Bobcats Host PSU for Homecoming
10/5/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
THE STORYLINE
This much is certain about the 2006 Bobcats -- nothing is certain. The team that upset Division I-A Colorado to open the season before losing three straight home games rebounded with a rousing win on Saturday in NAU’s Walkup Skydome. Michael Jefferson’s school record 239-yard receiving day punctuated the win, which sets up a showdown against powerful Portland State. Vikings coach Tim Walsh is Mike Kramer’s most familiar opponent, as the two have faced off in each of Kramer’s 13 seasons as a head coach - Kramer was 2-4 against Walsh while at EWU, 3-3 while at MSU.
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 1:35 pm MDT
SITE: Bozeman, MT
STADIUM: Bobcat Stadium
PRESS BOX: 406/994-6180
RADIO: Bobcat Network (Kris Atteberry, Dan Davies)
TELEVISION: Max Media (Chris Byers, Ron Heller) WEB VIDEO: www.BigSkyTV.org
HIGHLIGHTS
l Jeff Hastings is 16-for-16 on field goals inside 40 yards as a Bobcat l The Bobcats exploded for eight plays of 20 yards or more at NAU l Michael Jefferson’s 239 receiving yards at NAU is an MSU record l QB Cory Carpenter has two 300-yard passing days in his five starts
STREAKS
l Jeff Hastings has hit a school-record eight straight FGs l Injuries ended three double-digit start streaks by defensive standouts in the last two weeks (Ryan Force, Epikopo King and Aaron Papich) l The Cats have lost three straight for the first time since the end of 2004
MILESTONES
l Jeff Hastings’ eight straight FGs is a school record, and his six career 40+ yard field goals is third l MSU is 2-0 on the road for the first time since 1978
SHINING
l QB CORY CARPENTER is completing 63% of his passes l LB EPIKOPO KING led the ‘Cats with 11 tackles last week after missing the previous week’s game l WR MIKE JEFFERSON is Sports Network and Big Sky Player of the Week (239 rec. yds) ABOUT THE BOBCATS...
MSU in ‘06 2-3
Conf./Record Big Sky/1-1
Home/Road 0-3/2-0
Grass/Turf 1-3/1-0
Day/Night 1-3/1-0
HEAD COACH Mike Kramer
Alma Mater Idaho/’76
Overall/Years 71-73/12th
At MSU/Years 34-40/6th
vs PSU 5-7
Home/Road 3-3/2-4
SERIES MSU 10-9
At MSU MSU 6-2
At PSU PSU 6-4
At Billings PSU 1-0
Current Streak PSU 1W
ABOUT THE VIKINGS...
PSU in ‘06 3-2
Conf./Record Big Sky/2-1
Home/Road 1-1/2-1
Grass/Turf 2-1/1-1
Day/Night 3-0/0-2
HEAD COACH Tim Walsh
Alma Mater UC Riverside/’77
Overall/Years 113-80/17th
At School/Years 86-66/14th
vs MSU 6-4
Home/Road 4-1/2-3
ABOUT PSU The Vikings
Colors Green, white
Location Portland, OR
Enrollment 25,011
Stadium PGE Park
OPPONENT ‘06 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
S2 at New Mexico W 17-6
S9 Northern Colorado W 45-3
S16 at California L 16-42
S23 at Weber State W 20-10
S30 Montana L 20-26
O7 at Montana State 1:35 pm
O14 Idaho State 6:05 pm
O21 Eastern Wash. 6:05 pm
O28 at Oregon 12:35 pm
N4 at Northern Arizona 3:05 pm
N11 at Sac State 4:05 pm
Opening Information
Montana State’s 0-1 start in Big Sky play was its first since 2003, when the Bobcats also bounced back from a home loss with a road win... Mike Kramer has faced Tim Walsh’s Portland State team all 12 of his seasons as a head coach, the only coach for which that is true for Kramer, and Saturday is the 11th meeting between the two as Big Sky foes... The Mike Kramer-Tim Walsh rivalry is the longest in Big Sky history between a pair of opposing head coaches (10 as Big Sky foes, 12 overall)... Montana State and Eastern Washington finished their September 23 game in two hours, 37 minutes, the quickest Bobcat game since 1997, and the quickest televised game since the 1989 Cat-Griz game. That game featured only 12 incompletions and 109 plays from scrimmage, the fewest in an MSU game in the last 25 years... Four Bobcats entered the season with double-digit starting streaks, but after injuries to Ryan Force, Epikopo King and Aaron Papich cost that trio at least a game each only Joe Hirst, at 16 straight and counting, is the only survivor.
