MSU Game Notes vs. Sac State
11/1/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
THE STORYLINE
This year¡¦s Bobcats, apparently, take to restaurant cookin¡¦ just fine. After three straight home games, the ¡¥Cats beat Northern Arizona 60-14 last weekend, the team¡¦s first win at the Walkup Skydome since 1979. MSU plays its second straight road game this weekend at Sacramento State. Montana State¡¦s five-game winning streak is the program¡¦s longest since the 1984 Bobcats won 10 straight games, and the team¡¦s 541 yards of total offense was the program¡¦s most since 2001.
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 5:05 pm MST
SITE: Sacramento, CA
STADIUM: Hornet Stadium
PRESS BOX PHONE: 916/278-5995
RADIO: State Farm Bobcat Network (Kris Atteberry, Dan Davies)
TELEVISION: Omega (Dean Alexander)
HIGHLIGHTS
* Travis Lulay is 18-11 as MSU¡¦s starting quarterback, matching Rob Compson¡¦s win total for third in school history
STREAKS
* Montana State¡¦s five-game winning streak is its longest since the team won 10 straight in 1984
* After six straight games of scoring exactly two TDs, MSU scored four against PSU and three against SDSU
* MSU has won its last eight Big Sky Conference games
MILESTONES
* MSU¡¦s 53 first-half points vs. NAU was third-most in school history
* The 31 points MSU scored in the second quarter Saturday is the most by a Bobcat team in the last 25 years
SHINING
* QB TRAVIS LULAY has thrown for at least 300 yards in three straight
* WR EDDIE SULLIVAN had his second 100-yard game in the last three weeks
* LB BRANDON EGGART had an interception, returned a fumble for a touchdown, and broke up a pass
* FS TOPH GRENFELL picked off one pass, broke up another, and recovered a fumble
ABOUT THE ¡¥CATS...
MSU in ¡¥04 6-2
Conf./Record Big Sky/4-0
Home/Road 4-1/2-1
Grass/Turf 4-2/2-0
Day/Night 5-2/1-0
HEAD COACH Mike Kramer
Alma Mater Idaho/¡¦76
Overall/Years 61-63/11th
At MSU/Years 24-31/5th
vs SAC 7-1
Home/Road 4-0/3-1
SERIES MSU 7-5
At MSU MSU 4-1
At SAC SAC 4-3
At Neutral 0-0
Current Streak MSU 3W
ABOUT SACRAMENTO STATE...
SAC in ¡¥04 2-6
Conf./Record Big Sky/1-4
Home/Road 2-2/0-4
Grass/Turf 2-4/0-2
Day/Night 0-2/2-4
HEAD COACH Steve Mooshagian
Alma Mater Fresno State/¡¦82
Overall/Years 4-15/2nd
At School/Years same
vs MSU 0-1
Home/Road/Neu 0-0/0-1
ABOUT SAC The Hornets
School Colors Green, gold
Location Sacramento, CA
Enrollment 28,588
Stadium Hornet Stadium
OPPONENT ¡¥04 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
S11 at Nevada L, 7-59
S18 Southern Utah W, 23-17
S25 at UC Davis L, 23-58
O2 at Northern Ariz. L, 0-26
O9 Portland State L, 0-31
O16 Weber State W, 31-12
O23 at Idaho State L, 24-29
O30 at Eastern Wash. L, 10-45
N6 Montana State
N13 at Montana
N20 Cal Poly
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 W 60-14 MSU¡¦s first win at the Skydome since 1979
N6 *at Sac State 5:05 pm Bobcats are 6-7 vs. California teams since ¡¥00
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
*ƒnLulay Leading the Way... Travis Lulay is 18-11 as MSU¡¦s starting quarterback, the third-highest win total and fifth-highest winning percentage in school history. In those 18 wins, he has led MSU to second-half comebacks seven times, and five times the Bobcats won the game on their last possession.
