Bobcat Football Sunday Notebook, 10/31/04
10/31/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Montana State 60, Northern Arizona 14 – October 30, 2004 – Walkup Skydome, Flagstaff
INJURY REPORT: Joe Hirst did not play on Saturday as a precautionary measure (knee), but is expected to play at Sacramento State. Michael Williams (knee, 4-6 weeks), Morris Milton (knee, indefinite), and Clayton Curley (knee, season) are out, along with holdover injuries Kahiam Hunter, Nick Marudas, Eddie Smith, and Brandon Roosevelt. Otherwise, the Bobcats enter November healthy.
MIKE KRAMER’S MEDIA AND APPEARANCE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Monday: 8:15 am – Mike Kramer, KJJR Radio, Kalispell (via phone)
12 noon – Mike Kramer, Bobcat Quarterback Club, Billings
6 pm – Mike Kramer, Bobcat Quarterback Club, Bozeman
Tuesday: 10 am – Coach’s Corner, Mike Kramer with Kris Atteberry, Bozeman Holiday Inn
12 noon –Travis Lulay and TBA -- Papa John’s Media Lunch, Fieldhouse Hall of Fame
12:30 pm – Mike Kramer on KBOZ-AM, Bozeman
7 pm – Mike Kramer, Bobcat Quarterback Club, Great Falls
Wednesday: 12 noon – Mike Kramer, Booster Club Luncheon, Butte
6 pm – The Bobcast, Mike Kramer with Justin Domineck and Morris Milton, hosted by Kris Atteberry, Old Chicago (100.7 KXLB-FM, and www.sportsjuice.com)
Thursday: 7 am – Mike Kramer on KXLB-FM and Clear Channel Radio of Bozeman
12 noon – Mike Kramer at Butte Quarterback Club
Friday: 4:15 pm – Mike Kramer on KGHL/Billings
TEAM NOTES
• The Bobcats are 6-2 for the first time since 1998, and for only the third time since 1984
• Saturday’s win clinched MSU’s third consecutive winning season for the first time since 1996-98 and for only the second time since 1975 (1976-79)
• The win over NAU also gave MSU its fourth conference win of the season, clinching MSU’s fourth straight winning Big Sky season for the first time since 1972-76 and for only the second time in school history
• The 60 points scored by the Bobcats Saturday is the most ever scored by a Montana State team on the road, and the sixth-highest output in school history
• Mike Kramer-coached Bobcat teams have now scored more than 50 points twice, both against Big Sky foes, making Kramer the third Bobcat coach – joining Earle Solomonson and Cliff Hysell – whose teams passed the 50-point mark twice in conference play
• Montana State is now 4-0 in Big Sky play for the first time since 1982
• Montana State’s 541 yards on Saturday was the program’s most since the ‘Cats rolled up 654 against Idaho State in 2001
• For the first time since ‘84, MSU has won in three consecutive weeks as a nationally-ranked squad
• The Bobcat offense has rolled up at least 400 yards of total offense in the last four games, the first time MSU has posted four straight 400-yarders since 1984
• Montana State has four 400-yard total offense days this year, the most since rolling up six in 1998
• The Bobcats scored 22 points in the first quarter Saturday night, more than the team scored in any of its first five games this season
• Saturday’s win was Mike Kramer’s 62nd as a head coach in the Big Sky Conference, the third-highest total in conference history
• Montana State is now 17-2 under Mike Kramer when the Bobcats hold their opponent to less than 20 points
• Montana State’s offense has averaged at least 5.0 yards per offensive play in the last six consecutive games
• MSU’s 53-0 halftime lead was MSU’s third-best first-half output in school history (after 73 vs. Eastern Oregon in 1986 and 55 vs. Western New Mexico in 1999, just ahead of 52 scored against Idaho State in 1998)
INDIVIDUAL NOTES/PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEES
OFFENSE: QB Travis Lulay, 6-3, 205, Jr, Stayton, OR
Travis Lulay led Montana State to its first win at Northern Arizona since 1979 and to its highest offensive output on the road in school history, as MSU beat the Lumberjacks 60-14 Saturday night. Lulay threw for 366 yards, his third straight game over 300 yards, one 21-for-32 passing. Lulay threw three touchdown passes without an interception, and has a 7-to-0 TD-to-Int ratio in the last two games with 777 yards. Lulay led the Bobcats to scoring drives on the team’s first seven possessions of the game, all in the first half, as the Bobcats built a 53-0 halftime cushion, the most points MSU has scored in a half against Division I competition. Lulay’s single-game pass efficiency rating was 192.64, and he was also MSU’s second-leading rusher, getting 31 yards on six carries without being sacked or caught for a tackle-for-loss.
