Bobcat Game Notes vs. NDSU
9/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Montana State closes its pre-conference slate Saturday with perhaps its biggest chore todate, a matchup against long-time rival North Dakota State in a series dormant since 1980. These teams first met in 1914, a Bobcat win, and squared off every year from 1970 to ‘80. NDSU dominated the Division II landscape for most of the ‘80s and ‘90s, and has already vaulted into the I-AA top 15 on a regular basis. The team is 3-0 this year, and has cracked the top 10. The Bobcats look to rebound from last week’s loss at Cal Poly, like NDSU a member of the Great West Conference.
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 1:05 pm MDT
SITE: Bozeman, MT
STADIUM: Bobcat Stadium
MSU PRESS BOX: 406/994-6180
RADIO: State Farm Bobcat Network (Kris Atteberry, Dan Davies)
TELEVISION: Montana Sports Network (Chris Byers, Steve Hallstrem)
HIGHLIGHTS
* Montana State’s non-conference opponents own a combined 10-2 record this season
STREAKS
* Montana State has lost its last three games played on Sept. 24
* MSU has lost five straight games against nationally-ranked I-AA opponents
* The Bobcat defense has held its first two opponents to less than 400 total yards
MILESTONES
* Travis Lulay passed Idaho’s Ken Hobart and Marcus Brady of Northridge into eighth place on the Big Sky’s all-time total offense list
* Travis Lulay’s 19th win as MSU’s starting quarterback vaulted him into third place on the career list
SHINING
* WR Tramaine Murray has back-to-back 100-yard receiving games
* PK Jeff Hastings has hit four straight field goals, two of them from beyond 40 yards
* LB Clive Lowe has 17 tackles, five for a loss, in the last two games
ABOUT THE ‘CATS...
MSU in ‘05 1-2
Conf./Record Big Sky/0-0
Home/Road 1-0/0-2
Grass/Turf 1-1/0-1
Day/Night 1-0/0-2
HEAD COACH Mike Kramer
Alma Mater Idaho/’76
Overall/Years 63-68/12th
At MSU/Years 26-36/6th
vs NDSU 0-0
Home/Road 0-0/0-0
SERIES MSU leads 19-13
At MSU MSU leads 13-4
At NDSU NDSU leads 7-4
At Neutral 2-2
Current Streak MSU 1W
ABOUT THE BISON...
NDSU in ‘05 3-0
Conf./Record Great West/0-0
Home/Road 2-0/1-0
Grass/Turf 1-0/2-0
Day/Night 0-0/3-0
HEAD COACH Craig Bohl
Alma Mater Nebraska/’82
Overall/Years 19-6/3rd
At School/Years same
vs MSU 0-0
Home/Road 0-0/0-0
ABOUT NDSU The Bison
Colors Yellow, green
Location Fargo, ND
Enrollment 12,026
Stadium FargoDome
OPPONENT ‘05 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
S1 Ark.-Monticello W 59-7
S10 at Northwestern St W 35-7
S17 Weber State W 41-0
S24 at Montana State 1 pm
O1 Nicholls State 6 pm
O8 at Cal Poly 8 pm
O22 UC Davis 1 pm
O29 at Southern Utah 7 pm
N5 Northern Colorado 1 pm
N12 South Dakota State 6 pm
N19 at Southern Illinois 3 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 7:05 pm Bobcats have lost seven straight to Mustangs
S24 North Dakota St 1:05 pm Bobcats face old rival for first time since ‘80
O1 *Idaho State 1:35 pm MSU, oldest out-of-state rivals open league
O8 *at Weber State 1:35 pm Ron McBride leads rejuvenated Wildcats
O15 *at Portland State 7:05 pm PSU boasted league’s top D in ‘04
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
** Grounded... Montana State has faced three squads intent on running the ball in 2005, with a fourth on the immediate horizon. Here is a look at MSU’s success in stopping opposing ground games...
