Bobcats Visit Pocatello for League Opener
10/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Montana State becomes the last Big Sky team to play a league game this season when it kicks off against Idaho State at 1:35 pm in Holt Arena on Saturday. The Bobcats and Bengals bring a combined six losses into Saturday’s contest, but four of them have been to Bowl Subdivision teams. The Bobcats have won three of their last four Big Sky openers, but lost back-to-back league openers to ISU in 2002 and ‘03.
FOR OPENERS
• MSU is 8-2 when opening Big Sky play against Idaho State, its most common league-opening foe, including 3-1 in Pocatello • The Bobcats are 14-21-2 in Pocatello, including 10-9 in Holt Arena
STADIUM STUFF
• Minnesota snapped a four-game Bobcat winning streak indoors • Montana State has sold out its last 10 home games at 13,000-seat Bobcat Stadium
BIG SKY BULLET POINTS
• MSU is second in the Big Sky in total defense in spite of playing two BCS-league teams • The Bobcats have allowed a league-low 176.2 yards a game in the air
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF--1:35 pm
SITE--Pocatello, ID
STADIUM--Holt Arena
RADIO--Bobcat Network (Jeff Lasky, Dan Davies, Tyler Wiltgen) TELEVISION--Altitude (Doug Iverson, Brandt Boyer)
HIGHLIGHTS
• While 10 of MSU’s 22 projected starters have never visited ISU, Saturday’s game is MSU’s second in a dome this season • The Cats are 10-12 when opening the Big Sky season on the road, as it does for the second straight year this weekend • MSU held South Dakota to 241 total yards Saturday, 290 below its average
STREAKS
• MSU has started a quarterback from Oregon in the last seven seasons • The Bobcat offense has increased its yardage total in three straight games
MILESTONES
• Demetrius Crawford is now 20th in MSU history with 1,205 career rushing yards • DeSean Thomas scored his first career touchdown on a 9-yard pass on Saturday • Bobby Daly’s 36 career tackles-for-loss is tied for 9th in MSU history
SHINING
• RB DEMETRIUS CRAWFORD leads the Big Sky in rushing (89.2) • DE DANE FLETCHER had two sacks, a forced fumble, and three pass breakups vs. USD, earning Big Sky co-POW honors • TE BRANDON BOSTICK leads the Cats in catches, even after missing the South Dakota game (knee)
THE BOBCATS THIS WEEK
Mon--practice: 3:45 pm
Tue--Coaches Corner: 10 am (Holiday Inn); Media Lunch: Noon (requested players available); Practice: 3:45 pm (post-practice player availability)
Wed--Practice: 3:45 pm; Cat Chat: 7 pm (Pour House, KXLB-FM)
Thu--Practice: 3:45 pm
Fri--Practice: 5:15 pm
Montana State BOBCATS (2-2/0-0 Big Sky)
MSU in ‘08: 2-2
Conf./Record: Big Sky/0-0
Home/Road: 2-0/0-2
Grass/Turf: 0-0/2-2
Day/Night: 2-1/0-1
HEAD COACH: Rob Ash
Alma Mater: Cornell (Ia.)/’73
Overall/Years: 184-106-5/28th
At MSU/Years: 8-7/2nd
vs ISU: 1-0
Home/Road: 1-0/0-0
SERIES: MSU 41-30-3
At MSU: MSU 26-9-1
At ISU: ISU 21-15-2
Current Streak: MSU 4W
Idaho State BENGALS (0-4/0-1 Big Sky)
ISU in ‘08: 0-4
Conf./Record: Big Sky/0-1
Home/Road: 0-1/0-3
Grass/Turf: 0-1/0-3
Day/Night: 0-2/0-2
HEAD COACH: John Zamberlin
Alma Mater: Pacific Lutheran/’79
Overall/Years: 66-53/12th
At School/Years: 3-12/2nd
vs MSU: 1-1
Home/Road: 0-0/1-1
ABOUT ISU: The Bengals
Colors: Orange, black
Location/Enrollment: Pocatello, ID/13,929
Stadium: Holt Arena
Notes on the Offense...
• After committing only one turnover against Adams State, the Bobcats turned the ball over 12 times in the last three weeks • The Bobcats’ 387 yards against South Dakota last week is the season high through four games • Montana State has rushed for 354 yards in the last two game
Notes on the Defense...
