Jeff Choate rarely grows tired of anything. But Montana State’s head football coach will be glad when Saturday’s Sonny Holland spring game at Bobcat Stadium is complete.
“I’m at that point right now where I kind of want spring ball to be over,” MSU’s second-year head coach said on Monday. “I think our players are there. I think we have gotten a good amount of work, a good amount of exchanges. I want to stay healthy. That’s my No. 1 priority.
“I want to refine some things on offense. I think we have a good grasp going into fall camp in terms of a depth chart or a seating chart as far as where we are going to put guys. We will have a whole group of guys coming in in August we will have to fit into that equation somehow. But my biggest concern right now is figuring out how we get out of here healthy and get to the point where we can have a good, competitive show on Saturday and let the fans have some fun and hope for some good weather.”
MSU wide receiver John D’Agonstino suffered a season-ending injury earlier this spring/ by Brooks Nuanez
Injuries have been prevalent, both in the off-season and during spring football at Montana State. Senior defensive ends Shiloh LaBoy and Devin Jeffries and senior offensive guard Monte Folsom have all retired due to injury. Earlier this week, Skyline Sports confirmed junior wide receiver John D’Agostino, a starter from Bozeman, tore his ACL and will have surgery that will likely cost him the 2017 season.
Senior safety Khari Garcia (shoulder surgery), junior defensive tackle Tucker Yates (shoulder/knee), junior wide receiver Hunter Mahlum (shoulder), sophomore wide receiver Dalton Daum (shoulder), junior running back Logan Jones (unknown) and redshirt freshmen offensive linemen Taylor Tuiasosopo (unknown) and Conner Floden (knee) all had off-season surgery that cost them all of spring football.
Skyline Sports confirmed sophomore wide receiver Karl Tucker II had foot surgery after a practice injury two weeks ago and is out indefinitely. Sophomore defensive tackle Riley Griffiths suffered an ankle injury that same day and has not returned to practice. Junior Ben Folsom has been in and out of the lineup after having an ankle injury that same Saturday. Senior Caleb Gillis has also missed time because of an ankle ailment and class conflicts this spring.
MSU sophomore Chris Harris/ by Colter Nuanez
Sophomore cornerback Chris Harris and freshman defensive Stephen Omorogbe have battled minor ailments but both dressed out for last Friday’s scrimmage. Junior defensive end Tyrone Fa’anono and junior tight end Connor Sullivan are questionable and not expected to play much if at all with undisclosed injuries during the Sonny Holland game on Saturday.
MSU is also down three bodies because of off the field issues. Sophomore tight end Woody Brandom dropped below 12 credits last week, rendering him academically ineligible for the rest of spring. Choate expects him to regain good academic standing this summer. Junior cornerbacks Naijiel Hale and Darren Gardenhire were arrested for distribution of dangerous drugs and suspended indefinitely.
Montana State’s first two scrimmages — the first the Triangle Classic in Great Falls, the second last week’s 72-play session at Bobcat Stadium — have been highlighted by offensive units that can move the ball but have been done in by miscues and turnovers.
In Great Falls, redshirt freshman Will Martel thwarted a long Brandom catch-and-run by stripping the talented tight end. Sophomore quarterback Chris Murray has again been nearly unstoppable when scrambling to open space but he has also been turnover prone again, botching option pitches in both scrimmages. Senior quarterback Tyler Bruggman has been the sharpest passer this spring but also threw a red-zone interception last week.
Montana State’s quarterbacks/ by Brooks Nuanez
“I think we can be pretty dang good offensively if we can be consistent,” MSU first-year offensive coordinator Brian Armstrong said. “We need to learn and mature and understand that everything is not going to be just like you draw it up and be perfect. We have to be able to say, ‘This is a bad situation, let’s not compound it by making a bad decision in a bad situation and make it worse by giving the ball away.’”
Defensively, the line has been missing Yates but has seen an influx of talent with the return of Fa’anono after missing all of last season with a broken foot. The presence of stalwart tackle Zach Wright, the added mass of junior Buck end Grant Collins (he’s up to 240 pounds), the progression of former junior college nose guards Brandon Hayashi and Fou Polataivio, the added experience of sophomore ends Derek Marks and Marcus Ferriter and the addition of a trio of talented players — tackle Chase Benson, Buck ends Michael Jobman and Kyle Finch — have given the entire Bobcat defense a boost.
