Mouse Davis Breaks Down His Spring Offense
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Portland State Offensive Coordinator Mouse Davis continues his transformation of the Portland State offense this spring. And, despite injuries and a few missing pieces until fall, he likes what he has seen so far.
Returning quarterbacks Tygue Howland and Drew Hubel figure to compete for the starting job in 2008, but Davis feels the team is particularly deep at that spot no matter what happens.
"I like all four of our quarterbacks. All are real bright kids," Davis said. "Tygue and Drew have stronger arms. Jimmy (Collins) has gotten better as spring has gone on, and Connor (Kavanaugh) probably has the best overall speed and athleticism of all of them."
Davis also looks forward to the addition of prize recruit Kramer Hagan, who signed a national letter of intent in February, making the quarterback spot even deeper.
"They all have a little different thing. Right now if we have to start, Tygue and Drew are ahead of the game. Both have overcome their injuries and are doing well. I really feel like quarterback is a strength of our team right now."
Strong words from a man who mentored June Jones and Neil Lomax in his head coaching days at Portland State from 1975 to 1980.
"We are trying to get some routes we can count on from our receivers. And when we do, (the quarterbacks) will deliver the football," said Davis.
Ah, receiver... an extremely important role in the Run-and-Shoot, and a spot where the Vikings lost the top three performers from last season to graduation.
"We've got a bevy of receivers still coming in. And we have a few kids, Ray Fry and Mario D'Ambrosio, that we wanted to get a lot of reps. But they haven't gotten hardly any this spring, because of illness, hamstrings, whatever.
"Right now our speed needs improvement. Quickness is important, as is intelligence and all of the receivers are getting better at running routes. But, we do need more speed.
"The execution becomes a better thing as we move forward. It's very important for us that we do improve in the receiving corps before the fall rolls around."
The Vikings have also been short on the offensive line due to injuries and graduation, but a few players have stepped up as starting roles are at stake.
"We have had two or three kids who have played better than we had a right to expect. (SR) Landan Laurusaitis, (JR) Matt Leunen and (FR) Jasper Croome. We expected Moses (Punzal), a returning starter, to play well. And he has."
The other returning starter, Clayton Rios, had back surgery in the off season, and has been unable to compete in contact drills this spring.
Davis also looks for help from the newcomers in August.
"We've got double the number of linemen coming in for fall than we have right now. So we've got to get them ready. I think some of our freshmen are going to have to help us on the o-line and in the receiving corps as well."
That leaves the vital role of fullback, and Davis is pleased with the return to health of Bobby McClintock, who missed virtually the entire 2007 season.
"Bobby looks to me like he is fine," said Davis. "He runs well and he benches like 500 pounds. He does need more flexibility, because he is so big and strong. He is running as fast as he did before the knee injury."
Portland State led the nation in passing last year, at more than 360 yards per game, but will need more balance from the running game and short pass game provided by the fullback in the Run-and-Shoot.
The Vikings continue practice on Saturday at 7 a.m., as well as Monday, Wednesday and Friday of next week, leading into the Spring Game, Saturday, May 10 at PGE Park, at 1 p.m.
SPRING GAME DETAILS
The Portland State spring football game is Saturday, May 10 at PGE Park. Admission is $5.00 for non-season ticket holders. 2008 season ticket holders (renewed by the deadline or day of game) will get in free... there will be a pre-game meet and greet for current season ticket holders at PGE Park's Widmer Garden Bar from noon to 1 pm. There will be hosted beer, wine and snacks and Coach Glanville will be on hand.
A CLOSE UP LOOK AT CAMP GLANVILLE
It's always interesting when Jerry Glanville is involved, and that is why Comcast SportsNet has been following the Viking football team around practice, meetings and campus this spring. CSN is preparing a 20-week television series to begin airing on May 5 at 6 p.m. The show "Camp Glanville: Tackling PSU Football," will follow the Viking team's preparation from the start of spring practice, through the summer, to the start of fall practice and into the first game.
http://www.goviks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=92391&SPID=11189&temp_site=NO&DB_OEM_ID=19300&ATCLID=1456351
Portland State Offensive Coordinator Mouse Davis continues his transformation of the Portland State offense this spring. And, despite injuries and a few missing pieces until fall, he likes what he has seen so far.