• After registering a Big Sky-high six sacks in the season opener against Adams State, MSU has just four sacks in the last three games combined , three against USD last weekend • The Bobcats have limited three of their four opponents to less than 175 yards passing, and lead the Big Sky in pass defense
Notes on the Kick Teams...
• Jason Cunningham has converted three of his four field goal attempts, all from 40 yards or further, longer than any kick the Bobcats made in 2007 • The four kicks Montana State opponents have blocked in the past three games is more than the Bobcats suffered in the entire 2007 season
Hello, My Name Is...
The Big Sky welcomed four new head coaches last season. MSU’s Rob Ash finished 3-0 against his fellow league newcomers.
Ash Escort
To promote the Montana Hope Project, which aids Treasure State children in need, a Montana State Trooper escorts Rob Ash on the sideline.
Down Deep
After not running a goal-to-go play in the opener, MSU has converted all six such possessions since then into TDs.
The Best Yet
Adams State’s 116 total yards is the fewest allowed by the Bobcat defense during the Rob Ash era, and was the fewest by a Bobcat opponent since Portland State’s 112 yards in ‘03.
Another (Second-)Best
Minnesota’s 352 yards against MSU is the second-lowest total by an FBS foe vs. the Cats.
Demetrius - Da Man
Demetrius Crawford’s 223 all-purpose yards at Minnesota is MSU’s most since Michael Jefferson’s school-record 305 at Idaho State in 2006. Crawford was named Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week after that contest.
Lots of Wins
Montana State head coach Rob Ash’s 184 career wins is 24th among active coaches.
The No-Return Policy
The Bobcats have not allowed a punt return for a touchdown in 57 straight games (since Cal Poly, 2003) or a kick return TD in 78 straight.
Scoopin’ and Scoring
The Bobcat defense has shown an acute knack for turning takeaways into points. MSU is 5-0 in the last two seasons when the defense scores, 3-7 when it does not.
2008 ASC Jeff Brown 10 fumble ret MSU 59-3
2007 PSU Mike Beach 72 int ret MSU 50-36
ISU Kevin Retoriano 83 int ret MSU 40-20
Chase Gazzerro safety MSU 40-20
WEB Chase Gazzerro 26 int ret MSU 21-5
Mike Beach 12 int ret MSU 21-5
DIX Team safety MSU 61-7
Dan Ogden 62 int ret MSU 61-7
More of the Turnover Tale
Since the beginning of the 2005 season, MSU is 12-1 when positive in turnover margin, 4-7 when even in turnovers, and 7-7 when giving up more turnovers than it forces. The ‘Cats are -10 in turnovers under Rob Ash.
Neither Plastic nor Paper
MSU did not allow a sack Saturday, and has surrendered only two against non-BCS teams.
Injury Report
OUT: Dylan Kinkelaar (ankle), Colby Kinna (knee), Michael Rider (shoulder), Blayde Becksted (knee), Casey Dennehy (hand). QUESTIONABLE: Brandon Bostick (knee), Mark Desin (hamstring), Chris Kolone (knee), Deon Toliver (finger).
Consecutive Starts
27-Bobby Daly
24-Jeff Hansen
15-Mike Person
15-Deon Toliver
10-Dane Fletcher
Strap In
If recent results are an indication, Montana State’s clash with Idaho State Saturday should be a white-knuckle affair. Below is a look...
-Last year’s 40-20 Bobcat win was the first in the series decided by more than one TD in five meetings, with 14 of the last 20 decided by single digits
-The losing team had a chance to win in the last two minutes in each of the five games from 2002-06
-Idaho State has outscored MSU 473-402 all-time in Holt Arena, but the average score of Bobcat games at Pocatello since 1989 is ISU 25.4, MSU 19.4
-Eight of the 19 games between the Bobcats and ISU at Holt Arena have been decided by single digits
Pastry Party
MSU failed to force a turnover at Minnesota or K-State, but has seven takes in its other games.
