Zach Minter was outstanding during MSU's scrimmage Sunday
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
Galloway Shows Well Against Outstanding Defensive Effort in MSU Scrimmage
4/10/2011 3:40:53 PM | Football
Good showings on both sides of the ball highlight MSU scrimmage
Grayson Galloway, meet Zach Minter.
Bobcat fans, meet Grayson Galloway.
Minter, Montana State's stellar defensive tackle, spent the first part of Montana State's Sunday scrimmage making life miserable for MSU's junior quarterback. But during the middle portion of the 98-play scrimmage, things began to change, and specifically, the pace got more reasonable.
“Things slowed down a little bit,” Galloway said of a performance that began with four sacks and a dropped pass in his first five pass plays. He finished the day 21-for-40 for 190 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception. But the big news for Galloway lied in the look more than the numbers.
“In terms of running the offense, knowing what to do, he took a big step forward today,” said Bobcat coach Rob Ash. “The first thing a quarterback has to get into place is the mental piece, and I think that's coming for Grayson.”
That Galloway would leave a positive impression after Sunday's scrimmage seemed unlikely for a while. Facing a pieced-together offensive line without starting guard Tyler Thomas, the Bobcat defensive front began the main portion of the day's work – after DeNarius McGhee's non-contact segment – on first.
First John Laidet tackled Cody Kirk for a one-yard loss. Then the entire defensive front converged on a quick-whistle sack, then Zach Minter burst through the line for a sack. After a dropped pass to begin the next set of downs, Tray Robinson rushed for two yards, then Brian Bignell registered a sack on a play that was negated by an offsides, and Taylor Dees then logged a sack.
On the day, Montana State's defense – especially up front – hung its hat on big plays, logging seven sacks, all by down linemen, and six tackles-for-loss. Minter was spectacular, logging three sacks and a tackle-for-loss, and spending much of the day in the offensive backfield. John Laidet had two tackles-for-loss and a hurry. James Andrews' interception was the day's only turnover, and the junior cornerback also broke up a pass.
“Early on the defense was really quick,” Ash said. “They got off to a dominating start. (Zach Minter) is playing outstanding, and I like Brian Bignell (at tackle), too.”
While it wasn't apparent throughout the day, MSU's offensive line gained momentum as the day progressed. “I thought they sustained blocks better, they protected better, and that allowed the offense to perform better.”
After Sunday's practice, Montana State practices again on Wednesday before heading to Great Falls on Friday for Saturday's Triangle Classic scrimmage at 3 pm.
RUSHING: Cody Kirk 8-65-0, Tray Robinson 6-28-0, CJ Palmer 6-10-0, Kerry Sloan 8-17-1, Everett Gilbert 6-13-0, Matt Balen 4-16-0, Chad Price 2-7-0, Lee Stunkard 2-7-0, David Dash 2-33-0.
PASSING: DeNarius McGhee 12-8-0, 86, 0; Grayson Galloway 40-21-1, 190, 2; Neil Mannix 1-0-0.
RECEIVING: Tanner Bleskin 4-68-1, Everett Gilbert 4-9-0, Steven Foster 3-34-0, Elvis Akpla 2-29-0, John Ellis 2-22-0, David Dash 2-19-0, Kruiz Siewing 2-19-0, Lee Perkins 2-10-1, Gianni Carter 2-32-0, CJ Palmer 1-4-0, Cody Kirk 1-11-0, Brian Floetkoetter 1-10-0, Chris Houden 1-2-1.
DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS: Zach Minter-3 sacks, 2 TL; John Laidet-2 TL, 1 hurry; James Andrews-1 Int, 1 PB; Brian Bignell-2 sacks; Taylor Dees-1 sack; Craig Ashworth-1 sack; Steven Laski-1 TL; Jody Owens-1 TL; Clay Bignell-1 TL; Aleksei Grosulak-1 PB.
Thursday, July 31
Monday, May 19
Wednesday, May 03
Wednesday, May 03
