Spring Ball 2025

[Colter_Nuanez]

From what I've gathered, Duchein has been a bit of surprise so far in terms of how well he's doing. I think everyone knew he was capable but weren't expecting him to be doing as well as he has. The QBs have all looked good, so it's still very up in the air, but in a good way. The TEs and WRs are also playing very well with lots of options. The center position still needs to be ironed out with Reed, Mastel and Nilsson all in contention. Defense has been stout up front as expected with or without the big-name guys.

Duchien is wicked smart. He also ran a very sophisticated offense for Class B when he was in high school. His junior season, Florence's entire offensive skill set of players went on to play college ball, including a WR that went to Air Force.

[Catsrgrood]

From what I've gathered, Duchein has been a bit of surprise so far in terms of how well he's doing. I think everyone knew he was capable but weren't expecting him to be doing as well as he has. The QBs have all looked good, so it's still very up in the air, but in a good way. The TEs and WRs are also playing very well with lots of options. The center position still needs to be ironed out with Reed, Mastel and Nilsson all in contention. Defense has been stout up front as expected with or without the big-name guys.

Duchien is wicked smart. He also ran a very sophisticated offense for Class B when he was in high school. His junior season, Florence's entire offensive skill set of players went on to play college ball, including a WR that went to Air Force.

I think you mean wicked smaht*

[tetoncat]

From what I've gathered, Duchein has been a bit of surprise so far in terms of how well he's doing. I think everyone knew he was capable but weren't expecting him to be doing as well as he has. The QBs have all looked good, so it's still very up in the air, but in a good way. The TEs and WRs are also playing very well with lots of options. The center position still needs to be ironed out with Reed, Mastel and Nilsson all in contention. Defense has been stout up front as expected with or without the big-name guys.

Wasn't Nylund sp, the back up center last fall? Haven't really heard his name this spring.

[VimSince03]

From what I've gathered, Duchein has been a bit of surprise so far in terms of how well he's doing. I think everyone knew he was capable but weren't expecting him to be doing as well as he has. The QBs have all looked good, so it's still very up in the air, but in a good way. The TEs and WRs are also playing very well with lots of options. The center position still needs to be ironed out with Reed, Mastel and Nilsson all in contention. Defense has been stout up front as expected with or without the big-name guys.

Wasn't Nylund sp, the back up center last fall? Haven't really heard his name this spring.

Nyland and Kaplan have been hurt since beginning of Spring.

[TomCat88]

From what I've gathered, Duchein has been a bit of surprise so far in terms of how well he's doing. I think everyone knew he was capable but weren't expecting him to be doing as well as he has. The QBs have all looked good, so it's still very up in the air, but in a good way. The TEs and WRs are also playing very well with lots of options. The center position still needs to be ironed out with Reed, Mastel and Nilsson all in contention. Defense has been stout up front as expected with or without the big-name guys.

Duchien is wicked smart. He also ran a very sophisticated offense for Class B when he was in high school. His junior season, Florence's entire offensive skill set of players went on to play college ball, including a WR that went to Air Force.

I think you mean wicked smaht*

“ya like apples?”
And they were really, really good. It’s interesting cuz I don’t recall Florence-Carlton being good at anything for decades. They were Class C and didn’t do much.

There are some towns where there just aren’t any athletic families and they are never good. No, I’m not going to name them. Then there are towns like Outlook (it wasn’t just the Selvigs) I’m getting off subject.

Anyway, I know something happened to Florence-Carlton. Be interesting to hear about.

[gtapp]

From what I've gathered, Duchein has been a bit of surprise so far in terms of how well he's doing. I think everyone knew he was capable but weren't expecting him to be doing as well as he has. The QBs have all looked good, so it's still very up in the air, but in a good way. The TEs and WRs are also playing very well with lots of options. The center position still needs to be ironed out with Reed, Mastel and Nilsson all in contention. Defense has been stout up front as expected with or without the big-name guys.

