MSU Game Notes vs. SDSU
10/18/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
THE STORYLINE
With another come-from-behind win in the books, Montana State takes a one-week respite from the rigors of conference play to face a team with all the earmarks of Big Sky opponent. South Dakota State brings a multiple, pass-oriented offense and a physical, athletic defense to Bozeman for the first meeting between these intersectional rivals since 1966. The Jackrabbits are 4-2 in their first season as a Division I-AA school, including an impressive win over Great West Conference rival North Dakota State and a tough seven-point loss at #6 Cal Poly.
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 1:05 pm MST
SITE: Bozeman
STADIUM: Bobcat Stadium
PRESS BOX PHONE: 406/994-6180
RADIO: State Farm Bobcat Network (Kris Atteberry, Dan Davies)
TELEVISION: Omega (Dean Alexander, Ryan Elliott)
HIGHLIGHTS
ƒÜ In Travis Lulay¡¦s 27 career starts, he has led MSU to seven second-half comeback wins, four of which were decided on MSU¡¦s final possession
STREAKS
Ć Montana State has won three straight over South Dakota State
Ć MSU snapped a string of six straight games of scoring exactly two TDs by exploding for four, all in the second half, against Portland State
Ć MSU is in the midst of its longest homestand (3 games) since 2000
MILESTONES
Ć Mike Kramer is now the third-winningest coach in Big Sky history, with 60 wins, but is 25 wins from second place (Don Read)
SHINING
Ć QB TRAVIS LULAY threw for a career-high 375 yards last week, and is the Big Sky Player of the Week
Ć P EJ COCHRANE missed two of three field goal tries, but averaged 49.7 yards on four punts
Ć WR EDDIE SULLIVAN had a career-high 140 receiving yards, including 52 on the game-tying drive
Ć FS TOPH GRENFELL intercepted his second pass of the season, and had 11 tackles
ABOUT THE ¡¥CATS...
MSU in ¡¥04 4-2
Conf./Record Big Sky/3-0
Home/Road 3-1/1-1
Grass/Turf 3-2/1-0
Day/Night 4-2/0-0
HEAD COACH Mike Kramer
Alma Mater Idaho/¡¦76
Overall/Years 59-63/11th
At MSU/Years 22-31/5th
vs SDSU 5-5
Home/Road 3-2/2-3
SERIES MSU 9-2
At MSU 2-0
At SDSU 4-1
At Great Falls 3-1
Current Streak MSU 3W
ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA ST ...
SDSU in ¡¥04 4-2
Conf./Record Great West/1-2
Home/Road 3-0/1-2
Grass/Turf 4-1/0-1
Day/Night 0-0/4-2
HEAD COACH John Stiegelmeier
Alma Mater SDSU/¡¦79
Overall/Years 46-35/8th
At School/Years same
vs MSU 0-0
Home/Road/Neu 0-0/0-0
ABOUT SDSU The Jackrabbits
School Colors Yellow, blue
Location Brookings, SD
Enrollment 10,954
Stadium Coughlin Alumni
OPPONENT ¡¥04 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
S4 UC Davis L 0-52
S11 Winona State W 45-20
S18 Western Oregon W 38-3
S25 Southern W 31-24
O2 Cal Poly L 7-14
O9 North Dakota State W 24-31
O23 Montana State
O30 Georgia Southern
N6 Augustana
N13 at Southern Utah
N20 at Northern Colorado
BOBCAT 2004 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
S11 Adams State W 19-0 First season-opening shutout since ¡¥65
S18 Cal Poly L 14-27 Mustangs have won six straight vs. MSU
S25 at Colorado State L 14-39 Bobcats beaten by Lubick, Arnold, Rams
O2 *at Idaho State W 17-13 ¡¥Cats snap three-game streak in Holt
O9 *Weber State W 20-17 Cochrane kicks walk-off 44-yarder
O16 *Portland State W 31-24 MSU rallies for overtime win
O23 South Dakota St 1:05 pm The renewal of a long-dormant rivalry
O30 *at NAU 7:05 pm MSU hasn¡¦t won in Flagstaff since ¡¥79
N6 *at Sac State 5:05 pm Hornets look to move up in Big Sky standings
N13 *Eastern Wash. 12:05 pm ¡¥Cats face Eagles in home finale
N20 *at Montana 12:05 pm The 104th ¡¥Cat-Griz game
NOTING THE ¡¥CATS
What to Watch
ƒ¶ƒnThin Secondary... The ¡¥Cats remain thin at cornerback. Starter Kory Austin has missed five out of MSU¡¦s last six halves of football, with free safety Ryan Force joining freshman Andre Fuller on the outside.
