Big Sky Produces Outstanding Stars
8/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
GDEN, Utah – Some believe the stars shine brighter in Big Sky country.
That was certainly the case last month in Park City, Utah, at the Big Sky Conference Summer Kickoff. There, at one table, sat a trio of star Division I-AA quarterbacks: Eastern Washington’s Erik Meyer, Montana State’s Travis Lulay and Northern Arizona’s Jason Murrietta.
The trio has combined to throw for 20,342 yards, 140 touchdowns, claim two league offensive MVP awards, one Newcomer of the Year honor, 10 Player of the Week accolades, and four co-Big Sky Conference Championships. Barring injury, all three will finish ranked in the top 10 in several league passing categories.
“We were all looking around each at other and just saying ‘geez,’’ said Meyer, a 6-foot-2 senior from La Miranda, Calif. “Those are three really good quarterbacks. We’ve all been on the Walter Payton Award Watch list, and we all had honors the year before. It was weird that there are that many good quarterbacks in the Big Sky Conference.’’
The Big Sky has a history of producing top I-AA quarterbacks. From 1989-1995, Weber State’s Jamie Martin, Montana’s Dave Dickenson, and Idaho’s John Freiz and Doug Nussmeier all won the Payton, given annually to the top offensive player in I-AA.
It’s been 10 long seasons since a Sky quarterback won the prestigious award, but with Meyer, Murrietta and Lulay primed for big seasons, 2005 could end the Payton drought.
“It’s great for the Big Sky,’’ said Murrietta, a 6-1 junior from Glendale, Ariz. “It’s going to make the defenses have to work a little bit harder. Those guys are great athletes and have had great careers.’’
Meyer finished fourth in the 2004 Payton voting after throwing for 3,707 yards, 31 touchdowns, finishing with a I-AA-best efficiency rating of 171.4, and claiming the Sky Offensive MVP.
Expectations are high in Cheney, Wash., and a big reason is Meyer. Eastern Washington was picked by the coaches and media to win the conference title, and begin the season ranked fourth in the Sports Network Top 25.
The Eagles tied Montana for the Big Sky title last season, and then knocked off top-ranked and top-seeded Southern Illinois 35-31 in the first round of the playoffs. Eastern Washington’s season came to a stinging finish when it lost to Sam Houston State on the final play 35-34.
“Expectations are huge coming off a disappointing loss from last year,’’ Meyer said. “It stung all winter, spring and summer. The guys coming back have experience. We don’t have the excuse that we’re a young team. The rankings don’t mean a whole lot, but it is a privilege to be ranked in the top five in the nation.’’
Meyer’s best attribute is efficiency. He’s completed 65.8 percent of his career passes with 54 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions. His career efficiency rating of 164.8 is just behind Dickenson’s I-AA career record of 166.3.
Part of the reason for Meyer’s success is the play of senior All-American wide receiver Eric Kimble, who hauled in 83 catches for 1,453 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.
“He’s helped me so much,’’ Meyer said. “He had 19 touchdown receptions last year. When you have a guy like that in the passing attack, it takes so much stress off the quarterback. If he’s one-on-one, I know he’s going to beat the corner. If they double him up, it opens up another receiver.”
One of Meyer’s most memorable games during his junior season was a 51-44 come-from-behind overtime victory over Lulay and Montana State. Meyer threw for 372 yards and five touchdowns. Lulay countered with 432 passing yards, three passing touchdowns and 542 yards of total offense. The two will square off again November 12 in Cheney, Wash.
“That’s going to be fun,’’ Lulay said. “They’ve got one of the most explosive offenses. That was such a great college football game. It was disappointing for us. Stuff like that you don’t forget. That’s so far in the future right now; we’re just focused on being good on Sept. 3.”
Lulay and the Bobcats open at Division I-A Oklahoma State, which will be one of the biggest challenges in Lulay’s career. Nearly every challenge Lulay has faced, he’s passed with flying colors.
