Montana State University
Sacramento State
MSU Game Notes vs. Sacramento State
9/29/2010 7:42:40 AM | Football
Bobcats visit California for crucial conference clash
Montana State beat a nationally-ranked opponent Saturday and Sacramento State nearly did the same, setting up a key conference contest in California's capital city on Saturday. Sacramento State's bruising ground game, paced by Bryan Hilliard's 98.8 yards per game, leads an efficient Hornet offense. Peter Buck (34 tackles, 3.5 for a loss) and Zack Nash (four sacks) fortify a strong Hornets defense. FOR OPENERS ? ? STADIUM STUFF ? ? BIG SKY BULLET POINTS ? ? HIGHLIGHTS ? ? ? STREAKS ? ? ? MILESTONES ? ? SHINING ? ? Out of the Gates Quick, Part I By exploding for 160 yards against Drake Saturday, Orenzo Davis propelled himself into to a historically good start by a Bobcat running back. In the last 20 seasons, seven Bobcat backs, including Orenzo Davis this season, have gained at least 300 yards rushing through three games. Each of the six had more carries than Davis has enjoyed, and five gained more than 1,000 yards that season. Limping Linemen Jason McEndoo has been through some turbulence as MSU's offensive line coach, but never more than he faced Saturday. With three regular starters unavailable and a fourth injured at times during the game, McEndoo's O-line paved the way for 110 rushing yards and didn't allow a sack. The four players filling in for the ill or injured starters (Shaun Sampson and Jesse Hoffmann of Helena, Andrew Verlanic of Drummond and Butte's Casey Dennehy) came to MSU as in-state walk-ons. The Old-Timer MSU has scored 19 touchdowns in 2010, only one by a senior - Julius Lloyd. The Rush on Rushing Montana State's 203.2 rushing yards per game and 479.8 total yards both lead the Big Sky after two weeks of play. Orenzo Davis' 104.0 rushing yards a game is third in the Big Sky. Some Fresh Offense Montana State's offense takes a youthful turn this season, when four freshmen and eight sophomores owning spots in the team's offensive depth chart. Freshmen Denarius McGhee (QB), Cody Kirk (RB) and Tanner Bleskin (WR) have started for the Bobcats this season. Spreading it Around While MSU stands third in the league in passing yards per game (276.5), and Denarius McGhee is second in the league (244.2), the Bobcats are conspicously absent from the top of the league's receiving chart. Elvis Akpla leads the Bobcats with 63.0 receiving yards per game, which is good for only 8th in the league. The reason for the disparity is ability and willingness to spread the ball around. A dozen different receivers or tight ends have caught passes for the Bobcats this year, and five have at least five catches.
