Mitch Griebel and the MSU offense looks to stay red hot in the red zone
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
Bobcat Game Day Notebook #7: Bobcats Hope to See Red Zone, End Zone
10/11/2014 3:55:00 PM | Football
MSU faces stingy UC Davis defense
There will be plenty of blue and gold in UC Davis' Aggie Stadium today, as both schools sport the combination as primary colors. A quite different color might be the most important, though.
Red.
As in, red zone, or how each team is able to execute when it or the opponent moves inside the opposition 20-yard line. Each team has made a positive mark down deep.
The Bobcat offense has converted 23 of 25 red zone trips into scores, including 15 touchdowns. That mark is second in the Big Sky. The MSU offense faces the conference's best red zone defense. UC Davis has allowed only 17 scores on 25 red zone possessions, including a dozen turnovers. The Aggies have forced two red zone turnovers.
Neither the UC Davis offense (eighth) or Bobcat defense (eighth) shine in the red zone.
* * * * *
When Montana State won a nail-biter at Sacramento State last week, it seemed familiar. MSU's last three trips to Hornet Stadium ended in a three-point win. It did snap a short skein, though.
The Bobcats had lost its last two single-digit decisions dating to last November. That's not a lengthy streak, but the two losses were significant. Eastern Washington topped the Bobcats 52-51 on September 20 this season, and last November Southern Utah topped MSU 22-14.
MSU's last win of three points or less was at Sacramento State on November 3, 2012, a 20-17 triumph.
* * * * *
Rob Ash's Bobcats are no 24-16 in road games, a mark that's even better against Big Sky competition. Ash's teams are 23-6 in conference road games, and as good as that is over a stretch of seven-plus seasons it is even better lately. MSU is 15-2 in Big Sky road games since the beginning of the 2010 season.
* * * * *
Montana State's offense has kicked into gear lately, averaging 245.4 yards a game rushing in the last five games (non-FBS competition). MSU coach Rob Ash credits continuity and personnel with that improvement.
"In some ways Tim Cramsey took the wraps off this year," Ash said. "Last year I asked him to hybrid the scheme between his offense and what we've traditionally run. This year he's really gotten into his playbook, and a big part of that is having a quarterback that really runs itwell. Dakota (Prukop) is an excellent runner, he really reads the zone well. It's been a good marriage of scheme and quarterback."
* * * * *
Montana State will be missing one of its big men on Saturday. Nose tackle Nate Bignell remained in Bozeman after a medical procedure early last week. He may return next week. The Cats expected no other changes from the previously-issued injury report.
Red.
As in, red zone, or how each team is able to execute when it or the opponent moves inside the opposition 20-yard line. Each team has made a positive mark down deep.
The Bobcat offense has converted 23 of 25 red zone trips into scores, including 15 touchdowns. That mark is second in the Big Sky. The MSU offense faces the conference's best red zone defense. UC Davis has allowed only 17 scores on 25 red zone possessions, including a dozen turnovers. The Aggies have forced two red zone turnovers.
Neither the UC Davis offense (eighth) or Bobcat defense (eighth) shine in the red zone.
* * * * *
When Montana State won a nail-biter at Sacramento State last week, it seemed familiar. MSU's last three trips to Hornet Stadium ended in a three-point win. It did snap a short skein, though.
The Bobcats had lost its last two single-digit decisions dating to last November. That's not a lengthy streak, but the two losses were significant. Eastern Washington topped the Bobcats 52-51 on September 20 this season, and last November Southern Utah topped MSU 22-14.
MSU's last win of three points or less was at Sacramento State on November 3, 2012, a 20-17 triumph.
* * * * *
Rob Ash's Bobcats are no 24-16 in road games, a mark that's even better against Big Sky competition. Ash's teams are 23-6 in conference road games, and as good as that is over a stretch of seven-plus seasons it is even better lately. MSU is 15-2 in Big Sky road games since the beginning of the 2010 season.
* * * * *
Montana State's offense has kicked into gear lately, averaging 245.4 yards a game rushing in the last five games (non-FBS competition). MSU coach Rob Ash credits continuity and personnel with that improvement.
"In some ways Tim Cramsey took the wraps off this year," Ash said. "Last year I asked him to hybrid the scheme between his offense and what we've traditionally run. This year he's really gotten into his playbook, and a big part of that is having a quarterback that really runs itwell. Dakota (Prukop) is an excellent runner, he really reads the zone well. It's been a good marriage of scheme and quarterback."
* * * * *
Montana State will be missing one of its big men on Saturday. Nose tackle Nate Bignell remained in Bozeman after a medical procedure early last week. He may return next week. The Cats expected no other changes from the previously-issued injury report.
Players Mentioned
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