MSU vs. Cal Poly Game Notes
9/17/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
THE STORYLINE
Montana State begins a difficult three-week stretch of games with its most formidable non-conference I-AA opponent, hosting nationally ranked Cal Poly on Saturday. Cal Poly has won five straight against the Bobcats, including last year’s 24-21 game in San Luis Obispo. The Mustangs drilled Idaho State in Pocatello last weekend, and after falling just short of the I-AA Playoffs look to make a statement by winning their second straight road game in Big Sky territory. MSU faces offenisve (option) and defensive (flex) styles which have caused it troubles in recent times. NOTING THE ‘CATS
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 1:05 pm MST
SITE: Bozeman, MT
STADIUM: Bobcat Stadium
PRESS BOX PHONE: 406/994-6180
RADIO: State Farm Bobcat Network (Kris Atteberry, Dan Davies)
TELEVISION: Omega TV Productions (Dean Alexander, Ryan Elliott)
HIGHLIGHTS
l MSU faces a nationally-ranked I-AA opponent for the third time in the team’s last four games, dating to ‘03
STREAKS
l Montana State has won all three of its home games played on September 18 through the years l The Bobcats open the season against three straight opponents whose school colors are green and gold
MILESTONES
l Sophomore QB Travis Lulay is now third in school history in completions and passing yards l Mike Kramer is fourth in Big Sky history with 57 wins, third in league history with 37 conference victories
SHINING
l QB TRAVIS LULAY is currently third in the nation in punting, averaging 48.3 yards per kick l WR MIKE WILLIAMS returned one punt for 25 yards Saturday, the fourth-best return average in I-AA l THE BOBCAT DEFENSE pitched its first season-opening shutout last weekend since 1965, when MSU held South Dakota State scoreless
ABOUT THE ‘CATS...
MSU in ‘04 1-0
Conf./Record Big Sky/0-0
Home/Road 1-0/0-0
Grass/Turf 1-0/0-0
Day/Night 1-0/0-0
HEAD COACH Mike Kramer
Alma Mater Idaho/’76
Overall/Years 57-61/11th
At MSU/Years 20-29/5th
vs CP 1-4
Home/Road 1-2/0-2
SERIES CP 7-4
At MSU CP 3-2
At UM CP 4-2
At Neutral never met
Current Streak CP 5W
ABOUT CAL POLY ...
CP in ‘04 2-0
Conf./Record Great West/0-0
Home/Road 1-0/1-0
Grass/Turf 1-0/1-0
Day/Night 0-0/2-0
HEAD COACH Rich Ellerson
Alma Mater Hawai’i/’76
Overall/Years 22-24/5th
At School/Years 18-17/4th
vs MSU 2-0
Home/Road/Neu 1-0/1-0
ABOUT CP The Mustangs
School Colors Forest green, gold
Location San Luis Obispo, CA
Enrollment 18,000
Stadium Mustang Stadium
OPPONENT ‘04 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
S4 Humboldt State W 42-7
S11 at Idaho State W 35-20
S18 at Montana State 1 pm
O2 South Dakota State 6 pm
O9 at Southern Utah 6 pm
O16 Texas State 4 pm
O23 at North Dakota St TBA
O30 UC Davis 6 pm
N6 at Eastern Wash. 2:05 pm
N13 Northern Colorado 6 pm
N20 at Sacramento St 4:05 pm
BOBCAT 2004 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
S11 Adams State W 19-0 First season-opening shutout since ‘65
S18 Cal Poly 1:05 pm Mustangs have won five straight vs. MSU
S25 at Colorado State 1 pm Bobcats face two former head coaches
O2 *at Idaho State 6:05 pm MSU has lost three straight in Pocatello
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
What to Watch
F Dominant Defense, Take Four... Montana State’s defense has led the Big Sky Conference in yards allowed for three straight seasons, and if Saturday’s effort is an indication that ‘Cats could challenge for top honors again this year. MSU limited Adams State’s option attack to just 218 yards, and stands second in the Big Sky and 10th nationally in yards allowed. MSU’s shutout places the Bobcats first in points allowed.