ƒ¶ƒnLulay Leading the Way... Travis Lulay¡¦s record as Montana State¡¦s starting quarterback is 16-11, the fourth-highest win total and fifth-highest winning percentage in school history. In those 16 wins, he has led MSU to second-half comebacks seven times, four of those coming on the Bobcats¡¦ last possession.
ƒ¶ƒnIn the trenches... The Bobcat offensive line may get a breather in terms of its opponent¡¦s size this week, but MSU¡¦s D-line certainly doesn¡¦t. While Portland State averages 295 lbs across both the offensive and defensive lines, South Dakota State¡¦s offensive line also averages 295 lbs, but the Jackrabbit defensive front checks in at a more manageable 255 lbs. Still, Bobcat coach Mike Kramers lauds South Dakota State¡¦s line play. ¡§Their line plays hard on both sides of the ball, very similar to what we see in the Big Sky.¡¨ Injured MSU tackle Joe Hirst could see his first action of the season this week.
Pinning ¡¥Em
After becoming Montana State¡¦s punter last season, Travis Lulay used a rugby-like roll punt to average 36.2 yards a punt, and pinned the opponent inside the 20 nine times. Lulay has pinned the opponent inside the 20 six times this year on 28 kicks, averaging 41.7 yards per punt. He has drilled three line drives of 60+ yards, 21 of 40 or more. Included in that total is an 81-yarder against Adams State, the second-longest punt in school history.
1-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89
4 8 13 4 3 0 1
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 ¡¥Cats are 7-9 in November, including a 6-4 mark in the last two Novembers that have culminated in Big Sky Championships.
Third¡¦s a Charm
MSU surrendered only 24 third-quarter points last year, and only 20 in the first five third quarters of the 2004 campaign.
Big Play Bobcats
In the last two-plus seasons, Montana State has returned seven punts or kicks for TDs, and is 5-0 in those games. MSU has five defensive TDs in that same span (4-0).
Whitewashin¡¦
Montana State has shut out an opponent in each of the past two seasons (Adams State in ¡¥04, Saint Mary¡¦s in ¡¥03). Mike Kramer¡¦s Bobcats have three shutouts in the past four seasons, the same number of goose eggs the ¡¥Cats tossed in the 15 years before Kramer arrived.
Under Half is Good
The Bobcat defense has held opposing quarterbacks to below 50% passing in eight of the last 13 games. The Bobcats have held Idaho State¡¦s prolific Mark Hetherington under 50% passing in each of their two meetings.
Stingy
Only four of Montana State¡¦s last 23 opponents have managed 400 yards against the Bobcats. MSU snapped a string of two straight over 400 by limiting Weber to 251 yards. Idaho State and CSU each passed the 400-yard mark, the first time MSU has allowed two straight 400-yard games seven, eight and nine of 2001.
Youngsters
Montana State entered this season with only one senior offensive starter, and with only three seniors on defense. That youth notwithstanding, the Bobcats also have a player with at least one career start at 16 of the 22 positions.
Turning it Over
Montana State was +6 in turnovers in the first seven games last season, with a 3-4 record in that span, but were -2 in turnovers in the last six games of the season, going 4-2. MSU was even with Adams State, Cal Poly, and Idaho State, but lost the Cal Poly game, in which MSU was +1 in turnover margin. MSU won the Weber State game despite four turnovers, and is -1 on the season.
Dominant Defense, Part I
Here is how MSU¡¦s defense stacked up against the rest of the nation last year...
Big Sky NCAA Yds
Rank Rank All¡¦d
Total Def 1st 8th 274.2
Pass Def 1st 22nd 166.8
Rush Def 2nd 14th 107.4
Scoring Def 1st 7th 14.6
Dominant Defense, Part II
Montana State¡¦s defense played at a historically-significant pace last year. Here is how the Bobcats stacked up against the Big Sky¡¦s best defenses since 1981, when new pass-blocking rules changed the way football is played (including only regular-season statistics, which is how final statistics were figured before 2002)...
