Bobcat Sunday Notebook
9/30/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Below are notes on Montana State's 40-20 win over Idaho State in Bobcat Stadium on Saturday...
INJURY REPORT: The Bobcats appeared to incur no new injuries Saturday. While RB Isaiah Taito (foot) missed his second straight game, he is expected to practice this week. Defensive tackle Brandon Hoffenbacker (knee) is also expected to practice this week.
ROB ASH’S TENTATIVE MEDIA AND APPEARANCE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Monday: 12 noon – Bobcat Quarterback Club, Butte
5:30 pm – Bobcat Quarterback Club, Bozeman (teleconference around state)
Tuesday: 10 am – Coaches Corner, Holiday Inn
12 noon – Bobcat Media Lunch
7 pm –Bobcat Quarterback Club, Great Falls
Wednesday: 10:54 am – Big Sky Conference Media Call
12 noon – Homecoming Pep Rally, Plaza by Montana Hall
7 pm – Cat Chat, hosted by Jeff Lasky, Old Chicago (1450 KMMS-AM)
Practice is 3:30 pm Tuesday through Thursday, 5:30 pm at Bobcat Stadium on Friday
TEAM NOTES
• Montana State now owns four straight wins over Idaho State, and has beaten the Bengals five of the last six times these Big Sky charter members have met in Bobcat Stadium.
• Saturday’s 40-20 win over Idaho State was the most lopsided win in the rivalry sine MSU’s 52-13 home win in 2001.
• MSU’s 199 rushing yards Saturday also gave the Bobcats their highest total in that category against the Bengals since netting over 300 yards in ’01.
• Montana State’s last 3-1 start was in 1998, when the team started 4-1 en route to a 7-4 campaign, but the Bobcats beat a pair of non-Division I opponents early that year. In 2007, MSU’s start includes a pair of conference victories.
• The Bobcats started the Big Sky portion of their schedule with two wins in 2004 and ’05, and have done so in six of the past 11 seasons.
• Montana State has gained 400 yards or more in three of its four games this season.
• The Bobcat defense has scored in three straight games, accounting for 37 of Montana State’s 129 points this year (29%).
• Montana State has registered a safety against Idaho State in each of the past two meetings
• At 405.0 yards a game, Montana State is 30th in FCS in total offense.
• Montana State ranks third in the FCS and first in the Big Sky in pass efficiency defense.
• The Bobcats are +5 in turnover margin on the season, 20th-best in the FCS
INDIVIDUAL NOTES/PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEES
OFFENSE: RB Demetrius Crawford – 5-9, 185, Jr, Fairfield, CA
For the second time in his four games as a Bobcat, junior running back Demetrius Crawford rushed for 100 yards on Saturday in MSU’s 40-20 win over Idaho State. Crawford has led MSU in rushing in each contest, while averaging 132.0 yards in the last three outings. Crawford carried 23 times Saturday, averaging 7.5 yards a carry, and scored one touchdown. On Crawford’s first nine carries, he gained 90 yards. From that point – the end of the third quarter – forward, the aim became to eat clock and move the chains, and Crawford excelled at that, as well. On MSU’s last two drives, Crawford carried 12 times for 67 yards, accounting for five first downs in that stretch. Crawford’s longest run of the day, a 40-yarder near the end of the third quarter, helped set up Michael Sweeney’s field goal that extended MSU’s lead from eight points to 11 points.
OTHER NOTES: While Demetrius Crawford had a career day carrying the ball, Josh Lewis did much the same catching it. Lewis caught eight passes for 117 yards, and he caught one touchdown, a 46-yarder on MSU’s first possession of the second half that gave the Bobcats the lead for good. The 117 yards was Lewis’ second-best day as a Bobcat, his best against a Division I opponent… Jack Rolovich’s 282 yards marked the most by the Bobcat signal caller since his back-to-back 300-yard days in his first two starts at MSU… Freshman Jamelle Banks made another catch, a 31-yarder that gave the Bobcats a key first down that set up MSU’s first touchdown.
