MSU's Brandon Hoffenbacker Worthwhile sabbatical

Academically on track, former Flathead star prepares to shine on the football field

It's been nearly two years since Flathead High School alumnus Brandon Hoffenbacker played in a football game - two very long years.

Hoffenbacker's last regular season contest was October 29, 2004 when the Braves lost to the Bozeman Hawks 49-0 at Legends Stadium. His next game will be Sept. 2 against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo.

A sophomore at Montana State University, Hoffenbacker, 19, is preparing for his first football season with the Bobcats - ranked No. 22 in Division 1-AA - after sitting out last year to hone his study skills.

Hoffenbacker was a prized recruit for the Bobcats, but the 6-foot-4, 318-pound nose tackle struggled academically at Flathead, prompting MSU head coach Mike Kramer to mandate he stay clear of football as a freshman while learning to study college curriculum.

The plan worked as Hoffenbacker posted a 2.8 grade point average in his first semester at MSU and is no longer an academic liability. According to Hoffenbacker, Kramer stressed the importance of education from the beginning of his courtship with the Bobcats.

"He didn't even talk about me on the field," Hoffenbacker said. "He said 'If you don't get a degree, I'll consider it a failure as a coach.'"

A freshman athletically, Hoffenbacker is in the thick of his first collegiate training camp and participated in MSU's first fall scrimmage Saturday. The transition from high school to college ball is a huge one, but he hasn't been overwhelmed.

"It was just getting my feet back underneath me," Hoffenbacker said.

Hoffenbacker hasn't declared a major yet, but he's considering education because he'd like to teach and coach some day. After two weeks of camp, learning MSU's complex defense has proven more difficult for Hoffenbacker than succeeding academically.

"Educationally, it wasn't that hard for me to come in," Hoffenbacker said. "I mean, it was because I had to learn how to study, but we have a 100 page-plus playbook already."

But Hoffenbacker's improved study habits have helped him athletically. He thought he would be far behind MSU's veteran defensive linemen in terms of grasping MSU's defensive schemes, but it took him only a few meetings and practices to find his bearings.

"I was actually surprised with how quickly I picked up the defense and defensive plays," Hoffenbacker said. "I've improved 50 times since yesterday."

Refraining from football last year was painful for Hoffenbacker, but now that he's back in action he's convinced it was the right move.

"I look at it like it's a treat every time I'm out there," Hoffenbacker said.

But that treat isn't without its trials. Hoffenbacker was routinely the biggest, strongest and fastest player on the field when he played for the Braves. That is no longer the case.

"The tempo, the speed, the intensity - it was overwhelming at first," Hoffenbacker said.

Hoffenbacker is working primarily with the Bobcats' second-team defense, but defensive linemen rotate frequently and he still has a chance to earn a starting job. He played about 35 snaps in Saturday's scrimmage, including several plays with the first-team defense.

MSU defensive line coach Jeremy Thielbahr pulled Hoffenbacker aside Friday and told him his performance in Saturday's scrimmage would largely dictate the amount of playing time he sees at Colorado. Hoffenbacker took Thielbahr's words to heart, sacking quarterback Jack Rolovich on one play and spoiling a screen pass on another.

"I could have demolished the wide receiver," said Hoffenbacker of the screen pass.

He says he needs to improve his footwork and use his hands more, but Hoffenbacker's strength and conditioning are keeping him afloat him for now.

"I lifted five days a week last year," Hoffenbacker said. "I gained 100 pounds on my (bench press) from high school to last year."

Though he looks to contribute immediately and may eventually blossom into a defensive force, Hoffenbacker is unlikely to ever post the eye-popping statistics he did at Flathead when he tallied 200 tackles as a senior. But that doesn't mean he won't be doing his job well.

As a nose tackle, Hoffenbacker aligns directly across from the center or shaded between the center and offensive guard. He is responsible for maintaining gap integrity and neutralizing blockers, allowing MSU's star defenders such as defensive end Clive Lowe, defensive tackle Aaron Papich, linebacker Epikopo King and safety Ryan Force to roam freely and make tackles.

Quarterback sacks will likely be rare moments of personal glory.

"Our defense is built to where the nose tackle gets double and triple-teamed on the pass," Hoffenbacker said.

Hoffenbacker's sack Saturday came when he was finally blocked by only one offensive lineman.

"I got singled up with the center," said Hoffenbacker who used a rip move to beat the block, penetrate the backfield and bag Rolovich.

Hoffenbacker will have another chance to shine Thursday when MSU holds its final fall scrimmage, but starting Friday the Bobcats turn their attention exclusively to the Buffaloes.

Hoffenbacker isn't sure what it will feel like to don his No. 90 MSU blue and gold game jersey for the first time while making his college debut against the defending Big 12 North champions in front of 50,000 fans.

"I have no idea - I'm just excited," Hoffenbacker said. "I get the shivers to think about it."