Although his team has the week off, Jeff Choate will have some tough decisions to make before his Bobcats heads to Grand Forks.
Choate’s Montana State squad opened its season with a 31-0 loss at No. 23 Washington State. A total of 70 Bobcats — 10 more than will be allowed to travel in Big Sky Conference play — made the trip to Pullman. Last week, as home rules allow, Montana State dressed more than the 60 players it will take for its Big Sky opener at North Dakota September 23 in its home opener against South Dakota State. MSU fell to 0-2 as costly mistakes led to a 31-27 loss to the No. 4 Jackrabbits.
MSU has a roster flush with 60 players who are in their first or second years in the program. A slew of under classmen have starting or crucial roles for the Bobcats. But Choate will have to solidify his solid 60 during MSU’s bye week this week with the reigning league champions looming.
Montana State’s redshirt freshmen before the South Dakota State game
“Those are going to be tough calls because I think we are going to need all those guys, I really do,” Choate said during his weekly press conference on Monday at Brick Breedin Fieldhouse. “Week 1, conference play, to travel 60, we are talking about 62 guys. If you are talking about a mature program and everything is where you want it, there is going to be some tough decisions. You are thinking about 68 guys and you need to cut eight down. Here, we are talking about two guys that are really hard decision for us right now.
“What’s going to happen is there is going to be guys who get nicked up week to week and hopefully it’s not long term but you are going to have to pull guys up from week to week. And I think we need to start doing it now. I think you will probably see more freshmen play next week and as we go through the season.”
Freshmen running backs Troy Andersen and Tyrel Burgess along with wide receiver Lance McCutcheon have already done enough to ensure they will be with the MSU varsity all fall. Andersen received just two carries in SDSU loss after suffering what Choate called a sprained AC joint. Burgess is yet to receive his first carry but is MSU’s starting kick returner, ensuring he will travel. McCutcheon, a Bozeman native, made an impression in his home debut, catching a 59-yard pass for his first career reception.
True freshman Connor Wood is still listed as sophomore Jake McFetridge’s backup at left guard while former high school teammate Zach Redd is no longer listed as Alex Neale’s backup at center. Choate said before the season that true freshman tight end Ryan Davis is a guy the Bobcats would “keep warm” but he has not played a snap yet, so will likely redshirt.
Montana State true freshman wide receiver Lance McCutcheon caught a 59-yard pass for his first career reception/ by Brooks Nuanez
Defensively, linebacker/Buck end Chad Kanow has broken into the rotation covering kicks for the Bobcats. Defensive tackle Elu Leota was expected to be MSU’s third nose guard behind junior Tucker Yates and senior Brandon Hayashi but he did not dress against NDSU. True freshman Tyrel Thomas has played the most of any defensive rookie, starting on special teams and rotating at MSU’s corner and nickel back spots. He will challenge sophomore Damien Washington for his starting job.
“This bye will be huge for Tyrel,” MSU cornerbacks coach Mark Orphey said. “I said last week, I have to find a way to get this kid on the field. This week will be huge. Week 1, it’s open competition. Whoever practices well these next two weeks will go compete against UND.”
Aside from the rookies pushing for playing time, Choate said he is also constantly analyzing personnel and who is starting at each of MSU’s 22 positions. The offensive tackle spots are set with senior Dylan Mahoney on the left side and sophomore Mitch Brott on the right. Neale is solidified at center in front of sophomore quarterback Chris Murray. Senior Mitch Herbert is a lock at one wide receiver spot and junior Jabarri Johnson made his case for the other outside spot with eight catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns against SDSU. Sophomore Kevin Kassis is the go-to guy in the slot.
Choate said the right guard battle between senior Caleb Gillis and redshirt freshman Taylor Tuiasosopo will carry on through the bye. MSU’s head coach said he wants more competition at the left guard spot occupied by McFetridge, which might mean backup left tackle Lewis Kidd’s move back inside. The running back rotation will continue to include Andersen and Choate said hopefully more of a dose of Burgess, a speedster still waiting for his first career carry.
Montana State sophomore Brayden Konkol has moved from safety to Will linebacker
Defensively, the two-deep on the defensive line seems to be locked in. Mac Bignell is a captain and All-American candidate at one outside linebacker spot. Josh Hill is a two-year starter at one inside linebacker spot. MSU’s Will spot was occupied by Hill until Lukas McCarthy suffered a non-football related injury that will likely end his career. Now Hill is playing Mike while former starting strong safety Brayden Konkol has started the last two games at Will.
Thomas will challenge Washington this week and throughout the season for the right to start opposite senior cornerback Bryce Alley. Senior safety Bryson McCabe is also an honors candidate while junior college transfer JoJo Henderson seems to have sewn up MSU’s free safety position.
“I think we have some personnel issues that we need to address throughout the bye week,” Choate said. “I won’t get into those now but in terms of moving forward, do we have the right guys in the right spots for us to be competitive in Big Sky Conference play?
“Even though it’s probably not ideal to have a bye in Week 3, for our team, I’m not sure it’s not such a bad thing. Coming off two highly competitive opponents, going into a really physical contest with North Dakota in 12 days.
“It’s really good because it puts a deadline on our (roster) decisions) This way, we are not sitting there in Week 8 or 9 thinking, ‘Man, did we play this guy in the wrong spot?’ Especially since we are such a young team and we have guys playing in new positions for the first time, we have an opportunity to catch our breath.”
Photos by Brooks Nuanez. All Rights Reserved.