Lulay burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2002, earning Newcomer of the Year honors and leading the Bobcats to a share of the Big Sky title. It was MSU’s first league title since 1984. The red-headed native of Aumsville, Ore., also engineered the Cats’ first victory over Montana since 1985.
“I can’t even believe I was able to play that first year,’’ Lulay said. “I wish I knew then what I know now about the game of football. You learn so much in game experiences. I look back and wonder how I was able to play. I can tell you right now I’m playing the best I ever have in terms of knowing the game.’’
Lulay’s 2003 season also included a co-Big Sky title, a victory over the Grizzlies, and a trip to the playoffs. He’s become one of the most recognizable people in Bozeman.
“I don’t put any outside pressure on myself,’’ he said. “I have high expectations for myself. I strive for perfection. I know I can’t get there, but I put more pressure on myself. I won’t worry about the outside pressure from the fans.’’
His first two seasons, the athletic Lulay gained the reputation for his ability to find ways to win without putting up gaudy statistics. That changed the second half the 2004 campaign when Lulay threw for more than 300 yards in each of his last six games. That stretch included a 516-yard passing effort in a loss to Sacramento State. He was named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week three consecutive weeks during the hot stretch.
“It’s almost hard to understand how thoroughly Travis Lulay grasps and commands this offense,’’ said Montana State coach Mike Kramer. “His accomplishments speak for themselves, and match the credentials of any returning quarterback in Big Sky history.’’
In fact, Lulay’s 8,965 yards of total offense entering his junior season rank second all-time behind Martin, who had 9,158 entering his senior season. Only two signal callers – Martin and Northern Arizona’s Travis Brown – had more passing yards entering their senior seasons.
“Those things are in the back of my mind,’’ Lulay said of statistics. “It’s not a goal, or that kind of thing. My goal is to win the Big Sky championship and try to make a run at a national championship. All of those things will come with it.’’
Lulay certainly has the utmost respect for Murrietta, who like Lulay guided a team as a true freshman. Murrietta made a huge impact in 2003, setting a Division I-AA freshman record with 29 touchdown passes and leading the Lumberjacks to a share of the Big Sky title, and a trip to the quarterfinals.
With the help of All-Conference wide receivers Clarence Moore and Johnny Marshall, Murrietta threw for school record 3,472 yards,
“It was a great freshman year,’’ Murrietta said. “But it wasn’t as good of a year as I’m going to have. I’ve set higher goals for myself. I’m a better player than I was that year, and last year, and I’m trying to get better than that.’’
Expectations for Murrietta were high entering the 2004 season, but the Lumberjacks no longer had Moore and Marshall. Murrietta, playing behind and experienced offensive line, threw 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, and threw for 2,495 yards. NAU finished a disappointing 4-7 following a 9-4 season.
“I forced a lot of things because we were behind,’’ Murrietta said. “It wasn’t like we were in close games and I made an errant mistake. We got behind and I felt like we needed to make a play. We’re a better team this year. I’m not going to be forced to make those plays down the field. I want to be more accurate and make better decisions. I need to have a higher percentage of completions.’’
Murrietta certainly believes the best is yet to come, and feels no need to look back at his past accomplishments. He’s under the direction of a new offensive coordinator in J.D. Sollars. The offensive line is more experienced, and 6-6 sophomore Kory Mahr has the potential to be Murrietta’s go-to receiver.
“I think my leadership has come a long way,’’ Murrietta said. “I’m more of a talker now. I’m more of a coach on the field. I guide people to where they need to be. I know the offense inside and out. I know defenses better. I just know more about football.’’
In 24 games, Murrietta has thrown for 5,967 yards and 45 touchdowns. If Murrietta improves slightly on those numbers over his final two seasons, he will break Martin’s Big Sky record of 12,207 yards and Dickenson’s mark of 96 touchdowns.
