The Griz are set to scrimmage for the first time this spring on Friday afternoon. Things should get started around 3:30 PM at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Click on the "Watch Video" link to see what Bobby Hauck thinks about the first scrimmage.
I'll be most interested to watch the quarterbacks throw on Friday. I really have liked what I've seen out of Andrew Selle every time I've watched him in games (National Championship aside, but that was a completely impossible situation to succeed in). He is less mobile than Cole Bergquist, but he has a big arm and can definitely stretch the field and make all the throws. The coaches rave about how smart the junior math major is.
Junior Jeff Larsen also has a strong arm and throws a pretty deep ball. I remember him hitting a receiver in stride perfectly on a 50 yard bomb in last year's spring game in Polson. He's been used by the Griz in all sorts of situations - wide receiver, holder, option QB - and is an excellent runner.
Finally Gerald Kemp, or G as they call him, is the wild card and probably the guy I'm most excited to see. The redshirt freshman has a ton of athletic ability, but was mostly a running QB in high school. The coaches are trying to get him trust his arm and pass the ball more. They love his talent, but also say he is very raw. I'm not sure how many reps he will get, but I'm looking forward to watching some of that talent on display.
I haven't been at practice as much as I'd like so far this spring since I was at the NCAA Tournament in Seattle last week with the Lady Griz. I'll turn it over to UM Sports Information Director Dave Guffey, for his second spring practice report.
~Varun
varun@maxmontana.com
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Scrimmage Slated For This Friday
2009 GRIZ SPRING FOOTBALL: REPORT #2
YOUNGSTERS REGISTER BIG PLAYS: This past Monday sophomore wide receiver Jabin Sambrano (Temecula, Calif.), hauled in a long pass on a post pattern for a touchdown to spark the offense, this throw coming from redshirt freshman quarterback Gerald Kemp (San Diego, Calif.).
TEL GETTING NOTICED: The younger Reynolds, Tel a 6-0, 190-pounder who wears number 27, is getting his share of reps and has looked good at times. "Tel has done some good things when he's been in there," said Hauck.
Yesterday (Tuesday, March 24th), redshirt freshman halfback Tel Reynolds (Drummond) broke loose for about a 40-yard gainer in an
end-of-game four-minute drill.
SOME OF UM'S VETERANS LOOKING SOLID: "Chase Reynolds is looking good as we expected," said Griz offensive coordinator/quarterback coach Rob Phenicie, now in his seventh season at UM. "TBF (senior running back Thomas Brooks-Fletcher) also looks good at running back, and is having his best spring ever."
Phenicie said quarterback Andrew Selle (Billings), a 6-2, 219-pound junior, "has been very solid and very consistent so far this spring." Last season Selle completed 23-of-44-2 passes for 314 yards and four touchdowns.
"(Jeff) Larson and Kemp have had their moments and have been up-and-down, which is to be expected, but the quarterbacks as a group are doing a good job," Hauck said. "Selle is the veteran of the group, and he has definitely been more consistent."
Phenicie also lauded the play of senior wide receiver Marc Mariani (Havre). "Marc has been catching everything thrown his way and had an excellent spring. The offensive line is also doing a good job for us, and as a group are having one of the best springs ever."
IMPROVED KICKER: Hauck, who also coaches the Grizzlies special teams, said that sophomore kicker Brody McKnight is making strides.
"Brody is hitting the ball very well right now, and is kicking the ball much better than he did last fall, both in terms of both distance and elevation," Hauck said.
Fellow sophomore kicker, Russell Schey from Billings (West) has been unable to practice due to injury, but will be back at 100 percent in time for fall camp.
