O, D Both Sharp in Saturday Scrimmage
8/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
It took a while, but when Travis Lulay got Montana State’s injury-depleted offense moving on Saturday, he really got it moving.
Lulay engineered an impressive eight-play drive that covered 70 yards on the first team offense’s sixth series of the day, accounting for the only touchdown of MSU’s second scrimmage of fall camp. Freshman tight end Jason Goodman made a spectacular third-down catch for 19 yards that extended the drive, and two plays later made a 21-yard catch to put the offense in scoring position. Lulay also found wideouts Brandon Roosevelt (five yards) and Eddie Sullivan (eight yards) on the drive, and punched it in with a six-yard pass to running back Michael Williams.
“It was nice to see Travis make that third down throw to Goodman,” Kramer said, “and it was good to see Goodman catch it because it wasn’t going anywhere other than into his hands. The offense is going to go in fits and starts, because we’re new inside on the offensive line. Those guys are new, and our defense is so veteran that any crack in the armor they’re going to exploit. I thought Travis played very well, and once Jason Goodman got settled down he made some nice plays.All in all, it was a favorable scrimmage.”
Fits were more common than starts for the offense early in the scrimmage, as Lulay misfired on six of his first nine passes. After connecting with Scott Turnquist on a six-yard pass over the middle, Lulay got hot, and went on a streak where he connected on six of seven attempts. He finished the day 9-for-16 for 81 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions. “We’re going out and just playing together,” said Lulay, last year’s Big Sky Co-Newcomer of the Year. “Being able to put together a (touchdown) drive like that shows that we’re starting to gel a little more. That was definitely a good sign.”
Michael Williams rushed for 20 yards on eight carries, while Gathing had 14 yards on seven carries. Kramer is not worried about the personnel shortage at running back, particularly given Gathing’s emergence. “(Gathing’s skills are) very akin to what Bruce Molock does and very complimentary to what David Mayvield does. Now that Mayfield will be in practice early next week, and we look forward to the return of Jimmy Beal, our running back position will be a position of strength eventually.”
Nonetheless, Kramer watched his defense dominate for most of the afternoon. MSU’s first string stop unit allowed only one first down in the first five series against the first offense. On the day, MSU’s first offense managed just 91 yards on 24 plays.
“I continue to be impressed by a veteran defense that knows how to play,” Kramer said. The MSU defense had a different look on Saturday, with cornerbacks Joey Thomas and Kahiam Hunter and defensive tackle Beau Clark injured. Kramer cited the play of senior corner Jay Hackett, and noted that the team has accomodated Clark’s absence by moving some players around on the line.
“It’s clear that Clive Lowe can play defensive end as a starter for the Bobcats,” Kramer said. “That means that the arthroscopic knee surgery to Beau Clark will be offset by the move of (defensive end) Adam Cordeiro inside. That makes our defense faster and better.”
MSU’s fourth-year head coach said the Bobcat defense, which features five third-year starters, rather than dwelling on his offense’s shortcomings. “We’re just young emotionally on offense, and that’s true also at quarterback. Travis is still learning how to drive the ship with a real inexperienced crew. You’re never going to be able to sit on top of this offense all day, no matter how veteran a defense we play against. This offense is going to be able to move the ball.”
Kramer said the team will have Sunday off, and will return with a walk-through and a practice each on Monday and Tuesday. He emphasized the importance of those two days, particularly for the group of players that will be starting for the first time this fall, as a prelude to Wednesday’s final fall scrimmage. “These (Monday and Tuesday practices) are highly critical for the guys that are starting who haven’t started. All the new starters have to play like veteran starters by Wednesday’s scrimmage.”
The Bobcats will scrimmage at 4 pm on Wednesday in Bobcat Stadium, and following the scimmage will be MSU’s Preseason Primer. The post-scrimmage party will feature beverages and bratwursts for $10 ($5 for children) behind the north end zone at Bobcat Stadium, and will offer Bobcat fans a chance to mingle with MSU coaches.
Saturday's Statistics
RUSHING: Mike Williams 8-20, Jason Gathing 7-14, Zach Wermers 6-23.
PASSING: Travis Lulay 16-9-0, 81 yards, 1 TD; Brent Owens 7-4-0, 29 yards; Rick Coppack 4-3-0, 12 yards; Cory Carpenter 3-2-0, 51 yards.
RECEIVING: Matt McCullough 3-57, Jason Goodman 2-40, Michael Williams 2-16-1, Corey Smith 2-6, Scott Turnquist 2-9, Brandon Roosevelt 2-3, Eddie Sullivan 2-11, Jason Gathing 1-13, Shane Schantz 2-18.
