MSU Game Notes vs. NAU
10/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
THE STORYLINE
Montana State faces a crucial conference home game Saturday, hosting league-leading Northern Arizona at 1:05 pm. The Bobcats will face a talented, explosive offense that leads the Big Sky with over 300 passing yards and 450 total yards a game. The Lumberjacks faces a solid Bobcat defense that leads the Big Sky in passing and total defense, but which has been touched for its biggest days of the year in its last two outings. NAU is reminiscent of the ‘02 Bobcats, challenging for a leaugue title with a talented true freshman QB and two outstanding veteran receivers.
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 1:05 pm MST
SITE: Bozeman
STADIUM: Bobcat Stadium
RADIO: State Farm Bobcat Network (Kris Atteberry, Dan Davies)
TELEVISION: Omega TV on cable systems throughout Montana (TBA)
HIGHLIGHTS
l Montana StateR17;s 453 yards of total offense last week was its highest total since piling up over 600 against Idaho State in 2001
l The Bobcats are averaging over 12,000 fans per home game this year
STREAKS
l The Bobcats have won two consecutive Big Sky Conference road games
l Senior captains Brent Swaggert (OT) and Jon Montoya (DE) have each started 42 straight games
l Montana State has lost its last two games in Bobcat Stadium
MILESTONES
l Scott Turnquist is now seventh in Montana State history in receiving yards and touchdown catches
l Travis Lulay is now fifth in MSU history in passing yards (3,429)
SHINING
l QB TRAVIS LULAY threw for career-high 324 yards and four touchdowns last time out, and has only two picks in his last five games
l WR SCOTT TURNQUIST had his first 100-yard receiving day and his first two-touchdown day of the season at Weber State last week
l MSU DEFENSE is giving up just 12.6 points and 259 yards a game
ABOUT THE ‘CATS...
MSU in ‘03 3-4
Conf./Record Big Sky/1-1
Home/Road 1-2/2-2
Grass/Turf 3-4/0-0
Day/Night 3-3/0-1
HEAD COACH Mike Kramer
Alma Mater Idaho/’76
Overall/Years 52-59/9th
At MSU/Years 15-27/3rd
vs NAU 3-6
Home/Road 1-3/2-3
SERIES NAU 15-22
At MSU 11-7
At NAU 4-15
Current Streak NAU 4W
ABOUT NORTHERN ARIZONA ...
NAU in ‘03 6-1
Conf./Record Big Sky/4-0
Home/Road 3-0/3-1
Grass/Turf 2-1/4-0
Day/Night 0-0/6-1
HEAD COACH Jerome Souers
Alma Mater Oregon/’83
Overall/Years 32-31/6th
At School/Years same
vs MSU 4-1
Home/Road 3-0/1-1
ABOUT NAU The Lumberjacks
Colors Blue, gold
Location Flagstaff, AZ
Enrollment 20,000
Stadium Walkup Skydome
OPPONENT ‘03 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
A30 Saint Mary’s W 44-3
S6 at Arizona State L 14-34
S20 at Portland State W 23-0
S27 Cal Poly W 24-7
O4 at Weber State W 48-29
O11 at Sacramento St W 24-21
O18 Eastern Wash. W 54-31
O25 at Montana State
N1 Montana
N8 Idaho State
N15 at Sam Houston St
BOBCAT 2003 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
A30 at Wyoming L 10-21 Bobcats lose third opener in four years
S6 Gardner-Webb W 38-3 MSU beats a ranked I-AA foe
S20 at Cal Poly L 21-24 R16;Cats hold explosive Cal Poly to 221 yards
S27 Northern Colo. L 10-14 Bobcats fall late to old league rival
O4 at Saint Mary’s W 40-0 MSU logs first road whitewash since ‘84
O11 *Idaho State L 17-23 Bobcats lose second straight HC tilt
O18 *at Weber State W 26-3 MSU wins Cat fight for second striaght year
O25 *NAU 1:05 pm NAU has won four straight, 11 of 12 vs. MSU
N1 *Sac State 12:05 pm Bobcats won thriller in ‘02
N8 *at East. Wash. 3:05 pm Kramer faces his former school
N15 *at Portland State 7:05 pm MSU hasn’t won in Portland since ‘74
N22 *Montana 12:05 pm Bobcats face perennial I-AA title contender
NOTING THE ‘CATS
What to Watch
F The X Factor... It’s becoming repetitive, but in each game the ‘Cats have played this year the winning team has made a crucial special teams play. Last weekend’s kicking game turning point came when a Weber State return specialist dropped a second-quarter punt and the Bobcats were able to convert that opportunity into a touchdown.
