MSU Game Notes vs. NAU
10/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
THE STORYLINE
With Halloween weekend at hand, and another episode of dodging the witching hour in the books, Montana State heads to its own house of horrors, Northern Arizona’s Walkup Skydome, where the Bobcats have not won since 1979. MSU faces a Lumberjack squad that staged some late-game magic of its own last week, when Paul Ernster capped a come-from-behind win with a 48-yard field goal with 12 seconds to play. The game matches a pair of teams fighting to stay in the Big Sky title chase.
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 7:05 pm MDT
SITE: Flagstaff, AZ
STADIUM: Walkup Skydome
PRESS BOX PHONE: 928/523-7729
RADIO: State Farm Bobcat Network (Kris Atteberry, Dan Davies)
TELEVISION: Omega (Dean Alexander)
HIGHLIGHTS
* In Travis Lulay’s 27 starts, he has led MSU to game-winning drives on MSU’s last possession five times, including the last three games
* MSU’s crowd of 11,307 Saturday was its third-largest ever for a non-league game
STREAKS
* Montana State’s four-game winning streak is its longest since the end of the 2003 regular season
* After six straight games of scoring exactly two TDs, MSU scored four against PSU and three against SDSU
* MSU plays two straight and three of its last four games on the road
MILESTONES
* Travis Lulay’s 411 yards vs. SDSU was the third-best day in MSU history
SHINING
* QB TRAVIS LULAY has thrown for a career-high in passing yards in the last two games, earned Big Sky Player of the Week honors both weeks, and was named I-AA.org National All-Star last week and Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette Offensive Player of the Week this week
* P/K EJ COCHRANE missed two field goals, but kicked the game-winning with two seconds left
* WR RICK GATEWOOD has two straight 100-yard receiving games
* TE BLAKE WOLF had career highs in yards (137) and catches (11) vs. South Dakota State
ABOUT THE ‘CATS...
MSU in ‘04 5-2
Conf./Record Big Sky/3-0
Home/Road 4-1/1-1
Grass/Turf 4-2/1-0
Day/Night 5-2/0-0
HEAD COACH Mike Kramer
Alma Mater Idaho/’76
Overall/Years 60-63/11th
At MSU/Years 23-31/5th
vs NAU 5-5
Home/Road 3-2/2-3
SERIES NAU 22-16
At MSU MSU 12-7
At NAU NAU 15-4
At Neutral 0-0
Current Streak MSU 1W
ABOUT NORTHERN ARIZONA...
NAU in ‘04 4-3
Conf./Record Big Sky/3-1
Home/Road 4-0/0-3
Grass/Turf 0-2/4-1
Day/Night 1-0/3-3
HEAD COACH Jerome Souers
Alma Mater Oregon/’83
Overall/Years 40-36/7th
At School/Years same
vs MSU 4-2
Home/Road/Neu 3-0/1-2
ABOUT NAU The Lumberjacks
School Colors Blue, gold
Location Flagstaff, AZ
Enrollment 20,000
Stadium Walkup Skydome
OPPONENT ‘04 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
S4 at Arizona L, 3-21
S11 at SF Austin L 17-24
S25 Weber State W 55-27
O2 Sacramento State W 26-0
O9 at Eastern Wash. L 14-45
O16 Western NM W 34-14
O23 Portland State W 21-20
O30 Montana State
N6 at Montana
N13 at Idaho State
N20 Northern Iowa
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 W 27-24 Another game-winner on last possession
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
F Thin Secondary... The ‘Cats remain thin at cornerback. Starter Kory Austin has missed seven of MSU’s last eight halves, with free safety Ryan Force joining freshman Andre Fuller on the outside. Austin’s expected return to health would send Force back to free safety and stabilize the situation at the corner.
F Lulay Leading the Way... Travis Lulay is 17-11 as MSU’s starting quarterback, the fourth-highest win total and fifth-highest winning percentage in school history. In those 17 wins, he has led MSU to second-half comebacks seven times, and to five wins in which the ‘Cats scored on their last possession.
F In the trenches... Montana State re-shuffled its offensive lien Saturday, an opportunity afforded by the return of injured tackle Joe Hirst. Hirst’s first action of the season allowed Jeff Bolton to move back to his natural guard position, which allowed the Bobcat coaching staff to use starting guard Brant Birkeland in a reserve role to spell Bolton and Lawrence Figueroa. Hirst played 17 snaps on Saturday, and is projected to start at right tackle this weekend at Northern Arizona.
