Bobcat Trio Heading Home
5/2/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jeff Bolton was willing to change his license plates, but for now he won't have to.
Montana State's Rimington Award center and I-AA.org Offensive Lineman of the Year joins two other Bobcats on their way to NFL rookie camps next week. He, quarterback Travis Lulay and receiver Rick Gatewood agreed to sign rookie contracts with their 'hometown' NFL teams.
"I'm excited," said Bolton, whose truck bears Tampa Bay license plates. The long-time Buccaneer fan, whose family lives 10 minutes from the organization's headquarters, actually worked in the Raymond James Stadium team store during summers. "It's neat to be going there," he said.
Gatewood also grew up in the Bay area cheering for the Raiders. "Oh, I can't wait," said MSU's First Team All-Big Sky receiver. "This will be fun." Gatewood won't be the only person making his Silver-and-Black debut with MSU ties next week. The Raiders' quarterback coach is Jim McElwain, who fashioned one of the most successful offensive periods on Montana State history as the program's offensive coordinator during the late '90s.
Lulay, a native of Aumsville, Ore., said he is similarly thrilled to be playing close to his home. "They showed a lot of interest in me, and I had a good visit" to Seattle the week before the draft, said the player who finished second in Big Sky history in total offense. "Seattle is close to home, and that will be fun."
The trio of Bobcats secured their places in Bobcat and Big Sky Conference history last fall, leading Montana State to its third Big Sky Championship - and third win over Montana - in the past four seasons. Lulay started all three of those games, Bolton two. Bolton's Rimington Award is the most significant individual award in school history. Gatewood is in the top five in MSU history in receiving yards in spite of playing only 18 games. And Lulay was named First Team Academic All-America quarterback as a senior.
Montana State's Rimington Award center and I-AA.org Offensive Lineman of the Year joins two other Bobcats on their way to NFL rookie camps next week. He, quarterback Travis Lulay and receiver Rick Gatewood agreed to sign rookie contracts with their 'hometown' NFL teams.
"I'm excited," said Bolton, whose truck bears Tampa Bay license plates. The long-time Buccaneer fan, whose family lives 10 minutes from the organization's headquarters, actually worked in the Raymond James Stadium team store during summers. "It's neat to be going there," he said.
Gatewood also grew up in the Bay area cheering for the Raiders. "Oh, I can't wait," said MSU's First Team All-Big Sky receiver. "This will be fun." Gatewood won't be the only person making his Silver-and-Black debut with MSU ties next week. The Raiders' quarterback coach is Jim McElwain, who fashioned one of the most successful offensive periods on Montana State history as the program's offensive coordinator during the late '90s.
Lulay, a native of Aumsville, Ore., said he is similarly thrilled to be playing close to his home. "They showed a lot of interest in me, and I had a good visit" to Seattle the week before the draft, said the player who finished second in Big Sky history in total offense. "Seattle is close to home, and that will be fun."
The trio of Bobcats secured their places in Bobcat and Big Sky Conference history last fall, leading Montana State to its third Big Sky Championship - and third win over Montana - in the past four seasons. Lulay started all three of those games, Bolton two. Bolton's Rimington Award is the most significant individual award in school history. Gatewood is in the top five in MSU history in receiving yards in spite of playing only 18 games. And Lulay was named First Team Academic All-America quarterback as a senior.
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