Date Winner Play(s)
8/30 Wyoming Cowboys block MSU punt for TD
9/6 MSU Corey Smith returns punt, KO for TD
9/20 Cal Poly Darrell Johnson returns punt for TD
9/27 UNC Bears convert 4th down from punt
10/4 SMC Two 2-pointers, 2 fake punts
10/11 ISU Corey Smith fumbles punt at MSU 13
10/18 WSU ‘Cats convert fumbled punt into TD
F The Ol’ O-Line Shuffle... One of the three starters -- tackle Joe Hirst -- that was left behind because of injuries last week is scheduled to return, along with long snapper Brad Daws. Guard Mataio Toilolo and center Lawrence Figueroa remain out.
F QB Mirror... Last year, MSU rode a true freshman QB and two stellar receivers to a league title. NAU is trying to follow that formula this year.
Out of the Gates
Montana State is 3-4 overall, 1-1 in Big Sky play, for the second consecutive year. In both seasons, the Bobcats lost to Idaho State to open league play before bouncing back to beat Weber State.
Finishing Strong
Mike Kramer’s teams have shown the ability to finish strong. Between 1990 and ‘99, the Bobcats were 6-20 in the month of November without a single winning month. Mike Kramer’s teams are 5-6 in November, and last year’s 4-1 ride to the Big Sky title was the school’s first winning November since 1984.
Taking Care of the Ball
Travis Lulay didn’t throw an interception Saturday, and has now thrown 34 passes without an interception.
Whitewashin’
Montana StateR17;s shutout of Saint MaryR17;s was the Cats’ first since blanking Sacramento State in 2001. It was MSU’s first road shutout since beating Weber State 48-0 in 1984, 213 games ago. The Bobcats have held the opponent scoreless in 17 of the team’s 28 quarters of football this season.
C-Note
A Montana State back has gained over 100 yards in three of MSU’s seven games this year. Bruce Molock has been that man twice, the first two 100-yard games as a Bobcat but the third and fourth of his career (he ran for 199 yards against ISU for Northridge).
Combo Backs
David Mayfield rushed for 101 yards against Wyoming, and Bruce Molock gained 120 against Gardner-Webb. That gave the Bobcats different back-to-back 100-yarders for the first time since 1993.
Spreading it Around
After connecting with five different receivers in MSU’s first three games, Travis Lulay has been maniacal about spreading the wealth in the last four. Against UNC and Saint Mary’s, Lulay connected with nine different receivers, and against Idaho State and Weber State he connected with eight. That trend is in sharp contrast to MSU’s tendency last season, when Junior Adams and Aaron Hill were clearly Lulay’s go-to receivers. Either Adams or Hill caught at least five passes in 11 of MSU’s 13 games in 2002. Five times in seven games a Bobcat has caught at least five passes -- Scott Turnquist thrice, Corey Smith and Brandon Roosevelt once each.
Seeing Red
Weber State kept MSU out of the end zone on two red-zone chances last weekend, snapping a Bobcat string of eight straight red zone conversions. One of those chances was a kneel-down to end the game, the other was Eddie Sullivan’s fumble at the goal line as he was on his way to scoring. The ‘Cats have converted 10 of their last 12 red zone chances, and are 13-for-17 on the season. MSU is 5-for-5 in goal-to-go situations this year.
D’ing Up
Idaho State (331 yards) and Weber State (303) are the only teams to gain more than 300 yards against MSU this year.