F Big Play Bobcats... Last season, the Bobcat offense sprung 37 plays of 20 yards or more, 19 of them running plays. MSU registered five long plays on Saturday, including a pair of catches by Chaz Guinn. Each of MSU’s big plays were passes.
F A Kick... Saturday’s game, like so many Bobcat games a year ago, could come down to special teams play. Cal Poly has perhaps the top return man in I-AA football, Darrell Jones, who returned a punt for a touchdown against MSU last year. The Bobcats counter with effective punt and kick cover units, keyed by kicker Travis Doroski and punter Travis Lulay, who drilled kicks of 81 and 60 yards last year. 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. Last week, Lulay pinned the opponent inside the 20 once, and averaged a season-high 48.3 yards a kick.
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 teams are 7-9 in November, including a 6-4 mark in the last two Novembers that have culminated in Big Sky Championships.
Whitewashin’
Montana State has shut out two of its last 10 opponents. The Bobcats blanked Saint Mary’s last October, and shut out Adams State last weekend. 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.
Third’s a Charm
MSU surrendered only 24 third-quarter points last year, and didn’t allow a third-quarter score in the 2004 season opener.
Half is Good
The Bobcat defense has held opposing quarterbacks to below 50% passing in six of the last eight games.
Stingy
Only two of Montana State’s last 18 opponents have managed 400 yards against the Bobcats. Two of last season’s opponents -- Northern Arizona and Northern Iowa -- creased 400 total yards against MSU’s Big Sky-leading defense. Montana State’s last four 2002 opponents, along with Adams State this season, also failed to gain 400 yards.
Youngsters
Montana State entered this season with only one senior offensive starter, and with only three upperclassmen on defense. That youth is punctuated by experience, as the Bobcats also entered the year with 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, and were 4-2 in that span. The Bobcats and Adams State were even in game one in turnovers this year.
D’ing Up
Here is how MSU’s defense stacked up against the rest of the nation last year, and against history...
* 1st in the Big Sky and 8th in I-AA in total defense, 274.2
* 2nd in the Big Sky and 14th nationally in rushing defense, 107.4
* 1st in the Big Sky and 22nd in I-AA in pass defense, 166.8
* 1st in the Big Sky and 7th nationally in scoring defense, 14.6
* MSU’s total defense average was in the top 10 in the Big Sky since 1981
Playing Quarters
The Bobcats held the opponent scoreless in 26 of the team’s 52 quarters. The losses at Eastern and Northern Iowa marked the only times this season a team has scored points in each of the four quarters against the Bobcats.
Third’s a Charm
MSU surrendered only 24 third-quarter points in ‘03, 14 of which came in the playoff loss at Northern Iowa.
Anti-Air
MSU held opposing quarterbacks to 44% passing in the last seven regular-sason games last year, . and Adams State completed just 36% of its passes in the opener this year.
Stingy
MSU’s league-leading defense allowed only two opponents -- Northern Arizona and Northern Iowa-- to gain more than 400 total yards. Portland State gained just 112 yards, MSU’s best defensive day since ‘92.
Turning it Over
MSU was -6 in turnovers before going +2 against both Portland State and Montana. MSU was 4-1 with a positive TO margin.
Three is All You Get
The Bobcat defense forced Adams State into seven three-and-out possessions opposing offenses into three-and-out situations on nearly one-third (28.4%) of their possessions (43-of-151).
Hip! Hip! Lulay!!
Travis Lulay has already established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in MSU history. After just 22 games as MSU’s starter, Lulay is already 3rd in school history in passing yards, 4th in touchdown passes, and 3rd in completions. He was the first true freshman to lead the ‘Cats to a win in over Montana since Dave Alt in ‘56, and is 2-0 vs. UM.
