Bobcats Top Saint Mary's
10/4/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Montana State's beleaguered offense hit high gear in the hills outside of Oakland Saturday. The Bobcats gained 421 yards and scored 40 points, both season highs, as MSU topped Saint Mary's 40-0.
The win snaps a two-game Bobcat losing streak, gives MSU its first shutout since a 20-0 win over Sacramento State, and its first road whitewashing since a 48-0 win at Weber State in Ogden 213 games ago. And MSU coach Mike Kramer left no doubt as to where the credit for the win belonged on Saturday.
"Defense, defense, defense," Kramer said. "Our kickoff coverage shattered at times, and the defense had to defend a short field. They did well in those situations. It was another quality, solid effort by the defense."
As salty as the Bobcat defense was Saturday, much post-game discussion centered on the offense and the special teams. Bruce Molock rushed for 150 yards in his first career start, Travis Lulay was 13-for-22 for 187 yards, and MSU rushed for a season high 234 yards.
"The key was being able to rush for 234 yards," Kramer said. "You have to do that on the road. Travis had another outstanding game. He was very efficient, and managed the game well. Bruce Molock had a solid day for us. He finished runs. All in all, it was a good day for the offense."
If the defense was dominant and the offense resurgent, MSU's special teams was dazzling, as much for who was involved as for what happened. After MSU's first touchdown, linebacker Roger Cooper hurdled a defender into the end zone for a two-point conversion. Joey Thomas scored out of an option set after MSU's third touchdown, and Lulay found Kane Ioane for a 44-yard reception out of punt formation. Later, Lulay punted 40 yards.
The Bobcats took control of the game early, scoring on their first and second offensive possessions. The Bobcats led 15-0 after one quarter and 23-0 at halftime, erasing doubts of the outcome. The Gaels had only 86 yards at halftime.
Ioane, an All-America safety, became the first Bobcat defensive back to intercept a pass this year. He returned a third-quarter interception 59 yards for a touchdown. DeAngelo Wall also picked off a pass, the first of his career. Ioane's touchdown was his third as a Bobcat.
MSU returns to Bozeman for Homecoming next weekend, hosting Idaho State at 1:35 pm. The day will begin at 7 am with the Homecoming Booster Breakfast at the SUB Ballroom.
The win snaps a two-game Bobcat losing streak, gives MSU its first shutout since a 20-0 win over Sacramento State, and its first road whitewashing since a 48-0 win at Weber State in Ogden 213 games ago. And MSU coach Mike Kramer left no doubt as to where the credit for the win belonged on Saturday.
"Defense, defense, defense," Kramer said. "Our kickoff coverage shattered at times, and the defense had to defend a short field. They did well in those situations. It was another quality, solid effort by the defense."
As salty as the Bobcat defense was Saturday, much post-game discussion centered on the offense and the special teams. Bruce Molock rushed for 150 yards in his first career start, Travis Lulay was 13-for-22 for 187 yards, and MSU rushed for a season high 234 yards.
"The key was being able to rush for 234 yards," Kramer said. "You have to do that on the road. Travis had another outstanding game. He was very efficient, and managed the game well. Bruce Molock had a solid day for us. He finished runs. All in all, it was a good day for the offense."
If the defense was dominant and the offense resurgent, MSU's special teams was dazzling, as much for who was involved as for what happened. After MSU's first touchdown, linebacker Roger Cooper hurdled a defender into the end zone for a two-point conversion. Joey Thomas scored out of an option set after MSU's third touchdown, and Lulay found Kane Ioane for a 44-yard reception out of punt formation. Later, Lulay punted 40 yards.
The Bobcats took control of the game early, scoring on their first and second offensive possessions. The Bobcats led 15-0 after one quarter and 23-0 at halftime, erasing doubts of the outcome. The Gaels had only 86 yards at halftime.
Ioane, an All-America safety, became the first Bobcat defensive back to intercept a pass this year. He returned a third-quarter interception 59 yards for a touchdown. DeAngelo Wall also picked off a pass, the first of his career. Ioane's touchdown was his third as a Bobcat.
MSU returns to Bozeman for Homecoming next weekend, hosting Idaho State at 1:35 pm. The day will begin at 7 am with the Homecoming Booster Breakfast at the SUB Ballroom.
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