“I care about records, but my ultimate goal is to win a national championship,’’ Murrietta said. “As a player you strive for the personal goals, but what I really want is a national championship, and for Northern Arizona to get better and better as a program.’’
Erik Meyer
School: Eastern Washington
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6-2
Weight: 210
Hometown: La Miranda, Calif.
High School: La Miranda.
Major: Interdisciplinary studies.
Honors: Finished fourth in 2004 Walter Payton Award Voting…Tabbed Big Sky Offensive MVP in 2004…Selected first team All-Conference QB in 2004…Second team Sports Network All-American in 2004.
Did You Know?
Meyer was drafted in the 30th round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the San Francisco Giants in June. Meyer’s fastball has been clocked at 96 mph. It was the third time he’s been drafted,
Career Highs
Passing yards 437 vs. Southern Illinois, 2004
Career Stats
Year GP Comp. Attempts Pct. Yards TDs INT
2002 6 14 27 .708 250 3 0
2003 11 176 281 .626 2,301 20 3
2004 13 259 382 .678 3,707 31 9
Totals 30 452 687 .658 6,258 54 12
Erik Meyer
On Jason Murrietta: He’s a great quarterback. Just to come out as a freshman and be the league MVP as an 18-year-old is just incredible.
On Travis Lulay: His athletic ability is insane. He can run the ball and throw the ball and he’s a great leader.
Travis Lulay
School: Montana State
Postion: Quarterback
Height: 6-2
Weight: 205
Hometown: Aumsville, Ore.
High School: Regis
Major: Business.
Honors: Selected the Big Sky’s Co-Newcomer of the Year in 2002…First Team All-Conference QB in 2004…Will begin season on the Walter Payton Award Watch List…Honorable Mention All-Amercan in 2004.Second Team All-Conference in 2003.
Did you know?
Travis’ brother Tyler is a freshman wide receiver for the Bobcats. Travis is the second true freshman in Montana State history to lead his team to a victory over Montana and a league championship. Lulay accomplished the feat in 2002. Dave Alt did it in 1956.
Career Highs
Passing Yards 516 vs. Sacramento State, 2004
Career Stats
Year GP Comp. Attempts Pct. Yards TDs INT
2002 12 159 275 .578 2,064 14 5
2003 13 238 406 .586 2,568 12 11
2004 11 269 490 .549 3,485 15 9
Totals 36 666 1,171 .569 8,117 41 25
Travis Lulay
On Erik Meyer: “Obviously he’s a great quarterback. That was one of the most explosive offenses in I-AA last year and he was at the helm. He’s a playmaker, his teammates rally around him.’’
On Jason Murrietta: “You can tell he’s a competitor. He hates to lose. Last year down there, we were winning. He was one of the few guys on the team playing is heart out when they were not in the best situation.’’
Jason Murrietta
School: Northern Arizona
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6-1
Weight: 215
Hometown: Glendale, Ariz.
High School: Ironwood
Major: Criminal Justice
Honors: Tabbed the Big Sky Conference Offensive MVP in 2003…Walter Payton Award Watch Finalist in 2003…First Team All-Conference in 2003…Set the I-AA record for touchdown passes by a freshman with 29 in 2003…Tabbed Second-Team All-Big Sky Conference in 2004
Career high
Passing yards 431 yards vs. Sacramento State, 2003
Did you know?
As a true freshman in 2003, Murrietta set a I-AA freshman record with 29 touchdown passes.
Career Stats
Year GP Comp. Attempts Pct. Yards TDs INT
2003 13 243 412 .590 3,472 29 12
2004 11 242 426 .568 2,495 16 9
Totals 24 485 838 .578 5,967 45 28
Jason Murrietta
On Erik Meyer: He’s a great player and a great person. I got to know him a little bit. He seems like a regular guy. He plays well on the field and he’s a good leader for Eastern Washington.
