MSU set to open football camp

Bobcats have 4 Flathead Valley players on the roster

The Daily Inter Lake

BOZEMAN - It's time to usher in the post-Travis Lulay Era.

Like everyone else close to the Montana State University football program, head coach Mike Kramer can't wait for Wednesday.

That day marks the beginning of the Bobcats' 2006 fall football camp. For sure, pressing questions reach beyond the quarterback position, but that's where it starts. Kramer knows that.

"Everyone's eyes will be at quarterback," Kramer says, "at least for a while."

But Kramer says the team's success won't hinge solely on who plays quarterback.

"We'll be fine (at quarterback)," MSU's seventh-year head coach says. "Cory (Carpenter) and Jack (Rolovich) both have the ability and aptitude to play that position the way we want it to be played. The first one that demonstrates the ability to use proper footwork will be the one with the best chance to win the starting job."

The Bobcats sport 38 Montana boys on their roster, including four freshmen from the Flathead Valley. Flathead High School is represented by defensive tackle Brandon Hoffenbacker, defensive tackle Richard Boggs and strong safety Beau Watkins. Whitefish is represented by linebacker Mike McCracken.

While Kramer knows the quarterback battle will draw attention throughout camp and into the season, a natural considering the Bobcats replace one of the Big Sky Conference's all-time most productive quarterbacks in Lulay, he stops short of calling it job one.

"We need our receivers to rise to the consistent level of play we expect from the rest of the offense, we need a couple of young offensive linemen to establish themselves, we need someone to step up behind Elliott Barnhart at tight end, we need to continue to make progress on defense," he said. "This is a very typical fall camp for a solid program in that a lot of questions remain, but we return with a lot of proven performers, as well."

Kramer welcomes 12 returning starters on Monday, seven from the defensive side of the ball, along with kicker Jeff Hastings. In fact, Kramer said MSU's kicking game could be formidable. "And how many times can we sit here at Montana State and say we're looking forward to working on field goals and PATs, but we have an outstanding kicker returning in Jeff Hastings. Eric Fisher, a redshirt freshman, also has a chance to be tremendous in that role down the road, so we feel fortunate about our place-kicking situation."

MSU's daily practices are held on the team's practice field, south and east of Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. The team will hold acclimation practices through Sunday before entering the two-a-day phase on Monday, August 14.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Aug. 7 - Players report

Aug. 8 - Testing

Aug. 9 - First practice

Aug. 17 - Bobcat Media Day (11:30 am, Bobcat Stadium)

Aug. 26 - Family Fun Day (12 noon, Bobcat Stadium)

Aug. 28 - Classes begin, practice at 3:30 pm

Sept. 2 - MSU at Colorado, 1:30 pm