Photo by: Garrett Becker
CATS IN CAMP DAY 8: Brent Vigen Liked His Team's Tackling and Quarterback Play on Saturday
8/14/2021 3:13:00 PM | Football
MSU continues to practice at a good pace, Brent Vigen said
August 14, 2021: A day-by-day look at Bobcat football, today and throughout history… including a glimpse at the team's tackling and quarterback play, and a quick look at an impressive scrimmage today in 2013...
Bobcat Daily Notebook
TACKLING TALK: Saturday marked Montana State's second practice in full pads, and gave Brent Vigen and his staff the most extensive look yet at the team's tackling. "I think we took another step forward," he said. "We did tackling drills (Saturday) and I thought it was significantly better on the defensive side, and it should be, it's a defensive drill by and large. We tackled in some situational sessions, we had two 10-minute sessions, and we tackled OK, we were good at the point (of attack) physically. The offense probably won that side of it today, but I think we're making strides. I think the tackling drill in particular was what I was looking at to make a step forward there."
PRACTICE PACE: After Friday's practice in spider pads, Brent Vigen said he remained please with his team's ability to maintain pace and energy throughout each practice session, and from one day to the next regardless of the contact situation. "I think we're practicing with the same speed and tempo on a daily basis. Any day you're not tackling, whether you're in full pads or not, it should look very similar."
QUARTERBACK EVALUATION: Junior Matt McKay exited spring drills on top of the quarterback depth chart, emerging narrowly over returning starter Tucker Rovig, now a junior, and sophomore Casey Bauman, who also gained starting experience for the Cats in 2019. Saturday, Montana State's first-year head coach said on Saturday the group has experienced "ups and downs, certainly," but that he was pleased with its situational work, specifically in the red zone. "I thought the quarterbacks performed well there. When I say ups and downs, that would be the whole crew, and I think we have a high standard." Vigen is pleased with the accuracy of his signal callers. "I would say we're completing the ball well through camp, and that's the way it should look. Decision-making-wise I think we've got quite a bit on their plates right now, and what you hope is that they turn the corner this week and that kind of flattens out."
August 14 in Bobcat Football History
2013 - Gunnar Brekke, Will Krolick, David Dash and Tanner Roderick each caught touchdown passes in MSU's final fall scrimmage. Ten different receivers caught passes from DeNarius McGhee, Jake Bleskin, Dakota Prukop and Quinn McQueary.
August 13 in Bobcat Football History
2008 - In a move that surprised his second team, Rob Ash ushered in a new era of Bobcat football when his team trotted across Kagy Boulevard in the middle of the morning practice to work out on Bobcat Stadium's first artificial turf field. The FieldTurf surface changed the Bobcat football program for the better, allowing MSU decent practice conditions during the winter months. Since installing its first artificial turf field (the team is now on its second installation), Montana State is 60-22 in Bobcat Stadium since that day. 1992 - Cliff Hysell convened all 98 players for the first day of his first fall camp as the head football coach at his alma mater, and welcomed the squad with three practices. Calling the early days of camp "a learning experience," Hysell indicated that scheme installation was a priority. Veteran strength coach Mike Weiczorek lauded the team's "significant strength gains" over the off-season.
Coming Up
After an off day Sunday the Bobcats practice on Monday at 9 am, Tuesday at 9:30 am, and Wednesday at 10 am. Brent Vigen indicated that practices remain closed to the general public.
Bobcat Daily Notebook
TACKLING TALK: Saturday marked Montana State's second practice in full pads, and gave Brent Vigen and his staff the most extensive look yet at the team's tackling. "I think we took another step forward," he said. "We did tackling drills (Saturday) and I thought it was significantly better on the defensive side, and it should be, it's a defensive drill by and large. We tackled in some situational sessions, we had two 10-minute sessions, and we tackled OK, we were good at the point (of attack) physically. The offense probably won that side of it today, but I think we're making strides. I think the tackling drill in particular was what I was looking at to make a step forward there."
PRACTICE PACE: After Friday's practice in spider pads, Brent Vigen said he remained please with his team's ability to maintain pace and energy throughout each practice session, and from one day to the next regardless of the contact situation. "I think we're practicing with the same speed and tempo on a daily basis. Any day you're not tackling, whether you're in full pads or not, it should look very similar."
QUARTERBACK EVALUATION: Junior Matt McKay exited spring drills on top of the quarterback depth chart, emerging narrowly over returning starter Tucker Rovig, now a junior, and sophomore Casey Bauman, who also gained starting experience for the Cats in 2019. Saturday, Montana State's first-year head coach said on Saturday the group has experienced "ups and downs, certainly," but that he was pleased with its situational work, specifically in the red zone. "I thought the quarterbacks performed well there. When I say ups and downs, that would be the whole crew, and I think we have a high standard." Vigen is pleased with the accuracy of his signal callers. "I would say we're completing the ball well through camp, and that's the way it should look. Decision-making-wise I think we've got quite a bit on their plates right now, and what you hope is that they turn the corner this week and that kind of flattens out."
August 14 in Bobcat Football History
2013 - Gunnar Brekke, Will Krolick, David Dash and Tanner Roderick each caught touchdown passes in MSU's final fall scrimmage. Ten different receivers caught passes from DeNarius McGhee, Jake Bleskin, Dakota Prukop and Quinn McQueary.
August 13 in Bobcat Football History
2008 - In a move that surprised his second team, Rob Ash ushered in a new era of Bobcat football when his team trotted across Kagy Boulevard in the middle of the morning practice to work out on Bobcat Stadium's first artificial turf field. The FieldTurf surface changed the Bobcat football program for the better, allowing MSU decent practice conditions during the winter months. Since installing its first artificial turf field (the team is now on its second installation), Montana State is 60-22 in Bobcat Stadium since that day. 1992 - Cliff Hysell convened all 98 players for the first day of his first fall camp as the head football coach at his alma mater, and welcomed the squad with three practices. Calling the early days of camp "a learning experience," Hysell indicated that scheme installation was a priority. Veteran strength coach Mike Weiczorek lauded the team's "significant strength gains" over the off-season.
Coming Up
After an off day Sunday the Bobcats practice on Monday at 9 am, Tuesday at 9:30 am, and Wednesday at 10 am. Brent Vigen indicated that practices remain closed to the general public.
Players Mentioned
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Monday, May 19
Wednesday, May 03
Wednesday, May 03
