http://www.gogriz.com/news/2016/8/19/football-defense-wins-the-day-at-griz-fall-camp.aspx
Defense wins the day at Griz fall camp
Montana Sports Information
Aug. 19, 2016 Football
"I'm reliving the same day over and over." – Phil Connors
In the famous 1993 movie "Groundhog Day", Bill Murray's character Phil gets one day of his life set on repeat for the rest of eternity.
It would be easy for the Montana Grizzlies to slip into a similar repetition mode when the structure of fall practice is eerily similar day-in and day-out, but not the 2016 Griz.
"They (the players) understand it's all about reps," said cornerbacks coach JB Hall. "As many times as you can do a certain technique or use a certain tool, that's the better you're going to be. So the more we do, the more they get out of it and they understand that. They love it. They want to be out here and work."
In the middle of the fall camp grind, the Montana Grizzlies ran through another high-energy, highly productive morning of practice inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium, ahead of the team's second scrimmage of fall on Saturday.
The defensive unit produced another quality outing, achieving the unit's goal of increasing turnovers, highlighted by an interception return for a touchdown from safety Josh Sandry.
The team started practice on Friday with more special teams work, before moving in to an individual drill session and one-on-ones.
The Griz then spent most of the remainder of practice in live and semi-live team runs or seven-on-seven passing, with the offense honing its red zone and goal line attack options, while the defense was focused on making plays.
Cornerback Ryan McKinley came up with a big defensive play in the final goal line team run of the morning, making a diving pass deflection that landed in the arms of safety Jerrin Williams for the interception in the end zone, and ran it out for a would-be touchdown.
McKinley and Williams along with Yamen Sanders, Markell Sanders, and TJ Reynard have formed a defensive back corps that looks to be one of the strongest position groups on the roster this season.
"We're going to be pretty salty back there on the defensive back side," added Hall.
Today's top targets: While the defense produced some outstanding results, the Griz still completed passes and moved the ball, thanks in part to the corps of receivers who continue turn heads.
True freshman Brennan Corbin has returned to action after recovering from a little tweak. At 6-5, Corbin has the length to make big plays on the ball. Standing at 6-4, Whitefish native Jed Nagler has also impressed for a true freshman, giving the Griz plenty of height in the future.
Nebraska transfer Lane Hovey continues to be reliable as a deep-ball threat, as does redshirt freshman Justin Calhoun. Caleb Lyons has also returned from a little tweak, and made several big catches in his return to live action. Expect to see plenty of Lyons and Jerry Louie-McGee at the slot-back position.
Play of the day: Play of the day goes to Sandry, not just because he put up a pick-six, it was the way it happened that made onlookers wonder "how'd he do that?".
Gustafson dropped back to pass, and found a target on his left side running a hook route. Sandry keyed on the pass and closed in around the offense's 25 yard line. He then tipped the ball with an outstretched hand before finally hauling it in for the interception, all while running at full-tilt. From there it was an easy sprint to the end zone.
Fans will want to keep an eye on Sandry, who has progressed with the mental side of the game, while making physical, gut-check plays as a second-year player.
Next up: Griz fans will get their last chance to see the team scrimmage this fall on Saturday at 9 a.m. in Washington-Grizzly Stadium. It is the final scrimmage open for public viewing before the home opener against Saint Francis on Sept. 3.
