If you’re a quarterback for the Texas State Bobcats, right now you’re worst enemy is senior safety Aaron Matthews.
Since the beginning of fall practice, Matthews has been a ball hawk. Matthews recorded an interception in consecutive practices during team 7-on-7 drills, including one from a good read off a pass thrown by junior Duke DeLancellotti.
“Whatever I can do to help the team, I want to do,” Matthews said. “If that’s getting some picks, then I’ll do it.”
For Matthews, these four practices have been a resurgence for him. Matthews didn’t have a great spring, so he wanted to come out strong to prove last season wasn’t a fluke when he recorded 65 total tackles and picked off two passes.
“Coach [Craig] Naivar and Coach [Dennis] Franchione challenged me since I had a bad spring,” Matthews said. “They wanted me to come back and have a good fall. I look forward to it myself and it’s something that’s going to help me out in the future, especially for this season.”
And now for some other tidbits from practice…
- When will safeties learn that senior tight end Chase Harper isn’t the guy they want to take on? Harper leveled UTEP transfer Chad Moncure after hauling in a pass in the flat. It was just another day in the office for Harper, as he looked solid at defensive end again.
- Franchione said the coaching staff has installed 85 percent of its playbook in four days. In comparison, last year it took until the one-month mark of the regular season to accomplish the same feat.
- Franchione said he’s been impressed with redshirt freshman wide receiver Jafus Gaines‘ improvement. In addition to Gaines, Franchione said junior Cody Matthews, redshirt sophomore Ben Ijah and several others should make an impact in 2012.
- Texas State will put on full pads Friday morning for the first time this fall.
- The Bobcats will scrimmage Monday morning.