Scoring Defense
1. 13.7 Idaho State, 1981
2. 14.1 Nevada, 1985
3. 14.8 Northern Arizona, 1995
4. 15.0 Montana State, 2003
5. 15.8 Montana, 1988
Total Defense
1. 265.0 Montana, 2000
2. 269.4 Boise State, 1986
3. 273.7 Weber State, 1998
4. 279.9 Montana, 1988
5. 282.1 Montana State, 2003
Passing Defense
1. 99.3 Weber State, 1998
2. 165.5 Montana State, 2003
2. 173.9 Idaho State, 1981
4. 175.6 Weber State, 1992
5. 182.1 Montana, 1988
Playing Quarters
The Bobcats held the opponent scoreless in 26 of the team¡¦s 52 quarters last year, and in 11 of the 22 quarters this year. The Bobcats have held their opponents scoreless in 41 of the last 82 quarters the team has played.
Third¡¦s a Charm
Since the beginning of the 2003 season, MSU has surrendered only 38 third-quarter points. Of those, 14 came in the playoff loss at Northern Iowa.
Anti-Air
MSU held opposing quarterbacks to 46% passing in the last eight regular-sason games last year, and to 49.5% in the first six games this season.
Good Start
Montana State is 2-0 in Big Sky play for the first time since 2001, but have won their first two league games four times in the past eight years. MSU has won its conference opener three times in the past four seasons.
Better Handles
Montana State fumbled four times in the opener against Adams State, but after fumbling only twice in the next three games (recovering both) let the ball slip out of its hands three times against Weber. Ironically, the winning team has fumbled 14 times in MSU¡¦s first six games, losing seven, while the losing team has fumbled only three times, losing two.
MSU When Leading After...
1st Qtr: 2-0/2nd Qtr: 1-0/3rd Qtr: 1-0
MSU WhenTrailing After...
1st Qtr: 2-1/2nd Qtr: 3-2/3rd Qtr: 2-2
By the Numbers
2
Number of 100-yard reiving games by Bobcat receivers during the 2003 season, both by Scott Turnquist
2
Number of 100-yard receivers Montana State had against Portland State on Saturday (Eddie Sullivan, 140, and Rick Gatewood, 104)
12,494
Average number of fans present at Montana State¡¦s first three home games of the 2004 season
60
Career victories for Montana State Head Coach Mike Kramer, third in Big Sky history
KRAMER¡¦S QUOTES
On the Portland State game: ¡§This was a great college football game between two teams that did not want to lose, and our victory was not a matter of Portland State failing. It was simply a matter of us doing more things right. Tim¡¦s team played hard and they played very well. A game like this can be decided because one kid did an extra wind sprint or an extra weight room session in the summer. Travis really got the offense going in the second half, and I liked things that happened in the running game. It was a fun atmosphere and a fun game to be involved in.¡¨
On South Dakota State: ¡§South Dakota State looks a lot like us. They are pretty athletic on defense. Offensively, they like to throw the ball and they do a pretty good job of protecting the passer. They use three or four wide receivers, and throw a lot on first down. I think this will be a real comfortable game for both teams at this juncture of the season. They, like us, like to establish a running game to set up the pass, and it will be a solid matchup between two very experienced quarterbacks that are not afraid to throw the ball. We¡¦re mindful of the Great West Conference and the success those schools have had this fall. They got our full attention with a narrow loss at Cal Poly, and I expect this will be a tough, physical, hard-fought football game.¡¨
On the Bobcats: ¡§Saturday was our best day so far (this season) getting yards after the catch. That¡¦s a matter of being athletic enough to make plays and ramble with the ball. Blake Wolf and Eddie Sullivan made good runs after catches, and those plays boosted our offense. We need to get things going earlier in the game, but we don¡¦t dwell on that. The fact that we get games into the fourth quarter shows that we are resilient and strong enough mentally and physically to find ways to win, and that we have an unwillingness to quit. Justin Domineck is establihsing himself as a solid, viable option for us at running back, and Morris Milton, if he can stay healthy, and Jimmy Beal will get some turns. The offensive line continues to play very well. The young guys especially are getting better every game.¡¨
