MSU Game Notes vs. Weber State
10/5/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
THE STORYLINE
Montana State won its Big Sky opener for only the second time in six seasons, and open a three-game homestand against Weber State on Saturday. Nick Chornous, one of the league’s top ball-carriers, leads a balanced Wildcat offense into Bobcat Stadium. The intensity level is always high when Weber coach Jerry Graybeal, a former Eastern Washington assistant, faces Mike Kramer, his former boss. Travis Lulay has gotten the Bobcat offense back on track the last two weekends, throwing for 247 yards in the road win over Idaho State last Saturday.
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 1:35 pm MST
SITE: Bozeman
STADIUM: Bobcat Stadium
PRESS BOX PHONE: 406/994-6180
RADIO: State Farm Bobcat Network (Kris Atteberry, Dan Davies)
TELEVISION: Altitude (Chris Marlowe, Irv Brown)
HIGHLIGHTS
l MSU has gained 326 and 308 yards in the last two games after being held below 300 in the first two
STREAKS
l MSU has won all three of its games against Weber State played on October 9, including the 1999 Homecoming contest l After starting the season 31-for-77 in the first two games, Travis Lulay is 38-for-66 with 3 TDs and 2 picks l Montana State enters a string of three consecutive home games, the longest homestand since 2000
MILESTONES
l Mike Kramer’s next win will tie him with Jim Criner for third on the Big Sky career wins list (59)
SHINING
l QB TRAVIS LULAY had his best game of the season, throwing for 247 yards (30-18-1) l P TRAVIS LULAY averaged 47.5 yards a punt and pinned ISU inside the 20 twice l LB ROGER COOPER earned Big Sky Player of the Week honors for his performance (9 tackles, 3 TL, 1 sack) l WR EDDIE SULLIVAN scored his first TD, a 55-yarder to put MSU ahead in the fourth quarter
ABOUT THE ‘CATS...
MSU in ‘04 2-2
Conf./Record Big Sky/1-0
Home/Road 1-1/1-1
Grass/Turf 1-2/1-0
Day/Night 2-2/0-0
HEAD COACH Mike Kramer
Alma Mater Idaho/’76
Overall/Years 58-63/11th
At MSU/Years 21-31/5th
vs WSU 5-5
Home/Road 3-2/2-3
SERIES MSU 37-30-3
At MSU 24-9-1
At WSU 13-21-2
At Neutral never met
Current Streak ISU 2W
ABOUT WEBER STATE ...
WSU in ‘04 0-5
Conf./Record Big Sky/0-2
Home/Road 0-3/0-2
Grass/Turf 0-3/0-2
Day/Night 0-0/0-5
HEAD COACH Jerry Graybeal
Alma Mater Eastern Wash./’82
Overall/Years 31-40/7th
At School/Years 31-40/7th
vs MSU 1-5
Home/Road/Neu 0-3/1-2
ABOUT WSU The Wildcats
School Colors Royal purple, white
Location Ogden, UT
Enrollment 18,000
Stadium Stewart Stadium
OPPONENT ‘04 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
S4 Southern Utah L 31-34
S11 at UTEP L 0-32
S18 UC Davis L 29-31
S25 at NAU L 27-55
O2 Montana L 21-42
O9 at Montana State 1:35 pm
O16 at Sac State 6:05 pm
O23 Eastern Wash. 1:05 pm
O30 at Idaho State 3:05 pm
N6 North Dakota St 1:05 pm
N13 Portland State 1:05 pm
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 1:35 pm Bobcats have won three straight
O16 *Portland State 1:05 pm ‘Cats won in Rose City last year
O23 South Daokata St 1:05 pm The renewal of an old 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
F Thin Secondary... The ‘Cats remain thin at cornerback. Kory Austin returned last weekend, and joins Andre Fuller as MSU’s two remaining CBs. Martin Henderson left the team, but true freshman Ryan Kelley will likely be activated this weekend.
