Bobcat History Lesson: Defenses Look to Keep Scoring
10/2/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
If you're a college football fan looking for a game with unusual plays, set your calendar for the annual Montana State-Idaho State game. There are always fireworks.
Last year, the Bobcats and Bengals each scored touchdowns on interception returns. Kevin Retoriano galloped 83 yards for a touchdown that gave MSU a brief 14-10 second quarter lead, but ISU's DJ Clark responded with a 48-yard return of his own less than 10 minutes later. Chase Gazzerro even chipped in with a fourth-quarter safety for the Bobcats.
Since 1973, the numbers are staggering. Over those 35 years, Idaho State and Montana State have combined for nine interceptions returned for touchdowns, two fumbles returned for touchdowns, six safeties, two punt returns for scores, and a blocked field goal that was returned for a touchdown.
In the last three years alone, three players have returned interceptions for touchdowns in this series, and there have been three safeties.
Idaho State has been a willing partner in the goofiness, but the sum total has been fairly one-sided. Since 1973 MSU has scored 13 times on defense or special teams, while the Bengals have scored seven times.
These haven't been throw-away plays at meaningless moments, either. Last year's interception returns each gave the scoring team the lead. MSU's 2006 safety extended MSU's lead from one point to three. MSU's two interception returns in 1979 gave MSU 14 points in a 17-point win. Mark Echohawk's interception return in 1990 was one of only two ISU touchdowns, but the Bengals managed to win 23-19.
None have been bigger, though, than Chris Steinbeisser's famed 1993 pick-six. With the Bobcats trailing 24-19 and two minutes remaining, Idaho State faced a third down situation just inside Bobcat territory. Rather than running the ball and punting in order to milk the clock, ISU coach Brian McNeely rolled the dice. Quarterback Matt Behr rolled out and tossed a pass into the flat. Steinbeisser snagged the ball and rumbled 55 yards for a game-winning touchdown.
That type of play has marked this series in the last three-and-a-half decades, so expect anything when these teams get together Saturday afternoon at 1:35 pm in Holt Arena.
SINCE 1973...
MONTANA STATE DEFENSIVE/SPECIAL TEAMS SCORES vs. Idaho State
2007 - Kevin Retoriano, 83-yard interception return
2007 - Chase Gazzerro safety
2006 - MSU team safety
2005 - Epikopo King 15-yard interception return
1998 - Lamonte Bell 9-yard fumble return
1993 - Chris Steinbeisser 55-yard interception return
1990 - Morgan Ryan 22-yard fumble return
1990 - Rob Tesch 71-yard punt return
1985 - Team safety on bad punt snap through end zone
1979 - Mike McLeod 89-yard interception return
1979 - Brett Chapman 52-yard interception return
1976 - Team safety
1973 - Wright 22-yard interception return
IDAHO STATE DEFENSIVE/SPECIAL TEAMS SCORES vs. Montana State
2007 - DJ Clark 48-yard interception return
2006 - Team safety
2000 - Josh Robinson 51-yard interception return
2000 - DeRonn Finley 61-yard punt return
1990 - Mark Echohawk 45-yard interception return
1985 - Team safety on blocked punt
1982 - Courtney 72-yard return of blocked field goal
Last year, the Bobcats and Bengals each scored touchdowns on interception returns. Kevin Retoriano galloped 83 yards for a touchdown that gave MSU a brief 14-10 second quarter lead, but ISU's DJ Clark responded with a 48-yard return of his own less than 10 minutes later. Chase Gazzerro even chipped in with a fourth-quarter safety for the Bobcats.
Since 1973, the numbers are staggering. Over those 35 years, Idaho State and Montana State have combined for nine interceptions returned for touchdowns, two fumbles returned for touchdowns, six safeties, two punt returns for scores, and a blocked field goal that was returned for a touchdown.
In the last three years alone, three players have returned interceptions for touchdowns in this series, and there have been three safeties.
Idaho State has been a willing partner in the goofiness, but the sum total has been fairly one-sided. Since 1973 MSU has scored 13 times on defense or special teams, while the Bengals have scored seven times.
These haven't been throw-away plays at meaningless moments, either. Last year's interception returns each gave the scoring team the lead. MSU's 2006 safety extended MSU's lead from one point to three. MSU's two interception returns in 1979 gave MSU 14 points in a 17-point win. Mark Echohawk's interception return in 1990 was one of only two ISU touchdowns, but the Bengals managed to win 23-19.
None have been bigger, though, than Chris Steinbeisser's famed 1993 pick-six. With the Bobcats trailing 24-19 and two minutes remaining, Idaho State faced a third down situation just inside Bobcat territory. Rather than running the ball and punting in order to milk the clock, ISU coach Brian McNeely rolled the dice. Quarterback Matt Behr rolled out and tossed a pass into the flat. Steinbeisser snagged the ball and rumbled 55 yards for a game-winning touchdown.
That type of play has marked this series in the last three-and-a-half decades, so expect anything when these teams get together Saturday afternoon at 1:35 pm in Holt Arena.
SINCE 1973...
MONTANA STATE DEFENSIVE/SPECIAL TEAMS SCORES vs. Idaho State
2007 - Kevin Retoriano, 83-yard interception return
2007 - Chase Gazzerro safety
2006 - MSU team safety
2005 - Epikopo King 15-yard interception return
1998 - Lamonte Bell 9-yard fumble return
1993 - Chris Steinbeisser 55-yard interception return
1990 - Morgan Ryan 22-yard fumble return
1990 - Rob Tesch 71-yard punt return
1985 - Team safety on bad punt snap through end zone
1979 - Mike McLeod 89-yard interception return
1979 - Brett Chapman 52-yard interception return
1976 - Team safety
1973 - Wright 22-yard interception return
IDAHO STATE DEFENSIVE/SPECIAL TEAMS SCORES vs. Montana State
2007 - DJ Clark 48-yard interception return
2006 - Team safety
2000 - Josh Robinson 51-yard interception return
2000 - DeRonn Finley 61-yard punt return
1990 - Mark Echohawk 45-yard interception return
1985 - Team safety on blocked punt
1982 - Courtney 72-yard return of blocked field goal
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
