Bobcats Host #21 UC Davis
9/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Montana State’s first game against a Division I-AA opponent in 2006 stands as a daunting challenge, as the Bobcats host nationally-ranked UC Davis from the tough Great West Conference. In so doing, the Bobcats look to bounce back from a stunning home upset at the hands of Division II opponent Chadron State, which beat MSU 35-24 in Bozeman last weekend. MSU quarterback Cory Carpenter was picked off three times last week, but still managed to throw for 337 yards, MSU’s first 300-yard passing game since Travis Lulay threw for 384 at Portland State in game seven last season.
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 1:05 pm
SITE: Bozeman, MT
STADIUM: Bobcat Stadium
PRESS BOX: 406/994-6810
RADIO: Bobcat Network (Kris Atteberry, Dan Davies)
TELEVISION: Max Media (Chris Byers, Ron Heller)
WEB VIDEO: www.BigSkyTV.org
HIGHLIGHTS
* Jeff Hastings is 15-for-15 on field goal attempts inside 40 yards at MSU
* Josh Lewis’ 80-yard TD catch from Cory Carpenter is MSU’s longest play from scrimmage since the second game of 1999
* UC Davis topped Big Sky foe Northern Colorado in its 2006 opener
* MSU has allowed 188.5 yards in its two first halves, 99.0 in the second
STREAKS
* MSU is ranked 20th this week, its 15th straight week in the polls
* The Bobcats have lost five straight coin tosses, including two this year
MILESTONES
* Jeff Hastings’ six career field goals of 40 yards or longer is tied for third-best in school history
* Hastings has hit four straight field goals, two shy of the school record which he shares
SHINING
* QB CORY CARPENTER threw for 337 yards on Saturday, but also threw three interceptions
* FS TYRONE HENDERSON had a sack and a forced fumble
* WR JOSH LEWIS caught an 80-yard TD pass, MSU’s longest reception since 1999, and gained 151 yds
Opening Information
Montana State’s loss Saturday was its first in a home opener since dropping a 34-6 decision to Cal Poly in 2001, which was the second of two straight home-opening losses suffered by the Bobcats... Cory Carpenter’s 337 yards passing on Saturday marked the second-highest total by a Bobcat signal caller making his home debut in the Reno H. Sales/Bobcat Stadium era... Josh Lewis’ 151 receiving yards also marked the most by a Bobcat receiver making his home debut in Sales or Bobcat Stadium.
California Dreamin’
While UC Davis is making its first-ever trip to Bozeman and only its second to Montana, the Bobcats have a strong history against schools from California. The Bobcats are 36-39 all-time against schools from the Golden State, and 18-14 against California schools in Bozeman. Mike Kramer’s teams are 7-9 against California schools, but four of those losses came in the 0-11 2000 campaign, Kramer’s first at MSU. Since the beginning of the 2001 season, Kramer’s Bobcats are 7-5 against California schools.
Superlatives
The Bobcats have rang up some superlatives through the first two weeks of the 2006 season: Cory Carpenter’s 337 yards passing on Saturday and 26 completions stand as the best efforts by a Big Sky quarterback this season, and his 337 yards of total offense also is the league’s best... his two touchdowns and his 80-yard scoring strike to Josh Lewis are tied as league-high marks... Evin Groves’ 23 carries at Colorado is the most by a Big Sky running back this year... Hastings’ four field goals made and attempted at Colorado are both second-best in the league... on the other side of the ledger, Carpenter’s three interceptions and the five turnovers against Chadron State are both the most in the Big Sky in 2006.
Clamping Down
The Bobcat defense allowed 140 points last season in the first half of its 11 games, but surrendered just 111 in the second half (including 21 by Eastern Washington). Last week, Colorado led 10-6 at the intermission, but Montana State held the team that nine months earlier played in the Big 12 Championship Game to just 64 yards and three first downs after intermission.
TO Turnaround
MSU finished 7-4 last season with in spite of finishing only one game with a positive turnover margin (and -7 on the season). MSU finished +1 at Colorado, but -4 in the loss to Chadron State.