Stadium Stuff
Montana State ended a quarter-century of futility (12 straight losses) against the Lumberjacks in the Walkup Skydome with a 60-14 win two years ago, and Saturday’s victory gives MSU its first-ever two-game winning streak in that building... Montana State’s current four-game winning streak against NAU is the school’s longest since 1972-76... Montana State’s 45-0 loss to UC Davis was the second-worst home defeat the ‘Cats have suffered since Bobcat Stadium was remodeled in 1997 (UM, 49-3, 1999), and was the first shutout at home since losing to Idaho 34-0 in 1985... The crowd of 12,087 for UC Davis marked the fifth-largest for a non-conference game in school history... The Eastern Washington crowd extended MSU’s string of consecutive crowds of at least 12,000 to 10 games.
Thundered
The 21 points UC Davis scored in the third quarter against MSU is more than the ‘Cats have allowed in two of the team’s games this fall (Colorado and EWU both scored 19). It is the largest opponents’ quarter since Cal Poly scored 21 last year.
Turnover Talk
Montana State stands -6 in turnovers on the season, the same total the team compiled in 2005. MSU is 2-0 this year when positive in turnovers. The Bobcats finished 2005 -7 in turnovers, and were even in 2004 and +4 in 2003. The 2002 Big Sky Champs were -4.
The No-Return Policy
On Nov. 22, 2003, Corey Smith returned the opening kickoff of the Cat-Griz game for a touchdown which spurred the Bobcats to a 27-20 win and the Big Sky title. Since then, MSU has not returned a punt or kickoff for a touchdown, a streak that stands at 27 games and is the longest span in Mike Kramer’s coaching career. The Bobcats have not allowed a punt return for a touchdown in 37 straight games (since Cal Poly, 2003) or a kickoff return in 58 straight contests. Kory Austin returned an EWU punt for a TD that was called back.
Distinctive Debut
Josh Lewis posted the best home debut by a Bobcat receiver against Chadron State, catching six passes for 151 yards. He didn’t have the chance for an encore, as he injured a knee in practice last week.
1. 151 Josh Lewis vs.Chadron State, 2006
2. 141 Tramaine Murray vs. SFA, 2005
3. 118 Junior Adams vs. Cal Poly, 2001
Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin’
Utilizing the roll punt, three different Bobcats have netted 36.8 yards on 26 punts, limiting opponents to only eight returns and 62 return yards.
Seeing Red
MSU opponents have scored on all 10 trips inside the red zone, while MSU has converted only 11 of its 14 such trips.
Sack Stuff
The Bobcats sacked opposing quarterbacks five times in the first four games, but got to Jason Murrietta six times on Saturday. MSU has allowed only 11 sacks through five games.
A Good First Impression, Part I
Cory Carpenter threw for 337 yards against Chadron in his first Bobcat Stadium start, the second-best home debut in Reno H. Sales or Bobcat Stadium...
1. 358 Joe Volek NAU 1990
2. 337 Cory Carpenter Chadron State 2006
3. 336 Kelly Sherwin Idaho State 1986
A Good First Impression, Part II
MSU’s best home-opening passing days...
1. 337 Cory Carpenter Chadron State 2006
2. 334 Rob Compson Chadron State 1997
3. 321 Joe Volek UM-Duluth 1991
20 is Terrific
Montana State is 21-5 in Mike Kramer’s seven seasons when holding the opposing offense to less than 20 points.
They’re Tight
MSU’s four TEs are in-state players: starter Elliott Barnhart played at Powder River (Broadus), Brandon Bostick at Missoula Big Sky, Joe Schreibeis at BillingsWest, and Ty McDonald at Geyser. Geyser plays six-man football.
Anti-Air Defense
UC Davis gashed MSU for 373 passing yards, but no other team has cracked 290.
Behind Early and Often
Donell Wheaton’s TD Saturday gave MSU its first first-quarter lead of the season. It was the first Bobcat lead at any point in 192 minutes of football.
Bonus Football
MSU is 4-2 all-time in overtime games. Below is a look...
