Bobcat Game Notes vs. NAU
10/28/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
THE STORYLINE
Montana State faces the unique task of reintroducing itself to its home environs on Saturday, playing in Bobcat Stadium for the first time in four weeks when it hosts Northern Arizona at 12:05 pm. MSU has lost its last three games coming out of an open week dating back to a 1999 win over Weber State, but this year’s bye allowed a pair of injured starters -- linebacker Clive Lowe and running back Michael Bass -- to return to the cusp of full health. DL Chris Kolone is doubtful this week. Both are probable, and should start Saturday.
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 12:05 pm
SITE: Bozeman, MT
STADIUM: Bobcat Stadium
MSU PRESS BOX: 406/994-6180
RADIO: State Farm Bobcat Network (Kris Atteberry, Dan Davies)
TELEVISION: Mont. Sports Network (Chris Byers, Dean Alexander)
HIGHLIGHTS
* Seven of MSU’s 10 I-AA foes have spent time in the national polls
* The ‘Cats have faked three punts this year, extending two of those possessions into scoring drives
* MSU has converted 11 opponent turnovers into 55 points this year
STREAKS
* Opposing offenses have scored on the first drive of two straight games
* A Bobcat receiver has caught 100-yards worth of passes in three straight games
* Montana State has sold out its first three home games for the first time in school history
* The Bobcats have lost three straight games after an open week, and are 3-7 after a bye since 1990
MILESTONES
* Travis Lulay is 11th in I-AA history in total offense, 15th in passing
SHINING
* QB Travis Lulay is 6th in I-AA in total offense at 300.6 yards a game
* PK Jeff Hastings has hit four straight FGs, and his 10 this year is four from MSU’s season record
* WR Rick Gatewood caught 19 passes at PSU, the most by a WR in Big Sky history
ABOUT THE ‘CATS...
MSU in ‘05 4-3
Conf./Record Big Sky/2-1
Home/Road 3-0/1-3
Grass/Turf 4-1/0-2
Day/Night 4-0/0-3
HEAD COACH Mike Kramer
Alma Mater Idaho/’76
Overall/Years 66-69/12th
At MSU/Years 29-37/6th
vs NAU 5-6
Home/Road 2-3/3-3
SERIES NAU leads 22-17
At MSU MSU leads 12-7
At NAU NAU leads 15-5
At Neutral none
Current Streak MSU 2W
ABOUT THE LUMBERJACKS...
NAU in ‘05 2-5
Conf./Record Big Sky/0-4
Home/Road 2-1/0-4
Grass/Turf 0-3/2-2
Day/Night 0-1/2-4
HEAD COACH Jerome Souers
Alma Mater Oregon/’83
Overall/Years 42-46/8th
At School/Years same
vs MSU 4-3
Home/Road 3-1/1-2
ABOUT NAU The Lumberjacks
Colors Blue, gold
Location Flagstaff, AZ
Enrollment 19,000
Stadium Walkup Skydome
OPPONENT ‘05 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
S1 Adams State W 52-13
S10 at Arizona L 12-31
S17 Southern Utah W 27-7
S24 at Weber State L 23-31
O1 at Sacramento St L 24-38
O8 Eastern Wash. L 14-42
O22 at Portland State L 0-45
O29 at Montana State 12:05 pm
N5 Montana 3:05 pm
N12 Idaho State 3:05 pm
N19 at Northern Iowa 4:05 pm
BOBCAT 2005 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
S3 at Oklahoma St L 10-15 First-ever game vs. Big 12 opponent
S10 Stephen F. Austin W 42-6 Biggest home-opening win vs I-AA foe
S17 at Cal Poly L 10-38 Bobcats have lost seven straight to Mustangs
S24 North Dakota St W 20-17 ‘Cats snap five-game skein vs. ranked teams
O1 *Idaho State W 30-28 Second straight win over ranked opponent
O8 *at Weber State W 27-24 ‘Cats win fourth straight at Weber State
O15 *at Portland State L 41-44 MSU loses on walk-off field goal
O29 *NAU 12:05 pm MSU’s first two-game streak vs. NAU since ‘79
N5 *Sac State 12:05 pm ‘Cats look to avenge 38-28 loss
N12 *at Eastern Wash. 3:05 pm Bobcats face preseason Big Sky faves
N19 *Montana 12:05 pm The 105th ‘Cat-Griz game
What to Watch
** A Lot for a Loss... The 41 points MSU scored at Portland State in the October 15 loss was the second-most ever by the ‘Cats in a defeat, the most in a regulation game...
