Bobcats Enjoy Beach Party, Again
9/22/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
OGDEN, Utah – Montana State enjoyed a three-hour case of déjà vu.
For the second straight year, Michael Beach returned an interception for a back-breaking touchdown against Weber State. For the second straight year, the Bobcats surrendered a safety but played mostly-brilliant defense. And for the seventh straight year, Montana State beat Weber State.
For first-year MSU coach Rob Ash, it didn’t matter how the 21-5 win came – mostly in the rain – but that it came. “I never have cared what the score was at the end of the game. We played to the conditions, we played to the tempo and the flow, and we went on the road and came out with a victory. That’s a very good sign for a football team.”
Junior linebacker Chase Gazzerro made one of two defensive scores for the Bobcats, picking off a first-quarter pass and finding purple paint. “I just felt it was a good read,” Gazzerro said. “I saw the quarterback turn his shoulders to the outside and thought he would make that throw.”
Beach credited the game plan assembled by the Bobcat defensive staff. “Coach put us in position to make plays,” he said. “We made plays when we were there.”
Montana State gained only 283 yards, but held Weber State to 340 yards and kept the Wildcats out of the end zone. “Our defense played an awesome game. I thought Jamie Marshall did a good job mixing coverages, and we took advantage of a couple opportunities when the quarterback was confused to make big plays for touchdowns. The scheme we’re putting together, I think the guys are starting to figure it out and the guys made great plays.”
The Bobcat offense’s ability to manage the game was the day’s key, Ash said. “The most important thing in this game was that we didn’t turn the ball over. In those conditions it was difficult, but we did a good job not giving them those opportunities.”
While both offenses struggled in the rain during the third quarter – the only scoring threat was a Michael Sweeney field goal attempt from inside the Wildcat 10 that Weber blocked – Beach made the game-changing play. With the Wildcats facing a first-and-16 from their own six, Barnes lofted a pass to the flat. Beach feigned into the slot, then stepped right in front of the intended receiver and raced 12 yards into the end zone.
Neither team got untracked offensively in the first half. Each team gained 168 yards. Cameron Higgins entered as Weber State’s quarterback after the second Wildcat possession, and moved the team. He threw for 92 yards on 7-for-10 passing, while Trevyn Smith gained 50 yards on the ground.
After two fruitless Bobcat possessions sandwiched one Weber State punt, Chase Gazzerro intercepted a Jimmy Barnes pass and dashed to the end zone to open the scoring. It was Gazzerro’s first career score and first career pick. “In this type of game, it’s important to get off to a good start,” Ash said. “That gave us a little confidence.”
The defenses continued to dominate the first half. The Bobcats held a 2-0 edge in turnovers and each team missed short field goals. Facing the possibility of a first half without an offensive score, MSU drove 80 yards for a touchdown with 3:42 to play to give the Bobcats a 14-0 lead. Jamelle Banks caught a feathery pass from Jack Rolovich near the pylon on the MSU side for the score.
With the gauntlet down, Weber State responded. The Wildcats marched from their own 33 to the Bobcat four-yard line, but the drive stalled and Mike Snoy nailed a 20-yard field goal to draw the Wildcats within 14-3.
Montana State’s win raised the team’s record to 2-1 overall, 1-0 in Big Sky play. The Bobcats host ancient rival Idaho State next Saturday at 1:35 pm in Bobcat Stadium.
For the second straight year, Michael Beach returned an interception for a back-breaking touchdown against Weber State. For the second straight year, the Bobcats surrendered a safety but played mostly-brilliant defense. And for the seventh straight year, Montana State beat Weber State.
For first-year MSU coach Rob Ash, it didn’t matter how the 21-5 win came – mostly in the rain – but that it came. “I never have cared what the score was at the end of the game. We played to the conditions, we played to the tempo and the flow, and we went on the road and came out with a victory. That’s a very good sign for a football team.”
Junior linebacker Chase Gazzerro made one of two defensive scores for the Bobcats, picking off a first-quarter pass and finding purple paint. “I just felt it was a good read,” Gazzerro said. “I saw the quarterback turn his shoulders to the outside and thought he would make that throw.”
Beach credited the game plan assembled by the Bobcat defensive staff. “Coach put us in position to make plays,” he said. “We made plays when we were there.”
Montana State gained only 283 yards, but held Weber State to 340 yards and kept the Wildcats out of the end zone. “Our defense played an awesome game. I thought Jamie Marshall did a good job mixing coverages, and we took advantage of a couple opportunities when the quarterback was confused to make big plays for touchdowns. The scheme we’re putting together, I think the guys are starting to figure it out and the guys made great plays.”
The Bobcat offense’s ability to manage the game was the day’s key, Ash said. “The most important thing in this game was that we didn’t turn the ball over. In those conditions it was difficult, but we did a good job not giving them those opportunities.”
While both offenses struggled in the rain during the third quarter – the only scoring threat was a Michael Sweeney field goal attempt from inside the Wildcat 10 that Weber blocked – Beach made the game-changing play. With the Wildcats facing a first-and-16 from their own six, Barnes lofted a pass to the flat. Beach feigned into the slot, then stepped right in front of the intended receiver and raced 12 yards into the end zone.
Neither team got untracked offensively in the first half. Each team gained 168 yards. Cameron Higgins entered as Weber State’s quarterback after the second Wildcat possession, and moved the team. He threw for 92 yards on 7-for-10 passing, while Trevyn Smith gained 50 yards on the ground.
After two fruitless Bobcat possessions sandwiched one Weber State punt, Chase Gazzerro intercepted a Jimmy Barnes pass and dashed to the end zone to open the scoring. It was Gazzerro’s first career score and first career pick. “In this type of game, it’s important to get off to a good start,” Ash said. “That gave us a little confidence.”
The defenses continued to dominate the first half. The Bobcats held a 2-0 edge in turnovers and each team missed short field goals. Facing the possibility of a first half without an offensive score, MSU drove 80 yards for a touchdown with 3:42 to play to give the Bobcats a 14-0 lead. Jamelle Banks caught a feathery pass from Jack Rolovich near the pylon on the MSU side for the score.
With the gauntlet down, Weber State responded. The Wildcats marched from their own 33 to the Bobcat four-yard line, but the drive stalled and Mike Snoy nailed a 20-yard field goal to draw the Wildcats within 14-3.
Montana State’s win raised the team’s record to 2-1 overall, 1-0 in Big Sky play. The Bobcats host ancient rival Idaho State next Saturday at 1:35 pm in Bobcat Stadium.
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