Griz fine tune details at fall camp

8/18/2016 1:49:00 PM | Football

By: gogriz.com

The Montana Grizzlies returned to the grind on Thursday adding polish to the rough edges uncovered at Monday's opening scrimmage of fall camp.

Spirits were once again high as the Griz focused on improvement throughout the session, which lasted 29 periods of five minutes each, and was held inside a breezy Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

"We had a lot of energy today and competed well," said head coach Bob Stitt. "Every day we're trying to get a little bit better. But we're not a team that does a million different drills. We're going to get the same drill work done every day so we can get great at a few things rather than being OK at a lot of things"

Another day of #GrizFallCamp in the books! The @VoiceoftheGriz talks to #37 Caleb Kidder after practice. #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/XBwxpgRphQ
— UM Griz Football (@UMGRIZZLIES_FB) August 18, 2016

Details were the point of emphasis from start to finish as the offense walked through signal communication and play execution before warmups.

The kickers then got another opportunity to, as redshirt freshman Tim Semenza put it, "earn the trust of his teammates" with a series of field goals and PATs, split between him and fellow redshirt freshman Brandon Purdy. Once again, they were largely on-song, continuing their good form shown through fall camp.

Special teams coach Travis Niekamp also spent time diving into the details of kickoff and punt coverage in preparation for Saturday's scrimmage, where the special teams will run through live scenarios.

@CoachBobStitt and the @VoiceoftheGriz breakdown Thursday's #GrizFallCamp session. #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/y30wlIJ2Gu
— UM Griz Football (@UMGRIZZLIES_FB) August 18, 2016

After a period of individual work, the team focused on one-on-one situations, then moved closer in to work on goal line attack before taking a short break ahead of the first team run of the day.

In total, the Griz ran through five full-team or seven-on-seven periods, in goal line, red zone and drive scenarios.

Backup quarterbacks Chad Chalich and Reese Phillips continue to split reps behind starter Brady Gustafson, looking to create separation and earn the No. 2 spot on the depth chart. Each had strong moments, making for a tough decision for Stitt as the countdown to kickoff rolls on.

For all the highlights the offense produced today, the defense was on display and continued to show why they will be a force this season.

Wisconsin transfer TJ Reynard looked good once again at cornerback, his day highlighted by smothering coverage on a deep ball intended for wide receiver Keenan Curran that drew "atta-boys" from the staff and players alike.

@CoachBHen & the @VoiceoftheGriz talk #GrizD after Thursday's practice. #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/fc7dDWK4dl
— UM Griz Football (@UMGRIZZLIES_FB) August 18, 2016

But the defensive highlight(s) of the day came from junior corner Shane Moody. During a goal line team run, Moody closed in on receiver Lamarriel Taylor, running a quick-out route. After Taylor made the catch, the Parker, Colo., native (and brother of former Griz soccer star Brooke Moody) stripped the ball out of the receiver's hands for an interception as the pair fell to the ground.

Moody was again tested on the following play, and came up big again, this time making a leaping deflection on a pass headed for the end zone, drawing big cheers from the entire defensive unit.

Junior CB Ryan McKinley also hauled in an interception during the final team run, making a play on a 25-yard pass to the end zone from Gustafson to Curran.

Today's top targets: Taylor, the transfer from Massachusetts, returned to action this week after a tweak kept him out of the first scrimmage, and continues to see plenty of action at wide receiver. During the final team run he made a leaping grab for a touchdown on a 10-yard post route from Reese Philips.

Justin Calhoun, Caleb Lyons, Makena Simis, Curran and Jerry Louie-McGee are each receiving plenty of looks as well with the No. 1 unit. Two-time walk-on sophomore Mitch McLaughlin has also made the most of his opportunities, collecting a couple of nice grabs on the day.

Play of the day: For all the highlights the defense produced at Thursday's practice, the play of the day went to junior H-back Josh Horner, who hauled in a leaping touchdown catch from Phillips during a seven-on-seven session. Horner got full extension in the air, and with safety Yamen Sanders right in his face, snatched the ball out of the air and tapped his feet in for the score.

Next up: The Griz will hold one more practice this week, scheduled as usual for 8 a.m. on Friday. On Saturday, the Griz will hold their second and final scrimmage of fall camp, consisting of roughly 90 plays inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The scrimmage starts at 9 a.m., and is open to the public. The annual team media day will follow the scrimmage.

Though the third scrimmage of fall camp is closed to the public, fans will get their annual chance to meet the team at the Great Griz Encounter in Caras Park. The Great Griz Encounter is scheduled for Aug. 25 at 6:30 p.m., and is held in conjunction with the Missoula Downtown Association's weekly "Downtown Tonight" event.

Note: The kickoff times for all 11 Griz football games this season have been confirmed. Click HERE for a look at the complete schedule.

Upcoming schedule:
Friday August 19: 8AM: Pre Practice/Media
Saturday August 20 (Scrimmage 2): 9AM: Open to public | Media Day
Monday August 22: 8AM: Pre Practice/Media
Tuesday August 23: 8AM: Pre Practice/Media
Wednesday August 24: 8AM: Pre Practice/Media
Thursday August 25 (Scrimmage 3): 3PM: Closed scrimmage |6:30 PM: Great Griz Encounter