Montana State University
at EASTERN WASHINGTON
Bobcats Get First Look at Red Turf
9/24/2011 3:20:00 PM | Football
MSU faces crucial clash without Trammell, Tauanuu
The Montana State football team's first look at Eastern Washington's red field - dubbed The Inferno - went innocently enough.
The Bobcats walked through a brief practice session Friday evening, and Rob Ash said he believes that the EWU football team, not its home field, will present the biggest problem today. "We came out (on Friday) just so we could get a look at it, so the guys wouldn't be surprised today, and we'll be able to function on it just fine."
Ash said the field looks much different in person than it does filling up a video screen, which is the case when the coaches watch video of the Eagles. "We know their players won't look like ghosts or be camouflaged in their red uniforms," although the Eagles warmed up in black pants Saturday afternoon.
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A bigger problem for the Bobcats may be a pair of personnel issues the team will encounter today. Starting linebacker Roger Trammell incurred knee problems during the week, and will not play. He is slated for tests early next week to evaluate his status going forward.
Backup guard Ben Tauanuu suffered through a stomach virus during the week, and also remained in Bozeman. He is expected to be fine by Tuesday's practice.
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Things are considerably different than a year ago, when the Eagles and Bobcats met in Bozeman in a game that essentially gave MSU its share of the league title. While the Bobcats are 2-1 and haven't yet played a Big Sky team, Eastern Washington is 0-3, 0-1 in Big Sky play, and battling for its season.
But Ash says Eastern is a hair's-breadth away from being in much different shape.
"Eastern Washington has been statistically superior to all three of the teams they played, including Washington," Ash said. "They've played very well for most of those three games. They had fourth-quarter drives that could have changed any of the games. They're biggest problem has been turnover margin. They have committed too many turnovers without taking the ball away as often as they did last year."
"Eastern could very easily be 3-0 right now and ranked no. one in the country."
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Ash said his Bobcats are prepared "to play a long game," he said. "Our guys know it's a 60-minute game, and we're ready to play all 60 minutes and more if we need to."
That comment is particularly appropriate because three of the nine overtime games MSU has played in its history have been against the Eagles. The Bobcats won 28-25 in 1990, and lost 34-31 in 1994 and 51-44 in 2004.
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Temperatures are expected to reach 90 degrees in Cheney today, which would be easily the hottest day for football MSU has faced in 2011.
Ash said the team has emphasized hydration this week to avoid a common malady in hot weather.
"We want to avoid cramping," he said. "We've worked hard to emphasize getting the right kind of fluids."
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