Big Sky Conference

‘Cats shuffle depth chart after 3 players suspended

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Solidifying the defensive depth chart was a primary storyline throughout Montana State’s recently completed fall camp. When the first depth chart was released, it raised a few eyebrows.

Sophomore safety Khari Garcia and sophomore outside linebacker Blake Braun got the bulk of the starter repetitions throughout the two and a half weeks of fall practices. But when the depth chart was released, each was listed as the No. 3 at their respective positions, Garcia at free safety and Braun at Will linebacker.

On Saturday, a newly amended depth chart was released with an announcement that both players along with true freshman cornerback Tre’von Strong would be suspended for Montana State’s opener against Division II Fort Lewis College on Thursday night.

“A couple of (the incidents) were way back last spring,” Ash said. “What happens is you start after the end of your previous season, back in January, and anything that happens from January to August, if it’s a playing time suspension, it falls on the first game. We had eight months and we had two guys who had a problem. Tre’Von Strong, it was something that happened after camp started. All relatively minor in a lot of respects, but still playing time was the penalty for what they did, so that’s where we went with it.”

On Monday, Whitney Bermes and Parker Gabriel of the Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported that Garcia was arrested for first-offense driving under the influence. Gabriel reported that court records show Garcia was arrested on Feb. 14 and pled not guilty to the offense shortly after. In July, Garcia changed his plea and spent two days in jail.

A search of court records show no arrest or booking on the Gallatin County jail roster for Braun or Strong. It is known that Garcia and Braun formerly rented a residence together.

The three suspensions caused a rearranging of MSU’s depth chart as the Bobcats prepare for their opener against the Division II Skyhawks. Strong, a 6-foot-1, 195-pounder out of Billings Skyview, was the slated backup for senior Bryson Keeton at Montana State’s left cornerback position. Now sophomore Bryce Alley will serve as the backup to both Keeton and Timmer. At safety, senior Desman Carter is the starter with sophomore Bryson McCabe serving as his backup. McCabe got first-team reps throughout fall camp but sat out Wednesday’s practice after throwing a punch on Tuesday during a scuffle involving redshirt freshman safety DeMonte King and sophomore wide receiver Jayshawn Gates. At the free safety spot, King will make his first start with walk-on sophomore West Wilson serving as his backup.

“We will be fine in the secondary because everyone is healthy right now and we should get through these two light practices without any issues,” Ash said. “We will have four safeties and three corners and I think we will be fine.”

At linebacker, redshirt freshman Grant Collins will make his first college start at Mike. He battled junior Fletcher Collins all fall camp for the spot. Early last week, Fletcher Collins started working in at Will linebacker next to Collins. He’s listed as the starter in front of sophomore Cincinnati transfer Marcus Tappan. Ash said the battles for both inside positions will remain in flux after MSU’s opener as the Bobcats have 16 days off until playing at Eastern Washington on September 19.

“Fletcher was the most consistent linebacker we had other than Grant Collins,” Ash said. ‘Those two were the two most consistent and they were playing the same position so it made sense to split them and get them both on the field. Fletcher has made an amazing transition from a walk-on linebacker who was a little bit too big and too slow to a guy who has trimmed down and gotten faster. He’s smart as could be and he makes great decisions. He runs well now. He’s worked himself into a really good player. We just have to get him on the field.

“Marcus Tappan and Blake Braun will still play. They will still see some action. We are actually working Blake a little bit at the Mike linebacker to maybe get him a few more reps.”

 

 

 

About Colter Nuanez

Colter Nuanez is the co-founder and senior writer for Skyline Sports. After spending six years in the newspaper industry with stops at the Missoulian, the Ellensburg Daily Record and the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, the former Washington Newspaper Association Sportswriter of the Year and University of Montana Journalism School graduate ('09) has cultivated a deep passion for sports journalism during his 13-year career covering the Big Sky Conference. In August of 2014, Colter and brother Brooks merged their passions of writing and art to found Skyline Sports.

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