OTHER NOTES: Eddie Sullivan had six catches for 139 yards, his second 100-yard game in the last three… Rick Gatewood caught a pair of touchdown passes, his first two as a Bobcat… Justin Domineck rushed for a pair of touchdowns, his third two-TD game of the season… Domineck’s 90 rushing yards is his second-best total… Lulay was MSU’s second-leading rusher, getting 31 yards and a touchdown.
DEFENSE: FS Toph Grenfell, 5-11, 197, Jr, Lake Arrowhead, CA
MSU safety Toph Grenfell registered five tackles, four solos. He intercepted one pass, returning it 25 yards, and broke up another, and also recovered a fumble. Grenfell was in on the key sequence of events in Montana State’s first win at Northern Arizona since 1979. With the Bobcats leading 13-0 late in the first quarter, Grenfell recovered a Jason Murrietta fumble, and MSU converted that turnover into a touchdown. On NAU’s next possession, Grenfell picked off a Murrietta pass and returned it to the NAU 24. The Bobcats eventually kicked a field goal, opening up a 22-0 lead.
OTHER NOTES: Bobcat All-America candidate Ray Sebestyen registered his first two-sack game of the season against South Dakota State… Chad Gluhm had his first two sacks of the season in a dominant performance… MSU sacked Jackrabbit quarterback Brad Nelson a season-high six times.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Travis Doroski, 5-9, 191, So, El Cajon, CA
Bobcat kickoff specialist had a busy night for Montana State, kicking off eight times and nailing four touchbacks. NAU returned four of Doroski’s kicks, with two of those drives beginning at their own 14. Doroski has 12 touchbacks this year, after MSU registered just three last season.
OTHER NOTES: Travis Lulay returned as MSU’s punter, and although he didn’t punt until the second half he nailed four for a 44.5 yard-per-punt average. He had two punts over 50 yards, one over 60, and nailed NAU inside its own 20 twice.
CURRENT BIG SKY STANDINGS
Montana State 4-0 6-2
Eastern Washington 5-1 6-3
Montana 3-1 6-2
Northern Arizona 3-2 4-4
Portland State 2-3 4-4
Sacramento State 1-4 2-6
Idaho State 1-4 2-6
Weber State 1-5 1-7
LAST WEEK
Montana State 60, Northern Arizona 14
Portland State 35, Montana 32
Eastern Washington 45, Sacramento State 10
Weber State 26, Idaho State 12
THIS WEEK
Montana State at Sacramento State, 5:05 pm MST
Northern Arizona at Montana, 12:05 pm
North Dakota State at Weber State, 1:05 pm
Cal Poly at Eastern Washington, 2:05 pm
Idaho State at Portland State, 3:35 pm
-msu-
INJURY REPORT: Joe Hirst did not play on Saturday as a precautionary measure (knee), but is expected to play at Sacramento State. Michael Williams (knee, 4-6 weeks), Morris Milton (knee, indefinite), and Clayton Curley (knee, season) are out, along with holdover injuries Kahiam Hunter, Nick Marudas, Eddie Smith, and Brandon Roosevelt. Otherwise, the Bobcats enter November healthy.
MIKE KRAMER’S MEDIA AND APPEARANCE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Monday: 8:15 am – Mike Kramer, KJJR Radio, Kalispell (via phone)
12 noon – Mike Kramer, Bobcat Quarterback Club, Billings
6 pm – Mike Kramer, Bobcat Quarterback Club, Bozeman
Tuesday: 10 am – Coach’s Corner, Mike Kramer with Kris Atteberry, Bozeman Holiday Inn
12 noon –Travis Lulay and TBA -- Papa John’s Media Lunch, Fieldhouse Hall of Fame
12:30 pm – Mike Kramer on KBOZ-AM, Bozeman
7 pm – Mike Kramer, Bobcat Quarterback Club, Great Falls
Wednesday: 12 noon – Mike Kramer, Booster Club Luncheon, Butte
6 pm – The Bobcast, Mike Kramer with Justin Domineck and Morris Milton, hosted by Kris Atteberry, Old Chicago (100.7 KXLB-FM, and www.sportsjuice.com)
Thursday: 7 am – Mike Kramer on KXLB-FM and Clear Channel Radio of Bozeman
12 noon – Mike Kramer at Butte Quarterback Club
Friday: 4:15 pm – Mike Kramer on KGHL/Billings
TEAM NOTES
• The Bobcats are 6-2 for the first time since 1998, and for only the third time since 1984
• Saturday’s win clinched MSU’s third consecutive winning season for the first time since 1996-98 and for only the second time since 1975 (1976-79)
• The win over NAU also gave MSU its fourth conference win of the season, clinching MSU’s fourth straight winning Big Sky season for the first time since 1972-76 and for only the second time in school history
• The 60 points scored by the Bobcats Saturday is the most ever scored by a Montana State team on the road, and the sixth-highest output in school history
• Mike Kramer-coached Bobcat teams have now scored more than 50 points twice, both against Big Sky foes, making Kramer the third Bobcat coach – joining Earle Solomonson and Cliff Hysell – whose teams passed the 50-point mark twice in conference play
• Montana State is now 4-0 in Big Sky play for the first time since 1982
