Bobcat assistant Daniel DaPrato (left)
Bobcat Game Day Notebook #6: Hot Times in the Old Town
10/4/2014 6:00:00 PM | Football
MSU looks for 'special' performance in hot Hornet Stadium
Montana State assistant coach Daniel DaPrato faces a special game tonight in Hornet Stadium.
The Bobcats' second-year special teams coach makes his first trip back to a town where he spent part of his childhood, and to the school he coached before moving to MSU before the 2013 season. He did his best to compartmentalize in the days leading up to the game.
"I'm looking forward to seeing old friends, seeing kids I coached," DaPrato said, before smiling. "I'm not looking forward to coaching against them."
DaPrato has impacted the Bobcat program in a significant, positive way during his time at MSU. The last two Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week honorees wear the Blue and Gold. Punter Trevor Bolton leads the FCS in punting, Shawn Johnson is a returning All-America kick returner, and freshman kicker Luke Daly is 8-for-10 on field goals and leads the Big Sky in touchbacks as MSU's kickoff man.
"Daniel does an excellent job with the special teams," says Bobcat head coach Rob Ash. "He's dedicated to it and puts so much into it, but he's very good with technique, too. And most imoprtantly, he brings so much energy and passion. It really permeates our entire program."
* * * * *
MSU's questionable injury situations appeared on the positive side of the ledger before kickoff. Defensive tackle Taylor Dees, receiver Tanner Roderick, and running back Anthony Knight were all expected to play. Dees is slated to start, the others will likely come off the bench.
* * * * *
The temperature a half-hour before kickoff was 97 degrees, one degree below the 98 degrees at kickoff a year ago at SMU. That was the hottest temp at kickoff in Bobcat history.
MSU coach Rob Ash knows he can't do anything about the weather, but he and his staff is dealing with its effects. "We talked about hydration all week," he said. "Coach Willcox handed every player Gatorade at breakfast (Saturday) morning, we're working hard to make sure the players know how important it is, and I think they've responded well. We don't worry about things like weather in our program, but we work hard to be prepared."
* * * * *
Looking for an off-the-radar but important X factor tonight? Sac State kicker Brad Cornish is 7-for-8 on field goals this year, 10-for-12 in his career. MSU's Luke Daly, a freshman, is 8-for-10 this year. Those two could play a key role tonight.
The Bobcats' second-year special teams coach makes his first trip back to a town where he spent part of his childhood, and to the school he coached before moving to MSU before the 2013 season. He did his best to compartmentalize in the days leading up to the game.
"I'm looking forward to seeing old friends, seeing kids I coached," DaPrato said, before smiling. "I'm not looking forward to coaching against them."
DaPrato has impacted the Bobcat program in a significant, positive way during his time at MSU. The last two Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week honorees wear the Blue and Gold. Punter Trevor Bolton leads the FCS in punting, Shawn Johnson is a returning All-America kick returner, and freshman kicker Luke Daly is 8-for-10 on field goals and leads the Big Sky in touchbacks as MSU's kickoff man.
"Daniel does an excellent job with the special teams," says Bobcat head coach Rob Ash. "He's dedicated to it and puts so much into it, but he's very good with technique, too. And most imoprtantly, he brings so much energy and passion. It really permeates our entire program."
* * * * *
MSU's questionable injury situations appeared on the positive side of the ledger before kickoff. Defensive tackle Taylor Dees, receiver Tanner Roderick, and running back Anthony Knight were all expected to play. Dees is slated to start, the others will likely come off the bench.
* * * * *
The temperature a half-hour before kickoff was 97 degrees, one degree below the 98 degrees at kickoff a year ago at SMU. That was the hottest temp at kickoff in Bobcat history.
MSU coach Rob Ash knows he can't do anything about the weather, but he and his staff is dealing with its effects. "We talked about hydration all week," he said. "Coach Willcox handed every player Gatorade at breakfast (Saturday) morning, we're working hard to make sure the players know how important it is, and I think they've responded well. We don't worry about things like weather in our program, but we work hard to be prepared."
* * * * *
Looking for an off-the-radar but important X factor tonight? Sac State kicker Brad Cornish is 7-for-8 on field goals this year, 10-for-12 in his career. MSU's Luke Daly, a freshman, is 8-for-10 this year. Those two could play a key role tonight.
Players Mentioned
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