DEFENSE: SS Kevin Retoriano – 5-9, 175, So, San Diego, CA
With Montana State trailing Idaho State 10-7 midway through the second quarter, Kevin Retoriano stepped in front of an Idaho State pass and returned it 83 yards for a touchdown. Retoriano’s return was the fifth-longest in MSU history, and the third-longest in the history of Bobcat Stadium. Retoriano also registered four tackles on Saturday, including three solos, and broke up another Bengal pass. By scoring, Retoriano extended the string of consecutive games that the Bobcat defense has put points on the board to three. Retoriano’s interception was the second of his career, and the touchdown was his first.
OTHER NOTES: Bobby Daly led the Bobcats in tackles for the third straight game, registering 11, including nine solos and 1.5 for a loss… Daly now has 21 career tackles behind the line of scrimmage… Chase Gazzerro tackled Idaho State quarterback Luke Butler in the end zone on a blitz, his first sack this year… that safety helps Gazzerro account for nine Bobcat points this year, as he intercepted a Weber State pass and returned it for a score last week.
SPECIAL TEAMS: P Eric Fisher – 6-1, 191, So, Billings, MT
Playing in difficult weather conditions for the second straight week, Eric Fisher’s punting and kickoffs helped Montana State topple Idaho State 40-20 in Bozeman. Fisher punted five times, averaging 43.0 yards a punt with a long punt of 55 yards. With the Bobcats leading 31-20 midway through the fourth quarter, Fisher punted 41 yards to the Idaho State five-yard line. On the second Bengals’ play after Fisher’s pin, Chase Gazzerro sacked Luke Butler in the end zone for a safety, effectively sealing the win for MSU. Fisher also kicked off seven times, pinning the Bengals inside the 20-yard line once.
OTHER NOTES: Michael Sweeney hit his first field goal as a Bobcat, a 29-yarder that snuck over the goal post and gave the ‘Cats a two-score lead – 31-20 – early in the fourth quarter… David Taylor returned three kickoffs 80 yards, but added a touch of drama to the afternoon by fumbling a kickoff that the ‘Cats recovered.
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INJURY REPORT: The Bobcats appeared to incur no new injuries Saturday. While RB Isaiah Taito (foot) missed his second straight game, he is expected to practice this week. Defensive tackle Brandon Hoffenbacker (knee) is also expected to practice this week.
ROB ASH’S TENTATIVE MEDIA AND APPEARANCE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Monday: 12 noon – Bobcat Quarterback Club, Butte
5:30 pm – Bobcat Quarterback Club, Bozeman (teleconference around state)
Tuesday: 10 am – Coaches Corner, Holiday Inn
12 noon – Bobcat Media Lunch
7 pm –Bobcat Quarterback Club, Great Falls
Wednesday: 10:54 am – Big Sky Conference Media Call
12 noon – Homecoming Pep Rally, Plaza by Montana Hall
7 pm – Cat Chat, hosted by Jeff Lasky, Old Chicago (1450 KMMS-AM)
Practice is 3:30 pm Tuesday through Thursday, 5:30 pm at Bobcat Stadium on Friday
TEAM NOTES
• Montana State now owns four straight wins over Idaho State, and has beaten the Bengals five of the last six times these Big Sky charter members have met in Bobcat Stadium.
• Saturday’s 40-20 win over Idaho State was the most lopsided win in the rivalry sine MSU’s 52-13 home win in 2001.
• MSU’s 199 rushing yards Saturday also gave the Bobcats their highest total in that category against the Bengals since netting over 300 yards in ’01.
• Montana State’s last 3-1 start was in 1998, when the team started 4-1 en route to a 7-4 campaign, but the Bobcats beat a pair of non-Division I opponents early that year. In 2007, MSU’s start includes a pair of conference victories.
• The Bobcats started the Big Sky portion of their schedule with two wins in 2004 and ’05, and have done so in six of the past 11 seasons.
• Montana State has gained 400 yards or more in three of its four games this season.
• The Bobcat defense has scored in three straight games, accounting for 37 of Montana State’s 129 points this year (29%).