Rushes Net Yards Yds/Rush Result
at OSU 41 244 6.0 L, 10-15
SFA 34 106 3.1 W, 42-6
at CP 47 237 5.0 L, 10-38
** Gallopin’ Gatewood Joins Terrific Tramaine... Rick Gatewood’s return to the lineup this week, coupled with the emergence of Tramaine Murray as a big-play threat on every down, adds a dimension to the Bobcat offense. Murray averages 95 yards a game. In spite of a slow start (below), Gatewood nearly registered a 1,000-yard season in 2005.
Rec/Game Yds/Game
1st 5 gms 2.0 36.3
Last 6 gms 9.3 141.7
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 70-79
2005 0 8 6 0 0 0
2004 6 14 19 6 4 1
Sixty percent (37 total) of Lulay’s 58 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 three games, he has done so four times in 14 attempts. Last season, Lulay nailed the opponent inside its own 20 a dozen times on 50 punts.
3rd Quarter Nightmare
MSU surrendered only 33 points in the first eight third quarters of 2004. In the last six, including this year’s first three games, MSU has allowed 57 points.
More on Turnovers
NDSU’s defense returned a fumble for a TD last week against Weber. MSU allowed a pick and a fumble for a score.
Not So Special
The 2004 season marked only the second time in Mike Kramer’s career as a head coach at any level that his teams didn’t return at least one punt or kickoff for a touchdown. The other season was 2000. From 2001-03, MSU returned 11 punts or kickoffs to the paint.
TO Trouble?
North Dakota State owns a +9 turnover rate through three games, largely on the strength of QB Steve Walker’s 7-to-1 TD-to-Int rate. MSU, on the other hand, is -4 in turnover margin.
The Young Ones
Montana State entered 2005 with a new defensive alignment, but also with new personnel filling out the odd-man front. The Bobcats start a pair of freshmen (Louis Saucedo at nose and Chris Kolone at end), and a sophomore (Aaron Papich at tackle). Junior David Siataga is Saucedo’s backup at the nose, while senior Daryl Rogers is in the rotation at tackle and end.
The Total Travis
Travis Lulay averages 38.0 yards a game rushing, 197.0 yards a game passing, and 39.8 yards per punt.
To the Paint
Travis Lulay has thrown three interceptions for TDs in his career, including one each in the last two Cal Poly games.
Neighborly
Montana State’s matchup with the Bison Saturday marks the 64th game pitting the Bobcats and a school from the Peace Garden State. MSU is 36-26-1 against schools from North Dakota, including 19-13 against NDSU, 18-9 against UND, and 1-0 against North Dakota Teacher’s College. The ‘Cats are 19-9 against schools from North Dakota in Bozeman.
20 is Terrific
Montana State holds an 18-3 record in Mike Kramer’s five-plus seasons when holding the opposing offense to 20 points or fewer. The Bobcats have won their last six games when holding the opponent to 20 points or less.
10 is Not Enough
The ‘Cats have scored only 10 points in two of the three games this year. In Mike Kramer’s tenure, the Bobcats are only 3-22 when scoring 19 points or less.
Great Indeed
In its one-plus years in existence, the Great West Conference is 12-9 against the Big Sky and 2-1 vs. MSU.
Quick Games
NDSU has concocted a formula for quick games. The Bison run the ball (118) twice as often as they throw (59 attempts). Even the team’s opponents oblige, with more runs (111) than passes (79).
They’re Tight
All four Bobcat tight ends are in-state players, with only one from a large school. Starter Elliott Barnhart played at Powder River in Broadus, Nick Parker at Missoula Loyola, Ty McDonald at Geyser, and Brandon Bostick at Class AA Missoula Big Sky.
Zoning In
Three games into 2005, Montana State’s team statistics have a familiar look. The Bobcats allow 335.7 yards a game, fifth in the Big Sky, and surrender just 131.0 passing yards a game, the second-best mark in the Big Sky. Opposing quarterbacks operate at an efficiency rate of just 80.7, the best mark in the Big Sky and third-best in the nation. The credit goes to MSU’s revamped defensive look, a 3-4 zone pressure scheme, a revitalized secondary, and a big, young front line.