Sudden Change
MSU allowed opponents only four scores after the team’s 20 offensive turnovers last year, and didn’t allow a score after the team’s only turnover this season.
The Home Fires
The ‘Cats are 21-16 in Bobcat Stadium in its current configuration, 11-11 in Big Sky games, and 2-2 against Division II foes.
By the Numbers
2 Number of opponents nicknamed “Grizzlies” that the ‘Cats will face this year, beginning with Adams State on Saturday
4 Punts returned for touchdowns last year by Corey Smith, a Big Sky Conference record (one away from the I-AA mark)
12,267 Number of fans MSU drew on Saturday, the school’s largest season-opening crowd in history
27 Career touchdown passes for Bobcat junior quarterback Travis Lulay
KRAMER’S QUOTES
On the Bobcats: “You can’t point to one offensive player and say he played really well last week. This will be a learning week for us, now that we have a game on videotape for the young players to look at. We will really concentrate on fundamentals this week, the quarterback-center exchange, pass protection angles, receiver route adjustments. We will need quality coaching and quality leadership this week, but that experience is worth buckets and buckets and buckets of practice time. One 60-minute game is worth two weeks of practice. Our linebackers really moved on Saturday laterally and vertically, and that’s important for us. Once our safeties got settled down they really rotated toward the pitch. We controlled the line of scrimmage and got upfield pressure. Our two freshman cornerbacks played through the maturation process, and they’ll be able to learn a lot this week. We know what we are defensively. Our good players played like good players, and our young players made some mistakes that we’ll be able to learn from. Offensively our depth chart is a little shallow based on practice performance. I can see all those offensive starters playing demonstrably better next week.”
On Cal Poly: “By far the biggest offensive challenge we’ll face this year, other than Colorado State, will be against Cal Poly this week. They are really, really well-coached, they have smart, tough players, and they play hard. This week is a double-whammy for us, because we’re coming off of a less-than-stellar offensive performance facing the most formidable I-AA opponent we’ll see for a while. This should be a great rollover week for us. A lot of what we’ve been doing the last 10 days for Adams State is as much geared toward Cal Poly as anything.”
Current Montana State Two-Deep (with pro-nuns-ee-AY-shuns) Offense
LEFT TACKLE 53 Peder Jensen (just like Peter) 6-5 276 Fr*
72 Garrin Brewton 6-5 283 So*
LEFT GUARD 57 Brant Birkeland 6-1 266 So*
67 Joaquin Echauri (walk-EEN uh-CHAR-ee) 6-3 282 Sr+
CENTER 50 Zack Wolf 6-2 281 Jr
74 Lawrence Figueroa (fig-uh-ROE-uh) 6-1 285 Sr
RIGHT GUARD 74 Lawrence Figueroa (fig-uh-ROE-uh) 6-1 285 Sr
62 Troy Watson 6-2 265 Fr
RIGHT TACKLE 64 Jeff Bolton 6-4 307 Jr
79 Adam DeCock 6-6 285 Fr*
QUARTERBACK 14 Travis Lulay 6-2 203 Jr
16 Rick Coppack (COP-uck) 6-0 185 Fr*
RUNNING BACK 8 Justin Domenick 5-11 217 Jr+
34 Morris Milton 5-9 200 Jr+
23 Jason Gathing (short a, like gather) 6-0 198 Jr*+
27 Jimmy Beal 5-7 165 So*
