Everett Gilbert will have considerable opportunity to scamper from the running back position this spring
Bobcat Ground Game Continues to Evolve in Face of Bad News
4/2/2010 3:11:17 PM | Football
Bobcat senior Blayde Becksted is lost for the spring with a broken ankle
On a day when the Bobcat program received a dose of bad news about its running attack, Rob Ash was still able to smile when talking about his team's ground game.
“I thought it went really well” on Friday, Ash said of his team's rushing game. “We were pretty assignment-sound. The biggest issue remains blitz pickup, but that's no surprise because we have young, inexperienced running backs right now. They are very willing, but it's a tough area.”
The youthful nature of MSU's ground game was assured for an indefinite period Friday morning, when Ash was notified that senior running back Blayde Becksted suffered from a broken bone in his ankle. The Wellington, Colo., native underwent surgery to repair the fracture.
“It's tough news for Blayde and for the team,” Ash said. “He's worked hard, but just can't stay healthy. He'll be out for three to four months, so we now he'll be working to get back by (the start of fall camp in) August.”
In the absence of Becksted and CJ Palmer, a part-time starter last fall who is battling a toe injury, receiver Everett Gilbert joined a pair of redshirt freshmen – Cody Kirk and Jordan Rohrich – in splitting carries during Friday's practice. “Bad news for Blayde and CJ is good news for those young guys,” Ash said. “They each have the opportunity to show ways they can contribute. They're eager to learn and working hard.”
All three played running back in high school. Kirk was a workhorse back at Frenchtown, Rohrich an all-around star at St. Ignatius, and Gilbert a mercurial multi-purpose player at Rockwall-Heath High in Texas. Each faces different challenges in adapting to his newly-defined and evolving role.
Gilbert starred as a true freshman receiver last fall, leading the Bobcats with 46 catches, 556 receiving yards, and six touchdown catches. He also carried 23 times for 151 yards. Gilbert said moving between two positions poses a unique set of challenges. “I played running back before in high school, so I'm used to that,” he said. “Mentally, I have to get my assignments down at running back, get my assignments down at receiver. It's just a matter of getting myself right mentally (for both positions).”
While the 5-10, 185 lb Kirk plays only running back, Ash cited his versatility as a strength. “Cody is really doing well,” Ash said. “He's pretty assignment-sound, he is an effective runner, he catches it well, he's tough, he runs hard, I like his ball security so far. His biggest issue is blitz pickup, but that's the case with most young running backs.”
After an outstanding prep career at running back, Rohrich spent last fall on MSU's scout team as a receiver. That move stands as the only complication in his transition back to the offensive backfield this spring. “Jordan's transition has been a little tougher because he spent the fall at receiver,” Ash said. 'I like him athletically at running back, he has good size, and I'm happy we made the move. But he's just a little behind because he didn't work against our (varsity) defense as a running back last fall.”
Rohrich agreed. “It's a little bit harder to see the holes (than in high school),” he said. “The speed of the game is faster.”
Thursday, July 31
Monday, May 19
Wednesday, May 03
Wednesday, May 03