Opponent Points Scored
2004 Eastern Wash. 44 (OT)
2005 Portland State 41
1974 Boise State 37
1971 Idaho State 36
1975 Boise State 34
** Great-wood... Rick Gatewood’s performance in his last 10 games has been historically significant. In the last six games of 2004, Gatewood averaged 9.3 catches and 141.6 yards. This year, he has averaged 10.1 catches and 120.2 yards a game. Taking those 10 games as a single season, Gatewood has 97 catches for 1,321 yards. Gatewood won’t be eligible for Big Sky or NCAA rankings during the regular season after missing the first three games of 2005.
Pinpoint Punting
After becoming Montana State’s punter early in 2003, Travis Lulay used a rugby-like roll punt to average 36.2 yards a punt, and pinned the opponent inside the 20 nine times. In his two seasons as MSU’s full-season, full-time punter, Lulay has been consistent his terms of distance:
1-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-89
2005 2 12 13 0 0 1
2004 6 14 19 6 4 1
Sixty-one percent (45 total) of Lulay’s 73 punts in the past two seasons have traveled at least 40 yards.
Pins
Travis Lulay has become proficient at Punter Pins, or pinning the opponent inside the 20 as the result of a punt. In this year’s seven games he has done so eight times in 29 attempts. He has spotted the opponent inside its own 10 four times in the last three games.
3rd Quarter Turnaround
MSU has allowed as many points in the seven third quarters of 2005 (37) as it did in the final three of 2004.
TO Turnaround
MSU was +1 in turnovers against Idaho State, the only time in positive numbers this year.
Not So Special
MSU has not returned a punt or kick to the paint since the ‘03 Grizzly game, an 18-game stretch that is the longest in Mike Kramer’s career.
Down to the Nub
Montana State’s preseason depth chart at defensive line is so far askew from reality it looks like fiction. Three of the eight active D-linemen from the beginning of the spring are injured (Andy Matakis, Chris Kolone, Ryan Cogley) and two more left the team. JC transfers David Siataga, Joe Rothenberger and Jason Macciola join holdovers Lou Saucedo, Aaron Papich and Daryl Rogers.
The Total Travis
Travis Lulay may impact a game more than any player in I-AA. He averages 54.0 yards a game rushing, 246.6 yards a game passing, and 40.0 yards per punt.
To the Paint
MSU has scored two defensive touchdowns this year, and in Pete Kwiatkowski’s six seasons as Bobcat defensive coordinator has found the paint a dozen times.
Stops
In MSU’s first six games this season, the Bobcats produced stops on 70.2% of the opponents’ offensive possessions. Last time out, MSU produced stops on only 41.7% of PSU’s possessions.
Picking Up the Picks
When the Bobcats transitioned from a straight man-to-man team to playing zone during the off-season, Mike Kramer said the team needs to intercept three passes a game to be effective. The ‘Cats have crept toward that goal, picking off three opponent passes in the ISU and Weber State games. The team was opportunistic, though, converting all three of those possessions into touchdowns.
Opportunistic
Montana State’s defense has forced 11 turnovers in 2005. The Bobcat D turned two of those into immediate points (Daryl Rogers’ fumble recovery against Weber and Epikopo King’s interception return against Idaho State). Of the nine offensive possessions after turnovers, MSU has scored five touchdowns and two field goals.
20 is Terrific
Montana State is 19-3 in Mike Kramer’s five-plus seasons when holding the opposing offense to 20 points or fewer. The Bobcats have won six of their last seven games under those circumstances.
Quite A Difference
MSU allowed 82 points and 899 yards against Cal Poly and Portland State. In the other four games, the ‘Cats allowed 18.0 points, and 319.0 yards per outing.
They’re Tight
All four Bobcat TEs are in-state players, with only Brandon Bostick (Missoula Big Sky) from a large school. Starter Elliott Barnhart played at Powder River in Broadus, Nick Parker at Missoula Loyola, and Ty McDonald at Geyser.