• Montana State’s 541 yards on Saturday was the program’s most since the ‘Cats rolled up 654 against Idaho State in 2001
• For the first time since ‘84, MSU has won in three consecutive weeks as a nationally-ranked squad
• The Bobcat offense has rolled up at least 400 yards of total offense in the last four games, the first time MSU has posted four straight 400-yarders since 1984
• Montana State has four 400-yard total offense days this year, the most since rolling up six in 1998
• The Bobcats scored 22 points in the first quarter Saturday night, more than the team scored in any of its first five games this season
• Saturday’s win was Mike Kramer’s 62nd as a head coach in the Big Sky Conference, the third-highest total in conference history
• Montana State is now 17-2 under Mike Kramer when the Bobcats hold their opponent to less than 20 points
• Montana State’s offense has averaged at least 5.0 yards per offensive play in the last six consecutive games
• MSU’s 53-0 halftime lead was MSU’s third-best first-half output in school history (after 73 vs. Eastern Oregon in 1986 and 55 vs. Western New Mexico in 1999, just ahead of 52 scored against Idaho State in 1998)
INDIVIDUAL NOTES/PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEES
OFFENSE: QB Travis Lulay, 6-3, 205, Jr, Stayton, OR
Travis Lulay led Montana State to its first win at Northern Arizona since 1979 and to its highest offensive output on the road in school history, as MSU beat the Lumberjacks 60-14 Saturday night. Lulay threw for 366 yards, his third straight game over 300 yards, one 21-for-32 passing. Lulay threw three touchdown passes without an interception, and has a 7-to-0 TD-to-Int ratio in the last two games with 777 yards. Lulay led the Bobcats to scoring drives on the team’s first seven possessions of the game, all in the first half, as the Bobcats built a 53-0 halftime cushion, the most points MSU has scored in a half against Division I competition. Lulay’s single-game pass efficiency rating was 192.64, and he was also MSU’s second-leading rusher, getting 31 yards on six carries without being sacked or caught for a tackle-for-loss.
OTHER NOTES: Eddie Sullivan had six catches for 139 yards, his second 100-yard game in the last three… Rick Gatewood caught a pair of touchdown passes, his first two as a Bobcat… Justin Domineck rushed for a pair of touchdowns, his third two-TD game of the season… Domineck’s 90 rushing yards is his second-best total… Lulay was MSU’s second-leading rusher, getting 31 yards and a touchdown.
DEFENSE: FS Toph Grenfell, 5-11, 197, Jr, Lake Arrowhead, CA
MSU safety Toph Grenfell registered five tackles, four solos. He intercepted one pass, returning it 25 yards, and broke up another, and also recovered a fumble. Grenfell was in on the key sequence of events in Montana State’s first win at Northern Arizona since 1979. With the Bobcats leading 13-0 late in the first quarter, Grenfell recovered a Jason Murrietta fumble, and MSU converted that turnover into a touchdown. On NAU’s next possession, Grenfell picked off a Murrietta pass and returned it to the NAU 24. The Bobcats eventually kicked a field goal, opening up a 22-0 lead.
OTHER NOTES: Bobcat All-America candidate Ray Sebestyen registered his first two-sack game of the season against South Dakota State… Chad Gluhm had his first two sacks of the season in a dominant performance… MSU sacked Jackrabbit quarterback Brad Nelson a season-high six times.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Travis Doroski, 5-9, 191, So, El Cajon, CA
Bobcat kickoff specialist had a busy night for Montana State, kicking off eight times and nailing four touchbacks. NAU returned four of Doroski’s kicks, with two of those drives beginning at their own 14. Doroski has 12 touchbacks this year, after MSU registered just three last season.
OTHER NOTES: Travis Lulay returned as MSU’s punter, and although he didn’t punt until the second half he nailed four for a 44.5 yard-per-punt average. He had two punts over 50 yards, one over 60, and nailed NAU inside its own 20 twice.
CURRENT BIG SKY STANDINGS
Montana State 4-0 6-2
Eastern Washington 5-1 6-3
Montana 3-1 6-2
Northern Arizona 3-2 4-4
Portland State 2-3 4-4
Sacramento State 1-4 2-6
Idaho State 1-4 2-6
Weber State 1-5 1-7
LAST WEEK
Montana State 60, Northern Arizona 14
Portland State 35, Montana 32
Eastern Washington 45, Sacramento State 10
Weber State 26, Idaho State 12
THIS WEEK
Montana State at Sacramento State, 5:05 pm MST
Northern Arizona at Montana, 12:05 pm
North Dakota State at Weber State, 1:05 pm
Cal Poly at Eastern Washington, 2:05 pm
Idaho State at Portland State, 3:35 pm
-msu-
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
