MSU Faces Spring Finale on Saturday
4/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Montana State football coach Rob Ash doesn't know exactly what he'll see during his team's spring football finale on Saturday, but he's glad to be seeing it in Great Falls.
"I love going to Great Falls, and this is such a great event," Ash said as his team prepares for MSU's Triangle Classic Spring Game at 6 pm in Great Falls Memorial Stadium Saturday. "I didn't really know what it was all about last year, but the atmosphere really makes this a unique event."
When it comes to the product on the field Saturday, Ash said he'll be interested to see how his offense takes care of the ball. "That was really the most noteworthy thing about (MSU's most recent) scrimmage, the offense didn't turn the ball over. That has kind of been Mark Iddins' strong point as a quarterback, and that showed last week."
A strength on one side of the ball is a weakness on the other during the spring, Ash said, and he'll also watch his defensive unit's response to the offense's meticulous ball-handling. "The defense prides itself in the ability to take the ball away, so I know they'll go into this scrimmage looking to create turnovers. It will be an interesting matchup."
More than just taking care of the ball, Ash has liked his offensive unit's pace in recent weeks. "Jim (Svoboda, MSU quarterbacks coach) has really worked hard with Mark Iddins on getting the ball out on time, playing with a little more urgency, and Mark has had a good couple of weeks."
Iddins has taken most of MSU's reps in the last two weeks since Mark Desin was moved from quarterback to receiver.
Defensively, Ash has been impressed with his team's ability to regenerate at positions that incurred personnel losses, particularly at linebacker. "I'm really happy with Jody Owens with Chase Gazzerro out, and Clay Bignell has played well at middle linebacker (replacing the graduated Bobby Daly). Those guys have stepped right in and performed well."
Ash indicated that Saturday's scrimmage will use a scoring system the rewards the defense for such items as sacks and three-and-out possessions. The spring game will feature four 12-minute quarters. NFL Hall of Famer Deacon Jones is available for autographs at the Paris Gibson practice fields on Saturday at 12 noon, with youth cheer and football clinics beginning there at 2 pm.
"I love going to Great Falls, and this is such a great event," Ash said as his team prepares for MSU's Triangle Classic Spring Game at 6 pm in Great Falls Memorial Stadium Saturday. "I didn't really know what it was all about last year, but the atmosphere really makes this a unique event."
When it comes to the product on the field Saturday, Ash said he'll be interested to see how his offense takes care of the ball. "That was really the most noteworthy thing about (MSU's most recent) scrimmage, the offense didn't turn the ball over. That has kind of been Mark Iddins' strong point as a quarterback, and that showed last week."
A strength on one side of the ball is a weakness on the other during the spring, Ash said, and he'll also watch his defensive unit's response to the offense's meticulous ball-handling. "The defense prides itself in the ability to take the ball away, so I know they'll go into this scrimmage looking to create turnovers. It will be an interesting matchup."
More than just taking care of the ball, Ash has liked his offensive unit's pace in recent weeks. "Jim (Svoboda, MSU quarterbacks coach) has really worked hard with Mark Iddins on getting the ball out on time, playing with a little more urgency, and Mark has had a good couple of weeks."
Iddins has taken most of MSU's reps in the last two weeks since Mark Desin was moved from quarterback to receiver.
Defensively, Ash has been impressed with his team's ability to regenerate at positions that incurred personnel losses, particularly at linebacker. "I'm really happy with Jody Owens with Chase Gazzerro out, and Clay Bignell has played well at middle linebacker (replacing the graduated Bobby Daly). Those guys have stepped right in and performed well."
Ash indicated that Saturday's scrimmage will use a scoring system the rewards the defense for such items as sacks and three-and-out possessions. The spring game will feature four 12-minute quarters. NFL Hall of Famer Deacon Jones is available for autographs at the Paris Gibson practice fields on Saturday at 12 noon, with youth cheer and football clinics beginning there at 2 pm.
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