Receivers Return from 'Deep Space' to Lead Cats
10/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Deep Space Nine. That is Mike Kramer's nickname for senior receiver Eddie Sullivan, in tribute to the area of the universe that Sullivan occupied near the end of fall camp.
"He was out there," Kramer laughs, although no one was laughing in September, when the state of the Bobcat passing game could more accurately be described as Lost in Space.
Marching in time with Sullivan's revival was the general state of Montana State's passing game, once dormant but on Saturday dominant. The Bobcats overcame a 21-10 fourth-quarter deficit to earn a 31-24 overtime win over league rival Portland State, riding the strong right arm of Travis Lulay and the soft hands and swift legs of Sullivan and his running mates Rick Gatewood and Chaz Guinn.
"We're getting there," has been the simple message of offensive coordinator Don Bailey, who nurtured the group through difficult times. The Bobcats gained less than 200 yards through the air in the first three games, but average 280.0 yards in the last three outings.
Lulay, who has engineered the turnaround, said an increased comfort level among the passing game's principals has spurred the resurgence. "I think the biggest thing is that we're continuing to grow in terms of being on the same page," said the junior quarterback, who earned Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week and Division I-AA offensive player of the week honors by I-AA.org and College Sports Television. "The biggest thing is the comfort level. It's gone from being whether or not they'd catch it to what they'll do after they catch it."
For Gatewood, the unit gelling was only a matter of time. "I think it was a mental block, catching the ball in front of 13,000 people," Gatewood says. "All you have to do is have fun and catch the ball. I knew we'd get there. But it's harder when you're putting pressure on yourself."
With the loss of Brandon Roosevelt to a season-ending knee injury, Gatewood, Sullivan and Guinn comprise the core of MSU's receiving corps. Gatewood says the group has kept each other going through the fall. "We talk all the time," Gatewood says. "I hang out with Chaz and Eddie after every practice, every day. We talked about (the group's struggles). I think it was just a mental block."
Now that the group is rolling in a positive direction, Gatewood says the interaction between the three receivers remains a positive force. "I know we fee off each other," Gatewood says, "very much."
"He was out there," Kramer laughs, although no one was laughing in September, when the state of the Bobcat passing game could more accurately be described as Lost in Space.
Marching in time with Sullivan's revival was the general state of Montana State's passing game, once dormant but on Saturday dominant. The Bobcats overcame a 21-10 fourth-quarter deficit to earn a 31-24 overtime win over league rival Portland State, riding the strong right arm of Travis Lulay and the soft hands and swift legs of Sullivan and his running mates Rick Gatewood and Chaz Guinn.
"We're getting there," has been the simple message of offensive coordinator Don Bailey, who nurtured the group through difficult times. The Bobcats gained less than 200 yards through the air in the first three games, but average 280.0 yards in the last three outings.
Lulay, who has engineered the turnaround, said an increased comfort level among the passing game's principals has spurred the resurgence. "I think the biggest thing is that we're continuing to grow in terms of being on the same page," said the junior quarterback, who earned Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week and Division I-AA offensive player of the week honors by I-AA.org and College Sports Television. "The biggest thing is the comfort level. It's gone from being whether or not they'd catch it to what they'll do after they catch it."
For Gatewood, the unit gelling was only a matter of time. "I think it was a mental block, catching the ball in front of 13,000 people," Gatewood says. "All you have to do is have fun and catch the ball. I knew we'd get there. But it's harder when you're putting pressure on yourself."
With the loss of Brandon Roosevelt to a season-ending knee injury, Gatewood, Sullivan and Guinn comprise the core of MSU's receiving corps. Gatewood says the group has kept each other going through the fall. "We talk all the time," Gatewood says. "I hang out with Chaz and Eddie after every practice, every day. We talked about (the group's struggles). I think it was just a mental block."
Now that the group is rolling in a positive direction, Gatewood says the interaction between the three receivers remains a positive force. "I know we fee off each other," Gatewood says, "very much."
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