Cody Kirk leads a physical Bobcat ground game this weekend
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
FIRST LOOK: Bobcats Host Bears for Homecoming Saturday
9/18/2012 5:34:00 PM | Football
Northern Colorado has battled the Bobcats since the rivalry renewed in 2003
Don't try to tell anyone in the Montana State football program that Northern Colorado doesn't pose one of the great challenges the Bobcats will face all season.
“They've played us tough the last two years,” said junior linebacker Aleksei Grosulak. “(2010) was a two-point game, last year was a tight game all the way through… We definitely need to practice like we did last week in order to come out and play our best football.”
In fact, Northern Colorado has battled the Bobcats on nearly even terms since the ancient rivals rekindled the series in 2003. That season, which ended with the Bobcats capturing a Big Sky title, the Division II Bears came to Bozeman and topped the Bobcats 14-10. Three years later, MSU won narrowly, 13-10, against a Northern Colorado squad transitioning to 2006.
And in 2007, Northern Colorado won its first-ever Big Sky game against MSU, connecting on a 37-yard field goal to win 16-13. No one with an allegiance to MSU at Nottingham Field that day will forget Northern Colorado fans storming the field that day. The Bobcats have won each of the four games since, but each have been contested into the fourth quarter, and Northern Colorado's last trip to Bozeman resulted in a 37-35 MSU win.
It's no surprise, then, that Rob Ash holds NC in high esteem. “Clarence Bumpas is one of the best players in the league and (Seth) Lobato has really developed into a good quarterback,” Ash said. “Earnest Collins has done a good job with that program.”
Bumpas, an All-Big Sky selection a year ago who is one of the top defensive players in the FCS this year, has 30 tackles, a sack, and an interception this season. He has plenty of help. Eight Bears have compiled double-digit tackles, and Jordan Bible and Courtney Hall each have a pair of interceptions. Offensively, Lobato has thrown for 661 yards, 220.3 per game, while Tramaine Dennis averages 63.0 yards rushing per game.
Montana State is built similarly, with the defense led by a ferocious linebacker corps. Jody Owens has 26 tackles, and Na'a Moeakiola 19. Offensively, DeNarius McGhee is a veteran quarterback who has thrown for 590 yards in three games, with seven passing touchdowns. Cody Kirk leads a running game that has battered opponents for 178.7 yards per game.
“They've played us tough the last two years,” said junior linebacker Aleksei Grosulak. “(2010) was a two-point game, last year was a tight game all the way through… We definitely need to practice like we did last week in order to come out and play our best football.”
In fact, Northern Colorado has battled the Bobcats on nearly even terms since the ancient rivals rekindled the series in 2003. That season, which ended with the Bobcats capturing a Big Sky title, the Division II Bears came to Bozeman and topped the Bobcats 14-10. Three years later, MSU won narrowly, 13-10, against a Northern Colorado squad transitioning to 2006.
And in 2007, Northern Colorado won its first-ever Big Sky game against MSU, connecting on a 37-yard field goal to win 16-13. No one with an allegiance to MSU at Nottingham Field that day will forget Northern Colorado fans storming the field that day. The Bobcats have won each of the four games since, but each have been contested into the fourth quarter, and Northern Colorado's last trip to Bozeman resulted in a 37-35 MSU win.
It's no surprise, then, that Rob Ash holds NC in high esteem. “Clarence Bumpas is one of the best players in the league and (Seth) Lobato has really developed into a good quarterback,” Ash said. “Earnest Collins has done a good job with that program.”
Bumpas, an All-Big Sky selection a year ago who is one of the top defensive players in the FCS this year, has 30 tackles, a sack, and an interception this season. He has plenty of help. Eight Bears have compiled double-digit tackles, and Jordan Bible and Courtney Hall each have a pair of interceptions. Offensively, Lobato has thrown for 661 yards, 220.3 per game, while Tramaine Dennis averages 63.0 yards rushing per game.
Montana State is built similarly, with the defense led by a ferocious linebacker corps. Jody Owens has 26 tackles, and Na'a Moeakiola 19. Offensively, DeNarius McGhee is a veteran quarterback who has thrown for 590 yards in three games, with seven passing touchdowns. Cody Kirk leads a running game that has battered opponents for 178.7 yards per game.
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