Shawn Johnson is one of the players driving MSU's offensive improvements
Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
Cats in Camp: Day #16
8/19/2013 4:59:00 PM | Football
MSU offense continues to look sharp
Call it a corner-turner, or an ah-ha moment.
Whatever label is applied to last Wednesday's scrimmage, Montana State football coach Rob Ash says it marked a major step forward for the Bobcat offense, which has by-and-large been sustained in the half-dozen practices since. "That's a good way to look at it," Ash said of last week's offensive benchmark.
MSU's offense showed balance not only between the run and pass in the team's final scrimmage of fall camp, but within the ground game and aerial attack. "I think the offense came out (in the scrimmage) with a good combination of running the ball and throwing it. I liked how we spread it around. We put points on th board, protected the ball that day. It was a real step forward."
In the meta sense, Ash is beginning to understand the diversity and multiplicity built into Tim Cramsey's system. "I'm really beginning to like what I see in all the formations and motion," Ash said of the early evolution of his team's offense. "It's very deceptive, especially when we're playing fast. It's fascinating to me to see it all meshing together."
Ash also likes the way his team's personnel fits into the scheme. "I think it's built for speed," he said, "so guys like Shawn Johnson and Jon Ellis will get a few more opportunities for themselves than they have. But at the same time it's nice to have matchup guys, receivers like (Tanner) Bleskin and (Brian) Flotkoetter and a power back like Cody (Kirk). We want some muscle and toughness, too, and we have guys that give us that element."
SITUATIONS: Ash said the focus this week narrows to the mechanics of game operations. "That's what we're trying to get to now, dealing with all the different situations," he said. "We're working in the high red zone and the low red zone, getting on and off the field in the different kicking game situations. It's really all about situations."
WEEKLY SCHEDULE: The Bobcats return to the practice field Tuesday for a 9:15 am practice, then for all intents and purposes close camp with a pair of Wednesday practices. Thursday's only on-field activity is a mock game, which largely consists of the nuts-and-bolts of a game day operation. The team takes Friday off, then goes into game-week mode on Saturday in preparation for the Aug. 29 opener against Monmouth.
Whatever label is applied to last Wednesday's scrimmage, Montana State football coach Rob Ash says it marked a major step forward for the Bobcat offense, which has by-and-large been sustained in the half-dozen practices since. "That's a good way to look at it," Ash said of last week's offensive benchmark.
MSU's offense showed balance not only between the run and pass in the team's final scrimmage of fall camp, but within the ground game and aerial attack. "I think the offense came out (in the scrimmage) with a good combination of running the ball and throwing it. I liked how we spread it around. We put points on th board, protected the ball that day. It was a real step forward."
In the meta sense, Ash is beginning to understand the diversity and multiplicity built into Tim Cramsey's system. "I'm really beginning to like what I see in all the formations and motion," Ash said of the early evolution of his team's offense. "It's very deceptive, especially when we're playing fast. It's fascinating to me to see it all meshing together."
Ash also likes the way his team's personnel fits into the scheme. "I think it's built for speed," he said, "so guys like Shawn Johnson and Jon Ellis will get a few more opportunities for themselves than they have. But at the same time it's nice to have matchup guys, receivers like (Tanner) Bleskin and (Brian) Flotkoetter and a power back like Cody (Kirk). We want some muscle and toughness, too, and we have guys that give us that element."
SITUATIONS: Ash said the focus this week narrows to the mechanics of game operations. "That's what we're trying to get to now, dealing with all the different situations," he said. "We're working in the high red zone and the low red zone, getting on and off the field in the different kicking game situations. It's really all about situations."
WEEKLY SCHEDULE: The Bobcats return to the practice field Tuesday for a 9:15 am practice, then for all intents and purposes close camp with a pair of Wednesday practices. Thursday's only on-field activity is a mock game, which largely consists of the nuts-and-bolts of a game day operation. The team takes Friday off, then goes into game-week mode on Saturday in preparation for the Aug. 29 opener against Monmouth.
Thursday, July 31
Monday, May 19
Wednesday, May 03
Wednesday, May 03