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. Lulay has split punting chores with EJ Cochrane this season.
1-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89
4 8 13 4 3 0 1
Finishing Strong
From 1990 to ‘99, the Bobcats were 6-20 in 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 just 20 in the first seven third quarters of 2004.
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 14 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 24 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.
Fast Starts
Montana State is 3-0 in Big Sky play for the first time since 1982, when MSU was 4-0 before losing at Idaho and Montana. MSU is 5-2 overall for the first time since 1998, when the ‘Cats were 6-2 before losing two of their last three, but have been 5-2 four times in the last 12 years.
Turning it Over
In the past two seasons, a strange trend has emerged regarding MSU and turnover margin...
Year Span Margin Record
2003 First Seven Games +6 3-4
2003 Last Six Games -2 4-2
2004 First Three Games +1 1-2
2004 Next Four Games -4 4-0
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 13 of the 26 quarters this year. The Bobcats have held their opponents scoreless in 43 of the last 86 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 47% passing in the last eight regular-sason games last year, and to 50% in the first seven games this season.
Keep Rollin’ Along
Montana State’s offense has found a new gear as autumn fades into winter. MSU has gained over 400 yards inthe last three games, which hasn’t happened at the school since the final three regular season games and the first playoff game in 1984.
Funny Fumble Facts
Fumbles aren’t necessarily a good thing in football, but that truism has been stood upside down in MSU’s 2004 season. The winning team has fumbled 16 times, losing nine, while the losing team has fumbled only six times, losing three.
MSU When Leading After...
1st Qtr: 2-0/2nd Qtr: 1-0/3rd Qtr: 2-0
MSU WhenTrailing After...
1st Qtr: 2-1/2nd Qtr: 3-2/3rd Qtr: 2-2
By the Numbers
2
Number of 100-yard receiving games by Bobcat receivers during the 2003 season, both by Scott Turnquist
4
Number of 100-yard receivers in Montana State’s last two games (Sullivan and Gatewood vs. PSU, Wolf and Gatewood vs. SDSU)
12,257
Average number of fans present at Montana State’s first five home games of ‘04
61
Career victories for Montana State Head Coach Mike Kramer, third in Big Sky history
KRAMER’S QUOTES
On the South Dakota State game: “This was a hard-fought game marked by some self-inflicted misery on our part and punctuated by an outstanding job by the South Dakota State coaches and players. That is a well-coached team that played hard. Travis (Lulay) really found a rhythm at points in the game and played peerlessly, and Blake Wolf did a good job catching the ball and, especially, gaining yards after the catch. We’re not suffering the plethora of drops in the passing game, and that allowed us to get things going Saturday. Defensively we did an excellent job, especially in the first three quarters. We were plagued by mistakes, by penalties and fumbles, that really allowed South Dakota State to stay in the game.”
On Northern Arizona: “We’re mightily concerned about the skills and abilities of Jason Murrietta, and like all teams we have to focus considerable energy on Roger Robinson and our ability stop the run. Robinson is real comfortable on the turf, and essentially he’s real comfortable against us. They have excellent skill at the wide receiver position. Defensively, they’re kind of like more of the same. They refuse to spread the field, even against a spread offense. They stack in against the run. They’re light and fast, they’re very good tacklers and have very good coverage skills outside. They play a lot of man-to-man, and are effective in their scheme. One major concern when dealing with NAU is that Paul Ernster gives them very good field position because he can really rock the rock. He is an outstanding weapon as a place kicker and as a punter. If there’s been an aspect for us in our misery there through the years it has been that field position is often dictated by the success they have had in the kicking game.”
On the Bobcats: “We’re very alert to the importance of this game. Montana State has not had much success in that building, but that has very little bearing on this team. Northern Arizona has been better than Montana State through the years, and that’s why they have won those games. We just have to play well. We need to eliminate mistakes and eliminate negative plays on offense.”
