Bobcat Game Notes vs. South Dakota
9/23/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Montana State returns to field for its final non-conference contest of the season Saturday, hosting a 2-2 South Dakota squad averages 42.0 points a game as it transitions to Division I. The Coyotes average 531 total yards per game, with quarterback Noah Shepard rushing for 55 yards a game and throwing for 235. MSU is led by running back Demetrius Crawford, who averages 88.7 yards rushing and 143.0 all-purpose yards per game.
FOR OPENERS
• MSU has previously faced two schools from neighboring South Dakota, with a 10-2 mark against South Dakota State and an 0-0-1 record against Augustana • Saturday’s game marks the seventh time in school history the Bobcats have endured 28 days between home games
STADIUM STUFF
• MSU has won three straight against non-Big Sky foes in Bobcat Stadium • Montana State has sold out its last nine 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-best 189.0 yards a game in the air
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 1:05 pm
SITE: Bozeman, MT
STADIUM: Bobcat Stadium
PRESS BOX: 406/994-6180
RADIO: Bobcat Network (Jeff Lasky, Dan Davies, Tyler Wiltgen)
TELEVISION: Bobcat Sports Network (Chris Byers, Ron Heller, Dave Griffiths)
HIGHLIGHTS
• MSU’s matchup with South Dakota is its first-ever meeting with the Coyotes • The Cats are 5-5 against Great West opponents since 2001 • Minnesota’s 352 yards was the second-lowest total MSU has allowed an FBS foe
STREAKS
• MSU has started a quarterback from Oregon in the last seven seasons • MSU’s seven straight winning seasons is its longest streak since 1956-64
MILESTONES
• Demetrius Crawford moved into 23rd place in MSU history with 1,134 career rushing yards • Ryan Cerise’s first career sack at Minnesota is MSU’s only sack in the last two games • Bobby Daly’s 35 career tackles-for-loss is 10th in MSU history
SHINING
• RB DEMETRIUS CRAWFORD is second in the Big Sky in rushing (88.7) • DE DANE FLETCHER had 2.5 tackles-for-loss at Kansas State, raising his career total to 23.5 • TE BRANDON BOSTICK has led the team in catches in all three games
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
Wed--Practice: 3:45 pm; Cat Chat: 7 pm (Pour House, KXLB-FM)
Thu--Practice: 3:45 pm
Fri--Practice: 5 pm
SATURDAY’S GAME SPONSORS:
Mountain West Farm Bureau, Northwest Energy
Montana State
BOBCATS
1-2/0-0 Big Sky
MSU in ‘08 1-2
Conf./Record Big Sky/0-0
Home/Road 1-0/0-2
Grass/Turf 0-0/1-2
Day/Night 1-1/0-1
HEAD COACH Rob Ash
Alma Mater Cornell (Ia.)/’73
Overall/Years 183-105-5/28th
At MSU/Years 7-7/2nd
vs USD 0-0
Home/Road 0-0/0-0
SERIES first meeting
At MSU 0-0
At USD 0-0
Current Streak none
SID Bill Lamberty
Office 406/994-5133
E-mail blamberty@msubobcats.com
South Dakota
COYOTES
2-2/0-0 Great West
USD in ‘08 2-2
Conf./Record Great West/0-0
Home/Road 2-0/0-2
Grass/Turf 1-1/1-1
Day/Night 2-0/0-2
HEAD COACH Ed Meierkort
Alma Mater Dakota Wesleyan/’82
Overall/Years 90-70/16th
At School/Years 35-15/5th
vs MSU 0-0
Home/Road 0-0/0-0
ABOUT USD The Coyotes
Colors Red, white
Location/Enrollment Vermillion, SD/9,243
Stadium DakotaDome
SID Tom Berg
Office 605/677-88-13
E-mail Tom.Berg@usd.edu
OPPONENT ‘08 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
A30 St. Ambrose W 52-0
S6 at Northern Iowa L 13-24
S13 at SE Louisiana L 30-31
S20 Culver-Stockton W 70-7
S27 at Montana State 1 pm MDT
O4 *at Cal Poly 8 pm
O11 Missouri S&T 2 pm
N1 at North Greenville 11 am
N8 Southern Oregon 2 pm
N15 *at Southern Utah 2 pm
N22 *North Dakota 2 pm
MSU ‘08 SCHEDULE/RESULTS TV W/L Score/Time
A30 --/-- Adams State BSN W 59-3
S6 --/-- at Kansas State FCS L 10-69
S13 --/-- at Minnesota Big10 L 23-35
S27 --/-- South Dakota BSN 1:05 pm
O4 --/-- *at Idaho State Altitude 1:35 pm
O11 --/-- *Weber State BSN 1:35 pm
O18 --/-- *Eastern Washington BSN 1:05 pm
O25 --/-- *at Sacramento State BSN 3:05 pm
N1 --/-- *Northern Colorado BSN 12:05 pm
N8 --/-- *at Northern Arizona BSN 3:05 pm
N15 --/-- *Portland State BSN 12:05 pm
N22 --/-- *at Montana MTN 12:05 pm
times listed Mountain BSN-Bobcat Sports Network; FCS-Fox College Sports; MTN-Montana’s News Network
Notes on the Offense...