On Travis Lulay: We’re kind of similar. I’m less of a runner than him. Other than that, I think we’re all good quarterbacks.’’
That was certainly the case last month in Park City, Utah, at the Big Sky Conference Summer Kickoff. There, at one table, sat a trio of star Division I-AA quarterbacks: Eastern Washington’s Erik Meyer, Montana State’s Travis Lulay and Northern Arizona’s Jason Murrietta.
The trio has combined to throw for 20,342 yards, 140 touchdowns, claim two league offensive MVP awards, one Newcomer of the Year honor, 10 Player of the Week accolades, and four co-Big Sky Conference Championships. Barring injury, all three will finish ranked in the top 10 in several league passing categories.
“We were all looking around each at other and just saying ‘geez,’’ said Meyer, a 6-foot-2 senior from La Miranda, Calif. “Those are three really good quarterbacks. We’ve all been on the Walter Payton Award Watch list, and we all had honors the year before. It was weird that there are that many good quarterbacks in the Big Sky Conference.’’
The Big Sky has a history of producing top I-AA quarterbacks. From 1989-1995, Weber State’s Jamie Martin, Montana’s Dave Dickenson, and Idaho’s John Freiz and Doug Nussmeier all won the Payton, given annually to the top offensive player in I-AA.
It’s been 10 long seasons since a Sky quarterback won the prestigious award, but with Meyer, Murrietta and Lulay primed for big seasons, 2005 could end the Payton drought.
“It’s great for the Big Sky,’’ said Murrietta, a 6-1 junior from Glendale, Ariz. “It’s going to make the defenses have to work a little bit harder. Those guys are great athletes and have had great careers.’’
Meyer finished fourth in the 2004 Payton voting after throwing for 3,707 yards, 31 touchdowns, finishing with a I-AA-best efficiency rating of 171.4, and claiming the Sky Offensive MVP.
Expectations are high in Cheney, Wash., and a big reason is Meyer. Eastern Washington was picked by the coaches and media to win the conference title, and begin the season ranked fourth in the Sports Network Top 25.
The Eagles tied Montana for the Big Sky title last season, and then knocked off top-ranked and top-seeded Southern Illinois 35-31 in the first round of the playoffs. Eastern Washington’s season came to a stinging finish when it lost to Sam Houston State on the final play 35-34.
“Expectations are huge coming off a disappointing loss from last year,’’ Meyer said. “It stung all winter, spring and summer. The guys coming back have experience. We don’t have the excuse that we’re a young team. The rankings don’t mean a whole lot, but it is a privilege to be ranked in the top five in the nation.’’
Meyer’s best attribute is efficiency. He’s completed 65.8 percent of his career passes with 54 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions. His career efficiency rating of 164.8 is just behind Dickenson’s I-AA career record of 166.3.
Part of the reason for Meyer’s success is the play of senior All-American wide receiver Eric Kimble, who hauled in 83 catches for 1,453 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.
“He’s helped me so much,’’ Meyer said. “He had 19 touchdown receptions last year. When you have a guy like that in the passing attack, it takes so much stress off the quarterback. If he’s one-on-one, I know he’s going to beat the corner. If they double him up, it opens up another receiver.”
One of Meyer’s most memorable games during his junior season was a 51-44 come-from-behind overtime victory over Lulay and Montana State. Meyer threw for 372 yards and five touchdowns. Lulay countered with 432 passing yards, three passing touchdowns and 542 yards of total offense. The two will square off again November 12 in Cheney, Wash.
“That’s going to be fun,’’ Lulay said. “They’ve got one of the most explosive offenses. That was such a great college football game. It was disappointing for us. Stuff like that you don’t forget. That’s so far in the future right now; we’re just focused on being good on Sept. 3.”
Lulay and the Bobcats open at Division I-A Oklahoma State, which will be one of the biggest challenges in Lulay’s career. Nearly every challenge Lulay has faced, he’s passed with flying colors.