Anti-Air Defense
Even after Portland State’s 252-yard passing day, MSU continues to lead the Big Sky in pass defense (159.6), and are 17th nationally. The team dropped to fourh in the league and 26th nationally in pass efficiency defense (106.72)..
Bonus Football
MSU is 4-2 all-time in overtime games after splitting a pair of decisions last fall. Below is a look at MSU’s all-time overtime encounters...
2004 44-51 Eastern Washington+
2004 31-24 Portland State+
1994 31-34 Eastern Washington++
1990 28-25 Eastern Washington+
1984 44-41 Nevada+
1982 30-27 Idaho State+
Deep Snaps
MSU has forced 26 punts this year, 13 of them in the season’s first two games.
Bye Week Blues
Mike Kramer is 0-3 at MSU and 1-4 all-time after bye weeks.
Long Runs
MSU has eight runs of 20 yards or more this year. Travis Lulay has seven of them.
MSU When Leading After...
1st Qtr: 3-0/2nd Qtr: 3-1/3rd Qtr: 3-0
MSU When Trailing After...
1st Qtr: 1-3/2nd Qtr: 1-2/3rd Qtr: 1-3
By the Numbers
0
The number of interceptions by MSU in its three losses this season
7
The number of interceptions in the the team’s four 2005 victories
5
Offensive touchdowns scored by MSU this year not rushed or thrown by Travis Lulay
2
Touchdowns scored by Montana State’s defense this season
MSU Career Records
Career Passing Yards
1. 9,843 Travis Lulay, 2002-
2. 8,152 Kelly Bradley, 1983-86 (7,183)
3. 6,828 Rob Compson, 1995-98
Career Attempts
1. 1,408 Travis Lulay, 2002-
2. 1,238 Kelly Bradley, 1983-86
3. 901 Rob Compson, 1995-98
Career Completions
1. 810 Travis Lulay, 2002-
2. 714 Kelly Bradley, 1983-86
3. 516 Rob Compson, 1995-98
Career Touchdown Passes
1. 60 Kelly Bradley, 1983-86
2. 54 Rob Compson, 1995-98
3. 53 Travis Lulay, 2002-
4. 28 Paul Dennehy, 1976-78
4. 28 Tyler Thomas, 2001-02
Career Total Offense
1. 11,069 Travis Lulay, 2002-04
2. 7,730 Kelly Bradley, 1983-96
3. 6,788 Rob Compson, 1995-98
Big Sky Career Records
Career Passing Yards
1. 12,207 Jamie Martin, WSU, 89-92
2. 11,400 Travis Brown, NAU, 96-99
3. 11,080 Dave Dickenson, UM,92-95
4. 10,824 Doug Nussmeier, UI, 90-93
5. 10,277 Greg Wyatt, NAU, 86-89
6. 10,187 John Friesz, UI, 10,187
7. 9,843 Travis Lulay, MSU, ‘02-05
8. 9,639 Jeff Lewis, NAU, 92-95
9. 9,315 Brian Ah Yat, UM, 95-98
10. 9,300 Ken Hobart, UI, 80-83
Career Total Offense Yards
1. 12,287 Jamie Martin, WSU, 89-92
2. 12,027 Doug Nussmeier, UI, 90-93
3. 11,513 Dave Dickenson, UM,92-95
4. 11,400 Travis Brown, NAU, 96-99
5. 11,126 Ken Hobart, UI, 80-83
6. 11,069 Travis Lulay, MSU, 02-
7. 10,277 Greg Wyatt, NAU, 86-89
8. 10,187 John Friesz, UI, 10,187
9. 9,454 Marcus Brady, CSN, 98-00
10. 9,230 Brian Ah Yat, UM, 95-98
I-AA Career Records
Career Passing Yards
1. 14,496 Steve McNair, Alcorn St
2. 12,711 Willie Totten, Miss. Valley
3. 12,479 Marcus Brady, Northridge
4. 12,207 Jamie Martin, Weber State
5. 11,784 Robert Kent, Jackson St
6. 11,550 Neil Lomax, Portland St
7. 11,400 Travis Brown, NAU
8. 11,080 Dave Dickenson, Montana
9. 10,824 Doug Nussmeier, Idaho
10. 10,697 John Friesz, Idaho
11. 10,697 Greg Wyatt, NAU
12. 10,655 Sean Payton, E. Ill.
