Montana State's first offense overcame adversity in practice Wednesday
Chaos Aids Bobcat Coaches in Preparation
8/13/2014 4:56:00 PM | Football
Rob Ash likes how his team handled spontaneous problems Wednesday
In a profession that thrives on order and organization, Montana State head football coach Rob Ash saw just the opposite during the live segments of his team's Wednesday morning football practice.
And he couldn't have been more pleased.
"What I liked was the chaos," Ash said, "I really did. I thought that was good, because games can get like that. People can get rattled a little bit with good plays and (different) situations, fast tempos."
While such experiences stand out from the normalcy of MSU's fall camp, which typically feature practices rigidly structured practices that are scripted to the minute without variance, Ash said rare moments of spontaneity helps prepare the team for game conditions. "We're getting good simulations of game-type intensity right now in practice."
That is particularly true for players new to the pace and intensity of Division I football and that, Ash said, is a good thing because he and his staff are transitioning several new freshmen into varsity roles. While a list isn't likely to be finalized until just before the season, Ash has identified players such as receiver Justin Paige, defensive end Curtis Amos and cornerback Bryce Alley has individuals that could contribute at positions of immediate need.
"There will be a few (new) freshmen that will play this year," Ash said, "just the way certain positions are stacking up. I wouldn't be surprised if we had five or six freshmen we end up not being able to redshirt this year because they're good enough to play and they give us depth, and they help us on special teams."
While identifying Saturday's 10 am scrimmage in Bobcat Stadium as the fulcrum for the decision-making process, he also said that special teams play a critical role. "I think it will come down to the scrimmage again. Right now (special teams coordinator Daniel) DaPrato and I are working on the depth (chart) on special teams, and we'll get some good evaluations with those on Saturday."
In the end, Ash said that determining whether a true freshman plays does not boil down to one factor, but is "kind of a combination. If a guy is settling in as a two at his position on offense or defense, then he's also a one or a two on special teams, we're probably going to have to play him. A lot of that will get settled on Saturday."
* * * * *
Ash indicated Saturday's scrimmage is likely to look a lot like a game. "We're going to warm up at 9:15 and kick off at 10, and I think we're just going to put the ball down and go. We might start off with a couple of kickoffs and we'll insert some special teams in various places, but I think we'll just go with as many live plays as we need. We're looking at probably 40 to 50 plays with the ones and twos, maybe a few less with the threes, so at least 100 plays total, maybe up to 110 or so. (The scrimmage will feature) chains, refs, clocks, we'll have coaches upstairs (on headsets) to work on communication."
And he couldn't have been more pleased.
"What I liked was the chaos," Ash said, "I really did. I thought that was good, because games can get like that. People can get rattled a little bit with good plays and (different) situations, fast tempos."
While such experiences stand out from the normalcy of MSU's fall camp, which typically feature practices rigidly structured practices that are scripted to the minute without variance, Ash said rare moments of spontaneity helps prepare the team for game conditions. "We're getting good simulations of game-type intensity right now in practice."
That is particularly true for players new to the pace and intensity of Division I football and that, Ash said, is a good thing because he and his staff are transitioning several new freshmen into varsity roles. While a list isn't likely to be finalized until just before the season, Ash has identified players such as receiver Justin Paige, defensive end Curtis Amos and cornerback Bryce Alley has individuals that could contribute at positions of immediate need.
"There will be a few (new) freshmen that will play this year," Ash said, "just the way certain positions are stacking up. I wouldn't be surprised if we had five or six freshmen we end up not being able to redshirt this year because they're good enough to play and they give us depth, and they help us on special teams."
While identifying Saturday's 10 am scrimmage in Bobcat Stadium as the fulcrum for the decision-making process, he also said that special teams play a critical role. "I think it will come down to the scrimmage again. Right now (special teams coordinator Daniel) DaPrato and I are working on the depth (chart) on special teams, and we'll get some good evaluations with those on Saturday."
In the end, Ash said that determining whether a true freshman plays does not boil down to one factor, but is "kind of a combination. If a guy is settling in as a two at his position on offense or defense, then he's also a one or a two on special teams, we're probably going to have to play him. A lot of that will get settled on Saturday."
* * * * *
Ash indicated Saturday's scrimmage is likely to look a lot like a game. "We're going to warm up at 9:15 and kick off at 10, and I think we're just going to put the ball down and go. We might start off with a couple of kickoffs and we'll insert some special teams in various places, but I think we'll just go with as many live plays as we need. We're looking at probably 40 to 50 plays with the ones and twos, maybe a few less with the threes, so at least 100 plays total, maybe up to 110 or so. (The scrimmage will feature) chains, refs, clocks, we'll have coaches upstairs (on headsets) to work on communication."
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