Chronicle article 12/1 -- Rolo

[urcrackinmeup]

Rolovich’s play earns plaudits even from coach

Usually upbeat and positive about his players, Montana State coach Mike Kramer has only grudgingly praised junior quarterback Jack Rolovich.
Though Rolovich is 5-1 as the Bobcats’ starter, Kramer said he holds his quarterbacks to a higher standard. He said he wanted Rolovich to be more of a take-charge leader and to play more within the framework of the offense, particularly in terms of getting the ball into the hands of playmakers such as senior wide receiver Michael Jefferson.
Rolovich appeared to be all that and more during last weekend’s 31-13 playoff win against Furman. He completed better than 50 percent of his passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns. And, while he threw one interception, he took few risks with the football. And, because he was able many times to run away from defenders, he was able to create plays where none appeared to exist.
Still, Kramer appeared not to be impressed. He said that when Rolovich is running around, he’s missing throws and not playing the position the way it’s designed in the offense.
“There will come a time when you can’t make those kind of improvisational plays, where you can’t run yourself into wins,” Kramer said after the game. “It shows you the kind of step up we are trying to make at quarterback.”
But upon further review of Saturday’s game, Kramer on Tuesday did a 180 on his quarterback.
“What’s happened is that our thrower has become a quarterback,” Kramer said. “In terms of the evolution of Jack Rolovich, who threw the ball on time and on the money, he’s now become a quarterback.”
Kramer said he based his assessment on two plays during the Furman, one that had the MSU crowd buzzing and one that went virtually unnoticed by anyone except the coaches.
The first came on the Bobcats’ opening series. Stretching to his right to snag an errant snap, Rolovich rolled to his right to buy time, spotted Donell Wheaton open deep down the right sideline, set his feet and rifled a strike into the teeth of a strong wind that was complete for a 49-yard touchdown.
The second came later in the half. After his primary receiver, Jefferson, made the wrong cut, Rolovich scrambled away from pressure and dumped the ball to running back Isaiah Taito for a one-yard gain. What he did afterward impressed Kramer.
“Before Isaiah even caught the ball, Jack was finding Mike (Jefferson) and talking to him about where he wanted him to be on the pass route,” the coach said. “Jack Rolovich became a quarterback right then.”
Experience has been important for Rolovich, who said he has grown into the position with each start.
“I am way more comfortable as games have gone on,” he said. “It’s a gradual process. It’s gotten to the point now where I eat, sleep and think football all the time. It has grown on me. It’s now second nature, all this stuff.”
Saturday’s quarterfinal playoff game at Appalachian State will pit two quarterbacks, Rolovich and Mountaineers freshman Armanti Edwards, who will make just their second career playoff starts.
ASU coach Jerry Moore said he understands the demands Kramer places on his quarterback. It’s the nature of the position, Moore said, because any pressure a coach puts on the quarterback likely mirrors anything the player will face during a game. There is a fine line to walk with quarterbacks like Rolovich and Edwards, he said: While coaches want those players to stay within the game plan, they must give them enough freedom to use their talent to make things happen.
“You try teaching the decision-making process, but then it’s up to his athletic ability,” Moore said. “I think both these quarterbacks are alike. They are play-makers. (Montana State’s) guy is just older, so he probably makes more solid decisions.”
Edwards actually has more starting experience (10 starts) than Rolovich (6). Still, Rolovich said, success typically boils down to a quarterback’s comfort level with the offense.
“I’m not going to accumulate many rushing yards, but I do pretty well outside the pocket as far as making something happen,” he said. “The coaches set you up for a play, but the ball is in your hands. You do what you do with it.”

[Platinumcat]

Great job posting the BDC articles for others to read.

[urcrackinmeup]

For some reason I can't cut and paste the article on App's QB. I'll keep trying.

[Robcat]

There is one more article in todays Daily Chronicle but its a little scary. Not sure I should post it.

[jhagemeister]

Great post. Kramer couldn't let Jack's head blow up to fast. My brother was Jack's roommate last year when he arrived in Bozeman and told me that although Jack was a great guy he kind of had a big head. Granted you need that in a quarterback to some extent you for sure don't want him to get to into himself to much. I.E. John Edwards