Current Montana State Two-Deep (with pro-nuns-ee-AY-shuns) Player Notes
Offense
LEFT TACKLE 53 Peder Jensen (just like Peter) 6-5 276 Fr* Started all six games as RS frosh
79 Adam DeCock 6-6 285 Fr* Played extensively vs. CSU
72 Garrin Brewton 6-5 283 So* Played sparingly twice
LEFT GUARD 57 Brant Birkeland 6-1 266 So* Started all six games
67 Joaquin Echauri (walk-EEN uh-CHAR-ee) 6-3 282 Sr+ Serves in a backup capacity
CENTER 50 Zack Wolf 6-2 281 Jr Second-year starting center
62 Troy Watson 6-2 265 Fr True freshman, has not yet played
RIGHT GUARD 74 Lawrence Figueroa (fig-uh-ROE-uh) 6-1 285 Sr Started first six games at guard
75 Louis Saucedo (sou-SEE-doe) 6-4 295 Fr On redshirt alert
RIGHT TACKLE 64 Jeff Bolton 6-4 307 Jr A-A candidate moved to OT this year
73 Joe Hirst 6-7 275 So Has not yet played (knee)
QUARTERBACK 14 Travis Lulay 6-2 203 Jr Started last 27 straight games
16 Rick Coppack (COP-uck) 6-0 185 Fr* Has played in two games this year
RUNNING BACK 8 Justin Domenick 5-11 217 Jr+ Led ¡¥Cats in rushing in last 3 games
34 Morris Milton 5-9 200 Jr+ Started twice
27 Jimmy Beal 5-7 165 So* Can play RB and WR
X RECEIVER 19 Chaz Guinn (like Gwynn) 6-2 194 Jr+ Led the ¡¥Cats in catches first 3 games
82 Matt McCullough 5-11 175 Sr* Played in all six games
SLOT RECEIVER 1 Rick Gatewood 6-0 180 Jr*+ 104 receiving yards vs. Portland State
29 Michael Williams 5-8 155 So* MSU¡¦s kick returner
82 Matt McCullough 5-11 175 Sr* Fifth-year senior, team¡¦s holder
Z RECEIVER 5 Eddie Sullivan 6-0 190 Sr+ Career-high 140 yards vs. PSU
80 Kellen Alley 6-2 199 So* Can play both outside receiver spots
TIGHT END 85 Blake Wolf 6-2 239 Sr* Career-high 16 catches in ¡¥04
95 Elliott Barnhart 6-3 225 Fr True freshman, has played in 3 games
Defense
ANCHOR END 58 Ray Sebestyen (like Sebastian) 6-2 253 Sr* 6 TL, 3 sacks, 3 FR, 2 FF
90 Ryan Cogley (like frog) 6-3 225 So* Special teams ace
NOSE 98 Beau Clark 6-2 239 Sr* Two sacks at CSU
93 Andy Matakis (muh-TAKE-us) 6-2 249 So+ Transfer from Texas A&M
99 Aaron Papich (Pap like rap) 6-2 248 Fr* True freshman after grayshirting in ¡¥03
TACKLE 92 Daryl Rogers 6-1 256 Jr+ 4 TL, 1 FF in last four games
94 Tim O¡¦Tool 6-3 249 Jr+ Played extensively at CSU
RUSH 40 Chad Gluhm (gloom) 6-0 227 Sr* 29 tackles, forced an ISU fumble
42 Clive Lowe 6-3 232 So* Missed first two games (oral surgery)
WILL LINEBACKER 47 Jonathan Molock (MOE-lock) 6-1 226 Sr+ Missed CSU, ISU games
44 Epikopo King (epp-ee-COE-poe) 6-1 205 Fr* Three pass breakups at ISU
MIKE LINEBACKER 33 Mac Mollohan 6-0 215 Jr All-Big Sky, 2 sacks vs. Weber
39 Brandon Eggart 6-1 213 Sr* Started twice, special teams ace
SAM LINEBACKER 91 Roger Cooper 6-3 233 Sr* Preseason All-America
36 Clayton Curley 6-1 196 Jr Special teams standout
LEFT CORNER 20 Ryan Force 6-2 203 So* Has started all six games
13 Kory Austin 5-11 176 Fr* Missed five of last six halves (inj.)
3 Ryan Kelley 5-9 175 Fr True frosh on redshirt alert
FREE SAFETY 25 Toph Grenfell 6-0 196 Jr+ 11 tackles, two TL, one pick vs. PSU
26 Demond Goins (duh-MOND GO-ins) 5-10 170 Jr* Has started twice this year
STRONG SAFETY 4 Corky Lindsay 5-9 205 Jr+ Has started last 3 games
26 Demond Goins (duh-MOND GO-ins) 5-10 170 Jr* Has started twice this year
RIGHT CORNER 9 Andre Fuller 5-10 159 Fr* Has started all six games
30 Michael McGuinness 5-11 170 Jr* Special teams standout
*-indicates player has used redshirt year, +-indicates player is a transfer
KICKOFFS: 35-Travis Doroski PLACE KICKER: 11-EJ Cochrane
PUNTS: 14-Travis Lulay LONG SNAPS: 96-Dusty Daws
KICK RETURNS: 1-Rick Gatewood PUNT RETURNS: 20-Ryan Force
HOLDER: 82-Matt McCullough
With another come-from-behind win in the books, Montana State takes a one-week respite from the rigors of conference play to face a team with all the earmarks of Big Sky opponent. South Dakota State brings a multiple, pass-oriented offense and a physical, athletic defense to Bozeman for the first meeting between these intersectional rivals since 1966. The Jackrabbits are 4-2 in their first season as a Division I-AA school, including an impressive win over Great West Conference rival North Dakota State and a tough seven-point loss at #6 Cal Poly.