Bonus Football
When the ‘Cats split a pair of overtime decisions last fall, it marked the first time Mike Kramer’s Bobcats had played extra football. 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+
More Turnover Trouble
MSU allowed no points after its five turnovers in the first two games, but Cal Poly’s defense had two TDs last week.
MSU When Leading After...
1st Qtr: 1-0/2nd Qtr: 1-1/3rd Qtr: 1-0
MSU When Trailing After...
1st Qtr: 0-2/2nd Qtr: 0-1/3rd Qtr: 0-2
By the Numbers
0
The number of interceptions by MSU in its two losses this season
3
The number of interceptions in the week- two win against Stephen F. Austin
8
Travis Lulay’s standing on the Big Sky Conference’s career total offense list (9,670) after last week’s performance at Cal Poly
4
The number of losses to a team in green uniforms during the 2004 and ‘05 seasons
TRAVIS LULAY RECORD REPORT
MSU Career Records
Career Passing Yards
1. 8,708 Travis Lulay, 2002-
2. 8,152 Kelly Bradley, 1983-86 (7,183)
3. 6,828 Rob Compson, 1995-98
Career Attempts
1. 1,253 Travis Lulay, 2002-
2. 1,238 Kelly Bradley, 1983-86
3. 901 Rob Compson, 1995-98
Career Completions
1. 714 Kelly Bradley, 1983-86
2. 710 Travis Lulay, 2002-
3. 516 Rob Compson, 1995-98
Career Touchdowns
1. 60 Kelly Bradley, 1983-86
2. 54 Rob Compson, 1995-98
3. 46 Travis Lulay, 2002-
4. 28 Paul Dennehy, 1976-78
4. 28 Tyler Thomas, 2001-02
Career Total Offense
1. 9,670 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. 10,187 John Friesz, UI, 10,187
5. 10,277 Greg Wyatt, NAU, 86-89
7. 9,639 Jeff Lewis, NAU, 92-95
8. 9,315 Brian Ah Yat, UM, 95-98
9. 9,300 Ken Hobart, UI, 80-83
10. 9,124 Marcus Brady, CSN, 98-00
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. 10,277 Greg Wyatt, NAU, 86-89
7. 10,187 John Friesz, UI, 10,187
8. 9,670 Travis Lulay, MSU, 02-
9. 9,454 Marcus Brady, CSN, 98-00
10. 9,230 Brian Ah Yat, UM, 95-98
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 1:05 pm MDT
SITE: Bozeman, MT
STADIUM: Bobcat Stadium
MSU PRESS BOX: 406/994-6180
RADIO: State Farm Bobcat Network (Kris Atteberry, Dan Davies)
TELEVISION: Montana Sports Network (Chris Byers, Steve Hallstrem)
HIGHLIGHTS
* Montana State’s non-conference opponents own a combined 10-2 record this season
STREAKS
* Montana State has lost its last three games played on Sept. 24
* MSU has lost five straight games against nationally-ranked I-AA opponents
* The Bobcat defense has held its first two opponents to less than 400 total yards
MILESTONES
* Travis Lulay passed Idaho’s Ken Hobart and Marcus Brady of Northridge into eighth place on the Big Sky’s all-time total offense list
* Travis Lulay’s 19th win as MSU’s starting quarterback vaulted him into third place on the career list
SHINING
* WR Tramaine Murray has back-to-back 100-yard receiving games
* PK Jeff Hastings has hit four straight field goals, two of them from beyond 40 yards
* LB Clive Lowe has 17 tackles, five for a loss, in the last two games
ABOUT THE ‘CATS...
MSU in ‘05 1-2
Conf./Record Big Sky/0-0
Home/Road 1-0/0-2
Grass/Turf 1-1/0-1
Day/Night 1-0/0-2
HEAD COACH Mike Kramer
Alma Mater Idaho/’76
Overall/Years 63-68/12th
At MSU/Years 26-36/6th
vs NDSU 0-0
Home/Road 0-0/0-0
SERIES MSU leads 19-13
At MSU MSU leads 13-4
At NDSU NDSU leads 7-4
At Neutral 2-2
Current Streak MSU 1W
ABOUT THE BISON...
