Analysis

MONTANA STATE POSITION BATTLE: Running back

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With Montana State reaching the midpoint of its second fall camp under Jeff Choate this week, Skyline Sports will break down MSU’s roster by highlighting prominent battles for playing time in each position group.

No. 8 of the countdown of most important Bobcat position battles: Punter

No. 7 — Tight end 

No. 6 — Offensive guard

No. 5 — Backup wide receiver spots

No. 4 — Quarterback

No. 3 — Linebacker shuffle 

No. 2 — Cornerback

NO. 1 MONTANA STATE POSITION BATTLE: Running back

The players: Edward Vander (6-foot-1, 200-pound sophomore); Tyrel Burgess (5-8, 160-pound true freshman); Troy Andersen (6-3, 215-pound true freshman); Jake Roper (5-foot-11, 195-pound redshirt freshman); R.J. Fitzgerald (5-10, 215-pound true freshman); Logan Jones (5-9, 175-pound junior); Anthony Pegues (5-8, 180-pound redshirt freshman) and Noah James (6-1, 215-pound junior).

Montana State redshirt freshman running back Anthony Pegues/ by Brooks Nuanez

Montana State redshirt freshman running back Anthony Pegues

What’s at stake: Montana State graduated Chad Newell and Gunnar Brekke, two of the Bobcats’ most productive offensive players and the two unquestioned leaders of the unit. The duo helped MSU rush for 212 yards per game last season, second in the league.

The starting job is supposed to belong to fifth-year senior running back Nick LaSane, a talented but little-used Dallas, Texas product who has had a hard time earning carriers. MSU head coach Jeff Choate has lauded LaSane’s persistence to return from two serious knee injuries and wait his turn behind Newell, Brekke, Anthony Knight and Shawn Johnson.

In the off-season, LaSane’s aspirations for a stellar senior season vanished. He was arrested twice in six weeks, earning himself a four-game suspension and a scholarship reduction. Pouring salt on an open wound, LaSane earned three carries in MSU’s first fall scrimmage. He fumbled twice.

Jake Roper, a Boise State transfer who prepped at Rocky Mountain High in Boise, came to MSU in January. He quickly climbed the depth chart during spring ball and received starter’s carries at the beginning of fall camp. But he started wearing a walking boot less than a week in and has not practiced for any of the formative parts of camp.

Vander, a transfer from Saddleback College and former 3-star prep recruit from JSerra Catholic of the Trinity League, assumed the No. 1 spot but hurt his already bothersome shoulder on the first day of fall contact. He has participated in each of MSU’s last two fall scrimmages, but only received a handful of carries, albeit all with the top two units.

Montana State sophomore running back Edward Vander/ by Brooks Nuanez

Montana State sophomore running back Edward Vander

Meanwhile, Troy Andersen’s raw athleticism so impressed the MSU coaching staff, they decided to put the prep quarterback recruited to MSU as an outside linebacker at tailback. Choate and company love Andersen’s huge frame, top-end speed, toughness and explosive play-making ability.

Burgess, a water bug scat back from Florida, has been one of the pleasant surprises of camp, shaking almost every potential tackler out of their shoes. He also adds an element of speed to the running back group MSU hasn’t had since Johnson graduated in 2014.

Pegues, Jones and James have all put in hard work to break the rotation. Each has received varying but mostly limited chances. And Fitzgerald, a hard-nosed walk-on from Dillon, has taken the bulk of the carries with non-starting unit during the last two scrimmages.

Montana State true freshman R. J. Fitzgerald

Montana State true freshman R. J. Fitzgerald

During Saturday’s session, Burgess rushed for 58 yards on nine carries, Andersen rumbled for 55 yards on six carries, and Fitzgerald, playing primarily against other young players, gained 66 yards on 15 carries. Pegues (23 yards), Vander (six yards) and Jones (four yards) also contributed from the running back spot.

Choate said he likes all the players in his stable of running backs, and called the top line of the depth chart inconsequential.

“I don’t care who starts,” Choate said, “I want finishers. I know it matters to players, I was a player once and that’s a little bit of an ego thing, but I think Michael (Pitre, MSU’s running backs coach) has done a really good job explaining how we’re going to operate (at running) and to pick each other up. We’re going to need them all.”

How they fared in 2016: Vander rushed for 1,074 yards and 18 touchdowns to earn first-team All-California Community College Athletic Association honors at Saddleback College last season.

Andersen piled up 2,960 yards of total offense and accounted for 43 touchdowns while leading Dillon to the Class A state title as an all-state quarterback and safety. He also won a state title in basketball and repeated as the Class A state champion in the 100 and 200 meters.

Burgess rushed for 1,168 yards and 15 touchdowns at Ridge Community High in Davenport, Florida last fall.

MSU running back Jake Roper (2)

MSU running back Jake Roper (2)

Roper redshirted at Boise State last season. As a senior at Rocky Mountain High in 2015, he rushed for 1,470 yards and 20 touchdowns to help lead the Grizzlies to the Idaho 5A state title.

Pegues played in three games as a redshirt freshman, notching four carries for five yards. He did not play in Big Sky Conference play. MSU applied for a redshirt for the Frisco, Texas native. It is unknown if it was granted.

James, a former walk-on from Kalispell Glacier played in seven games and received two carries last fall. He was awarded a scholarship in the off-season.

Jones, a former walk-on from Kalispell Glacier, did not get invited to fall camp last season after missing a good deal of summer workouts. He still managed to play in seven games, earn six carries and gain 39 yards. He scored a 13-yard touchdown.