*ƒnCalifornia Here We Come... Montana State has had decidedly mixed success against California opponents under head coach Mike Kramer. The ¡¥Cats are 6-7 against schools from the Golden State, including an 0-1 record this year. The Bobcats are 2-2 in games played in California under Kramer.
*ƒn...Right Back Where We Started From... Playing a California opponent always has special meaning for the Bobcat program, because MSU typically has several Californians on its roster. This year¡¦s team is no exception. Of the 91 players on Montana State¡¦s current roster, 30 hail from California. That total is second only to the 36 from Montana (seven are from Washington, five from Oregon, and four from Florida). Those Californians aren¡¦t just filling roster space, either. Eleven of MSU¡¦s starting 22 hail from California.
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 nine times this year on 37 kicks, averaging 43.8 yards per punt. He has drilled five line drives of 60+ yards, 24 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
5 8 14 5 4 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 27 in the first eight 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 six defensive TDs in that same span (5-0).
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 15 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 25 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 4-0 in Big Sky play for the first time since 1982, when MSU was 4-0 before losing at Idaho and Montana. MSU is 6-2 overall for the first time since 1998, when the ¡¥Cats were 6-2 before losing two of their last three, and have been 6-2 three times in the last 20 years.
Making Bad Seem Good
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 -1 5-0
Dominant Defense, Part I
Here is how MSU¡¦s defense stacked up against the rest of the nation in 2003...
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 15 of the 30 quarters this year. The Bobcats have held their opponents scoreless in 45 of the last 90 quarters the team has played.
Third¡¦s a Charm
Since the beginning of the 2003 season, MSU has surrendered only 45 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 in the last four 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 are bad thing in football, but that truism has been turned backward in MSU¡¦s 2004 season. The winning team has fumbled 18 times, losing 10, while the loser has fumbled eight times, losing five.
Big Plays
MSU¡¦s 8 plays of 20+ yards at NAU matched the total from the 1st 3 games.
MSU When Leading After...
1st Qtr: 3-0/2nd Qtr: 2-0/3rd Qtr: 3-0
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
5
Number of 100-yard receivers in Montana State¡¦s last three games (Sullivan and Gatewood twice each, Wolf once)
384.0
Travis Lulay¡¦s passing average in Montana State¡¦s last three games, all victories
1st
Travis Lulay¡¦s standing in the Big Sky in total offense, with 296.4 yards per game
KRAMER¡¦S QUOTES
On the NAU game: ¡§We played very well offensively, obviously. We executed well in the first half, and in the second half were able to play the entire (travel) roster. Defensively we did a good job limiting the big play, which is obviously a concern against such an explosive offensive team. It feels good to win in that building, but it was not an obsession as we prepared for that game. Northern Arizona is a good football team, and that was much more of a focus than where the game was being played. I don¡¦t know if we¡¦re as good as we looked on Saturday night, but I do know that they are much better than they looked. We just caught them, and that happens in football.¡¨
On Sacramento State: ¡§Sacramento State presents a number of challenges for us. Ryan Leadingham has been a pretty exquisite performer during his career, and he is playing at a high level. Fred Amey¡¦s performance that he is still one of the elite players in the conference. He is a very very dangerous player. Defensively, we¡¦re very mindful of the fact that Ramon Payne is playing very well at cornerback. They run some very effective coverages, and are playing well defensively. We have a lot of California kids on the team, so this is a big game for us in that regard. We had a lot of California parents and family and friends there last week, and it will be even more so this week.¡¨
