DeNarius McGhee led the Blue team to a 14-7 Triangle Classic win
Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
Offense, Defense Trade Blows in Spring Finale
4/21/2012 7:40:00 PM | Football
Bobcats close spring drills with Triangle Classic
DeNarius McGhee completed 11 of his 19 passes for 103 yards and one touchdown, leading the Blue team to a 14-7 win over the White in Montana State's Triangle Classic spring scrimmage in Great Falls Saturday.
McGhee led the Blue offense, manned mostly by starters, on a nine-play, 65-yard drive against the team's top defense to open the scrimmage. After McGhee found John Ellis for a 19-yard gain to begin the festivities, Tray Robinson carried three times for nine yards and McGhee twice for 16 yards. Orenzo Davis capped the drive with a six-yard touchdown.
“I thought DeNarius was really good at times,” said MSU coach Rob Ash. “And he was just a little off on some throws. I chalk that up to the new routes and reads of the offense. All in all I'd grade him as good today, but he can do better.”
On the scrimmage's next drive, redshirt freshman Jake Blesking answered McGhee. The Great Falls native hit David Dash on a 14-yarder, and after an eight-yard run by Shawn Johnson connected with Brian Flotkoetter on a 53-yard bomb to tie the score.
“Jake threw the ball well,” Ash said. “The only concern there is the turnover situation.” Bleskin threw the day's only situation, and the white team fumbled three times on running plays.
The day's only other touchdown came late in the second quarter. After Rhett Young intercepted Jake Bleskin's pass, McGhee led the Blue team on a 32-yard scoring march. Kruiz Siewing's spectacular 32-yard catch set up the scoring chance, then he caught a six-yarder to seal the deal.
While MSU's offensive units made impressions early, Ash was left with positive thoughts about his defense. “I was proud of the no. one defense,” he said. “They rallied after giving up a couple of scores and settled in to have a good day. There was some pretty good defense today.”
Newly-minted captain Caleb Schreibeis logged a pair of sacks, while sophomore linebacker Alex Singleton had two tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Frosh linebacker Heath Hunter recovered one fumble, while classmate Odin Coe had a tackle-for-loss and a caused fumble.
Part of the defense's strong kick to the finish line Saturday came from playing an ace late. “The defense put in a safety blitz this week,” Ash said. “I thought Jamie (Marshall, MSU's defensive coordinator) did a nice job of sitting on it until he needed it.”
On the balance, particularly setting aside the second offense's turnovers, Ash saw the Triangle Classic as a great ending for spring drills. “We had a great spring for weather, and today was perfect,” Ash said of the mild day that drew more than 2,000 to Great Falls' Memorial Stadium.
“We still need to tighten up the efficiency in the passing game,” Ash said. “Defensively, I'm very happy with where we are. The defense had a good spring.”
BLUE OFFENSE
Rushing: Orenzo Davis 9-37-1, Tray Robinson 4-28, DeNarius McGhee 6-7.
Passing: DeNarius McGhee 11-19-0, 103, 1 TD.
Receiving: Tanner Bleskin 4-40, Kruiz Siewing 3-35-1, Tray Robinson 3-24, John Ellis 1-4.
WHITE OFFENSE
Rushing: Shawn Johnson 8-26, Justin Pierson 6-26, Jake Bleskin 1-0.
Passing: Jake Bleskin 13-18-1, 205, 1 TD.
Receiving: Justin Pierson 3-16, Matt Thibault 2-59, Brian Flotkoetter 1-53-1, David Dash 1-14, Michael Perryman 1-10, Shawn Johnson 1-0, John Ellis 1-9, Lee Perkins 1-12, Manny Kalfell 1-4, Chris Houden 1-28.
McGhee led the Blue offense, manned mostly by starters, on a nine-play, 65-yard drive against the team's top defense to open the scrimmage. After McGhee found John Ellis for a 19-yard gain to begin the festivities, Tray Robinson carried three times for nine yards and McGhee twice for 16 yards. Orenzo Davis capped the drive with a six-yard touchdown.
“I thought DeNarius was really good at times,” said MSU coach Rob Ash. “And he was just a little off on some throws. I chalk that up to the new routes and reads of the offense. All in all I'd grade him as good today, but he can do better.”
On the scrimmage's next drive, redshirt freshman Jake Blesking answered McGhee. The Great Falls native hit David Dash on a 14-yarder, and after an eight-yard run by Shawn Johnson connected with Brian Flotkoetter on a 53-yard bomb to tie the score.
“Jake threw the ball well,” Ash said. “The only concern there is the turnover situation.” Bleskin threw the day's only situation, and the white team fumbled three times on running plays.
The day's only other touchdown came late in the second quarter. After Rhett Young intercepted Jake Bleskin's pass, McGhee led the Blue team on a 32-yard scoring march. Kruiz Siewing's spectacular 32-yard catch set up the scoring chance, then he caught a six-yarder to seal the deal.
While MSU's offensive units made impressions early, Ash was left with positive thoughts about his defense. “I was proud of the no. one defense,” he said. “They rallied after giving up a couple of scores and settled in to have a good day. There was some pretty good defense today.”
Newly-minted captain Caleb Schreibeis logged a pair of sacks, while sophomore linebacker Alex Singleton had two tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Frosh linebacker Heath Hunter recovered one fumble, while classmate Odin Coe had a tackle-for-loss and a caused fumble.
Part of the defense's strong kick to the finish line Saturday came from playing an ace late. “The defense put in a safety blitz this week,” Ash said. “I thought Jamie (Marshall, MSU's defensive coordinator) did a nice job of sitting on it until he needed it.”
On the balance, particularly setting aside the second offense's turnovers, Ash saw the Triangle Classic as a great ending for spring drills. “We had a great spring for weather, and today was perfect,” Ash said of the mild day that drew more than 2,000 to Great Falls' Memorial Stadium.
“We still need to tighten up the efficiency in the passing game,” Ash said. “Defensively, I'm very happy with where we are. The defense had a good spring.”
BLUE OFFENSE
Rushing: Orenzo Davis 9-37-1, Tray Robinson 4-28, DeNarius McGhee 6-7.
Passing: DeNarius McGhee 11-19-0, 103, 1 TD.
Receiving: Tanner Bleskin 4-40, Kruiz Siewing 3-35-1, Tray Robinson 3-24, John Ellis 1-4.
WHITE OFFENSE
Rushing: Shawn Johnson 8-26, Justin Pierson 6-26, Jake Bleskin 1-0.
Passing: Jake Bleskin 13-18-1, 205, 1 TD.
Receiving: Justin Pierson 3-16, Matt Thibault 2-59, Brian Flotkoetter 1-53-1, David Dash 1-14, Michael Perryman 1-10, Shawn Johnson 1-0, John Ellis 1-9, Lee Perkins 1-12, Manny Kalfell 1-4, Chris Houden 1-28.
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