DR17;ing Up
Montana StateR17;s defense has made a pretty strong statement through the season’s early going. Against two nationally-ranked I-AA squads and a Division I-A opponent, the Bobcats are...
* 1st in the Big Sky and 4th in I-AA in total defense, 259.1
* 3rd in the Big Sky and 22nd nationally in rushing defense, 110.1
* 1st in the Big Sky and 16th in I-AA in pass defense, 149.0
* 1st in the Big Sky and 3rd nationally in scoring defense, 12.6
Three is All You Get
The Bobcat defense has forced opposing offenses into three-and-out situations on nearly one-third (31.8%) of their possessions (28-of-88).
Hip! Hip! Lulay!!
With each game, Bobcat quarterback Travis Lulay establishes himself not only as one of the top quarterbacks in Division I-AA, but as one of the premiere signal callers in school history. After just 14 games as MSU’s starter, Lulay is already 7th in school history in passing yards, 7th in touchdown passes, and 5th in completions. He is the first true freshman to lead the ‘Cats to a win in over Montana since Dave Alt in 1956.
One-Two-Three, Cha-Cha-Cha
The Bobcat offense has done a good job moving the sticks in recent weeks. After being forced into three-and-out possessions 14 times in 42 drives in the season’s first three games, but ‘Cats have only gone three-and-out 10 times in the last four games (47 possessions), and three of those were in the 4th quarter vs. Weber when MSU was in possession mode.
Bouncing Back
Travis Lulay threw four interceptions in the season opener at Wyoming, but has been intercepted only twice in the six games since. In MSU’s first two games, Lulay was 28-for-59 with four interceptions and two touchdowns. In the last three, he is 76-for-136 (2 INTs, 6 TDs).
The 100-Yard Clubs
Bruce Molock became MSU’s 39th 100 yard rusher (stats available since ‘64) by getting 120 against Gardner-Webb, and at Saint Mary’s became the 19th player to rush for 100 yards or more at least twice in a season.
Stiffening Up
The Bobcat defense has allowed opponents only one score after the team’s nine offensive turnovers.
The Home Fires
The ‘Cats are 17-16 in Bobcat Stadium in its current configuration, 9-11 in Big Sky games, and 1-2 against Division II foes.
MSU When Leading After...
1st Quarter 3-0
2nd Quarter 3-1
3rd Quarter 3-1
MSU WhenTrailing After...
1st Quarter 0-3
2nd Quarter 0-3
3rd Quarter 0-3
By the Numbers
0
Number of interceptions by a Bobcat defensive back in the first four games of the season
6
Interceptions by a Bobcat defensive back in the last three games
3
Number of career interceptions returned for a touchdown by safety Kane Ioane
10
Career interceptions by All-America safety and Buchanan Award candidate Kane Ioane
KRAMER’S QUOTES
On NAU: “Northern Arizona is a very confident team, and they’re filling that tank all the time. They’re finding ways to make plays and win games. They have a veteran offensive line, even though they have one true freshman starter, and they really got a boost from Roger Robinson, a transfer running back. They’ve done a nice job re-tooling their defense. They lost a good deal of talent from last year’s team, but the new guys have stepped in and stepped up. They have been very impressive defensively. Their linebackers are not fazed, and they’ve seen a lot of action. Mark Gould is an excellent punter, and he helps them in the field position game.”
On the Bobcats: “I’ve been coaching for 24 years, and I’ve never seen a team in this conference overcome the kind of adversity we had to deal with last week. We responded last weekend like a veteran team should resond. Travis Lulay played the way we know he can play. The offensive line was magnificent under very difficult circumstances. Brent Swaggert is a truly tremendous player. We had a lot of players step outside their roles last week, and that shows that we have a lot of players that are team-centered individuals that are interested in helping the team.”
