Gazzerro Enjoys Happy Homecoming
4/8/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Chewing up rushing yards in Great Falls’ Memorial Stadium is nothing new for Chase Gazzerro. Doing so against the Big Sky Conference’s top defense is. The Montana State sophomore rushed for 123 yards, including a 63-yarder that nearly provided the day’s only touchdown, in MSU’s Triangle Classic scrimmage on Saturday.
A crowd of 3,000 gathered to watch Gazzerro and Evin Groves, MSU’s starting tailback, roll up a combined 215 rushing yards against the defense that has led the Big Sky in fewest yards allowed in four of the last five seasons. “It was a great feeling,” former Great Falls CM Russell star Gazzerro said, “and it was great to be back.” Gazzerro gained 123 yards on 21 carries, while Groves added 92 yards on 20 totes.
Gazzerro moved from safety to running back during MSU’s first week of spring practice due to an injury to running back Isaiah Taito. He said the transition back to the position he played in high school came easy. “It came back really quick after the first series,” he said. “The adrenaline took over and I felt good.”
Groves, who rushed for over 400 yards as a redshirt freshman last year, and Gazzerro both credited the Bobcat offensive front, which returns four starters next fall. “The offensive line was dominating up front,” Groves said.
Kramer said Groves’ performance marked another step in Montana State’s offensive evolution. “He’s such a dynamic player,” the Bobcats’ seventh-year head coach said. “He’s our offensive leader at this point because he’s bled it.”
MSU’s fast, athletic linebacker corp paced the team’s defensive effort. “Those three veteran linebackers really played like veterans,” he said. “Bobby Daly, Clive Lowe and Epikopo King were exactly where they needed to be, and they did exactly what they needed to do.”
While MSU’s ground game proved effective, the passing game looked like a club searching to replace a long-time starting quarterback and a group of productive receivers. “It wouldn’t be a spring without some duress at the receiver position for me, but we just need to get Donnell Wheaton healthy, give Michael Jefferson a chance to get settled in, and let the young guys apply what they’re learning.”
Hawai’i transfer Jack Rolovich and fourth-year junior Cory Carpenter posted up-and-down afternoons. Rolovich was 10-for-23 for 78 yards, while Carpenter was 12-for-28 for 103 yards with two interceptions. “I saw some nerves and some uncertainty,” Kramer said. “Those guys need time, but that’s what spring football is for, and this was our first scrimmage.”
The day’s best passing performance may have come from Groves, who completed a 29-yard halfback pass to Joe Schreibeis. “I played some quarterback in high school,” Groves said with a smile, “so I can throw the rock a little.”
Although the offense knocked on the door, it wasn’t allowed to complete drives in the mostly-scripted scrimmage. The day’s scoring came on two field goals each from Eric Fisher (37 and 48 yards) of Billings and Tyler Bolton (35 and 34 yards) of Great Falls.
In all, Kramer was pleased with what he saw. “It was a great day, a great crowd, and great weather,” he said. “How can we not be a better organization on Monday with our coaches and players knowing not only how much people in Bozeman care about our program, but how much people all over the state care? This was a great weekend.”
MSU is scheduled to scrimmage again next weekend.
SCORING PLAYS
Eric Fisher 37 FG
Eric Fisher 48 FG
Tyler Bolton 35 FG
Tyler Bolton 34 FG
RUSHING: Chase Gazzerro 21-123, Evin Groves 20-92, Alex Lourdeaux 5-16, Dustin Baxter 2-2.
PASSING: Jack Rolovich 23-10-0, 78; Cory Carpenter 28-12-2, 103; Collin Beeson 14-5-1, 49; Evin Groves 1-1-0, 29.
RECEIVING: Michael Jefferson 5-30; Evin Groves 4-28; Elliott Barnhart 1-7; Derek Green 1-6; Luke Holden 3-22; Joe Schreibeis 2-34; Chase Gazzerro 2-16; Ty McDonald 5-73; Mike Brown 3-26; Deon Toliver 1-6.
DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS: Sacks – Sean Niell 1, David Siataga 1, Wes Mauia 1, Epikopo King 1, Clive Lowe 1, Denis Speights 1, Kylan Kinkelaar 1, Aaron Papich 1; Tackles for Loss – Chris Kolone 2, Bobby Daly 1, Ryan Force 1. Interceptions – Dane Fletcher, Andre Fuller, Michael Beach.
