Edward Vander
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
BOBCAT GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #7: Personnel Shuffle Continues for Cats
10/21/2017 11:36:00 AM | Football
MSU makes first visit to Nottingham Field since 2013
As noted 20th century philosopher Billy Joel once crooned, life is a series of hellos and goodbyes, and it's time for goodbye again. For the second straight week Montana State's depth chart is something of a revolving door.
Running back Edward Vander returns for today's after missing last week's game at Eastern Washington, but the Bobcats lose two starters for an indefinite time. Defensive end Grant Collins and offensive guard Caleb Gillis both suffered injuries during last week's loss at Eastern Washington. There is a possibility for both to return to action this season, although a timetable has not been assigned in either case.
Vander returns to the rotation at running back, while freshman Lewis Kidd – who stepped into Gillis' role mid-game last week – gets his first start today.
* * * * *
Legendary major league baseball player Dick Allen once said that if horses couldn't eat it, he didn't want to play on it. It's a good thing contemporary college football players don't have the same attitude.
Montana State heads to Greeley for the first time since 2013, an improbably long gap in a conference series, it's been almost as long since the Bobcat football team has played a game on grass. The team's 35-27 loss at Cal Poly on November 1, 2014, was its last game on grass. A 35-28 win at Northern Colorado was the Bobcats' last win on a natural surface.
"I don't think it will make much difference," running back Nick LaSane said of playing on grass. "We practice on it some, and I don't even notice much of a difference."
* * * * *
LaSane's return to the Bobcat backfield the last two weeks, and the anticipated return of Vander this week, boosts the Bobcats to full strength in that area.
A senior from the Dallas area, LaSane has rushed for 150 yards and a touchdown in the last two games, his first two of 2017. That average of 75.0 yards a game is most among MSU running backs. Vander rushed for 251 yards in MSU's first five games, and his 6.6 yards per carry is best at his position.
Vander and LaSane join Logan Jones and Troy Andersen in MSU's regular rotation.
* * * * *
While there's no real clarity on Troy Andersen's primary position as the Bobcats pass the mid-point of his first year in the program, but defensive coordinator Ty Gregorak – Andersen's position coach now that he is spending time at linebacker – makes one thing clear.
"I love the kid," he says with a broadening smile. "I don't want to give him back."
* * * * *
Northern Colorado has won three straight home games, and began the streak with a 28-25 Senior Day victory over the Grizzlies last November 12. The Bears have won eight of their last nine games at Nottingham Field. For its part, the Bobcats have won two of their last four road games.
Running back Edward Vander returns for today's after missing last week's game at Eastern Washington, but the Bobcats lose two starters for an indefinite time. Defensive end Grant Collins and offensive guard Caleb Gillis both suffered injuries during last week's loss at Eastern Washington. There is a possibility for both to return to action this season, although a timetable has not been assigned in either case.
Vander returns to the rotation at running back, while freshman Lewis Kidd – who stepped into Gillis' role mid-game last week – gets his first start today.
* * * * *
Legendary major league baseball player Dick Allen once said that if horses couldn't eat it, he didn't want to play on it. It's a good thing contemporary college football players don't have the same attitude.
Montana State heads to Greeley for the first time since 2013, an improbably long gap in a conference series, it's been almost as long since the Bobcat football team has played a game on grass. The team's 35-27 loss at Cal Poly on November 1, 2014, was its last game on grass. A 35-28 win at Northern Colorado was the Bobcats' last win on a natural surface.
"I don't think it will make much difference," running back Nick LaSane said of playing on grass. "We practice on it some, and I don't even notice much of a difference."
* * * * *
LaSane's return to the Bobcat backfield the last two weeks, and the anticipated return of Vander this week, boosts the Bobcats to full strength in that area.
A senior from the Dallas area, LaSane has rushed for 150 yards and a touchdown in the last two games, his first two of 2017. That average of 75.0 yards a game is most among MSU running backs. Vander rushed for 251 yards in MSU's first five games, and his 6.6 yards per carry is best at his position.
Vander and LaSane join Logan Jones and Troy Andersen in MSU's regular rotation.
* * * * *
While there's no real clarity on Troy Andersen's primary position as the Bobcats pass the mid-point of his first year in the program, but defensive coordinator Ty Gregorak – Andersen's position coach now that he is spending time at linebacker – makes one thing clear.
"I love the kid," he says with a broadening smile. "I don't want to give him back."
* * * * *
Northern Colorado has won three straight home games, and began the streak with a 28-25 Senior Day victory over the Grizzlies last November 12. The Bears have won eight of their last nine games at Nottingham Field. For its part, the Bobcats have won two of their last four road games.
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