Current Montana State Two-Deep (with pro-nuns-ee-AY-shuns)
Offense
LEFT TACKLE 76 Dusty Daws.............................................. 6-5 248 Jr*
70 Chris Haynes............................................. 6-3 255 Jr+
LEFT GUARD 60 Brent Swaggert........................................... 6-4 293 Sr*
67 Joaquin Echauri (uh-CHAHR-ee)............... 6-4 285 Jr+
CENTER 50 Zach Wolf.................................................. 6-2 275 So
57 Brant Birkeland.......................................... 6-1 265 Fr*
RIGHT GUARD 64 Jeff Bolton................................................. 6-4 331 So
67 Joaquin Echauri (uh-CHAHR-ee)............... 6-4 285 Jr+
RIGHT TACKLE 73 Joe Hirst.................................................... 6-6 271 Fr*
70 Chris Haynes............................................. 6-3 255 Jr+
QUARTERBACK 14 Travis Lulay (loo-LAY).............................. 6-2 205 So
12 Brent Owens.............................................. 5-10 183 Fr*
RUNNING BACK 31 Bruce Molock (MOE-lock)........................ 5-11 205 Sr+*
27 Jimmy Beal................................................ 5-7 162 Fr*
35 David Mayfield......................................... 6-1 190 So
WIDE RECEIVER 84 Corey Smith............................................... 5-10 168 Sr*
83 Demetrius Williams................................... 6-2 185 Jr+
WIDE RECEIVER 86 Scott Turnquist.......................................... 6-0 202 Sr*
82 Matt McCullough...................................... 5-11 161 So*
WIDE RECEIVER 5 Eddie Sullivan............................................ 6-0 200 Jr+
6 Brandon Roosevelt.................................... 5-11 175 Fr*
TIGHT END 85 Blake Wolf................................................. 6-2 240 Jr*
88 Jason Goodman......................................... 6-4 235 Fr
99 Nick Barbero.............................................. 6-2 221 Fr*
FULLBACK 4 Ryan Elliott............................................... 6-0 224 Sr*
Defense
ANCHOR END 95 Jon Montoya ............................................ 6-2 258 Sr*
90 Ryan Cogley (rhymes with frog-lee).......... 6-3 211 Fr*
NOSE 92 Adam Cordeiro (core-DARE-oh)............... 6-1 258 Sr*
98 Beau Clark................................................. 6-1 262 Jr*
71 DeShawn Gibbs......................................... 6-3 240 Jr+
TACKLE 58 Ray Sebestyen (like Sebastian)................. 6-2 253 Jr*
57 Brant Birkeland.......................................... 6-1 265 Fr*
RUSH END 42 Clive Lowe (like low)................................. 6-3 226 Fr*
40 Chad Gluhm (like gloom).......................... 6-2 240 Jr*
SAM LINEBACKER 43 Nick Marudas (muh-ROOD-us)................ 6-1 222 So*
36 Clayton Curley ......................................... 6-2 195 So+
MIKE LINEBACKER 91 Roger Cooper............................................. 6-3 224 So*
39 Brandon Eggart.......................................... 6-0 213 Jr*
WILL LINEBACKER 33 Mac Mollohan........................................... 6-0 205 So
47 Jonathan Molock (MOE-lock)................... 6-0 210 Sr+
LEFT CORNER 2 Joey Thomas............................................. 6-2 188 Sr 3 DeAngelo Wall 5-10 167 Fr*
FREE SAFETY 24 Kenneth Qualls.......................................... 5-10 183 Sr+
20 Ryan Force................................................ 6-1 196 Fr*
STRONG SAFETY 10 Kane Ioane (eye-OWN).............................. 5-11 203 Sr
26 Demond Goins (go-ins)............................. 5-10 186 So*
RIGHT CORNER 7 Jay Hackett................................................ 6-0 178 Sr*
22 Kahiam Hunter (like I am)......................... 5-10 170 Jr
KICKOFFS 19 Nate Cook
PLACEMENTS/PUNTS 19 Nate Cook
LONG SNAPS 96 Dusty Daws
RETURNS 84 Corey Smith, 3 DeAngelo Wall, 2 Joey Thomas
HOLDER 86 Scott Turnquist
*-indicates player has used redshirt year, +-indicates player is a transfer
Montana State faces a crucial conference home game Saturday, hosting league-leading Northern Arizona at 1:05 pm. The Bobcats will face a talented, explosive offense that leads the Big Sky with over 300 passing yards and 450 total yards a game. The Lumberjacks faces a solid Bobcat defense that leads the Big Sky in passing and total defense, but which has been touched for its biggest days of the year in its last two outings. NAU is reminiscent of the ‘02 Bobcats, challenging for a leaugue title with a talented true freshman QB and two outstanding veteran receivers.
