Chad Newell (right) with junior linebacker Mac Bignell
Photo by: Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez
Senior Chad Newell Excited to Return to Field Saturday
9/20/2016 3:05:00 PM | Football
Bobcat running back looking forward to playing rather than leading cheers
If all goes well in the next four days, Chad Newell's days as a cheerleader are over.
Montana State's game one starting running back resumes his senior campaign after nursing a hand injury for two weeks. During that time, the Billings Senior product whose 25 rushing touchdowns is fourth in school history, provided plenty of inspiration.
"I gained more respect for Chad Newell after one game watching him on the sideline supporting his teammates," said first-year Bobcat coach Jeff Choate, "than I did the week before when he ran for 104 yards."
That effort against Idaho is when Newell suffered the injury. In fact, he believes it was "during the first drive at Idaho, the second play of the game, my first run play," he said. "I kind of knew something was wrong, but (the medical staff said), 'There's nothing we can really do about it here in Idaho.' So I decided to just keep playing and give us a chance to win the game."
Montana State's first offensive play of 2016 was a 24-yard pass from Tyler Bruggman to Mitch Herbert. The next play, a five-yard gain by Newell, is when the injury occurred. "I got up and it just didn't feel right," he said. It would be nearly impossible to discern that he played injured the rest of the night, as he carried 24 more times for 99 yards and a touchdown, while catching two passes for 27 yards.
Newell said he's ready to pick up where he left off, that his grip strength is normal and he has no worry about the hand. "It's 100 percent," he said. "The doctors, Rob Higgs and the guys in the Athletic Training Room, have done a great job."
Montana State won the two games during Newell's absence, but slow starts plagued the team in each contest. The Cats' first offensive possession in each of the last two games was a three-and-out, and the team didn't score a first quarter touchdown against Bryant or Western Oregon.
The offense rallied in each contest though, especially in last weekend's 55-0 win against WOU. "It's been nice watching the guys execute," Newell said. "The next step is to start fast. At Idaho we came out and scored on our first drive, and we need to repeat that every game. Scoring on the first drive is hugely important in the game of football to establish momentum."
The idea of teaming with fellow senior running back and team captain Gunnar Brekke for the first time this season has Newell excited for the possibilities, he said. "It's a huge thing as far as game plan goes, you can expand your game plan and make defenses prepare for a lot more than one-back sets. It creates a lot more options for (the team) as far as run game goes."
Regardless of the circumstances and his ability "to create a different role for myself on the sideline" cheering his teammates while injured, Newell is excited to get back on the field. "I cherish every game," he said. "It's Homecoming, that's fitting. I love our fans and it's going to be packed in Bobcat Stadium. That's fitting for me, because there's nothing better than playing in front of our fans with how much love they show us, and their support."
Kickoff is 2 pm Saturday.
Montana State's game one starting running back resumes his senior campaign after nursing a hand injury for two weeks. During that time, the Billings Senior product whose 25 rushing touchdowns is fourth in school history, provided plenty of inspiration.
"I gained more respect for Chad Newell after one game watching him on the sideline supporting his teammates," said first-year Bobcat coach Jeff Choate, "than I did the week before when he ran for 104 yards."
That effort against Idaho is when Newell suffered the injury. In fact, he believes it was "during the first drive at Idaho, the second play of the game, my first run play," he said. "I kind of knew something was wrong, but (the medical staff said), 'There's nothing we can really do about it here in Idaho.' So I decided to just keep playing and give us a chance to win the game."
Montana State's first offensive play of 2016 was a 24-yard pass from Tyler Bruggman to Mitch Herbert. The next play, a five-yard gain by Newell, is when the injury occurred. "I got up and it just didn't feel right," he said. It would be nearly impossible to discern that he played injured the rest of the night, as he carried 24 more times for 99 yards and a touchdown, while catching two passes for 27 yards.
Newell said he's ready to pick up where he left off, that his grip strength is normal and he has no worry about the hand. "It's 100 percent," he said. "The doctors, Rob Higgs and the guys in the Athletic Training Room, have done a great job."
Montana State won the two games during Newell's absence, but slow starts plagued the team in each contest. The Cats' first offensive possession in each of the last two games was a three-and-out, and the team didn't score a first quarter touchdown against Bryant or Western Oregon.
The offense rallied in each contest though, especially in last weekend's 55-0 win against WOU. "It's been nice watching the guys execute," Newell said. "The next step is to start fast. At Idaho we came out and scored on our first drive, and we need to repeat that every game. Scoring on the first drive is hugely important in the game of football to establish momentum."
The idea of teaming with fellow senior running back and team captain Gunnar Brekke for the first time this season has Newell excited for the possibilities, he said. "It's a huge thing as far as game plan goes, you can expand your game plan and make defenses prepare for a lot more than one-back sets. It creates a lot more options for (the team) as far as run game goes."
Regardless of the circumstances and his ability "to create a different role for myself on the sideline" cheering his teammates while injured, Newell is excited to get back on the field. "I cherish every game," he said. "It's Homecoming, that's fitting. I love our fans and it's going to be packed in Bobcat Stadium. That's fitting for me, because there's nothing better than playing in front of our fans with how much love they show us, and their support."
Kickoff is 2 pm Saturday.
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