l After committing only one turnover against Adams State, the Bobcats turned the ball over seven times in the last two weeks, with the opponent converting six of those into touchdowns l MSU threw for 218 yards last week, more than its 191 total yards at Kansas State l Ten different Bobcat players have caught passes in the last two weeks, and three different players have thrown completions
Notes on the Defense...
l After registering a Big Sky-high six sacks in the season opener against Adams State, MSU has just one sack in the last two games combined l Defensive end Brad Smith becomes the sixth Bobcat to make his starting debut for Montana State this season
Notes on the Kick Teams...
l 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 l The four kicks Montana State opponents have blocked in the past two 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 converted one such possession at both K-State and Minnesota into TDs.
The Best Yet
Adams State’s 116 total yards was 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 - De Man
Demetrius Crawford’s 100-yard return against Minnesota ended Montana State’s 47-game string without a kick return for touchdown. The Bobcats have not allowed a punt return for a touchdown in 56 straight games (since Cal Poly, 2003) or a kickoff return in 77 straight contests.
Lots of Wins
Montana State head coach Rob Ash’s 183 career wins is 24th among active coaches.
The No-Return Policy
Demetrius Crawford’s 100-yard return against Minnesota ended Montana State’s 47-game string without a kick return for touchdown. The Bobcats have not allowed a punt return for a touchdown in 56 straight games (since Cal Poly, 2003) or a kickoff return in 77 straight contests.
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, 2-5 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 Gazzero 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 6-7 when giving up more turnovers than it forces. The ‘Cats finished -6 in turnovers under Rob Ash.
No Pastry for You
Montana State has not forced a turnover since the season opener against Adams State.
You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello...
The 28 days between MSU’s season opener and the second home game of 2008 is the longest gap on record between Bobcat home games, and the sixth time in school history Bobcat fans have endured such a wait...
Year Trip Start Between Return Home Opp Result
2005 10/1 1-1 10/29 NAU W, 29-22
1999 9/11 0-2 10/9 Weber W, 29-6
1991 10/5 1-1 11/2 Montana L, 9-16
1967 9/23 3-0 10/21 Weber W, 21-6
1965 9/25 0-3 1/23 NDSU L, 7-14
Early In
Conrad Burbank became the sixth Bobcat in the past 10 years to emerge as an offensive line starter 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
Pick Party
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 21 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 are each products of 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: 1-1/2nd Qtr: 1-0/3rd Qtr: 1-0
MSU When Trailing After...
1st Qtr: 0-1/2nd Qtr: 0-2/3rd Qtr: 0-2
ROB ASH, ON...
...the bye week: “It’s hard to practice during the off week, the week before the bye date. It’s very difficult to get motivated, there’s not really a big benefit there. The big benefit is just being able to rest, letting guys get healed up. Contrary to popular belief you don’t really prepare for a team for two weeks. The game plan would get stale, you don’t have all your tapes in yet, so it’s really all about getting healed up physically.”
...personnel evaluation: “I think we’re running the ball better than I expected we would. The offensive line is coming along really fast, Demetrius Crawford is running very well, I’m happy with that. Defensively we’re about where I thought we would be. I’m happy with the progress of our secondary, I think we’re getting settled back there. We just need to stop a couple more big plays and make a couple plays back there. The big question mark for me, really for our season, is our passing game, trying to get settled at quarterback, trying to find receivers that will make big plays for us. (Brandon) Bostick has shown he can be a great weapon at tight end, but overall in the passing game, including running back and tight end and wide receiver and quarterback, that’s still a big question to me.”
