Bobcats By the Numbers: #63
7/2/2015 12:06:00 PM | Football
Kyle Godecke's return to health could boost the Bobcat O-line this fall
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.
#63
Kyle Godecke, OL: It's hard not to get a chuckle out of Kyle Godecke. One of the funniest Bobcats, the Dillon native always has a look on his face that lets you know he sees the world just a little differently than a lot of people. The easy-going demeanor masks a competitive nature that led him into the starting lineup at guard as a sophomore in 2012. He started every game that season, but an injury in August of 2014 cost him the first nine games. He played in the final four games last fall, adding versatility to MSU's offensive line. A foot injury from last season has lingered into the summer this year, but his progress has him in the mix to begin the 2015 season on the field as a starter at guard. His presence – and health – would be a major boost for an already-potent MSU offense.
Spotlight Player: Montana State didn't enjoy an abundance of team success in the early 1990s, but the program continued to produce star players, especially on the defensive side of the football. Of those stars, Corey Widmer shone the brightest. Widmer was a three-time All-Big Sky selection, earning the league's Defensive MVP honors as a junior in 1990 while absolutely wrecking opposing offensive lines. Defying all logic, Widmer was only a Second Team All-America in 1990, and repeated those honors in 1991. Widmer owns the MSU record with 66 career tackles-for-loss, and his 25 in 1990 is second in school annals. In fact, he owns two of the top four marks on the MSU top 10. His 35 career sacks is third in school history, and his 17 in 1990 remains third. The Bozeman High product did what everyone around him knew was possible for him after his Bobcat career ended, posting a decade-long career for the New York Giants in the NFL as a middle linebacker. Widmer is a Bobcat Hall of Famer, and remains possibly the finest interior lineman in the last 25 years in the Big Sky Conference.
Notable #63s in the Bobcat Past: At the other end of the 1990s, when MSU began creeping into the discussion of Big Sky title contenders, the Bobcats still hung their collective hat on defensive stars. Defensive ends such as Jason Hicks, Devlan Geddes and Neal Smith – a 2013 Wendy's Bobcat Hall of Fame inductee – grabbed the headlines, but for four seasons, 1994-98, Ty O'Connor was alongside those men, inside, doing the dirty work. A hard-nosed rancher from eastern Montana, O'Connor demanded extra attention inside which created pass rush lanes outside and tackle opportunities for linebackers. O'Connor never said much outside the locker room, but his passion and intensity were apparent. To those around the Bobcat program in the 1990s, O'Conner remains a revered figure for his outstanding work.
Through the Years: Herb Roberts (1956), Bob Grine (1957), Phil Schneider (1959), Phil Schneider (1960-61), Larry Jones (1963-64), Stan Szczepanczyk (1965), Mike Volmer (1966-69), Phil Rubert (1970), Larry Stevenson (1971), Paul Klaboe (1972-73), Tim Nixon (1974-76), Tim McVicker (1977-80), Eric Smith (1982), Dave Kuchar (1983-84), Pete Fusang (1985), Pat Harmon (1986), Corey Widmer (1987-90), Jeff Corbett (1991), Duff Wall (1992), Clay Allard (1993), Ty O'Connor (1994-98), Phil Espinoza (2000), Ben Smith (2001), Rory Canfield (2003), Sean Neil (2004-07), Neil Boyce (2008), Kyle Godecke (2011-)
#63
Kyle Godecke, OL: It's hard not to get a chuckle out of Kyle Godecke. One of the funniest Bobcats, the Dillon native always has a look on his face that lets you know he sees the world just a little differently than a lot of people. The easy-going demeanor masks a competitive nature that led him into the starting lineup at guard as a sophomore in 2012. He started every game that season, but an injury in August of 2014 cost him the first nine games. He played in the final four games last fall, adding versatility to MSU's offensive line. A foot injury from last season has lingered into the summer this year, but his progress has him in the mix to begin the 2015 season on the field as a starter at guard. His presence – and health – would be a major boost for an already-potent MSU offense.
Spotlight Player: Montana State didn't enjoy an abundance of team success in the early 1990s, but the program continued to produce star players, especially on the defensive side of the football. Of those stars, Corey Widmer shone the brightest. Widmer was a three-time All-Big Sky selection, earning the league's Defensive MVP honors as a junior in 1990 while absolutely wrecking opposing offensive lines. Defying all logic, Widmer was only a Second Team All-America in 1990, and repeated those honors in 1991. Widmer owns the MSU record with 66 career tackles-for-loss, and his 25 in 1990 is second in school annals. In fact, he owns two of the top four marks on the MSU top 10. His 35 career sacks is third in school history, and his 17 in 1990 remains third. The Bozeman High product did what everyone around him knew was possible for him after his Bobcat career ended, posting a decade-long career for the New York Giants in the NFL as a middle linebacker. Widmer is a Bobcat Hall of Famer, and remains possibly the finest interior lineman in the last 25 years in the Big Sky Conference.
Notable #63s in the Bobcat Past: At the other end of the 1990s, when MSU began creeping into the discussion of Big Sky title contenders, the Bobcats still hung their collective hat on defensive stars. Defensive ends such as Jason Hicks, Devlan Geddes and Neal Smith – a 2013 Wendy's Bobcat Hall of Fame inductee – grabbed the headlines, but for four seasons, 1994-98, Ty O'Connor was alongside those men, inside, doing the dirty work. A hard-nosed rancher from eastern Montana, O'Connor demanded extra attention inside which created pass rush lanes outside and tackle opportunities for linebackers. O'Connor never said much outside the locker room, but his passion and intensity were apparent. To those around the Bobcat program in the 1990s, O'Conner remains a revered figure for his outstanding work.
Through the Years: Herb Roberts (1956), Bob Grine (1957), Phil Schneider (1959), Phil Schneider (1960-61), Larry Jones (1963-64), Stan Szczepanczyk (1965), Mike Volmer (1966-69), Phil Rubert (1970), Larry Stevenson (1971), Paul Klaboe (1972-73), Tim Nixon (1974-76), Tim McVicker (1977-80), Eric Smith (1982), Dave Kuchar (1983-84), Pete Fusang (1985), Pat Harmon (1986), Corey Widmer (1987-90), Jeff Corbett (1991), Duff Wall (1992), Clay Allard (1993), Ty O'Connor (1994-98), Phil Espinoza (2000), Ben Smith (2001), Rory Canfield (2003), Sean Neil (2004-07), Neil Boyce (2008), Kyle Godecke (2011-)
Players Mentioned
OL
/ FootballThursday, July 31
Monday, May 19
Wednesday, May 03
Wednesday, May 03