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 1:05 pm MST
SITE: Bozeman
STADIUM: Bobcat Stadium
PRESS BOX PHONE: 406/994-6180
RADIO: State Farm Bobcat Network (Kris Atteberry, Dan Davies)
TELEVISION: Omega (Dean Alexander, Ryan Elliott)
HIGHLIGHTS
ƒÜ In Travis Lulay¡¦s 27 career starts, he has led MSU to seven second-half comeback wins, four of which were decided on MSU¡¦s final possession
STREAKS
Ć Montana State has won three straight over South Dakota State
Ć MSU snapped a string of six straight games of scoring exactly two TDs by exploding for four, all in the second half, against Portland State
Ć MSU is in the midst of its longest homestand (3 games) since 2000
MILESTONES
Ć Mike Kramer is now the third-winningest coach in Big Sky history, with 60 wins, but is 25 wins from second place (Don Read)
SHINING
Ć QB TRAVIS LULAY threw for a career-high 375 yards last week, and is the Big Sky Player of the Week
Ć P EJ COCHRANE missed two of three field goal tries, but averaged 49.7 yards on four punts
Ć WR EDDIE SULLIVAN had a career-high 140 receiving yards, including 52 on the game-tying drive
Ć FS TOPH GRENFELL intercepted his second pass of the season, and had 11 tackles
ABOUT THE ¡¥CATS...
MSU in ¡¥04 4-2
Conf./Record Big Sky/3-0
Home/Road 3-1/1-1
Grass/Turf 3-2/1-0
Day/Night 4-2/0-0
HEAD COACH Mike Kramer
Alma Mater Idaho/¡¦76
Overall/Years 59-63/11th
At MSU/Years 22-31/5th
vs SDSU 5-5
Home/Road 3-2/2-3
SERIES MSU 9-2
At MSU 2-0
At SDSU 4-1
At Great Falls 3-1
Current Streak MSU 3W
ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA ST ...
SDSU in ¡¥04 4-2
Conf./Record Great West/1-2
Home/Road 3-0/1-2
Grass/Turf 4-1/0-1
Day/Night 0-0/4-2
HEAD COACH John Stiegelmeier
Alma Mater SDSU/¡¦79
Overall/Years 46-35/8th
At School/Years same
vs MSU 0-0
Home/Road/Neu 0-0/0-0
ABOUT SDSU The Jackrabbits
School Colors Yellow, blue
Location Brookings, SD
Enrollment 10,954
Stadium Coughlin Alumni
OPPONENT ¡¥04 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
S4 UC Davis L 0-52
S11 Winona State W 45-20
S18 Western Oregon W 38-3
S25 Southern W 31-24
O2 Cal Poly L 7-14
O9 North Dakota State W 24-31
O23 Montana State
O30 Georgia Southern
N6 Augustana
N13 at Southern Utah
N20 at Northern Colorado
BOBCAT 2004 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
S11 Adams State W 19-0 First season-opening shutout since ¡¥65
S18 Cal Poly L 14-27 Mustangs have won six straight vs. MSU
S25 at Colorado State L 14-39 Bobcats beaten by Lubick, Arnold, Rams
O2 *at Idaho State W 17-13 ¡¥Cats snap three-game streak in Holt
O9 *Weber State W 20-17 Cochrane kicks walk-off 44-yarder
O16 *Portland State W 31-24 MSU rallies for overtime win
O23 South Dakota St 1:05 pm The renewal of a long-dormant rivalry
O30 *at NAU 7:05 pm MSU hasn¡¦t won in Flagstaff since ¡¥79
N6 *at Sac State 5:05 pm Hornets look to move up in Big Sky standings
N13 *Eastern Wash. 12:05 pm ¡¥Cats face Eagles in home finale
N20 *at Montana 12:05 pm The 104th ¡¥Cat-Griz game
NOTING THE ¡¥CATS
What to Watch
ƒ¶ƒnThin Secondary... The ¡¥Cats remain thin at cornerback. Starter Kory Austin has missed five out of MSU¡¦s last six halves of football, with free safety Ryan Force joining freshman Andre Fuller on the outside.