13. 10,329 Donald Carrie, Alcorn St
14. 10,254 Niel Loebig, Duquesne
15. 9,843 Travis Lulay, Montana St
16. 9,819 Marko Glavic, Lafayette
17. 9,805 David Corley, Wm & Mary
18. 9,698 Jeff Wiley, Holy Cross
19 9,669 Phil Stambaugh, Lehigh
20. 9,655 Jeff Lewis, NAU
21. 9,611 Ted White, Howard
22. 9,548 Robbie Jutino, Liberty
23. 9,538 Chris Boden, Villanova
24. 9,371 Giovanni Carmazzi, Hofstra
25. 9,315 Brian Ah Yat, Montana
26. 9,305 Kirk Schulz, Villanova
27. 9,300 Ken Hobart, Idaho
28. 9,294 James Perry, Brown
29. 9,288 Matt DeGennaro, UConn
30. 9,120 Marty Horn, Lehigh
31. 9,089 Ryan Helming, No. Iowa
32. 9,084 Bruce Eugene, Grambling
33. 9,081 Jason Whitmer, Idaho St
34. 9,027 Chris Swartz, Morehead St
35. 9,000 Darin Hinshaw, UCF
Career Total Offense Yards
1. 16,823 Steve McNair, Alcorn St
2. 13,095 Marcus Brady, Northridge
3. 13,007 Willie Totten, Miss Valley
4. 12,538 Robert Kent, Jackson St
5. 12,287 Jamie Martin, Weber St
6. 12,054 Doug Nussmeier, Idaho
7. 11,647 Neil Lomax, Portland St
8. 11,523 Dave Dickenson, Montana
9. 11,267 Travis Brown, NAU
10. 11,127 Ken Hobart, Idaho
11. 11,069 Travis Lulay, Montana St
12. 10,948 David Corley, Wm & Mary
13. 10,416 Giovanni Carmazzi, Hofstra
14. 10,298 Sean Payton, E. Ill
15. 10,277 Greg Wyatt, NAU
16. 10,187 John Friesz, Idaho
17. 10,169 Marko Glavic, Lafayette
18. 10,152 Bruce Eugene, Grambling
19. 10,039 Niel Loebig, Duquesne
20. 10,026 Donald Carrie, Alcorn St
21. 9,886 Michael Proctor, Murray St
22. 9,877 Jeff Wiley, Holy Cross
23. 9,769 Jeff Lewis, NAU
KRAMER’S QUOTES
On the open week: “I don’t think we can say if the open week was good for us until we see how we play Saturday, but it came at a good time. We had the chance to heal some people up, and we should be very healthy heading into the NAU game. We worked awfully hard on the kicking game last week, and we’ll continue to do so. We’ve bled in that area, especially in kickoff coverage, and we need to remedy that. Physically, the week off helped, but we need to have a good week of practice and an excellent effort in terms of concentration and execution on Saturday.”
On Northern Arizona: “Northern Arizona is dangerous because they’re wounded. They’re wounded by injuries, by a question mark at quarterback, and by some off-the-field drama. NAU features two classy wide receivers in Alex Watson and Kory Mahr. They can move the ball. We are very mindful of the role pride can play in a season, given how Sacramento State played against us a year ago. Our main focus has to be in getting ourselves ready, on being mentally prepared and focused. A football game is long. You can’t concentrate for just five or 10 minutes then take the rest of the day off, you have to focus for three-and-a-half hours.”
On the Bobcats: “My biggest concern is whether we can regain our defensive confidence. We need to play harder, we need to play tougher. We need to play for the play rather than for the quarter or the half or the game, focusing on every single play and not worrying about what happened earlier in the game or what’s going to happen later on. Our coaching staff faces a severe challenge in rebuilding our defensive psyche, and we need to rise to that challenge. I look at it as stirring the pride bucket. If you, as an individual, have pride in yourself and how you go about your business, you can falter at times but you need to be able to reach into that reserve of pride and fortify yourself for the challenge at hand. That’s how I see the coaching staff’s task this week, and that’s how I see the challenge for our defense. Offensively, we are beginning to play at a high clip, but we need to continue to improve. The offense needs to play with increased clarity of purpose and execution.”
