CATS IN CAMP DAY FIVE: Bobcats Construct Run Game Around Veteran Running Backs

Photo by: Andrew Pedersen

CATS IN CAMP DAY FIVE: Bobcats Construct Run Game Around Veteran Running Backs

8/6/2019 4:59:00 PM | Football

MSU looks to build strong ground game around deep, experienced group of running backs

By: Bill Lamberty

BOZEMAN, Montana – Jeff Choate calling the run game a key component of Montana State football program's offense is one of the most predictable elements of his team's preseason football camp. How that run game will look without a dynamic ball-carrier at quarterback, though, is less so.

Sophomore Tucker Rovig and redshirt freshman Casey Bauman entered the team's August practices locked in what amounts to a two-way quarterback battle. Redshirt freshman Ruben Beltran and new frosh Blake Thelen and John Knight also look for their niche. Troy Andersen, now MSU's Sam linebacker, had the reins of the offense as a sophomore last fall, earning First Team All-Big Sky and Third Team All-America honors.

While Rovig and Bauman are both athletic quarterbacks, they are each also more conventional, drop-back style passers. Neither will be asked to provide what Andersen did in the run game, which doesn't necessarily change the structure of Montana State's offense but may change how defenses approach stopping the Cats. "I think it's probably easier to defend when you don't have to defend truly 11 (players) in the run game," Choate said. "You can always create an extra gap when the quarterback's the ball carrier. That's an element we've got to continue to carry because it's so difficult for the defense to defend."

The Bobcats enter 2019 with a diversified rushing attack in terms of personnel. Isaiah Ifanse is the tip of the spear, coming off a Bobcat freshman record 1,025 rushing yards in 2018, carrying with him program-wide admiration for his off-season work. Logan Jones returns for his senior season at running back as a solid contributor throughout his career, when healthy. After missing much of 2018 with an injury his late-season return sparked MSU's exhilarating win over the Grizzlies in Missoula. Karl Tucker II, like Jones, is a senior who has contributed throughout his career. Freshmen Lane Sumner and Shane Perry, both redshirts, and DeMareus Hosey could each fit into the equation somewhere.

"I think we have a lot of options there," Choate says of his running backs. "The one thing I'd like is a power back, a bigger back that has some speed, but we may have other options internally for that," he said, referring to Andersen.

The other offensive element that may spring the run game is the increased threat of effectively throwing the football. Andersen was effective as a passer last season, throwing for 1,195 yards on 55.3% passing, but it was hardly his bread-and-butter. Choate expects a more efficient, dynamic pass game to serve as an offensive impetus. "I think it can be, and you want that (threat)," he said. "Obviously (defenses) can't load the box quite as much if (they) have to defend the whole field, but I still think the quarterback run game is the most difficult thing to defend."

Ifanse said that individuals honing in on details will raise MSU's productivity in the run game. "We study film a lot, and we're starting to read fronts and get our pre-snap reads," he said.

PLAYER OF THE DAY: Senior defensive lineman Derek Marks got the nod on Wednesday for his steadying presence. A starter during most of his three seasons at MSU, the Belgrade High product showed well on Tuesday. "The leadership of last year's defensive line group provided so much leadership, and I think players like Derek Marks has really picked up the baton. He's a great teammate and a tremendous leader."

YOUNG BUCKS: Tuesday marked the first opportunity for MSU's new freshmen and other young players to cut loose in scrimmage situations, and Choate liked what he saw. "(This) was really the first day we let our young guys go and I'd say we went about 25 plays live, got to see what they could do. (Quarterback) Blake Thelen led his group down on a touchdown drive, I thought (linebacker) Jaharie Martin flashed a little bit today, I thought there were some really good things. I saw some physicality. (Receiver) Jaden Smith on the edge made a couple plays, showed what he could do with the ball in his hands."

STOUT: Tuesday's play-it emphasis offered the opportunity to work short-yardage situations, and Choate came away with an observation he hadn't previously made. "It's very difficult to move the ball in short yardage against our D-line. We have got some big dudes up front, and they are good players."

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