High winds, hard defense hurt Griz offense in scrimmage
4/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
On a day when many people expected the quarterbacks to carry the offense, it was the wind that carried the game away.
The offense could not get on track in the final spring football scrimmage held in Polson at the Pirate Sports Complex on April 26.
Montana's quarterbacks had to battle winds and a tenacious young group of cornerbacks led by freshman Nate Adkins.
Adkins scored the only two touchdowns of the game, aside from J.R. Waller's touchdown run in overtime, on interception returns of 45 and 38 yards. Both picks came of passes by Jeff Disney, who threw three interceptions in the game.
"My interceptions were made possible by the whole defense," Adkins said. "The line was pressuring the quarterbacks all day, and guys like (Brent) Meyers played well and helped give me the opportunities for the picks. They made me look good today."
Adkins, who came to Montana as a wide receiver but has been switched to cornerback, said he and the other young cornerbacks wanted to prove themselves to the coaches over the course of the spring.
"Tuff (Harris), myself and some of the other corners are still young," Adkins said. "So we just wanted to step up this spring and do what the coaches needed us to do. I think we did a good job at that and improved quite a bit as a unit. Now we just have to keep getting better for the fall."
The howling wind definitely hurt the offense, head coach Bobby Hauck said, but it can't be used as an excuse.
"We live and play in Montana," Hauck said. "The weather is an irrelevant topic. You have to perform no matter what."
After combining for 255 yards and two touchdowns on 17 for 20 passing in the previous scrimmage, Disney and fellow junior quarterback Craig Ochs threw for only 41 yards, completing just 6 of 21 passes.
Ochs didn't make any excuses for himself and reiterated Hauck's comments on the wind.
"Of course the wind was awful today," Ochs said. "But that's not an excuse. Football's played outdoors. You have to expect things like this."
Ochs and Hauck both said the game emphasized the importance of having a solid running game to complement the air attack.
Although the running backs didn't put up huge numbers, Hauck said he was pleased with their performances.
"I thought (J.R.) Waller had a good day," Hauck said. "In fact, I thought all four backs had a good day, Waller in particular. They all ran the ball well in the overtime periods."
The scrimmage featured 11 offensive possessions, two punting phases and two kickoff phases to give the special teams some action, and two overtime scenarios.
In the first overtime, Waller ran for a four-yard touchdown. He also provided the only other real offensive spark when he threw a 65-yard halfback pass to Tate Hancock for a touchdown on the very first play of the game. Hauck, however, saw holding on the play and the touchdown was called back.
The offense didn't score again until Waller's touchdown in the second overtime.
Hauck said he was happy with the play of the defense.
"I'm excited about the way they played," Hauck said. "I thought the secondary had their best practice of the spring. The defense flew around. They were real physical - good angles of pursuit, good tackles, aggressive play up front-it was kind of the complete package."
Cornerback Tuff Harris, defensive end Lance Spencer and defensive tackle Kerry Mullan all recorded sacks. Outside linebacker Brent Meyers also had a strong showing.
With spring over, Hauck said the coaches will hold a one-month recruiting period starting Tuesday. In the meantime, players will be expected to be in the weight room working out on their own.
"We just have to hit the weight room, start running and get close as a team," Ochs said. "We just have to get ready for Maine (Montana's first opponent in the fall)."
The offense could not get on track in the final spring football scrimmage held in Polson at the Pirate Sports Complex on April 26.
Montana's quarterbacks had to battle winds and a tenacious young group of cornerbacks led by freshman Nate Adkins.
Adkins scored the only two touchdowns of the game, aside from J.R. Waller's touchdown run in overtime, on interception returns of 45 and 38 yards. Both picks came of passes by Jeff Disney, who threw three interceptions in the game.
"My interceptions were made possible by the whole defense," Adkins said. "The line was pressuring the quarterbacks all day, and guys like (Brent) Meyers played well and helped give me the opportunities for the picks. They made me look good today."
Adkins, who came to Montana as a wide receiver but has been switched to cornerback, said he and the other young cornerbacks wanted to prove themselves to the coaches over the course of the spring.
"Tuff (Harris), myself and some of the other corners are still young," Adkins said. "So we just wanted to step up this spring and do what the coaches needed us to do. I think we did a good job at that and improved quite a bit as a unit. Now we just have to keep getting better for the fall."
The howling wind definitely hurt the offense, head coach Bobby Hauck said, but it can't be used as an excuse.
"We live and play in Montana," Hauck said. "The weather is an irrelevant topic. You have to perform no matter what."
After combining for 255 yards and two touchdowns on 17 for 20 passing in the previous scrimmage, Disney and fellow junior quarterback Craig Ochs threw for only 41 yards, completing just 6 of 21 passes.
Ochs didn't make any excuses for himself and reiterated Hauck's comments on the wind.
"Of course the wind was awful today," Ochs said. "But that's not an excuse. Football's played outdoors. You have to expect things like this."
Ochs and Hauck both said the game emphasized the importance of having a solid running game to complement the air attack.
Although the running backs didn't put up huge numbers, Hauck said he was pleased with their performances.
"I thought (J.R.) Waller had a good day," Hauck said. "In fact, I thought all four backs had a good day, Waller in particular. They all ran the ball well in the overtime periods."
The scrimmage featured 11 offensive possessions, two punting phases and two kickoff phases to give the special teams some action, and two overtime scenarios.
In the first overtime, Waller ran for a four-yard touchdown. He also provided the only other real offensive spark when he threw a 65-yard halfback pass to Tate Hancock for a touchdown on the very first play of the game. Hauck, however, saw holding on the play and the touchdown was called back.
The offense didn't score again until Waller's touchdown in the second overtime.
Hauck said he was happy with the play of the defense.
"I'm excited about the way they played," Hauck said. "I thought the secondary had their best practice of the spring. The defense flew around. They were real physical - good angles of pursuit, good tackles, aggressive play up front-it was kind of the complete package."
Cornerback Tuff Harris, defensive end Lance Spencer and defensive tackle Kerry Mullan all recorded sacks. Outside linebacker Brent Meyers also had a strong showing.
With spring over, Hauck said the coaches will hold a one-month recruiting period starting Tuesday. In the meantime, players will be expected to be in the weight room working out on their own.
"We just have to hit the weight room, start running and get close as a team," Ochs said. "We just have to get ready for Maine (Montana's first opponent in the fall)."
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