Trace Timmer against Fort Lewis, his first career start at MSU
Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
Trace Timmer, Bobcat Secondary Look to Slow Down Explosive Eastern Washington
9/17/2015 7:33:00 AM | Football
Start in season opener marked milestone for lifelong Bobcat
Trace Timmer's arrival in the Bobcat football program in August of 2011 brought significant changes to the life of the Great Falls High product, as it does with every college freshman, but it wasn't the first time he crossed paths with current Bobcat co-defensive coordinator Kane Ioane.
"I think I have Kane's autograph like 10 times somewhere in a little book from when I was little," said Timmer, a lifelong Bobcat who as a senior is a first-year starting cornerback for the Bobcats. Timmer and his mates on the MSU defense face a stern test Saturday when the Cats square off with two-time defending Big Sky Champion Eastern Washington.
While defending an offense as dynamic as Eastern's is an 11-man task, Montana State's secondary will unquestionably be pressured by the top passing attack in the FCS. Ioane said the road to success Saturday is built with the usual paving stones. "We need to line up right," he said, speaking of both the defense in general and the secondary. "We need to be fundamentally sound. Doing those things right will give us a chance to make a play on the ball in the air or make a tackle. Limiting big plays is important."
Timmer has played an important role in his first three varsity seasons at MSU on kick teams, but the team's 2015 opener against Fort Lewis marked his first opportunity to trot onto the field for the first scrimmage play of a game. That long-awaited moment did not disappoint.
"It was a lot of fun," he said with a smile. "It was a pretty cool experience, a pretty fun experience. But I've played a lot on special teams so the nerves weren't too bad. It was just another game."
That contest may have been just another game for Timmer, but the season it launched certainly isn't just another year. Timmer entered spring drills of his senior year as a largely unknown quantity in terms of his ability to lock down a starting cornerback position, but hard work over the winter provided an opening he grabbed with gusto.
"Trace really had a good spring," said Bobcat coach Rob Ash. "He put himself in position (to start) with a good off-season, and he followed that up by playing well in the spring."
Timmer completed the off-season cycle with a tremendous summer. "Trace improved himself physically as much as any player on the team from the end of last season to the beginning of fall camp," Ash said. "He put himself in position to be a productive contributor on a good defense. He's really done a great job."
That work was born from the knowledge that Timmer was facing his final season of college football. "I definitely felt a sense of urgency," he said. "Obviously it's my last year and I had to make sure I gave it my all and leave no doubt and give myself the best chance to play."
His motivation was certainly internal, but the driving force hit close to home, as well. In fact, Timmer says, it started at home.
"It kept us focused," Timmer said of growing up in a home with parents that were not only successful student-athletes themselves but who walked the same campus as him. Timmer's father Kirk and uncle Troy played football at Montana State, while his mother Kelly (Angelos) Timmer played hoops at MSU. "It's the reason I'm here today. I had the privilege of having parents were not only athletic but very motivated in terms of giving their kids the chance to play sports and have success."
A member of Montana State's 1984 National Championship squad, Kirk Timmer has helped keep Trace on track through good times and bad, the middle of Kirk and Kelly's three sons said. "He's always been very good for me in that aspect," Trace said. "He's always put things in perspective for me, he's kept me up when I was down, when things were tough for me, and even when I'm doing good he's made sure that I'm continuing to better myself and realize that you can always be better."
Trace Timmer acknowledges his mother's obvious intensity around the hardwood. She coached each of her sons' in travel basketball, an experience which helped develop both Trace's athleticism and competitiveness. "When it came to basketball, yeah. That was my mom's sport, obviously. She played basketball here and she was pretty intense around basketball and we had some pretty good basketball teams because of it. She can coach."
Ioane and his parents aren't Timmer's only reminders of past Bobcat glory. His position coach, Michael Rider, was a Bobcat team captain and star who was part of some brilliant moments in his playing career. "Coach Rider was (a Bobcat player) not so long ago and I was able to truly understand and watch him play," Timmer said.
MSU linebackers coach Jody Owens, Rider and Ioane form a trio of former Bobcat defensive stars. Each of the three led MSU to conference championships, while Owens and Ioane earned Big Sky Defensive MVP honors. Timmer said playing for men who achieved individual and team success at MSU is a unique experience.
"They bring great intensity," Timmer said. "It's definitely different playing for coaches who played here and that you watched growing up. You feel more comfortable around them, and there's been a great connection."