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 seven games as RS frosh
79 Adam DeCock........................................... 6-6 285 Fr* Has played in all seven games
72 Garrin Brewton.......................................... 6-5 283 So* Played sparingly twice
LEFT GUARD 57 Brant Birkeland.......................................... 6-1 266 So* Started first 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, plays OT & OG
73 Joe Hirst.................................................... 6-7 275 So Played for 1st time this year vs. SDSU
QUARTERBACK 14 Travis Lulay.............................................. 6-2 203 Jr Started last 28 straight games
15 Cory Carpenter.......................................... 6-2 197 Fr* Has not yet played
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 4 games
27 Jimmy Beal................................................ 5-7 165 So* Can play RB and WR
X RECEIVER 19 Chaz Guinn (like Gwynn).......................... 6-2 194 Jr+ Leads MSU in catches, yards
82 Matt McCullough...................................... 5-11 175 Sr* Played in all six games
SLOT RECEIVER 1 Rick Gatewood.......................................... 6-0 180 Jr*+ 230 yards, 3 TDs in last two games
80 Kellen Alley............................................... 6-2 199 So* Can play all three receiver spots
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 137 yards vs. SDSU
95 Elliott Barnhart.......................................... 6-3 225 Fr True freshman, has played in 4 games
Defense
ANCHOR END 58 Ray Sebestyen (like Sebastian)................. 6-2 253 Sr* 10 TL, 5 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+ 16 tackles 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* 6 tackles, 4 TL, 2 sacks vs. SDSU
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, 12 tackles, 3 TL vs. SDSU
39 Brandon Eggart.......................................... 6-1 213 Sr* Started twice, special teams ace
SAM LINEBACKER 91 Roger Cooper............................................. 6-3 233 Sr* Preseason All-America
39 Brandon Eggart.......................................... 6-1 213 Sr* Special teams standout
LEFT CORNER 20 Ryan Force................................................ 6-2 203 So* Has started all seven games
30 Michael McGuinness................................ 5-11 170 Jr* Special teams standout
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 4 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 seven games
13 Kory Austin.............................................. 5-11 176 Fr* Missed seven of last eight halves (inj.)
*-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: 8-Justin Domineck PUNT RETURNS: 20-Ryan Force
HOLDER: 82-Matt McCullough
With Halloween weekend at hand, and another episode of dodging the witching hour in the books, Montana State heads to its own house of horrors, Northern Arizona’s Walkup Skydome, where the Bobcats have not won since 1979. MSU faces a Lumberjack squad that staged some late-game magic of its own last week, when Paul Ernster capped a come-from-behind win with a 48-yard field goal with 12 seconds to play. The game matches a pair of teams fighting to stay in the Big Sky title chase.
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 7:05 pm MDT
SITE: Flagstaff, AZ
STADIUM: Walkup Skydome
PRESS BOX PHONE: 928/523-7729
RADIO: State Farm Bobcat Network (Kris Atteberry, Dan Davies)
TELEVISION: Omega (Dean Alexander)
HIGHLIGHTS
* In Travis Lulay’s 27 starts, he has led MSU to game-winning drives on MSU’s last possession five times, including the last three games
* MSU’s crowd of 11,307 Saturday was its third-largest ever for a non-league game
STREAKS
* Montana State’s four-game winning streak is its longest since the end of the 2003 regular season
* After six straight games of scoring exactly two TDs, MSU scored four against PSU and three against SDSU
* MSU plays two straight and three of its last four games on the road
MILESTONES
* Travis Lulay’s 411 yards vs. SDSU was the third-best day in MSU history
SHINING
* QB TRAVIS LULAY has thrown for a career-high in passing yards in the last two games, earned Big Sky Player of the Week honors both weeks, and was named I-AA.org National All-Star last week and Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette Offensive Player of the Week this week
* P/K EJ COCHRANE missed two field goals, but kicked the game-winning with two seconds left
* WR RICK GATEWOOD has two straight 100-yard receiving games
* TE BLAKE WOLF had career highs in yards (137) and catches (11) vs. South Dakota State
ABOUT THE ‘CATS...
MSU in ‘04 5-2
Conf./Record Big Sky/3-0
Home/Road 4-1/1-1
Grass/Turf 4-2/1-0
Day/Night 5-2/0-0
HEAD COACH Mike Kramer
Alma Mater Idaho/’76
Overall/Years 60-63/11th
At MSU/Years 23-31/5th
vs NAU 5-5
Home/Road 3-2/2-3
SERIES NAU 22-16
At MSU MSU 12-7
At NAU NAU 15-4
At Neutral 0-0
Current Streak MSU 1W
ABOUT NORTHERN ARIZONA...