You are probably closer to it than me but with all I have heard from the coaches interviews and the QB Club members I talk to; the kid from Stanford better be good or we have a problem. I have heard that no one has stood out and the drop off from Tommy may be greater than we feared.

[TomCat88]

From what I've gathered, Duchein has been a bit of surprise so far in terms of how well he's doing. I think everyone knew he was capable but weren't expecting him to be doing as well as he has. The QBs have all looked good, so it's still very up in the air, but in a good way. The TEs and WRs are also playing very well with lots of options. The center position still needs to be ironed out with Reed, Mastel and Nilsson all in contention. Defense has been stout up front as expected with or without the big-name guys.

You are probably closer to it than me but with all I have heard from the coaches interviews and the QB Club members I talk to; the kid from Stanford better be good or we have a problem. I have heard that no one has stood out and the drop off from Tommy may be greater than we feared.

Oh yeah! That’s right. I forgot. The kid from Stanford is related to the guy from Denton. He was good. Or was it Hobson. Those little towns all look alike.

[CodyCat]

From what I've gathered, Duchein has been a bit of surprise so far in terms of how well he's doing. I think everyone knew he was capable but weren't expecting him to be doing as well as he has. The QBs have all looked good, so it's still very up in the air, but in a good way. The TEs and WRs are also playing very well with lots of options. The center position still needs to be ironed out with Reed, Mastel and Nilsson all in contention. Defense has been stout up front as expected with or without the big-name guys.

You are probably closer to it than me but with all I have heard from the coaches interviews and the QB Club members I talk to; the kid from Stanford better be good or we have a problem. I have heard that no one has stood out and the drop off from Tommy may be greater than we feared.

Tommy as the whole package was the best QB in msu history. Of course there is going to be a drop off.

[SparkCat]

From what I've gathered, Duchein has been a bit of surprise so far in terms of how well he's doing. I think everyone knew he was capable but weren't expecting him to be doing as well as he has. The QBs have all looked good, so it's still very up in the air, but in a good way. The TEs and WRs are also playing very well with lots of options. The center position still needs to be ironed out with Reed, Mastel and Nilsson all in contention. Defense has been stout up front as expected with or without the big-name guys.

You are probably closer to it than me but with all I have heard from the coaches interviews and the QB Club members I talk to; the kid from Stanford better be good or we have a problem. I have heard that no one has stood out and the drop off from Tommy may be greater than we feared.

You forgot the sarcasm at the end… I hope.

[PHAT CAT]

From what I've gathered, Duchein has been a bit of surprise so far in terms of how well he's doing. I think everyone knew he was capable but weren't expecting him to be doing as well as he has. The QBs have all looked good, so it's still very up in the air, but in a good way. The TEs and WRs are also playing very well with lots of options. The center position still needs to be ironed out with Reed, Mastel and Nilsson all in contention. Defense has been stout up front as expected with or without the big-name guys.

You are probably closer to it than me but with all I have heard from the coaches interviews and the QB Club members I talk to; the kid from Stanford better be good or we have a problem. I have heard that no one has stood out and the drop off from Tommy may be greater than we feared.

Oh yeah! That’s right. I forgot. The kid from Stanford is related to the guy from Denton. He was good. Or was it Hobson. Those little towns all look alike.

Lol.... that's funny. My buddy is the head football coach in Hobson. We play the Tri City Titans football golf tournament every summer in Lewistown. BYW, Stanford has new rodeo Grand Stand bleachers. Very uptown.

[grizzh8r]

From what I've gathered, Duchein has been a bit of surprise so far in terms of how well he's doing. I think everyone knew he was capable but weren't expecting him to be doing as well as he has. The QBs have all looked good, so it's still very up in the air, but in a good way. The TEs and WRs are also playing very well with lots of options. The center position still needs to be ironed out with Reed, Mastel and Nilsson all in contention. Defense has been stout up front as expected with or without the big-name guys.

You are probably closer to it than me but with all I have heard from the coaches interviews and the QB Club members I talk to; the kid from Stanford better be good or we have a problem. I have heard that no one has stood out and the drop off from Tommy may be greater than we feared.