Early In
Conrad Burbank becomes the sixth Bobcat in the past 10 years to start on the O-line as a redshirt freshman:
Year Player As RS Frosh Career
2007 Mike Person 11 starts 2008 starter as so.
2004 Peder Jensen 11 starts 4-year starter
2003 Zach Wolf 10 starts 3-year starter, graduated
2000 Brent Swaggert 11 starts All-America
2000 Jamie Amicarella 11 starts Transferred, starter at CSU
Pickin’ and Grinnin’
MSU’s 19 interceptions in 2007 was the ninth-best total in school history. In Jamie Marshall’s 12-game tenure marshalling the Bobcat defense, MSU has 22 interceptions.
Playing up
Since the creation of I-AA football in 1978, Montana State has played 30 games against I-A (or FBS) competition. MSU is 4-26 in those games.
They’re Tight
MSU’s four varsity tight ends prepped at Montana high schools: starter Brandon Bostick (Missoula Big Sky), Joe Schreibeis (Billings West), Kyle Begger (Miles City), and Shane Robison (Billings West). In addition, redshirts Steven Foster (Helena High) and Kevin Steiner (Shelby) also hail from the Treasure State.
Bonus Football
MSU is 4-2 all-time in overtime games...
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+
No Close Calls
Only two of MSU’s last 15 games were decided by less than double-digits.
MSU When Leading After...
1st Qtr: 2-1/2nd Qtr: 2-0/3rd Qtr: 2-0
MSU When Trailing After...
1st Qtr: 0-1/2nd Qtr: 0-2/3rd Qtr: 0-2
ROB ASH, ON...
...the South Dakota game: “After watching tape, I still think it was a very good performance by us on defense. South Dakota’s offense is very good and explosive, and I really like Noah Shepard, so I thought we played very good defense to hold them down. It started up front, with the quickness of the defensive line. I thought the linebackers played well and we had guys in the secondary, like David Taylor, that made great individual plays. The key point in the game was at the start of the second quarter, when we gave them the ball in our territory twice, and then held them without points both times. To top it off, our offense answered with a touchdown, then scored right at the start of the second half to really put some distance between us and them.”
...the Bobcats: “I think offensively we’re running the ball well right now. Demetrius Crawford came out and ran well early, then Aaron Mason did a great job in the second quarter, and that really gave Demetrius a spark to start the third quarter because he was fresh and he was really motivated. The offensive line had a good day Saturday, they didn’t give up a sack or a (quarterback) knock-down, but we need to eliminate the turnovers. We have to protect the ball better, especially against a team like Idaho State that can really score points. We still have issues on special teams to deal with. Our punting and kickoffs were inconsistent, and we had turnovers in the kicking game, so we need to make improvements in every phase.”
...Idaho State: “Idaho State’s quarterback, Russell Hill, is playing great football, he is an outstanding player, and their receivers are making plays. But the thing about Idaho State is that they’re not just a fancy, flashy, passing team. They’ll line up and smash you. They really come off the ball hard. They had Eastern Washington on their heels, and they didn’t get short-field scores or cheap scores. I was very impressed with them, and that was without Eddie Thompson. They’ll have him back this weekend, and that will be a big factor.”
