintenance, Ash said. "We'll use (Tuesday and Wednesday) to fix things from the scrimmage and finish installing (offensive and defensive schemes)," he said. "We'll finish install (of offensive and defensive schemes), and have the discussion of what stays in and what gets eliminated (from schemes)."

Installation of the Fort Lewis-specific game planning begins on Friday.

INCREASE IN AID: Saturday night was one of Ash's favorite moments of the season, when he and his coaching staff rewarded several players with increased scholarship money. Four players – offensive lineman Caleb Gillis (Glenn, MT), linebackers Fletcher Collins (Seattle) and Mac Bignell (Drummond, MT), and receiver Will Krolick (Anchorage, AK) – received aid for the first time. Four other players saw their aid increased to full scholarships – defensive linemen Connor Thomas (Kalispell, MT) and Nate Bignell (Drummond, MT), cornerback Trace Timmer (Great Falls, MT), and punter Trevor Bolton (Great Falls, MT). "That's a very proud moment," Ash said, "a lot of happiness for the players involved."

BUMPS AND BRUISES: Ash indicated there were no major injuries Saturday, and by the team's next practice on Tuesday everyone who has been available should be ready to practice.

ROSTER DECISIONS: Saturday's scrimmage marked the beginning of the lock-down of the final varsity roster spots, specifically in two areas – which true freshmen will play rather than redshirting, and who remains in competition for special teams spots and therefore seats on the bus when the team takes its first road trip on Sept. 19 vs. Eastern Washington. "Right now there's probably two freshmen that are probably going to play. (Running back) Logan Jones, who is a walk-on, and (cornberback) Tre'von Strong. Those two will probably play, two Montana kids, it's pretty exciting. The other guy who's really impressed us is (offensive lineman) Mitch Brott. I think he's got a chance to be a no. two coming out of camp as a true freshman and be a traveler. Johnny D('Agostino) is coming along. He and Jayshawn (Gates), that battle is hot for that no. two slot receiver."

UPCOMING SCHEDULE: MSU practices Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday's mock game – a walk-through geared to in-game logistics – brings fall camp to an end. Friday's practice replicates a Sunday walk-through, then the team gets Saturday off before returning for game prep on Monday.