Offense, Defense Log Big Plays in Scrimmage
8/18/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Rob Ash knows his Montana State football team has come a long way in the 12 days since he conducted his first practice as Bobcat head coach.
"Astronomical," he says of the difference between Saturday's scrimmage and the team's first practice on August 6. "It's night and day."
Montana State's offense scored three touchdowns and two field goals in the 115-play scrimmage that marks MSU's final full-contact session of fall camp. Sophomore running back Aaron Mason carried 19 times 144 yards, highlighted by five carries of more than 10 yards. Jack Rolovich threw for 253 yards and one touchdown, while Cory Carpenter threw for 128 yards and a touchdown, throwing the day's only interception.
Ash said the team's familiarity with his schemes, installed less than two weeks ago, was apparent on Saturday. "When we call plays and defenses right now, everyone knows just what's going on," Ash said. "There's a minimum amount now of guys saying, 'Where do I go, what's my assignment here?' We've advanced to the level where we're able to work on technique and fundamentals and finesse."
The Bobcat offense rolled up 700 yards on Saturday, scoring two touchdowns and two field goals, but Ash said plenty of room for improvement remains. "We've got to get better offensive tempo getting plays run," he said. "We had two time outs today when we didn't get the plays in. But, today was the first day we've ever practiced the whole scenario, two coaches in the box and (Coach Jonathan) Beasley on the sideline sending signals in. For the first time going through it all, it wasn't bad. But, it's not good enough yet."
The chase for starting quarterback duties remains open, Ash said. "They're still both in the hunt," Ash said. "Jack's doing a great job, but every time Cory goes with the ones he does an excellent job, also. I'm very happy with both of them. I'm very happy with both of them, they're both guys we can play at any point in time. Cory had the tougher assignment going up against the one defense with the number two offense, and I thought he moved the ball really well. They're both still in the picture."
The Bobcat defense registered several big plays, in addition to Arnold Briggs' interception and two fumble recoveries by Mike McCracken. Ash indicated the wear and tear of camp was evident on the defensive side of the ball in Saturday's scrum. "The defense is tired and beat up a little bit right now," he said. "The one defense went against the two offense, and other than the first drive the two offense didn't do very much. We're concerned about our depth (on defense), we still need to shore that up. In the defensive secondary we have some things we have to work on to make sure we're solid."
Senior receiver Josh Lewis caught three passes for 96 yards, including long strikes of 48 and 31 yards, while Deon Toliver caught three passes for 64 yards. Ash was pleased with his pass-catchers. "One thing I thought was a bright spot today in a big way was the receiver corps. They caught the ball, made moves after the catch. People told me when I got here that was a thin position and we still have to see, but I'm very happy with what I see in that group right now. We have good depth, and the balance will help us a lot."
Montana State will practice twice Monday, Wednesday and Friday next week, and once each on Tuesday and Thursday.
RUSHING: Aaron Mason 19-144, Isaiah Taito 7-23-1, Anthony Tillemans 11-18, Demetrius Crawford 7-13, Jamelle Banks 1- -5.
PASSING: Jack Rolovich 22-15-0, 253, 1; Cory Carpenter 18-13-1, 128, 1; Jordan Rasmussen 6-3-0, 29; Willie Sullivan 10-4-0, 97, 0.
RECEIVING: Tyler Lulay 4-46-1, Josh Lewis 3-96-1, Deon Toliver 3-64, Elliott Barnhart 3-26, Derek Green 3-39, Kyle Begger 3-30, Demetrius Crawford 3-16, DeAndre Green 3-34, Aaron Mason 2-15, Joe Schreibeis 2-16, Isaiah Taito 1- -2, Derek Erickson 1-3, Ty McDonald 1-9, Shane Robison 1-5, Jamelle Banks 1-4.
"Astronomical," he says of the difference between Saturday's scrimmage and the team's first practice on August 6. "It's night and day."
Montana State's offense scored three touchdowns and two field goals in the 115-play scrimmage that marks MSU's final full-contact session of fall camp. Sophomore running back Aaron Mason carried 19 times 144 yards, highlighted by five carries of more than 10 yards. Jack Rolovich threw for 253 yards and one touchdown, while Cory Carpenter threw for 128 yards and a touchdown, throwing the day's only interception.
Ash said the team's familiarity with his schemes, installed less than two weeks ago, was apparent on Saturday. "When we call plays and defenses right now, everyone knows just what's going on," Ash said. "There's a minimum amount now of guys saying, 'Where do I go, what's my assignment here?' We've advanced to the level where we're able to work on technique and fundamentals and finesse."
The Bobcat offense rolled up 700 yards on Saturday, scoring two touchdowns and two field goals, but Ash said plenty of room for improvement remains. "We've got to get better offensive tempo getting plays run," he said. "We had two time outs today when we didn't get the plays in. But, today was the first day we've ever practiced the whole scenario, two coaches in the box and (Coach Jonathan) Beasley on the sideline sending signals in. For the first time going through it all, it wasn't bad. But, it's not good enough yet."
The chase for starting quarterback duties remains open, Ash said. "They're still both in the hunt," Ash said. "Jack's doing a great job, but every time Cory goes with the ones he does an excellent job, also. I'm very happy with both of them. I'm very happy with both of them, they're both guys we can play at any point in time. Cory had the tougher assignment going up against the one defense with the number two offense, and I thought he moved the ball really well. They're both still in the picture."
The Bobcat defense registered several big plays, in addition to Arnold Briggs' interception and two fumble recoveries by Mike McCracken. Ash indicated the wear and tear of camp was evident on the defensive side of the ball in Saturday's scrum. "The defense is tired and beat up a little bit right now," he said. "The one defense went against the two offense, and other than the first drive the two offense didn't do very much. We're concerned about our depth (on defense), we still need to shore that up. In the defensive secondary we have some things we have to work on to make sure we're solid."
Senior receiver Josh Lewis caught three passes for 96 yards, including long strikes of 48 and 31 yards, while Deon Toliver caught three passes for 64 yards. Ash was pleased with his pass-catchers. "One thing I thought was a bright spot today in a big way was the receiver corps. They caught the ball, made moves after the catch. People told me when I got here that was a thin position and we still have to see, but I'm very happy with what I see in that group right now. We have good depth, and the balance will help us a lot."
Montana State will practice twice Monday, Wednesday and Friday next week, and once each on Tuesday and Thursday.
RUSHING: Aaron Mason 19-144, Isaiah Taito 7-23-1, Anthony Tillemans 11-18, Demetrius Crawford 7-13, Jamelle Banks 1- -5.
PASSING: Jack Rolovich 22-15-0, 253, 1; Cory Carpenter 18-13-1, 128, 1; Jordan Rasmussen 6-3-0, 29; Willie Sullivan 10-4-0, 97, 0.
RECEIVING: Tyler Lulay 4-46-1, Josh Lewis 3-96-1, Deon Toliver 3-64, Elliott Barnhart 3-26, Derek Green 3-39, Kyle Begger 3-30, Demetrius Crawford 3-16, DeAndre Green 3-34, Aaron Mason 2-15, Joe Schreibeis 2-16, Isaiah Taito 1- -2, Derek Erickson 1-3, Ty McDonald 1-9, Shane Robison 1-5, Jamelle Banks 1-4.
Wednesday, August 19
Wednesday, June 10
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