Returning quarterbacks Tygue Howland and Drew Hubel figure to compete for the starting job in 2008, but Davis feels the team is particularly deep at that spot no matter what happens.
"I like all four of our quarterbacks. All are real bright kids," Davis said. "Tygue and Drew have stronger arms. Jimmy (Collins) has gotten better as spring has gone on, and Connor (Kavanaugh) probably has the best overall speed and athleticism of all of them."
Davis also looks forward to the addition of prize recruit Kramer Hagan, who signed a national letter of intent in February, making the quarterback spot even deeper.
"They all have a little different thing. Right now if we have to start, Tygue and Drew are ahead of the game. Both have overcome their injuries and are doing well. I really feel like quarterback is a strength of our team right now."
Strong words from a man who mentored June Jones and Neil Lomax in his head coaching days at Portland State from 1975 to 1980.
"We are trying to get some routes we can count on from our receivers. And when we do, (the quarterbacks) will deliver the football," said Davis.
Ah, receiver... an extremely important role in the Run-and-Shoot, and a spot where the Vikings lost the top three performers from last season to graduation.
"We've got a bevy of receivers still coming in. And we have a few kids, Ray Fry and Mario D'Ambrosio, that we wanted to get a lot of reps. But they haven't gotten hardly any this spring, because of illness, hamstrings, whatever.
"Right now our speed needs improvement. Quickness is important, as is intelligence and all of the receivers are getting better at running routes. But, we do need more speed.
"The execution becomes a better thing as we move forward. It's very important for us that we do improve in the receiving corps before the fall rolls around."
The Vikings have also been short on the offensive line due to injuries and graduation, but a few players have stepped up as starting roles are at stake.
"We have had two or three kids who have played better than we had a right to expect. (SR) Landan Laurusaitis, (JR) Matt Leunen and (FR) Jasper Croome. We expected Moses (Punzal), a returning starter, to play well. And he has."
The other returning starter, Clayton Rios, had back surgery in the off season, and has been unable to compete in contact drills this spring.
Davis also looks for help from the newcomers in August.
"We've got double the number of linemen coming in for fall than we have right now. So we've got to get them ready. I think some of our freshmen are going to have to help us on the o-line and in the receiving corps as well."
That leaves the vital role of fullback, and Davis is pleased with the return to health of Bobby McClintock, who missed virtually the entire 2007 season.
"Bobby looks to me like he is fine," said Davis. "He runs well and he benches like 500 pounds. He does need more flexibility, because he is so big and strong. He is running as fast as he did before the knee injury."
Portland State led the nation in passing last year, at more than 360 yards per game, but will need more balance from the running game and short pass game provided by the fullback in the Run-and-Shoot.
The Vikings continue practice on Saturday at 7 a.m., as well as Monday, Wednesday and Friday of next week, leading into the Spring Game, Saturday, May 10 at PGE Park, at 1 p.m.
SPRING GAME DETAILS
The Portland State spring football game is Saturday, May 10 at PGE Park. Admission is $5.00 for non-season ticket holders. 2008 season ticket holders (renewed by the deadline or day of game) will get in free... there will be a pre-game meet and greet for current season ticket holders at PGE Park's Widmer Garden Bar from noon to 1 pm. There will be hosted beer, wine and snacks and Coach Glanville will be on hand.
A CLOSE UP LOOK AT CAMP GLANVILLE
It's always interesting when Jerry Glanville is involved, and that is why Comcast SportsNet has been following the Viking football team around practice, meetings and campus this spring. CSN is preparing a 20-week television series to begin airing on May 5 at 6 p.m. The show "Camp Glanville: Tackling PSU Football," will follow the Viking team's preparation from the start of spring practice, through the summer, to the start of fall practice and into the first game.
