Bobcats Fall to Gophers
9/13/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Montana State gave Minnesota all it could handle on Saturday, but Gopher receiver Eric Decker was too much and the Big 10 squad beat the Bobcats 35-26 in the Metrodome on Saturday.
Decker caught nine passes for 157 yards and carried three times for 26 yards, helping the Gophers to positive yards on nearly 20 percent of the team's offensive plays. Decker accounted for 183 of Minnesota's 352 yards.
"He's an outstanding football player," said MSU coach Rob Ash. "They do a really good job getting him into the matchups they want. I thought we did a better job accounting for him in the second half," when he caught only one pass.
In spite of Decker's heroics, the Bobcats never let the game get out of hand, and three fourth-quarter possessions with an opportunity to pull to within three points. C.J. Palmer scored a one-yard touchdown with 11:10 to play in the game, then the Bobcats forced a three-and-out possession. MSU couldn't gain a first down on its next two possessions, however, and the team's final drive was thwarted when Cody Kempt threw his second interception of the day.
The Bobcats functioned well throughout the game against a big, strong Big 10 outfit. Demetrius Crawford had an even more significant impact on the game statistically than Decker, compiling 223 all-purpose yards. The biggest chunk of those yards came at a crucial point in the game.
Late in the second quarter, the Gophers scored to take a 14-6 lead and sieze the momentum. Crawford gathered the ensuing kickoff at the goal line, sprinted up the near sideline in front of the MSU bench for around 30 yards, then cut to the middle of the field.
"There was a huge gash in the middle of the field," Crawford said, and the foot-race was on. He out-raced the Gopher coverage unit to the end zone, and MSU had cut the lead to one. Minnesota scored on its next possession, but MSU remained within one possession entering the second half.
The Bobcats benefitted from another big play early in the second half. After Minnesota forced a punt situation after forcing a three-and-out on MSU's opening possession of the second half, personal protector Bobby Daly threw the first pass of his sterling career, finding Joe Schreibeis for a 20-yard gain on fourth-and-four. The extended possession resulted in an eventual field goal, and MSU was within 21-16.
Decker caught nine passes for 157 yards and carried three times for 26 yards, helping the Gophers to positive yards on nearly 20 percent of the team's offensive plays. Decker accounted for 183 of Minnesota's 352 yards.
"He's an outstanding football player," said MSU coach Rob Ash. "They do a really good job getting him into the matchups they want. I thought we did a better job accounting for him in the second half," when he caught only one pass.
In spite of Decker's heroics, the Bobcats never let the game get out of hand, and three fourth-quarter possessions with an opportunity to pull to within three points. C.J. Palmer scored a one-yard touchdown with 11:10 to play in the game, then the Bobcats forced a three-and-out possession. MSU couldn't gain a first down on its next two possessions, however, and the team's final drive was thwarted when Cody Kempt threw his second interception of the day.
The Bobcats functioned well throughout the game against a big, strong Big 10 outfit. Demetrius Crawford had an even more significant impact on the game statistically than Decker, compiling 223 all-purpose yards. The biggest chunk of those yards came at a crucial point in the game.
Late in the second quarter, the Gophers scored to take a 14-6 lead and sieze the momentum. Crawford gathered the ensuing kickoff at the goal line, sprinted up the near sideline in front of the MSU bench for around 30 yards, then cut to the middle of the field.
"There was a huge gash in the middle of the field," Crawford said, and the foot-race was on. He out-raced the Gopher coverage unit to the end zone, and MSU had cut the lead to one. Minnesota scored on its next possession, but MSU remained within one possession entering the second half.
The Bobcats benefitted from another big play early in the second half. After Minnesota forced a punt situation after forcing a three-and-out on MSU's opening possession of the second half, personal protector Bobby Daly threw the first pass of his sterling career, finding Joe Schreibeis for a 20-yard gain on fourth-and-four. The extended possession resulted in an eventual field goal, and MSU was within 21-16.
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