Mike Bass...

wbtfg · Post by **wbtfg** » 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

gtapp · Post by **gtapp** » Thu May 19, 2005 7:13 am

Finally!!!!!!!! I hope he is worth all of the fuss!

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Thu May 19, 2005 8:03 am

Sweeet! Speed Speed Speed .. can never have to much of it on a football team. He also brings experience and competition into the RB slot which is good in camp. If he is a cut back runner like they said, we may see him returning kickoffs for us maybe or punts.

HelenaCat · Post by **HelenaCat** » Thu May 19, 2005 8:36 am

Wonder if he can convince his younger brother to come to MSU. We could sure use another cornerback!

suckitgriz · Post by **suckitgriz** » Thu May 19, 2005 8:47 am

why not put him at DB, if he is so fast and athletic- and use him as a return specialist...we are already ok at running back- just a thought.

HelenaCat95 · Post by **HelenaCat95** » Thu May 19, 2005 8:49 am

That's great news - I hope he's as good as advertised.
The other upside is that this will keep our other running backs working their tails off this summer (nothing like a little competition to bring out the best in folks).

It's my understanding that his little brother has already committed to San Diego St. or Fresno St. - I was told at one point, but now I can't remember.

Any rumors of other transfers?? Drop-downs, etc.??

HelenaCat · Post by **HelenaCat** » Thu May 19, 2005 9:17 am

His younger brother is now at Hawaii. If he is going to either of those schools, then he is sitting out one year.

HelenaCat95 · Post by **HelenaCat95** » Thu May 19, 2005 9:21 am

Fellow H-Cat,
I believe you are correct, that he plans on sitting out a year.
Whatever the situation is, it appears that that his little brother will not be coming to MSU.

Robcat · Post by **Robcat** » Thu May 19, 2005 11:56 am

I think Mke will be fun to watch this next season. Kramer will have an arsnal at his disposal. If the O line holds, the one dimensional game will be a thing of the past. The cats will be very tough to defend. Lulay is going to have a hayday, he will be grinning from ear to ear. The options will be endless. Get your season tickets and buckle up, its going to be one hell of a ride. GO CATS.

Cat Grad · Post by **Cat Grad** » Thu May 19, 2005 12:10 pm

Man, gotta love what this staff has put together

Oh yeah, Oh yeah...got my tickets and ordering steaks for the tailgating...to go with those nasty salmon steaks...and beer...and...

Post by **kmax** » Thu May 19, 2005 12:29 pm

One thing I didn't like from that article is this quote:

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."

Now while I'm not going to compare our offense and Lulay to Hawaii and Chang, it's no secret that we have a pretty potent passing attack coming into this year. While Domineck may not have been a game-breaking running back, one thing he could do was pass block, and he did it exceptionally well. While it will be nice if Bass is indeed a game-breaker, he will likely have to come out on definite passing downs.

Cat Grad · Post by **Cat Grad** » Thu May 19, 2005 12:45 pm

I think Justin's the man at running back; now with Murray and Bass we can possibly leave him on the sidelines for kick returns. Plus, if he's put in the slot...

Hell's Bells · Post by **Hell's Bells** » Thu May 19, 2005 11:33 pm

hmmm did i miss somthing or did he miss time because of an injury.

Post by **kmax** » Fri May 20, 2005 8:24 am

Hell's Bells wrote:hmmm did i miss somthing or did he miss time because of an injury.

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."

HelenaCat95 · Post by **HelenaCat95** » Fri May 20, 2005 9:06 am

More info on Mike Bass.
And an update on Zach Wolf.

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/ar ... tebook.txt

Post by **kmax** » Fri May 20, 2005 9:43 am

HelenaCat95 wrote:More info on Mike Bass.
And an update on Zach Wolf.

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/ar ... tebook.txt

said Kramer, who leaves for a three-week Europe trip Tuesday.

Alright, who the heck said Kramer could take a vacation?!?! We got a championship team to build up here!

Oh wait, I know, he's heading over their to scout and find us the next Jan Stenerud, right coach?

grizhatr · Post by **grizhatr** » Fri May 20, 2005 9:46 am

Maybe he will go see Swags play? Good for him. Let him vacation now because football will have a long season especially if things play out like we all hope it will.

Post by **kmax** » Fri May 20, 2005 9:50 am

grizhatr wrote:Maybe he will go see Swags play? Good for him. Let him vacation now because football will have a long season especially if things play out like we all hope it will.

I never thought of that, I bet that would be cool for both if he got to go see Swags play.

And before I get the nasty replies from the sarcasm impaired(and I know there are several of you on this board) I was kidding with my last response.

Cat Grad · Post by **Cat Grad** » Fri May 20, 2005 9:53 am

Normandy and the Bulge--probably come back all fired up ready to have his kids rip the damn hippies apart.

grizhatr · Post by **grizhatr** » Fri May 20, 2005 10:34 am

Actually I heard he was going over there to pick up some big german gal to replace Wolf. Just kidding!