MSU Game Notes vs. NAU
9/27/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Northern Arizona’s Walkup Skydome is a house of horrors for MSU under any circumstances, but the struggling Bobcats limp south to face red-hot Northern Arizona Saturday afternoon in a matchup of teams headed in the opposite direction. The ‘Cats have lost three straight, MSU’s first three-game losing streak in two years, while NAU roared into the Top 25 this week with an impressive road win at Idaho State. QB Jason Murrietta has returned to the form that landed him the Big Sky MVP trophy three years ago, throwing for 872 yards and 10 TDs in the first four games.
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 4:05 pm MDT
SITE: Flagstaff, AZ
STADIUM: Walkup Skydome
PRESS BOX: 928/523-7730
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 as a Bobcat, and has hit his last seven field goals dating to the ‘05 Grizzly game
* The Bobcats have allowed just six punt return yards this year
* Tyler Bolton’s 70-yard punt was MSU’s sixth-longest ever
* MSU and Eastern combined to run just 109 plays Saturday
STREAKS
* Jeff Hastings has hit seven straight FGs, 15 in a row inside 40 yards
* Ryan Force’s streak of 24 straight starts ended last weekend, as did Epikopo King’s string of 14 straight
* The Cats have lost three straight for the first time since the end of 2004
MILESTONES
* Jeff Hastings’ six career field goals of 40 yards or longer is tied for third-best in school history
* Hastings’ seven straight field goals is a new school record
SHINING
QB CORY CARPENTER is completing 65% of his passes
LB WILL CLAGGETT led the ‘Cats with 13 tackles last week
P TYLER BOLTON averaged 48.0 yards in his punting debut
ABOUT THE ‘CATS...
MSU in ‘06 1-3
Conf./Record Big Sky/0-1
Home/Road 0-3/1-0
Grass/Turf 1-3/0-0
Day/Night 1-3/0-0
HEAD COACH Mike Kramer
Alma Mater Idaho/’76
Overall/Years 70-73/12th
At MSU/Years 33-40/6th
vs NAU 6-6
Home/Road 3-3/3-3
SERIES 18-22
At MSU 13-7
At NAU 5-15
Current Streak MSU 3W
ABOUT THE LUMBERJACKS...
NAU in ‘06 2-2
Conf./Record Big Sky/1-0
Home/Road 1-0/1-2
Grass/Turf 0-2/2-0
Day/Night 2-0/0-2
HEAD COACH Jerome Souers
Alma Mater Oregon/’83
Overall/Years 45-51/9th yr
At School/Years same
vs MSU 4-4
Home/Road 3-1/1-3
ABOUT NAU The Lumberjacks
Colors Blue, gold
Location Flagstaff, AZ
Enrollment 18,779
Stadium Walkup Skydome
OPPONENT ‘06 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
A31 at Arizona State L 14-35
S9 at Utah L 7-45
S16 Dixie W 66-14
S23 *at Idaho State W 33-27
S30 *MSU 4:05 pm
O14 *at Montana 1:05 pm
O21 *Sacramento State 3:05 pm
O28 *at Eastern Wash. 2:05 pm
N4 *Portland State 3:05 pm
N11 Weber State 3:05 pm
N18 at Northern Colo. 12:05 pm
Opening Information
Montana State is 0-1 in Big Sky play for the first time since 2003. * Mike Kramer’s Bobcats are 3-4 in conference openers, including 1-3 at home. * The Bobcats have not lost their first Big Sky game in Bobcat Stadium since 2003, when ISU beat the Bobcats to open league play on Homecoming. * Montana State and Eastern finished Saturday’s game in two hours, 37 minutes, the quickest Bobcat game since 1997, when the Bobcats and Cal Poly completed a game in 2:32, and the quickest televised game since the 1989 Cat-Griz game. * Saturday’s game was one of the most efficient in recent memory, as the game featured only 12 incomplete passes and 109 total plays, the fewest in the last 25 years, and MSU’s 47 plays from scrimmage was the second-lowest total since the rule changes of 1981 that led to an increase in passing.
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. * Montana State’s current three-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) * The shutout was the first by an MSU opponent in the Bobcat Stadium era, and the first in any home game since Idaho blanked the ‘Cats 34-0 in Reno H. Sales Stadium in 1985 * That 1985 shutout was the second in a row by the Vandals in Bozeman, as Idaho also blanked the ‘Cats 23-0 in 1983 * The two Idaho whitewashings and this year’s UC Davis games are the only home shutouts suffered by the Bobcats in the Sales/Bobcat Stadium era. * The crowd of 12,087 for UC Davis marked the fifth-largest for a non-conference game in school history * The crowd last weekend 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 -7 in turnovers on the season, the same total the team compiled in 2005. MSU is 1-0 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 36 straight games (since Cal Poly, 2003) or a kickoff return in 57 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 20 punts, limiting opponents to only four returns and six return yards.