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 25 games and is the longest span in Mike Kramer’s coaching career. The Bobcats have not allowed a punt return for a touchdown in 34 straight games (since Cal Poly, 2003) or a kickoff return in 55 straight contests.
Distinctive Debut
Josh Lewis posted the best home debut by a Bobcat receiver on Saturday, catching six passes for 151 yards. Below is a look at MSU’s top initial home pass-catching performances in school history...
1. 151 Josh Lewis vs.Chadron State, 2006
2. 141 Tramaine Murray vs. SFA, 2005
3. 118 Junior Adams vs. Cal Poly, 2001
The Rol(ovich) Punt
Jack Rolovich has punted seven times this season, and Ryan Force once, using the roll-punt style made familiar by Travis Lulay. Bobcat opponents have returned only one of those punts, for -4 yards.
Sackless
Montana State has allowed only three sacks this season, all in the season opener at Colorado.
Opportunistic
The Bobcat defense forced 17 turnovers in 2005, turning two into immediate points (Daryl Rogers’ fumble recovery against Weber and Epikopo King’s interception return against Idaho State). Of the 14 offensive possessions after turnovers MSU has six touchdowns and three field goals. MSU turned its only takeaway into a field goal last weekend.
20 is Terrific
Montana State is 23-3 in Mike Kramer’s six seasons when holding the opposing offense to 20 points or fewer. The Bobcats have won seven of their last eight games under those circumstances.
They’re Tight
All four Bobcat TEs are in-state players: starter Elliott Barnhart played at Powder River in Broadus, Brandon Bostick at Missoula Big Sky, Joe Schreibeis at BillingsWest, and Ty McDonald at Geyser. Geyser plays six-man football.
Anti-Air Defense
Montana State led the Big Sky in pass defense last season, finishing 31st nationally, and has allowed just 240 yards in two games this season.
Aggies in the Treasure State
Saturday’s game will mark UC Davis’ second trip to Montana. The first was a 41-20 loss to the Grizzlies in Missoula in 1995.
Bonus Football
MSU is 4-2 all-time in overtime games. Below is a look at MSU’s OT 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+
Long Runs
MSU had 14 runs of 20 yards or more in ‘05 (nine by Travis Lulay), but has yet to post a 20-yard or longer run this season.
MSU When Leading After...
1st Qtr: 0-0/2nd Qtr: 0-0/3rd Qtr: 1-0
MSU When Trailing After...
1st Qtr: 0-1/2nd Qtr: 1-1/3rd Qtr: 0-1
THE QUOTABLE KRAMER
On the Chadron State game: “The thing that remains with me from that game is taht I saw one of the greatest individual efforts on a single play that I’ve ever seen, and it went largely unnoticed. Michael Jefferson’s effort to spring Josh Lewis for his 80-yard touchdown is one of the top four or five efforts I’ve ever seen from a Bobcat football aplyer. He was about five-to-seven yards behind the Chadron State player, and he got level with him and pushed him just enough to kick him out of the play. It was one of the great efforts I’ve ever watched. We tell our kids to spill it on every play, and Mike spilled it on that play.”
On the UC Davis game: “We’re excited to play at home against a good I-AA football team. The biggest thing I want to see on Saturday is that we fight back from adversity. I don’t mean in a week or even in a game. I mean on a play. So we start the day in a 1st-and-20, so what? We don’t need to respond with a bad play. So we rough the punter? That doesn’t mean we respond by giving up a touchdown drive. I want to see us deal with adversity positively on Saturday.”
On the Bobcats: “For the first time since we’ve been here the quarterback didn’t attempt a rush. We gave up no sacks, which is good. Cory threw three picks, which is bad. He’s making excellent progress, but with a big BUT caveat - when he doesn’t know what he’s doing with the ball, he’s reckless. You can’t be reckless. As opposed being reckless, penalties are about being careless. We’re now starting to observe repeat offenders. That’s a matter of coaching, taking care of those mistakes that are happening from the same players. Our pass protection has been a bright spot, and I’m really excited about how well the two pups (running backs Isaiah Taito and Aaron Mason) are protecting. The have done a very nice job. We’re not jumping up and down about the distance, but our punting, with Jack (Rolovich), has been very effective. He’s pinned (the opponent) inside the 20 twice and he’s allowed minus-four yards of returns. Kicking-wise, Jeff Hastings is really performing well, but the entire sequence has allowed him to perform that way. The snap, the hold, and (right guard) Adam DeCock as much as anybody, has performed flawlessly.”