Current Montana State Depth Chart
Offense
LEFT TACKLE
75 Lou Saucedo** (6-5/330/Sr&)
68 Conrad Burbank (6-4/285/Fr&)
LEFT GUARD
68 Conrad Burbank (6-4/285/Fr&)
63 Neil Boyce (6-3/314/Jr&)
CENTER
61 Jim Verlanic** (6-0/263/Sr&)
63 Neil Boyce (6-3/314/Jr&)
RIGHT GUARD
76 Jeff Hansen** (6-4/290/Jr&)
73 Alex Terrien (6-4/270/Fr&)
70 Anthony Patterson (6-4/307/So+)
RIGHT TACKLE
72 Mike Person* (6-5/285/So&)
73 Alex Terrien (6-4/270/Fr&)
QUARTERBACK
12 Cody Kempt (6-3/215/So+)
16 Mark Iddins (6-2/198/Jr+)
RUNNING BACK
1 Demetrius Crawford* (5-9/185/Sr+)
3 Aaron Mason** (5-10/186/Jr)
W RECEIVER
86 DeSean Thomas (6-1/185 Fr)
11 Mark Desin* (5-11/192/So&)
X RECEIVER
9 Deon Toliver** (6-2/192 Sr+)
10 Ty Lulay** (5-11/185/Sr&)
Z RECEIVER
5 DeAndre Green (6-1/172/Sr+)
80 Derek Green** (6-3/183/Jr&)
TIGHT END
91 Joe Schreibeis* (6-4/226/Jr&)
81 Kyle Begger* (6-2/245/So&)
84 Brandon Bostick*** (6-4/255/Sr&)
Defense
BANDIT
47 Dane Fletcher** (6-2/242/Jr&)
53 John Laidet (6-5/225/Fr*+)
TACKLE
96 Paul Bartsch** (6-2/269/Sr+)
58 Ryan Cerise* (6-3/259/Jr&)
NOSE
97 Chris Kolone*** (6-4/306/Sr+)
93 Dan Ogden* (6-0/271/So)
END
92 Brad Smith (6-5/228/Fr&)
48 Dustin O’Connell* (6-2/235/So&)
60 Dylan Kinkelaar*** (6-2/260/Sr&)
SAM
31 Chase Gazzerro** (5-10/215/Jr&)
20 Isaiah Taito*** (6-0/226/Sr)
MIKE
54 Bobby Daly*** (6-1/226/Sr&)
42 Clay Bignell (6-2/225/Fr&)
WILL
34 Jeff Price** (6-0/208/Jr&)
44 Matt Harris (6-1/221/Jr+0
LEFT CORNER
2 David Taylor* (5-8/175/Sr+)
28 Cory Nicol (6-0/215/Jr+)
FREE SAFETY
27 Kevin Retoriano* (5-9/187/Jr&)
8 Jeff Brown* (6-0/188/Jr&+)
ROVER
26 Arnold Briggs* (5-10/185/So&)
7 Jordan Craney* (6-1/199/So)
RIGHT CORNER
4 Ramon Lewis* (6-2/200/Sr+)
24 James Andrews (6-1/180/Fr)
*-indicates number of letters earned &-player has used redshirt year, +-indicates player is a transfer
PLACEMENTS/KO: 15 Jason Cunningham
KO/PUNT: 39 Eric Fisher
PUNT RETURN: 86 DeSean Thomas, 10 Tyler Lulay, 5 DeAndre Green KICK RETURN: 2 David Taylor, 3 Aaron Mason
SNAPS: 65 Tim Garcia
HOLDER 10 Tyler Lulay
FOR OPENERS
• MSU is 8-2 when opening Big Sky play against Idaho State, its most common league-opening foe, including 3-1 in Pocatello • The Bobcats are 14-21-2 in Pocatello, including 10-9 in Holt Arena
STADIUM STUFF
• Minnesota snapped a four-game Bobcat winning streak indoors • Montana State has sold out its last 10 home games at 13,000-seat Bobcat Stadium
BIG SKY BULLET POINTS
• MSU is second in the Big Sky in total defense in spite of playing two BCS-league teams • The Bobcats have allowed a league-low 176.2 yards a game in the air
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF--1:35 pm
SITE--Pocatello, ID
STADIUM--Holt Arena
RADIO--Bobcat Network (Jeff Lasky, Dan Davies, Tyler Wiltgen) TELEVISION--Altitude (Doug Iverson, Brandt Boyer)
HIGHLIGHTS
• While 10 of MSU’s 22 projected starters have never visited ISU, Saturday’s game is MSU’s second in a dome this season • The Cats are 10-12 when opening the Big Sky season on the road, as it does for the second straight year this weekend • MSU held South Dakota to 241 total yards Saturday, 290 below its average
STREAKS
• MSU has started a quarterback from Oregon in the last seven seasons • The Bobcat offense has increased its yardage total in three straight games
MILESTONES
• Demetrius Crawford is now 20th in MSU history with 1,205 career rushing yards • DeSean Thomas scored his first career touchdown on a 9-yard pass on Saturday • Bobby Daly’s 36 career tackles-for-loss is tied for 9th in MSU history
SHINING