Tommy as the whole package was the best QB in msu history. Of course there is going to be a drop off.

You know how it's said that some people are like a ray of sunshine? Well, gtapp ain't that.

If there's a resident skeptic/pessimist/Debbie Downer on BN, he'd be at or very near the top of the list. Shoot, last year he was thinking our beloved Bobcats would struggle in the trenches, even though everyone told him not to worry.

This is said with all due respect, because Gary is a HUGE Bobcat fan and longtime supporter of MSU.

[BLACKnBLUEnGOLD]

It's spring. In the spring of 2002, Lulay wasn't even in the conversation except as a recruit. In the spring of 2010, Kempt was still QB1. In the spring of 2014, they had 4 guys and nobody had really separated themselves yet. In the spring of 2021, Tommy Mellott didn't even know what position he'd be playing

Spring ball is for learning the scheme and getting reps. Returning starters should be locked in, but for young guys and transfers, as long they don't look lost that's a good sign

[TomCat88]

It's spring. In the spring of 2002, Lulay wasn't even in the conversation except as a recruit. In the spring of 2010, Kempt was still QB1. In the spring of 2014, they had 4 guys and nobody had really separated themselves yet. In the spring of 2021, Tommy Mellott didn't even know what position he'd be playing

Spring ball is for learning the scheme and getting reps. Returning starters should be locked in, but for young guys and transfers, as long they don't look lost that's a good sign

This...THIS! Spring ball in college football and the entire runup to the next season is more unpredictable and a reason to have hope than any sport that I follow. They say that about Major League Baseball, but it's truer in college football IMO. We're talking QBs here but the development of the 2022 OL at MSU is probably the most out of nowhere development of all time at MSU.

[TomCat88]

From what I've gathered, Duchein has been a bit of surprise so far in terms of how well he's doing. I think everyone knew he was capable but weren't expecting him to be doing as well as he has. The QBs have all looked good, so it's still very up in the air, but in a good way. The TEs and WRs are also playing very well with lots of options. The center position still needs to be ironed out with Reed, Mastel and Nilsson all in contention. Defense has been stout up front as expected with or without the big-name guys.

You are probably closer to it than me but with all I have heard from the coaches interviews and the QB Club members I talk to; the kid from Stanford better be good or we have a problem. I have heard that no one has stood out and the drop off from Tommy may be greater than we feared.

Tommy as the whole package was the best QB in msu history. Of course there is going to be a drop off.

You know how it's said that some people are like a ray of sunshine? Well, gtapp ain't that.

If there's a resident skeptic/pessimist/Debbie Downer on BN, he'd be at or very near the top of the list. Shoot, last year he was thinking our beloved Bobcats would struggle in the trenches, even though everyone told him not to worry.

This is said with all due respect, because Gary is a HUGE Bobcat fan and longtime supporter of MSU.

I think gtapp was just mad at me because he doesn't want to tip off the rest of the nation. Wants to catch the Ducks by surprise!! God bless him!

[ClowderUp]

I thought gtapp was providing generic misdirection. You know, catch the Ducks by surprise. Or he talked to QB Club members who watched the exact practices that I missed, while at the same time, the QB play didn't resemble what I saw in the practices I attended. I would be surprised if any QB Club member actually expected a Walter Payton level of play this spring.
/shrug

[AFCAT]

[TomCat88]

As great and athletic as Mellott was, he wasn’t singlehandedly winning games for MSU. In fact, MSU probably goes 15-1 without him last year. Does it win by the same scores? No. All the games are probably closer but wins nonetheless and the loss to NDSU is probably much worse.

Mellott is considerably more talented than any of his contemporaries on teams comparable to MSU and his contemporaries have done very well. MSU has a number of QBs as athletic as the guys quarterbacking the top FCS teams.

[AFCAT]

As great and athletic as Mellott was, he wasn’t singlehandedly winning games for MSU. In fact, MSU probably goes 15-1 without him last year. Does it win by the same scores? No. All the games are probably closer but wins nonetheless and the loss to NDSU is probably much worse.

