Senior Quinn Catalano (left) and JP Flynn lead the Bobcat o-line
Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
Bobcat Football Summer School: A Look at the Offensive Line
5/19/2014 2:35:00 PM | Football
Line looks to lead offense during 2013-14
Montana State's offensive line won't actually get extra practice time when the Bobcats convene fall camp in August, but it may feel like it.
"I think it helps us hit the ground running, puts us further ahead," 12th-year offensive line coach Jason McEndoo says of the benefits of his offensive line's experience. "I think the thing we gained during the spring was that the experience factor really showed up. Guys were working well together, seeing the game. The game slowed down for them and they made a lot of adjustments on the fly."
The ability of an offensive line to make adjustments during a game and even during a drive, McEndoo says, drastically improves an offense's effectiveness. "A young group can't make a lot of adjustments because they're not seeing the game yet," he said. "With experience, guys see things better."
McEndoo has produced his fair share of outstanding offensive lines and linemen during his time at Montana State. During the former Washington State star's tenure, the Cats have produced seven All-Americas, 10 First Team All-Big Sky selections, and the 2015 Rimington Award winner (Jeff Bolton) as the top center in Division I-AA.
MSU's offensive line coach is bullish on the individuals in his unit. "They're a year older, a year more mature, bigger, stronger," he said. "I think they all PR'ed in the weight room, they all put on more weight. They all have a year more experience now. I'm excited."
Five players that started multiple games for the Bobcats last year return for the 2014 season, and the only position uncovered by a starter there is center. Quinn Catalano, a team captain and the only senior in the group, is in the mix to start at center or tackle. The competition for the final opening is essentially between fourth-year junior center Joel Horn and third-year sophomore Alex Eekhoff. While McEndoo spent the spring evaluating, moving pieces, and taking the patient approach, that isn't likely to be the case in the fall.
"I would like to make a decision after the first weekend" of fall camp, he said. "I don't want go into the (season-opening) game against Arkansas State naming a center and going from there, I'd like to take the first week then make a decision after that and have the rest of camp to really gel as a group. It's going to be a hard decision, but I'll take that first week and make a decision and go with it."
The line always draws disproportionate scrutiny when an offense struggle while toiling in near-anonymity when things click. McEndoo welcomes the pressure and believes his linemen are ready to rise to the occasion. "The group knows there's more pressure on us, as usual, but I think they're all ready to have a great summer and looking forward to the challenge of being the tip of the spear."
Offensive Line at a Glance
Position Coach: Jason McEndoo (12th year)
Returning Starters: OT Quinn Catalano, OT Alex Eekhoff (part-time starter), OG JP Flynn, OG Kyle Godecke, OT John Weidenaar
Other Returning Lettermen: C Joel Horn, OT Marshall Womack
Returning Squad Member: Dillon Fraley, Doug Hanson
Returning Redshirts: Andrew Alt, Caleb Gillis, Dylan Mahoney
Starter Lost: C Matthew Devereux
Other Lettermen Lost: Andy Austin
Incoming Freshmen: Roshan Dias Abeygundwardena, Joey Marinello, Austin Oldenburger, Wade Webster
Returning Award Winners: OG JP Flynn (3rd Team All-Big Sky), OT Quinn Catalano (HM All-Big Sky), OT John Weidenaar (HM All-Big Sky)
Key Position Battle: With Matthew Devereux's surprise retirement at the outset of spring ball, the Cats entered spring with center and right tackle up for grabs. Quinn Catalano will start at one of those spots, with the other two decided in fall camp.
Burning Question: With five players who have started games for the Bobcats back for 2014, can the O-line take a step forward from very good to dominant?
Overview: Montana State's offensive line was very good for most of 2014. As the offense's only richly experienced position group, 12th-year offensive line coach Jason McEndoo pushes his group to become "the tip of the spear" of the MSU offense. Quinn Catalano returns as the group's unquestioned leader – and lone senior – but a host of talented young players give the Cats a deep, versatile line.
Depth Chart (Returners)
Left Tackle: 55-John Weidenaar (6-7/280/Jr), 60-Dylan Mahoney (6-6/235/Fr), 76-Marshall Womack (6-5/280/So)
Left Guard: 63-Kyle Godecke (6-5/315/Jr), 65-Doug Hanson (6-3/280/So)
Center: 70-Joel Horn (6-4/295/Jr) or 79-Quinn Catalano (6-4/300/Sr)
Right Guard: 75-JP Flynn (6-5/304/So), 65-Doug Hanson (6-3/280/So)
Right Tackle: 79-Quinn Catalano (6-4/300/Sr) or 71-Alex Eekhoff (6-6/288/Jr)
"I think it helps us hit the ground running, puts us further ahead," 12th-year offensive line coach Jason McEndoo says of the benefits of his offensive line's experience. "I think the thing we gained during the spring was that the experience factor really showed up. Guys were working well together, seeing the game. The game slowed down for them and they made a lot of adjustments on the fly."