Montana State faces the unique task of reintroducing itself to its home environs on Saturday, playing in Bobcat Stadium for the first time in four weeks when it hosts Northern Arizona at 12:05 pm. MSU has lost its last three games coming out of an open week dating back to a 1999 win over Weber State, but this year’s bye allowed a pair of injured starters -- linebacker Clive Lowe and running back Michael Bass -- to return to the cusp of full health. DL Chris Kolone is doubtful this week. Both are probable, and should start Saturday.
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 12:05 pm
SITE: Bozeman, MT
STADIUM: Bobcat Stadium
MSU PRESS BOX: 406/994-6180
RADIO: State Farm Bobcat Network (Kris Atteberry, Dan Davies)
TELEVISION: Mont. Sports Network (Chris Byers, Dean Alexander)
HIGHLIGHTS
* Seven of MSU’s 10 I-AA foes have spent time in the national polls
* The ‘Cats have faked three punts this year, extending two of those possessions into scoring drives
* MSU has converted 11 opponent turnovers into 55 points this year
STREAKS
* Opposing offenses have scored on the first drive of two straight games
* A Bobcat receiver has caught 100-yards worth of passes in three straight games
* Montana State has sold out its first three home games for the first time in school history
* The Bobcats have lost three straight games after an open week, and are 3-7 after a bye since 1990
MILESTONES
* Travis Lulay is 11th in I-AA history in total offense, 15th in passing
SHINING
* QB Travis Lulay is 6th in I-AA in total offense at 300.6 yards a game
* PK Jeff Hastings has hit four straight FGs, and his 10 this year is four from MSU’s season record
* WR Rick Gatewood caught 19 passes at PSU, the most by a WR in Big Sky history
ABOUT THE ‘CATS...
MSU in ‘05 4-3
Conf./Record Big Sky/2-1
Home/Road 3-0/1-3
Grass/Turf 4-1/0-2
Day/Night 4-0/0-3
HEAD COACH Mike Kramer
Alma Mater Idaho/’76
Overall/Years 66-69/12th
At MSU/Years 29-37/6th
vs NAU 5-6
Home/Road 2-3/3-3
SERIES NAU leads 22-17
At MSU MSU leads 12-7
At NAU NAU leads 15-5
At Neutral none
Current Streak MSU 2W
ABOUT THE LUMBERJACKS...
NAU in ‘05 2-5
Conf./Record Big Sky/0-4
Home/Road 2-1/0-4
Grass/Turf 0-3/2-2
Day/Night 0-1/2-4
HEAD COACH Jerome Souers
Alma Mater Oregon/’83
Overall/Years 42-46/8th
At School/Years same
vs MSU 4-3
Home/Road 3-1/1-2
ABOUT NAU The Lumberjacks
Colors Blue, gold
Location Flagstaff, AZ
Enrollment 19,000
Stadium Walkup Skydome
OPPONENT ‘05 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
S1 Adams State W 52-13
S10 at Arizona L 12-31
S17 Southern Utah W 27-7
S24 at Weber State L 23-31
O1 at Sacramento St L 24-38
O8 Eastern Wash. L 14-42
O22 at Portland State L 0-45
O29 at Montana State 12:05 pm
N5 Montana 3:05 pm
N12 Idaho State 3:05 pm
N19 at Northern Iowa 4:05 pm
BOBCAT 2005 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
S3 at Oklahoma St L 10-15 First-ever game vs. Big 12 opponent
S10 Stephen F. Austin W 42-6 Biggest home-opening win vs I-AA foe
S17 at Cal Poly L 10-38 Bobcats have lost seven straight to Mustangs
S24 North Dakota St W 20-17 ‘Cats snap five-game skein vs. ranked teams
O1 *Idaho State W 30-28 Second straight win over ranked opponent
O8 *at Weber State W 27-24 ‘Cats win fourth straight at Weber State
O15 *at Portland State L 41-44 MSU loses on walk-off field goal
O29 *NAU 12:05 pm MSU’s first two-game streak vs. NAU since ‘79
N5 *Sac State 12:05 pm ‘Cats look to avenge 38-28 loss
N12 *at Eastern Wash. 3:05 pm Bobcats face preseason Big Sky faves
N19 *Montana 12:05 pm The 105th ‘Cat-Griz game
What to Watch
** A Lot for a Loss... The 41 points MSU scored at Portland State in the October 15 loss was the second-most ever by the ‘Cats in a defeat, the most in a regulation game...