X RECEIVER 19 Chaz Guinn (like Gwynn) 6-2 194 Jr+
5 Eddie Sullivan 6-0 190 Sr+
SLOT RECEIVER 6 Brandon Roosevelt 5-11 177 So*
29 Michael Williams 5-8 155 So*
82 Matt McCullough 5-11 175 Sr*
Z RECEIVER 1 Ricky Gatewood 6-0 180 Jr*+
80 Kellen Alley 6-2 199 So*
TIGHT END 85 Blake Wolf 6-2 239 Sr*
96 Dusty Daws 6-5 235 Sr*
Defense
ANCHOR END 58 Ray Sebestyen (like Sebastian) 6-2 253 Sr*
90 Ryan Cogley (like frog) 6-3 225 So*
NOSE 98 Beau Clark 6-2 239 Sr*
93 Andy Matakis (muh-TAKE-us) 6-2 249 So+
99 Aaron Papich (Pap like rap) 6-2 248 Fr*
TACKLE 92 Daryl Rogers 6-1 256 Jr+
94 Tim O’Tool 6-3 249 Jr+
RUSH 40 Chad Gluhm (gloom) 6-0 227 Sr*
42 Clive Lowe 6-3 232 So*
WILL LINEBACKER 43 Nick Marudas (muh-ROOD-us) 6-1 219 Jr*
47 Jonathan Molock (MOE-lock) 6-1 226 Sr+
MIKE LINEBACKER 33 Mac Mollohan 6-0 215 Jr
39 Brandon Eggart 6-1 213 Sr*
SAM LINEBACKER 91 Roger Cooper 6-3 233 Sr*
36 Clayton Curley 6-1 196 Jr
LEFT CORNER 13 Kory Austin 5-11 176 Fr*
18 Eddie Smith 5-9 180 So+
FREE SAFETY 20 Ryan Force 6-2 203 So*
25 Toph Grenfell 6-0 196 Jr+
STRONG SAFETY 26 Demond Goins (duh-MOND GO-ins) 5-10 170 Jr*
25 Toph Grenfell 6-0 196 Jr+
RIGHT CORNER 9 Andre Fuller 5-10 159 Fr*
31 Martin Henderson 5-9 177 So*+
*-indicates player has used redshirt year, +-indicates player is a transfer
PLACE KICKER: 12-Tyler Bolton KICKOFFS: 35-Travis Doroski
PUNTS: 14-Travis Lulay LONG SNAPS: 96-Dusty Daws
PUNT/KICK RETURNS: 6-Brandon Roosevelt, 29-Michael Williams
HOLDER: 16-Rick Coppack
Montana State begins a difficult three-week stretch of games with its most formidable non-conference I-AA opponent, hosting nationally ranked Cal Poly on Saturday. Cal Poly has won five straight against the Bobcats, including last year’s 24-21 game in San Luis Obispo. The Mustangs drilled Idaho State in Pocatello last weekend, and after falling just short of the I-AA Playoffs look to make a statement by winning their second straight road game in Big Sky territory. MSU faces offenisve (option) and defensive (flex) styles which have caused it troubles in recent times. NOTING THE ‘CATS
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 1:05 pm MST
SITE: Bozeman, MT
STADIUM: Bobcat Stadium
PRESS BOX PHONE: 406/994-6180
RADIO: State Farm Bobcat Network (Kris Atteberry, Dan Davies)
TELEVISION: Omega TV Productions (Dean Alexander, Ryan Elliott)
HIGHLIGHTS
l MSU faces a nationally-ranked I-AA opponent for the third time in the team’s last four games, dating to ‘03
STREAKS
l Montana State has won all three of its home games played on September 18 through the years l The Bobcats open the season against three straight opponents whose school colors are green and gold
MILESTONES
l Sophomore QB Travis Lulay is now third in school history in completions and passing yards l Mike Kramer is fourth in Big Sky history with 57 wins, third in league history with 37 conference victories
SHINING
l QB TRAVIS LULAY is currently third in the nation in punting, averaging 48.3 yards per kick l WR MIKE WILLIAMS returned one punt for 25 yards Saturday, the fourth-best return average in I-AA l THE BOBCAT DEFENSE pitched its first season-opening shutout last weekend since 1965, when MSU held South Dakota State scoreless
ABOUT THE ‘CATS...
