Sat with Minnesota State football coach Todd Hoffner for a few minutes after Monday night's radio show, and while some of the things he said were not for publication, there are a couple of tidbits to offer.
It looks like senior quarterback Steve Pachan will return soon, possibly as the backup this weekend at Minnesota Crookston. Pachan suffered a sprained knee ligament in the season-opener against Northern Michigan, and sophomore Will Brogan has been adequate as a fill-in.
Pachan may be ready to start the home game against Concordia-St. Paul in two weeks so Brogan probably has one more game to impress the coaches enough to keep the starting job.
Hoffner said the offensive line, which struggled against Northern Michigan, played better against Northern State, though that should have been expected. Northern Michigan has a much better defensive line, but the Mavericks didn't dominate the smaller Northern State line as they should have. If there's not significant improvement in line play at Minnesota Crookston, that might signal an area of concern.
Hoffner said that he and his staff are trying to prioritize areas of need for the upcoming recruiting class. One obvious need is a speed receiver that can stretch the field. Minnesota State has receivers with good hands, but none has scary speed.
The schedule gets difficult in the next month with games at Winona State (Oct.2) and at home against St. Cloud State (Oct.9).
Showing posts with label Hoffner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hoffner. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Brogan in, Pachan out as MSU quarterback
Minnesota State quarterback Steve Pachan will not play in Saturday's game at Northern State because of a knee injury. Coach Todd Hoffner said that Pachan will miss "extended" time and wouldn't disclose the nature of the injury.
Pachan was injured in the third quarter of the season-opening 7-6 victory over Northern Michigan last week. Backup Will Brogan, a transfer from California (Pa.) University, took over and completed 6 of 9 passes for 66 yards and the only touchdown.
Hoffner said that Brogan will be the starter, and the backup is Jon Wolf, a true freshman from Oak Forest, Ill.
The Mavericks can survive with only one quarterback, given that the next three opponents are Northern State, Minnesota Crookston and Concordia-St. Paul. But this might become a problem if Pachan's injury lingers into the middle of the season.
The only other injury news from Minnesota State is that Cody Rose will replace Dennis Carter as a starting receiver. Hoffner said that Carter's injury is not serious.
Pachan was injured in the third quarter of the season-opening 7-6 victory over Northern Michigan last week. Backup Will Brogan, a transfer from California (Pa.) University, took over and completed 6 of 9 passes for 66 yards and the only touchdown.
Hoffner said that Brogan will be the starter, and the backup is Jon Wolf, a true freshman from Oak Forest, Ill.
The Mavericks can survive with only one quarterback, given that the next three opponents are Northern State, Minnesota Crookston and Concordia-St. Paul. But this might become a problem if Pachan's injury lingers into the middle of the season.
The only other injury news from Minnesota State is that Cody Rose will replace Dennis Carter as a starting receiver. Hoffner said that Carter's injury is not serious.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Three weeks until MSU football team opens season
The Minnesota State football team went through its first practice Thursday night, artfully dodging the area storms to get nearly three hours of work.
As coach Todd Hoffner always asks after that first workout, "It looked like football, didn't it?"
It's tough to say how the squad will do this season, though the national poll has the Mavericks at No. 21 and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference coaches have picked Minnesota State to win the South Division.
The strength of the team appears to be the defense, with the top three tacklers returning. Linebackers Dan Fehlberg and Matt McQuiston and safety Jesse Hamilton, who has gotten some preseason accolades, give the Mevericks some strength up the middle.
On the line, Don Thomas, Bryan Schmid and Michael Robinson should be stout, and defensive backs Bryce Kinniry and Troy Jones provide good experience against the pass.
The offense seems to be the question mark, with only four returning starters. Quarterback Steve Pachan had some moments as a part-time starter last season, but he was inconsistent. The strength of this unit appears to be running back, where Jake Aberg and Chris Echols are back, bolstered by Northern Iowa transfer Taylor Brookins.
The receivers lack marquee names, but Hoffner said he was happy with the group that includes Omaar Balton and Adam Thielen.
Of course, the offense goes nowhere without a solid line, and four of those five have graduated. Right tackle Jeremy Clark is back, and if that first practice revealed anything, the rest of the linemen are big. We'll see if that translates to good.
The schedule seems good early, starting with a nonconference game against Northern Michigan on Sept. 2. After that road games at Northern State and Minnesota Crookston better be winnable, as well as the home game against Concordia St. Paul on Sept. 25.
Then its Winona State and St. Cloud State in the first real conference tests, and consecutive roads games at Wayne State and Augustana in late October will determine this season's success. If the Mavericks survive those games, the season finale is at home against Minnesota Duluth.
It seems unlikely that the Mavericks can get to 10 wins again, but that's the standard that's been set and anything less will be disappointing. Once you've been to the national playoffs, you don't want to take a step back.
As coach Todd Hoffner always asks after that first workout, "It looked like football, didn't it?"
It's tough to say how the squad will do this season, though the national poll has the Mavericks at No. 21 and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference coaches have picked Minnesota State to win the South Division.
The strength of the team appears to be the defense, with the top three tacklers returning. Linebackers Dan Fehlberg and Matt McQuiston and safety Jesse Hamilton, who has gotten some preseason accolades, give the Mevericks some strength up the middle.
On the line, Don Thomas, Bryan Schmid and Michael Robinson should be stout, and defensive backs Bryce Kinniry and Troy Jones provide good experience against the pass.