NAU in ‘04 4-3
Conf./Record Big Sky/3-1
Home/Road 4-0/0-3
Grass/Turf 0-2/4-1
Day/Night 1-0/3-3
HEAD COACH Jerome Souers
Alma Mater Oregon/’83
Overall/Years 40-36/7th
At School/Years same
vs MSU 4-2
Home/Road/Neu 3-0/1-2
ABOUT NAU The Lumberjacks
School Colors Blue, gold
Location Flagstaff, AZ
Enrollment 20,000
Stadium Walkup Skydome
OPPONENT ‘04 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
S4 at Arizona L, 3-21
S11 at SF Austin L 17-24
S25 Weber State W 55-27
O2 Sacramento State W 26-0
O9 at Eastern Wash. L 14-45
O16 Western NM W 34-14
O23 Portland State W 21-20
O30 Montana State
N6 at Montana
N13 at Idaho State
N20 Northern Iowa
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 W 27-24 Another game-winner on last possession
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
F Thin Secondary... The ‘Cats remain thin at cornerback. Starter Kory Austin has missed seven of MSU’s last eight halves, with free safety Ryan Force joining freshman Andre Fuller on the outside. Austin’s expected return to health would send Force back to free safety and stabilize the situation at the corner.
F Lulay Leading the Way... Travis Lulay is 17-11 as MSU’s starting quarterback, the fourth-highest win total and fifth-highest winning percentage in school history. In those 17 wins, he has led MSU to second-half comebacks seven times, and to five wins in which the ‘Cats scored on their last possession.
F In the trenches... Montana State re-shuffled its offensive lien Saturday, an opportunity afforded by the return of injured tackle Joe Hirst. Hirst’s first action of the season allowed Jeff Bolton to move back to his natural guard position, which allowed the Bobcat coaching staff to use starting guard Brant Birkeland in a reserve role to spell Bolton and Lawrence Figueroa. Hirst played 17 snaps on Saturday, and is projected to start at right tackle this weekend at Northern Arizona.
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. Lulay has split punting chores with EJ Cochrane this season.
1-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89
4 8 13 4 3 0 1
Finishing Strong
From 1990 to ‘99, the Bobcats were 6-20 in 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 just 20 in the first seven third quarters of 2004.
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 14 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 24 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.
Fast Starts
Montana State is 3-0 in Big Sky play for the first time since 1982, when MSU was 4-0 before losing at Idaho and Montana. MSU is 5-2 overall for the first time since 1998, when the ‘Cats were 6-2 before losing two of their last three, but have been 5-2 four times in the last 12 years.
Turning it Over
In the past two seasons, a strange trend has emerged regarding MSU and turnover margin...
Year Span Margin Record
2003 First Seven Games +6 3-4
2003 Last Six Games -2 4-2
2004 First Three Games +1 1-2
2004 Next Four Games -4 4-0
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 13 of the 26 quarters this year. The Bobcats have held their opponents scoreless in 43 of the last 86 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 47% passing in the last eight regular-sason games last year, and to 50% in the first seven games this season.
Keep Rollin’ Along
Montana State’s offense has found a new gear as autumn fades into winter. MSU has gained over 400 yards inthe last three games, which hasn’t happened at the school since the final three regular season games and the first playoff game in 1984.
Funny Fumble Facts
Fumbles aren’t necessarily a good thing in football, but that truism has been stood upside down in MSU’s 2004 season. The winning team has fumbled 16 times, losing nine, while the losing team has fumbled only six times, losing three.
MSU When Leading After...
1st Qtr: 2-0/2nd Qtr: 1-0/3rd Qtr: 2-0
MSU WhenTrailing After...
