All-America Jody Owens (23) leads a sturdy and veteran Bobcat defense
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
Bobcat Gridders Open Spring Ball March 20
3/9/2012 9:52:00 AM | Football
Spring break ends with a bang as spring camp starts a day after classes resume
Facing several obvious storylines, Montana State begins its March toward the 2012 football season when spring drills open on March 20.
MSU Spring Preview
Although MSU integrates three new assistant coaches into the program, two on offense, the gaze inevitably drifts toward the line of scrimmage, where Jason McEndoo rebuilds the offensive line around starting center Shaun Sampson, a reserve, and a handful of redshirts. A pair of veterans, Ben Tauanuu (injuries) and Stephen Memory (personal reasons), will not to return to the squad. The lead receiver role occupied spectacularly by Elvis Akpla is also up for grabs, but every other Bobcat receiver returns.
Very few questions exist on defense, where only starters Clay Bignell (middle linebacker), John Laidet (defensive end) and oft-injured nose tackle Christian Keli'i depart from the two-deep. All-Americas Zach Minter (tackle) and Jody Owens (linebacker) anchor the veteran defensive unit, which returns eight starters.
No returners, though, occupy the unquestioned leadership roles of two returning juniors, quarterback DeNarius McGhee (5,962 career passing yards) and running back Cody Kirk (1,351 rushing yards in 2011). That duo forms the engine of an offense coming off the best two-year run in school history.
SPRING PRACTICE DATES
#1 Tue Mar 20 Half-pads
#2 Thu Mar 22 Half-pads
#3 Sat Mar 24 Contact
#4 Tue Mar 27 Contact
#5 Thu Mar 29 Contact
#6 Sat Mar 31 Scrimm/Jr Day
#7 Tue Apr 3 Contact
#8 Thu Apr 5 Contact
#9 Sat Apr 7 Half-scrimm.
#10 Tue Apr 10 Contact
#11 Thu Apr 12 Contact
#12 Sat Apr 14 Scrimm (MSU)
#13 Tue Apr 17 Contact
#14 Thu Apr 19 Half-pads
#15 Sat Apr 21 Scrimm (GF)
MSU Spring Preview
Although MSU integrates three new assistant coaches into the program, two on offense, the gaze inevitably drifts toward the line of scrimmage, where Jason McEndoo rebuilds the offensive line around starting center Shaun Sampson, a reserve, and a handful of redshirts. A pair of veterans, Ben Tauanuu (injuries) and Stephen Memory (personal reasons), will not to return to the squad. The lead receiver role occupied spectacularly by Elvis Akpla is also up for grabs, but every other Bobcat receiver returns.
Very few questions exist on defense, where only starters Clay Bignell (middle linebacker), John Laidet (defensive end) and oft-injured nose tackle Christian Keli'i depart from the two-deep. All-Americas Zach Minter (tackle) and Jody Owens (linebacker) anchor the veteran defensive unit, which returns eight starters.
No returners, though, occupy the unquestioned leadership roles of two returning juniors, quarterback DeNarius McGhee (5,962 career passing yards) and running back Cody Kirk (1,351 rushing yards in 2011). That duo forms the engine of an offense coming off the best two-year run in school history.
SPRING PRACTICE DATES
#1 Tue Mar 20 Half-pads
#2 Thu Mar 22 Half-pads
#3 Sat Mar 24 Contact
#4 Tue Mar 27 Contact
#5 Thu Mar 29 Contact
#6 Sat Mar 31 Scrimm/Jr Day
#7 Tue Apr 3 Contact
#8 Thu Apr 5 Contact
#9 Sat Apr 7 Half-scrimm.
#10 Tue Apr 10 Contact
#11 Thu Apr 12 Contact
#12 Sat Apr 14 Scrimm (MSU)
#13 Tue Apr 17 Contact
#14 Thu Apr 19 Half-pads
#15 Sat Apr 21 Scrimm (GF)
Thursday, July 31
Monday, May 19
Wednesday, May 03
Wednesday, May 03
