Bobcats Stymie South Dakota
9/27/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Montana State's defense suffocated South Dakota for three quarters and freshman receiver DeSean Thomas celebrated his 19th birthday in style, as the MSU topped the Coyotes 37-18 in front of a capacity Bobcat Stadium crowd on Saturday.
Playing in front of its home crowd for the first time in four weeks, Montana State's defense capitalized on the emotion by holding USD to four first downs, 111 total yards and no points through three quarters of play. By that time the Bobcats had built a 28-0 lead, and the Bobcats cruised to the win.
"I think the thing I'm most pleased with today is that we were ready to play," Bobcat coach Rob Ash said following the game. "The kids prepared well, and the offense and defense both got out of the gates strong. They prepared well, and were ready to play, and I think after the bye week that was the best thing I saw today."
After the Bobcat defense held South Dakota to a three-and-out possession to open the game, MSU drove 70 yards in 10 plays and 4:34 to score on its first possession and take a 7-0 lead. Thomas' 40-yard run keyed the drive.
Montana State's defense faced the crucial point of the game early in the second quarter. Thomas' fumble of a South Dakota punt set the Coyote offense up at the Bobcat 23 yard-line. Facing a fourth-and-two from the MSU 15, Dane Fletcher's pressure forced USD's Noah Shepard to throw incomplete, and the Bobcats held.
Kempt threw his second interception of the game on the ensuing drive, but the Bobcat defense held again. On fourth-and-three, Kevin Retoriano blocked Justin Veasie's 39-yard field goal attempt, and South Dakota was turned away again. Later in the quarter, Kempt moved the Bobcats 73 yards in 12 plays for a touchdown, and the Bobcats carried a 14-0 lead into halftime.
The Bobcat offense picked up in the second half where it left off in the first, moving 69 yards in nine plays for a 21-0 lead. While the Bobcat defense continued to stifle South Dakota, holding USD without a first down in the third quarter, it also set up two MSU scoring opportunities. Dane Fletcher sacked Shepard on a third-and-19, forcing a fumble, which Bobby Daly recovered and returned six yards to the USD 25. four plays later, Demetrius Crawford scampered seven yards for a touchdown.
MSU's final offensive score came on the first drive of the fourth quarter, when Shepard was intercepted by Chase Gazzerro at the South Dakota 28. Crawford scored soon after on a seven-yard run to give MSU a 35-0 lead.
Thomas, MSU's true freshman receiver, proved to be a threat in multiple ways on Saturday. Thomas rushed once for 40 yards, caught four passes for 90 yards and a touchdown, and returned a punt nine yards. He finished with 139 all-purpose yards. Crawford rushed 22 times for 91 yards and two touchdowns, while CJ Palmer also scored twice. Cody Kempt finished the day 12-for-21 for 157 yards, but threw three touchdowns. Dane Fletcher led the Bobcat defense, registering six tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble. He also broke up three passes.
Playing in front of its home crowd for the first time in four weeks, Montana State's defense capitalized on the emotion by holding USD to four first downs, 111 total yards and no points through three quarters of play. By that time the Bobcats had built a 28-0 lead, and the Bobcats cruised to the win.
"I think the thing I'm most pleased with today is that we were ready to play," Bobcat coach Rob Ash said following the game. "The kids prepared well, and the offense and defense both got out of the gates strong. They prepared well, and were ready to play, and I think after the bye week that was the best thing I saw today."
After the Bobcat defense held South Dakota to a three-and-out possession to open the game, MSU drove 70 yards in 10 plays and 4:34 to score on its first possession and take a 7-0 lead. Thomas' 40-yard run keyed the drive.
Montana State's defense faced the crucial point of the game early in the second quarter. Thomas' fumble of a South Dakota punt set the Coyote offense up at the Bobcat 23 yard-line. Facing a fourth-and-two from the MSU 15, Dane Fletcher's pressure forced USD's Noah Shepard to throw incomplete, and the Bobcats held.
Kempt threw his second interception of the game on the ensuing drive, but the Bobcat defense held again. On fourth-and-three, Kevin Retoriano blocked Justin Veasie's 39-yard field goal attempt, and South Dakota was turned away again. Later in the quarter, Kempt moved the Bobcats 73 yards in 12 plays for a touchdown, and the Bobcats carried a 14-0 lead into halftime.
The Bobcat offense picked up in the second half where it left off in the first, moving 69 yards in nine plays for a 21-0 lead. While the Bobcat defense continued to stifle South Dakota, holding USD without a first down in the third quarter, it also set up two MSU scoring opportunities. Dane Fletcher sacked Shepard on a third-and-19, forcing a fumble, which Bobby Daly recovered and returned six yards to the USD 25. four plays later, Demetrius Crawford scampered seven yards for a touchdown.
MSU's final offensive score came on the first drive of the fourth quarter, when Shepard was intercepted by Chase Gazzerro at the South Dakota 28. Crawford scored soon after on a seven-yard run to give MSU a 35-0 lead.
Thomas, MSU's true freshman receiver, proved to be a threat in multiple ways on Saturday. Thomas rushed once for 40 yards, caught four passes for 90 yards and a touchdown, and returned a punt nine yards. He finished with 139 all-purpose yards. Crawford rushed 22 times for 91 yards and two touchdowns, while CJ Palmer also scored twice. Cody Kempt finished the day 12-for-21 for 157 yards, but threw three touchdowns. Dane Fletcher led the Bobcat defense, registering six tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble. He also broke up three passes.
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