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 1:05 pm MST
SITE: Bozeman
STADIUM: Bobcat Stadium
RADIO: State Farm Bobcat Network (Kris Atteberry, Dan Davies)
TELEVISION: Omega TV on cable systems throughout Montana (TBA)
HIGHLIGHTS
l Montana StateR17;s 453 yards of total offense last week was its highest total since piling up over 600 against Idaho State in 2001
l The Bobcats are averaging over 12,000 fans per home game this year
STREAKS
l The Bobcats have won two consecutive Big Sky Conference road games
l Senior captains Brent Swaggert (OT) and Jon Montoya (DE) have each started 42 straight games
l Montana State has lost its last two games in Bobcat Stadium
MILESTONES
l Scott Turnquist is now seventh in Montana State history in receiving yards and touchdown catches
l Travis Lulay is now fifth in MSU history in passing yards (3,429)
SHINING
l QB TRAVIS LULAY threw for career-high 324 yards and four touchdowns last time out, and has only two picks in his last five games
l WR SCOTT TURNQUIST had his first 100-yard receiving day and his first two-touchdown day of the season at Weber State last week
l MSU DEFENSE is giving up just 12.6 points and 259 yards a game
ABOUT THE ‘CATS...
MSU in ‘03 3-4
Conf./Record Big Sky/1-1
Home/Road 1-2/2-2
Grass/Turf 3-4/0-0
Day/Night 3-3/0-1
HEAD COACH Mike Kramer
Alma Mater Idaho/’76
Overall/Years 52-59/9th
At MSU/Years 15-27/3rd
vs NAU 3-6
Home/Road 1-3/2-3
SERIES NAU 15-22
At MSU 11-7
At NAU 4-15
Current Streak NAU 4W
ABOUT NORTHERN ARIZONA ...
NAU in ‘03 6-1
Conf./Record Big Sky/4-0
Home/Road 3-0/3-1
Grass/Turf 2-1/4-0
Day/Night 0-0/6-1
HEAD COACH Jerome Souers
Alma Mater Oregon/’83
Overall/Years 32-31/6th
At School/Years same
vs MSU 4-1
Home/Road 3-0/1-1
ABOUT NAU The Lumberjacks
Colors Blue, gold
Location Flagstaff, AZ
Enrollment 20,000
Stadium Walkup Skydome
OPPONENT ‘03 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
A30 Saint Mary’s W 44-3
S6 at Arizona State L 14-34
S20 at Portland State W 23-0
S27 Cal Poly W 24-7
O4 at Weber State W 48-29
O11 at Sacramento St W 24-21
O18 Eastern Wash. W 54-31
O25 at Montana State
N1 Montana
N8 Idaho State
N15 at Sam Houston St
BOBCAT 2003 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
A30 at Wyoming L 10-21 Bobcats lose third opener in four years
S6 Gardner-Webb W 38-3 MSU beats a ranked I-AA foe
S20 at Cal Poly L 21-24 R16;Cats hold explosive Cal Poly to 221 yards
S27 Northern Colo. L 10-14 Bobcats fall late to old league rival
O4 at Saint Mary’s W 40-0 MSU logs first road whitewash since ‘84
O11 *Idaho State L 17-23 Bobcats lose second straight HC tilt
O18 *at Weber State W 26-3 MSU wins Cat fight for second striaght year
O25 *NAU 1:05 pm NAU has won four straight, 11 of 12 vs. MSU
N1 *Sac State 12:05 pm Bobcats won thriller in ‘02
N8 *at East. Wash. 3:05 pm Kramer faces his former school
N15 *at Portland State 7:05 pm MSU hasn’t won in Portland since ‘74
N22 *Montana 12:05 pm Bobcats face perennial I-AA title contender
NOTING THE ‘CATS
What to Watch
F The X Factor... It’s becoming repetitive, but in each game the ‘Cats have played this year the winning team has made a crucial special teams play. Last weekend’s kicking game turning point came when a Weber State return specialist dropped a second-quarter punt and the Bobcats were able to convert that opportunity into a touchdown.