...South Dakota: “South Dakota is a never-say-die, battling football team. They play like crazy. They battled Northern Iowa and Southeast Louisiana right down to the wire. Their quarterback scrambles all over the field and is impossible to capture. He is really a great playmaker, and they have receives that go and make plays. Defensively they’re very solid. They’ve really only given up some trick plays and garbage and some things like that, but otherwise they’re very solid. This is a good football team, and I’m very impressed by them.”
Current Montana State Depth Chart
Offense
LEFT TACKLE
75 Lou Saucedo** (sou-see-doe) 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** (vurr-LANN-ick) 6-0/263/Sr&
64 Casey Dennehy 6-1/255/Fr&
RIGHT GUARD
76 Jeff Hansen** 6-4/290/Jr&
73 Alex Terrien (TARE-ee-uhn) 6-4/270/Fr&
70 Anthony Patterson 6-4307So+
RIGHT TACKLE
72 Mike Person* 6-5/285/So&
73 Alex Terrien (TAYR-ee-uhn) 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* (like dressin’) 5-11/192/So&
X RECEIVER
9 Deon Toliver** (rhymes with oliver) 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
84 Brandon Bostick*** (BOSS-tick) 6-4/255/Sr&
91 Joe Schriebeis* (SHRY-bice) 6-4/226/Jr&
81 Kyle Begger* 6-2/245/So&
Defense
BANDIT
47 Dane Fletcher** 6-2/242/Jr&
53 John Laidet (luh-DETT) 6-5/225/Fr*+
TACKLE
96 Paul Bartsch** (like arch) 6-2/269/Sr+
58 Ryan Cerise* (sir-EESE) 6-3/259/Jr&
NOSE
97 Chris Kolone*** (KOE-loe-nay) 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*** (KINK-uh-lawr) 6-2/260/Sr&
SAM
31 Chase Gazzerro** (guh-ZARE-oh) 5-10/215/Jr&
20 Isaiah Taito*** (TIE-toe) 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+
LEFT CORNER
2 David Taylor* 5-8/175/Sr+
28 Cory Nicol (like nickle) 6-0/215/Jr+
FREE SAFETY
27 Kevin Retoriano* (ruh-tore-ee-AW-no)
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* (ruh-MOAN) 6-2 200 Sr+ Moves to corner from safety
24 James Andrews 6-1 180 Fr True freshman
*-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, or 5 DeAndre Green
KICK RETURN 2 David Taylor, 3 Aaron Mason
SNAPS 65 Tim Garcia
HOLDER 10 Tyler Lulay
FOR OPENERS
• MSU has previously faced two schools from neighboring South Dakota, with a 10-2 mark against South Dakota State and an 0-0-1 record against Augustana • Saturday’s game marks the seventh time in school history the Bobcats have endured 28 days between home games
STADIUM STUFF
• MSU has won three straight against non-Big Sky foes in Bobcat Stadium • Montana State has sold out its last nine 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-best 189.0 yards a game in the air
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 1:05 pm
SITE: Bozeman, MT
STADIUM: Bobcat Stadium
PRESS BOX: 406/994-6180
RADIO: Bobcat Network (Jeff Lasky, Dan Davies, Tyler Wiltgen)
TELEVISION: Bobcat Sports Network (Chris Byers, Ron Heller, Dave Griffiths)
HIGHLIGHTS
• MSU’s matchup with South Dakota is its first-ever meeting with the Coyotes • The Cats are 5-5 against Great West opponents since 2001 • Minnesota’s 352 yards was the second-lowest total MSU has allowed an FBS foe
STREAKS
• MSU has started a quarterback from Oregon in the last seven seasons • MSU’s seven straight winning seasons is its longest streak since 1956-64
MILESTONES
• Demetrius Crawford moved into 23rd place in MSU history with 1,134 career rushing yards • Ryan Cerise’s first career sack at Minnesota is MSU’s only sack in the last two games • Bobby Daly’s 35 career tackles-for-loss is 10th in MSU history
SHINING
• RB DEMETRIUS CRAWFORD is second in the Big Sky in rushing (88.7) • DE DANE FLETCHER had 2.5 tackles-for-loss at Kansas State, raising his career total to 23.5 • TE BRANDON BOSTICK has led the team in catches in all three games
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
Wed--Practice: 3:45 pm; Cat Chat: 7 pm (Pour House, KXLB-FM)
Thu--Practice: 3:45 pm
Fri--Practice: 5 pm