ƒ¶ƒnLulay Leading the Way... Travis Lulay¡¦s record as Montana State¡¦s starting quarterback is 16-11, the fourth-highest win total and fifth-highest winning percentage in school history. In those 16 wins, he has led MSU to second-half comebacks seven times, four of those coming on the Bobcats¡¦ last possession.
ƒ¶ƒnIn the trenches... The Bobcat offensive line may get a breather in terms of its opponent¡¦s size this week, but MSU¡¦s D-line certainly doesn¡¦t. While Portland State averages 295 lbs across both the offensive and defensive lines, South Dakota State¡¦s offensive line also averages 295 lbs, but the Jackrabbit defensive front checks in at a more manageable 255 lbs. Still, Bobcat coach Mike Kramers lauds South Dakota State¡¦s line play. ¡§Their line plays hard on both sides of the ball, very similar to what we see in the Big Sky.¡¨ Injured MSU tackle Joe Hirst could see his first action of the season this week.
Pinning ¡¥Em
After becoming Montana State¡¦s punter last season, Travis Lulay used a rugby-like roll punt to average 36.2 yards a punt, and pinned the opponent inside the 20 nine times. Lulay has pinned the opponent inside the 20 six times this year on 28 kicks, averaging 41.7 yards per punt. He has drilled three line drives of 60+ yards, 21 of 40 or more. Included in that total is an 81-yarder against Adams State, the second-longest punt in school history.
1-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89
4 8 13 4 3 0 1
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 ¡¥Cats are 7-9 in November, including a 6-4 mark in the last two Novembers that have culminated in Big Sky Championships.
Third¡¦s a Charm
MSU surrendered only 24 third-quarter points last year, and only 20 in the first five third quarters of the 2004 campaign.
Big Play Bobcats
In the last two-plus seasons, Montana State has returned seven punts or kicks for TDs, and is 5-0 in those games. MSU has five defensive TDs in that same span (4-0).
Whitewashin¡¦
Montana State has shut out an opponent in each of the past two seasons (Adams State in ¡¥04, Saint Mary¡¦s in ¡¥03). Mike Kramer¡¦s Bobcats have three shutouts in the past four seasons, the same number of goose eggs the ¡¥Cats tossed in the 15 years before Kramer arrived.
Under Half is Good
The Bobcat defense has held opposing quarterbacks to below 50% passing in eight of the last 13 games. The Bobcats have held Idaho State¡¦s prolific Mark Hetherington under 50% passing in each of their two meetings.
Stingy
Only four of Montana State¡¦s last 23 opponents have managed 400 yards against the Bobcats. MSU snapped a string of two straight over 400 by limiting Weber to 251 yards. Idaho State and CSU each passed the 400-yard mark, the first time MSU has allowed two straight 400-yard games seven, eight and nine of 2001.
Youngsters
Montana State entered this season with only one senior offensive starter, and with only three seniors on defense. That youth notwithstanding, the Bobcats also have a player with at least one career start at 16 of the 22 positions.
Turning it Over
Montana State was +6 in turnovers in the first seven games last season, with a 3-4 record in that span, but were -2 in turnovers in the last six games of the season, going 4-2. MSU was even with Adams State, Cal Poly, and Idaho State, but lost the Cal Poly game, in which MSU was +1 in turnover margin. MSU won the Weber State game despite four turnovers, and is -1 on the season.
Dominant Defense, Part I
Here is how MSU¡¦s defense stacked up against the rest of the nation last year...
Big Sky NCAA Yds
Rank Rank All¡¦d
Total Def 1st 8th 274.2
Pass Def 1st 22nd 166.8
Rush Def 2nd 14th 107.4
Scoring Def 1st 7th 14.6
Dominant Defense, Part II
Montana State¡¦s defense played at a historically-significant pace last year. Here is how the Bobcats stacked up against the Big Sky¡¦s best defenses since 1981, when new pass-blocking rules changed the way football is played (including only regular-season statistics, which is how final statistics were figured before 2002)...
Scoring Defense
1. 13.7 Idaho State, 1981
2. 14.1 Nevada, 1985
3. 14.8 Northern Arizona, 1995
4. 15.0 Montana State, 2003
5. 15.8 Montana, 1988
Total Defense
1. 265.0 Montana, 2000
2. 269.4 Boise State, 1986
3. 273.7 Weber State, 1998
4. 279.9 Montana, 1988
5. 282.1 Montana State, 2003
Passing Defense
1. 99.3 Weber State, 1998
2. 165.5 Montana State, 2003
2. 173.9 Idaho State, 1981
4. 175.6 Weber State, 1992
5. 182.1 Montana, 1988
Playing Quarters
The Bobcats held the opponent scoreless in 26 of the team¡¦s 52 quarters last year, and in 11 of the 22 quarters this year. The Bobcats have held their opponents scoreless in 41 of the last 82 quarters the team has played.
