Bobcats by the Numbers: #80
6/15/2015 1:51:00 PM | Football
Tiai Salanoa's impact on the Bobcat program will last a while
Every day we look at players who donned the jersey number corresponding to the number of days until the Bobcats open the 2015 season on September 3 against Fort Lewis College. 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 will be welcomed enthusiastically via e-mail at: blamberty@msubobcats.com. Complaints about featured players also welcome, but possibly with less enthusiasm.
#80
Curtis Amos, TE: Before his career has really even begun at MSU, Curtis Amos Jr.'s path is already vaguely reminiscent of his immediate predecessor at #80. Like Tiai Salanoa, Amos is lauded for his character and is obviously popular among his teammates. He is also fighting early-career adversity, switching positions (to defensive end then back to tight end) briefly last fall and battling injuries in the spring, but as an athletic tight end known for hard work Amos Jr. is expected to be a weapon for the Cats for years to come.
Spotlight Player: Tiai Salanoa always seemed to offer the unexpected. A serious, often stern demeanor belied a playful, often joyful personality. Just when Bobcat fans were getting used to the idea of the athletic, pass-catching – which is sometimes code for one that isn't as proficient at blocking as the coaches would hope for, but which wasn't the case for Tiai – he morphed into a complete player and finished his career last year as MSU's most accomplished tight end in a decade. He earned First Team All-Big Sky honors, catching 32 passes for 327 yards, and as a testimony to his work ethic and sense of humor, among many other positive attributes, was elected team captain for his senior season. Salanoa almost didn't make it to MSU – he failed to qualify out of Oxnard High School after signing in February of 2010, but through personal perseverance and determination arrived on campus in August of 2011 and began contributing immediately. He caught 61 passes in his career.
Through the years: Brad Lowell (1956), Del Layman (1957), Bill Townsend (1959), Dan Greer (1960-61), Bob Haines (1962), Doug Boyd (1963-66), Robin Stiff (1967-68), Mike Begley (1969), Hans Pidino (1970), Steve Harris (1971), Ron McCullough (1974-77), Wade Abel )1978), Bill Walker (1979), Ron Torchia (1980), Paul Williamson (1983), Pat Bergman (1984-88), Mark Crews (1990-91), Chris Clark (1992), Clint Bryan (1993), Brent Ludwig (1996), Brian Lutz (1997), Brandon Brooks (1999-2000), Brandon Bassett (2001-02), Kellen Alley (2003-04), Derek Green (2005-08), Jordan Rorich (2009), Tiai Salanoa (2011-14), Curtis Amos (2015-present)
#80
Curtis Amos, TE: Before his career has really even begun at MSU, Curtis Amos Jr.'s path is already vaguely reminiscent of his immediate predecessor at #80. Like Tiai Salanoa, Amos is lauded for his character and is obviously popular among his teammates. He is also fighting early-career adversity, switching positions (to defensive end then back to tight end) briefly last fall and battling injuries in the spring, but as an athletic tight end known for hard work Amos Jr. is expected to be a weapon for the Cats for years to come.
Spotlight Player: Tiai Salanoa always seemed to offer the unexpected. A serious, often stern demeanor belied a playful, often joyful personality. Just when Bobcat fans were getting used to the idea of the athletic, pass-catching – which is sometimes code for one that isn't as proficient at blocking as the coaches would hope for, but which wasn't the case for Tiai – he morphed into a complete player and finished his career last year as MSU's most accomplished tight end in a decade. He earned First Team All-Big Sky honors, catching 32 passes for 327 yards, and as a testimony to his work ethic and sense of humor, among many other positive attributes, was elected team captain for his senior season. Salanoa almost didn't make it to MSU – he failed to qualify out of Oxnard High School after signing in February of 2010, but through personal perseverance and determination arrived on campus in August of 2011 and began contributing immediately. He caught 61 passes in his career.
Through the years: Brad Lowell (1956), Del Layman (1957), Bill Townsend (1959), Dan Greer (1960-61), Bob Haines (1962), Doug Boyd (1963-66), Robin Stiff (1967-68), Mike Begley (1969), Hans Pidino (1970), Steve Harris (1971), Ron McCullough (1974-77), Wade Abel )1978), Bill Walker (1979), Ron Torchia (1980), Paul Williamson (1983), Pat Bergman (1984-88), Mark Crews (1990-91), Chris Clark (1992), Clint Bryan (1993), Brent Ludwig (1996), Brian Lutz (1997), Brandon Brooks (1999-2000), Brandon Bassett (2001-02), Kellen Alley (2003-04), Derek Green (2005-08), Jordan Rorich (2009), Tiai Salanoa (2011-14), Curtis Amos (2015-present)
Players Mentioned
TE
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