Fitzgerald helped Dillon to the Class A state title in 2014 and 2016, earning two first-team all-state nods as a linebacker and two more as a fullback during his decorated career. Last season, he racked up 106 tackles to earn Southern A Defensive MVP honors while also rushing for 700 yards. He also played on a state championship baseball team as a standout catcher and on Dillon’s state title basketball team last winter.

The case for Vander: Vander has shown good vision and an ability to convert in short-yardage situations in his limited carries during live sessions so far. He scored a short rushing touchdown in MSU’s first scrimmage despite Choate saying his shoulder was bothering him.

Vander will have to prove he can stay healthy if he wants to be an every-down, or even high-usage running back. But he will certainly play in short-yardage situations until someone else emerges.

Montana State true freshman running back Tyrel Burgess

Montana State true freshman running back Tyrel Burgess

The case for Burgess: Burgess is the fastest, quickest and most elusive running back on Montana State’s roster already. His ability to break off big chunks of yardage, particularly on inside zone handoffs, gives MSU the game-breaking ability it needs from the tailback spot next to dangerous dual-threat quarterback Chris Murray.

Burgess will get spot carries when healthy simply because he has elite skills no other Bobcat running back possesses even if he is undersized.

The case for Roper: It’s unknown the severity of Roper’s injury, therefore it’s to be determined how much he will be able to contribute this season.

The son of Montana Western alum Art Roper had a high football IQ, great vision, a fluid running style and a solid pass blocking ability. He will be in the rotation when he returns to full health, whenever that may be.

The case for Andersen: The hype surrounding Andersen began on a state-wide level after Andersen won the 100 and 200 meters at the 2016 Class A state track meet. He committed to MSU in June and stuck to his promise.

His physical development since then has been profound. He came to camp weighing between 215 and 220 pounds fresh off running a 10.88 in the 100 meters to repeat as Montana’s sprint champion. Choate talked all off-season about Andersen’s potential and his ability to challenge to play as a true freshman, but most thought it would be at outside linebacker.

Instead, Choate, offensive coordinator Brian Armstrong and running backs coach Michael Pitre saw Andersen’s breathtaking athleticism. The moment he stepped on campus, Andersen represented one of MSU’s most talented athelets. Choate decided to get the ball into Andersen’s hands in the simplest form.

Montana State true freshman Troy Andersen breaks tackles

Montana State true freshman Troy Andersen breaks tackles

“I like everything about Troy Andersen,” Choate said earlier this camp. “I like the fact that he’s never had a B in his life. I like the fact that he’s 6-foot-3, 215 pounds and can run a 10.8 100 in Montana in a blizzard in Belgrade in March.

“I just think he has a great demeanor, he’s a tremendous young man. He’s a winner. He has got tremendous lower body strength. He’s a next level athlete and that’s a fact. Quite honestly, I think some people missed on him. Their loss is our gain. I think if he ends up playing his whole career at running back or we have the luxury of getting that backfield squared away and sliding him over to defense, as long as he can stay healthy and continue to mature and grow, I think he has a high ceiling.”

The case for James: The hard-nosed, quiet junior has displayed an impressive, unwavering work ethic since joining the Bobcats as a preferred walk-on. The carries have been hard to come by but James’ work ethic was recognized in the off-season with a scholarship from Choate nonetheless.

James did not receive a touch in Saturday’s scrimmage. He will be hard-pressed to find the football this year but should make an impact as a special teams player.

Montana State junior Logan Jones

Montana State junior Logan Jones

The case for Jones: Jones is fast, elusive, explosive and skilled. But like James, he’s been buried on the depth chart behind scholarship players with more natural athletic gifts. Jones made himself an outsider with the new coaching staff by not sticking around for summer conditioning last year. He bought in this off-season and has received a few touches during fall camp because of it. Like James, the fellow Kalispell Glacier product will likely contribute most on special teams.

The case for Pegues: The former 3-star recruit impressed early to earn a spot on MSU’s traveling roster during the non-conference. But by conference play, Pegues was an after thought and did not play. He could get a few carries if anyone in front of him falters but for now, he’s buried. He can at least take solace if he gets last year’s season of eligibility back.

What they must accomplish before season opener: Fall camp essentially wrapped up Saturday with MSU’s final scrimmage. Choate said he had not gained much clarity in the running back group but was not concerned about it one bit.

Montana State hopes to thrive playing situational football this season. Depending on the scenario and the opponent, MSU will need different players at different times. The running back stable has established a short-yardage threat in Vander, a powerful runner with top-end speed in Andersen, a dangerous home run threat in Burgess and a collection of blue-collar workers in the other half of the group. And that’s not including LaSane, who will be eligible to return for MSU’s October 7 home game against Portland State.

Montana State true freshman Troy Andersen

Montana State true freshman Troy Andersen

MSU’s offense will start and end with the run game this season. Murray, the reigning Big Sky Freshman of the Year, remains one of the most electric play-makers in the league. Adding speed and power threats next to him in the backfield will make stopping the Bobcats’ run game a challenging proposition, particularly if MSU’s offensive line can fulfill its potential.

Montana State has four intriguing, talented but unproven options in Andersen, Burgess, Vander and Roper. MSU has four more eager players patiently waiting. And arguably MSU’s most talented back, the team’s slated starter until his July run-ins with the law, will return fresh for the stretch run. If the unproven can prove themselves, it won’t matter who earns the designation as “starter”.

 Also on the roster: Nick LaSane (6-1, 220-pound senior); Nich Van Horssen (5-9, 195-pound redshirt freshman).

 

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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