On the Bobcats: ¡§I really like where we¡¦re getting defensively. For us to be doing what we¡¦re doing having lost the players we lost, it¡¦s pretty amazing. We really emphasized tackling and turnovers in spring ball, and again in preseason camp. (Defensive coordinator) Pete Kwiatkowski spends considerable time doing nothing but tackling in practice, and that emphasis has really shown itself. Offensively, a lot of our improvement from the early part of the season has come because of confidence. Guys know that they¡¦re going to stay on the field, even if they make mistakes. Don Bailey has a lot of confidence in the guys that are playing now, and they feel that and feed off of it. I think the most significant single feature of our offense right is the pass protection afforded by our tailback, Justin Domineck. He is a weapon in that regard he¡¦s so good, and that really allows us to do some different things. We knew the o-line would block well, we knew Travis (Lulay) would play at an exceptionally high level, we even knew the receivers would catch the ball eventually, but we didn¡¦t know Justin would pass protect like he is.¡¨
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 eight games as RS frosh
79 Adam DeCock 6-6 285 Fr* Has played in all eight games
72 Garrin Brewton 6-5 283 So* Played sparingly in three games
LEFT GUARD 57 Brant Birkeland 6-1 266 So* Started seven 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 eight 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 29 straight games
15 Cory Carpenter 6-2 197 Fr* Made his Bobcat debut at NAU
16 Rick Coppack (COP-uck) 6-0 185 Fr* Has played in three games this year
RUNNING BACK 8 Justin Domenick 5-11 217 Jr+ Led ¡¥Cats in rushing in last 5 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
82 Matt McCullough 5-11 175 Sr* Caught 1st career pass at NAU
SLOT RECEIVER 1 Rick Gatewood 6-0 180 Jr*+ 307 yards, 5 TDs in last three 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* Had a sack at NAU
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+ Had TL and pass breakup at NAU
94 Tim O¡¦Tool 6-3 249 Jr+ Played extensively at CSU, NAU
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+ Had two sacks at NAU
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* Scored TD on fumble at NAU
LEFT CORNER 20 Ryan Force 6-2 203 So* Has started all eight games
30 Michael McGuinness 5-11 170 Jr* Special teams standout
FREE SAFETY 25 Toph Grenfell 6-0 196 Jr+ Had int. and fumble recovery at NAU
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 5 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* Leads MSU with 10 pass breakups
13 Kory Austin 5-11 176 Fr* Missed eight of last 10 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
This year¡¦s Bobcats, apparently, take to restaurant cookin¡¦ just fine. After three straight home games, the ¡¥Cats beat Northern Arizona 60-14 last weekend, the team¡¦s first win at the Walkup Skydome since 1979. MSU plays its second straight road game this weekend at Sacramento State. Montana State¡¦s five-game winning streak is the program¡¦s longest since the 1984 Bobcats won 10 straight games, and the team¡¦s 541 yards of total offense was the program¡¦s most since 2001.
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 5:05 pm MST
SITE: Sacramento, CA
STADIUM: Hornet Stadium
PRESS BOX PHONE: 916/278-5995
RADIO: State Farm Bobcat Network (Kris Atteberry, Dan Davies)
TELEVISION: Omega (Dean Alexander)
HIGHLIGHTS
* Travis Lulay is 18-11 as MSU¡¦s starting quarterback, matching Rob Compson¡¦s win total for third in school history
STREAKS
* Montana State¡¦s five-game winning streak is its longest since the team won 10 straight in 1984
* After six straight games of scoring exactly two TDs, MSU scored four against PSU and three against SDSU
* MSU has won its last eight Big Sky Conference games
MILESTONES
* MSU¡¦s 53 first-half points vs. NAU was third-most in school history
* The 31 points MSU scored in the second quarter Saturday is the most by a Bobcat team in the last 25 years
SHINING
* QB TRAVIS LULAY has thrown for at least 300 yards in three straight
* WR EDDIE SULLIVAN had his second 100-yard game in the last three weeks
* LB BRANDON EGGART had an interception, returned a fumble for a touchdown, and broke up a pass
* FS TOPH GRENFELL picked off one pass, broke up another, and recovered a fumble
ABOUT THE ¡¥CATS...
