Griz open 2009 with first day of spring drills
3/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
The crispest thing about the first day of spring drills was the air.
That was the indication from Montana Grizzlies football coach Bobby Hauck, anyway. The Griz, runners-up in the Football Championship Subdivision last fall, took to the River Bowl with some 90 players on Monday.
Eighteen of them are freshmen who redshirted last fall.
"That's a big class and this is their first spring drills," said Hauck, who was in full voice early and often at the River Bowl and inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium. "I'm not sure any of them remember fall camp because it was such a blur.
"I think tomorrow we'll be a bit faster and a bit stronger."
On Monday, some were fast and some were strong, but it was a noncontact practice that was less about scrimmaging and more about getting assignments down. If not all of them had everything down, they have 13 more practices and a spring scrimmage on April 18 in Corvallis to iron things out.
That said, several receivers, freshman Sam Gratton among them, made some impressive catches.
"Sam had a good day," Hauck said. "Obviously it's hard to tell how good we're doing the first day. You get some pads on these guys, have them go live and it'll be a little better indication."
Tuesday is another noncontact practice followed by an off-day Wednesday. Thursday will mark the first full-pad day of drills.
With some guys banged up - safety Houston Stockton, receivers Tyzer Cady and Tony Kazmierczak - other guys stepped into the fray. Bryan Riggs and Jabin Sambrano showed their skills at receiver, along with Gratton, Levi Buckles and Connor Smith, not to mention Tyler Palmer and Marc Mariani.
Mike McCord, who saw some action at cornerback last fall as a true freshman, had some reps at safety.
"That's probably a little more natural position for him," said Hauck, who already has Andrew Swink, Trumaine Johnson and Keith Thompson at corner, along with sophomores Donny Lisowski and Nick Haynes.
One other familiar face was noticeable: Former Griz receivers coach Robin Pflugrad (1986-94), lately of the University of Oregon, was on the premises.
He's no longer coaching for the Ducks, and Hauck said Pflugrad's presence is not a regular or permanent basis at this point. But having a guy with 28 years of coaching experience should help a team that still hasn't filled its receivers coach opening.
"He's just kind of been volunteering," said Hauck. He said he made job offers to three receiving coaches in February, and all declined. "With us having an opening on our staff, we had the opportunity to have him volunteer for us.
"It's great to have him come in here and help us out."
QUICK KICKS:
Hauck said the job of punter in the absence of Ken Wood, who left the team, will be wide open through fall camp. Recruits Bryce Carver and Steven Rominger could figure in. Hauck said he may try to bring another punter in as well.
Noah McWilliams, a fullback last fall, is giving it a go at defensive tackle this spring.
Another receiver who showed up in drills was Cody Alt. The former Drummond standout is wearing Rob Schulte's old number, 8, and he brings to four the number of Trojans in the Griz program. Chase Reynolds and his brother Tel (No. 27) are playing running back and Alex Verlanic is a sophomore center.
That was the indication from Montana Grizzlies football coach Bobby Hauck, anyway. The Griz, runners-up in the Football Championship Subdivision last fall, took to the River Bowl with some 90 players on Monday.
Eighteen of them are freshmen who redshirted last fall.
"That's a big class and this is their first spring drills," said Hauck, who was in full voice early and often at the River Bowl and inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium. "I'm not sure any of them remember fall camp because it was such a blur.
"I think tomorrow we'll be a bit faster and a bit stronger."
On Monday, some were fast and some were strong, but it was a noncontact practice that was less about scrimmaging and more about getting assignments down. If not all of them had everything down, they have 13 more practices and a spring scrimmage on April 18 in Corvallis to iron things out.
That said, several receivers, freshman Sam Gratton among them, made some impressive catches.
"Sam had a good day," Hauck said. "Obviously it's hard to tell how good we're doing the first day. You get some pads on these guys, have them go live and it'll be a little better indication."
Tuesday is another noncontact practice followed by an off-day Wednesday. Thursday will mark the first full-pad day of drills.
With some guys banged up - safety Houston Stockton, receivers Tyzer Cady and Tony Kazmierczak - other guys stepped into the fray. Bryan Riggs and Jabin Sambrano showed their skills at receiver, along with Gratton, Levi Buckles and Connor Smith, not to mention Tyler Palmer and Marc Mariani.
Mike McCord, who saw some action at cornerback last fall as a true freshman, had some reps at safety.
"That's probably a little more natural position for him," said Hauck, who already has Andrew Swink, Trumaine Johnson and Keith Thompson at corner, along with sophomores Donny Lisowski and Nick Haynes.
One other familiar face was noticeable: Former Griz receivers coach Robin Pflugrad (1986-94), lately of the University of Oregon, was on the premises.
He's no longer coaching for the Ducks, and Hauck said Pflugrad's presence is not a regular or permanent basis at this point. But having a guy with 28 years of coaching experience should help a team that still hasn't filled its receivers coach opening.
"He's just kind of been volunteering," said Hauck. He said he made job offers to three receiving coaches in February, and all declined. "With us having an opening on our staff, we had the opportunity to have him volunteer for us.
"It's great to have him come in here and help us out."
QUICK KICKS:
Hauck said the job of punter in the absence of Ken Wood, who left the team, will be wide open through fall camp. Recruits Bryce Carver and Steven Rominger could figure in. Hauck said he may try to bring another punter in as well.
Noah McWilliams, a fullback last fall, is giving it a go at defensive tackle this spring.
Another receiver who showed up in drills was Cody Alt. The former Drummond standout is wearing Rob Schulte's old number, 8, and he brings to four the number of Trojans in the Griz program. Chase Reynolds and his brother Tel (No. 27) are playing running back and Alex Verlanic is a sophomore center.
Griz Football Spring Practice - 3/2/26
Monday, March 30
Griz Football Spring Preview Press Conference
Monday, March 30
Griz Football Winter Condo - 2/20/26
Monday, March 30
Griz Football Winter Condo - 2/17/26
Monday, March 30