Lulay burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2002, earning Newcomer of the Year honors and leading the Bobcats to a share of the Big Sky title. It was MSU’s first league title since 1984. The red-headed native of Aumsville, Ore., also engineered the Cats’ first victory over Montana since 1985.
“I can’t even believe I was able to play that first year,’’ Lulay said. “I wish I knew then what I know now about the game of football. You learn so much in game experiences. I look back and wonder how I was able to play. I can tell you right now I’m playing the best I ever have in terms of knowing the game.’’
Lulay’s 2003 season also included a co-Big Sky title, a victory over the Grizzlies, and a trip to the playoffs. He’s become one of the most recognizable people in Bozeman.
“I don’t put any outside pressure on myself,’’ he said. “I have high expectations for myself. I strive for perfection. I know I can’t get there, but I put more pressure on myself. I won’t worry about the outside pressure from the fans.’’
His first two seasons, the athletic Lulay gained the reputation for his ability to find ways to win without putting up gaudy statistics. That changed the second half the 2004 campaign when Lulay threw for more than 300 yards in each of his last six games. That stretch included a 516-yard passing effort in a loss to Sacramento State. He was named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week three consecutive weeks during the hot stretch.
“It’s almost hard to understand how thoroughly Travis Lulay grasps and commands this offense,’’ said Montana State coach Mike Kramer. “His accomplishments speak for themselves, and match the credentials of any returning quarterback in Big Sky history.’’
In fact, Lulay’s 8,965 yards of total offense entering his junior season rank second all-time behind Martin, who had 9,158 entering his senior season. Only two signal callers – Martin and Northern Arizona’s Travis Brown – had more passing yards entering their senior seasons.
“Those things are in the back of my mind,’’ Lulay said of statistics. “It’s not a goal, or that kind of thing. My goal is to win the Big Sky championship and try to make a run at a national championship. All of those things will come with it.’’
Lulay certainly has the utmost respect for Murrietta, who like Lulay guided a team as a true freshman. Murrietta made a huge impact in 2003, setting a Division I-AA freshman record with 29 touchdown passes and leading the Lumberjacks to a share of the Big Sky title, and a trip to the quarterfinals.
With the help of All-Conference wide receivers Clarence Moore and Johnny Marshall, Murrietta threw for school record 3,472 yards,
“It was a great freshman year,’’ Murrietta said. “But it wasn’t as good of a year as I’m going to have. I’ve set higher goals for myself. I’m a better player than I was that year, and last year, and I’m trying to get better than that.’’
Expectations for Murrietta were high entering the 2004 season, but the Lumberjacks no longer had Moore and Marshall. Murrietta, playing behind and experienced offensive line, threw 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, and threw for 2,495 yards. NAU finished a disappointing 4-7 following a 9-4 season.
“I forced a lot of things because we were behind,’’ Murrietta said. “It wasn’t like we were in close games and I made an errant mistake. We got behind and I felt like we needed to make a play. We’re a better team this year. I’m not going to be forced to make those plays down the field. I want to be more accurate and make better decisions. I need to have a higher percentage of completions.’’
Murrietta certainly believes the best is yet to come, and feels no need to look back at his past accomplishments. He’s under the direction of a new offensive coordinator in J.D. Sollars. The offensive line is more experienced, and 6-6 sophomore Kory Mahr has the potential to be Murrietta’s go-to receiver.
“I think my leadership has come a long way,’’ Murrietta said. “I’m more of a talker now. I’m more of a coach on the field. I guide people to where they need to be. I know the offense inside and out. I know defenses better. I just know more about football.’’
In 24 games, Murrietta has thrown for 5,967 yards and 45 touchdowns. If Murrietta improves slightly on those numbers over his final two seasons, he will break Martin’s Big Sky record of 12,207 yards and Dickenson’s mark of 96 touchdowns.