Third¡¦s a Charm
Since the beginning of the 2003 season, MSU has surrendered only 38 third-quarter points. Of those, 14 came in the playoff loss at Northern Iowa.
Anti-Air
MSU held opposing quarterbacks to 46% passing in the last eight regular-sason games last year, and to 49.5% in the first six games this season.
Good Start
Montana State is 2-0 in Big Sky play for the first time since 2001, but have won their first two league games four times in the past eight years. MSU has won its conference opener three times in the past four seasons.
Better Handles
Montana State fumbled four times in the opener against Adams State, but after fumbling only twice in the next three games (recovering both) let the ball slip out of its hands three times against Weber. Ironically, the winning team has fumbled 14 times in MSU¡¦s first six games, losing seven, while the losing team has fumbled only three times, losing two.
MSU When Leading After...
1st Qtr: 2-0/2nd Qtr: 1-0/3rd Qtr: 1-0
MSU WhenTrailing After...
1st Qtr: 2-1/2nd Qtr: 3-2/3rd Qtr: 2-2
By the Numbers
2
Number of 100-yard reiving games by Bobcat receivers during the 2003 season, both by Scott Turnquist
2
Number of 100-yard receivers Montana State had against Portland State on Saturday (Eddie Sullivan, 140, and Rick Gatewood, 104)
12,494
Average number of fans present at Montana State¡¦s first three home games of the 2004 season
60
Career victories for Montana State Head Coach Mike Kramer, third in Big Sky history
KRAMER¡¦S QUOTES
On the Portland State game: ¡§This was a great college football game between two teams that did not want to lose, and our victory was not a matter of Portland State failing. It was simply a matter of us doing more things right. Tim¡¦s team played hard and they played very well. A game like this can be decided because one kid did an extra wind sprint or an extra weight room session in the summer. Travis really got the offense going in the second half, and I liked things that happened in the running game. It was a fun atmosphere and a fun game to be involved in.¡¨
On South Dakota State: ¡§South Dakota State looks a lot like us. They are pretty athletic on defense. Offensively, they like to throw the ball and they do a pretty good job of protecting the passer. They use three or four wide receivers, and throw a lot on first down. I think this will be a real comfortable game for both teams at this juncture of the season. They, like us, like to establish a running game to set up the pass, and it will be a solid matchup between two very experienced quarterbacks that are not afraid to throw the ball. We¡¦re mindful of the Great West Conference and the success those schools have had this fall. They got our full attention with a narrow loss at Cal Poly, and I expect this will be a tough, physical, hard-fought football game.¡¨
On the Bobcats: ¡§Saturday was our best day so far (this season) getting yards after the catch. That¡¦s a matter of being athletic enough to make plays and ramble with the ball. Blake Wolf and Eddie Sullivan made good runs after catches, and those plays boosted our offense. We need to get things going earlier in the game, but we don¡¦t dwell on that. The fact that we get games into the fourth quarter shows that we are resilient and strong enough mentally and physically to find ways to win, and that we have an unwillingness to quit. Justin Domineck is establihsing himself as a solid, viable option for us at running back, and Morris Milton, if he can stay healthy, and Jimmy Beal will get some turns. The offensive line continues to play very well. The young guys especially are getting better every game.¡¨