A crowd of 3,000 gathered to watch Gazzerro and Evin Groves, MSU’s starting tailback, roll up a combined 215 rushing yards against the defense that has led the Big Sky in fewest yards allowed in four of the last five seasons. “It was a great feeling,” former Great Falls CM Russell star Gazzerro said, “and it was great to be back.” Gazzerro gained 123 yards on 21 carries, while Groves added 92 yards on 20 totes.
Gazzerro moved from safety to running back during MSU’s first week of spring practice due to an injury to running back Isaiah Taito. He said the transition back to the position he played in high school came easy. “It came back really quick after the first series,” he said. “The adrenaline took over and I felt good.”
Groves, who rushed for over 400 yards as a redshirt freshman last year, and Gazzerro both credited the Bobcat offensive front, which returns four starters next fall. “The offensive line was dominating up front,” Groves said.
Kramer said Groves’ performance marked another step in Montana State’s offensive evolution. “He’s such a dynamic player,” the Bobcats’ seventh-year head coach said. “He’s our offensive leader at this point because he’s bled it.”
MSU’s fast, athletic linebacker corp paced the team’s defensive effort. “Those three veteran linebackers really played like veterans,” he said. “Bobby Daly, Clive Lowe and Epikopo King were exactly where they needed to be, and they did exactly what they needed to do.”
While MSU’s ground game proved effective, the passing game looked like a club searching to replace a long-time starting quarterback and a group of productive receivers. “It wouldn’t be a spring without some duress at the receiver position for me, but we just need to get Donnell Wheaton healthy, give Michael Jefferson a chance to get settled in, and let the young guys apply what they’re learning.”
Hawai’i transfer Jack Rolovich and fourth-year junior Cory Carpenter posted up-and-down afternoons. Rolovich was 10-for-23 for 78 yards, while Carpenter was 12-for-28 for 103 yards with two interceptions. “I saw some nerves and some uncertainty,” Kramer said. “Those guys need time, but that’s what spring football is for, and this was our first scrimmage.”
The day’s best passing performance may have come from Groves, who completed a 29-yard halfback pass to Joe Schreibeis. “I played some quarterback in high school,” Groves said with a smile, “so I can throw the rock a little.”
Although the offense knocked on the door, it wasn’t allowed to complete drives in the mostly-scripted scrimmage. The day’s scoring came on two field goals each from Eric Fisher (37 and 48 yards) of Billings and Tyler Bolton (35 and 34 yards) of Great Falls.
In all, Kramer was pleased with what he saw. “It was a great day, a great crowd, and great weather,” he said. “How can we not be a better organization on Monday with our coaches and players knowing not only how much people in Bozeman care about our program, but how much people all over the state care? This was a great weekend.”
MSU is scheduled to scrimmage again next weekend.
SCORING PLAYS
Eric Fisher 37 FG
Eric Fisher 48 FG
Tyler Bolton 35 FG
Tyler Bolton 34 FG
RUSHING: Chase Gazzerro 21-123, Evin Groves 20-92, Alex Lourdeaux 5-16, Dustin Baxter 2-2.
PASSING: Jack Rolovich 23-10-0, 78; Cory Carpenter 28-12-2, 103; Collin Beeson 14-5-1, 49; Evin Groves 1-1-0, 29.
RECEIVING: Michael Jefferson 5-30; Evin Groves 4-28; Elliott Barnhart 1-7; Derek Green 1-6; Luke Holden 3-22; Joe Schreibeis 2-34; Chase Gazzerro 2-16; Ty McDonald 5-73; Mike Brown 3-26; Deon Toliver 1-6.
DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS: Sacks – Sean Niell 1, David Siataga 1, Wes Mauia 1, Epikopo King 1, Clive Lowe 1, Denis Speights 1, Kylan Kinkelaar 1, Aaron Papich 1; Tackles for Loss – Chris Kolone 2, Bobby Daly 1, Ryan Force 1. Interceptions – Dane Fletcher, Andre Fuller, Michael Beach.
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