2008 Woodie Awards
Football team ready for scrimmage as spring practice ends
Ben Garbarek
Issue date: 4/17/07 Section: Sports
"It's Kokal's job, he played pretty well overall last season" Montgomery said. "We feel good about our quarterback situation."
After a year as the starter, Kokal feels more prepared this season.
"I am more set as the starter this season," Kokal said.
Despite Kokal locking up the starting spot, Montgomery noted that Raudabaugh has been improving as well.
"If we had to start Daniel, we'd feel good about it," Montgomery said. "He's progressed well."
Miami is looking to step up defensively as well.
"We have more speed and talent on defense," said redshirt junior defensive end Craig Mester. "We were good last year at pass defense, but we want to show we can stop the run as well."
As for whether incoming freshmen don the Miami uniform for the first time this fall, Montgomery said several may see playing time right off the bat.
"We'll take a look at some of these guys and make a decision about whether to play them or redshirt them based on what's best for us and what's best for them," Montgomery said. "There are a number that can play right away."
ESPN.com ranked Miami's class at No. 47 in the country, which is the top among MAC schools and No. 6 among non-Bowl Championship Series (BCS) eligible schools.
Montgomery is looking forward to seeing his players perform outside of practice.
"I want to see how they react in game situations," Montgomery said. "Some of our young guys will be playing in a game situation for the first time."
After a rough season in 2006, the 'Hawks have licked their wounds and are prepared for a new start in 2007. Montgomery noted that despite a 2-10 record last season,
Miami was not trailing by more than 11 points in the fourth quarter of any of its games in 2006.
"We had our chances last year," Montgomery said. "We weren't able to pull those games out due to inexperience, sometimes a lack of making plays or just being worn out."
If the RedHawks can be on the winning side of a couple close games, the 2007 season might turn out to be a complete turnaround from this past year.
After a year as the starter, Kokal feels more prepared this season.
"I am more set as the starter this season," Kokal said.
Despite Kokal locking up the starting spot, Montgomery noted that Raudabaugh has been improving as well.
"If we had to start Daniel, we'd feel good about it," Montgomery said. "He's progressed well."
Miami is looking to step up defensively as well.
"We have more speed and talent on defense," said redshirt junior defensive end Craig Mester. "We were good last year at pass defense, but we want to show we can stop the run as well."
As for whether incoming freshmen don the Miami uniform for the first time this fall, Montgomery said several may see playing time right off the bat.
"We'll take a look at some of these guys and make a decision about whether to play them or redshirt them based on what's best for us and what's best for them," Montgomery said. "There are a number that can play right away."
ESPN.com ranked Miami's class at No. 47 in the country, which is the top among MAC schools and No. 6 among non-Bowl Championship Series (BCS) eligible schools.
Montgomery is looking forward to seeing his players perform outside of practice.
"I want to see how they react in game situations," Montgomery said. "Some of our young guys will be playing in a game situation for the first time."
After a rough season in 2006, the 'Hawks have licked their wounds and are prepared for a new start in 2007. Montgomery noted that despite a 2-10 record last season,
Miami was not trailing by more than 11 points in the fourth quarter of any of its games in 2006.
"We had our chances last year," Montgomery said. "We weren't able to pull those games out due to inexperience, sometimes a lack of making plays or just being worn out."
If the RedHawks can be on the winning side of a couple close games, the 2007 season might turn out to be a complete turnaround from this past year.
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RedHawk21
posted 4/19/07 @ 10:15 AM EST
Great piece of investigative journalism. Jared Elliot is no longer a quarterback (as you mention) but a wide receiver. As usual, great job at getting the facts wrong. (Continued…)
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