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 1:05 pm
SITE: Bozeman, MT
STADIUM: Bobcat Stadium
PRESS BOX: 406/994-6810
RADIO: Bobcat Network (Kris Atteberry, Dan Davies)
TELEVISION: Max Media (Chris Byers, Ron Heller)
WEB VIDEO: www.BigSkyTV.org
HIGHLIGHTS
* Jeff Hastings is 15-for-15 on field goal attempts inside 40 yards at MSU
* Josh Lewis’ 80-yard TD catch from Cory Carpenter is MSU’s longest play from scrimmage since the second game of 1999
* UC Davis topped Big Sky foe Northern Colorado in its 2006 opener
* MSU has allowed 188.5 yards in its two first halves, 99.0 in the second
STREAKS
* MSU is ranked 20th this week, its 15th straight week in the polls
* The Bobcats have lost five straight coin tosses, including two this year
MILESTONES
* Jeff Hastings’ six career field goals of 40 yards or longer is tied for third-best in school history
* Hastings has hit four straight field goals, two shy of the school record which he shares
SHINING
* QB CORY CARPENTER threw for 337 yards on Saturday, but also threw three interceptions
* FS TYRONE HENDERSON had a sack and a forced fumble
* WR JOSH LEWIS caught an 80-yard TD pass, MSU’s longest reception since 1999, and gained 151 yds
Opening Information
Montana State’s loss Saturday was its first in a home opener since dropping a 34-6 decision to Cal Poly in 2001, which was the second of two straight home-opening losses suffered by the Bobcats... Cory Carpenter’s 337 yards passing on Saturday marked the second-highest total by a Bobcat signal caller making his home debut in the Reno H. Sales/Bobcat Stadium era... Josh Lewis’ 151 receiving yards also marked the most by a Bobcat receiver making his home debut in Sales or Bobcat Stadium.
California Dreamin’
While UC Davis is making its first-ever trip to Bozeman and only its second to Montana, the Bobcats have a strong history against schools from California. The Bobcats are 36-39 all-time against schools from the Golden State, and 18-14 against California schools in Bozeman. Mike Kramer’s teams are 7-9 against California schools, but four of those losses came in the 0-11 2000 campaign, Kramer’s first at MSU. Since the beginning of the 2001 season, Kramer’s Bobcats are 7-5 against California schools.
Superlatives
The Bobcats have rang up some superlatives through the first two weeks of the 2006 season: Cory Carpenter’s 337 yards passing on Saturday and 26 completions stand as the best efforts by a Big Sky quarterback this season, and his 337 yards of total offense also is the league’s best... his two touchdowns and his 80-yard scoring strike to Josh Lewis are tied as league-high marks... Evin Groves’ 23 carries at Colorado is the most by a Big Sky running back this year... Hastings’ four field goals made and attempted at Colorado are both second-best in the league... on the other side of the ledger, Carpenter’s three interceptions and the five turnovers against Chadron State are both the most in the Big Sky in 2006.
Clamping Down
The Bobcat defense allowed 140 points last season in the first half of its 11 games, but surrendered just 111 in the second half (including 21 by Eastern Washington). Last week, Colorado led 10-6 at the intermission, but Montana State held the team that nine months earlier played in the Big 12 Championship Game to just 64 yards and three first downs after intermission.
TO Turnaround
MSU finished 7-4 last season with in spite of finishing only one game with a positive turnover margin (and -7 on the season). MSU finished +1 at Colorado, but -4 in the loss to Chadron State.
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 25 games and is the longest span in Mike Kramer’s coaching career. The Bobcats have not allowed a punt return for a touchdown in 34 straight games (since Cal Poly, 2003) or a kickoff return in 55 straight contests.
Distinctive Debut
Josh Lewis posted the best home debut by a Bobcat receiver on Saturday, catching six passes for 151 yards. Below is a look at MSU’s top initial home pass-catching performances in school history...