“I care about records, but my ultimate goal is to win a national championship,’’ Murrietta said. “As a player you strive for the personal goals, but what I really want is a national championship, and for Northern Arizona to get better and better as a program.’’
Erik Meyer
School: Eastern Washington
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6-2
Weight: 210
Hometown: La Miranda, Calif.
High School: La Miranda.
Major: Interdisciplinary studies.
Honors: Finished fourth in 2004 Walter Payton Award Voting…Tabbed Big Sky Offensive MVP in 2004…Selected first team All-Conference QB in 2004…Second team Sports Network All-American in 2004.
Did You Know?
Meyer was drafted in the 30th round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the San Francisco Giants in June. Meyer’s fastball has been clocked at 96 mph. It was the third time he’s been drafted,
Career Highs
Passing yards 437 vs. Southern Illinois, 2004
Career Stats
Year GP Comp. Attempts Pct. Yards TDs INT
2002 6 14 27 .708 250 3 0
2003 11 176 281 .626 2,301 20 3
2004 13 259 382 .678 3,707 31 9
Totals 30 452 687 .658 6,258 54 12
Erik Meyer
On Jason Murrietta: He’s a great quarterback. Just to come out as a freshman and be the league MVP as an 18-year-old is just incredible.
On Travis Lulay: His athletic ability is insane. He can run the ball and throw the ball and he’s a great leader.
Travis Lulay
School: Montana State
Postion: Quarterback
Height: 6-2
Weight: 205
Hometown: Aumsville, Ore.
High School: Regis
Major: Business.
Honors: Selected the Big Sky’s Co-Newcomer of the Year in 2002…First Team All-Conference QB in 2004…Will begin season on the Walter Payton Award Watch List…Honorable Mention All-Amercan in 2004.Second Team All-Conference in 2003.
Did you know?
Travis’ brother Tyler is a freshman wide receiver for the Bobcats. Travis is the second true freshman in Montana State history to lead his team to a victory over Montana and a league championship. Lulay accomplished the feat in 2002. Dave Alt did it in 1956.
Career Highs
Passing Yards 516 vs. Sacramento State, 2004
Career Stats
Year GP Comp. Attempts Pct. Yards TDs INT
2002 12 159 275 .578 2,064 14 5
2003 13 238 406 .586 2,568 12 11
2004 11 269 490 .549 3,485 15 9
Totals 36 666 1,171 .569 8,117 41 25
Travis Lulay
On Erik Meyer: “Obviously he’s a great quarterback. That was one of the most explosive offenses in I-AA last year and he was at the helm. He’s a playmaker, his teammates rally around him.’’
On Jason Murrietta: “You can tell he’s a competitor. He hates to lose. Last year down there, we were winning. He was one of the few guys on the team playing is heart out when they were not in the best situation.’’
Jason Murrietta
School: Northern Arizona
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6-1
Weight: 215
Hometown: Glendale, Ariz.
High School: Ironwood
Major: Criminal Justice
Honors: Tabbed the Big Sky Conference Offensive MVP in 2003…Walter Payton Award Watch Finalist in 2003…First Team All-Conference in 2003…Set the I-AA record for touchdown passes by a freshman with 29 in 2003…Tabbed Second-Team All-Big Sky Conference in 2004
Career high
Passing yards 431 yards vs. Sacramento State, 2003
Did you know?
As a true freshman in 2003, Murrietta set a I-AA freshman record with 29 touchdown passes.
Career Stats
Year GP Comp. Attempts Pct. Yards TDs INT
2003 13 243 412 .590 3,472 29 12
2004 11 242 426 .568 2,495 16 9
Totals 24 485 838 .578 5,967 45 28
Jason Murrietta
On Erik Meyer: He’s a great player and a great person. I got to know him a little bit. He seems like a regular guy. He plays well on the field and he’s a good leader for Eastern Washington.
On Travis Lulay: We’re kind of similar. I’m less of a runner than him. Other than that, I think we’re all good quarterbacks.’’
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