Jake Bleskin leads the Cats into Washington-Grizzly Stadium Saturday
Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
Bobcat Game Day Notebook #12: 114th Meeting Between Bobcats and Grizzlies
11/22/2014 2:41:00 PM | Football
MSU battles UM in Missoula on Saturday
Montana State coach Rob Ash knows that everyone in Washington-Grizzly Stadium Saturday will carry emotion and positive feelings toward retiring Grizzly head coach Mick Delaney. Ash's thoughts, he knows, might differ from many.
"Mick loves to play golf," Ash says, tongue perfectly planted in cheek. "I'm sure he thinks with the extra time he'll be able to get his golf game in better shape than mine."
In spite of notions to the contrary, MSU's eighth-year head coach says he has enjoyed his time coaching and competing against Delaney. "Mick is such a gentleman," Ash says. "We're rivals on the field and in recruiting, but I respect him so much because we have never been rivals personally. We've developed a friendship, and he's just a really good person."
Even as he closes a chapter with his final appearance on the Washington-Grizzly Stadium sidelines, Montana hopes to extend his head coaching career with a win Saturday and entry into the FCS Playoffs. Ash understands that the game's significance is not one-sided.
"They have a lot to play for, but we don't talk or think about what's on the line for the other team," Ash said. "We focus on us, and this is a tremendously important game for us. We have so much on the line, and all of our season goals remain in front of us, starting with winning our in-state rivalry game. That's always first on our goals board, and we work to win this game every single day."
Still, Ash knows he will miss Delaney's presence. "He's a good football coach and a good Montana guy."
* * * * *
The injury news today is somewhat better than a week ago, although not a lot different. A lot will depend on pregame warmups.
Jake Bleskin will start at quarterback, but Dakota Prukop may be available in an emergency. Running back Shawn Johnson warmed up, but remains in the questionable to doubtful range. Receiver Justin Paige is expected to play. For Montana, quarterback Jordan Johnson starts.
* * * * *
One Montana player Rob Ash said his team would identify on every play is Buck Buchanan candidate Zack Wagenmann. "He's unmistakable," MSU's veteran head coach said with a laugh.
Known for his flowing locks and ferocious play, Ash said it would have been impossible for a player to try to replicate Wagenmann in practice, so the team didn't even try. "They move him around a lot. He's very versatile. We'll need to know where he is on every play. We had someone in a red jersey this week to identify the different things Wagenmann does, but we didn't put a wig on him or anything."
* * * * *
While Ash thinks that expecting teams to alter their schemes and style based on who plays quarterback is something fans dream up rather than an issue grounded in reality, he admits that Bleskin brings more to the passing game and Prukop more to the ground game. "We might be able to dial up a little more in the run-action pass game with Jake in there," he says. "The play off the play with Jake is the pass, while the play off the play with Dakota is the run."
* * * * *
Montana State learns its post-season fate Sunday morning beginning at 9 am. The FCS Selection Show airs on ESPNU.
"Mick loves to play golf," Ash says, tongue perfectly planted in cheek. "I'm sure he thinks with the extra time he'll be able to get his golf game in better shape than mine."
In spite of notions to the contrary, MSU's eighth-year head coach says he has enjoyed his time coaching and competing against Delaney. "Mick is such a gentleman," Ash says. "We're rivals on the field and in recruiting, but I respect him so much because we have never been rivals personally. We've developed a friendship, and he's just a really good person."
Even as he closes a chapter with his final appearance on the Washington-Grizzly Stadium sidelines, Montana hopes to extend his head coaching career with a win Saturday and entry into the FCS Playoffs. Ash understands that the game's significance is not one-sided.
"They have a lot to play for, but we don't talk or think about what's on the line for the other team," Ash said. "We focus on us, and this is a tremendously important game for us. We have so much on the line, and all of our season goals remain in front of us, starting with winning our in-state rivalry game. That's always first on our goals board, and we work to win this game every single day."
Still, Ash knows he will miss Delaney's presence. "He's a good football coach and a good Montana guy."
* * * * *
The injury news today is somewhat better than a week ago, although not a lot different. A lot will depend on pregame warmups.
Jake Bleskin will start at quarterback, but Dakota Prukop may be available in an emergency. Running back Shawn Johnson warmed up, but remains in the questionable to doubtful range. Receiver Justin Paige is expected to play. For Montana, quarterback Jordan Johnson starts.
* * * * *
One Montana player Rob Ash said his team would identify on every play is Buck Buchanan candidate Zack Wagenmann. "He's unmistakable," MSU's veteran head coach said with a laugh.
Known for his flowing locks and ferocious play, Ash said it would have been impossible for a player to try to replicate Wagenmann in practice, so the team didn't even try. "They move him around a lot. He's very versatile. We'll need to know where he is on every play. We had someone in a red jersey this week to identify the different things Wagenmann does, but we didn't put a wig on him or anything."
* * * * *
While Ash thinks that expecting teams to alter their schemes and style based on who plays quarterback is something fans dream up rather than an issue grounded in reality, he admits that Bleskin brings more to the passing game and Prukop more to the ground game. "We might be able to dial up a little more in the run-action pass game with Jake in there," he says. "The play off the play with Jake is the pass, while the play off the play with Dakota is the run."
* * * * *
Montana State learns its post-season fate Sunday morning beginning at 9 am. The FCS Selection Show airs on ESPNU.
Players Mentioned
QB/P
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
QB
/ FootballThursday, July 31
Monday, May 19
Wednesday, May 03
Wednesday, May 03
