Montana St. Starts Spring Ball 03/08/09

[GOKATS]

From MSU-



MSU Football Opens Spring Drills Sunday
MSU Bobcats Bobcat Football News : 2009-03-07 : Bozeman, MT
PDF Version Available
By MSU Sports Information


The earliest opening to Montana State's spring football session begins just hours after turning the clocks ahead on Sunday morning...


Rob Ash takes an even bigger spring forward than most of Montana on Sunday morning, when Montana State's third-year head football welcomes 13 returning starters and 41 returning lettermen to the opening of spring practice just hours into Daylight Savings Time.

While Ash is pleased with the return of five offensive linemen who have starting experience and the core of a defense that allowed the fewest yards in the Big Sky last spring, he knows there are three returning starters who will draw the most attention.

"We know people are following the quarterback situation," Ash says of MSU's spring quarterback competition - or lack of same. Three Bobcats started games at quarterback last fall, a first at MSU since 1991, with sophomore Mark Desin finishing the season off after Cody Kempt and Mark Iddins were felled in early November.

"Cody (Kempt) and Mark (Iddins) will both be very limited during the spring," Ash said, "but the positive in that is that it allows us to fully evaluate Mark Desin, and that our two young guys, Byron Campbell and Rick Haluszka, will get a lot of reps."

While the quarterback situation is likely to remain unsettled into fall camp, and MSU is faced with replacing 1,000-yard rusher Demetrius Crawford and four of the program's top five receivers, the Bobcats begin the spring with a sound foundation up front. "We feel like we're strong and experienced up front, especially in the middle," Ash said. "Alex Terrien saw some meaningful action at center, and both guards Jeff Hansen and Conrad Burbank) return. That is a good place to start." Add in tackles Mike Person, who has started every game since he's been at MSU, and Jeff Miller, who started in 2007, and the offensive line could be a major strength.

MSU loses its marquee defensive player, two-time All-America middle linebacker Bobby Daly, and considerable girth up front in tackle Chris Kolone and end Dylan Kinkelaar. But, the Bobcats return considerable experience and a wealth of talent at every position group.

Buchanan Award candidate Dane Fletcher, a one-man wrecking crew until suffering a knee injury at NAU last fall, returns to terrorize Big Sky defenses, and is complemented by ends Dustin O'Connell and Brad Smith, and productive tackle Dan Ogden. Chase Gazzerro and Jeff Price proved invaluable as playmakers flanking Daly last fall, and their return alleviates pressure from new middle linebacker Clay Bignell. Three playmakers return in the secondary - cornerback Cory Nicol and safeties Kevin Retoriano and Arnold Briggs.

Ash said the presence of the artificial surface in Bobcat Stadium allows a scheduling certainty no previous MSU team has enjoyed during the spring. "We're very fortunate that, barring weather conditions that really limit visibility or are just unplayable, we'll be able to get through spring ball without worrying about the field. Our facilities crew has done an awesome job keeping it clear, and we're looking forward to practicing on Sunday."

[kemajic]

Would seem to have the makings of yet another 6-5 season.

March 8 is not yet spring in Bozeman; that really seems to be pushing it.

[GOKATS]

Would seem to have the makings of yet another 6-5 season.

March 8 is not yet spring in Bozeman; that really seems to be pushing it.

Smack is -------------------------------------------------->

Neither is April 8. It's the earliest I ever recall by 3-4 weeks, but it's only possible because of the FieldTurf. We probably get more sloppy wet snow in April than March though (but it has snowed 3 out of the past 4 days).

[Catattack]

I say 7-4 but its kinda early to predict anything.

FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Sept. 5 at Michigan State L
Sept. 12 DIXIE STATE W
Sept. 19 OPEN
Sept. 26 at Northern Colorado W
Oct. 3 at Weber State L
Oct. 10 NORTHERN ARIZONA (Homecoming) W
Oct. 17 SOUTH DAKOTA W
Oct. 24 at Eastern Washington ?
Oct. 31 IDAHO STATE W
Nov. 7 at Portland State W
Nov. 14 SACRAMENTO STATE W
Nov. 21 MONTANA (109th meeting) ?