The offense seems to be the question mark, with only four returning starters. Quarterback Steve Pachan had some moments as a part-time starter last season, but he was inconsistent. The strength of this unit appears to be running back, where Jake Aberg and Chris Echols are back, bolstered by Northern Iowa transfer Taylor Brookins.
The receivers lack marquee names, but Hoffner said he was happy with the group that includes Omaar Balton and Adam Thielen.
Of course, the offense goes nowhere without a solid line, and four of those five have graduated. Right tackle Jeremy Clark is back, and if that first practice revealed anything, the rest of the linemen are big. We'll see if that translates to good.
The schedule seems good early, starting with a nonconference game against Northern Michigan on Sept. 2. After that road games at Northern State and Minnesota Crookston better be winnable, as well as the home game against Concordia St. Paul on Sept. 25.
Then its Winona State and St. Cloud State in the first real conference tests, and consecutive roads games at Wayne State and Augustana in late October will determine this season's success. If the Mavericks survive those games, the season finale is at home against Minnesota Duluth.
It seems unlikely that the Mavericks can get to 10 wins again, but that's the standard that's been set and anything less will be disappointing. Once you've been to the national playoffs, you don't want to take a step back.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Some doings at Minnesota State athletics
As mentioned last week, athletic director Kevin Buisman has been required to come up with a plan to cut $250,000 to $350,000 from the budget for an expected shortfall in the 2011-12 competitive seasons, and it likely involves cutting some programs.
As early as this week, he could announce the criteria he will use to determine which programs stay and which ones go. The criteria could include affiliation with the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and the ability to generate revenue.
Of course, gender equity will be the main concern.
The project to put artificial turf on the Blakeslee Stadium surface is off, and instead, the university will spend $350,000 to improve the grass field's crown and drainage. The condition of the field has been questionable the last two seasons, prompting safety concerns by the athletic department.
Busiman said the plan is to launch a major renovation of Blakeslee Stadium sometime in the next five years.
Freshman quarterback Ray Teachout has been booted from the Minnesota State football program after an arrest May 2.
He was cited for underage consumption, disorderly conduct and fifth-degree assault, all misdemeanors, but football coach Todd Hoffner said that Teachout was no longer a member of the Mavericks' football program. A police report stated that Teachout was involved in a scrap with a university security guard that prompted the arrest.
Teachout, a three-sport standout at West who led the Scarlets to a state football championship in 2008, competed for the backup quarterback position during spring practice, and Hoffner was high on Teachout's future, saying that they needed to come up with creative ideas to take advantage of his athleticism.
It seems to be a drastic move to suspended Teachout indefinitely, but nobody at Minnesota State is talking about the details, citing data-privacy rules.
Regardless, it looks a like a sad ending to a promising career.
As early as this week, he could announce the criteria he will use to determine which programs stay and which ones go. The criteria could include affiliation with the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and the ability to generate revenue.
Of course, gender equity will be the main concern.
The project to put artificial turf on the Blakeslee Stadium surface is off, and instead, the university will spend $350,000 to improve the grass field's crown and drainage. The condition of the field has been questionable the last two seasons, prompting safety concerns by the athletic department.
Busiman said the plan is to launch a major renovation of Blakeslee Stadium sometime in the next five years.
Freshman quarterback Ray Teachout has been booted from the Minnesota State football program after an arrest May 2.
He was cited for underage consumption, disorderly conduct and fifth-degree assault, all misdemeanors, but football coach Todd Hoffner said that Teachout was no longer a member of the Mavericks' football program. A police report stated that Teachout was involved in a scrap with a university security guard that prompted the arrest.
Teachout, a three-sport standout at West who led the Scarlets to a state football championship in 2008, competed for the backup quarterback position during spring practice, and Hoffner was high on Teachout's future, saying that they needed to come up with creative ideas to take advantage of his athleticism.
It seems to be a drastic move to suspended Teachout indefinitely, but nobody at Minnesota State is talking about the details, citing data-privacy rules.
Regardless, it looks a like a sad ending to a promising career.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Teachout ready to take the field at MSU
Talked with Minnesota State freshman quarterback Ray Teachout today, and the former Mankato West standout is getting excited for the upcoming football season.
Last fall, Teachout was redshirted, trying to get stronger while learning the playbook and opposing defenses. It appears he's going to end the spring-practice period as the primary backup to senior Steve Pachan, though there will be plays put in the offense to take advantage of Teachout's athleticism.
You might see Teachout lining up at receiver or on defense or as a punt returner. Coach Todd Hoffner said that Teachout's skills are special and need to be utilized.
You can get a look at Teachout when the Mavericks host their annual spring game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Blakeslee Stadium. The event is free and open to the public.
For more on Teachout, grab Sunday's print edition.
Last fall, Teachout was redshirted, trying to get stronger while learning the playbook and opposing defenses. It appears he's going to end the spring-practice period as the primary backup to senior Steve Pachan, though there will be plays put in the offense to take advantage of Teachout's athleticism.
You might see Teachout lining up at receiver or on defense or as a punt returner. Coach Todd Hoffner said that Teachout's skills are special and need to be utilized.
You can get a look at Teachout when the Mavericks host their annual spring game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Blakeslee Stadium. The event is free and open to the public.
For more on Teachout, grab Sunday's print edition.
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