Mike Bass...
Posted: Thu May 19, 2005 6:21 am
Cats pick up Hawaii transfer
By SCOTT MANSCH
Tribune Asst. Sports Editor
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Running back Mike Bass, who rushed for 1,181 yards in three seasons at the University of Hawaii but has seen his playing time and production decrease each year, said Wednesday that he intends to transfer to Montana State.
"I'm officially a Bobcat," said Bass. "I'm going to get there this summer and intend to enroll in school this fall."
Bass, who said he recently cleaned up some academic issues that prevented an earlier announcement, is a 5-foot-7, 185-pounder from Corona, Calif., who had some excellent games as a young player at Hawaii. But he suffered a knee injury last year in the Rainbow Warriors' season-opening game against Florida Atlantic and took a medical redshirt.
"I'm dying to get back on the field," Bass said. "My knee's good to go. I'm ready to compete and ready for a challenge."
In Hawaii's season-opening, 30-12 victory over the Montana Grizzlies in 2001, Bass made a memorable college debut by carrying the ball 16 times for 72 yards. He also caught five passes for 17 yards against the Griz.
Bass rushed for a team-high 558 yards that season as a true freshman, starting nine of Hawaii's 12 games. He averaged 5.5 yards per rush and scored three touchdowns. Plus he caught 29 passes for 220 yards.
Bass rushed for 311 yards and a touchdown as a sophomore in 2002, then had 307 yards rushing and three TDs in 2003. He carried the ball only twice for five yards last year against Florida Atlantic before suffering the injury to his posterior cruciate ligament.
His career numbers at Hawaii include 1,181 yards rushing, averaging 5.6 yards per rush, and 53 receptions for 457 yards. He ran for a career-high 146 yards against Texas-El Paso on Oct. 13, 2001, a rare feat for a halfback on a Hawaii offense that loves to throw the ball.
"Mike has been a great kid for us. He's played well. He's played hard," Hawaii head coach June Jones told the Honolulu Advertiser last December when announcing that Bass would transfer. "Hopefully, it'll work out for him."
Said Bass: "I just wasn't happy with my situation there."
Matt Logan was Bass's high school coach at Centennial High in Corona, Calif. Logan said Hawaii's offense, which last year featured record-setting quarterback Timmy Chang, is not designed for a running back such as Bass. Instead, Logan said, the Rainbow Warriors often use their backs to pass-block.
"He's not a guy who will win you games with his blocking," Logan said Wednesday. "He'll win you games with the ball in his hands. ... He's a great player. His running style is similar to Barry Sanders. He gives Montana State the big play, that home-run threat."
Coach Mike Kramer's MSU Bobcats have a lot of talent returning on offense, including quarterback Travis Lulay, receiver Rick Gatewood and halfback Justin Domineck, who is a 5-11, 215-pounder who rushed for about 700 yards in 2004.
"I bring a little different action out there," said Bass, who also returned some punts while at Hawaii. "I'm more of a cutback guy, and I can also play a little slot (receiver)."
According to the University of Hawaii website, Bass was recruited out of high school by Colorado, Fresno State and Tulsa. Montana State assistant Brock Berryhill was on the Tulsa staff at the time and has stayed in contact with Bass.
"I saw him a few days ago," said Logan, whose Centennial teams have won three league championships in the last five years, including one when Bass was a senior. "He's in great shape and looking forward to having a great senior year."
Bass said he's never been to the state of Montana.
"But I know the way," he said. "I'm going to get there as soon as I can in June. I want to take care of business. It wasn't a good situation for me last year in Hawaii. I just want to play ball."
Because Bass in transferring down, from NCAA Division I-A Hawaii of the Western Athletic Conference to NCAA I-AA Montana State of the Big Sky Conference, he will be eligible immediately.
Montana State coaches are prevented from commenting until Bass actually enrolls in school.
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/p ... 90331/1006
By SCOTT MANSCH
Tribune Asst. Sports Editor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADVERTISEMENT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Running back Mike Bass, who rushed for 1,181 yards in three seasons at the University of Hawaii but has seen his playing time and production decrease each year, said Wednesday that he intends to transfer to Montana State.
"I'm officially a Bobcat," said Bass. "I'm going to get there this summer and intend to enroll in school this fall."
Bass, who said he recently cleaned up some academic issues that prevented an earlier announcement, is a 5-foot-7, 185-pounder from Corona, Calif., who had some excellent games as a young player at Hawaii. But he suffered a knee injury last year in the Rainbow Warriors' season-opening game against Florida Atlantic and took a medical redshirt.
"I'm dying to get back on the field," Bass said. "My knee's good to go. I'm ready to compete and ready for a challenge."
In Hawaii's season-opening, 30-12 victory over the Montana Grizzlies in 2001, Bass made a memorable college debut by carrying the ball 16 times for 72 yards. He also caught five passes for 17 yards against the Griz.
Bass rushed for a team-high 558 yards that season as a true freshman, starting nine of Hawaii's 12 games. He averaged 5.5 yards per rush and scored three touchdowns. Plus he caught 29 passes for 220 yards.
Bass rushed for 311 yards and a touchdown as a sophomore in 2002, then had 307 yards rushing and three TDs in 2003. He carried the ball only twice for five yards last year against Florida Atlantic before suffering the injury to his posterior cruciate ligament.
His career numbers at Hawaii include 1,181 yards rushing, averaging 5.6 yards per rush, and 53 receptions for 457 yards. He ran for a career-high 146 yards against Texas-El Paso on Oct. 13, 2001, a rare feat for a halfback on a Hawaii offense that loves to throw the ball.
"Mike has been a great kid for us. He's played well. He's played hard," Hawaii head coach June Jones told the Honolulu Advertiser last December when announcing that Bass would transfer. "Hopefully, it'll work out for him."
Said Bass: "I just wasn't happy with my situation there."
Matt Logan was Bass's high school coach at Centennial High in Corona, Calif. Logan said Hawaii's offense, which last year featured record-setting quarterback Timmy Chang, is not designed for a running back such as Bass. Instead, Logan said, the Rainbow Warriors often use their backs to pass-block.
"He's not a guy who will win you games with his blocking," Logan said Wednesday. "He'll win you games with the ball in his hands. ... He's a great player. His running style is similar to Barry Sanders. He gives Montana State the big play, that home-run threat."
Coach Mike Kramer's MSU Bobcats have a lot of talent returning on offense, including quarterback Travis Lulay, receiver Rick Gatewood and halfback Justin Domineck, who is a 5-11, 215-pounder who rushed for about 700 yards in 2004.
"I bring a little different action out there," said Bass, who also returned some punts while at Hawaii. "I'm more of a cutback guy, and I can also play a little slot (receiver)."
According to the University of Hawaii website, Bass was recruited out of high school by Colorado, Fresno State and Tulsa. Montana State assistant Brock Berryhill was on the Tulsa staff at the time and has stayed in contact with Bass.
"I saw him a few days ago," said Logan, whose Centennial teams have won three league championships in the last five years, including one when Bass was a senior. "He's in great shape and looking forward to having a great senior year."
Bass said he's never been to the state of Montana.
"But I know the way," he said. "I'm going to get there as soon as I can in June. I want to take care of business. It wasn't a good situation for me last year in Hawaii. I just want to play ball."
Because Bass in transferring down, from NCAA Division I-A Hawaii of the Western Athletic Conference to NCAA I-AA Montana State of the Big Sky Conference, he will be eligible immediately.
Montana State coaches are prevented from commenting until Bass actually enrolls in school.
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/p ... 90331/1006
Oh wait, I know, he's heading over their to scout and find us the next Jan Stenerud, right coach? 