Lulay Leads Way for MSU Win
10/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
In the grand scheme of things, two years isn't a lot of time.
In the life of a 21-year old, two years is nearly forever.
But for the Montana State Bobcat football team, two years seemed like an eternity and a flashpoint all at once in Holt Arena on Saturday afternoon.
It was only 10 days shy of two years ago that Travis Lulay walked down Holt's long ramp from the visiting lockerroom to the playing field, then trudged 120 yards to the media interview room. He confessed to not sleeping much the night before, at one point had tears in his eyes, and was admittedly bitter about the controversial ending that gave Idaho State a close win over the Bobcats in the true freshman quarterbacks first career start.
But there was Lulay on Saturday, making the same walk but talking a much different talk. "It feels a lot different," he said in the understated manner that makes him both a person like everyone else on the MSU team and on the Bozeman campus, and yet someone entirely different.
A lot has happened in those two years. The Bobcats and Idaho State shared a Big Sky title after the 2002 season, and MSU was again part of a three-way tie last year. For three quarters Saturday, the homestanding Bengals looked like the confident, championship team. ISU marched up and down the field like no team has in the regular season against the 'Cats for quite a while.
But in the fourth quarter, it was all Lulay. He connected with Eddie Sullivan on a 55-yard touchdown, the team's second 50-yarder of the day, to give MSU the lead. Then, in spite of throwing an interception on a brilliant individual effort by Michael Hodges, managed MSU's offense efficiently and effectively.
"Travis made some big plays, but his value to our team is that he plays within the confines of our system," said MSU coach Mike Kramer. "He does exactly what we want him to do, and he does it with a demeanor and style that is second to none."
Two years ago, Lulay, charting new territory for him and his team, led the 'Cats on an exhilerating march to a league title. This year, his cast is different. His receiver corps was depleted further on Saturday when Brandon Roosevelt suffered a season-ending knee injury. His line is young, his running backs largely untested.
But there is one constant -- old number 14 is still talking the talk. And he's still walking the walk.
In the life of a 21-year old, two years is nearly forever.
But for the Montana State Bobcat football team, two years seemed like an eternity and a flashpoint all at once in Holt Arena on Saturday afternoon.
It was only 10 days shy of two years ago that Travis Lulay walked down Holt's long ramp from the visiting lockerroom to the playing field, then trudged 120 yards to the media interview room. He confessed to not sleeping much the night before, at one point had tears in his eyes, and was admittedly bitter about the controversial ending that gave Idaho State a close win over the Bobcats in the true freshman quarterbacks first career start.
But there was Lulay on Saturday, making the same walk but talking a much different talk. "It feels a lot different," he said in the understated manner that makes him both a person like everyone else on the MSU team and on the Bozeman campus, and yet someone entirely different.
A lot has happened in those two years. The Bobcats and Idaho State shared a Big Sky title after the 2002 season, and MSU was again part of a three-way tie last year. For three quarters Saturday, the homestanding Bengals looked like the confident, championship team. ISU marched up and down the field like no team has in the regular season against the 'Cats for quite a while.
But in the fourth quarter, it was all Lulay. He connected with Eddie Sullivan on a 55-yard touchdown, the team's second 50-yarder of the day, to give MSU the lead. Then, in spite of throwing an interception on a brilliant individual effort by Michael Hodges, managed MSU's offense efficiently and effectively.
"Travis made some big plays, but his value to our team is that he plays within the confines of our system," said MSU coach Mike Kramer. "He does exactly what we want him to do, and he does it with a demeanor and style that is second to none."
Two years ago, Lulay, charting new territory for him and his team, led the 'Cats on an exhilerating march to a league title. This year, his cast is different. His receiver corps was depleted further on Saturday when Brandon Roosevelt suffered a season-ending knee injury. His line is young, his running backs largely untested.
But there is one constant -- old number 14 is still talking the talk. And he's still walking the walk.
Wednesday, June 10
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