Montana State looks to refine mistakes in Week 2 against Morehead State

BOZEMAN — Heading into Week One, Montana State head coach Brent Vigen knew there was going to be a degree of unpredictability towards McNeese State.

The reason is as a result of the Bobcats weren’t solely enjoying towards a program that had a wholly new teaching employees, however the Cowboys additionally had roster crammed with extra newcomers than returners.

That will have fueled Saturay’s slower begin, however after some changes, the Bobcats took management of Saturday’s recreation leveling the Cowboys 40-17.

“In some regard, I feel it’s extra comforting to be in your regular schedule,” Vigen shared throughout Monday’s presser. “I feel particularly when you could have an opponent like we did the place we have been actually guessing, I feel there was loads of uncertainty clearly in that. However now we go recreation one to recreation two and we now have to point out actual enchancment.”

A kind of areas Vigen touched on that wants refinement is tackling.

Giving up chunk performs was a uncommon event in 2021, however on Saturday the Cowboys had 4 that popped: one for 75, 66, and two for 31 yards.

“I feel generally it’s onerous to know the place you’re at till you recognize the place you’re at – till you play a recreation,” he defined. “It’s one factor to take a look at follow and possibly have a look at some scrimmage time towards each other, however till you play an opponent it’s more durable to get a gage, so we now have that now and we have to take this week to take a step ahead.”

Whereas uncertainty could have performed a think about a number of the miscues final Saturday, Morehead State couldn’t be extra of a distinct blueprint.

“It’s a distinct situation this week,” Vigen said. “We’re dealing with an outfit that we’ve seen on movie. Each coordinators have been at their program for a while now, so I feel we all know what we’re going to see and that’s a lot totally different than it was final week.”

The Eagles had a tricky Week Zero recreation towards No. 23 ranked Mercer shedding 63-13, however this system has had two weeks to regroup coming off a bye.

“They have been out to cease the run definitely towards Mercer,” he recalled. “They did quit some performs within the run recreation, nevertheless it wasn’t for lack of being bodily. I feel they bought themselves caught into some conditions the place Mercer was capable of get the ball excessive.”

Nevertheless, Morehead State isn’t a staff Vigen is grazing over. The Eagles went 4-7 final fall ending third within the Pioneer League.

“They threw for lots of yards, however they did lose a really productive quarterback, a really productive receiver, they misplaced their high again, so they’d lots of people to interchange on offense,” Vigen defined. “Enjoying with loads of freshmen and sophomores on offense.”

Quite the opposite, the Eagles have much more continuity on the defensive facet of the ball — a unit that Vigen says is aggressive and expects will attempt to apply loads of stress close to the road of scrimmage.

“I feel the factor we now have to take a look at is okay that is what they seem like Week One, however anticipate a better-looking crew simply primarily based on expertise. They’ve their recreation one out of the best way, and whereas it didn’t go nicely for them they’ve an additional week to organize for us.”

Montana State versus Morehead State kicks off Saturday at 1:30 pm.