• RB DEMETRIUS CRAWFORD leads the Big Sky in rushing (89.2) • DE DANE FLETCHER had two sacks, a forced fumble, and three pass breakups vs. USD, earning Big Sky co-POW honors • TE BRANDON BOSTICK leads the Cats in catches, even after missing the South Dakota game (knee)
THE BOBCATS THIS WEEK
Mon--practice: 3:45 pm
Tue--Coaches Corner: 10 am (Holiday Inn); Media Lunch: Noon (requested players available); Practice: 3:45 pm (post-practice player availability)
Wed--Practice: 3:45 pm; Cat Chat: 7 pm (Pour House, KXLB-FM)
Thu--Practice: 3:45 pm
Fri--Practice: 5:15 pm
Montana State BOBCATS (2-2/0-0 Big Sky)
MSU in ‘08: 2-2
Conf./Record: Big Sky/0-0
Home/Road: 2-0/0-2
Grass/Turf: 0-0/2-2
Day/Night: 2-1/0-1
HEAD COACH: Rob Ash
Alma Mater: Cornell (Ia.)/’73
Overall/Years: 184-106-5/28th
At MSU/Years: 8-7/2nd
vs ISU: 1-0
Home/Road: 1-0/0-0
SERIES: MSU 41-30-3
At MSU: MSU 26-9-1
At ISU: ISU 21-15-2
Current Streak: MSU 4W
Idaho State BENGALS (0-4/0-1 Big Sky)
ISU in ‘08: 0-4
Conf./Record: Big Sky/0-1
Home/Road: 0-1/0-3
Grass/Turf: 0-1/0-3
Day/Night: 0-2/0-2
HEAD COACH: John Zamberlin
Alma Mater: Pacific Lutheran/’79
Overall/Years: 66-53/12th
At School/Years: 3-12/2nd
vs MSU: 1-1
Home/Road: 0-0/1-1
ABOUT ISU: The Bengals
Colors: Orange, black
Location/Enrollment: Pocatello, ID/13,929
Stadium: Holt Arena
Notes on the Offense...
• After committing only one turnover against Adams State, the Bobcats turned the ball over 12 times in the last three weeks • The Bobcats’ 387 yards against South Dakota last week is the season high through four games • Montana State has rushed for 354 yards in the last two game
Notes on the Defense...
• After registering a Big Sky-high six sacks in the season opener against Adams State, MSU has just four sacks in the last three games combined , three against USD last weekend • The Bobcats have limited three of their four opponents to less than 175 yards passing, and lead the Big Sky in pass defense
Notes on the Kick Teams...
• Jason Cunningham has converted three of his four field goal attempts, all from 40 yards or further, longer than any kick the Bobcats made in 2007 • The four kicks Montana State opponents have blocked in the past three games is more than the Bobcats suffered in the entire 2007 season
Hello, My Name Is...
The Big Sky welcomed four new head coaches last season. MSU’s Rob Ash finished 3-0 against his fellow league newcomers.
Ash Escort
To promote the Montana Hope Project, which aids Treasure State children in need, a Montana State Trooper escorts Rob Ash on the sideline.
Down Deep
After not running a goal-to-go play in the opener, MSU has converted all six such possessions since then into TDs.
The Best Yet
Adams State’s 116 total yards is the fewest allowed by the Bobcat defense during the Rob Ash era, and was the fewest by a Bobcat opponent since Portland State’s 112 yards in ‘03.
Another (Second-)Best
Minnesota’s 352 yards against MSU is the second-lowest total by an FBS foe vs. the Cats.
Demetrius - Da Man
Demetrius Crawford’s 223 all-purpose yards at Minnesota is MSU’s most since Michael Jefferson’s school-record 305 at Idaho State in 2006. Crawford was named Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week after that contest.
Lots of Wins
Montana State head coach Rob Ash’s 184 career wins is 24th among active coaches.
The No-Return Policy
The Bobcats have not allowed a punt return for a touchdown in 57 straight games (since Cal Poly, 2003) or a kick return TD in 78 straight.
Scoopin’ and Scoring
The Bobcat defense has shown an acute knack for turning takeaways into points. MSU is 5-0 in the last two seasons when the defense scores, 3-7 when it does not.
