Bobcats Topple Drake

Saturday, September 18

Bozeman, MT

1:05 pm

Montana State University

Drake

Orenzo Davis rambled for 160 yards against Drake

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

9/19/2010 9:46:03 AM | Football

Montana State upended Rob Ash's former school on Saturday

By: Bill Lamberty

Denarius McGhee knew it was coming.

“That's the best thing about our team,” Montana State's freshman quarterback said of his team rebounding from a sluggish start to race past Drake 48-21 in Bozeman on Saturday. “We did a great job bouncing back. That's a sign of a (great) team, when things aren't going well you can bounce back.”

MSU rolled up and down the field in the first half, gaining 312 yards of total offense, but held a slim 16-7 lead after settling for field goals three times after advancing into Bulldog territory. Montana State scored four times in the first seven minutes of the second half to win in runaway fashion.

“One thing our team has done really well this year is respond offensively after the other team scores,” said Bobcat coach Rob Ash, Drake's all-time winningest coach after 18 years there who won his 22^nd game as MSU's coach on Saturday. MSU answered Drake's only first half score with an impressive quick strike. Taking over at the Bobcat 24, the Bobcats moved 76 yards in five plays to take control of the game. Orenzo Davis scored from 15 yards out on a play which he broke free after his jersey was grabbed in the backfield.

“I was determined,” Davis said of the touchdown run, which was the cornerstone play of the junior's first start. Davis ran for 160 yards, the most by a Bobcat since the man he is frequently compared to, Demetrius Crawford, gashed the Grizzly defense for 203 yards in the 2008 season finale.

McGhee spread the ball around effectively Saturday, finding Gilbert (five catches, 78 yards) frequently but connecting with nine other receivers, as well. McGhee finished the day 19-for-25 passing for 250 yards and a touchdown, and also rushed for 12 yards.

While McGhee and Davis shone, MSU's most spectacular offensive weapon was kicker Jason Cunningham. The Bobcat junior nailed a school single-game record five field goals, including a 55-yarder that stands as the third-longest in school history. He scored 18 points on the day.

Freshman linebacker Aleksei Grosulak led MSU's defensive effort, which limited the Bulldogs to just 286 net yards. Grosulak registered 1.5 sacks, forced a fumble, and broke up a pass.