Ash Pleased with Confident Cats
8/9/2015 8:13:00 PM | Football
Bobcats' first fall practice features experienced offense, improved defense
If there's any doubt that Rob Ash is confident in his ninth Bobcat team, and that he's comfortable in the squad's belief in itself, you have to search no further than his newly-minted Twitter account. Punctuating the customary enthusiasm that accompanies the dawn of every new season is indisputable, digital-age proof.
A hashtag. Specifically, #MoreSwagU, which Ash credits to his coaching staff while using proudly in his nascent account and discussing openly after the team's first practice session Sunday afternoon.
"Confidence is a good thing, and we decided as a coaching staff we're going to embrace all of that," Ash said of the lofty expectations that the 94 players present Sunday face in 2015. "It's OK to be confident, and I think our team is a confident team. There's a big difference between confidence and over-confidence, and we're certainly not over-confident. This is a group of guys that knows how to work, and knows work is the key to success, but I don't think it hurts to be confident and I think this group is."
Ash welcomed back eight starters on offense and three on defense Sunday afternoon, a mathematical reality reflected on the field. "The offense is very experienced," he said. "Those guys know exactly what they're doing. I thought the tempo (and) cadence were good, the execution was very good."
Montana State was picked either first or second in the two official Big Sky preseason polls, and Ash knows that challenging for his program's fourth leauge title and fifth post-season trip since 2010 largely depends on molding a strong defense using several newcomers in leading roles. He liked what he saw on that side of the ball Sunday.
"The defense I thought was better than we should have expected with a lot of new guys coming in," he said. "I think the spring was a great learning time for the defense. The guys that came in have really paid attention and learned what they're supposed to do. I didn't think the defense was that far behind."
Ash called enthusiasm a natural early-camp staple, but was still pleased with the emotion he saw Sunday. "The first day's always awesome," he said. "The guys were out there like 30 minutes early today, which never happens, but I thought the energy was really good, I thought their attention to detail was good, but the best thing was that they were very safe with how they practiced today without having any pads on. Sometimes they get too aggressive, but they showed their experience and poise by practicing well and safely today."
Montana State returns to practice Monday and morning at 9:15 am. The team dons shoulder pads Tuesday morning, and after taking Thursday off engages in the first full-contact session of the fall on Saturday morning.
A hashtag. Specifically, #MoreSwagU, which Ash credits to his coaching staff while using proudly in his nascent account and discussing openly after the team's first practice session Sunday afternoon.
"Confidence is a good thing, and we decided as a coaching staff we're going to embrace all of that," Ash said of the lofty expectations that the 94 players present Sunday face in 2015. "It's OK to be confident, and I think our team is a confident team. There's a big difference between confidence and over-confidence, and we're certainly not over-confident. This is a group of guys that knows how to work, and knows work is the key to success, but I don't think it hurts to be confident and I think this group is."
Ash welcomed back eight starters on offense and three on defense Sunday afternoon, a mathematical reality reflected on the field. "The offense is very experienced," he said. "Those guys know exactly what they're doing. I thought the tempo (and) cadence were good, the execution was very good."
Montana State was picked either first or second in the two official Big Sky preseason polls, and Ash knows that challenging for his program's fourth leauge title and fifth post-season trip since 2010 largely depends on molding a strong defense using several newcomers in leading roles. He liked what he saw on that side of the ball Sunday.
"The defense I thought was better than we should have expected with a lot of new guys coming in," he said. "I think the spring was a great learning time for the defense. The guys that came in have really paid attention and learned what they're supposed to do. I didn't think the defense was that far behind."
Ash called enthusiasm a natural early-camp staple, but was still pleased with the emotion he saw Sunday. "The first day's always awesome," he said. "The guys were out there like 30 minutes early today, which never happens, but I thought the energy was really good, I thought their attention to detail was good, but the best thing was that they were very safe with how they practiced today without having any pads on. Sometimes they get too aggressive, but they showed their experience and poise by practicing well and safely today."
Montana State returns to practice Monday and morning at 9:15 am. The team dons shoulder pads Tuesday morning, and after taking Thursday off engages in the first full-contact session of the fall on Saturday morning.
Thursday, July 31
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Wednesday, May 03