Seeing Red
MSU opponents have scored on all seven trips inside the red zone, while MSU has converted only eight of its 11 such trips.
Sack Stuff
MSU has allowed only nine sacks through three games. The Bobcats have sacked opposing quarterbacks only five times, but did so twice last weekend.
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
4. 248 Brock Spencer Idaho 1993
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 180.
Behind Early and Often
Montana State has not led in the first quarter this season, and has not held a lead since the end of the Colorado game (180 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, and have limited the opponent to just 17 points (two touchdowns and a field goal) on those sudden changes.
Third Down Troubles
Eastern Washington gained 301 yards against MSU, 133 on third down plays.
Long Runs
Aaron Mason’s 35-yard run against EWU is the team’s only run longer than 20 yards this season. MSU had 14 such runs last year, nine by Travis Lulay.
MSU When Leading After...
1st Qtr: 0-0/2nd Qtr: 0-0/3rd Qtr: 1-0
MSU When Trailing After...
1st Qtr: 0-3/2nd Qtr: 1-3/3rd Qtr: 0-3
THE QUOTABLE KRAMER
On the Eastern Washington game: “For times on Saturday, the defense played outstanding. We had a long string of three-and-outs. The defensive front is playing hard, but made some critical mistakes. We had too many penalties in a tight-fisted game. For a pure fan of football, it was an outstanding game. The margin of victory reflected what happened in the game. Their kicking game was good, they got off some long punts and hit a 53-yard field goal, but our kicking game was good. Their quarterback made a few more plays than ours, their running backs played a little better than ours. They were a little better than we were. On the positive side, our defensive line started getting into the tackle stats. Those guys made plays and that’s what we need them to do, not just play as gap-pluggers. As the season progresses we’ll see more effective play from the down four. Aaron Mason will be featured more in the running game this week, he has a little extra juice and has a chance to be more of a playmaker.”
On NAU: “NAU is a very good team playing really, really well offensively. If Jason (Murrietta) plays like he’s been playing, it could be a track meet. He played really well last week. He’s the focus of their offense, but as any quality quarterback will tell you a lot depends on the play of the receiving corps, and they have a very good receiving corps. They are very effective defensively, as always, and their kicker and punter have huge distance. This will be a wide-open turf game, spread formations and wide open fields, and it will be a game of big plays.”
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 4:05 pm MDT
SITE: Flagstaff, AZ
STADIUM: Walkup Skydome
PRESS BOX: 928/523-7730
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 as a Bobcat, and has hit his last seven field goals dating to the ‘05 Grizzly game
* The Bobcats have allowed just six punt return yards this year
* Tyler Bolton’s 70-yard punt was MSU’s sixth-longest ever
* MSU and Eastern combined to run just 109 plays Saturday
STREAKS
* Jeff Hastings has hit seven straight FGs, 15 in a row inside 40 yards
* Ryan Force’s streak of 24 straight starts ended last weekend, as did Epikopo King’s string of 14 straight
* The Cats have lost three straight for the first time since the end of 2004
MILESTONES
* Jeff Hastings’ six career field goals of 40 yards or longer is tied for third-best in school history
* Hastings’ seven straight field goals is a new school record
SHINING
QB CORY CARPENTER is completing 65% of his passes
LB WILL CLAGGETT led the ‘Cats with 13 tackles last week
P TYLER BOLTON averaged 48.0 yards in his punting debut
ABOUT THE ‘CATS...
MSU in ‘06 1-3
Conf./Record Big Sky/0-1
Home/Road 0-3/1-0
Grass/Turf 1-3/0-0
Day/Night 1-3/0-0
HEAD COACH Mike Kramer
Alma Mater Idaho/’76
Overall/Years 70-73/12th
At MSU/Years 33-40/6th
vs NAU 6-6
Home/Road 3-3/3-3
SERIES 18-22
At MSU 13-7
At NAU 5-15
Current Streak MSU 3W
ABOUT THE LUMBERJACKS...