Like all Bobcat fans, Timmer hopes that connection helps Montana State's defense slow down powerful Eastern Washington on Saturday. Kickoff is at 2:10 pm MDT, and the game – a sellout – is televised regionally on ROOT Sports and nationally on DirecTV's Audience Network.
"I think I have Kane's autograph like 10 times somewhere in a little book from when I was little," said Timmer, a lifelong Bobcat who as a senior is a first-year starting cornerback for the Bobcats. Timmer and his mates on the MSU defense face a stern test Saturday when the Cats square off with two-time defending Big Sky Champion Eastern Washington.
While defending an offense as dynamic as Eastern's is an 11-man task, Montana State's secondary will unquestionably be pressured by the top passing attack in the FCS. Ioane said the road to success Saturday is built with the usual paving stones. "We need to line up right," he said, speaking of both the defense in general and the secondary. "We need to be fundamentally sound. Doing those things right will give us a chance to make a play on the ball in the air or make a tackle. Limiting big plays is important."
Timmer has played an important role in his first three varsity seasons at MSU on kick teams, but the team's 2015 opener against Fort Lewis marked his first opportunity to trot onto the field for the first scrimmage play of a game. That long-awaited moment did not disappoint.
"It was a lot of fun," he said with a smile. "It was a pretty cool experience, a pretty fun experience. But I've played a lot on special teams so the nerves weren't too bad. It was just another game."
That contest may have been just another game for Timmer, but the season it launched certainly isn't just another year. Timmer entered spring drills of his senior year as a largely unknown quantity in terms of his ability to lock down a starting cornerback position, but hard work over the winter provided an opening he grabbed with gusto.
"Trace really had a good spring," said Bobcat coach Rob Ash. "He put himself in position (to start) with a good off-season, and he followed that up by playing well in the spring."
Timmer completed the off-season cycle with a tremendous summer. "Trace improved himself physically as much as any player on the team from the end of last season to the beginning of fall camp," Ash said. "He put himself in position to be a productive contributor on a good defense. He's really done a great job."
That work was born from the knowledge that Timmer was facing his final season of college football. "I definitely felt a sense of urgency," he said. "Obviously it's my last year and I had to make sure I gave it my all and leave no doubt and give myself the best chance to play."
His motivation was certainly internal, but the driving force hit close to home, as well. In fact, Timmer says, it started at home.
"It kept us focused," Timmer said of growing up in a home with parents that were not only successful student-athletes themselves but who walked the same campus as him. Timmer's father Kirk and uncle Troy played football at Montana State, while his mother Kelly (Angelos) Timmer played hoops at MSU. "It's the reason I'm here today. I had the privilege of having parents were not only athletic but very motivated in terms of giving their kids the chance to play sports and have success."
A member of Montana State's 1984 National Championship squad, Kirk Timmer has helped keep Trace on track through good times and bad, the middle of Kirk and Kelly's three sons said. "He's always been very good for me in that aspect," Trace said. "He's always put things in perspective for me, he's kept me up when I was down, when things were tough for me, and even when I'm doing good he's made sure that I'm continuing to better myself and realize that you can always be better."
Trace Timmer acknowledges his mother's obvious intensity around the hardwood. She coached each of her sons' in travel basketball, an experience which helped develop both Trace's athleticism and competitiveness. "When it came to basketball, yeah. That was my mom's sport, obviously. She played basketball here and she was pretty intense around basketball and we had some pretty good basketball teams because of it. She can coach."
Ioane and his parents aren't Timmer's only reminders of past Bobcat glory. His position coach, Michael Rider, was a Bobcat team captain and star who was part of some brilliant moments in his playing career. "Coach Rider was (a Bobcat player) not so long ago and I was able to truly understand and watch him play," Timmer said.
MSU linebackers coach Jody Owens, Rider and Ioane form a trio of former Bobcat defensive stars. Each of the three led MSU to conference championships, while Owens and Ioane earned Big Sky Defensive MVP honors. Timmer said playing for men who achieved individual and team success at MSU is a unique experience.
"They bring great intensity," Timmer said. "It's definitely different playing for coaches who played here and that you watched growing up. You feel more comfortable around them, and there's been a great connection."
Like all Bobcat fans, Timmer hopes that connection helps Montana State's defense slow down powerful Eastern Washington on Saturday. Kickoff is at 2:10 pm MDT, and the game – a sellout – is televised regionally on ROOT Sports and nationally on DirecTV's Audience Network.
Players Mentioned
DB
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