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+
Holding Firm
The Bobcat defense has faced 11 possessions after turnovers, holding the opponent to just 17 points (two touchdowns and a field goal) on those sudden changes.
Third Down Troubles
A week after EWU gained 133 yards on third down, MSU held NAU to 49 yards on 14 third-down plays.
Long Runs
MSU had no 20-yard rushes in the first three games, but Aaron Mason has five in the last two games. MSU had 14 such runs last year, nine by Travis Lulay.
MSU When Leading After...
1st Qtr: 0-0/2nd Qtr: 1-0/3rd Qtr: 2-0
MSU When Trailing After...
1st Qtr: 0-3/2nd Qtr: 1-3/3rd Qtr: 0-3
THE QUOTABLE KRAMER
On the NAU game: “It was a great game between two good football teams. We played furiously. We played with emotion, we played with passion, and we played with great determination. You’ve got to hand it to Cory (Carpenter), he shouldered the burden in the passing game against seven- and eight-man fronts. In past years we had to surrender the run against NAU, but (Saturday) we found good offensive balance.”
On Portland State: “Portland State is an outstanding football team. They are tremendous in the defensive line, they really pressure the quarterback. This will be the most severe test for our offensive line. They made a quarterback change last week. Bringing in Brian White really gave them a nice boost. He will have another week of practice under his belt, and we’ll see a very good offensive team. This will be a typical Bobcat-Portland State game. This rivalry has settled into a series of epics, and I expect no less on Saturday.”
On the Bobcats: “The game slowed down very much for Cory Carpenter on Saturday. As he got into a rhythm and the running game gave a measure of space, our execution became acceptable. It was rewarding to see the progression our defense has made in the last two weeks. We’ve tried to put the kids in position where we make the call early enough that they can just get lined up and play. The communication between the coaching staff and players has greatly improved (in the last two weeks). Bryant Matthews is more involved, Epikopo has come back after the agony of playing hurt two weeks and missing last week, and the sturdy, steady play of Kory Austin and Andre Fuller at corner, not just in their coverage but in their tackling, has really been a boost.”
This much is certain about the 2006 Bobcats -- nothing is certain. The team that upset Division I-A Colorado to open the season before losing three straight home games rebounded with a rousing win on Saturday in NAU’s Walkup Skydome. Michael Jefferson’s school record 239-yard receiving day punctuated the win, which sets up a showdown against powerful Portland State. Vikings coach Tim Walsh is Mike Kramer’s most familiar opponent, as the two have faced off in each of Kramer’s 13 seasons as a head coach - Kramer was 2-4 against Walsh while at EWU, 3-3 while at MSU.
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 1:35 pm MDT
SITE: Bozeman, MT
STADIUM: Bobcat Stadium
PRESS BOX: 406/994-6180
RADIO: Bobcat Network (Kris Atteberry, Dan Davies)
TELEVISION: Max Media (Chris Byers, Ron Heller) WEB VIDEO: www.BigSkyTV.org
HIGHLIGHTS
l Jeff Hastings is 16-for-16 on field goals inside 40 yards as a Bobcat l The Bobcats exploded for eight plays of 20 yards or more at NAU l Michael Jefferson’s 239 receiving yards at NAU is an MSU record l QB Cory Carpenter has two 300-yard passing days in his five starts
STREAKS
l Jeff Hastings has hit a school-record eight straight FGs l Injuries ended three double-digit start streaks by defensive standouts in the last two weeks (Ryan Force, Epikopo King and Aaron Papich) l The Cats have lost three straight for the first time since the end of 2004
MILESTONES
l Jeff Hastings’ eight straight FGs is a school record, and his six career 40+ yard field goals is third l MSU is 2-0 on the road for the first time since 1978
SHINING
l QB CORY CARPENTER is completing 63% of his passes l LB EPIKOPO KING led the ‘Cats with 11 tackles last week after missing the previous week’s game l WR MIKE JEFFERSON is Sports Network and Big Sky Player of the Week (239 rec. yds) ABOUT THE BOBCATS...
MSU in ‘06 2-3
Conf./Record Big Sky/1-1
Home/Road 0-3/2-0
Grass/Turf 1-3/1-0
Day/Night 1-3/1-0
HEAD COACH Mike Kramer
Alma Mater Idaho/’76
Overall/Years 71-73/12th
At MSU/Years 34-40/6th
vs PSU 5-7
Home/Road 3-3/2-4
SERIES MSU 10-9
At MSU MSU 6-2
At PSU PSU 6-4
At Billings PSU 1-0
Current Streak PSU 1W
ABOUT THE VIKINGS...