F Big Play Bobcats... The big plays aren’t coming in bushel baskets for the Bobcats this season, but they made the most of them against Idaho State. All three of MSU’s 20+ yarders -- bringing the season total to 10 -- led to MSU scores. Eddie Sullivan’s 27-yard reception in the first half led to the team’s first field goal of the year, with Rick Gatewood’s 56-yarder and Eddie Sullivan’s 55-yarder each leading to touchdowns. Last season, the Bobcat offense sprung 37 plays of 20 yards or more, 19 of them running plays.
F Home Sweet Homecoming? Montana State begins a three-game homestand on Saturday with its annual Homecoming tilt. College football’s Hallmark holiday comes against MSU’s most familiar Homecoming foe, Weber State. The Bobcats are 8-4-1 on Homecoming against Weber. MSU is 37-14-3 all-time on Homecoming, but has lost its last two. Since 1985, MSU is 10-11 in Homecoming games. 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 five times this year on 25 kicks, averaging 44.2 yards per punt. He has drilled three line drives of 60+ yards, 16 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
3 6 9 4 2 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 10 in the first four third quarters of the 2004 campaign.
Whitewashin’
Montana State has shut out an opponent in each of the past two seasons. The Bobcats blanked Saint Mary’s last October, and shut out Adams State in the season opener this year. The St. Mary’s shutout was the team’s first since blanking Sacramento State in 2001. 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 seven of the last 11 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 21 opponents have managed 400 yards against the Bobcats, but that has happened twice in a row. 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. In 2003, only Northern Arizona and Northern Iowa creased the 400-yard mark.
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 is +1 in turnover margin this year.
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 nine of the 14 quarters this year. The Bobcats have held their opponents scoreless in 39 of the last 74 quarters the team has played.
Third’s a Charm
Since the beginning of the 2003 season, MSU has surrendered only 31 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 50% in the first four games this season.
Not This Time
The last time Montana State played Adams State in football, the Bobcats lost their next three games (2002), which was capped by a loss to Idaho State in Holt Arena. The Bobcats avoided a repeat by winning at Idaho State last weekend.
Better Handles
Montana State fumbled four times in the opener against Adams State, losing one of them. The ‘Cats responded in the next three games by fumbling only twice, both of which MSU recovered. Ironically, the winning team has fumbled 10 times in MSU’s first four games, losing three, while the losing team has fumbled only once, which it didn’t lose.
MSU When Leading After...
1st Qtr: 2-0/2nd Qtr: 1-0/3rd Qtr: 1-0
MSU WhenTrailing After...
1st Qtr: 0-1/2nd Qtr: 1-2/3rd Qtr: 1-2
By the Numbers
2
Number of consecutive games that the Montana State defense has allowed 400 yards, the first time that has happened since 2001
3
Number of consecutive home games that the Bobcats have drawn at least 12,000 fans, the longest stretch in history
12,302
Average number of fans present at Montana State’s first two home games of the 2004 season
1
Number of Homecoming games, in four tries, that Mike Kramer has won as Montana State’s head coach
KRAMER’S QUOTES
On the Bobcats: “The issue for us this week is simply to continue to gain our rhythm offensively, and for our defense to continue to grow outside, where our young cornerbacks make strides every week toward playing at the level cornerbacks at Montana State have traditionally played. Kory and Andre have made great strides, and will continue to do so. Roger Cooper had a marvelous week last week, and was aptly rewarded (by being named Big Sky Player of the Week). We were dinged for yards at Idaho State, and I’m not going to say that those numbers aren’t important to me, because they are. But the defense responded when it was short-handed and helped lead us to the win, and that is the measuring stick.”
On the injuries: “I’m very disappointed for Brandon that his season ended prematurely. I believe he was ready to grab the mantle of being Montana State’s next great kick return specialist, but now that title is Michael Williams’ to take. He has shown a proficiency in punt returns that is similar to Corey Smith’s at this stage in his career, and I believe he will be an explosive weapon for us. Offensively, our receivers continued to progress, and that is a major positive. I like the way the offensive line is playing, I like how hard the running backs are running, and I really like how Travis is playing. We just need to let this thing continue to coalesce and come together.”