“It does make it a lot easier getting reps then being able to watch guys get reps and taking your own mental reps,” said Marks, a Belgrade native thrust into a starting role as a true freshman last season. “Being able to talk to the coaches while watching other guys and figuring out what they are doing really helps. We two or three d-ends other than myself going and it’s good to be able to talk to them, seeing how they are playing blocks and what they are doing to get free.”
Derek Marks sacks Tyler Bruggman last week/ by Colter Nuanez
The defensive performances in the live sessions so far this spring have been highlighted by nice play-making to take away the ball but also by inconsistent tackling. The linebacker readjustment — senior Mac Bignell is now playing inside at Will linebacker, former Will Josh Hill has moved to Mike while redshirt freshmen Jacob Hadley and Balue Chapman battle it out for the Sam spot — has gone well. Senior safety Bryson McCabe has been consistent. But a lack of bodies at cornerback has made the passing game on either side hard to evaluate. And basically fundamentals remain a priority for the young unit.
“I thought we buckled down in the red zone last week and that’s always been my philosophy,” MSU second-year defensive coordinator Ty Gregorak said. “I would like to be holding offenses to a small amount of rushing and passing yards but I also believe that offenses are going to get yards. It’s about how you play on third down and in the red-zone.
“Our tackling needs to be great for us to be great. We have to be sound, fundamental tacklers. Friday, you could see us slipping off tackles, which we can’t do. We have to practice tackling every day. We have to be a great tackling outfit.”
The Bobcats return three starters on the offensive line in senior left tackle Dylan Mahoney, sophomore right tackle Mitch Brott and junior center Alex Neale. MSU has found ample replacements for Folsom and graduated All-American left guard J.P. Flynn in the form of sophomore left guard Jake McFetridge and redshirt freshman right guard Lewis Kidd, a converted defensive lineman who Choate said has made as noticeable an improvement as anybody in camp.
MSU running back Anthony Pegues/ by Brooks Nuanez
The receiving corps returns a collection of veterans led by seniors Mitch Herbert and Justin Paige and explosive sophomore Kevin Kassis. Murray, the reigning Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year, and Bruggman, a journeyman who has made stops at Washington State and Louisville, have split the first-team quarterback reps.
The running back battle has been among the most intriguing in camp. Choate said he likes the power Nick LaSane brings. Armstrong singled out junior Noah James for his consistency. Choate thinks redshirt freshman Jake Roper and sophomore Anthony Pegues could nicely compliment the powerful upper classmen.
“Jake Roper and Anthony Pegues have both emerged as guys we can count on and I really like that,” Choate said. “I think Anthony has come the furthest from where he was as a true freshman. I think I knew Jake was going to have an all-around back skill set. It’s been nice to see those guys do well. And that was an important piece for us, knowing what we have with Nick but not having a lot of depth at that position so that’s been a pleasant surprise.”
The Sonny Holland spring game kicks off at 12:05 p.m. The forecast is for clear skies and a high of 59 degrees. Below are the rules and the MSU depth chart.
JERSEYS
Offense/Specialists – blue, Defense – white
SCORING SYSTEM
Offense: Touchdown – 6 points, Field Goal – 3 points, 4th Down Conversion – 3 points, Explosive Play (run play of 12 yards or more, pass play of 16 yards or more) – 3 points, PAT – 1 point.
Defense: Touchdown – 6 points, Turnover 3 points, 4th Down Stop – 3 points, 3 & Out – 2 points, Sack – 2 points, FG Inside Red Zone – 1 point. If two scenarios occur on one series (turnover and three-and-out), the defense earns the greater of the two totals, but not both.
SCRIMMAGE FORMAT
First Half – two 10-minute quarters using standard game clock, offense vs. defense. Second Half – two 12-minute quarters using running clock until final two minutes of 4th quarter.
Ball Placement – Offense 25 after kickoff situations, turnovers, and fourth down stops. After punts (no rush), the ball is spotted where it is fielded or downed.