The ability of an offensive line to make adjustments during a game and even during a drive, McEndoo says, drastically improves an offense's effectiveness. "A young group can't make a lot of adjustments because they're not seeing the game yet," he said. "With experience, guys see things better."
McEndoo has produced his fair share of outstanding offensive lines and linemen during his time at Montana State. During the former Washington State star's tenure, the Cats have produced seven All-Americas, 10 First Team All-Big Sky selections, and the 2015 Rimington Award winner (Jeff Bolton) as the top center in Division I-AA.
MSU's offensive line coach is bullish on the individuals in his unit. "They're a year older, a year more mature, bigger, stronger," he said. "I think they all PR'ed in the weight room, they all put on more weight. They all have a year more experience now. I'm excited."
Five players that started multiple games for the Bobcats last year return for the 2014 season, and the only position uncovered by a starter there is center. Quinn Catalano, a team captain and the only senior in the group, is in the mix to start at center or tackle. The competition for the final opening is essentially between fourth-year junior center Joel Horn and third-year sophomore Alex Eekhoff. While McEndoo spent the spring evaluating, moving pieces, and taking the patient approach, that isn't likely to be the case in the fall.
"I would like to make a decision after the first weekend" of fall camp, he said. "I don't want go into the (season-opening) game against Arkansas State naming a center and going from there, I'd like to take the first week then make a decision after that and have the rest of camp to really gel as a group. It's going to be a hard decision, but I'll take that first week and make a decision and go with it."
The line always draws disproportionate scrutiny when an offense struggle while toiling in near-anonymity when things click. McEndoo welcomes the pressure and believes his linemen are ready to rise to the occasion. "The group knows there's more pressure on us, as usual, but I think they're all ready to have a great summer and looking forward to the challenge of being the tip of the spear."
Offensive Line at a Glance
Position Coach: Jason McEndoo (12th year)
Returning Starters: OT Quinn Catalano, OT Alex Eekhoff (part-time starter), OG JP Flynn, OG Kyle Godecke, OT John Weidenaar
Other Returning Lettermen: C Joel Horn, OT Marshall Womack
Returning Squad Member: Dillon Fraley, Doug Hanson
Returning Redshirts: Andrew Alt, Caleb Gillis, Dylan Mahoney
Starter Lost: C Matthew Devereux
Other Lettermen Lost: Andy Austin
Incoming Freshmen: Roshan Dias Abeygundwardena, Joey Marinello, Austin Oldenburger, Wade Webster
Returning Award Winners: OG JP Flynn (3rd Team All-Big Sky), OT Quinn Catalano (HM All-Big Sky), OT John Weidenaar (HM All-Big Sky)
Key Position Battle: With Matthew Devereux's surprise retirement at the outset of spring ball, the Cats entered spring with center and right tackle up for grabs. Quinn Catalano will start at one of those spots, with the other two decided in fall camp.
Burning Question: With five players who have started games for the Bobcats back for 2014, can the O-line take a step forward from very good to dominant?
Overview: Montana State's offensive line was very good for most of 2014. As the offense's only richly experienced position group, 12th-year offensive line coach Jason McEndoo pushes his group to become "the tip of the spear" of the MSU offense. Quinn Catalano returns as the group's unquestioned leader – and lone senior – but a host of talented young players give the Cats a deep, versatile line.
Depth Chart (Returners)
Left Tackle: 55-John Weidenaar (6-7/280/Jr), 60-Dylan Mahoney (6-6/235/Fr), 76-Marshall Womack (6-5/280/So)
Left Guard: 63-Kyle Godecke (6-5/315/Jr), 65-Doug Hanson (6-3/280/So)
Center: 70-Joel Horn (6-4/295/Jr) or 79-Quinn Catalano (6-4/300/Sr)
Right Guard: 75-JP Flynn (6-5/304/So), 65-Doug Hanson (6-3/280/So)
Right Tackle: 79-Quinn Catalano (6-4/300/Sr) or 71-Alex Eekhoff (6-6/288/Jr)
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