Montana State University
Weber State University
MSU Football Sunday Notebook vs. Weber State
10/4/2009 11:34:45 AM | Football
A Look Back at MSU's Win at #11 Weber State
Saturday's physical game at Weber State brought its share of bumps and bruises, but big question marks linger from previous injuries. DE Brad Smith (shoulder) missed last week's game and is out for NAU, WR Mark Desin (shoulder), injured on the opening kickoff, is doubtful, and LB Jeff Price (shoulder), who also missed Saturday's game, is questionable.
BOBCAT NOTES
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•MSU is 2-0 to start league play for the second time in Rob Ash's three seasons as MSU's head coach.
•The Bobcats stand 2-0 in Big Sky play to start the 2009 league season, with both wins on the road. The last time MSU started 2-0 in league play before playing a conference home game was 2001, when the Bobcats snapped an 18-game losing streak at Weber State in week two then beat Eastern Washington in Spokane on October 6. The Cats finished 4-3 in the Big Sky that year.
•Montana State finished +2 in turnovers Saturday, the first game this season in which MSU has won the turnover battle.
•Aaron Mason's 138 rushing yards Saturday give him 1,437 for his career, and moves him into 17th place on MSU's all-time rushing list.
•The Bobcats rushed for 210 yards at Weber State and now has 557 yards in the last three games. Montana State rushes for 154.8 yards a game, second in the Big Sky and 39th in the FCS.
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•Dane Fletcher's blocked field goal Saturday gives the Bobcats blocks in three straight games.
•Montana State held Weber State to 132 yards rushing Saturday, has allowed 164 in the past two games, and stands second in the Big Sky in rushing defense (99.0).
•Montana State's three interceptions Saturday raises the team's season total to eight, which leads the Big Sky Conference.
•INDIVIDUAL NOTES/PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEES
OFFENSE: RB Aaron Mason
DEFENSE: SS Michael Rider
SPECIAL TEAMS: P Eric Fisher
TEAM AWARDS vs. WEBER STATE
Winner's Circle - Offense: Elvis Akpla, Conrad Burbank, Leo Davis, Everett Gilbert, Jeff Hansen, Julius Lloyd, Aaron Mason, CJ Palmer, Mike Person, Joe Schreibeis, Alex Terrien, DeSean Thomas.
Winner's Circle - Defense: Jordan Craney, Ryan Cerise, Anthony Cosme-Peko, Jason D'Alba, Dane Fletcher, Cory Nicol, Dan Ogden, Kevin Retoriano, Michael Rider.
Winner's Circle - Special Teams: Blayde Becksted, Tanner Ripley, Jody Owens.
Offensive Player of the Week: Mike Person/Aaron Mason Defensive Player of the Week: Cory Nicol/Kevin Retoriano Special Teams Player of the Week: Blayde Becksted Special Teams MVP (Captain): Tanner Ripley Pay Day Award: Dan Ogden Scout Special Teams Award: Rick Haluszka/Gianni Carter Offensive Scout of the Week: Shaun Sampson/Michael Chopp Defensive Scout of the Week: Chris Wilson/Kazz Siewing
Saturday's game marked the 37th straight that right guard Jeff Hansen and right tackle Mike Person had started next to each other.– 5-10, 186, Sr, Imperial Beach, CA Aaron Mason rushed for 138 yards Saturday, his second 100-yard game of the season, in Montana State's 26-21 road win over 11th-ranked Weber State. The Bobcats had failed to score a rushing touchdown in their first three games of the season, but Mason scored twice on the ground Saturday and his 160 all-purpose yards surpassed the total of Weber State star Trevyn Smith (156). Mason's first touchdown gave MSU an early 14-3 lead, while his second score was a one-yard run on MSU's only drive of the third quarter. It capped a 15-play, 78-yard drive on which Mason rushed for 26 yards. His score came on a fourth-and-goal play from the WSU one-yard line. The Bobcat senior averaged 6.3 yards per carry on Saturday, and his season average of 6.2 yards a carry is second-best in the Big Sky among those who qualify. – 5-11, 199, Jr, Billings, MT Michael Rider registered 11 tackles (including five unassisted) to lead Montana State on Saturday, but his last tackle was the biggest. With Montana State leading 11th-ranked Weber State 26-21 and under 30 seconds remaining, Rider registered a third down solo tackle against Wildcat running back Trevyn Smith at the one-yard line. Holding Smith out of the end zone set up MSU's dramatic fourth-down stop, of which Rider was also a part, which preserved the Bobcats' upset win. Rider also registered 1.5 tackles for loss in the win.– 6-1, 200, Sr, Billings, MT After missing the Northern Colorado game with illness, Bobcat punter Eric Fisher played a crucial role in Montana State's road win over 11th-ranked Weber State on Saturday. Fisher punted four times for a 48.2 yards-per-punt average, including a long punt of 55 yards, but his shortest and most unusual punt of the day may have been the biggest. Subbing as the holder on place kicks for injured Mark Desin, Fisher mishandled a snap on a 52-yard field goal attempt with 3:09 to play, but saved the play by spinning into a scissors-type kick and punting the ball into the end zone for a touchback. The 34-yard punt saved the Bobcats at least 20 yards of field position. Fisher continues to lead the FCS and Big Sky in punting average with 46.1 yards per punt. Fisher now has six punts longer than 50 yards this season.Montana State has won six straight games at Weber State.