Date Winner Play(s)
8/30 Wyoming Cowboys block MSU punt for TD
9/6 MSU Corey Smith returns punt, KO for TD
9/20 Cal Poly Darrell Johnson returns punt for TD
9/27 UNC Bears convert 4th down from punt
10/4 SMC Two 2-pointers, 2 fake punts
10/11 ISU Corey Smith fumbles punt at MSU 13
10/18 WSU ‘Cats convert fumbled punt into TD
F The Ol’ O-Line Shuffle... One of the three starters -- tackle Joe Hirst -- that was left behind because of injuries last week is scheduled to return, along with long snapper Brad Daws. Guard Mataio Toilolo and center Lawrence Figueroa remain out.
F QB Mirror... Last year, MSU rode a true freshman QB and two stellar receivers to a league title. NAU is trying to follow that formula this year.
Out of the Gates
Montana State is 3-4 overall, 1-1 in Big Sky play, for the second consecutive year. In both seasons, the Bobcats lost to Idaho State to open league play before bouncing back to beat Weber State.
Finishing Strong
Mike Kramer’s teams have shown the ability to finish strong. Between 1990 and ‘99, the Bobcats were 6-20 in the month of November without a single winning month. Mike Kramer’s teams are 5-6 in November, and last year’s 4-1 ride to the Big Sky title was the school’s first winning November since 1984.
Taking Care of the Ball
Travis Lulay didn’t throw an interception Saturday, and has now thrown 34 passes without an interception.
Whitewashin’
Montana StateR17;s shutout of Saint MaryR17;s was the Cats’ first since blanking Sacramento State in 2001. It was MSU’s first road shutout since beating Weber State 48-0 in 1984, 213 games ago. The Bobcats have held the opponent scoreless in 17 of the team’s 28 quarters of football this season.
C-Note
A Montana State back has gained over 100 yards in three of MSU’s seven games this year. Bruce Molock has been that man twice, the first two 100-yard games as a Bobcat but the third and fourth of his career (he ran for 199 yards against ISU for Northridge).
Combo Backs
David Mayfield rushed for 101 yards against Wyoming, and Bruce Molock gained 120 against Gardner-Webb. That gave the Bobcats different back-to-back 100-yarders for the first time since 1993.
Spreading it Around
After connecting with five different receivers in MSU’s first three games, Travis Lulay has been maniacal about spreading the wealth in the last four. Against UNC and Saint Mary’s, Lulay connected with nine different receivers, and against Idaho State and Weber State he connected with eight. That trend is in sharp contrast to MSU’s tendency last season, when Junior Adams and Aaron Hill were clearly Lulay’s go-to receivers. Either Adams or Hill caught at least five passes in 11 of MSU’s 13 games in 2002. Five times in seven games a Bobcat has caught at least five passes -- Scott Turnquist thrice, Corey Smith and Brandon Roosevelt once each.
Seeing Red
Weber State kept MSU out of the end zone on two red-zone chances last weekend, snapping a Bobcat string of eight straight red zone conversions. One of those chances was a kneel-down to end the game, the other was Eddie Sullivan’s fumble at the goal line as he was on his way to scoring. The ‘Cats have converted 10 of their last 12 red zone chances, and are 13-for-17 on the season. MSU is 5-for-5 in goal-to-go situations this year.
D’ing Up
Idaho State (331 yards) and Weber State (303) are the only teams to gain more than 300 yards against MSU this year.
