Tyler Bruggman starts at quarterback for the Cats today
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
Tyler Bruggman Starts Under Center for the Cats Today vs. NAU
10/8/2016 4:05:00 PM | Football
MSU's starting lineup features other changes
A familiar face is slated to line up under center at the start of Montana State's contest with Northern Arizona at Bobcat Stadium tonight at 5 pm, but there will be some new faces elsewhere.
Tyler Bruggman, who has started the team's first five games, makes it six in a row tonight, but Jeff Choate is clear that both he and freshman Chris Murray will play. "Tyler had clearly the better week of practice," Choate said, "so I'm glad with how he responded (to Murray receiving most of the snaps last week). But Tyler and Chris will both play, and we need them both to play well."
After rushing for nearly 200 yards last week, Murray's passing is what caught Choate's eye. "He threw the ball better than the statistics might lead you to believe," Choate said of his performance at Sacramento State. "He's commanding more and more of the offense. He just needs to relax and play."
* * * * *
Bruggman and Murray will operate behind a revised offensive line this afternoon. Starting left tackle Dylan Mahoney will miss the NAU game with a foot injury. Redshirt freshman Mitch Brott moves from right tackle to left, while Patrick Carroll starts at right tackle.
On defense, Chris Harris makes his first career start at cornerback. He starts opposite John Walker.
* * * * *
While reserve quarterback Blake Kemp is expected to play today instead of injured starter Case Cookus, the Lumberjacks passing game still presents a major challenge is largely due to the presence of All-America receiver Emmanuel Butler. He has 28 catches for 409 yards and six touchdowns already in 2016, and he also has the Bobcats' attention.
"Everybody has thrown a little wrinkle at him," Choate said. "Some people try to double him, others try to get real physical. No matter what he sees he just makes catches that make you go, 'He caught that?'"
* * * * *
If you're looking for the Cats to make a move today, it may come in the middle segment of the game. Montana State has out-scored its opponents 72-31 in the second quarter and 44-10 in the third. Bobcat opponents lead MSU 27-16 in the first quarter, and 34-20 in the fourth.
Tyler Bruggman, who has started the team's first five games, makes it six in a row tonight, but Jeff Choate is clear that both he and freshman Chris Murray will play. "Tyler had clearly the better week of practice," Choate said, "so I'm glad with how he responded (to Murray receiving most of the snaps last week). But Tyler and Chris will both play, and we need them both to play well."
After rushing for nearly 200 yards last week, Murray's passing is what caught Choate's eye. "He threw the ball better than the statistics might lead you to believe," Choate said of his performance at Sacramento State. "He's commanding more and more of the offense. He just needs to relax and play."
* * * * *
Bruggman and Murray will operate behind a revised offensive line this afternoon. Starting left tackle Dylan Mahoney will miss the NAU game with a foot injury. Redshirt freshman Mitch Brott moves from right tackle to left, while Patrick Carroll starts at right tackle.
On defense, Chris Harris makes his first career start at cornerback. He starts opposite John Walker.
* * * * *
While reserve quarterback Blake Kemp is expected to play today instead of injured starter Case Cookus, the Lumberjacks passing game still presents a major challenge is largely due to the presence of All-America receiver Emmanuel Butler. He has 28 catches for 409 yards and six touchdowns already in 2016, and he also has the Bobcats' attention.
"Everybody has thrown a little wrinkle at him," Choate said. "Some people try to double him, others try to get real physical. No matter what he sees he just makes catches that make you go, 'He caught that?'"
* * * * *
If you're looking for the Cats to make a move today, it may come in the middle segment of the game. Montana State has out-scored its opponents 72-31 in the second quarter and 44-10 in the third. Bobcat opponents lead MSU 27-16 in the first quarter, and 34-20 in the fourth.
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OT
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