On Weber State: “We are intimately familiar with Weber State’s program, as they are with ours, and that makes this a really fun game. They are so well-coached that it’s a challenge and also a pleasure to compete against them. It looks like Nick Chornous is starting to gain a rhythm. He runs hard, purposefully, dutifully, he is really one of the premiere players in our conference and in the West. Seeing how many yards we gave up against Idaho State, it’s easy to think that Weber will try to settle into a rhythm running the ball against us. Having watched Weber State go on an extended winning streak last year, we know how dangerous they are. They are so well coached that we never take that program lightly.”
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 four games as RS frosh
72 Garrin Brewton 6-5 283 So* Played sparingly twice
LEFT GUARD 57 Brant Birkeland 6-1 266 So* Started all four 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
74 Lawrence Figueroa (fig-uh-ROE-uh) 6-1 285 Sr Started twice at center as junior
RIGHT GUARD 74 Lawrence Figueroa (fig-uh-ROE-uh) 6-1 285 Sr Started first four games at guard
62 Troy Watson 6-2 265 Fr True freshman, played vs. CSU
RIGHT TACKLE 64 Jeff Bolton 6-4 307 Jr A-A candidate moved to OT this year
79 Adam DeCock 6-6 285 Fr* Played extensively vs. CSU
QUARTERBACK 14 Travis Lulay 6-2 203 Jr Started last 25 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 at ISU
34 Morris Milton 5-9 200 Jr+ Started last two games
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 four games
SLOT RECEIVER 1 Rick Gatewood 6-0 180 Jr*+ Second on the team in catches
29 Michael Williams 5-8 155 So* MSU’s punt/kick returner
82 Matt McCullough 5-11 175 Sr* Fifth-year senior, team’s holder
Z RECEIVER 5 Eddie Sullivan 6-0 190 Sr+ Scored first TD at ISU, a 55-yarder
80 Kellen Alley 6-2 199 So* Can play both outside receiver spots
TIGHT END 85 Blake Wolf 6-2 239 Sr* Eight catches in last three games
95 Elliott Barnhart 6-3 225 Fr True freshman, played at CSU
Defense
ANCHOR END 58 Ray Sebestyen (like Sebastian) 6-2 253 Sr* 5 TL, 2 sacks, 2 fumbles caused/rec’d
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+ Three TL in last two games
94 Tim O’Tool 6-3 249 Jr+ Played extensively at CSU
RUSH 40 Chad Gluhm (gloom) 6-0 227 Sr* 18 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 as sophomore
39 Brandon Eggart 6-1 213 Sr* Started vs. CSU, ISU
SAM LINEBACKER 91 Roger Cooper 6-3 233 Sr* Preseason All-America
36 Clayton Curley 6-1 196 Jr Special teams standout
LEFT CORNER 13 Kory Austin 5-11 176 Fr* Missed CSU game with concussion
3 Ryan Kelley 5-9 175 Fr True frosh on redshirt alert
FREE SAFETY 20 Ryan Force 6-2 203 So* Six tackles, first pick vs. CSU
26 Demond Goins (duh-MOND GO-ins) 5-10 170 Jr* Special teams ace as frosh, soph
STRONG SAFETY 4 Corky Lindsay 5-9 205 Jr+ First career start at ISU
25 Toph Grenfell 6-0 196 Jr+ Has started twice this year
RIGHT CORNER 9 Andre Fuller 5-10 159 Fr* Has started all four games
30 Michael McGuinness 5-11 170 Jr* Special teams standout
*-indicates player has used redshirt year, +-indicates player is a transfer
PLACE KICKER: 11-EJ Cochrane
KICKOFFS: 35-Travis Doroski
PUNTS: 14-Travis Lulay LONG SNAPS: 96-Dusty Daws
PUNT/KICK RETURNS: 6-Brandon Roosevelt, 29-Michael Williams
HOLDER: 82-Matt McCullough
Montana State won its Big Sky opener for only the second time in six seasons, and open a three-game homestand against Weber State on Saturday. Nick Chornous, one of the league’s top ball-carriers, leads a balanced Wildcat offense into Bobcat Stadium. The intensity level is always high when Weber coach Jerry Graybeal, a former Eastern Washington assistant, faces Mike Kramer, his former boss. Travis Lulay has gotten the Bobcat offense back on track the last two weekends, throwing for 247 yards in the road win over Idaho State last Saturday.
