Photo by: Kelly Gorham
Record crowd watches Bobcats win
8/30/2012 11:09:00 PM | Football
McGhee tosses 4 touchdown passes
A good time was had by 20,767 fans at Bobcat Stadium Thursday night. In the first-ever night game, the record-breaking crowd watched DeNarius McGhee pick up where he left off a season ago for Montana State. The junior quarterback tossed four scoring passes in MSU's season-opening 33-6 win over scrappy Chadron State. In 26 career starts, McGhee, a junior, has thrown a touchdown pass in each one.
“When the student section is rocking,” said defensive tackle Zach Minter, “it's just great; it gives us a lot of energy.”
McGhee started the scoring with a 5-yard pass to Tray Robinson. After Alex Ferdinand kicked a 22-yard field goal for Chadron State, McGhee then hit Tiai Salanoa also from the 5, to give MSU a 12-3 lead.
The third scoring pass was set up by an electrifying 63-yard punt return by Shawn Johnson. This time, McGhee his Jon Ellis from 2 yards out, making it 19-3 at halftime.
The record crowd was decked in yellow T-shirts, many of them distributed free to the students.
“It was an outstanding environment for our team,” coach Rob Ash said. “It brought excitement to our players. It was an amazing turnout for a Thursday night.”
Following another Ferdinand field goal, this time from 38 yards, McGhee found Ellis on a 3-yard score.
Running back Orenzo Davis, who missed all of the 2011 season due to academic issues, sealed the scoring with a 4-yard jaunt in the fourth quarter.
“We did some good things,” McGhee said. “But we did a lot of things not as well as we expected.”
Division II Chadron State never threw an interception, but the Eagle quarterbacks were a combined 9 of 24 for just 35 yards.
“We played well as a defense,” Minter said. “We flew to the football and we sure had fun.”
Minter and Caleb Schreibeis combined for two quarterback sacks as MSU held the Eagles to 135 total yards, compared to 401 yards and no sacks allowed for the Bobcats.
McGhee finished the night with 176 yards. His 29 completions in 40 attempts went to nine different receivers.
“This is the business of ball distribution,” McGhee said. “All I'm doing is getting the ball to the receivers' hands.”
Tanner Bleskin was his favorite target, collecting 6 balls for 46 yards. Cody Kirk led the Bobcats with 91 yards on the ground, and Davis added 63 more.
“When the student section is rocking,” said defensive tackle Zach Minter, “it's just great; it gives us a lot of energy.”
McGhee started the scoring with a 5-yard pass to Tray Robinson. After Alex Ferdinand kicked a 22-yard field goal for Chadron State, McGhee then hit Tiai Salanoa also from the 5, to give MSU a 12-3 lead.
The third scoring pass was set up by an electrifying 63-yard punt return by Shawn Johnson. This time, McGhee his Jon Ellis from 2 yards out, making it 19-3 at halftime.
The record crowd was decked in yellow T-shirts, many of them distributed free to the students.
“It was an outstanding environment for our team,” coach Rob Ash said. “It brought excitement to our players. It was an amazing turnout for a Thursday night.”
Following another Ferdinand field goal, this time from 38 yards, McGhee found Ellis on a 3-yard score.
Running back Orenzo Davis, who missed all of the 2011 season due to academic issues, sealed the scoring with a 4-yard jaunt in the fourth quarter.
“We did some good things,” McGhee said. “But we did a lot of things not as well as we expected.”
Division II Chadron State never threw an interception, but the Eagle quarterbacks were a combined 9 of 24 for just 35 yards.
“We played well as a defense,” Minter said. “We flew to the football and we sure had fun.”
Minter and Caleb Schreibeis combined for two quarterback sacks as MSU held the Eagles to 135 total yards, compared to 401 yards and no sacks allowed for the Bobcats.
McGhee finished the night with 176 yards. His 29 completions in 40 attempts went to nine different receivers.
“This is the business of ball distribution,” McGhee said. “All I'm doing is getting the ball to the receivers' hands.”
Tanner Bleskin was his favorite target, collecting 6 balls for 46 yards. Cody Kirk led the Bobcats with 91 yards on the ground, and Davis added 63 more.
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