Saturday, December 3
Durham, NH
1:05 pm
Montana State University
26
vs
25
NEW HAMPSHIRE
The Bobcat defense held New Hampshire to just 248 yards on Saturday
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
Bobcats Overcome Mistakes to Topple New Hampshire
12/3/2011 7:12:00 PM | Football
Blocked extra point leads MSU to Playoff win, date at Sam Houston State next weekend
Montana State found a new way to win thanks to some inspiring words from a former star. The Bobcats, however, didn't get that win until a repeat of a 35-year-old play as the Bobcats took a scintillating 26-25 win over New Hampshire in the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
MSU overcame four turnovers that led directly to 14 points for the Wildcats, a blocked extra point that was returned for a two-point conversion and a shanked punt that led to what would've been the tying score had UNH kicker Mike MacArthur's extra-point not been partially blocked by MSU safety Steven Bethley.
“(Former MSU quarterback) Travis Lulay talked to us about being resilient and I thought we did that today,” MSU quarterback DeNarius McGhee said of a talk Lulay gave the team Friday. “It was an up-and-down game, but we had (his advice) in the back of our minds.”
McGhee, perhaps more than anyone, had to maintain his composure and keep pressing forward. He threw three interceptions with one being returned 58 yards for a score to give UNH an early 10-0 lead.
“We tried as best as we could in our scheme to disguise the coverage,” UNH head coach Sean McDonnell said. “The (second) one by Evans, we got some pressure on him, but the other two were just overthrows.”
Following a 41-yard field goal by Jason Cunningham, McGhee found running back Tray Robinson over the middle from 11 yards to cut the lead to one. The extra was blocked, however, and Anthony Gorrell raced the distance of the field to give UNH a 12-9 lead.
Things got worse moments later when MSU's Shawn Johnson fumbled a punt return and UNH quarterback Kevin Decker connected with Justin Mello for an 18-yard catch-and-run to put the Wildcats back up by 10.
The Bobcats answered on their next possession driving 60 yards and scoring on McGhee's two-yard run with just 25 second remaining the half. The Bobcats then took the opening kickoff of the second half 80 yards with McGhee making an electric run from 37 yards out for the score and MSU's first lead of the game at 23-19.
MSU finished with 232 yards rushing led by Cody Kirk Kirk and McGhee, who both had 96 yards.
MSU was driving again on its next possession, but McGhee threw his third interception of the day on the UNH 25. The Bobcat' defense shutout the Wildcats for the first 29:54 of the half, while Cunningham converted from 26 yards to give MSU a seven-point edge.
MSU held the Wildcats, who came in with the top rated offense in the powerful Colonial Athletic Conference, to just 248 yards and 4.0 yards per play.
Despite all that, and with just twenty-seconds to play, Rory Perez's roll punt from his own end zone went awry traveling just 22 yards to the MSU 29 where UNH took over. Decker threw incomplete on his first attempt, but came through on the second try completing the TD pass to Mello on what was basically the same play.
The Wildcats eschewed the two-point conversion and sent MacArthur out to kick the game into overtime. MSU got a good push on the right side of the line and Bethley was able to get a fingertip on the ball. Tanner Bleskin covered the ensuing onside kick to preserve the win.
The missed extra point was eerily reminiscent of the 1976 NCAA Division II first round playoff game between MSU and UNH for Wildcat coach Sean McDonnell. In that game, which saw McDonnell starting at defensive back, the Wildcats also missed a late extra point that would've tied the game.
The win marked the first time this season that MSU has been held below 30 points or 400 yards and won. It was the seventh come-from-behind win of the season for the Bobcats.
MSU overcame four turnovers that led directly to 14 points for the Wildcats, a blocked extra point that was returned for a two-point conversion and a shanked punt that led to what would've been the tying score had UNH kicker Mike MacArthur's extra-point not been partially blocked by MSU safety Steven Bethley.
“(Former MSU quarterback) Travis Lulay talked to us about being resilient and I thought we did that today,” MSU quarterback DeNarius McGhee said of a talk Lulay gave the team Friday. “It was an up-and-down game, but we had (his advice) in the back of our minds.”
McGhee, perhaps more than anyone, had to maintain his composure and keep pressing forward. He threw three interceptions with one being returned 58 yards for a score to give UNH an early 10-0 lead.
“We tried as best as we could in our scheme to disguise the coverage,” UNH head coach Sean McDonnell said. “The (second) one by Evans, we got some pressure on him, but the other two were just overthrows.”
Following a 41-yard field goal by Jason Cunningham, McGhee found running back Tray Robinson over the middle from 11 yards to cut the lead to one. The extra was blocked, however, and Anthony Gorrell raced the distance of the field to give UNH a 12-9 lead.
Things got worse moments later when MSU's Shawn Johnson fumbled a punt return and UNH quarterback Kevin Decker connected with Justin Mello for an 18-yard catch-and-run to put the Wildcats back up by 10.
The Bobcats answered on their next possession driving 60 yards and scoring on McGhee's two-yard run with just 25 second remaining the half. The Bobcats then took the opening kickoff of the second half 80 yards with McGhee making an electric run from 37 yards out for the score and MSU's first lead of the game at 23-19.
MSU finished with 232 yards rushing led by Cody Kirk Kirk and McGhee, who both had 96 yards.
MSU was driving again on its next possession, but McGhee threw his third interception of the day on the UNH 25. The Bobcat' defense shutout the Wildcats for the first 29:54 of the half, while Cunningham converted from 26 yards to give MSU a seven-point edge.
MSU held the Wildcats, who came in with the top rated offense in the powerful Colonial Athletic Conference, to just 248 yards and 4.0 yards per play.
Despite all that, and with just twenty-seconds to play, Rory Perez's roll punt from his own end zone went awry traveling just 22 yards to the MSU 29 where UNH took over. Decker threw incomplete on his first attempt, but came through on the second try completing the TD pass to Mello on what was basically the same play.
The Wildcats eschewed the two-point conversion and sent MacArthur out to kick the game into overtime. MSU got a good push on the right side of the line and Bethley was able to get a fingertip on the ball. Tanner Bleskin covered the ensuing onside kick to preserve the win.
The missed extra point was eerily reminiscent of the 1976 NCAA Division II first round playoff game between MSU and UNH for Wildcat coach Sean McDonnell. In that game, which saw McDonnell starting at defensive back, the Wildcats also missed a late extra point that would've tied the game.
The win marked the first time this season that MSU has been held below 30 points or 400 yards and won. It was the seventh come-from-behind win of the season for the Bobcats.
Leon Costello Press Conference: Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center
Thursday, July 31
A Conversation with President Dr. Waded Cruzado | Montana State Athletics
Monday, May 19
Big Cats, Little Trucks - Willie Patterson
Wednesday, May 03
Matt Houk Introductory Press Conference
Wednesday, May 03