DR17;ing Up
Montana StateR17;s defense has made a pretty strong statement through the season’s early going. Against two nationally-ranked I-AA squads and a Division I-A opponent, the Bobcats are...
* 1st in the Big Sky and 4th in I-AA in total defense, 259.1
* 3rd in the Big Sky and 22nd nationally in rushing defense, 110.1
* 1st in the Big Sky and 16th in I-AA in pass defense, 149.0
* 1st in the Big Sky and 3rd nationally in scoring defense, 12.6
Three is All You Get
The Bobcat defense has forced opposing offenses into three-and-out situations on nearly one-third (31.8%) of their possessions (28-of-88).
Hip! Hip! Lulay!!
With each game, Bobcat quarterback Travis Lulay establishes himself not only as one of the top quarterbacks in Division I-AA, but as one of the premiere signal callers in school history. After just 14 games as MSU’s starter, Lulay is already 7th in school history in passing yards, 7th in touchdown passes, and 5th in completions. He is the first true freshman to lead the ‘Cats to a win in over Montana since Dave Alt in 1956.
One-Two-Three, Cha-Cha-Cha
The Bobcat offense has done a good job moving the sticks in recent weeks. After being forced into three-and-out possessions 14 times in 42 drives in the season’s first three games, but ‘Cats have only gone three-and-out 10 times in the last four games (47 possessions), and three of those were in the 4th quarter vs. Weber when MSU was in possession mode.
Bouncing Back
Travis Lulay threw four interceptions in the season opener at Wyoming, but has been intercepted only twice in the six games since. In MSU’s first two games, Lulay was 28-for-59 with four interceptions and two touchdowns. In the last three, he is 76-for-136 (2 INTs, 6 TDs).
The 100-Yard Clubs
Bruce Molock became MSU’s 39th 100 yard rusher (stats available since ‘64) by getting 120 against Gardner-Webb, and at Saint Mary’s became the 19th player to rush for 100 yards or more at least twice in a season.
Stiffening Up
The Bobcat defense has allowed opponents only one score after the team’s nine offensive turnovers.
The Home Fires
The ‘Cats are 17-16 in Bobcat Stadium in its current configuration, 9-11 in Big Sky games, and 1-2 against Division II foes.
MSU When Leading After...
1st Quarter 3-0
2nd Quarter 3-1
3rd Quarter 3-1
MSU WhenTrailing After...
1st Quarter 0-3
2nd Quarter 0-3
3rd Quarter 0-3
By the Numbers
0
Number of interceptions by a Bobcat defensive back in the first four games of the season
6
Interceptions by a Bobcat defensive back in the last three games
3
Number of career interceptions returned for a touchdown by safety Kane Ioane
10
Career interceptions by All-America safety and Buchanan Award candidate Kane Ioane
KRAMER’S QUOTES
On NAU: “Northern Arizona is a very confident team, and they’re filling that tank all the time. They’re finding ways to make plays and win games. They have a veteran offensive line, even though they have one true freshman starter, and they really got a boost from Roger Robinson, a transfer running back. They’ve done a nice job re-tooling their defense. They lost a good deal of talent from last year’s team, but the new guys have stepped in and stepped up. They have been very impressive defensively. Their linebackers are not fazed, and they’ve seen a lot of action. Mark Gould is an excellent punter, and he helps them in the field position game.”
On the Bobcats: “I’ve been coaching for 24 years, and I’ve never seen a team in this conference overcome the kind of adversity we had to deal with last week. We responded last weekend like a veteran team should resond. Travis Lulay played the way we know he can play. The offensive line was magnificent under very difficult circumstances. Brent Swaggert is a truly tremendous player. We had a lot of players step outside their roles last week, and that shows that we have a lot of players that are team-centered individuals that are interested in helping the team.”