Current Montana State Two-Deep (with pro-nuns-ee-AY-shuns) Player Notes
Offense
LEFT TACKLE 53 Peder Jensen (just like Peter) 6-5 276 Fr* Started all six games as RS frosh
79 Adam DeCock 6-6 285 Fr* Played extensively vs. CSU
72 Garrin Brewton 6-5 283 So* Played sparingly twice
LEFT GUARD 57 Brant Birkeland 6-1 266 So* Started all six games
67 Joaquin Echauri (walk-EEN uh-CHAR-ee) 6-3 282 Sr+ Serves in a backup capacity
CENTER 50 Zack Wolf 6-2 281 Jr Second-year starting center
62 Troy Watson 6-2 265 Fr True freshman, has not yet played
RIGHT GUARD 74 Lawrence Figueroa (fig-uh-ROE-uh) 6-1 285 Sr Started first six games at guard
75 Louis Saucedo (sou-SEE-doe) 6-4 295 Fr On redshirt alert
RIGHT TACKLE 64 Jeff Bolton 6-4 307 Jr A-A candidate moved to OT this year
73 Joe Hirst 6-7 275 So Has not yet played (knee)
QUARTERBACK 14 Travis Lulay 6-2 203 Jr Started last 27 straight games
16 Rick Coppack (COP-uck) 6-0 185 Fr* Has played in two games this year
RUNNING BACK 8 Justin Domenick 5-11 217 Jr+ Led ¡¥Cats in rushing in last 3 games
34 Morris Milton 5-9 200 Jr+ Started twice
27 Jimmy Beal 5-7 165 So* Can play RB and WR
X RECEIVER 19 Chaz Guinn (like Gwynn) 6-2 194 Jr+ Led the ¡¥Cats in catches first 3 games
82 Matt McCullough 5-11 175 Sr* Played in all six games
SLOT RECEIVER 1 Rick Gatewood 6-0 180 Jr*+ 104 receiving yards vs. Portland State
29 Michael Williams 5-8 155 So* MSU¡¦s kick returner
82 Matt McCullough 5-11 175 Sr* Fifth-year senior, team¡¦s holder
Z RECEIVER 5 Eddie Sullivan 6-0 190 Sr+ Career-high 140 yards vs. PSU
80 Kellen Alley 6-2 199 So* Can play both outside receiver spots
TIGHT END 85 Blake Wolf 6-2 239 Sr* Career-high 16 catches in ¡¥04
95 Elliott Barnhart 6-3 225 Fr True freshman, has played in 3 games
Defense
ANCHOR END 58 Ray Sebestyen (like Sebastian) 6-2 253 Sr* 6 TL, 3 sacks, 3 FR, 2 FF
90 Ryan Cogley (like frog) 6-3 225 So* Special teams ace
NOSE 98 Beau Clark 6-2 239 Sr* Two sacks at CSU
93 Andy Matakis (muh-TAKE-us) 6-2 249 So+ Transfer from Texas A&M
99 Aaron Papich (Pap like rap) 6-2 248 Fr* True freshman after grayshirting in ¡¥03
TACKLE 92 Daryl Rogers 6-1 256 Jr+ 4 TL, 1 FF in last four games
94 Tim O¡¦Tool 6-3 249 Jr+ Played extensively at CSU
RUSH 40 Chad Gluhm (gloom) 6-0 227 Sr* 29 tackles, forced an ISU fumble
42 Clive Lowe 6-3 232 So* Missed first two games (oral surgery)
WILL LINEBACKER 47 Jonathan Molock (MOE-lock) 6-1 226 Sr+ Missed CSU, ISU games
44 Epikopo King (epp-ee-COE-poe) 6-1 205 Fr* Three pass breakups at ISU
MIKE LINEBACKER 33 Mac Mollohan 6-0 215 Jr All-Big Sky, 2 sacks vs. Weber
39 Brandon Eggart 6-1 213 Sr* Started twice, special teams ace
SAM LINEBACKER 91 Roger Cooper 6-3 233 Sr* Preseason All-America
36 Clayton Curley 6-1 196 Jr Special teams standout
LEFT CORNER 20 Ryan Force 6-2 203 So* Has started all six games
13 Kory Austin 5-11 176 Fr* Missed five of last six halves (inj.)
3 Ryan Kelley 5-9 175 Fr True frosh on redshirt alert
FREE SAFETY 25 Toph Grenfell 6-0 196 Jr+ 11 tackles, two TL, one pick vs. PSU
26 Demond Goins (duh-MOND GO-ins) 5-10 170 Jr* Has started twice this year
STRONG SAFETY 4 Corky Lindsay 5-9 205 Jr+ Has started last 3 games
26 Demond Goins (duh-MOND GO-ins) 5-10 170 Jr* Has started twice this year
RIGHT CORNER 9 Andre Fuller 5-10 159 Fr* Has started all six games
30 Michael McGuinness 5-11 170 Jr* Special teams standout
*-indicates player has used redshirt year, +-indicates player is a transfer
KICKOFFS: 35-Travis Doroski PLACE KICKER: 11-EJ Cochrane
PUNTS: 14-Travis Lulay LONG SNAPS: 96-Dusty Daws
KICK RETURNS: 1-Rick Gatewood PUNT RETURNS: 20-Ryan Force
HOLDER: 82-Matt McCullough
Wednesday, August 19
Wednesday, June 10
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
