Defense Shines in Great Falls
4/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Rob Ash saw it coming.
One week after Montana State's offense broke out in the third Bobcat scrimmage of the spring, the defense limited the offense to 277 yards on no field goals in the Triangle Classic Spring Game in Great Falls.
"I would have thought that the offense would have scored at least one (touchdown) tonight, but the defense was extremely inspired after last Saturday's scrimmage," MSU coach Rob Ash said. "The defense looked a little faster today, they were extremely intense, they may have been better prepared mentally because of what they went through this week after last week's scrimmage."
Middle linebacker Clay Bignell led Montana State's defensive effort on Saturday. The sophomore from Helena registered three sacks, two pass breakups, and continually harassed Bobcat quarterbacks.
Ash said quarterback pressure provided MSU's offense its greatest challenge on the night, especially early. "I thought Jamie (Marshall, MSU defensive coordinator) came out with all guns blazing. Clay played very well. Early on blitz pickup was a problem (for the offense)."
The Bobcat defense recorded nine sacks on the night. Jason D'Alba and Brad Smith each registered a pair, with John Laidet and Ryan Cerise chipping in a sack each.
While the Bobcat offense didn't find the end zone, it did move the ball effectively at times, particularly on the ground. Ricky Evans, who has missed time with injuries this spring, carried 20 times for 75 yards. "I thought we got a good evaluation of Ricky tonight," Ash said. "He is very explosive and dynamic. But CJ Palmer and Blayde Becksted ran the ball well, too." Palmer finished with 63 yards on 11 carries, while Becksted added 28 yards on seven attempts.
By far, MSU's top offensive weapong Saturday was kicker Jason Cunningham, whose outstanding spring is an extension of his surprising true freshman campaign last fall. Cunningham converted five of six field goals Saturday, with a long of 47.
"Jason is just very steady," Ash said. "He is very efficient. He never gets rattled. He is really a weapon for us."
The Triangle Classic closes MSU's 2009 spring practice session, and Ash was pleased with the work his squad accomplished, particularly in light of the number of injuries that plagued the team's offense early in the spring. "One major highlight was that we had no serious injuries tonight," Ash said. "In that regard, we're better going out of the spring than we were coming in."
Ash also said he remains thrilled with the spring finale in Great Falls. A crowd of 3,515 gathered Saturday night. "I just can't imagine anywhere else that could provide so much support and so much hospitality for a 48-hour event the way Great Falls has this weekend," he said. "It has been absolutely fantastic, and this is definitely a highlight of our year." A crowd of over 1,000 gathered for Friday's Triangle Classic Banquet.
RUSHING: Ricky Evans 20-75, CJ Palmer 11-63, Blayde Becksted 7-28.
PASSING: Mark Iddins 28-16-0, 100, 0; Byron Campbell 25-16-0, 154.
RECEIVING: Mark Desin 6-41, Blayde Becksted 6-43, Michael Chopp 1-6, Sane Robison 1-6, CJ Palmer 1-5, Reil Cornelius 2-35, Ricky Evans 2-12, Kyle Begger 2-18, Michael Gallagher 1-4, Rick Haluszka 3-25, Steven Foster 3-47, Kruiz Siewing 3-25.
One week after Montana State's offense broke out in the third Bobcat scrimmage of the spring, the defense limited the offense to 277 yards on no field goals in the Triangle Classic Spring Game in Great Falls.
"I would have thought that the offense would have scored at least one (touchdown) tonight, but the defense was extremely inspired after last Saturday's scrimmage," MSU coach Rob Ash said. "The defense looked a little faster today, they were extremely intense, they may have been better prepared mentally because of what they went through this week after last week's scrimmage."
Middle linebacker Clay Bignell led Montana State's defensive effort on Saturday. The sophomore from Helena registered three sacks, two pass breakups, and continually harassed Bobcat quarterbacks.
Ash said quarterback pressure provided MSU's offense its greatest challenge on the night, especially early. "I thought Jamie (Marshall, MSU defensive coordinator) came out with all guns blazing. Clay played very well. Early on blitz pickup was a problem (for the offense)."
The Bobcat defense recorded nine sacks on the night. Jason D'Alba and Brad Smith each registered a pair, with John Laidet and Ryan Cerise chipping in a sack each.
While the Bobcat offense didn't find the end zone, it did move the ball effectively at times, particularly on the ground. Ricky Evans, who has missed time with injuries this spring, carried 20 times for 75 yards. "I thought we got a good evaluation of Ricky tonight," Ash said. "He is very explosive and dynamic. But CJ Palmer and Blayde Becksted ran the ball well, too." Palmer finished with 63 yards on 11 carries, while Becksted added 28 yards on seven attempts.
By far, MSU's top offensive weapong Saturday was kicker Jason Cunningham, whose outstanding spring is an extension of his surprising true freshman campaign last fall. Cunningham converted five of six field goals Saturday, with a long of 47.
"Jason is just very steady," Ash said. "He is very efficient. He never gets rattled. He is really a weapon for us."
The Triangle Classic closes MSU's 2009 spring practice session, and Ash was pleased with the work his squad accomplished, particularly in light of the number of injuries that plagued the team's offense early in the spring. "One major highlight was that we had no serious injuries tonight," Ash said. "In that regard, we're better going out of the spring than we were coming in."
Ash also said he remains thrilled with the spring finale in Great Falls. A crowd of 3,515 gathered Saturday night. "I just can't imagine anywhere else that could provide so much support and so much hospitality for a 48-hour event the way Great Falls has this weekend," he said. "It has been absolutely fantastic, and this is definitely a highlight of our year." A crowd of over 1,000 gathered for Friday's Triangle Classic Banquet.
RUSHING: Ricky Evans 20-75, CJ Palmer 11-63, Blayde Becksted 7-28.
PASSING: Mark Iddins 28-16-0, 100, 0; Byron Campbell 25-16-0, 154.
RECEIVING: Mark Desin 6-41, Blayde Becksted 6-43, Michael Chopp 1-6, Sane Robison 1-6, CJ Palmer 1-5, Reil Cornelius 2-35, Ricky Evans 2-12, Kyle Begger 2-18, Michael Gallagher 1-4, Rick Haluszka 3-25, Steven Foster 3-47, Kruiz Siewing 3-25.
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