NDSU in ‘05 3-0
Conf./Record Great West/0-0
Home/Road 2-0/1-0
Grass/Turf 1-0/2-0
Day/Night 0-0/3-0
HEAD COACH Craig Bohl
Alma Mater Nebraska/’82
Overall/Years 19-6/3rd
At School/Years same
vs MSU 0-0
Home/Road 0-0/0-0
ABOUT NDSU The Bison
Colors Yellow, green
Location Fargo, ND
Enrollment 12,026
Stadium FargoDome
OPPONENT ‘05 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
S1 Ark.-Monticello W 59-7
S10 at Northwestern St W 35-7
S17 Weber State W 41-0
S24 at Montana State 1 pm
O1 Nicholls State 6 pm
O8 at Cal Poly 8 pm
O22 UC Davis 1 pm
O29 at Southern Utah 7 pm
N5 Northern Colorado 1 pm
N12 South Dakota State 6 pm
N19 at Southern Illinois 3 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 7:05 pm Bobcats have lost seven straight to Mustangs
S24 North Dakota St 1:05 pm Bobcats face old rival for first time since ‘80
O1 *Idaho State 1:35 pm MSU, oldest out-of-state rivals open league
O8 *at Weber State 1:35 pm Ron McBride leads rejuvenated Wildcats
O15 *at Portland State 7:05 pm PSU boasted league’s top D in ‘04
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
** Grounded... Montana State has faced three squads intent on running the ball in 2005, with a fourth on the immediate horizon. Here is a look at MSU’s success in stopping opposing ground games...
Rushes Net Yards Yds/Rush Result
at OSU 41 244 6.0 L, 10-15
SFA 34 106 3.1 W, 42-6
at CP 47 237 5.0 L, 10-38
** Gallopin’ Gatewood Joins Terrific Tramaine... Rick Gatewood’s return to the lineup this week, coupled with the emergence of Tramaine Murray as a big-play threat on every down, adds a dimension to the Bobcat offense. Murray averages 95 yards a game. In spite of a slow start (below), Gatewood nearly registered a 1,000-yard season in 2005.
Rec/Game Yds/Game
1st 5 gms 2.0 36.3
Last 6 gms 9.3 141.7
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 70-79
2005 0 8 6 0 0 0
2004 6 14 19 6 4 1
Sixty percent (37 total) of Lulay’s 58 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 three games, he has done so four times in 14 attempts. Last season, Lulay nailed the opponent inside its own 20 a dozen times on 50 punts.
3rd Quarter Nightmare
MSU surrendered only 33 points in the first eight third quarters of 2004. In the last six, including this year’s first three games, MSU has allowed 57 points.
More on Turnovers
NDSU’s defense returned a fumble for a TD last week against Weber. MSU allowed a pick and a fumble for a score.
Not So Special
The 2004 season marked only the second time in Mike Kramer’s career as a head coach at any level that his teams didn’t return at least one punt or kickoff for a touchdown. The other season was 2000. From 2001-03, MSU returned 11 punts or kickoffs to the paint.
TO Trouble?
North Dakota State owns a +9 turnover rate through three games, largely on the strength of QB Steve Walker’s 7-to-1 TD-to-Int rate. MSU, on the other hand, is -4 in turnover margin.
The Young Ones
Montana State entered 2005 with a new defensive alignment, but also with new personnel filling out the odd-man front. The Bobcats start a pair of freshmen (Louis Saucedo at nose and Chris Kolone at end), and a sophomore (Aaron Papich at tackle). Junior David Siataga is Saucedo’s backup at the nose, while senior Daryl Rogers is in the rotation at tackle and end.
The Total Travis
Travis Lulay averages 38.0 yards a game rushing, 197.0 yards a game passing, and 39.8 yards per punt.
To the Paint
Travis Lulay has thrown three interceptions for TDs in his career, including one each in the last two Cal Poly games.