MSU in ¡¥04 6-2
Conf./Record Big Sky/4-0
Home/Road 4-1/2-1
Grass/Turf 4-2/2-0
Day/Night 5-2/1-0
HEAD COACH Mike Kramer
Alma Mater Idaho/¡¦76
Overall/Years 61-63/11th
At MSU/Years 24-31/5th
vs SAC 7-1
Home/Road 4-0/3-1
SERIES MSU 7-5
At MSU MSU 4-1
At SAC SAC 4-3
At Neutral 0-0
Current Streak MSU 3W
ABOUT SACRAMENTO STATE...
SAC in ¡¥04 2-6
Conf./Record Big Sky/1-4
Home/Road 2-2/0-4
Grass/Turf 2-4/0-2
Day/Night 0-2/2-4
HEAD COACH Steve Mooshagian
Alma Mater Fresno State/¡¦82
Overall/Years 4-15/2nd
At School/Years same
vs MSU 0-1
Home/Road/Neu 0-0/0-1
ABOUT SAC The Hornets
School Colors Green, gold
Location Sacramento, CA
Enrollment 28,588
Stadium Hornet Stadium
OPPONENT ¡¥04 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
S11 at Nevada L, 7-59
S18 Southern Utah W, 23-17
S25 at UC Davis L, 23-58
O2 at Northern Ariz. L, 0-26
O9 Portland State L, 0-31
O16 Weber State W, 31-12
O23 at Idaho State L, 24-29
O30 at Eastern Wash. L, 10-45
N6 Montana State
N13 at Montana
N20 Cal Poly
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 W 60-14 MSU¡¦s first win at the Skydome since 1979
N6 *at Sac State 5:05 pm Bobcats are 6-7 vs. California teams since ¡¥00
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
*ƒnLulay Leading the Way... Travis Lulay is 18-11 as MSU¡¦s starting quarterback, the third-highest win total and fifth-highest winning percentage in school history. In those 18 wins, he has led MSU to second-half comebacks seven times, and five times the Bobcats won the game on their last possession.
*ƒnCalifornia Here We Come... Montana State has had decidedly mixed success against California opponents under head coach Mike Kramer. The ¡¥Cats are 6-7 against schools from the Golden State, including an 0-1 record this year. The Bobcats are 2-2 in games played in California under Kramer.
*ƒn...Right Back Where We Started From... Playing a California opponent always has special meaning for the Bobcat program, because MSU typically has several Californians on its roster. This year¡¦s team is no exception. Of the 91 players on Montana State¡¦s current roster, 30 hail from California. That total is second only to the 36 from Montana (seven are from Washington, five from Oregon, and four from Florida). Those Californians aren¡¦t just filling roster space, either. Eleven of MSU¡¦s starting 22 hail from California.
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 nine times this year on 37 kicks, averaging 43.8 yards per punt. He has drilled five line drives of 60+ yards, 24 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
5 8 14 5 4 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 27 in the first eight 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 six defensive TDs in that same span (5-0).
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 15 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 25 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 4-0 in Big Sky play for the first time since 1982, when MSU was 4-0 before losing at Idaho and Montana. MSU is 6-2 overall for the first time since 1998, when the ¡¥Cats were 6-2 before losing two of their last three, and have been 6-2 three times in the last 20 years.
Making Bad Seem Good
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 -1 5-0
Dominant Defense, Part I
Here is how MSU¡¦s defense stacked up against the rest of the nation in 2003...
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 15 of the 30 quarters this year. The Bobcats have held their opponents scoreless in 45 of the last 90 quarters the team has played.
Third¡¦s a Charm
Since the beginning of the 2003 season, MSU has surrendered only 45 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 in the last four 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 are bad thing in football, but that truism has been turned backward in MSU¡¦s 2004 season. The winning team has fumbled 18 times, losing 10, while the loser has fumbled eight times, losing five.
Big Plays
MSU¡¦s 8 plays of 20+ yards at NAU matched the total from the 1st 3 games.
MSU When Leading After...