PSU in ‘06 3-2
Conf./Record Big Sky/2-1
Home/Road 1-1/2-1
Grass/Turf 2-1/1-1
Day/Night 3-0/0-2
HEAD COACH Tim Walsh
Alma Mater UC Riverside/’77
Overall/Years 113-80/17th
At School/Years 86-66/14th
vs MSU 6-4
Home/Road 4-1/2-3
ABOUT PSU The Vikings
Colors Green, white
Location Portland, OR
Enrollment 25,011
Stadium PGE Park
OPPONENT ‘06 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
S2 at New Mexico W 17-6
S9 Northern Colorado W 45-3
S16 at California L 16-42
S23 at Weber State W 20-10
S30 Montana L 20-26
O7 at Montana State 1:35 pm
O14 Idaho State 6:05 pm
O21 Eastern Wash. 6:05 pm
O28 at Oregon 12:35 pm
N4 at Northern Arizona 3:05 pm
N11 at Sac State 4:05 pm
Opening Information
Montana State’s 0-1 start in Big Sky play was its first since 2003, when the Bobcats also bounced back from a home loss with a road win... Mike Kramer has faced Tim Walsh’s Portland State team all 12 of his seasons as a head coach, the only coach for which that is true for Kramer, and Saturday is the 11th meeting between the two as Big Sky foes... The Mike Kramer-Tim Walsh rivalry is the longest in Big Sky history between a pair of opposing head coaches (10 as Big Sky foes, 12 overall)... Montana State and Eastern Washington finished their September 23 game in two hours, 37 minutes, the quickest Bobcat game since 1997, and the quickest televised game since the 1989 Cat-Griz game. That game featured only 12 incompletions and 109 plays from scrimmage, the fewest in an MSU game in the last 25 years... Four Bobcats entered the season with double-digit starting streaks, but after injuries to Ryan Force, Epikopo King and Aaron Papich cost that trio at least a game each only Joe Hirst, at 16 straight and counting, is the only survivor.
Stadium Stuff
Montana State ended a quarter-century of futility (12 straight losses) against the Lumberjacks in the Walkup Skydome with a 60-14 win two years ago, and Saturday’s victory gives MSU its first-ever two-game winning streak in that building... Montana State’s current four-game winning streak against NAU is the school’s longest since 1972-76... Montana State’s 45-0 loss to UC Davis was the second-worst home defeat the ‘Cats have suffered since Bobcat Stadium was remodeled in 1997 (UM, 49-3, 1999), and was the first shutout at home since losing to Idaho 34-0 in 1985... The crowd of 12,087 for UC Davis marked the fifth-largest for a non-conference game in school history... The Eastern Washington crowd extended MSU’s string of consecutive crowds of at least 12,000 to 10 games.
Thundered
The 21 points UC Davis scored in the third quarter against MSU is more than the ‘Cats have allowed in two of the team’s games this fall (Colorado and EWU both scored 19). It is the largest opponents’ quarter since Cal Poly scored 21 last year.
Turnover Talk
Montana State stands -6 in turnovers on the season, the same total the team compiled in 2005. MSU is 2-0 this year when positive in turnovers. The Bobcats finished 2005 -7 in turnovers, and were even in 2004 and +4 in 2003. The 2002 Big Sky Champs were -4.
The No-Return Policy
On Nov. 22, 2003, Corey Smith returned the opening kickoff of the Cat-Griz game for a touchdown which spurred the Bobcats to a 27-20 win and the Big Sky title. Since then, MSU has not returned a punt or kickoff for a touchdown, a streak that stands at 27 games and is the longest span in Mike Kramer’s coaching career. The Bobcats have not allowed a punt return for a touchdown in 37 straight games (since Cal Poly, 2003) or a kickoff return in 58 straight contests. Kory Austin returned an EWU punt for a TD that was called back.
Distinctive Debut
Josh Lewis posted the best home debut by a Bobcat receiver against Chadron State, catching six passes for 151 yards. He didn’t have the chance for an encore, as he injured a knee in practice last week.