MSU in ‘04 1-0
Conf./Record Big Sky/0-0
Home/Road 1-0/0-0
Grass/Turf 1-0/0-0
Day/Night 1-0/0-0
HEAD COACH Mike Kramer
Alma Mater Idaho/’76
Overall/Years 57-61/11th
At MSU/Years 20-29/5th
vs CP 1-4
Home/Road 1-2/0-2
SERIES CP 7-4
At MSU CP 3-2
At UM CP 4-2
At Neutral never met
Current Streak CP 5W
ABOUT CAL POLY ...
CP in ‘04 2-0
Conf./Record Great West/0-0
Home/Road 1-0/1-0
Grass/Turf 1-0/1-0
Day/Night 0-0/2-0
HEAD COACH Rich Ellerson
Alma Mater Hawai’i/’76
Overall/Years 22-24/5th
At School/Years 18-17/4th
vs MSU 2-0
Home/Road/Neu 1-0/1-0
ABOUT CP The Mustangs
School Colors Forest green, gold
Location San Luis Obispo, CA
Enrollment 18,000
Stadium Mustang Stadium
OPPONENT ‘04 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
S4 Humboldt State W 42-7
S11 at Idaho State W 35-20
S18 at Montana State 1 pm
O2 South Dakota State 6 pm
O9 at Southern Utah 6 pm
O16 Texas State 4 pm
O23 at North Dakota St TBA
O30 UC Davis 6 pm
N6 at Eastern Wash. 2:05 pm
N13 Northern Colorado 6 pm
N20 at Sacramento St 4:05 pm
BOBCAT 2004 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
S11 Adams State W 19-0 First season-opening shutout since ‘65
S18 Cal Poly 1:05 pm Mustangs have won five straight vs. MSU
S25 at Colorado State 1 pm Bobcats face two former head coaches
O2 *at Idaho State 6:05 pm MSU has lost three straight in Pocatello
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
What to Watch
F Dominant Defense, Take Four... Montana State’s defense has led the Big Sky Conference in yards allowed for three straight seasons, and if Saturday’s effort is an indication that ‘Cats could challenge for top honors again this year. MSU limited Adams State’s option attack to just 218 yards, and stands second in the Big Sky and 10th nationally in yards allowed. MSU’s shutout places the Bobcats first in points allowed.
F Big Play Bobcats... Last season, the Bobcat offense sprung 37 plays of 20 yards or more, 19 of them running plays. MSU registered five long plays on Saturday, including a pair of catches by Chaz Guinn. Each of MSU’s big plays were passes.
F A Kick... Saturday’s game, like so many Bobcat games a year ago, could come down to special teams play. Cal Poly has perhaps the top return man in I-AA football, Darrell Jones, who returned a punt for a touchdown against MSU last year. The Bobcats counter with effective punt and kick cover units, keyed by kicker Travis Doroski and punter Travis Lulay, who drilled kicks of 81 and 60 yards last year. 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. Last week, Lulay pinned the opponent inside the 20 once, and averaged a season-high 48.3 yards a kick.
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 teams are 7-9 in November, including a 6-4 mark in the last two Novembers that have culminated in Big Sky Championships.
Whitewashin’
Montana State has shut out two of its last 10 opponents. The Bobcats blanked Saint Mary’s last October, and shut out Adams State last weekend. 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.
Third’s a Charm
MSU surrendered only 24 third-quarter points last year, and didn’t allow a third-quarter score in the 2004 season opener.
Half is Good
The Bobcat defense has held opposing quarterbacks to below 50% passing in six of the last eight games.
Stingy
Only two of Montana State’s last 18 opponents have managed 400 yards against the Bobcats. Two of last season’s opponents -- Northern Arizona and Northern Iowa -- creased 400 total yards against MSU’s Big Sky-leading defense. Montana State’s last four 2002 opponents, along with Adams State this season, also failed to gain 400 yards.
Youngsters
Montana State entered this season with only one senior offensive starter, and with only three upperclassmen on defense. That youth is punctuated by experience, as the Bobcats also entered the year with 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, and were 4-2 in that span. The Bobcats and Adams State were even in game one in turnovers this year.