Opponent Points Scored
2004 Eastern Wash. 44 (OT)
2005 Portland State 41
1974 Boise State 37
1971 Idaho State 36
1975 Boise State 34
** Great-wood... Rick Gatewood’s performance in his last 10 games has been historically significant. In the last six games of 2004, Gatewood averaged 9.3 catches and 141.6 yards. This year, he has averaged 10.1 catches and 120.2 yards a game. Taking those 10 games as a single season, Gatewood has 97 catches for 1,321 yards. Gatewood won’t be eligible for Big Sky or NCAA rankings during the regular season after missing the first three games of 2005.
Pinpoint Punting
After becoming Montana State’s punter early in 2003, Travis Lulay used a rugby-like roll punt to average 36.2 yards a punt, and pinned the opponent inside the 20 nine times. In his two seasons as MSU’s full-season, full-time punter, Lulay has been consistent his terms of distance:
1-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-89
2005 2 12 13 0 0 1
2004 6 14 19 6 4 1
Sixty-one percent (45 total) of Lulay’s 73 punts in the past two seasons have traveled at least 40 yards.
Pins
Travis Lulay has become proficient at Punter Pins, or pinning the opponent inside the 20 as the result of a punt. In this year’s seven games he has done so eight times in 29 attempts. He has spotted the opponent inside its own 10 four times in the last three games.
3rd Quarter Turnaround
MSU has allowed as many points in the seven third quarters of 2005 (37) as it did in the final three of 2004.
TO Turnaround
MSU was +1 in turnovers against Idaho State, the only time in positive numbers this year.
Not So Special
MSU has not returned a punt or kick to the paint since the ‘03 Grizzly game, an 18-game stretch that is the longest in Mike Kramer’s career.
Down to the Nub
Montana State’s preseason depth chart at defensive line is so far askew from reality it looks like fiction. Three of the eight active D-linemen from the beginning of the spring are injured (Andy Matakis, Chris Kolone, Ryan Cogley) and two more left the team. JC transfers David Siataga, Joe Rothenberger and Jason Macciola join holdovers Lou Saucedo, Aaron Papich and Daryl Rogers.
The Total Travis
Travis Lulay may impact a game more than any player in I-AA. He averages 54.0 yards a game rushing, 246.6 yards a game passing, and 40.0 yards per punt.
To the Paint
MSU has scored two defensive touchdowns this year, and in Pete Kwiatkowski’s six seasons as Bobcat defensive coordinator has found the paint a dozen times.
Stops
In MSU’s first six games this season, the Bobcats produced stops on 70.2% of the opponents’ offensive possessions. Last time out, MSU produced stops on only 41.7% of PSU’s possessions.
Picking Up the Picks
When the Bobcats transitioned from a straight man-to-man team to playing zone during the off-season, Mike Kramer said the team needs to intercept three passes a game to be effective. The ‘Cats have crept toward that goal, picking off three opponent passes in the ISU and Weber State games. The team was opportunistic, though, converting all three of those possessions into touchdowns.
Opportunistic
Montana State’s defense has forced 11 turnovers in 2005. The Bobcat D turned two of those into immediate points (Daryl Rogers’ fumble recovery against Weber and Epikopo King’s interception return against Idaho State). Of the nine offensive possessions after turnovers, MSU has scored five touchdowns and two field goals.
20 is Terrific
Montana State is 19-3 in Mike Kramer’s five-plus seasons when holding the opposing offense to 20 points or fewer. The Bobcats have won six of their last seven games under those circumstances.
Quite A Difference
MSU allowed 82 points and 899 yards against Cal Poly and Portland State. In the other four games, the ‘Cats allowed 18.0 points, and 319.0 yards per outing.
They’re Tight
All four Bobcat TEs are in-state players, with only Brandon Bostick (Missoula Big Sky) from a large school. Starter Elliott Barnhart played at Powder River in Broadus, Nick Parker at Missoula Loyola, and Ty McDonald at Geyser.