2008 ASC Jeff Brown 10 fumble ret MSU 59-3
2007 PSU Mike Beach 72 int ret MSU 50-36
ISU Kevin Retoriano 83 int ret MSU 40-20
Chase Gazzerro safety MSU 40-20
WEB Chase Gazzerro 26 int ret MSU 21-5
Mike Beach 12 int ret MSU 21-5
DIX Team safety MSU 61-7
Dan Ogden 62 int ret MSU 61-7
More of the Turnover Tale
Since the beginning of the 2005 season, MSU is 12-1 when positive in turnover margin, 4-7 when even in turnovers, and 7-7 when giving up more turnovers than it forces. The ‘Cats are -10 in turnovers under Rob Ash.
Neither Plastic nor Paper
MSU did not allow a sack Saturday, and has surrendered only two against non-BCS teams.
Injury Report
OUT: Dylan Kinkelaar (ankle), Colby Kinna (knee), Michael Rider (shoulder), Blayde Becksted (knee), Casey Dennehy (hand). QUESTIONABLE: Brandon Bostick (knee), Mark Desin (hamstring), Chris Kolone (knee), Deon Toliver (finger).
Consecutive Starts
27-Bobby Daly
24-Jeff Hansen
15-Mike Person
15-Deon Toliver
10-Dane Fletcher
Strap In
If recent results are an indication, Montana State’s clash with Idaho State Saturday should be a white-knuckle affair. Below is a look...
-Last year’s 40-20 Bobcat win was the first in the series decided by more than one TD in five meetings, with 14 of the last 20 decided by single digits
-The losing team had a chance to win in the last two minutes in each of the five games from 2002-06
-Idaho State has outscored MSU 473-402 all-time in Holt Arena, but the average score of Bobcat games at Pocatello since 1989 is ISU 25.4, MSU 19.4
-Eight of the 19 games between the Bobcats and ISU at Holt Arena have been decided by single digits
Pastry Party
MSU failed to force a turnover at Minnesota or K-State, but has seven takes in its other games.
Early In
Conrad Burbank becomes the sixth Bobcat in the past 10 years to start on the O-line as a redshirt freshman:
Year Player As RS Frosh Career
2007 Mike Person 11 starts 2008 starter as so.
2004 Peder Jensen 11 starts 4-year starter
2003 Zach Wolf 10 starts 3-year starter, graduated
2000 Brent Swaggert 11 starts All-America
2000 Jamie Amicarella 11 starts Transferred, starter at CSU
Pickin’ and Grinnin’
MSU’s 19 interceptions in 2007 was the ninth-best total in school history. In Jamie Marshall’s 12-game tenure marshalling the Bobcat defense, MSU has 22 interceptions.
Playing up
Since the creation of I-AA football in 1978, Montana State has played 30 games against I-A (or FBS) competition. MSU is 4-26 in those games.
They’re Tight
MSU’s four varsity tight ends prepped at Montana high schools: starter Brandon Bostick (Missoula Big Sky), Joe Schreibeis (Billings West), Kyle Begger (Miles City), and Shane Robison (Billings West). In addition, redshirts Steven Foster (Helena High) and Kevin Steiner (Shelby) also hail from the Treasure State.
Bonus Football
MSU is 4-2 all-time in overtime games...
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+
No Close Calls
Only two of MSU’s last 15 games were decided by less than double-digits.
MSU When Leading After...
1st Qtr: 2-1/2nd Qtr: 2-0/3rd Qtr: 2-0
MSU When Trailing After...
1st Qtr: 0-1/2nd Qtr: 0-2/3rd Qtr: 0-2
ROB ASH, ON...
...the South Dakota game: “After watching tape, I still think it was a very good performance by us on defense. South Dakota’s offense is very good and explosive, and I really like Noah Shepard, so I thought we played very good defense to hold them down. It started up front, with the quickness of the defensive line. I thought the linebackers played well and we had guys in the secondary, like David Taylor, that made great individual plays. The key point in the game was at the start of the second quarter, when we gave them the ball in our territory twice, and then held them without points both times. To top it off, our offense answered with a touchdown, then scored right at the start of the second half to really put some distance between us and them.”
...the Bobcats: “I think offensively we’re running the ball well right now. Demetrius Crawford came out and ran well early, then Aaron Mason did a great job in the second quarter, and that really gave Demetrius a spark to start the third quarter because he was fresh and he was really motivated. The offensive line had a good day Saturday, they didn’t give up a sack or a (quarterback) knock-down, but we need to eliminate the turnovers. We have to protect the ball better, especially against a team like Idaho State that can really score points. We still have issues on special teams to deal with. Our punting and kickoffs were inconsistent, and we had turnovers in the kicking game, so we need to make improvements in every phase.”
