Bobcat defense strong in scrum
8/9/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
It was only practice seven, but Montana State’s first live contact period of the fall produced familiar results on Saturday. The Big Sky Conference’s leading defense for the past two seasons stifled the Bobcat offense on the sixth day of fall camp, allowing only 92 yards and five first downs.
Mike Kramer was enthusiastic following the practice session. “It was a great practice seven,” he said. “In fact, that was about as excited as I’ve been for both sides of the ball for practice seven. This is a very early scrimmage in terms of the number of practices we’ve had. We’re asking a number of guys who have only been in the program since Sunday night to play against a veteran offense or a veteran defense. It was an excellent day.”
Junior linebacker Roger Cooper, who has made the move from strong side linebacker to the middle this spring, turned in the day’s big play. He scored the day’s only touchdown on a 48-yard return of a Travis Lulay interception. The play was reminiscent of several plays Cooper made late last season, but his coach took it in stride. “It wasn’t a great play, not a bad play. I’m not standing on my head or jumping all over the place. He’ll make plays like that.”
Bobcat All-America safety Kane Ioane was more impressed with Cooper. “The guy is a unanimous all-conference first team guy. He’s going to make plays. He may make the wrong read here and there because he’s new to the middle, but once he gets the middle down and starts reading everything it’s going to be something to watch.”
Lulay looked sharp at times on Saturday, but completed only four of his 10 pass attempts, for 22 yards. MSU’s projected starter at tailback, Jimmy Beal, missed the practice with an injured hamstring. Michael Williams rushed five times for 11 yards, while Bruce Molock, a senior transfer from Cal State Northridge, carried three times for 13 yards. “I thought Michael (Williams) did a nice job,” Kramer said, also singling out young defensive ends Ryan Cogley and Nick Barbero. “Barbero and Cogley played well, too.”
Ioane was also pleased with the team’s defensive effort. “Defensively we ran to the ball,” he said. “We have some young guys that have to step up, but at every position we have a guy that is solid and ready to step in.”
Kramer said the strongest positive he’ll take from the day’s effort was the intensity and effort. “It was fun to be able to tackle, to run around and hit people. It was fun to see our new offensive linemen line up against a truly dominant defensive front. All in all, an excellent day.”
* * * STATISTICS * * *
RUSHING: Michael Williams 5-11, Dan McInerny 5-7, Bruce Molock 3-13, Zach Wermers 1-0.
PASSING: Travis Lulay 10-4-1, 22 yards, 0 TD; Brent Owens 4-3-0, 14 yds; Cory Carpenter 3-0-0; Rick Coppack 2-1-0, 17.
RECEIVING: Eddie Sullivan 3-15, Kellen Alley 2-17, Matt McCullough 1-5, Blake Wolf 1-7, Bruce Molock 1-17.
DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS: Roger Cooper 1 INT, 1 TD (48 yard int. return); Nick Barbero 2 sacks; Ray Sebestyen 1 sack; Adam Cordeiro 1 sack; Ryan Cogley 1 sack; Sean Kelly 1 sack; Clayton Curley 1 PB; Brandon Eggart 1 PB; Andre Fuller 1 PB.
Fall Camp Report
Saturday - Day SIX
Practice Schedule
Sun., 8/10 - 1:45 pm
Mon., 8/11 - 9:30 am, 3 pm
Tue., 8/12 - 3 pm
Of Interest
Only one of MSU’s 14 rushing plays went for more than five yards on Saturday
Quips
“I can see where we’re headed, and it’s going to be fun.” - Mike Kramer, after Saturday’s scrimmage
Countdown to Kickoff
20 days til MSU at Wyoming, 8/30
Mike Kramer was enthusiastic following the practice session. “It was a great practice seven,” he said. “In fact, that was about as excited as I’ve been for both sides of the ball for practice seven. This is a very early scrimmage in terms of the number of practices we’ve had. We’re asking a number of guys who have only been in the program since Sunday night to play against a veteran offense or a veteran defense. It was an excellent day.”
Junior linebacker Roger Cooper, who has made the move from strong side linebacker to the middle this spring, turned in the day’s big play. He scored the day’s only touchdown on a 48-yard return of a Travis Lulay interception. The play was reminiscent of several plays Cooper made late last season, but his coach took it in stride. “It wasn’t a great play, not a bad play. I’m not standing on my head or jumping all over the place. He’ll make plays like that.”
Bobcat All-America safety Kane Ioane was more impressed with Cooper. “The guy is a unanimous all-conference first team guy. He’s going to make plays. He may make the wrong read here and there because he’s new to the middle, but once he gets the middle down and starts reading everything it’s going to be something to watch.”
Lulay looked sharp at times on Saturday, but completed only four of his 10 pass attempts, for 22 yards. MSU’s projected starter at tailback, Jimmy Beal, missed the practice with an injured hamstring. Michael Williams rushed five times for 11 yards, while Bruce Molock, a senior transfer from Cal State Northridge, carried three times for 13 yards. “I thought Michael (Williams) did a nice job,” Kramer said, also singling out young defensive ends Ryan Cogley and Nick Barbero. “Barbero and Cogley played well, too.”
Ioane was also pleased with the team’s defensive effort. “Defensively we ran to the ball,” he said. “We have some young guys that have to step up, but at every position we have a guy that is solid and ready to step in.”
Kramer said the strongest positive he’ll take from the day’s effort was the intensity and effort. “It was fun to be able to tackle, to run around and hit people. It was fun to see our new offensive linemen line up against a truly dominant defensive front. All in all, an excellent day.”
* * * STATISTICS * * *
RUSHING: Michael Williams 5-11, Dan McInerny 5-7, Bruce Molock 3-13, Zach Wermers 1-0.
PASSING: Travis Lulay 10-4-1, 22 yards, 0 TD; Brent Owens 4-3-0, 14 yds; Cory Carpenter 3-0-0; Rick Coppack 2-1-0, 17.
RECEIVING: Eddie Sullivan 3-15, Kellen Alley 2-17, Matt McCullough 1-5, Blake Wolf 1-7, Bruce Molock 1-17.
DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS: Roger Cooper 1 INT, 1 TD (48 yard int. return); Nick Barbero 2 sacks; Ray Sebestyen 1 sack; Adam Cordeiro 1 sack; Ryan Cogley 1 sack; Sean Kelly 1 sack; Clayton Curley 1 PB; Brandon Eggart 1 PB; Andre Fuller 1 PB.
Fall Camp Report
Saturday - Day SIX
Practice Schedule
Sun., 8/10 - 1:45 pm
Mon., 8/11 - 9:30 am, 3 pm
Tue., 8/12 - 3 pm
Of Interest
Only one of MSU’s 14 rushing plays went for more than five yards on Saturday
Quips
“I can see where we’re headed, and it’s going to be fun.” - Mike Kramer, after Saturday’s scrimmage
Countdown to Kickoff
20 days til MSU at Wyoming, 8/30
Wednesday, August 19
Wednesday, June 10
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