Anti-Air Defense
Even after Portland State’s 252-yard passing day, MSU continues to lead the Big Sky in pass defense (159.6), and are 17th nationally. The team dropped to fourh in the league and 26th nationally in pass efficiency defense (106.72)..
Bonus Football
MSU is 4-2 all-time in overtime games after splitting a pair of decisions last fall. Below is a look at MSU’s all-time overtime encounters...
2004 44-51 Eastern Washington+
2004 31-24 Portland State+
1994 31-34 Eastern Washington++
1990 28-25 Eastern Washington+
1984 44-41 Nevada+
1982 30-27 Idaho State+
Deep Snaps
MSU has forced 26 punts this year, 13 of them in the season’s first two games.
Bye Week Blues
Mike Kramer is 0-3 at MSU and 1-4 all-time after bye weeks.
Long Runs
MSU has eight runs of 20 yards or more this year. Travis Lulay has seven of them.
MSU When Leading After...
1st Qtr: 3-0/2nd Qtr: 3-1/3rd Qtr: 3-0
MSU When Trailing After...
1st Qtr: 1-3/2nd Qtr: 1-2/3rd Qtr: 1-3
By the Numbers
0
The number of interceptions by MSU in its three losses this season
7
The number of interceptions in the the team’s four 2005 victories
5
Offensive touchdowns scored by MSU this year not rushed or thrown by Travis Lulay
2
Touchdowns scored by Montana State’s defense this season
MSU Career Records
Career Passing Yards
1. 9,843 Travis Lulay, 2002-
2. 8,152 Kelly Bradley, 1983-86 (7,183)
3. 6,828 Rob Compson, 1995-98
Career Attempts
1. 1,408 Travis Lulay, 2002-
2. 1,238 Kelly Bradley, 1983-86
3. 901 Rob Compson, 1995-98
Career Completions
1. 810 Travis Lulay, 2002-
2. 714 Kelly Bradley, 1983-86
3. 516 Rob Compson, 1995-98
Career Touchdown Passes
1. 60 Kelly Bradley, 1983-86
2. 54 Rob Compson, 1995-98
3. 53 Travis Lulay, 2002-
4. 28 Paul Dennehy, 1976-78
4. 28 Tyler Thomas, 2001-02
Career Total Offense
1. 11,069 Travis Lulay, 2002-04
2. 7,730 Kelly Bradley, 1983-96
3. 6,788 Rob Compson, 1995-98
Big Sky Career Records
Career Passing Yards
1. 12,207 Jamie Martin, WSU, 89-92
2. 11,400 Travis Brown, NAU, 96-99
3. 11,080 Dave Dickenson, UM,92-95
4. 10,824 Doug Nussmeier, UI, 90-93
5. 10,277 Greg Wyatt, NAU, 86-89
6. 10,187 John Friesz, UI, 10,187
7. 9,843 Travis Lulay, MSU, ‘02-05
8. 9,639 Jeff Lewis, NAU, 92-95
9. 9,315 Brian Ah Yat, UM, 95-98
10. 9,300 Ken Hobart, UI, 80-83
Career Total Offense Yards
1. 12,287 Jamie Martin, WSU, 89-92
2. 12,027 Doug Nussmeier, UI, 90-93
3. 11,513 Dave Dickenson, UM,92-95
4. 11,400 Travis Brown, NAU, 96-99
5. 11,126 Ken Hobart, UI, 80-83
6. 11,069 Travis Lulay, MSU, 02-
7. 10,277 Greg Wyatt, NAU, 86-89
8. 10,187 John Friesz, UI, 10,187
9. 9,454 Marcus Brady, CSN, 98-00
10. 9,230 Brian Ah Yat, UM, 95-98
I-AA Career Records
Career Passing Yards
1. 14,496 Steve McNair, Alcorn St
2. 12,711 Willie Totten, Miss. Valley
3. 12,479 Marcus Brady, Northridge
4. 12,207 Jamie Martin, Weber State
5. 11,784 Robert Kent, Jackson St
6. 11,550 Neil Lomax, Portland St
7. 11,400 Travis Brown, NAU
8. 11,080 Dave Dickenson, Montana
9. 10,824 Doug Nussmeier, Idaho
10. 10,697 John Friesz, Idaho
11. 10,697 Greg Wyatt, NAU
12. 10,655 Sean Payton, E. Ill.
