Bobcat Seniors to Shine on Saturday
10/7/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
During a week that marked the passing of comedian Rodney Dangerfield, who's "I don't get no respect" gig earned him the love of millions, the Montana State football programs version of Rodney will get some respect this afternoon.
Four seniors who have spent their careers toiling in various degrees of anonymity, working to make the Bobcat program better and awaiting a chance, serve as MSU's game captains for today's Homecoming clash.
"It's fun for me to announce this," he said, "and an honor. Our game captains Saturday are going to be Claude Boiteau, Matt McCullough, Brandon Eggart, and EJ Cochrane. When those four walk out to mid-field, it will be a tribute to those guys and a tribute to our program."
A number of factors have precluded these four from finding glory on the field during their careers, but not from earning the admiration of their coach. "These guys are my favorites," said MSU coach Mike Kramer. "All four enter into a group of players unlike any I've ever had. To go through a five years in a program as a walk-on is a testament to what those kids are all about."
To make that walk from the sideline to midfield prior to today's game, those four players bucked some major odds. Each came to Montana State as a walk-on, not necessarily un-recruited but certainly un-funded. Eggart has earned a scholarship, but the rest are playing for love, not money. "That is a unique thing in this day and age," Kramer says. "None of those guys have ever come into my office and pounded on my desk asking for playing time, much less for scholarship money. These are special guys."
Cochrane is in his fourth season as a Bobcat kicker, while the other four are in their fifth season at MSU. None have been able to nail down starting jobs on a permanent basis (although Eggart has started the last two games, and performed capably), but all have found ways to contribute. McCullough and Cochrane form MSU's place-kicking tandem, McCullough as the team's holder and Cochrane as the kicker. Both are new to the job this year, although Cochrane has had auditions the past three years. Boiteau and Eggart both play on special teams, and Eggart could start his third straight game at linebacker today if Jonathan Molock's ankle isn't fully healed.
McCullough is a second-generation Bobcat who never gave coming to Montana State a second thought. His father Ron played on MSU's 1976 National Championship team, and the younger McCullough grew up draped in the proud tradition of the Bobcat program.
Kramer appreciates his contributions, and his demeanor. "Matt is a very upbeat person, and he really allows us to function in practice during the week," Kramer said. "He plays all three receiver spots, and his ability to move around puts out a lot of fires. He makes tremendous contributions to this team, but they're hidden because they occur on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday."
Boiteau came to MSU from Bigfork -- Grizzly country -- to pursue an engineering degree. He has excelled in school, and has contributed on special teams for the Bobcat. Boiteau's intensity and work ethic caught Kramer's eye almost immediately.
"Claude shows a depth of willingness that very few people ever have," Kramer said. "What Claude Boiteau brings to this team, and what he gets out of being on this team, are unrelated to playing time. He doesn't see football as a way to achieve personal goals, he uses it as a vehicle for self-expression."
Boiteau's contributions come primarily on scout teams, which help prepare the Bobcat defense for the next week's opponent. He was named last year's Offensive Scout of the Year. "He has played every single position except receiver and quarterback, and he brings an amazing amount of energy to that role," Kramer said. "Claude is just one of those guys who you know in 10 years is going to be one of the most successful guys from this class. He'll have an outstanding career, a great family, he'll be active in the community. We'll be very proud that Claude Boiteau played football at Montana State."
Eggart grew up around the Eastern Washington football program, where Mike Kramer coached during the '90s. His red-and-white dreams changed colors when Kramer donned Bobcat blue-and-gold. He brings a steady presence and football smarts to the field, attributes which have allowed him to make a seamless transition into the starting lineup when Jonathan Molock was injured against Cal Poly.
"Brandon is an effective blocker on kick teams, he's a steady player, knowledgeable," Kramer said. "He's a very flexible player, which has allowed us to move him to different spots. That is really beneficial."
Of the four players serving as Bobcat captains today, EJ Cochrane's career has been the most star-crossed. He has had opportunities to earn the starting kicker job in each of the previous three seasons, but struggles on kickoffs plagued him. He enters today's game as MSU's place kicker for the second straight week, and last week scored five points (two extra points and a field goal) in MSU's four-point win. "Do the math," Kramer says. "EJ was our MVP. He provided the margin of victory."
Cochrane transferred to MSU from West Virginia before the 2001 season, and almost immediately made an impact. He kicked a game-winner against Saint Mary's in 2002, and has shown what Kramer describes as "a booming leg" at times. "EJ has an outstanding opportunity in front of him this season, and he has responded well so far," Kramer said. If his confidence catches up with his ability, he will have a senior season to remember."
No matter where this season, and the rest of their lives, take these four players, Kramer is confident that they will handle what is thrown at them. "These four guys typify want more than reward, sacrifice more than 'Where's my scholarship check?' That's pretty darn cool.
