Bobcat History Lesson: TD Tony in Sacto
11/3/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
It is sight fresh in the minds of Bobcat fans, a Bobcat receiver from California, running free through an opposing secondary. There's no one around... the catch is made, again and again, resulting in a big play, again and again.
Thinking of Eddie Sullivan or Rick Gatewood? Think again.
Think instead of Tony Vallez, who just short of seven years ago put on the most impressive effort ever by a Bobcat receiver. Playing not far from his hometown of Kerman, in front of family and friends, Vallez set Montana State's record for receiving yards in a game and posted one of the best pass-catching days ever in Big Sky Conference history.
November 15, 1997, was a cold, rainy night in Sacramento. Hornet Stadium's natural field was soggy, and felt the effects of extreme use. You couldn't have told it was a slow track, though, by the Bobcat offense. Triggered by Rob Compson, Montana State began marching up and down the field early in the game. The 'Cats light the scoreboard, though, until Vallez caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Compson late in the first quarter. By the end of that stanza, MSU led only 7-0, but had 143 yards of total offense, to Sacramento State's 6.
The fireworks had just begun. On MSU's next possession, Vallez caught a 35-yard pass that set up a Lathian Tyler score. Later in the second quarter, he set up a Geoff Groshelle field goal with a 33-yard pass. Vallez had put in a good night's work, 118 yards and a touchdown, by the middle of the second quarter.
Stymied by an inability to run the football at the outset of the second half, Cliff Hysell grudgingly returned to the air, and was richly rewarded. Vallez caught a 35-yarder from Compson, then caught a five-yarder, setting up a 20-yard Compson-to-Scott Harry scoring strike. After Sac State answered a three-and-out Bobcat possession with its only score of the game, MSU marched 75 yards for its final score. The drive was keyed by two long throws to Vallez, a 42-yarder and a 23-yarder. Finally, Vallez capped the drive, and his big night, with a 7-yard strike.
Vallez finished the night with 230 yards, out of Compson's 389. He caught 10 balls, and two of MSU's four touchdowns. That game remains the best receiving game in school history. In fact, Vallez is the only player in Bobcat history to register a 200-yard game, and he did so twice. He was not the fastest player at MSU, nor was he the slickest. But he was tough, he was smart, and even today Vallez, who played at MSU only two years, is fifth in career receiving yards at Montana State. He will be in Sacramento tonight. Seven years ago, here in Sacramento, Touchdown Tony had the night of his life.
Thinking of Eddie Sullivan or Rick Gatewood? Think again.
Think instead of Tony Vallez, who just short of seven years ago put on the most impressive effort ever by a Bobcat receiver. Playing not far from his hometown of Kerman, in front of family and friends, Vallez set Montana State's record for receiving yards in a game and posted one of the best pass-catching days ever in Big Sky Conference history.
November 15, 1997, was a cold, rainy night in Sacramento. Hornet Stadium's natural field was soggy, and felt the effects of extreme use. You couldn't have told it was a slow track, though, by the Bobcat offense. Triggered by Rob Compson, Montana State began marching up and down the field early in the game. The 'Cats light the scoreboard, though, until Vallez caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Compson late in the first quarter. By the end of that stanza, MSU led only 7-0, but had 143 yards of total offense, to Sacramento State's 6.
The fireworks had just begun. On MSU's next possession, Vallez caught a 35-yard pass that set up a Lathian Tyler score. Later in the second quarter, he set up a Geoff Groshelle field goal with a 33-yard pass. Vallez had put in a good night's work, 118 yards and a touchdown, by the middle of the second quarter.
Stymied by an inability to run the football at the outset of the second half, Cliff Hysell grudgingly returned to the air, and was richly rewarded. Vallez caught a 35-yarder from Compson, then caught a five-yarder, setting up a 20-yard Compson-to-Scott Harry scoring strike. After Sac State answered a three-and-out Bobcat possession with its only score of the game, MSU marched 75 yards for its final score. The drive was keyed by two long throws to Vallez, a 42-yarder and a 23-yarder. Finally, Vallez capped the drive, and his big night, with a 7-yard strike.
Vallez finished the night with 230 yards, out of Compson's 389. He caught 10 balls, and two of MSU's four touchdowns. That game remains the best receiving game in school history. In fact, Vallez is the only player in Bobcat history to register a 200-yard game, and he did so twice. He was not the fastest player at MSU, nor was he the slickest. But he was tough, he was smart, and even today Vallez, who played at MSU only two years, is fifth in career receiving yards at Montana State. He will be in Sacramento tonight. Seven years ago, here in Sacramento, Touchdown Tony had the night of his life.
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