Kenny Verlanic (front and center) was a good O-lineman for the Bobcats in '75
Bobcats by the Numbrers: 68
6/21/2013 3:00:00 PM | Football
The number 68 has produced some outstanding talent for the Bobcats
Every day we look at players who donned the jersey number corresponding to the number of days until the Bobcats open the 2013 season on August 29 against Monmouth. The list of MSU football players by the jersey number is based on preseason rosters. The set of available rosters is complete from 1946-81 and '83-present. Only the 1926-27, 1934, 1937 and 1941 rosters are available in the pre-WWII years. Corrections, additions, or rosters that fill out the set are welcome to blamberty@msubobcats.com.
#68
Dillon Fraley, OL: Another Flathead area product, Dillon Fraley is a big, strong redshirt freshman who joins the Bobcats' talented stable of offensive linemen.
Spotlight Player: One of Montana State's all-time greats, Mark Fellows was robbed of a potential NFL career with a nasty injury during his first training camp with the San Diego Chargers. But that didn't rob him of one of the finest careers in Bobcat history. Fellows was a two-time First Team All-Big Sky choice, earning honorable mention All-America honors in 1983 and First Team All-America kudos in 1984. Fellows continues to hold the school record for tackles-for-loss (30) and sacks (23) in a single season, marks unlikely to ever be touched. His 40 career sacks has never been seriously challenged. Fellows was the linchpin to Montana State's sensational 1984 defense, and is the punchline of one of the greatest stories in the history of Montana State football. It seems that a well-known and popular defensive back came trotting off the field in the midst of the team's run toward the 1984 National Championship, crowing to then-defensive coordinator Mike Kramer, "They're running away from me, coach, they're running away from me." Kramer snarled back, "No, they're running away from Fellows."
Notable #68s in the Bobcat Past: It was hard not to love Jimmy Verlanic when he played center for the Bobcats in the late 2000s. Part of the appeal was Jim himself, a brilliant and scrappy center who was elected a team captain, but part of it was his family story. And that family story began with Ken Verlanic, a stout and hearty offensive tackle about 30 years earlier who wore #68 from 1972-75. Lauded for improvement made during his career and the corresponding work ethic he displayed, Verlanic was a starting left tackle in 1975. He helped pave the way for a 1,387-yard rushing season by Steve Kracher. Ken's wife, Jimmy's mother, Teresa, is the sister of another outstanding Bobcat gridder, Mike Tocher, and Ken and Teresa's daughter Jacqueline is a thrower in the MSU track and field program. Ken's nephews Andrew and Connor each play or played football for the Bobcats, as well.
A Bonus #68: It's hard to roll through #68 in Bobcat history without a tip-of-the-cap to Conrad Burbank. The Reno product Was a very good four-year starter who Big Sky coaches could simply no longer ignore during his senior season in 2011. Finally and belatedly, they named him a First Team All-Big Sky offensive tackle that season. Burbank played both guard and tackle well during his career.
Through the Years: Rex Workman (1956), Joel Dominick (1967), Curt Brandon (1971-72), Ken Verlanic (1973-76), David Schranck (1977), Rich Beal (1978), Bob Fisher (1979-80), Mark Fellows (1981-84), Frank Cassidy (1985-86), Robyn Yovetich (1987), Derek Swanson (1988-89), Dino Sparaco (1990), Aaron Binns (1991-92), Eric Matthews (1993), Keith Erickson (1994), Josh Hausmann (1995-99), Ryan Wecker (2000), Josh Cavan (2001-02), Bryan Beniger (2004-05), Levi Stubbs (2006), Conrad Burbank (2007-11), Dillon Fraley (2012-)
#68
Dillon Fraley, OL: Another Flathead area product, Dillon Fraley is a big, strong redshirt freshman who joins the Bobcats' talented stable of offensive linemen.
Spotlight Player: One of Montana State's all-time greats, Mark Fellows was robbed of a potential NFL career with a nasty injury during his first training camp with the San Diego Chargers. But that didn't rob him of one of the finest careers in Bobcat history. Fellows was a two-time First Team All-Big Sky choice, earning honorable mention All-America honors in 1983 and First Team All-America kudos in 1984. Fellows continues to hold the school record for tackles-for-loss (30) and sacks (23) in a single season, marks unlikely to ever be touched. His 40 career sacks has never been seriously challenged. Fellows was the linchpin to Montana State's sensational 1984 defense, and is the punchline of one of the greatest stories in the history of Montana State football. It seems that a well-known and popular defensive back came trotting off the field in the midst of the team's run toward the 1984 National Championship, crowing to then-defensive coordinator Mike Kramer, "They're running away from me, coach, they're running away from me." Kramer snarled back, "No, they're running away from Fellows."
Notable #68s in the Bobcat Past: It was hard not to love Jimmy Verlanic when he played center for the Bobcats in the late 2000s. Part of the appeal was Jim himself, a brilliant and scrappy center who was elected a team captain, but part of it was his family story. And that family story began with Ken Verlanic, a stout and hearty offensive tackle about 30 years earlier who wore #68 from 1972-75. Lauded for improvement made during his career and the corresponding work ethic he displayed, Verlanic was a starting left tackle in 1975. He helped pave the way for a 1,387-yard rushing season by Steve Kracher. Ken's wife, Jimmy's mother, Teresa, is the sister of another outstanding Bobcat gridder, Mike Tocher, and Ken and Teresa's daughter Jacqueline is a thrower in the MSU track and field program. Ken's nephews Andrew and Connor each play or played football for the Bobcats, as well.
A Bonus #68: It's hard to roll through #68 in Bobcat history without a tip-of-the-cap to Conrad Burbank. The Reno product Was a very good four-year starter who Big Sky coaches could simply no longer ignore during his senior season in 2011. Finally and belatedly, they named him a First Team All-Big Sky offensive tackle that season. Burbank played both guard and tackle well during his career.
Through the Years: Rex Workman (1956), Joel Dominick (1967), Curt Brandon (1971-72), Ken Verlanic (1973-76), David Schranck (1977), Rich Beal (1978), Bob Fisher (1979-80), Mark Fellows (1981-84), Frank Cassidy (1985-86), Robyn Yovetich (1987), Derek Swanson (1988-89), Dino Sparaco (1990), Aaron Binns (1991-92), Eric Matthews (1993), Keith Erickson (1994), Josh Hausmann (1995-99), Ryan Wecker (2000), Josh Cavan (2001-02), Bryan Beniger (2004-05), Levi Stubbs (2006), Conrad Burbank (2007-11), Dillon Fraley (2012-)
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