NAU in ‘06 2-2
Conf./Record Big Sky/1-0
Home/Road 1-0/1-2
Grass/Turf 0-2/2-0
Day/Night 2-0/0-2
HEAD COACH Jerome Souers
Alma Mater Oregon/’83
Overall/Years 45-51/9th yr
At School/Years same
vs MSU 4-4
Home/Road 3-1/1-3
ABOUT NAU The Lumberjacks
Colors Blue, gold
Location Flagstaff, AZ
Enrollment 18,779
Stadium Walkup Skydome
OPPONENT ‘06 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
A31 at Arizona State L 14-35
S9 at Utah L 7-45
S16 Dixie W 66-14
S23 *at Idaho State W 33-27
S30 *MSU 4:05 pm
O14 *at Montana 1:05 pm
O21 *Sacramento State 3:05 pm
O28 *at Eastern Wash. 2:05 pm
N4 *Portland State 3:05 pm
N11 Weber State 3:05 pm
N18 at Northern Colo. 12:05 pm
Opening Information
Montana State is 0-1 in Big Sky play for the first time since 2003. * Mike Kramer’s Bobcats are 3-4 in conference openers, including 1-3 at home. * The Bobcats have not lost their first Big Sky game in Bobcat Stadium since 2003, when ISU beat the Bobcats to open league play on Homecoming. * Montana State and Eastern finished Saturday’s game in two hours, 37 minutes, the quickest Bobcat game since 1997, when the Bobcats and Cal Poly completed a game in 2:32, and the quickest televised game since the 1989 Cat-Griz game. * Saturday’s game was one of the most efficient in recent memory, as the game featured only 12 incomplete passes and 109 total plays, the fewest in the last 25 years, and MSU’s 47 plays from scrimmage was the second-lowest total since the rule changes of 1981 that led to an increase in passing.
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. * Montana State’s current three-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) * The shutout was the first by an MSU opponent in the Bobcat Stadium era, and the first in any home game since Idaho blanked the ‘Cats 34-0 in Reno H. Sales Stadium in 1985 * That 1985 shutout was the second in a row by the Vandals in Bozeman, as Idaho also blanked the ‘Cats 23-0 in 1983 * The two Idaho whitewashings and this year’s UC Davis games are the only home shutouts suffered by the Bobcats in the Sales/Bobcat Stadium era. * The crowd of 12,087 for UC Davis marked the fifth-largest for a non-conference game in school history * The crowd last weekend 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 -7 in turnovers on the season, the same total the team compiled in 2005. MSU is 1-0 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 36 straight games (since Cal Poly, 2003) or a kickoff return in 57 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 20 punts, limiting opponents to only four returns and six return yards.
Seeing Red
MSU opponents have scored on all seven trips inside the red zone, while MSU has converted only eight of its 11 such trips.
Sack Stuff
MSU has allowed only nine sacks through three games. The Bobcats have sacked opposing quarterbacks only five times, but did so twice last weekend.
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
4. 248 Brock Spencer Idaho 1993
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 180.
Behind Early and Often
Montana State has not led in the first quarter this season, and has not held a lead since the end of the Colorado game (180 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, and have limited the opponent to just 17 points (two touchdowns and a field goal) on those sudden changes.
Third Down Troubles
Eastern Washington gained 301 yards against MSU, 133 on third down plays.
Long Runs
Aaron Mason’s 35-yard run against EWU is the team’s only run longer than 20 yards this season. MSU had 14 such runs last year, nine by Travis Lulay.
MSU When Leading After...
1st Qtr: 0-0/2nd Qtr: 0-0/3rd Qtr: 1-0
MSU When Trailing After...
1st Qtr: 0-3/2nd Qtr: 1-3/3rd Qtr: 0-3
THE QUOTABLE KRAMER
On the Eastern Washington game: “For times on Saturday, the defense played outstanding. We had a long string of three-and-outs. The defensive front is playing hard, but made some critical mistakes. We had too many penalties in a tight-fisted game. For a pure fan of football, it was an outstanding game. The margin of victory reflected what happened in the game. Their kicking game was good, they got off some long punts and hit a 53-yard field goal, but our kicking game was good. Their quarterback made a few more plays than ours, their running backs played a little better than ours. They were a little better than we were. On the positive side, our defensive line started getting into the tackle stats. Those guys made plays and that’s what we need them to do, not just play as gap-pluggers. As the season progresses we’ll see more effective play from the down four. Aaron Mason will be featured more in the running game this week, he has a little extra juice and has a chance to be more of a playmaker.”
On NAU: “NAU is a very good team playing really, really well offensively. If Jason (Murrietta) plays like he’s been playing, it could be a track meet. He played really well last week. He’s the focus of their offense, but as any quality quarterback will tell you a lot depends on the play of the receiving corps, and they have a very good receiving corps. They are very effective defensively, as always, and their kicker and punter have huge distance. This will be a wide-open turf game, spread formations and wide open fields, and it will be a game of big plays.”
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