"I will always talk about these four guys. I will always remember them."
Four seniors who have spent their careers toiling in various degrees of anonymity, working to make the Bobcat program better and awaiting a chance, serve as MSU's game captains for today's Homecoming clash.
"It's fun for me to announce this," he said, "and an honor. Our game captains Saturday are going to be Claude Boiteau, Matt McCullough, Brandon Eggart, and EJ Cochrane. When those four walk out to mid-field, it will be a tribute to those guys and a tribute to our program."
A number of factors have precluded these four from finding glory on the field during their careers, but not from earning the admiration of their coach. "These guys are my favorites," said MSU coach Mike Kramer. "All four enter into a group of players unlike any I've ever had. To go through a five years in a program as a walk-on is a testament to what those kids are all about."
To make that walk from the sideline to midfield prior to today's game, those four players bucked some major odds. Each came to Montana State as a walk-on, not necessarily un-recruited but certainly un-funded. Eggart has earned a scholarship, but the rest are playing for love, not money. "That is a unique thing in this day and age," Kramer says. "None of those guys have ever come into my office and pounded on my desk asking for playing time, much less for scholarship money. These are special guys."
Cochrane is in his fourth season as a Bobcat kicker, while the other four are in their fifth season at MSU. None have been able to nail down starting jobs on a permanent basis (although Eggart has started the last two games, and performed capably), but all have found ways to contribute. McCullough and Cochrane form MSU's place-kicking tandem, McCullough as the team's holder and Cochrane as the kicker. Both are new to the job this year, although Cochrane has had auditions the past three years. Boiteau and Eggart both play on special teams, and Eggart could start his third straight game at linebacker today if Jonathan Molock's ankle isn't fully healed.
McCullough is a second-generation Bobcat who never gave coming to Montana State a second thought. His father Ron played on MSU's 1976 National Championship team, and the younger McCullough grew up draped in the proud tradition of the Bobcat program.
Kramer appreciates his contributions, and his demeanor. "Matt is a very upbeat person, and he really allows us to function in practice during the week," Kramer said. "He plays all three receiver spots, and his ability to move around puts out a lot of fires. He makes tremendous contributions to this team, but they're hidden because they occur on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday."
Boiteau came to MSU from Bigfork -- Grizzly country -- to pursue an engineering degree. He has excelled in school, and has contributed on special teams for the Bobcat. Boiteau's intensity and work ethic caught Kramer's eye almost immediately.
"Claude shows a depth of willingness that very few people ever have," Kramer said. "What Claude Boiteau brings to this team, and what he gets out of being on this team, are unrelated to playing time. He doesn't see football as a way to achieve personal goals, he uses it as a vehicle for self-expression."
Boiteau's contributions come primarily on scout teams, which help prepare the Bobcat defense for the next week's opponent. He was named last year's Offensive Scout of the Year. "He has played every single position except receiver and quarterback, and he brings an amazing amount of energy to that role," Kramer said. "Claude is just one of those guys who you know in 10 years is going to be one of the most successful guys from this class. He'll have an outstanding career, a great family, he'll be active in the community. We'll be very proud that Claude Boiteau played football at Montana State."
Eggart grew up around the Eastern Washington football program, where Mike Kramer coached during the '90s. His red-and-white dreams changed colors when Kramer donned Bobcat blue-and-gold. He brings a steady presence and football smarts to the field, attributes which have allowed him to make a seamless transition into the starting lineup when Jonathan Molock was injured against Cal Poly.
"Brandon is an effective blocker on kick teams, he's a steady player, knowledgeable," Kramer said. "He's a very flexible player, which has allowed us to move him to different spots. That is really beneficial."
Of the four players serving as Bobcat captains today, EJ Cochrane's career has been the most star-crossed. He has had opportunities to earn the starting kicker job in each of the previous three seasons, but struggles on kickoffs plagued him. He enters today's game as MSU's place kicker for the second straight week, and last week scored five points (two extra points and a field goal) in MSU's four-point win. "Do the math," Kramer says. "EJ was our MVP. He provided the margin of victory."
Cochrane transferred to MSU from West Virginia before the 2001 season, and almost immediately made an impact. He kicked a game-winner against Saint Mary's in 2002, and has shown what Kramer describes as "a booming leg" at times. "EJ has an outstanding opportunity in front of him this season, and he has responded well so far," Kramer said. If his confidence catches up with his ability, he will have a senior season to remember."
No matter where this season, and the rest of their lives, take these four players, Kramer is confident that they will handle what is thrown at them. "These four guys typify want more than reward, sacrifice more than 'Where's my scholarship check?' That's pretty darn cool.
"I will always talk about these four guys. I will always remember them."
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