Photo by: Garrett Becker
Bobcats Begin Spring Practice Home Stretch in Stadium on Saturday
3/30/2019 11:20:00 AM | Football
Choate, coaches get live look at MSU squad on Saturday afternoon
BOZEMAN, Montana – Montana State's fourth-year head football coach Jeff Choate likes what he's seen from his Bobcats through the first 25 or so days of spring practice. He just hasn't seen nearly enough.
"This interesting thing is that (Saturday) is technically our (sixth) practice," Choate said of his team's 1 pm session in Bobcat Stadium on Saturday. MSU's fifth practice of the spring, Thursday, was its first in full pads. The fourth came on Tuesday, and the first three fell before spring break.
"We were not able to get a lot done before spring break," Choate said. "We had six practices scheduled but we never really got outside on (a safe) surface before spring break. We used three of (the practices), got a little bit of individual work done in the arena when the (Worthington Arena basketball) floor was up, and tried to get some walk-through stuff done outside. So we are where you'd think we would be (given the limitations)."
While the Bobcats are "not really going to scrimmage per se on Saturday," Choate said the session "will have some play-it periods," and also features officials. Choate announced this week that Troy Andersen is not practicing this spring, but two-year starting quarterback Chris Murray participates on weekends. After missing the fall to concentrate on academics Murray also dedicates himself to classwork during weekday practices, but Bobcat fans at Saturday's practice are likely to see him.
Those in Bobcat Stadium also get a look at a retooled coaching staff, with former MSU All-Americas Kane Ioane coordinating the defense and coaching safeties and Bobby Daly mentoring linebackers. Ioane returns to MSU after two years at Washington, Daly returns to his alma mater from Idaho, and receivers coach Erik Frazier joins the Cats from Western Illinois.
"It's been really fun watching our new coaches put their stamp on things," Choate said. "They bring some really good energy, I've been happy with that."
Choate has also been pleased with his players, as well. The Cats have battled an uncertain practice schedule due to March's erratic weather, but Choate said that hasn't deterred his squad from quality outdoor sessions. "Our kids' attitudes have been phenomenal. It's no fun going out there at 6:30, 7 o'clock in the morning, the wind's howling, and you look at the temperature and it's 32 degrees and you think, 'Hey, that's awesome!' Then you go out there and it feels like -32 degrees, so I really respect the kids' attitude, their commitment to the program, their toughness. There's no finger-pointing or questioning why we're doing it. They chose to come to Montana State, they understand what we need to do, so they go do it."
After Saturday and Sunday practices, MSU returns to the field Tuesday and Thursday in advance of next Saturday's Sonny Holland Spring Scrimmage. The event kicks off at 2 pm in Bobcat Stadium.
#GoCatsGo
"This interesting thing is that (Saturday) is technically our (sixth) practice," Choate said of his team's 1 pm session in Bobcat Stadium on Saturday. MSU's fifth practice of the spring, Thursday, was its first in full pads. The fourth came on Tuesday, and the first three fell before spring break.
"We were not able to get a lot done before spring break," Choate said. "We had six practices scheduled but we never really got outside on (a safe) surface before spring break. We used three of (the practices), got a little bit of individual work done in the arena when the (Worthington Arena basketball) floor was up, and tried to get some walk-through stuff done outside. So we are where you'd think we would be (given the limitations)."
While the Bobcats are "not really going to scrimmage per se on Saturday," Choate said the session "will have some play-it periods," and also features officials. Choate announced this week that Troy Andersen is not practicing this spring, but two-year starting quarterback Chris Murray participates on weekends. After missing the fall to concentrate on academics Murray also dedicates himself to classwork during weekday practices, but Bobcat fans at Saturday's practice are likely to see him.
Those in Bobcat Stadium also get a look at a retooled coaching staff, with former MSU All-Americas Kane Ioane coordinating the defense and coaching safeties and Bobby Daly mentoring linebackers. Ioane returns to MSU after two years at Washington, Daly returns to his alma mater from Idaho, and receivers coach Erik Frazier joins the Cats from Western Illinois.
"It's been really fun watching our new coaches put their stamp on things," Choate said. "They bring some really good energy, I've been happy with that."
Choate has also been pleased with his players, as well. The Cats have battled an uncertain practice schedule due to March's erratic weather, but Choate said that hasn't deterred his squad from quality outdoor sessions. "Our kids' attitudes have been phenomenal. It's no fun going out there at 6:30, 7 o'clock in the morning, the wind's howling, and you look at the temperature and it's 32 degrees and you think, 'Hey, that's awesome!' Then you go out there and it feels like -32 degrees, so I really respect the kids' attitude, their commitment to the program, their toughness. There's no finger-pointing or questioning why we're doing it. They chose to come to Montana State, they understand what we need to do, so they go do it."
After Saturday and Sunday practices, MSU returns to the field Tuesday and Thursday in advance of next Saturday's Sonny Holland Spring Scrimmage. The event kicks off at 2 pm in Bobcat Stadium.
#GoCatsGo
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