• Montana State has registered a safety against Idaho State in each of the past two meetings
• At 405.0 yards a game, Montana State is 30th in FCS in total offense.
• Montana State ranks third in the FCS and first in the Big Sky in pass efficiency defense.
• The Bobcats are +5 in turnover margin on the season, 20th-best in the FCS
INDIVIDUAL NOTES/PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEES
OFFENSE: RB Demetrius Crawford – 5-9, 185, Jr, Fairfield, CA
For the second time in his four games as a Bobcat, junior running back Demetrius Crawford rushed for 100 yards on Saturday in MSU’s 40-20 win over Idaho State. Crawford has led MSU in rushing in each contest, while averaging 132.0 yards in the last three outings. Crawford carried 23 times Saturday, averaging 7.5 yards a carry, and scored one touchdown. On Crawford’s first nine carries, he gained 90 yards. From that point – the end of the third quarter – forward, the aim became to eat clock and move the chains, and Crawford excelled at that, as well. On MSU’s last two drives, Crawford carried 12 times for 67 yards, accounting for five first downs in that stretch. Crawford’s longest run of the day, a 40-yarder near the end of the third quarter, helped set up Michael Sweeney’s field goal that extended MSU’s lead from eight points to 11 points.
OTHER NOTES: While Demetrius Crawford had a career day carrying the ball, Josh Lewis did much the same catching it. Lewis caught eight passes for 117 yards, and he caught one touchdown, a 46-yarder on MSU’s first possession of the second half that gave the Bobcats the lead for good. The 117 yards was Lewis’ second-best day as a Bobcat, his best against a Division I opponent… Jack Rolovich’s 282 yards marked the most by the Bobcat signal caller since his back-to-back 300-yard days in his first two starts at MSU… Freshman Jamelle Banks made another catch, a 31-yarder that gave the Bobcats a key first down that set up MSU’s first touchdown.
DEFENSE: SS Kevin Retoriano – 5-9, 175, So, San Diego, CA
With Montana State trailing Idaho State 10-7 midway through the second quarter, Kevin Retoriano stepped in front of an Idaho State pass and returned it 83 yards for a touchdown. Retoriano’s return was the fifth-longest in MSU history, and the third-longest in the history of Bobcat Stadium. Retoriano also registered four tackles on Saturday, including three solos, and broke up another Bengal pass. By scoring, Retoriano extended the string of consecutive games that the Bobcat defense has put points on the board to three. Retoriano’s interception was the second of his career, and the touchdown was his first.
OTHER NOTES: Bobby Daly led the Bobcats in tackles for the third straight game, registering 11, including nine solos and 1.5 for a loss… Daly now has 21 career tackles behind the line of scrimmage… Chase Gazzerro tackled Idaho State quarterback Luke Butler in the end zone on a blitz, his first sack this year… that safety helps Gazzerro account for nine Bobcat points this year, as he intercepted a Weber State pass and returned it for a score last week.
SPECIAL TEAMS: P Eric Fisher – 6-1, 191, So, Billings, MT
Playing in difficult weather conditions for the second straight week, Eric Fisher’s punting and kickoffs helped Montana State topple Idaho State 40-20 in Bozeman. Fisher punted five times, averaging 43.0 yards a punt with a long punt of 55 yards. With the Bobcats leading 31-20 midway through the fourth quarter, Fisher punted 41 yards to the Idaho State five-yard line. On the second Bengals’ play after Fisher’s pin, Chase Gazzerro sacked Luke Butler in the end zone for a safety, effectively sealing the win for MSU. Fisher also kicked off seven times, pinning the Bengals inside the 20-yard line once.
OTHER NOTES: Michael Sweeney hit his first field goal as a Bobcat, a 29-yarder that snuck over the goal post and gave the ‘Cats a two-score lead – 31-20 – early in the fourth quarter… David Taylor returned three kickoffs 80 yards, but added a touch of drama to the afternoon by fumbling a kickoff that the ‘Cats recovered.
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Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