2017 Montana State spring depth chart
Offense
LEFT TACKLE
55 Dylan Mahoney*** 6-6 285 Sr&
79 Wilson Brott** (like brought) 6-6 285 Jr&
LEFT GUARD
67 Jake McFetridge 6-6 295 So&
74 Wade Webster 6-6 305 Jr&
CENTER
70 Alex Neale 6-3 290 Jr+&
69 Denver Krone 6-1 255 Fr&
RIGHT GUARD
76 Lewis Kidd 6-6 285 Fr&
73 Caleb Gillis*** 6-6 295 Sr&
RIGHT TACKLE
63 Mitch Brott (like brought) 6-6 295 So&
72 Collin Hammock 6-3 265 So&
68 Jarod Asche 6-8 250 Fr&
QUARTERBACK
8 Chris Murray* 6-2 180 So
11 Tyler Bruggman* 6-1 200 Sr+&
14 Brady McChesney 5-11 180 So
16 Kamden Brown 6-1 190 Fr&
TAILBACK
23 Nick LaSane*** (luh-SANE) 6-0 220 Sr&
2 Jake Roper 5-11 190 Fr&+
22 Noah James 6-1 205 Jr&
26 Anthony Pegues (puh-GEESE) 5-5 185 So
X RECEIVER
82 Mitchell Herbert* 6-4 210 Sr
84 Cameron Sutton 6-6 200 So&
20 Mitchell Edge 6-2 175 So
H RECEIVER
85 Kevin Kassis (CASS-iss) 5-11 178 So
Z RECEIVER
3 Justin Paige* 5-11 166 Sr
86 Keon Stephens (STEFF-uhns) 6-2 180 So&
TIGHT END
80 Curtis Amos* 6-0 230 Jr&
OR
87 Connor Sullivan 6-4 250 Jr&
89 Clark Judisch 6-4 195 Fr&
39 Dylan Stenseth 6-0 245 Jr&+
Defense
BUCK
41 Grant Collins** 6-4 240 Jr&
32 Jakob McCarthy* 6-2 220 Sr+
91 Michael Jobman (Jawb-MAN) 6-4 225 Fr&
or 53 Kyle Finch 6-4 225 Fr&
TACKLE
96 Zach Wright** 6-2 260 Jr&
50 Chase Benson 6-4 260 Fr&
NOSE
56 Brandon Hayashi 6-0 303 Jr+
90 Fou Polataivao 6-1 320 Sr+
END
95 Derek Marks* 6-1 245 So
57 Tyrone Fa’anono 6-2 250 Jr&
99 Marcus Ferriter* (FAIR-it-er) 6-3 255 So&
WILL
49 Mac Bignell*** 6-0 218 Sr&
44 Koni Dole* 6-0 200 Jr&
MIKE
58 Josh Hill* 5-11 210 So&
11 Lukas McCarthy* 6-1 220 Sr+
43 Walker Cozzie 6-0 220 So&
OR
30 Sean Opland 6-0 200 Fr&
SAM
48 Jacob Hadley 6-6 222 Fr&
35 Balue Chapman (buh-LOO) 6-1 202 Fr&
FIELD CORNER
24 Bryce Alley*** 5-11 175 Sr
5 Braelen Evans* (BRAY-luhn) 6-0 185 Jr&
FREE SAFETY
10 Bryson McCabe** 6-0 200 Sr+&
29 West Wilson*** 5-10 205 Sr&
30 Ty Robbie 5-11 210 So&
STRONG SAFETY
18 Brayden Konkol* 6-2 205 So&
6 Ben Folsom* 6-2 200 Jr&
38 Brian Campbell 6-3 195 Fr&
BOUNDARY CORNER
27 Damien Washington* 5-10 180 So
36 Will Martell 6-1 180 Fr&
25 Adam Jordt 5-10 170 Fr
*-letters won &-redshirted +-transfer returning starters in bold
Injuries
RETIRED
- Senior DE Shiloh LaBoy (shoulder/neck)
- Senior OG Monte Folsom (back)
- Senior DE Devin Jeffries (knee)
OUT ALL OF SPRING or REST OF SPRING
– Senior safety Khari Garcia (shoulder)
- Sophomore wide receiver Karl Tucker II (foot)
- Junior running back Logan Jones (undisclosed
- Sophomore tight end Woody Brandom (academics)
- Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Conner Floden (knee)
- Sophomore wide receiver Dalton Daum (shoulder/red jersey)
- Junior wide receiver Hunter Mahlum (shoulder
- Junior wide receiver John D’Agostino (torn ACL)
- Junior nose guard Tucker Yates (shoulder/knee)
QUESTIONABLE
- Sophomore cornerback Chris Harris
- Freshman defensive end Stephen Omorogbe (unknown)
- Sophomore defensive tackle Riley Griffiths (ankle)
- Junior safety Ben Folsom (ankle)
- Junior defensive end Tyrone Fa’anono (foot)
- Junior tight end Connor Sullivan (undisclosed)
Photos by Brooks and Colter Nuanez. All Rights Reserved.