D’ing Up
Here is how MSU’s defense stacked up against the rest of the nation last year, and against history...
* 1st in the Big Sky and 8th in I-AA in total defense, 274.2
* 2nd in the Big Sky and 14th nationally in rushing defense, 107.4
* 1st in the Big Sky and 22nd in I-AA in pass defense, 166.8
* 1st in the Big Sky and 7th nationally in scoring defense, 14.6
* MSU’s total defense average was in the top 10 in the Big Sky since 1981
Playing Quarters
The Bobcats held the opponent scoreless in 26 of the team’s 52 quarters. The losses at Eastern and Northern Iowa marked the only times this season a team has scored points in each of the four quarters against the Bobcats.
Third’s a Charm
MSU surrendered only 24 third-quarter points in ‘03, 14 of which came in the playoff loss at Northern Iowa.
Anti-Air
MSU held opposing quarterbacks to 44% passing in the last seven regular-sason games last year, . and Adams State completed just 36% of its passes in the opener this year.
Stingy
MSU’s league-leading defense allowed only two opponents -- Northern Arizona and Northern Iowa-- to gain more than 400 total yards. Portland State gained just 112 yards, MSU’s best defensive day since ‘92.
Turning it Over
MSU was -6 in turnovers before going +2 against both Portland State and Montana. MSU was 4-1 with a positive TO margin.
Three is All You Get
The Bobcat defense forced Adams State into seven three-and-out possessions opposing offenses into three-and-out situations on nearly one-third (28.4%) of their possessions (43-of-151).
Hip! Hip! Lulay!!
Travis Lulay has already established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in MSU history. After just 22 games as MSU’s starter, Lulay is already 3rd in school history in passing yards, 4th in touchdown passes, and 3rd in completions. He was the first true freshman to lead the ‘Cats to a win in over Montana since Dave Alt in ‘56, and is 2-0 vs. UM.
Sudden Change
MSU allowed opponents only four scores after the team’s 20 offensive turnovers last year, and didn’t allow a score after the team’s only turnover this season.
The Home Fires
The ‘Cats are 21-16 in Bobcat Stadium in its current configuration, 11-11 in Big Sky games, and 2-2 against Division II foes.
By the Numbers
2 Number of opponents nicknamed “Grizzlies” that the ‘Cats will face this year, beginning with Adams State on Saturday
4 Punts returned for touchdowns last year by Corey Smith, a Big Sky Conference record (one away from the I-AA mark)
12,267 Number of fans MSU drew on Saturday, the school’s largest season-opening crowd in history
27 Career touchdown passes for Bobcat junior quarterback Travis Lulay
KRAMER’S QUOTES
On the Bobcats: “You can’t point to one offensive player and say he played really well last week. This will be a learning week for us, now that we have a game on videotape for the young players to look at. We will really concentrate on fundamentals this week, the quarterback-center exchange, pass protection angles, receiver route adjustments. We will need quality coaching and quality leadership this week, but that experience is worth buckets and buckets and buckets of practice time. One 60-minute game is worth two weeks of practice. Our linebackers really moved on Saturday laterally and vertically, and that’s important for us. Once our safeties got settled down they really rotated toward the pitch. We controlled the line of scrimmage and got upfield pressure. Our two freshman cornerbacks played through the maturation process, and they’ll be able to learn a lot this week. We know what we are defensively. Our good players played like good players, and our young players made some mistakes that we’ll be able to learn from. Offensively our depth chart is a little shallow based on practice performance. I can see all those offensive starters playing demonstrably better next week.”
On Cal Poly: “By far the biggest offensive challenge we’ll face this year, other than Colorado State, will be against Cal Poly this week. They are really, really well-coached, they have smart, tough players, and they play hard. This week is a double-whammy for us, because we’re coming off of a less-than-stellar offensive performance facing the most formidable I-AA opponent we’ll see for a while. This should be a great rollover week for us. A lot of what we’ve been doing the last 10 days for Adams State is as much geared toward Cal Poly as anything.”