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 1:35 pm MST
SITE: Bozeman
STADIUM: Bobcat Stadium
PRESS BOX PHONE: 406/994-6180
RADIO: State Farm Bobcat Network (Kris Atteberry, Dan Davies)
TELEVISION: Altitude (Chris Marlowe, Irv Brown)
HIGHLIGHTS
l MSU has gained 326 and 308 yards in the last two games after being held below 300 in the first two
STREAKS
l MSU has won all three of its games against Weber State played on October 9, including the 1999 Homecoming contest l After starting the season 31-for-77 in the first two games, Travis Lulay is 38-for-66 with 3 TDs and 2 picks l Montana State enters a string of three consecutive home games, the longest homestand since 2000
MILESTONES
l Mike Kramer’s next win will tie him with Jim Criner for third on the Big Sky career wins list (59)
SHINING
l QB TRAVIS LULAY had his best game of the season, throwing for 247 yards (30-18-1) l P TRAVIS LULAY averaged 47.5 yards a punt and pinned ISU inside the 20 twice l LB ROGER COOPER earned Big Sky Player of the Week honors for his performance (9 tackles, 3 TL, 1 sack) l WR EDDIE SULLIVAN scored his first TD, a 55-yarder to put MSU ahead in the fourth quarter
ABOUT THE ‘CATS...
MSU in ‘04 2-2
Conf./Record Big Sky/1-0
Home/Road 1-1/1-1
Grass/Turf 1-2/1-0
Day/Night 2-2/0-0
HEAD COACH Mike Kramer
Alma Mater Idaho/’76
Overall/Years 58-63/11th
At MSU/Years 21-31/5th
vs WSU 5-5
Home/Road 3-2/2-3
SERIES MSU 37-30-3
At MSU 24-9-1
At WSU 13-21-2
At Neutral never met
Current Streak ISU 2W
ABOUT WEBER STATE ...
WSU in ‘04 0-5
Conf./Record Big Sky/0-2
Home/Road 0-3/0-2
Grass/Turf 0-3/0-2
Day/Night 0-0/0-5
HEAD COACH Jerry Graybeal
Alma Mater Eastern Wash./’82
Overall/Years 31-40/7th
At School/Years 31-40/7th
vs MSU 1-5
Home/Road/Neu 0-3/1-2
ABOUT WSU The Wildcats
School Colors Royal purple, white
Location Ogden, UT
Enrollment 18,000
Stadium Stewart Stadium
OPPONENT ‘04 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
S4 Southern Utah L 31-34
S11 at UTEP L 0-32
S18 UC Davis L 29-31
S25 at NAU L 27-55
O2 Montana L 21-42
O9 at Montana State 1:35 pm
O16 at Sac State 6:05 pm
O23 Eastern Wash. 1:05 pm
O30 at Idaho State 3:05 pm
N6 North Dakota St 1:05 pm
N13 Portland State 1:05 pm
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 1:35 pm Bobcats have won three straight
O16 *Portland State 1:05 pm ‘Cats won in Rose City last year
O23 South Daokata St 1:05 pm The renewal of an old 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
F Thin Secondary... The ‘Cats remain thin at cornerback. Kory Austin returned last weekend, and joins Andre Fuller as MSU’s two remaining CBs. Martin Henderson left the team, but true freshman Ryan Kelley will likely be activated this weekend.
