Bobcat Ground Game Slides into Spotlight
8/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dan Ogden could barely contain his enthusiasm.
"I think we're over-excited," Montana State's junior defensive tackle said with a smile after the Bobcats logged their first practice in pads of fall camp. "We haven't hit in a long time."
With limited contact part of the equation Wednesday, Ash said the ground game, particularly blocking and getting off blocks, moved front and center.
"You have to have the pads on to be able to block and to defend blocks up front and see who can run through a tackle and who can get fitted for a tackle," Ash said. "You still don't know for sure until you get into full pads... But in terms of the blocking up front it's about as full speed as in live situations. That's really what we're evaluating right now."
Montana State's four running backs - senior Aaron Mason, junior Blayde Becksted, sophomore CJ Palmer, and redshirt freshman Ricky Evans - each showed positive signs running behind MSU's experienced offensive line on Wednesday. "That running back position is still really competitive," Ash said. "All four guys are in it. There's nothing that can be read into who's playing where right now."
Ash enjoyed following the familiar pattern of the fall on Wednesday as his team donned shoulder pads, and he remained impressed with his team's general progress. "The weather kind of broke for us with the overcast skies and temperatures weren't as bad, but guys are playing themselves into shape and their bodies are starting to get used to this. I don't think there any problems today with conditioning, and they are playing through some of that. Now, having hit today, they'll be kind of sore tomorrow."
Ash looks forward to his team's progress, and to time flying as fall camp progresses.
"It's getting closer to football every day."
"I think we're over-excited," Montana State's junior defensive tackle said with a smile after the Bobcats logged their first practice in pads of fall camp. "We haven't hit in a long time."
With limited contact part of the equation Wednesday, Ash said the ground game, particularly blocking and getting off blocks, moved front and center.
"You have to have the pads on to be able to block and to defend blocks up front and see who can run through a tackle and who can get fitted for a tackle," Ash said. "You still don't know for sure until you get into full pads... But in terms of the blocking up front it's about as full speed as in live situations. That's really what we're evaluating right now."
Montana State's four running backs - senior Aaron Mason, junior Blayde Becksted, sophomore CJ Palmer, and redshirt freshman Ricky Evans - each showed positive signs running behind MSU's experienced offensive line on Wednesday. "That running back position is still really competitive," Ash said. "All four guys are in it. There's nothing that can be read into who's playing where right now."
Ash enjoyed following the familiar pattern of the fall on Wednesday as his team donned shoulder pads, and he remained impressed with his team's general progress. "The weather kind of broke for us with the overcast skies and temperatures weren't as bad, but guys are playing themselves into shape and their bodies are starting to get used to this. I don't think there any problems today with conditioning, and they are playing through some of that. Now, having hit today, they'll be kind of sore tomorrow."
Ash looks forward to his team's progress, and to time flying as fall camp progresses.
"It's getting closer to football every day."
Wednesday, August 19
Wednesday, June 10
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
