MSU offense strikes back (link)

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www.minotdailynews.com

THE MINOT DAILY NEWS
PO Box 1150
Minot. ND 58702

By CRAIG HAUPERT, Staff Writer chaupert@ndweb.com

The Minot State University football team's offense was much more effective in the team's second spring scrimmage Friday at Herb Parker Stadium.

MSU's offense scored four touchdowns against the MSU defensive squad which didn't allow the offense to reach the endzone in the team's first scrimmage Monday.

"The offense executed much better today," MSU head coach Mike Sivertson said. "They made some plays and didn't turn the ball over."

Ryan Jutras quarterbacked the entire scrimmage whereas Monday both Jutras and Jon Meier alternated on downs. Jutras threw for two TDs, one a 20-yard touchdown pass to Ronnie Patrick and the other a 15-yard pass to Chauncy Hendershot, and had no interceptions on the day.

Sivertson said he was impressed with Jutras's performance, but wouldn't say who is the leading candidate for the starting quarterback position in the upcoming season.

"We will go through fall camp and see what happens before we decide those things," he said.

The Beavers have three possible prospects at quarterback for the upcoming season, Jutras, Meier and incoming freshman Tommy Weidler of Velva.

Runningback Andre James scored two rushing TDs on the day. The first came on a one-yard run set up by a 35-yard multi-tackle-breaking run by Neil Graham two plays earlier. James's second came when he broke through the defensive line for a 50-yard TD in the fourth quarter.

"Andre and Neil have two different running styles, which will be good for our offense," Sivertson said. "Both had nice runs and we will count them to move the ball for us this season.

"Graham had a pretty good spring. He is getting back to where he needs to be health-wise. His position has a little more feel to it so it might take a little while to get the feel back."

Graham sat out all of last season with an injury, but is expected to play this season barring no further injuries.

The second scrimmage marks the end of the spring training period and Sivertson said his squad accomplished what it set out to do.

"Our focus (in the spring) was to learn the personnel and tweak our schematics," he said. "We made some progress and we are starting to refine on both sides of the ball."

The team will break for the summer and start up when fall practices begin in August.