F Big Play Bobcats... The big plays aren’t coming in bushel baskets for the Bobcats this season, but they made the most of them against Idaho State. All three of MSU’s 20+ yarders -- bringing the season total to 10 -- led to MSU scores. Eddie Sullivan’s 27-yard reception in the first half led to the team’s first field goal of the year, with Rick Gatewood’s 56-yarder and Eddie Sullivan’s 55-yarder each leading to touchdowns. Last season, the Bobcat offense sprung 37 plays of 20 yards or more, 19 of them running plays.
F Home Sweet Homecoming? Montana State begins a three-game homestand on Saturday with its annual Homecoming tilt. College football’s Hallmark holiday comes against MSU’s most familiar Homecoming foe, Weber State. The Bobcats are 8-4-1 on Homecoming against Weber. MSU is 37-14-3 all-time on Homecoming, but has lost its last two. Since 1985, MSU is 10-11 in Homecoming games. 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 five times this year on 25 kicks, averaging 44.2 yards per punt. He has drilled three line drives of 60+ yards, 16 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
3 6 9 4 2 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 10 in the first four third quarters of the 2004 campaign.
Whitewashin’
Montana State has shut out an opponent in each of the past two seasons. The Bobcats blanked Saint Mary’s last October, and shut out Adams State in the season opener this year. The St. Mary’s shutout was the team’s first since blanking Sacramento State in 2001. 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 seven of the last 11 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 21 opponents have managed 400 yards against the Bobcats, but that has happened twice in a row. 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. In 2003, only Northern Arizona and Northern Iowa creased the 400-yard mark.
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 is +1 in turnover margin this year.
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 nine of the 14 quarters this year. The Bobcats have held their opponents scoreless in 39 of the last 74 quarters the team has played.
Third’s a Charm
Since the beginning of the 2003 season, MSU has surrendered only 31 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 50% in the first four games this season.
Not This Time
The last time Montana State played Adams State in football, the Bobcats lost their next three games (2002), which was capped by a loss to Idaho State in Holt Arena. The Bobcats avoided a repeat by winning at Idaho State last weekend.
Better Handles
Montana State fumbled four times in the opener against Adams State, losing one of them. The ‘Cats responded in the next three games by fumbling only twice, both of which MSU recovered. Ironically, the winning team has fumbled 10 times in MSU’s first four games, losing three, while the losing team has fumbled only once, which it didn’t lose.
MSU When Leading After...
1st Qtr: 2-0/2nd Qtr: 1-0/3rd Qtr: 1-0
MSU WhenTrailing After...
1st Qtr: 0-1/2nd Qtr: 1-2/3rd Qtr: 1-2
By the Numbers
2
Number of consecutive games that the Montana State defense has allowed 400 yards, the first time that has happened since 2001
3
Number of consecutive home games that the Bobcats have drawn at least 12,000 fans, the longest stretch in history
12,302
Average number of fans present at Montana State’s first two home games of the 2004 season
1
Number of Homecoming games, in four tries, that Mike Kramer has won as Montana State’s head coach
KRAMER’S QUOTES
On the Bobcats: “The issue for us this week is simply to continue to gain our rhythm offensively, and for our defense to continue to grow outside, where our young cornerbacks make strides every week toward playing at the level cornerbacks at Montana State have traditionally played. Kory and Andre have made great strides, and will continue to do so. Roger Cooper had a marvelous week last week, and was aptly rewarded (by being named Big Sky Player of the Week). We were dinged for yards at Idaho State, and I’m not going to say that those numbers aren’t important to me, because they are. But the defense responded when it was short-handed and helped lead us to the win, and that is the measuring stick.”
On the injuries: “I’m very disappointed for Brandon that his season ended prematurely. I believe he was ready to grab the mantle of being Montana State’s next great kick return specialist, but now that title is Michael Williams’ to take. He has shown a proficiency in punt returns that is similar to Corey Smith’s at this stage in his career, and I believe he will be an explosive weapon for us. Offensively, our receivers continued to progress, and that is a major positive. I like the way the offensive line is playing, I like how hard the running backs are running, and I really like how Travis is playing. We just need to let this thing continue to coalesce and come together.”
