Photo by: Garrett Becker
Bobcat Stages Only Preseason Football Scrimmage Saturday
8/18/2023 4:41:00 PM | Football
MSU to run 90 plays or so plays Saturday in preparation for the 2023 season
BOZEMAN, Montana – Montana State's 2023 Gold Rush Game against Utah Tech is still two weeks away, but the program's main dress rehearsal arrives Saturday when the team stages a closed scrimmage in Bobcat Stadium.
Third-year coach Brent Vigen said the session of 90 or so plays helps consolidate opinions formed during preseason camp. "I think you formulate your thoughts for these first couple weeks then put it into play during the scrimmage," he said. "I've been around it where you do two scrimmages, and I've been around many years where you do one like we are, and you get it sorted out both ways. In this world where we're doing one it's not quite like a final test, but the way final tests are weighted is what we're looking at here."
Two-deep tinkering remains at many positions, or position groups, and Vigen said Saturday's game-like competition scenarios helps the coaching staff hone in on details. "For those position battles that are up for grabs, we need to see who can make plays, who can be consistent," he said. "You talk about receiver and (defensive back), who can make plays on balls in the air, who can get open? We don't tackle much (in the preseason) so seeing if running backs can be tackled is important because how those carries get distributed is still very much up for grabs."
Saturday's session also offers a proving ground for the kicking game. "On special teams Coach (Justin) Udy has been working through the depth there, the competition there, so the 12 or so reps that we take on special teams will be big for who we put out there in the first game."
Vigen said the team's schemes are generally installed at this point. "Offense, defense, special teams, we have our systems in," he said. "Between our practices and walk-throughs and meetings I think we have ample reps to let the guys go out there and just play. This isn't a game plan situation, we won't game plan against ourselves, but knowing what they're doing and being able to do it at a high rate is what we're looking for, and I think to this point the guys are prepared for this, to give it their best shot and see who performs when the lights are on so to speak."
Classes begin at MSU next Wednesday, so Saturday's scrimmage marks a pivot point. "We transition into opponent work beyond this so this is the cap of this two-and-a-half weeks."
Montana State opens the 2023 on September 2 against Utah Tech.
#GoCatsGo
Third-year coach Brent Vigen said the session of 90 or so plays helps consolidate opinions formed during preseason camp. "I think you formulate your thoughts for these first couple weeks then put it into play during the scrimmage," he said. "I've been around it where you do two scrimmages, and I've been around many years where you do one like we are, and you get it sorted out both ways. In this world where we're doing one it's not quite like a final test, but the way final tests are weighted is what we're looking at here."
Two-deep tinkering remains at many positions, or position groups, and Vigen said Saturday's game-like competition scenarios helps the coaching staff hone in on details. "For those position battles that are up for grabs, we need to see who can make plays, who can be consistent," he said. "You talk about receiver and (defensive back), who can make plays on balls in the air, who can get open? We don't tackle much (in the preseason) so seeing if running backs can be tackled is important because how those carries get distributed is still very much up for grabs."
Saturday's session also offers a proving ground for the kicking game. "On special teams Coach (Justin) Udy has been working through the depth there, the competition there, so the 12 or so reps that we take on special teams will be big for who we put out there in the first game."
Vigen said the team's schemes are generally installed at this point. "Offense, defense, special teams, we have our systems in," he said. "Between our practices and walk-throughs and meetings I think we have ample reps to let the guys go out there and just play. This isn't a game plan situation, we won't game plan against ourselves, but knowing what they're doing and being able to do it at a high rate is what we're looking for, and I think to this point the guys are prepared for this, to give it their best shot and see who performs when the lights are on so to speak."
Classes begin at MSU next Wednesday, so Saturday's scrimmage marks a pivot point. "We transition into opponent work beyond this so this is the cap of this two-and-a-half weeks."
Montana State opens the 2023 on September 2 against Utah Tech.
#GoCatsGo
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