A strong secondary has been part of MSU's staunch defense.
Photo by: Mike Bashor
CATS IN CAMP: Day Nine
8/13/2011 5:58:00 PM | Football
Battle heats up between secondary, receivers
Once the pads come on in fall football camps on college campuses across the country, focus tends to shift inside to the running backs and linemen. But Montana State coach Rob Ash is enjoying the battle brewing on the perimeter.
With projected starter Sean Gords missing this weekend with a concussion the Bobcat secondary takes on a youthful flavor, especially contrasted with a veteran receiving corps led by all-conference performer Elvis Akpla.
“We have some really good receivers,” Ash said of the daily clashes between Bobcat receivers and defensive backs, “and our DBs have to understand that this is as tough a group as we'll see all year. Now there are some really good players that we'll see, but as a group our guys are good and that's a good challenge for our secondary.”
Ash likes the pressure that applies to young Bobcat defensive backs. “I don't think our DBs will see a group of receivers any better, and of course DeNarius (McGhee, MSU's quarterback) throws it right on the money, he never misses an opportunity. I think this makes us better, but we have to remember as a coaching staff that those DBs are going up against a pretty good scheme, a pretty good player throwing the ball, and some pretty good guys catching it.”
One player hard to overlook is cornerback Darius Jones, who appears destined to be among the top cornerbacks in the Big Sky. “I think he is playing at a very high level,” Ash said. “I think he's playing great. He's smarter, he's a lot bigger. He had surgery a year ago and missed the whole off-season, but this year he was healthy so he's bigger and stronger and more experienced.”
Jones enjoys the competition with MSU's receivers on the field, and the camaraderie off. “It helps you get better,” the third-year starter says. “(Akpla) is good, and we can talk about what he is seeing from me, how I can improve. It's just about getting better.”
Ash has been pleased with the improvement he's seen in the secondary, but emphasizes that the position demands perfection. “Our DBs make more plays than they don't make, but the one play that they don't make is a touchdown, and that's the hard part about playing in the secondary. If you make one mistake it's six points.”
* * * *
MSU scrimmaged in half-pads Saturday, and Ash liked what he saw from his team's offense.
“I thought the offense really looked sharp,” he said.” You can't run the ball the way we had it structured today, and we had some guys banged up in the lines, I didn't think that would happen. But I thought the offensive timing in the pass game was excellent.”
After taking Sunday off from practice, the Bobcats hit the field again Monday at 9:15 am.
Leon Costello Press Conference: Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center
Thursday, July 31
A Conversation with President Dr. Waded Cruzado | Montana State Athletics
Monday, May 19
Big Cats, Little Trucks - Willie Patterson
Wednesday, May 03
Matt Houk Introductory Press Conference
Wednesday, May 03