On Weber State: “We are intimately familiar with Weber State’s program, as they are with ours, and that makes this a really fun game. They are so well-coached that it’s a challenge and also a pleasure to compete against them. It looks like Nick Chornous is starting to gain a rhythm. He runs hard, purposefully, dutifully, he is really one of the premiere players in our conference and in the West. Seeing how many yards we gave up against Idaho State, it’s easy to think that Weber will try to settle into a rhythm running the ball against us. Having watched Weber State go on an extended winning streak last year, we know how dangerous they are. They are so well coached that we never take that program lightly.”
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 four games as RS frosh
72 Garrin Brewton 6-5 283 So* Played sparingly twice
LEFT GUARD 57 Brant Birkeland 6-1 266 So* Started all four 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
74 Lawrence Figueroa (fig-uh-ROE-uh) 6-1 285 Sr Started twice at center as junior
RIGHT GUARD 74 Lawrence Figueroa (fig-uh-ROE-uh) 6-1 285 Sr Started first four games at guard
62 Troy Watson 6-2 265 Fr True freshman, played vs. CSU
RIGHT TACKLE 64 Jeff Bolton 6-4 307 Jr A-A candidate moved to OT this year
79 Adam DeCock 6-6 285 Fr* Played extensively vs. CSU
QUARTERBACK 14 Travis Lulay 6-2 203 Jr Started last 25 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 at ISU
34 Morris Milton 5-9 200 Jr+ Started last two games
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 four games
SLOT RECEIVER 1 Rick Gatewood 6-0 180 Jr*+ Second on the team in catches
29 Michael Williams 5-8 155 So* MSU’s punt/kick returner
82 Matt McCullough 5-11 175 Sr* Fifth-year senior, team’s holder
Z RECEIVER 5 Eddie Sullivan 6-0 190 Sr+ Scored first TD at ISU, a 55-yarder
80 Kellen Alley 6-2 199 So* Can play both outside receiver spots
TIGHT END 85 Blake Wolf 6-2 239 Sr* Eight catches in last three games
95 Elliott Barnhart 6-3 225 Fr True freshman, played at CSU
Defense
ANCHOR END 58 Ray Sebestyen (like Sebastian) 6-2 253 Sr* 5 TL, 2 sacks, 2 fumbles caused/rec’d
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+ Three TL in last two games
94 Tim O’Tool 6-3 249 Jr+ Played extensively at CSU
RUSH 40 Chad Gluhm (gloom) 6-0 227 Sr* 18 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 as sophomore
39 Brandon Eggart 6-1 213 Sr* Started vs. CSU, ISU
SAM LINEBACKER 91 Roger Cooper 6-3 233 Sr* Preseason All-America
36 Clayton Curley 6-1 196 Jr Special teams standout
LEFT CORNER 13 Kory Austin 5-11 176 Fr* Missed CSU game with concussion
3 Ryan Kelley 5-9 175 Fr True frosh on redshirt alert
FREE SAFETY 20 Ryan Force 6-2 203 So* Six tackles, first pick vs. CSU
26 Demond Goins (duh-MOND GO-ins) 5-10 170 Jr* Special teams ace as frosh, soph
STRONG SAFETY 4 Corky Lindsay 5-9 205 Jr+ First career start at ISU
25 Toph Grenfell 6-0 196 Jr+ Has started twice this year
RIGHT CORNER 9 Andre Fuller 5-10 159 Fr* Has started all four games
30 Michael McGuinness 5-11 170 Jr* Special teams standout
*-indicates player has used redshirt year, +-indicates player is a transfer
PLACE KICKER: 11-EJ Cochrane
KICKOFFS: 35-Travis Doroski
PUNTS: 14-Travis Lulay LONG SNAPS: 96-Dusty Daws
PUNT/KICK RETURNS: 6-Brandon Roosevelt, 29-Michael Williams
HOLDER: 82-Matt McCullough
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