1. 151 Josh Lewis vs.Chadron State, 2006
2. 141 Tramaine Murray vs. SFA, 2005
3. 118 Junior Adams vs. Cal Poly, 2001
Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin’
Utilizing the roll punt, three different Bobcats have netted 36.8 yards on 26 punts, limiting opponents to only eight returns and 62 return yards.
Seeing Red
MSU opponents have scored on all 10 trips inside the red zone, while MSU has converted only 11 of its 14 such trips.
Sack Stuff
The Bobcats sacked opposing quarterbacks five times in the first four games, but got to Jason Murrietta six times on Saturday. MSU has allowed only 11 sacks through five games.
A Good First Impression, Part I
Cory Carpenter threw for 337 yards against Chadron in his first Bobcat Stadium start, the second-best home debut in Reno H. Sales or Bobcat Stadium...
1. 358 Joe Volek NAU 1990
2. 337 Cory Carpenter Chadron State 2006
3. 336 Kelly Sherwin Idaho State 1986
A Good First Impression, Part II
MSU’s best home-opening passing days...
1. 337 Cory Carpenter Chadron State 2006
2. 334 Rob Compson Chadron State 1997
3. 321 Joe Volek UM-Duluth 1991
20 is Terrific
Montana State is 21-5 in Mike Kramer’s seven seasons when holding the opposing offense to less than 20 points.
They’re Tight
MSU’s four TEs are in-state players: starter Elliott Barnhart played at Powder River (Broadus), Brandon Bostick at Missoula Big Sky, Joe Schreibeis at BillingsWest, and Ty McDonald at Geyser. Geyser plays six-man football.
Anti-Air Defense
UC Davis gashed MSU for 373 passing yards, but no other team has cracked 290.
Behind Early and Often
Donell Wheaton’s TD Saturday gave MSU its first first-quarter lead of the season. It was the first Bobcat lead at any point in 192 minutes of football.
Bonus Football
MSU is 4-2 all-time in overtime games. Below is a look...
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+
Holding Firm
The Bobcat defense has faced 11 possessions after turnovers, holding the opponent to just 17 points (two touchdowns and a field goal) on those sudden changes.
Third Down Troubles
A week after EWU gained 133 yards on third down, MSU held NAU to 49 yards on 14 third-down plays.
Long Runs
MSU had no 20-yard rushes in the first three games, but Aaron Mason has five in the last two games. MSU had 14 such runs last year, nine by Travis Lulay.
MSU When Leading After...
1st Qtr: 0-0/2nd Qtr: 1-0/3rd Qtr: 2-0
MSU When Trailing After...
1st Qtr: 0-3/2nd Qtr: 1-3/3rd Qtr: 0-3
THE QUOTABLE KRAMER
On the NAU game: “It was a great game between two good football teams. We played furiously. We played with emotion, we played with passion, and we played with great determination. You’ve got to hand it to Cory (Carpenter), he shouldered the burden in the passing game against seven- and eight-man fronts. In past years we had to surrender the run against NAU, but (Saturday) we found good offensive balance.”
On Portland State: “Portland State is an outstanding football team. They are tremendous in the defensive line, they really pressure the quarterback. This will be the most severe test for our offensive line. They made a quarterback change last week. Bringing in Brian White really gave them a nice boost. He will have another week of practice under his belt, and we’ll see a very good offensive team. This will be a typical Bobcat-Portland State game. This rivalry has settled into a series of epics, and I expect no less on Saturday.”
On the Bobcats: “The game slowed down very much for Cory Carpenter on Saturday. As he got into a rhythm and the running game gave a measure of space, our execution became acceptable. It was rewarding to see the progression our defense has made in the last two weeks. We’ve tried to put the kids in position where we make the call early enough that they can just get lined up and play. The communication between the coaching staff and players has greatly improved (in the last two weeks). Bryant Matthews is more involved, Epikopo has come back after the agony of playing hurt two weeks and missing last week, and the sturdy, steady play of Kory Austin and Andre Fuller at corner, not just in their coverage but in their tackling, has really been a boost.”
WBB - Montana State vs Portland - Behind the Mic
Friday, March 27
2025 Code of a Champion
Monday, March 23
Spring Football Preview Press Conference
Friday, March 13
WBB - #2 Montana State vs #1 Idaho - Behind the Mic
Thursday, March 12
