Chris Murray
Photo by: Andrew Pedersen
Hard Work Boosts Chris Murray's Passing
8/4/2017 4:42:00 PM | Football
After a year in MSU's program, sophomore quarterback has improved throwing
Ask Montana State quarterbacks coach DeNarius McGhee about the clear improvement in Chris Murray as a passer, and he answers with a trademark laugh. Then he traces the improvement quickly and directly to its root.
"He's put the work in," says the man who is just four years removed from his role as Montana State's championship-winning, record-setting quarterback.
Murray's improved throwing – "Passing, for sure," said sophomore quarterback Brady McChesney in identifying the biggest difference between Murray as a freshman and a sophomore – stems from diligent attention to fundamentals. "Last year on quick throws I would chatter," Murray said of sloppy footwork, "or on a three-step drop when I was supposed to hitch up I would chatter. I wouldn't get (velocity) on the ball, it would flutter and I'd throw easy picks. I'm working on driving the ball with more authority."
Progress in the game's mental sector is what pleases McGhee the most about Murray's improvement. "Instead of me communicating to him what he should improve upon and the decisions he should have made, he's telling me, 'Coach, I should have done this and this because this.' He's not telling me what he should have done, but he's telling me why he should have made a certain decision. When a kid can recognize his own mistake and process that information quickly I think you have a chance to improve and to make even better decisions. Instead of making a good decision, you can make the best decision for the offense."
Mechanical improvements are also pronounced, McChesney said. "He definitely has calmer feet, and a lot of the credit goes to Coach McGhee, who's worked that a lot."
Management of Montana State's offensive scheme is evolving into a strength, Choate said of his sophomore quarterback. "Just in general, his command of the offense and his comfort level out there (are improved)," Choate said. "I said (Thursday) self-correction is the first step toward mastery, and one of the things I can see Chris doing is not having to rely on Coach Armstrong or DeNarius to come up and say, 'Single-high safety, what were you thinking on this?' He's like, 'I know, post safety, should have looked over here.' Those are really good signs. He's conceptualizing what we're doing on offense but he's also starting to master it."
Murray is pleased with the steps forward taken by the team's quarterback group as a whole. "I think we have adjusted well and we have matured in a way," he said. "I think we've learned lots of things from last year and I think we're more dialed in and focused."
"He's put the work in," says the man who is just four years removed from his role as Montana State's championship-winning, record-setting quarterback.
Murray's improved throwing – "Passing, for sure," said sophomore quarterback Brady McChesney in identifying the biggest difference between Murray as a freshman and a sophomore – stems from diligent attention to fundamentals. "Last year on quick throws I would chatter," Murray said of sloppy footwork, "or on a three-step drop when I was supposed to hitch up I would chatter. I wouldn't get (velocity) on the ball, it would flutter and I'd throw easy picks. I'm working on driving the ball with more authority."
Progress in the game's mental sector is what pleases McGhee the most about Murray's improvement. "Instead of me communicating to him what he should improve upon and the decisions he should have made, he's telling me, 'Coach, I should have done this and this because this.' He's not telling me what he should have done, but he's telling me why he should have made a certain decision. When a kid can recognize his own mistake and process that information quickly I think you have a chance to improve and to make even better decisions. Instead of making a good decision, you can make the best decision for the offense."
Mechanical improvements are also pronounced, McChesney said. "He definitely has calmer feet, and a lot of the credit goes to Coach McGhee, who's worked that a lot."
Management of Montana State's offensive scheme is evolving into a strength, Choate said of his sophomore quarterback. "Just in general, his command of the offense and his comfort level out there (are improved)," Choate said. "I said (Thursday) self-correction is the first step toward mastery, and one of the things I can see Chris doing is not having to rely on Coach Armstrong or DeNarius to come up and say, 'Single-high safety, what were you thinking on this?' He's like, 'I know, post safety, should have looked over here.' Those are really good signs. He's conceptualizing what we're doing on offense but he's also starting to master it."
Murray is pleased with the steps forward taken by the team's quarterback group as a whole. "I think we have adjusted well and we have matured in a way," he said. "I think we've learned lots of things from last year and I think we're more dialed in and focused."
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