August 2006
Bulldogs Shine In First Week of Practice
Friday, August 25 2006
The University of Montana Western football team will put the wraps to their first week of Fall Camp with a scrimmage, Saturday, Aug. 26 at 3 p.m. at the practice field south of campus.
The team reported on Monday, Aug. 21. Head coach Tommy Lee and staff opened Fall camp by putting the team through a series of conditioning tests.
“We tested them both in the weight room, and on the field,” said Lee. “We were very pleased in both areas with the condition of our returning players.”
Going into the opening of Fall camp, Lee and staff were very concerned about the offensive line. The talent was there, but it is a group of transfers and untested freshmen. At week’s end, Lee is very optimistic.
“Looking at the first week, I was pleasantly surprised, especially with the first five,” said Lee. “I think those kids are doing a great job, playing very well together. At this point in two-a-days, we are so much better than we have been in the past. We are not as big, but we are quicker. Last year, we were just too heavy and too slow. Our main concern this year was depth, but by the time of our first game, we should a group of 12 or 13 offensive linemen suited up.”
Another area of concern on the offensive side of the ball was depth at quarterback. Senior Travis Blome will be the starter but the question was who would be his back-up. That question was answered with a familiar face. Junior Keali’i Perbera moves back to quarterback. Perbera began his Bulldog career at quarterback but was moved to wide receiver last season and to safety this past spring.
“We have a lot of confidence in Travis,” added Lee. “But our concern was the back-up. With Justin Hartman not returning, we decided to move Keali’I back to quarterback. He has had a good fall camp and will be a more than adequate back-up.”
On the defensive side of the ball, the area of concern was at linebacker. The Bulldogs return only one player with experience. The others are untested sophomores, redshirt freshmen or true freshmen. The defensive line, in particular, the first group, looked solid after the first week and the secondary also played well in the first week.
“We had a short scrimmage on Thursday,” said Lee. “I thought the exchange was about equal on both sides. That’s good when your defense is playing well and your offensive is playing well. We will learn more with tomorrow’s scrimmage. It will be more situational and a little longer in length. All in all I am very pleased with the first week. The kids are responding very well and working very hard. I am pleased, but we still have a long ways to go before our first game.”
Montana Western opens their 2006 season on Sept. 9 when they host MSU-Northern.
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