...Idaho State: “Idaho State’s quarterback, Russell Hill, is playing great football, he is an outstanding player, and their receivers are making plays. But the thing about Idaho State is that they’re not just a fancy, flashy, passing team. They’ll line up and smash you. They really come off the ball hard. They had Eastern Washington on their heels, and they didn’t get short-field scores or cheap scores. I was very impressed with them, and that was without Eddie Thompson. They’ll have him back this weekend, and that will be a big factor.”
Current Montana State Depth Chart
Offense
LEFT TACKLE
75 Lou Saucedo** (6-5/330/Sr&)
68 Conrad Burbank (6-4/285/Fr&)
LEFT GUARD
68 Conrad Burbank (6-4/285/Fr&)
63 Neil Boyce (6-3/314/Jr&)
CENTER
61 Jim Verlanic** (6-0/263/Sr&)
63 Neil Boyce (6-3/314/Jr&)
RIGHT GUARD
76 Jeff Hansen** (6-4/290/Jr&)
73 Alex Terrien (6-4/270/Fr&)
70 Anthony Patterson (6-4/307/So+)
RIGHT TACKLE
72 Mike Person* (6-5/285/So&)
73 Alex Terrien (6-4/270/Fr&)
QUARTERBACK
12 Cody Kempt (6-3/215/So+)
16 Mark Iddins (6-2/198/Jr+)
RUNNING BACK
1 Demetrius Crawford* (5-9/185/Sr+)
3 Aaron Mason** (5-10/186/Jr)
W RECEIVER
86 DeSean Thomas (6-1/185 Fr)
11 Mark Desin* (5-11/192/So&)
X RECEIVER
9 Deon Toliver** (6-2/192 Sr+)
10 Ty Lulay** (5-11/185/Sr&)
Z RECEIVER
5 DeAndre Green (6-1/172/Sr+)
80 Derek Green** (6-3/183/Jr&)
TIGHT END
91 Joe Schreibeis* (6-4/226/Jr&)
81 Kyle Begger* (6-2/245/So&)
84 Brandon Bostick*** (6-4/255/Sr&)
Defense
BANDIT
47 Dane Fletcher** (6-2/242/Jr&)
53 John Laidet (6-5/225/Fr*+)
TACKLE
96 Paul Bartsch** (6-2/269/Sr+)
58 Ryan Cerise* (6-3/259/Jr&)
NOSE
97 Chris Kolone*** (6-4/306/Sr+)
93 Dan Ogden* (6-0/271/So)
END
92 Brad Smith (6-5/228/Fr&)
48 Dustin O’Connell* (6-2/235/So&)
60 Dylan Kinkelaar*** (6-2/260/Sr&)
SAM
31 Chase Gazzerro** (5-10/215/Jr&)
20 Isaiah Taito*** (6-0/226/Sr)
MIKE
54 Bobby Daly*** (6-1/226/Sr&)
42 Clay Bignell (6-2/225/Fr&)
WILL
34 Jeff Price** (6-0/208/Jr&)
44 Matt Harris (6-1/221/Jr+0
LEFT CORNER
2 David Taylor* (5-8/175/Sr+)
28 Cory Nicol (6-0/215/Jr+)
FREE SAFETY
27 Kevin Retoriano* (5-9/187/Jr&)
8 Jeff Brown* (6-0/188/Jr&+)
ROVER
26 Arnold Briggs* (5-10/185/So&)
7 Jordan Craney* (6-1/199/So)
RIGHT CORNER
4 Ramon Lewis* (6-2/200/Sr+)
24 James Andrews (6-1/180/Fr)
*-indicates number of letters earned &-player has used redshirt year, +-indicates player is a transfer
PLACEMENTS/KO: 15 Jason Cunningham
KO/PUNT: 39 Eric Fisher
PUNT RETURN: 86 DeSean Thomas, 10 Tyler Lulay, 5 DeAndre Green KICK RETURN: 2 David Taylor, 3 Aaron Mason
SNAPS: 65 Tim Garcia
HOLDER 10 Tyler Lulay
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