Current Montana State Two-Deep (with pro-nuns-ee-AY-shuns) Offense
LEFT TACKLE 53 Peder Jensen (just like Peter) 6-5 276 Fr*
72 Garrin Brewton 6-5 283 So*
LEFT GUARD 57 Brant Birkeland 6-1 266 So*
67 Joaquin Echauri (walk-EEN uh-CHAR-ee) 6-3 282 Sr+
CENTER 50 Zack Wolf 6-2 281 Jr
74 Lawrence Figueroa (fig-uh-ROE-uh) 6-1 285 Sr
RIGHT GUARD 74 Lawrence Figueroa (fig-uh-ROE-uh) 6-1 285 Sr
62 Troy Watson 6-2 265 Fr
RIGHT TACKLE 64 Jeff Bolton 6-4 307 Jr
79 Adam DeCock 6-6 285 Fr*
QUARTERBACK 14 Travis Lulay 6-2 203 Jr
16 Rick Coppack (COP-uck) 6-0 185 Fr*
RUNNING BACK 8 Justin Domenick 5-11 217 Jr+
34 Morris Milton 5-9 200 Jr+
23 Jason Gathing (short a, like gather) 6-0 198 Jr*+
27 Jimmy Beal 5-7 165 So*
X RECEIVER 19 Chaz Guinn (like Gwynn) 6-2 194 Jr+
5 Eddie Sullivan 6-0 190 Sr+
SLOT RECEIVER 6 Brandon Roosevelt 5-11 177 So*
29 Michael Williams 5-8 155 So*
82 Matt McCullough 5-11 175 Sr*
Z RECEIVER 1 Ricky Gatewood 6-0 180 Jr*+
80 Kellen Alley 6-2 199 So*
TIGHT END 85 Blake Wolf 6-2 239 Sr*
96 Dusty Daws 6-5 235 Sr*
Defense
ANCHOR END 58 Ray Sebestyen (like Sebastian) 6-2 253 Sr*
90 Ryan Cogley (like frog) 6-3 225 So*
NOSE 98 Beau Clark 6-2 239 Sr*
93 Andy Matakis (muh-TAKE-us) 6-2 249 So+
99 Aaron Papich (Pap like rap) 6-2 248 Fr*
TACKLE 92 Daryl Rogers 6-1 256 Jr+
94 Tim O’Tool 6-3 249 Jr+
RUSH 40 Chad Gluhm (gloom) 6-0 227 Sr*
42 Clive Lowe 6-3 232 So*
WILL LINEBACKER 43 Nick Marudas (muh-ROOD-us) 6-1 219 Jr*
47 Jonathan Molock (MOE-lock) 6-1 226 Sr+
MIKE LINEBACKER 33 Mac Mollohan 6-0 215 Jr
39 Brandon Eggart 6-1 213 Sr*
SAM LINEBACKER 91 Roger Cooper 6-3 233 Sr*
36 Clayton Curley 6-1 196 Jr
LEFT CORNER 13 Kory Austin 5-11 176 Fr*
18 Eddie Smith 5-9 180 So+
FREE SAFETY 20 Ryan Force 6-2 203 So*
25 Toph Grenfell 6-0 196 Jr+
STRONG SAFETY 26 Demond Goins (duh-MOND GO-ins) 5-10 170 Jr*
25 Toph Grenfell 6-0 196 Jr+
RIGHT CORNER 9 Andre Fuller 5-10 159 Fr*
31 Martin Henderson 5-9 177 So*+
*-indicates player has used redshirt year, +-indicates player is a transfer
PLACE KICKER: 12-Tyler Bolton KICKOFFS: 35-Travis Doroski
PUNTS: 14-Travis Lulay LONG SNAPS: 96-Dusty Daws
PUNT/KICK RETURNS: 6-Brandon Roosevelt, 29-Michael Williams
HOLDER: 16-Rick Coppack
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