I don’t know the exact reason why Saturday’s scrimmage is being closed to the public and media but you can probably assume it has something to do with the threat of camera phones or media photographers giving away some formations that NDSU doesn’t want its first opponent or opponents to know. It’s ususally not for trick play reasons. I do know TV camermen are told not to shoot wide shots of practice as a condition for them being there and apparently that unwritten rule was violated earlier in fall practice. Not sure who but it wasn’t WDAY, that I know.
If it’s just a matter of closing one scrimmage, that’s not a huge deal to me. Those things are always hard to gauge anyway: was that good defense or bad offense? There are four weeks worth of other practices for me to get my stuff done and if I can’t do that, then it’s time to find something else to do.
As for other stuff:
- Offensive tackle Jeff Jerve had a procedure done to his knee meant to “inject some stuff into his knee,” Bohl said. He’s expected back next week.
- I think noseguard Leevon Perry is going to be a first team all-American this year. A former high school quarterback, he hasn’t lost his agility and is playing at 280 pounds now.
- Bryan Shepherd and Christian Dudzik are in a tight battle for the starting free safety spot.
- Marcus Williams and freshman Marcus Brantley were returning punts on Friday.
- Bohl said no decision has been made on removing any redshirts. Receiver Demetrius Gray continues to gets reps with the first and second team offense.
- Bohl said the backup quarterback battle is still ongoing between Esley Thorton and Carson Wentz, with Saturday’s scrimmage looming big with both. A No. 2 will have to be named once game week preparation begins because of the number of reps the top two quarterbacks get in practice.
- NDSU has been inside the Fargodome more this fall camp because of the new turf, which is easier on the players’ legs.
- Junior college linebacker Antonio Rodgers saw some time with the first couple of teams in practice, I think for the first time.
- Got an extended look at freshman punter Ben LeCompte in practice and there looked to be no major concerns.
Is the kid from Harvey, ND, MJ Stumpf getting any looks to have his redshirt lifted? It seems like linebacker is the thin spot on the roster.
As in all things, it only takes one bad apple to spoil it for everyone. Hopefully the media will have learned its lesson and will contain it exuberance within established rules. Bison sports fans deserve quality reporting without conpromising proprietary plays and game plans. Hopefully, playing by the team’s rules will still allow the average sports beat writer to get their stuff done.
It is really too bad about all of the injuries to the OL; Hinz is out, Jerve may never be able to play with continued injuries, and the bad wrist to LaVoy is setting his development back.
But my bigger question is this. If walk on LaVoy was the starter at LG after spending his first three years on the other side of the ball, and if walk on Haeg is in the mix to beat out Pomerenke at LT, how good have the Bison recruited for the OL?
The OL continues to be a major concern for this team, especially one in which the offense has been barely serviceable in recent years.
I would hardly call last years offense “barely serviceable.” They almost averaged 30 points per game in conference play and the 3 home playoff games.
Has it been the strength? No. But they contributed to the Championship
Actually Gabe, the Bison averaged 31 pts/gm last year. They averaged 29 pts/gm in the horrendous 2009 season and 30 pts/gm in a 6-5 2008 season when they were first eligible. You must have been excited about those offenses also since you think the 2011 version was significantly more than just serviceable. If you take away the TDs scored by the defense (6), the offense does not look as good as you think it was.
I must admit all of the O-Line injuries along with the graduations of Richards and Cornick has got me worried. My other concern is the lack of depth at LB. Now maybe the young guns will come in and we won’t miss a beat but until it happens you gotta be concerned. Go Bison!
Old guy is right. The biggest factor in last years success was the O line and a great defense. You do not make plays without the boys up front allowing those plays to happen. If that does not get even close to last year, we will struggle this year. Mark My Words.
NDSU had a pretty good offense last year. They had two 1000 yard rushers and a 1000 yard receiver and a QB that completed 67% of his passes. The completion percentage would have been higher without his toe injury and the WR injuries.
With another year of experience I expect Brock Jensen to really step up his game this year which will be great for the offense. If Crocket is as good as advertised and then you add in Ojuri and Matt Jones lookout.
Time for young guys to step up and become leaders including guys on the O-line. It is not like the cupboard is bare on the O-line. 3 starters return.
There were plenty of “whiners” last year also.
Get out and support this year’s team…..it is going to be a good one.
Exactly, these guys that are dweling on the “glass half empty” is getting old. Listening to these people, you’d think we don’t have a chance in hell to make the playoffs. This is college football, athletes get four years playing time then they leave, new guys come in that are not proven,odds are good they will be fine, deal with it.
Yo, Jeff or Dom, anything interesting regarding the closed scrimmage…………thoughts or comments by the coaches?
Esley to Sam linebacker per Christian Dudzik. Pretty Crazy, however Carson Wentz is bigger than Brock and stronger arm OBVIOUSLY Brock is the bonafide starter. But Carson and McGinnis from Nebraska are amazing #2 #3 duos would could start for any fcs team.
Good luck esley
For the Fr and RFr on the OL, strap it on tight and get ready. I thought that Johnson would be in the conversation from day 1 like Turner, but he probably has some Lbs to drop to get ready in year 2.