1st Qtr: 3-0/2nd Qtr: 2-0/3rd Qtr: 3-0
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
5
Number of 100-yard receivers in Montana State¡¦s last three games (Sullivan and Gatewood twice each, Wolf once)
384.0
Travis Lulay¡¦s passing average in Montana State¡¦s last three games, all victories
1st
Travis Lulay¡¦s standing in the Big Sky in total offense, with 296.4 yards per game
KRAMER¡¦S QUOTES
On the NAU game: ¡§We played very well offensively, obviously. We executed well in the first half, and in the second half were able to play the entire (travel) roster. Defensively we did a good job limiting the big play, which is obviously a concern against such an explosive offensive team. It feels good to win in that building, but it was not an obsession as we prepared for that game. Northern Arizona is a good football team, and that was much more of a focus than where the game was being played. I don¡¦t know if we¡¦re as good as we looked on Saturday night, but I do know that they are much better than they looked. We just caught them, and that happens in football.¡¨
On Sacramento State: ¡§Sacramento State presents a number of challenges for us. Ryan Leadingham has been a pretty exquisite performer during his career, and he is playing at a high level. Fred Amey¡¦s performance that he is still one of the elite players in the conference. He is a very very dangerous player. Defensively, we¡¦re very mindful of the fact that Ramon Payne is playing very well at cornerback. They run some very effective coverages, and are playing well defensively. We have a lot of California kids on the team, so this is a big game for us in that regard. We had a lot of California parents and family and friends there last week, and it will be even more so this week.¡¨
On the Bobcats: ¡§I really like where we¡¦re getting defensively. For us to be doing what we¡¦re doing having lost the players we lost, it¡¦s pretty amazing. We really emphasized tackling and turnovers in spring ball, and again in preseason camp. (Defensive coordinator) Pete Kwiatkowski spends considerable time doing nothing but tackling in practice, and that emphasis has really shown itself. Offensively, a lot of our improvement from the early part of the season has come because of confidence. Guys know that they¡¦re going to stay on the field, even if they make mistakes. Don Bailey has a lot of confidence in the guys that are playing now, and they feel that and feed off of it. I think the most significant single feature of our offense right is the pass protection afforded by our tailback, Justin Domineck. He is a weapon in that regard he¡¦s so good, and that really allows us to do some different things. We knew the o-line would block well, we knew Travis (Lulay) would play at an exceptionally high level, we even knew the receivers would catch the ball eventually, but we didn¡¦t know Justin would pass protect like he is.¡¨
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 eight games as RS frosh
79 Adam DeCock 6-6 285 Fr* Has played in all eight games
72 Garrin Brewton 6-5 283 So* Played sparingly in three games
LEFT GUARD 57 Brant Birkeland 6-1 266 So* Started seven 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 eight 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 29 straight games
15 Cory Carpenter 6-2 197 Fr* Made his Bobcat debut at NAU
16 Rick Coppack (COP-uck) 6-0 185 Fr* Has played in three games this year
RUNNING BACK 8 Justin Domenick 5-11 217 Jr+ Led ¡¥Cats in rushing in last 5 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
82 Matt McCullough 5-11 175 Sr* Caught 1st career pass at NAU
SLOT RECEIVER 1 Rick Gatewood 6-0 180 Jr*+ 307 yards, 5 TDs in last three 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* Had a sack at NAU
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+ Had TL and pass breakup at NAU
94 Tim O¡¦Tool 6-3 249 Jr+ Played extensively at CSU, NAU
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+ Had two sacks at NAU
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* Scored TD on fumble at NAU
LEFT CORNER 20 Ryan Force 6-2 203 So* Has started all eight games
30 Michael McGuinness 5-11 170 Jr* Special teams standout
FREE SAFETY 25 Toph Grenfell 6-0 196 Jr+ Had int. and fumble recovery at NAU
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 5 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* Leads MSU with 10 pass breakups
13 Kory Austin 5-11 176 Fr* Missed eight of last 10 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
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