Lulay engineered an impressive eight-play drive that covered 70 yards on the first team offense’s sixth series of the day, accounting for the only touchdown of MSU’s second scrimmage of fall camp. Freshman tight end Jason Goodman made a spectacular third-down catch for 19 yards that extended the drive, and two plays later made a 21-yard catch to put the offense in scoring position. Lulay also found wideouts Brandon Roosevelt (five yards) and Eddie Sullivan (eight yards) on the drive, and punched it in with a six-yard pass to running back Michael Williams.
“It was nice to see Travis make that third down throw to Goodman,” Kramer said, “and it was good to see Goodman catch it because it wasn’t going anywhere other than into his hands. The offense is going to go in fits and starts, because we’re new inside on the offensive line. Those guys are new, and our defense is so veteran that any crack in the armor they’re going to exploit. I thought Travis played very well, and once Jason Goodman got settled down he made some nice plays.All in all, it was a favorable scrimmage.”
Fits were more common than starts for the offense early in the scrimmage, as Lulay misfired on six of his first nine passes. After connecting with Scott Turnquist on a six-yard pass over the middle, Lulay got hot, and went on a streak where he connected on six of seven attempts. He finished the day 9-for-16 for 81 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions. “We’re going out and just playing together,” said Lulay, last year’s Big Sky Co-Newcomer of the Year. “Being able to put together a (touchdown) drive like that shows that we’re starting to gel a little more. That was definitely a good sign.”
Michael Williams rushed for 20 yards on eight carries, while Gathing had 14 yards on seven carries. Kramer is not worried about the personnel shortage at running back, particularly given Gathing’s emergence. “(Gathing’s skills are) very akin to what Bruce Molock does and very complimentary to what David Mayvield does. Now that Mayfield will be in practice early next week, and we look forward to the return of Jimmy Beal, our running back position will be a position of strength eventually.”
Nonetheless, Kramer watched his defense dominate for most of the afternoon. MSU’s first string stop unit allowed only one first down in the first five series against the first offense. On the day, MSU’s first offense managed just 91 yards on 24 plays.
“I continue to be impressed by a veteran defense that knows how to play,” Kramer said. The MSU defense had a different look on Saturday, with cornerbacks Joey Thomas and Kahiam Hunter and defensive tackle Beau Clark injured. Kramer cited the play of senior corner Jay Hackett, and noted that the team has accomodated Clark’s absence by moving some players around on the line.
“It’s clear that Clive Lowe can play defensive end as a starter for the Bobcats,” Kramer said. “That means that the arthroscopic knee surgery to Beau Clark will be offset by the move of (defensive end) Adam Cordeiro inside. That makes our defense faster and better.”
MSU’s fourth-year head coach said the Bobcat defense, which features five third-year starters, rather than dwelling on his offense’s shortcomings. “We’re just young emotionally on offense, and that’s true also at quarterback. Travis is still learning how to drive the ship with a real inexperienced crew. You’re never going to be able to sit on top of this offense all day, no matter how veteran a defense we play against. This offense is going to be able to move the ball.”
Kramer said the team will have Sunday off, and will return with a walk-through and a practice each on Monday and Tuesday. He emphasized the importance of those two days, particularly for the group of players that will be starting for the first time this fall, as a prelude to Wednesday’s final fall scrimmage. “These (Monday and Tuesday practices) are highly critical for the guys that are starting who haven’t started. All the new starters have to play like veteran starters by Wednesday’s scrimmage.”
The Bobcats will scrimmage at 4 pm on Wednesday in Bobcat Stadium, and following the scimmage will be MSU’s Preseason Primer. The post-scrimmage party will feature beverages and bratwursts for $10 ($5 for children) behind the north end zone at Bobcat Stadium, and will offer Bobcat fans a chance to mingle with MSU coaches.
Saturday's Statistics
RUSHING: Mike Williams 8-20, Jason Gathing 7-14, Zach Wermers 6-23.
PASSING: Travis Lulay 16-9-0, 81 yards, 1 TD; Brent Owens 7-4-0, 29 yards; Rick Coppack 4-3-0, 12 yards; Cory Carpenter 3-2-0, 51 yards.
RECEIVING: Matt McCullough 3-57, Jason Goodman 2-40, Michael Williams 2-16-1, Corey Smith 2-6, Scott Turnquist 2-9, Brandon Roosevelt 2-3, Eddie Sullivan 2-11, Jason Gathing 1-13, Shane Schantz 2-18.
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