Current Montana State Two-Deep (with pro-nuns-ee-AY-shuns)
Offense
LEFT TACKLE 76 Dusty Daws.............................................. 6-5 248 Jr*
70 Chris Haynes............................................. 6-3 255 Jr+
LEFT GUARD 60 Brent Swaggert........................................... 6-4 293 Sr*
67 Joaquin Echauri (uh-CHAHR-ee)............... 6-4 285 Jr+
CENTER 50 Zach Wolf.................................................. 6-2 275 So
57 Brant Birkeland.......................................... 6-1 265 Fr*
RIGHT GUARD 64 Jeff Bolton................................................. 6-4 331 So
67 Joaquin Echauri (uh-CHAHR-ee)............... 6-4 285 Jr+
RIGHT TACKLE 73 Joe Hirst.................................................... 6-6 271 Fr*
70 Chris Haynes............................................. 6-3 255 Jr+
QUARTERBACK 14 Travis Lulay (loo-LAY).............................. 6-2 205 So
12 Brent Owens.............................................. 5-10 183 Fr*
RUNNING BACK 31 Bruce Molock (MOE-lock)........................ 5-11 205 Sr+*
27 Jimmy Beal................................................ 5-7 162 Fr*
35 David Mayfield......................................... 6-1 190 So
WIDE RECEIVER 84 Corey Smith............................................... 5-10 168 Sr*
83 Demetrius Williams................................... 6-2 185 Jr+
WIDE RECEIVER 86 Scott Turnquist.......................................... 6-0 202 Sr*
82 Matt McCullough...................................... 5-11 161 So*
WIDE RECEIVER 5 Eddie Sullivan............................................ 6-0 200 Jr+
6 Brandon Roosevelt.................................... 5-11 175 Fr*
TIGHT END 85 Blake Wolf................................................. 6-2 240 Jr*
88 Jason Goodman......................................... 6-4 235 Fr
99 Nick Barbero.............................................. 6-2 221 Fr*
FULLBACK 4 Ryan Elliott............................................... 6-0 224 Sr*
Defense
ANCHOR END 95 Jon Montoya ............................................ 6-2 258 Sr*
90 Ryan Cogley (rhymes with frog-lee).......... 6-3 211 Fr*
NOSE 92 Adam Cordeiro (core-DARE-oh)............... 6-1 258 Sr*
98 Beau Clark................................................. 6-1 262 Jr*
71 DeShawn Gibbs......................................... 6-3 240 Jr+
TACKLE 58 Ray Sebestyen (like Sebastian)................. 6-2 253 Jr*
57 Brant Birkeland.......................................... 6-1 265 Fr*
RUSH END 42 Clive Lowe (like low)................................. 6-3 226 Fr*
40 Chad Gluhm (like gloom).......................... 6-2 240 Jr*
SAM LINEBACKER 43 Nick Marudas (muh-ROOD-us)................ 6-1 222 So*
36 Clayton Curley ......................................... 6-2 195 So+
MIKE LINEBACKER 91 Roger Cooper............................................. 6-3 224 So*
39 Brandon Eggart.......................................... 6-0 213 Jr*
WILL LINEBACKER 33 Mac Mollohan........................................... 6-0 205 So
47 Jonathan Molock (MOE-lock)................... 6-0 210 Sr+
LEFT CORNER 2 Joey Thomas............................................. 6-2 188 Sr 3 DeAngelo Wall 5-10 167 Fr*
FREE SAFETY 24 Kenneth Qualls.......................................... 5-10 183 Sr+
20 Ryan Force................................................ 6-1 196 Fr*
STRONG SAFETY 10 Kane Ioane (eye-OWN).............................. 5-11 203 Sr
26 Demond Goins (go-ins)............................. 5-10 186 So*
RIGHT CORNER 7 Jay Hackett................................................ 6-0 178 Sr*
22 Kahiam Hunter (like I am)......................... 5-10 170 Jr
KICKOFFS 19 Nate Cook
PLACEMENTS/PUNTS 19 Nate Cook
LONG SNAPS 96 Dusty Daws
RETURNS 84 Corey Smith, 3 DeAngelo Wall, 2 Joey Thomas
HOLDER 86 Scott Turnquist
*-indicates player has used redshirt year, +-indicates player is a transfer
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
