Tyler Natee
Photo by: Andrew Pedersen
Bobcat Offense Responds in Second Spring Scrimmage
3/30/2018 3:57:00 PM | Football
Tyler Natee, Willie Patterson and Karl Tucker II lead strong ground game
BOZEMAN, Montana – Jeff Choate saw it coming.
After a strong performance by the defense a week ago, Montana State's offense responded positively on Friday during a 55-play scrimmage in Bobcat Stadium. In his third spring as MSU's head coach, Choate was pleased with what he saw.
"It was kind of heated today," Choate said. "They got after each other, which was good to see. It's what I expected. The defense maybe had the upper hand in the exchange a week ago, and I think the offense bounced back well today."
Montana State's top offense set the tone early, driving 65 yards for a touchdown to open the scrimmage. Transfer running back Tyler Natee thundered the middle of the line, carrying three times on the drive for 12 yards, while Willie Patterson offered lightning. The freshman slot receiver carried for 11 yards on a sweep, and caught three passes for 24 yards, including a 14-yard score that immediately followed a red zone false start.
The Tacoma, Washington product considers his experience as a high school quarterback a positive in transitioning to the slot. "I feel like being behind the linemen (in high school) I already know how to read blocks," he said. "Getting that ball and having space to run is heaven to me. The game was fast when I first got here, but now I can think more. A lot of film sessions (and practice) is slowing the game down, for sure."
Choate liked what he saw from one of his young offensive weapons. "Willie's a good football player," Choate said. "He was a highly-productive guy out of Franklin Pierce High School, played basically every position on the field and scored a whole bunch of touchdowns. He's dynamic with the ball in his hands, and he's another guy who took the next step in terms of his preparation in the weight room, and adding some strength and some confidence from knowing the offense has put him in position to have an impact on our offense."
While Patterson rushed for 31 yards on six carries, running backs Natee (eight carries, 35 yards) and Karl Tucker II (31 yards on six rushes) helped balance the ground game. Receiver Kevin Kassis said that productivity boosts the entire offense. "When you have guys like Tyler and Karl," he said with a laugh, "I wouldn't want to tackle them. Obviously the O-line getting a good push up there, sometimes I can't tell because I'm on the outside, but when you run the ball it starts opening things up. Getting a good push up front is a good start."
MSU's pass game was productive. Patterson led the attack with four catches, while classmate Peyton Hanser caught three balls. Junior quarterback Chris Murray completed six of his 11 attempts for 46 yards. "The one thing I was pleased with was that Chris in particular didn't force the ball," Choate said, adding that Murray's physical improvements have transferred to the field. "Chris is stronger, and I think that's noticeable. He is pushing the ball more, he's got more velocity on his throws, and I really was pleased with his poise and the way we've run the offense. And I thought Tucker (Rovig, who was 5-for-12 passing) was a little up and down, but he had some really good moments today. He was certainly much improved over the first scrimmage."
While the offense performance was steady, the defense flashed signs of becoming a unit Choate hopes will apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks. "(Transfer defensive end Bryce Sterk is) a problem for (opponents) on the edge," Choate said, adding that he complements the abilities of sophomore outside linebacker Troy Andersen. "Troy's pure speed and athleticism is another major asset for us. We're hoping that we get (the pass rush) fixed and we're waiting for some of these transfers and young guys to arrive in the secondary, and when we put those two pieces together, that's what we feel was missing. That was our problem on third down, getting off the field was related to our inability to affect the quarterback."
The Bobcat offense scored on three of the day's six play-it drives. Tristan Bailey (35 yards) and Jacob Byrne (33 yards) each converted field goals. In the team's brief red zone work, Natee scored from one yard out and Bailey kicked a 23-yard field goal.
Montana State's last full week of spring drills begins next Tuesday, when the Cats practice in advance of Saturday's Sonny Holland Scrimmage.
RUSHING: Tyler Natee 8-35-1, Karl Tucker II 6-31-0, Tucker Rovig 4-17-0, Chris Murray 3-13-0, Willie Patterson 3-31-0, Coy Steel 1-1-0.
PASSING: Chris Murray 6-11-0, 46, 1 TD; Tucker Rovig 5-12-0, 48, 0.
RECEIVING: Willie Patterson 4-32-1, Peyton Hanser 3-34-0, Tyler Natee 1-11-0, Lance McCutcheon 1-5-0, Karl Tucker II 2-15-0.
DEFENSIVE SPECIAL STATS: Sacks – Derek Marks; Other Tackles-for-Loss – Brian Campbell; Pass Breakups – Troy Andersen (2), Ty Okada, Tucker Yates, Bryce Sterk.