SATURDAY’S GAME SPONSORS:
Mountain West Farm Bureau, Northwest Energy
Montana State
BOBCATS
1-2/0-0 Big Sky
MSU in ‘08 1-2
Conf./Record Big Sky/0-0
Home/Road 1-0/0-2
Grass/Turf 0-0/1-2
Day/Night 1-1/0-1
HEAD COACH Rob Ash
Alma Mater Cornell (Ia.)/’73
Overall/Years 183-105-5/28th
At MSU/Years 7-7/2nd
vs USD 0-0
Home/Road 0-0/0-0
SERIES first meeting
At MSU 0-0
At USD 0-0
Current Streak none
SID Bill Lamberty
Office 406/994-5133
E-mail blamberty@msubobcats.com
South Dakota
COYOTES
2-2/0-0 Great West
USD in ‘08 2-2
Conf./Record Great West/0-0
Home/Road 2-0/0-2
Grass/Turf 1-1/1-1
Day/Night 2-0/0-2
HEAD COACH Ed Meierkort
Alma Mater Dakota Wesleyan/’82
Overall/Years 90-70/16th
At School/Years 35-15/5th
vs MSU 0-0
Home/Road 0-0/0-0
ABOUT USD The Coyotes
Colors Red, white
Location/Enrollment Vermillion, SD/9,243
Stadium DakotaDome
SID Tom Berg
Office 605/677-88-13
E-mail Tom.Berg@usd.edu
OPPONENT ‘08 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
A30 St. Ambrose W 52-0
S6 at Northern Iowa L 13-24
S13 at SE Louisiana L 30-31
S20 Culver-Stockton W 70-7
S27 at Montana State 1 pm MDT
O4 *at Cal Poly 8 pm
O11 Missouri S&T 2 pm
N1 at North Greenville 11 am
N8 Southern Oregon 2 pm
N15 *at Southern Utah 2 pm
N22 *North Dakota 2 pm
MSU ‘08 SCHEDULE/RESULTS TV W/L Score/Time
A30 --/-- Adams State BSN W 59-3
S6 --/-- at Kansas State FCS L 10-69
S13 --/-- at Minnesota Big10 L 23-35
S27 --/-- South Dakota BSN 1:05 pm
O4 --/-- *at Idaho State Altitude 1:35 pm
O11 --/-- *Weber State BSN 1:35 pm
O18 --/-- *Eastern Washington BSN 1:05 pm
O25 --/-- *at Sacramento State BSN 3:05 pm
N1 --/-- *Northern Colorado BSN 12:05 pm
N8 --/-- *at Northern Arizona BSN 3:05 pm
N15 --/-- *Portland State BSN 12:05 pm
N22 --/-- *at Montana MTN 12:05 pm
times listed Mountain BSN-Bobcat Sports Network; FCS-Fox College Sports; MTN-Montana’s News Network
Notes on the Offense...
l After committing only one turnover against Adams State, the Bobcats turned the ball over seven times in the last two weeks, with the opponent converting six of those into touchdowns l MSU threw for 218 yards last week, more than its 191 total yards at Kansas State l Ten different Bobcat players have caught passes in the last two weeks, and three different players have thrown completions
Notes on the Defense...
l After registering a Big Sky-high six sacks in the season opener against Adams State, MSU has just one sack in the last two games combined l Defensive end Brad Smith becomes the sixth Bobcat to make his starting debut for Montana State this season
Notes on the Kick Teams...
l 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 l The four kicks Montana State opponents have blocked in the past two 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 converted one such possession at both K-State and Minnesota into TDs.
The Best Yet
Adams State’s 116 total yards was 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 - De Man
Demetrius Crawford’s 100-yard return against Minnesota ended Montana State’s 47-game string without a kick return for touchdown. The Bobcats have not allowed a punt return for a touchdown in 56 straight games (since Cal Poly, 2003) or a kickoff return in 77 straight contests.
Lots of Wins
Montana State head coach Rob Ash’s 183 career wins is 24th among active coaches.
The No-Return Policy
Demetrius Crawford’s 100-yard return against Minnesota ended Montana State’s 47-game string without a kick return for touchdown. The Bobcats have not allowed a punt return for a touchdown in 56 straight games (since Cal Poly, 2003) or a kickoff return in 77 straight contests.
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, 2-5 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 Gazzero 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 6-7 when giving up more turnovers than it forces. The ‘Cats finished -6 in turnovers under Rob Ash.
