MSU begins practice for the 2017 season beginning Thursday
Photo by: Brian Morse
Bobcats Ready for Fall Practices to Begin Thursday
7/31/2017 9:11:00 AM | Football
MSU practices once daily from August 3 through August 12
The NCAA's new rule eliminating multiple daily practices during college football's preseason is major talking point on campuses across the nation, but Montana State's Jeff Choate enters his second season as the Bobcats' head coach without much concern.
"We've been moving that direction anyway," says the long-time football coach who has worked at nearly every level in the sport. "Our players are mostly in good condition (entering camp). You have to tackle, you have to teach fundamentals like pad level, but it's a long season. It's important to keep the players fresh physically and mentally."
The Bobcats begin preparation for the team's 2017 season opener at Washington State on September with an experienced offensive core. Quarterback Chris Murray returns as the starter, with four offensive line positions featuring experienced players. Three key contributors return at receiver, and tight end Connor Sullivan appears poised to step into the lead role at that position after contributing last fall. On the offensive line, four men – senior Caleb Gillis, juniors Jake McFetridge and Wade Webster, and redshirt freshman Lewis Kidd – battle for the guard positions in the fall's most compelling position battle. Running back should also provide drama.
The Bobcats look to plug in newcomers alongside returning cornerbacks Bryce Alley, Braelen Evans and Damien Washington, but every other position group on that side of the ball is populated with significant experience. Preseason All-Big Sky linebacker Mac Bignell and third-year starter Grant Collins at the Buck position lead the way.
Bignell is excited to begin his senior season with increased familiarity. "Everything's more comfortable," he said of the transition to a new coaching staff last season. "We're confident and we're ready to start."
Montana State's first practice of the fall is Thursday, August 3, at 11:10 am. At least for the first portion of fall camp, practices are scheduled to begin on the grass practice fields north of Kagy Boulevard before transitioning to Bobcat Stadium.
2017 FALL CAMP
Pract Day Date Time (practice type) – Interview designees
#1 Thu 8/3 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#2 Fri 8/4 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#3 Sat 8/5 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#4 Sun 8/6 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#5 Mon 8/7 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#6 Tue 8/8 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#7 Wed 8/9 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#8 Thu 8/10 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#9 Fri 8/11 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#10 Sat 8/12 11:10 am-1:30 pm Scrimmage
#11 Mon 8/14 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#12 Tue 8/15 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#13 Wed 8/16 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#14 Thu 8/17 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#15 Fri 8/18 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#16 Sat 8/19 11:10 am-1:30 pm Scrimmage
#17 Mon 8/21 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#18 Tue 8/22 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#19 Wed 8/23 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#20 Thu 8/24 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#21 Sat 8/26 11:10 am-1:30 pm
"We've been moving that direction anyway," says the long-time football coach who has worked at nearly every level in the sport. "Our players are mostly in good condition (entering camp). You have to tackle, you have to teach fundamentals like pad level, but it's a long season. It's important to keep the players fresh physically and mentally."
The Bobcats begin preparation for the team's 2017 season opener at Washington State on September with an experienced offensive core. Quarterback Chris Murray returns as the starter, with four offensive line positions featuring experienced players. Three key contributors return at receiver, and tight end Connor Sullivan appears poised to step into the lead role at that position after contributing last fall. On the offensive line, four men – senior Caleb Gillis, juniors Jake McFetridge and Wade Webster, and redshirt freshman Lewis Kidd – battle for the guard positions in the fall's most compelling position battle. Running back should also provide drama.
The Bobcats look to plug in newcomers alongside returning cornerbacks Bryce Alley, Braelen Evans and Damien Washington, but every other position group on that side of the ball is populated with significant experience. Preseason All-Big Sky linebacker Mac Bignell and third-year starter Grant Collins at the Buck position lead the way.
Bignell is excited to begin his senior season with increased familiarity. "Everything's more comfortable," he said of the transition to a new coaching staff last season. "We're confident and we're ready to start."
Montana State's first practice of the fall is Thursday, August 3, at 11:10 am. At least for the first portion of fall camp, practices are scheduled to begin on the grass practice fields north of Kagy Boulevard before transitioning to Bobcat Stadium.
2017 FALL CAMP
Pract Day Date Time (practice type) – Interview designees
#1 Thu 8/3 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#2 Fri 8/4 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#3 Sat 8/5 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#4 Sun 8/6 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#5 Mon 8/7 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#6 Tue 8/8 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#7 Wed 8/9 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#8 Thu 8/10 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#9 Fri 8/11 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#10 Sat 8/12 11:10 am-1:30 pm Scrimmage
#11 Mon 8/14 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#12 Tue 8/15 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#13 Wed 8/16 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#14 Thu 8/17 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#15 Fri 8/18 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#16 Sat 8/19 11:10 am-1:30 pm Scrimmage
#17 Mon 8/21 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#18 Tue 8/22 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#19 Wed 8/23 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#20 Thu 8/24 11:10 am-1:30 pm
#21 Sat 8/26 11:10 am-1:30 pm
Players Mentioned
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QB
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TE
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CB
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OL
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