FIELD GOALS: Tristan Bailey 2-2 (35 made, 23 made), Jacob Byrne 1-1 (23 made).
After a strong performance by the defense a week ago, Montana State's offense responded positively on Friday during a 55-play scrimmage in Bobcat Stadium. In his third spring as MSU's head coach, Choate was pleased with what he saw.
"It was kind of heated today," Choate said. "They got after each other, which was good to see. It's what I expected. The defense maybe had the upper hand in the exchange a week ago, and I think the offense bounced back well today."
Montana State's top offense set the tone early, driving 65 yards for a touchdown to open the scrimmage. Transfer running back Tyler Natee thundered the middle of the line, carrying three times on the drive for 12 yards, while Willie Patterson offered lightning. The freshman slot receiver carried for 11 yards on a sweep, and caught three passes for 24 yards, including a 14-yard score that immediately followed a red zone false start.
The Tacoma, Washington product considers his experience as a high school quarterback a positive in transitioning to the slot. "I feel like being behind the linemen (in high school) I already know how to read blocks," he said. "Getting that ball and having space to run is heaven to me. The game was fast when I first got here, but now I can think more. A lot of film sessions (and practice) is slowing the game down, for sure."
Choate liked what he saw from one of his young offensive weapons. "Willie's a good football player," Choate said. "He was a highly-productive guy out of Franklin Pierce High School, played basically every position on the field and scored a whole bunch of touchdowns. He's dynamic with the ball in his hands, and he's another guy who took the next step in terms of his preparation in the weight room, and adding some strength and some confidence from knowing the offense has put him in position to have an impact on our offense."
While Patterson rushed for 31 yards on six carries, running backs Natee (eight carries, 35 yards) and Karl Tucker II (31 yards on six rushes) helped balance the ground game. Receiver Kevin Kassis said that productivity boosts the entire offense. "When you have guys like Tyler and Karl," he said with a laugh, "I wouldn't want to tackle them. Obviously the O-line getting a good push up there, sometimes I can't tell because I'm on the outside, but when you run the ball it starts opening things up. Getting a good push up front is a good start."
MSU's pass game was productive. Patterson led the attack with four catches, while classmate Peyton Hanser caught three balls. Junior quarterback Chris Murray completed six of his 11 attempts for 46 yards. "The one thing I was pleased with was that Chris in particular didn't force the ball," Choate said, adding that Murray's physical improvements have transferred to the field. "Chris is stronger, and I think that's noticeable. He is pushing the ball more, he's got more velocity on his throws, and I really was pleased with his poise and the way we've run the offense. And I thought Tucker (Rovig, who was 5-for-12 passing) was a little up and down, but he had some really good moments today. He was certainly much improved over the first scrimmage."
While the offense performance was steady, the defense flashed signs of becoming a unit Choate hopes will apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks. "(Transfer defensive end Bryce Sterk is) a problem for (opponents) on the edge," Choate said, adding that he complements the abilities of sophomore outside linebacker Troy Andersen. "Troy's pure speed and athleticism is another major asset for us. We're hoping that we get (the pass rush) fixed and we're waiting for some of these transfers and young guys to arrive in the secondary, and when we put those two pieces together, that's what we feel was missing. That was our problem on third down, getting off the field was related to our inability to affect the quarterback."
The Bobcat offense scored on three of the day's six play-it drives. Tristan Bailey (35 yards) and Jacob Byrne (33 yards) each converted field goals. In the team's brief red zone work, Natee scored from one yard out and Bailey kicked a 23-yard field goal.
Montana State's last full week of spring drills begins next Tuesday, when the Cats practice in advance of Saturday's Sonny Holland Scrimmage.
RUSHING: Tyler Natee 8-35-1, Karl Tucker II 6-31-0, Tucker Rovig 4-17-0, Chris Murray 3-13-0, Willie Patterson 3-31-0, Coy Steel 1-1-0.
PASSING: Chris Murray 6-11-0, 46, 1 TD; Tucker Rovig 5-12-0, 48, 0.
RECEIVING: Willie Patterson 4-32-1, Peyton Hanser 3-34-0, Tyler Natee 1-11-0, Lance McCutcheon 1-5-0, Karl Tucker II 2-15-0.
DEFENSIVE SPECIAL STATS: Sacks – Derek Marks; Other Tackles-for-Loss – Brian Campbell; Pass Breakups – Troy Andersen (2), Ty Okada, Tucker Yates, Bryce Sterk.
FIELD GOALS: Tristan Bailey 2-2 (35 made, 23 made), Jacob Byrne 1-1 (23 made).
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