Logan Jones
Photo by: Garrett Becker
BOBCAT GAME DAY NOTEBOOK: Who's Next? Last Week it was Mark Estes
11/2/2019 11:00:00 AM | Football
Next Man Up mentality leads redshirt freshman to breakout moment
Who's next?
In an age when every football coach alive preaches a 'next man up' mentality, redshirt freshman receiver Mark Estes answered that question emphatically at North Dakota last week, catching two passes for 24 yards and scampering for 25 yards on a reverse. They were the first offensive stats of his career, and came at a time when injuries had thinned the Bobcat receiver corps.
"Mark's a young man who has worked hard for his opportunity," Jeff Choate said. "He played very well."
Estes' breakout performance sparked the Bobcats, although the team ultimately fell 16-12. He knew he'd been inserted into "a couple of packages" in MSU's offensive game plan, and that he "took it in stride." But he knew his moment was at hand. "(MSU receivers) Coach (Erik) Frazier always says, 'You never know when you're going to get your shot, but when it comes you have to take the opportunity.' They put me in position to do that."
Estes, who graduated from Glacier High in Kalispell but also spent time growing up on a ranch near Drummond, said the veteran leadership in the receivers room, which includes team captains Kevin Kassis and Travis Jonsen, has benefited the team's young receivers. "They set the expectation for us," he said. "We see (the work) they do and we follow them."
* * * * *
Jeff Choate's teams have shown a knack for playing their best football when the games matter the most. Since the 2016 season began, the Cats stand 15-17 from August through October, and 6-3 in November.
Choate feels that is rooted in a simple idea. "By this time of a season a team is what it is," he said. "You can't drastically change the way you do things. We're not going to all of a sudden throw 70 passes a game or blitz 60 percent of the time."
The key, Choate says, is to make changes where they're possible. "I think right now you make incremental improvements. You try to clean up mistakes and get a little better every day. If every player works on what they do individually, the team benefits."
* * * * *
The shuttle between MSU's Athletic Training Center and the Bobcat running backs room remains active. Sophomore Isaiah Ifanse is doubtful for today's game, while senior Logan Jones is expected to start. Bobcat coach Jeff Choate indicated that Lane Sumner and Shane Perry will each play a role today, while freshman DeMareus Hosey is also likely to enjoy an elevated role.
Choate also indicated that tight end Jacob Hadley, injured early this season, could return to action today.
* * * * *
The Bobcat coaching staff undergoes an operational change today, as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Matt Miller moves downstairs to the sideline. Receivers coach Erik Frazier joins tight ends coach Nate Potter and interns Jonathan Amosa, Hayden Schuh and Austin Ybarra in the booth. The move is designed to better facilitate communication and adjustments. "It's going to take away the middle man in terms of communication" with Bobcat quarterbacks, Miller said, while giving him and offensive line coach Brian Armstrong the opportunity to "provide instant feedback" to each other as the game progresses.
* * * * *
One familiar name stands out on Southern Utah's roster. Reserve running back Edward Vander was part of Jeff Choate's first recruiting class at Montana State, but departed after the 2016 season for a junior college. He joined the Thunderbirds this season.
* * * * *
Jeff Choate lauded Southern Utah's improvement throughout the season as a factor in the team's blowout win against Idaho State last Saturday. The Thunderbirds scored 59 points, and MSU defensive coordinator Kane Ioane said Southern Utah's offense is gathering steam.
"They're hitting their stride," Ioane said. "They're playing their best football right now. They mix tempos really well. We're going to have to be prepared for them playing very fast."
In an age when every football coach alive preaches a 'next man up' mentality, redshirt freshman receiver Mark Estes answered that question emphatically at North Dakota last week, catching two passes for 24 yards and scampering for 25 yards on a reverse. They were the first offensive stats of his career, and came at a time when injuries had thinned the Bobcat receiver corps.
"Mark's a young man who has worked hard for his opportunity," Jeff Choate said. "He played very well."
Estes' breakout performance sparked the Bobcats, although the team ultimately fell 16-12. He knew he'd been inserted into "a couple of packages" in MSU's offensive game plan, and that he "took it in stride." But he knew his moment was at hand. "(MSU receivers) Coach (Erik) Frazier always says, 'You never know when you're going to get your shot, but when it comes you have to take the opportunity.' They put me in position to do that."
Estes, who graduated from Glacier High in Kalispell but also spent time growing up on a ranch near Drummond, said the veteran leadership in the receivers room, which includes team captains Kevin Kassis and Travis Jonsen, has benefited the team's young receivers. "They set the expectation for us," he said. "We see (the work) they do and we follow them."
* * * * *
Jeff Choate's teams have shown a knack for playing their best football when the games matter the most. Since the 2016 season began, the Cats stand 15-17 from August through October, and 6-3 in November.
Choate feels that is rooted in a simple idea. "By this time of a season a team is what it is," he said. "You can't drastically change the way you do things. We're not going to all of a sudden throw 70 passes a game or blitz 60 percent of the time."
The key, Choate says, is to make changes where they're possible. "I think right now you make incremental improvements. You try to clean up mistakes and get a little better every day. If every player works on what they do individually, the team benefits."
* * * * *
The shuttle between MSU's Athletic Training Center and the Bobcat running backs room remains active. Sophomore Isaiah Ifanse is doubtful for today's game, while senior Logan Jones is expected to start. Bobcat coach Jeff Choate indicated that Lane Sumner and Shane Perry will each play a role today, while freshman DeMareus Hosey is also likely to enjoy an elevated role.
Choate also indicated that tight end Jacob Hadley, injured early this season, could return to action today.
* * * * *
The Bobcat coaching staff undergoes an operational change today, as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Matt Miller moves downstairs to the sideline. Receivers coach Erik Frazier joins tight ends coach Nate Potter and interns Jonathan Amosa, Hayden Schuh and Austin Ybarra in the booth. The move is designed to better facilitate communication and adjustments. "It's going to take away the middle man in terms of communication" with Bobcat quarterbacks, Miller said, while giving him and offensive line coach Brian Armstrong the opportunity to "provide instant feedback" to each other as the game progresses.
* * * * *
One familiar name stands out on Southern Utah's roster. Reserve running back Edward Vander was part of Jeff Choate's first recruiting class at Montana State, but departed after the 2016 season for a junior college. He joined the Thunderbirds this season.
* * * * *
Jeff Choate lauded Southern Utah's improvement throughout the season as a factor in the team's blowout win against Idaho State last Saturday. The Thunderbirds scored 59 points, and MSU defensive coordinator Kane Ioane said Southern Utah's offense is gathering steam.
"They're hitting their stride," Ioane said. "They're playing their best football right now. They mix tempos really well. We're going to have to be prepared for them playing very fast."
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