MSU Football in the Postseason
11/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Mike Kramer has spent a considerable amount of time in the past couple of years talking about the logical next step for his Bobcat Football program - playing at home after Thanksgiving.
After one of the most unlikely seasons in school history, that scenario came to pass late Sunday morning. Kramer and his Bobcats learned his team not only qualified for the NCAA Division I Playoffs, but that his team would play at home. Now, Kramer says, it’s time to do something with the opporunity.
“Whatever the machinations that led to this chance, I’ll never know,” Kramer said. “I do know that this is a tremendous opportunity for us, and a tremendous challenge. Furman is a team that is in the playoffs every year, seven of the last eight, so this is nothing new to them. For us, though, very exciting.”
Montana State’s 2006 season unfolded in highly unpredictable fashion. After beating Colorado of the Big 12 in the season opener, MSU lost three straight home games, including one to Division II foe Chadron State. After losing its league opener to Eastern Washington, the ‘Cats rattled off six straight wins to play themselfs into post-season consideration. Then, MSU lost the regular season finale, a savagely physical contest at Montana, which all but ended the season.
And then, Sunday’s reprieve. “Sure,” Kramer said succinctly when asked if he was surprised. “But this is a deserving team, and we owe it to each other, to our fans, and to the Committee that selected us to play like a Championship contender on Saturday.”
Furman isn’t the only formidable challenge the Bobcats face on Saturday. “We’re beat up,” Kramer says, “but everyone is to some degree.” Quarterback Jack Rolovich is questionable after suffering a muscle strain in his side, and Cory Carpenter continues to battle an ankle injury. Tailback Evin Groves is out for Saturday, although linebacker Will Claggett has been upgraded to doubtful.
Kramer finds one advantage, though, in the manner in which MSU closed the season. “We’ve been in playoff mode since September 30. We know what it’s like, and this team has gone through this stretch without panic, without anxiety. It is a well-led team, and I have confidence they will show that on Saturday.”
After one of the most unlikely seasons in school history, that scenario came to pass late Sunday morning. Kramer and his Bobcats learned his team not only qualified for the NCAA Division I Playoffs, but that his team would play at home. Now, Kramer says, it’s time to do something with the opporunity.
“Whatever the machinations that led to this chance, I’ll never know,” Kramer said. “I do know that this is a tremendous opportunity for us, and a tremendous challenge. Furman is a team that is in the playoffs every year, seven of the last eight, so this is nothing new to them. For us, though, very exciting.”
Montana State’s 2006 season unfolded in highly unpredictable fashion. After beating Colorado of the Big 12 in the season opener, MSU lost three straight home games, including one to Division II foe Chadron State. After losing its league opener to Eastern Washington, the ‘Cats rattled off six straight wins to play themselfs into post-season consideration. Then, MSU lost the regular season finale, a savagely physical contest at Montana, which all but ended the season.
And then, Sunday’s reprieve. “Sure,” Kramer said succinctly when asked if he was surprised. “But this is a deserving team, and we owe it to each other, to our fans, and to the Committee that selected us to play like a Championship contender on Saturday.”
Furman isn’t the only formidable challenge the Bobcats face on Saturday. “We’re beat up,” Kramer says, “but everyone is to some degree.” Quarterback Jack Rolovich is questionable after suffering a muscle strain in his side, and Cory Carpenter continues to battle an ankle injury. Tailback Evin Groves is out for Saturday, although linebacker Will Claggett has been upgraded to doubtful.
Kramer finds one advantage, though, in the manner in which MSU closed the season. “We’ve been in playoff mode since September 30. We know what it’s like, and this team has gone through this stretch without panic, without anxiety. It is a well-led team, and I have confidence they will show that on Saturday.”
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