Grosulak, McGhee, Ogden Earn Weekly Honors

Saturday, November 6

Bozeman, MT

12:05 pm

Montana State University

Weber State

Dan Ogden earned a national College Football Performance Award for his play against Weber State

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

11/8/2010 5:00:38 PM | Football

Montana State heads into its bye week ranked 12th/10th nationally

By: Bill Lamberty

As the Bobcats face their bye weekend just before the annual showdown with Montana, a trio of MSU players were lauded for their performance in the team's win over Weber State, and the 'Cats also moved up in the national polls.

HONORS

The 2010 season continued to treat Montana State freshmen well, as linebacker Aleksei Grosulak earned Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week and Sports Network/Fathead.com Freshman of the Week. The BSC honor is Grosulak's second of the season, while the Sports Network/Fathead.com honor is his first, but is the third won by a Bobcat this season (Denarius McGhee has been so honored twice). McGhee was also honored as Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week for the third time. Senior defensive tackle Dan Ogden also earned a national College Football Performance Award for his play against Weber State.

POLLS

Montana State moved up one spot to 11^th in the Sports Network/Fathead.com poll, and moved up to 10^th in the FCS Coaches Poll. Big Sky rival Eastern Washington moved up to 5^th in both polls this week, while Montana is 13^th in the Sports Network/Fathead.com poll and 17^th in the Coaches Poll.

MEDIA PROTOCOL FOR NEXT TWO WEEKS

Montana State football players are available Tuesday, November 9, per normal procedures. As the team doesn't practice tomorrow (11/9), there will be no post-practice interviews. Next Tuesday, November 16, team captains Mike Person, Michael Rider, Jordan Craney, and Tanner Ripley will be the only players available for interviews.

MSU SEASON TICKET PURCHASES

Bobcat fans may renew or purchase season tickets for the 2011 season by utilizing MSU's ticket partner TicketsWest at www.ticketswest.com/renewals/mt. Season ticket renewals or purchases begin on November 20. Those with an account status of LINKED should login using the “Already Registered” portion of the website by entering an account number and preexisting password. Those with an account status of UNLINKED should login using the “Register Here” portion of the website. For questions, fans can call the Bobcat Ticket Office at (406) 994-CATS or 1-800-808-5940.

NOTEBOOK

The Bobcats finished the regular season with a 6-0 record, its first undefeated home campaign since 2005 and only the 11^th such season in school history… the team averaged 14,302 fans per home game, the largest average in school history… MSU played in front of 85,812 fans at home this season, the second-largest total in school history… the Cats are 4-3 after open weeks in the last 11 seasons... Montana State raised its record to 8-2 with its 24-10 win over Weber State, the most wins for a Bobcat team in the regular season since 1984, and the second-highest regular season total in school history (MSU won nine in 1956, 1976 and 1984)… the win gives Rob Ash a 28-16 record as Bobcat head coach, the most wins ever by a Bobcat coach in his first four seasons (Sonny Holland and Jim Sweeney each won 24 games)… MSU's 28 wins since 2007 also makes the current four-year period the eighth-most successful such span in school history in terms of total wins, and the most successful not clustered around the 1956 or '76 national title teams… Orenzo Davis carried six times for 80 yards Saturday, and his 114 net rushing yards raises his season total to 922 yards… his eight rushing touchdowns moves him to within one of MSU's single season top 10 list… Montana State has 4,764 total yards this season, the third-highest total in school history, and MSU's average of 476.4 yards per game remains the highest rate in school history to nearly 30 yards per game… MSU's 2,931 passing yards is fourth-most in school history, and its 293.1 yards per game is third… MSU has rushed for 1,833 yards, eighth-most since 1978, and the team's 183.3 yards per game is seventh-best… McGhee's 20 touchdown passes is the fourth-best season in school history, and places him 10^th on MSU's career list… Montana State registered three sacks against a Weber State team that had allowed only four prior to Saturday… Jason Cunningham nailed his 46^th career field goal Saturday, moving him into first in MSU history and 10^th in Big Sky history… Montana State finished its home season with a 6-0 record, its first undefeated home season since 2005 and only the 11^th such season in school history.

PRELIMINARY INJURY REPORT

OUT: DE Brad Smith, shoulder (season); OG Ben Tauanuu, leg (season).

QUESTIONABLE FOR MONTANA: DE Dustin O'Connell (shoulder), LB Clay Bignell (ankle)

PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEES