Daniel DaPrato (left) and head coach Rob Ash
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
Bobcat Game Day Notebook #5: MSU vs. Sacramento State
10/10/2015 4:00:00 PM | Football
Re-shuffled defense hopes to slow versatile Hornets
Saturday is Family Weekend at Montana State University, but when the Bobcats face Sacramento State it's something of Homecoming Weekend for one MSU assistant coach.
MSU tight ends coach Daniel DaPrato is originally from the Sacramento area, and came to MSU in 2013 after six seasons as a Hornets assistant coach. He coached Sac State receivers, assembling one of the most prolific position groups in the Big Sky. He recruited many of the program's top players over the past few seasons.
For the second straight season, though, DaPrato faces his own school wearing Blue and Gold.
"We had two to three very good candidates" when MSU hired DaPrato to coordinate special teams and coach tight ends. "I was unsure which way I would go, but Daniel was very energetic, very positive, very passionate about coaching, and I had a strong feeling he'd be a real asset in our program. And he's been just great."
DaPrato's credentials at MSU include coaching all-conference tight end Tiai Salanoa, punter/kicker Rory Perez, and punter Trevor Bolton, who helped MSU lead the nation in net punting last season. Ash says part of DaPrato's success stems from the importance he places on his role as special teams coordinator. "He has a strong feeling that special teams is a real unit," Ash said. "It's not an off-shoot of offense or defense or something we do to fill time in practice, it's a unit that helps us win football games. Coach DaPrato has really helped emphasize that philosophy."
* * * * *
Montana State's defense undergoes reshuffling this evening. Linebacker Blake Braun becomes the 11th player to make his starting debut for the Bobcat defense this season, while freshman defensive tackle Tucker Yates, freshman cornerback Tre'von Strong make their second starts.
* * * * *
The Cats are without a couple of key contributors this evening. Starting linebacker Fletcher Collins will miss the Sacramento State game, and long snapper Rocky Hogue remains sidelined. Defensive end Robert Willcox is expected to play an elevated role as he continues to return from a knee injury.
* * * * *
The Bobcats square off with Sacramento State head coach Jody Sears for the third time tonight. MSU topped the Hornets 59-56 last year, and beat Sears' Weber State team 34-16 in Ogden in 2013.
* * * * *
The Hornets are 189th in the FCS in scoring offense, while MSU is 99th in scoring defense.
MSU tight ends coach Daniel DaPrato is originally from the Sacramento area, and came to MSU in 2013 after six seasons as a Hornets assistant coach. He coached Sac State receivers, assembling one of the most prolific position groups in the Big Sky. He recruited many of the program's top players over the past few seasons.
For the second straight season, though, DaPrato faces his own school wearing Blue and Gold.
"We had two to three very good candidates" when MSU hired DaPrato to coordinate special teams and coach tight ends. "I was unsure which way I would go, but Daniel was very energetic, very positive, very passionate about coaching, and I had a strong feeling he'd be a real asset in our program. And he's been just great."
DaPrato's credentials at MSU include coaching all-conference tight end Tiai Salanoa, punter/kicker Rory Perez, and punter Trevor Bolton, who helped MSU lead the nation in net punting last season. Ash says part of DaPrato's success stems from the importance he places on his role as special teams coordinator. "He has a strong feeling that special teams is a real unit," Ash said. "It's not an off-shoot of offense or defense or something we do to fill time in practice, it's a unit that helps us win football games. Coach DaPrato has really helped emphasize that philosophy."
* * * * *
Montana State's defense undergoes reshuffling this evening. Linebacker Blake Braun becomes the 11th player to make his starting debut for the Bobcat defense this season, while freshman defensive tackle Tucker Yates, freshman cornerback Tre'von Strong make their second starts.
* * * * *
The Cats are without a couple of key contributors this evening. Starting linebacker Fletcher Collins will miss the Sacramento State game, and long snapper Rocky Hogue remains sidelined. Defensive end Robert Willcox is expected to play an elevated role as he continues to return from a knee injury.
* * * * *
The Bobcats square off with Sacramento State head coach Jody Sears for the third time tonight. MSU topped the Hornets 59-56 last year, and beat Sears' Weber State team 34-16 in Ogden in 2013.
* * * * *
The Hornets are 189th in the FCS in scoring offense, while MSU is 99th in scoring defense.
Players Mentioned
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