No Pastry for You
Montana State has not forced a turnover since the season opener against Adams State.
You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello...
The 28 days between MSU’s season opener and the second home game of 2008 is the longest gap on record between Bobcat home games, and the sixth time in school history Bobcat fans have endured such a wait...
Year Trip Start Between Return Home Opp Result
2005 10/1 1-1 10/29 NAU W, 29-22
1999 9/11 0-2 10/9 Weber W, 29-6
1991 10/5 1-1 11/2 Montana L, 9-16
1967 9/23 3-0 10/21 Weber W, 21-6
1965 9/25 0-3 1/23 NDSU L, 7-14
Early In
Conrad Burbank became the sixth Bobcat in the past 10 years to emerge as an offensive line starter 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
Pick Party
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 21 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 are each products of 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: 1-1/2nd Qtr: 1-0/3rd Qtr: 1-0
MSU When Trailing After...
1st Qtr: 0-1/2nd Qtr: 0-2/3rd Qtr: 0-2
ROB ASH, ON...
...the bye week: “It’s hard to practice during the off week, the week before the bye date. It’s very difficult to get motivated, there’s not really a big benefit there. The big benefit is just being able to rest, letting guys get healed up. Contrary to popular belief you don’t really prepare for a team for two weeks. The game plan would get stale, you don’t have all your tapes in yet, so it’s really all about getting healed up physically.”
...personnel evaluation: “I think we’re running the ball better than I expected we would. The offensive line is coming along really fast, Demetrius Crawford is running very well, I’m happy with that. Defensively we’re about where I thought we would be. I’m happy with the progress of our secondary, I think we’re getting settled back there. We just need to stop a couple more big plays and make a couple plays back there. The big question mark for me, really for our season, is our passing game, trying to get settled at quarterback, trying to find receivers that will make big plays for us. (Brandon) Bostick has shown he can be a great weapon at tight end, but overall in the passing game, including running back and tight end and wide receiver and quarterback, that’s still a big question to me.”
...South Dakota: “South Dakota is a never-say-die, battling football team. They play like crazy. They battled Northern Iowa and Southeast Louisiana right down to the wire. Their quarterback scrambles all over the field and is impossible to capture. He is really a great playmaker, and they have receives that go and make plays. Defensively they’re very solid. They’ve really only given up some trick plays and garbage and some things like that, but otherwise they’re very solid. This is a good football team, and I’m very impressed by them.”
Current Montana State Depth Chart
Offense
LEFT TACKLE
75 Lou Saucedo** (sou-see-doe) 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** (vurr-LANN-ick) 6-0/263/Sr&
64 Casey Dennehy 6-1/255/Fr&
RIGHT GUARD
76 Jeff Hansen** 6-4/290/Jr&
73 Alex Terrien (TARE-ee-uhn) 6-4/270/Fr&
70 Anthony Patterson 6-4307So+
RIGHT TACKLE
72 Mike Person* 6-5/285/So&
73 Alex Terrien (TAYR-ee-uhn) 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* (like dressin’) 5-11/192/So&
X RECEIVER
9 Deon Toliver** (rhymes with oliver) 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
84 Brandon Bostick*** (BOSS-tick) 6-4/255/Sr&
91 Joe Schriebeis* (SHRY-bice) 6-4/226/Jr&
81 Kyle Begger* 6-2/245/So&
Defense
BANDIT
47 Dane Fletcher** 6-2/242/Jr&
53 John Laidet (luh-DETT) 6-5/225/Fr*+
TACKLE
96 Paul Bartsch** (like arch) 6-2/269/Sr+
58 Ryan Cerise* (sir-EESE) 6-3/259/Jr&
NOSE
97 Chris Kolone*** (KOE-loe-nay) 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*** (KINK-uh-lawr) 6-2/260/Sr&
SAM
31 Chase Gazzerro** (guh-ZARE-oh) 5-10/215/Jr&
20 Isaiah Taito*** (TIE-toe) 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+
LEFT CORNER
2 David Taylor* 5-8/175/Sr+
28 Cory Nicol (like nickle) 6-0/215/Jr+
FREE SAFETY
27 Kevin Retoriano* (ruh-tore-ee-AW-no)
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* (ruh-MOAN) 6-2 200 Sr+ Moves to corner from safety
24 James Andrews 6-1 180 Fr True freshman
*-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, or 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