1. 151 Josh Lewis vs.Chadron State, 2006
2. 141 Tramaine Murray vs. SFA, 2005
3. 118 Junior Adams vs. Cal Poly, 2001
The Rol(ovich) Punt
Jack Rolovich has punted seven times this season, and Ryan Force once, using the roll-punt style made familiar by Travis Lulay. Bobcat opponents have returned only one of those punts, for -4 yards.
Sackless
Montana State has allowed only three sacks this season, all in the season opener at Colorado.
Opportunistic
The Bobcat defense forced 17 turnovers in 2005, turning two into immediate points (Daryl Rogers’ fumble recovery against Weber and Epikopo King’s interception return against Idaho State). Of the 14 offensive possessions after turnovers MSU has six touchdowns and three field goals. MSU turned its only takeaway into a field goal last weekend.
20 is Terrific
Montana State is 23-3 in Mike Kramer’s six seasons when holding the opposing offense to 20 points or fewer. The Bobcats have won seven of their last eight games under those circumstances.
They’re Tight
All four Bobcat TEs are in-state players: starter Elliott Barnhart played at Powder River in Broadus, Brandon Bostick at Missoula Big Sky, Joe Schreibeis at BillingsWest, and Ty McDonald at Geyser. Geyser plays six-man football.
Anti-Air Defense
Montana State led the Big Sky in pass defense last season, finishing 31st nationally, and has allowed just 240 yards in two games this season.
Aggies in the Treasure State
Saturday’s game will mark UC Davis’ second trip to Montana. The first was a 41-20 loss to the Grizzlies in Missoula in 1995.
Bonus Football
MSU is 4-2 all-time in overtime games. Below is a look at MSU’s OT 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+
Long Runs
MSU had 14 runs of 20 yards or more in ‘05 (nine by Travis Lulay), but has yet to post a 20-yard or longer run this season.
MSU When Leading After...
1st Qtr: 0-0/2nd Qtr: 0-0/3rd Qtr: 1-0
MSU When Trailing After...
1st Qtr: 0-1/2nd Qtr: 1-1/3rd Qtr: 0-1
THE QUOTABLE KRAMER
On the Chadron State game: “The thing that remains with me from that game is taht I saw one of the greatest individual efforts on a single play that I’ve ever seen, and it went largely unnoticed. Michael Jefferson’s effort to spring Josh Lewis for his 80-yard touchdown is one of the top four or five efforts I’ve ever seen from a Bobcat football aplyer. He was about five-to-seven yards behind the Chadron State player, and he got level with him and pushed him just enough to kick him out of the play. It was one of the great efforts I’ve ever watched. We tell our kids to spill it on every play, and Mike spilled it on that play.”
On the UC Davis game: “We’re excited to play at home against a good I-AA football team. The biggest thing I want to see on Saturday is that we fight back from adversity. I don’t mean in a week or even in a game. I mean on a play. So we start the day in a 1st-and-20, so what? We don’t need to respond with a bad play. So we rough the punter? That doesn’t mean we respond by giving up a touchdown drive. I want to see us deal with adversity positively on Saturday.”
On the Bobcats: “For the first time since we’ve been here the quarterback didn’t attempt a rush. We gave up no sacks, which is good. Cory threw three picks, which is bad. He’s making excellent progress, but with a big BUT caveat - when he doesn’t know what he’s doing with the ball, he’s reckless. You can’t be reckless. As opposed being reckless, penalties are about being careless. We’re now starting to observe repeat offenders. That’s a matter of coaching, taking care of those mistakes that are happening from the same players. Our pass protection has been a bright spot, and I’m really excited about how well the two pups (running backs Isaiah Taito and Aaron Mason) are protecting. The have done a very nice job. We’re not jumping up and down about the distance, but our punting, with Jack (Rolovich), has been very effective. He’s pinned (the opponent) inside the 20 twice and he’s allowed minus-four yards of returns. Kicking-wise, Jeff Hastings is really performing well, but the entire sequence has allowed him to perform that way. The snap, the hold, and (right guard) Adam DeCock as much as anybody, has performed flawlessly.”
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