1st Qtr: 2-1/2nd Qtr: 3-2/3rd Qtr: 2-2
By the Numbers
2
Number of 100-yard receiving games by Bobcat receivers during the 2003 season, both by Scott Turnquist
4
Number of 100-yard receivers in Montana State’s last two games (Sullivan and Gatewood vs. PSU, Wolf and Gatewood vs. SDSU)
12,257
Average number of fans present at Montana State’s first five home games of ‘04
61
Career victories for Montana State Head Coach Mike Kramer, third in Big Sky history
KRAMER’S QUOTES
On the South Dakota State game: “This was a hard-fought game marked by some self-inflicted misery on our part and punctuated by an outstanding job by the South Dakota State coaches and players. That is a well-coached team that played hard. Travis (Lulay) really found a rhythm at points in the game and played peerlessly, and Blake Wolf did a good job catching the ball and, especially, gaining yards after the catch. We’re not suffering the plethora of drops in the passing game, and that allowed us to get things going Saturday. Defensively we did an excellent job, especially in the first three quarters. We were plagued by mistakes, by penalties and fumbles, that really allowed South Dakota State to stay in the game.”
On Northern Arizona: “We’re mightily concerned about the skills and abilities of Jason Murrietta, and like all teams we have to focus considerable energy on Roger Robinson and our ability stop the run. Robinson is real comfortable on the turf, and essentially he’s real comfortable against us. They have excellent skill at the wide receiver position. Defensively, they’re kind of like more of the same. They refuse to spread the field, even against a spread offense. They stack in against the run. They’re light and fast, they’re very good tacklers and have very good coverage skills outside. They play a lot of man-to-man, and are effective in their scheme. One major concern when dealing with NAU is that Paul Ernster gives them very good field position because he can really rock the rock. He is an outstanding weapon as a place kicker and as a punter. If there’s been an aspect for us in our misery there through the years it has been that field position is often dictated by the success they have had in the kicking game.”
On the Bobcats: “We’re very alert to the importance of this game. Montana State has not had much success in that building, but that has very little bearing on this team. Northern Arizona has been better than Montana State through the years, and that’s why they have won those games. We just have to play well. We need to eliminate mistakes and eliminate negative plays on offense.”
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 seven games as RS frosh
79 Adam DeCock........................................... 6-6 285 Fr* Has played in all seven games
72 Garrin Brewton.......................................... 6-5 283 So* Played sparingly twice
LEFT GUARD 57 Brant Birkeland.......................................... 6-1 266 So* Started first 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, plays OT & OG
73 Joe Hirst.................................................... 6-7 275 So Played for 1st time this year vs. SDSU
QUARTERBACK 14 Travis Lulay.............................................. 6-2 203 Jr Started last 28 straight games
15 Cory Carpenter.......................................... 6-2 197 Fr* Has not yet played
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 4 games
27 Jimmy Beal................................................ 5-7 165 So* Can play RB and WR
X RECEIVER 19 Chaz Guinn (like Gwynn).......................... 6-2 194 Jr+ Leads MSU in catches, yards
82 Matt McCullough...................................... 5-11 175 Sr* Played in all six games
SLOT RECEIVER 1 Rick Gatewood.......................................... 6-0 180 Jr*+ 230 yards, 3 TDs in last two games
80 Kellen Alley............................................... 6-2 199 So* Can play all three receiver spots
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 137 yards vs. SDSU
95 Elliott Barnhart.......................................... 6-3 225 Fr True freshman, has played in 4 games
Defense
ANCHOR END 58 Ray Sebestyen (like Sebastian)................. 6-2 253 Sr* 10 TL, 5 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+ 16 tackles 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* 6 tackles, 4 TL, 2 sacks vs. SDSU
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, 12 tackles, 3 TL vs. SDSU
39 Brandon Eggart.......................................... 6-1 213 Sr* Started twice, special teams ace
SAM LINEBACKER 91 Roger Cooper............................................. 6-3 233 Sr* Preseason All-America
39 Brandon Eggart.......................................... 6-1 213 Sr* Special teams standout
LEFT CORNER 20 Ryan Force................................................ 6-2 203 So* Has started all seven games
30 Michael McGuinness................................ 5-11 170 Jr* Special teams standout
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 4 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 seven games
13 Kory Austin.............................................. 5-11 176 Fr* Missed seven of last eight halves (inj.)
*-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: 8-Justin Domineck PUNT RETURNS: 20-Ryan Force
HOLDER: 82-Matt McCullough
Thursday, August 27
Monday, August 24
Monday, August 24
Wednesday, June 10