Mellott is considerably more talented than any of his contemporaries on teams comparable to MSU and his contemporaries have done very well. MSU has a number of QBs as athletic as the guys quarterbacking the top FCS teams.

Single-handedly? Obvious no there, but I’m not sold at 15-1. I don’t believe they even win a Conference title without Mellott. I think Idaho State, UC Davis, Eastern, and even the UM game are quite different without Mellott. I think MSU still beats um though.

[TomCat88]

As great and athletic as Mellott was, he wasn’t singlehandedly winning games for MSU. In fact, MSU probably goes 15-1 without him last year. Does it win by the same scores? No. All the games are probably closer but wins nonetheless and the loss to NDSU is probably much worse.

Mellott is considerably more talented than any of his contemporaries on teams comparable to MSU and his contemporaries have done very well. MSU has a number of QBs as athletic as the guys quarterbacking the top FCS teams.

Single-handedly? Obvious no there, but I’m not sold at 15-1. I don’t believe they even win a Conference title without Mellott. I think Idaho State, UC Davis, Eastern, and even the UM game are quite different without Mellott. I think MSU still beats um though.

I don’t think anyone matched MSU physically besides USD and NDSU. Maybe UCD. Jmho. I think in ISU’s and EW’s case it was a matter of things going their way and not going MSU’s way that made those games remotely close. MSU was simply better than everyone it played except the two Dakota teams.

MSU is unquestionably better with Mellott but is still incredibly good without him. He was huge in the unm win. His play in that game is the only reason I thought MSU had a shot coming back vs NDSU. If the Bobcats had won that game, the term singlehandedly would’ve been pretty appropriate with the RBs and defense struggling.

Anyway, my point is just that I think MSU is going to be fine 90% of the time this year without him. Theres a good chance he will be missed in tight games.

Also, I think there are numerous players that MSU would’ve been just fine without. There are many examples of this: Danny U, Polidore, C. Dowler, Perkins, Schmidt. MSU is a very good, deep team.

[gtapp]

As great and athletic as Mellott was, he wasn’t singlehandedly winning games for MSU. In fact, MSU probably goes 15-1 without him last year. Does it win by the same scores? No. All the games are probably closer but wins nonetheless and the loss to NDSU is probably much worse.

Mellott is considerably more talented than any of his contemporaries on teams comparable to MSU and his contemporaries have done very well. MSU has a number of QBs as athletic as the guys quarterbacking the top FCS teams.

Single-handedly? Obvious no there, but I’m not sold at 15-1. I don’t believe they even win a Conference title without Mellott. I think Idaho State, UC Davis, Eastern, and even the UM game are quite different without Mellott. I think MSU still beats um though.

I don’t think anyone matched MSU physically besides USD and NDSU. Maybe UCD. Jmho. I think in ISU’s and EW’s case it was a matter of things going their way and not going MSU’s way that made those games remotely close. MSU was simply better than everyone it played except the two Dakota teams.

MSU is unquestionably better with Mellott but is still incredibly good without him. He was huge in the unm win. His play in that game is the only reason I thought MSU had a shot coming back vs NDSU. If the Bobcats had won that game, the term singlehandedly would’ve been pretty appropriate with the RBs and defense struggling.

Anyway, my point is just that I think MSU is going to be fine 90% of the time this year without him. Theres a good chance he will be missed in tight games.

Also, I think there are numerous players that MSU would’ve been just fine without. There are many examples of this: Danny U, Polidore, C. Dowler, Perkins, Schmidt. MSU is a very good, deep team.

The other advantage we had with Mellott was the psychological edge. Him just being in the game made it difficult for defenses to make the proper calls. I am sure he was difficult to prepare for all week. If a back-up had played the defense could go back to more of a "base" defense. With Mellott if you didn't blitz he would burn you and if you did he would burn you even worse. With Mellott it wasn't always what he did but what he could do.