Neighborly
Montana State’s matchup with the Bison Saturday marks the 64th game pitting the Bobcats and a school from the Peace Garden State. MSU is 36-26-1 against schools from North Dakota, including 19-13 against NDSU, 18-9 against UND, and 1-0 against North Dakota Teacher’s College. The ‘Cats are 19-9 against schools from North Dakota in Bozeman.
20 is Terrific
Montana State holds an 18-3 record in Mike Kramer’s five-plus seasons when holding the opposing offense to 20 points or fewer. The Bobcats have won their last six games when holding the opponent to 20 points or less.
10 is Not Enough
The ‘Cats have scored only 10 points in two of the three games this year. In Mike Kramer’s tenure, the Bobcats are only 3-22 when scoring 19 points or less.
Great Indeed
In its one-plus years in existence, the Great West Conference is 12-9 against the Big Sky and 2-1 vs. MSU.
Quick Games
NDSU has concocted a formula for quick games. The Bison run the ball (118) twice as often as they throw (59 attempts). Even the team’s opponents oblige, with more runs (111) than passes (79).
They’re Tight
All four Bobcat tight ends are in-state players, with only one from a large school. Starter Elliott Barnhart played at Powder River in Broadus, Nick Parker at Missoula Loyola, Ty McDonald at Geyser, and Brandon Bostick at Class AA Missoula Big Sky.
Zoning In
Three games into 2005, Montana State’s team statistics have a familiar look. The Bobcats allow 335.7 yards a game, fifth in the Big Sky, and surrender just 131.0 passing yards a game, the second-best mark in the Big Sky. Opposing quarterbacks operate at an efficiency rate of just 80.7, the best mark in the Big Sky and third-best in the nation. The credit goes to MSU’s revamped defensive look, a 3-4 zone pressure scheme, a revitalized secondary, and a big, young front line.
Bonus Football
When the ‘Cats split a pair of overtime decisions last fall, it marked the first time Mike Kramer’s Bobcats had played extra football. 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+
More Turnover Trouble
MSU allowed no points after its five turnovers in the first two games, but Cal Poly’s defense had two TDs last week.
MSU When Leading After...
1st Qtr: 1-0/2nd Qtr: 1-1/3rd Qtr: 1-0
MSU When Trailing After...
1st Qtr: 0-2/2nd Qtr: 0-1/3rd Qtr: 0-2
By the Numbers
0
The number of interceptions by MSU in its two losses this season
3
The number of interceptions in the week- two win against Stephen F. Austin
8
Travis Lulay’s standing on the Big Sky Conference’s career total offense list (9,670) after last week’s performance at Cal Poly
4
The number of losses to a team in green uniforms during the 2004 and ‘05 seasons
TRAVIS LULAY RECORD REPORT
MSU Career Records
Career Passing Yards
1. 8,708 Travis Lulay, 2002-
2. 8,152 Kelly Bradley, 1983-86 (7,183)
3. 6,828 Rob Compson, 1995-98
Career Attempts
1. 1,253 Travis Lulay, 2002-
2. 1,238 Kelly Bradley, 1983-86
3. 901 Rob Compson, 1995-98
Career Completions
1. 714 Kelly Bradley, 1983-86
2. 710 Travis Lulay, 2002-
3. 516 Rob Compson, 1995-98
Career Touchdowns
1. 60 Kelly Bradley, 1983-86
2. 54 Rob Compson, 1995-98
3. 46 Travis Lulay, 2002-
4. 28 Paul Dennehy, 1976-78
4. 28 Tyler Thomas, 2001-02
Career Total Offense
1. 9,670 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. 10,187 John Friesz, UI, 10,187
5. 10,277 Greg Wyatt, NAU, 86-89
7. 9,639 Jeff Lewis, NAU, 92-95
8. 9,315 Brian Ah Yat, UM, 95-98
9. 9,300 Ken Hobart, UI, 80-83
10. 9,124 Marcus Brady, CSN, 98-00
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. 10,277 Greg Wyatt, NAU, 86-89
7. 10,187 John Friesz, UI, 10,187
8. 9,670 Travis Lulay, MSU, 02-
9. 9,454 Marcus Brady, CSN, 98-00
10. 9,230 Brian Ah Yat, UM, 95-98
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