13. 10,329 Donald Carrie, Alcorn St
14. 10,254 Niel Loebig, Duquesne
15. 9,843 Travis Lulay, Montana St
16. 9,819 Marko Glavic, Lafayette
17. 9,805 David Corley, Wm & Mary
18. 9,698 Jeff Wiley, Holy Cross
19 9,669 Phil Stambaugh, Lehigh
20. 9,655 Jeff Lewis, NAU
21. 9,611 Ted White, Howard
22. 9,548 Robbie Jutino, Liberty
23. 9,538 Chris Boden, Villanova
24. 9,371 Giovanni Carmazzi, Hofstra
25. 9,315 Brian Ah Yat, Montana
26. 9,305 Kirk Schulz, Villanova
27. 9,300 Ken Hobart, Idaho
28. 9,294 James Perry, Brown
29. 9,288 Matt DeGennaro, UConn
30. 9,120 Marty Horn, Lehigh
31. 9,089 Ryan Helming, No. Iowa
32. 9,084 Bruce Eugene, Grambling
33. 9,081 Jason Whitmer, Idaho St
34. 9,027 Chris Swartz, Morehead St
35. 9,000 Darin Hinshaw, UCF
Career Total Offense Yards
1. 16,823 Steve McNair, Alcorn St
2. 13,095 Marcus Brady, Northridge
3. 13,007 Willie Totten, Miss Valley
4. 12,538 Robert Kent, Jackson St
5. 12,287 Jamie Martin, Weber St
6. 12,054 Doug Nussmeier, Idaho
7. 11,647 Neil Lomax, Portland St
8. 11,523 Dave Dickenson, Montana
9. 11,267 Travis Brown, NAU
10. 11,127 Ken Hobart, Idaho
11. 11,069 Travis Lulay, Montana St
12. 10,948 David Corley, Wm & Mary
13. 10,416 Giovanni Carmazzi, Hofstra
14. 10,298 Sean Payton, E. Ill
15. 10,277 Greg Wyatt, NAU
16. 10,187 John Friesz, Idaho
17. 10,169 Marko Glavic, Lafayette
18. 10,152 Bruce Eugene, Grambling
19. 10,039 Niel Loebig, Duquesne
20. 10,026 Donald Carrie, Alcorn St
21. 9,886 Michael Proctor, Murray St
22. 9,877 Jeff Wiley, Holy Cross
23. 9,769 Jeff Lewis, NAU
KRAMER’S QUOTES
On the open week: “I don’t think we can say if the open week was good for us until we see how we play Saturday, but it came at a good time. We had the chance to heal some people up, and we should be very healthy heading into the NAU game. We worked awfully hard on the kicking game last week, and we’ll continue to do so. We’ve bled in that area, especially in kickoff coverage, and we need to remedy that. Physically, the week off helped, but we need to have a good week of practice and an excellent effort in terms of concentration and execution on Saturday.”
On Northern Arizona: “Northern Arizona is dangerous because they’re wounded. They’re wounded by injuries, by a question mark at quarterback, and by some off-the-field drama. NAU features two classy wide receivers in Alex Watson and Kory Mahr. They can move the ball. We are very mindful of the role pride can play in a season, given how Sacramento State played against us a year ago. Our main focus has to be in getting ourselves ready, on being mentally prepared and focused. A football game is long. You can’t concentrate for just five or 10 minutes then take the rest of the day off, you have to focus for three-and-a-half hours.”
On the Bobcats: “My biggest concern is whether we can regain our defensive confidence. We need to play harder, we need to play tougher. We need to play for the play rather than for the quarter or the half or the game, focusing on every single play and not worrying about what happened earlier in the game or what’s going to happen later on. Our coaching staff faces a severe challenge in rebuilding our defensive psyche, and we need to rise to that challenge. I look at it as stirring the pride bucket. If you, as an individual, have pride in yourself and how you go about your business, you can falter at times but you need to be able to reach into that reserve of pride and fortify yourself for the challenge at hand. That’s how I see the coaching staff’s task this week, and that’s how I see the challenge for our defense. Offensively, we are beginning to play at a high clip, but we need to continue to improve. The offense needs to play with increased clarity of purpose and execution.”
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
