Tyrone Fa'anono keys a strong Bobcat defensive front
Photo by: Garrett Becker
BOBCAT FOOTBALL GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #9: MSU Looks to Slow Down Cal Poly Option Attack
11/3/2018 1:07:00 PM | Football
Montana State, Cal Poly square off for first time sinc 2015
Time will be on Jeff Choate's mind today during his team's Big Sky showdown with Cal Poly in Bobcat Stadium.
Not a clock on any wall, necessarily, but time as it pertains to the 60 minutes of play. "They want to hold the ball,' Choate said of Cal Poly and its relentless option attack which thrives on a steady ground game. "They'll have two-, three-minute three and outs. They shorten the game and make every possession valuable. They want to bleed you out."
The Mustangs hold the ball for 34:56 per game, the best mark in the FCS, and are near the top in rushing offense and third-down success. key for the Cats to combat that style, Choate says, is the intersection of efficiency and urgency. "We don't necessarily need to score points on every possession, but we need to gain some first downs, keep the ball ourselves, and capitalize when scoring opportunities present themselves."
* * * * *
The Bobcats will be without a veteran receiver today. Bozeman's Johnny D'Agostino suffered an injury in practice during the week and is out for Cal Poly.
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In the wake of recent injuries, including D'Agostino's, Bobcat coach Jeff Choate the time for young players to assert their presence has arrived. Utilizing a first-year eligibility rule, which allows players to compete in up to four games without clicking the counter to the next class, is part of the process. "There's opportunity for young guys, not just (true) freshmen but (second-year freshmen) like Peyton Hanser and Callahan O'Reilly. I'm excited to see how the young guys play."
* * * * *
For many years, Cal Poly's calling card has been its confounding option attack on offense which often boosts the Mustangs to the top of the FCS rushing rankings. Quarterback Khaleel Jenkins, a proficient engineer of the team's offense, contributed in a different way last week. In Cal Poly's 38-28 win at Northern Arizona, Jenkins threw his first two touchdown passes of the season. In 53 passes, he still hasn't thrown an interception this season.
* * * * *
In addition to controlling the football, one of today's keys may be simply holding onto it. By the nature of Cal Poly's triple option, which includes handoffs rooted in deception and pitches, the premium is on ballhandling. The Mustangs have fumbled 23 times in this season's eight games, losing 13. The team, though, hasn't thrown an interception, but is -3 in turnovers on the season.
Montana State, on the other hand, has lost just four fumbles in the last 19 games. This season, MSU is -1 in turnovers on the season.
Not a clock on any wall, necessarily, but time as it pertains to the 60 minutes of play. "They want to hold the ball,' Choate said of Cal Poly and its relentless option attack which thrives on a steady ground game. "They'll have two-, three-minute three and outs. They shorten the game and make every possession valuable. They want to bleed you out."
The Mustangs hold the ball for 34:56 per game, the best mark in the FCS, and are near the top in rushing offense and third-down success. key for the Cats to combat that style, Choate says, is the intersection of efficiency and urgency. "We don't necessarily need to score points on every possession, but we need to gain some first downs, keep the ball ourselves, and capitalize when scoring opportunities present themselves."
* * * * *
The Bobcats will be without a veteran receiver today. Bozeman's Johnny D'Agostino suffered an injury in practice during the week and is out for Cal Poly.
* * * * *
In the wake of recent injuries, including D'Agostino's, Bobcat coach Jeff Choate the time for young players to assert their presence has arrived. Utilizing a first-year eligibility rule, which allows players to compete in up to four games without clicking the counter to the next class, is part of the process. "There's opportunity for young guys, not just (true) freshmen but (second-year freshmen) like Peyton Hanser and Callahan O'Reilly. I'm excited to see how the young guys play."
* * * * *
For many years, Cal Poly's calling card has been its confounding option attack on offense which often boosts the Mustangs to the top of the FCS rushing rankings. Quarterback Khaleel Jenkins, a proficient engineer of the team's offense, contributed in a different way last week. In Cal Poly's 38-28 win at Northern Arizona, Jenkins threw his first two touchdown passes of the season. In 53 passes, he still hasn't thrown an interception this season.
* * * * *
In addition to controlling the football, one of today's keys may be simply holding onto it. By the nature of Cal Poly's triple option, which includes handoffs rooted in deception and pitches, the premium is on ballhandling. The Mustangs have fumbled 23 times in this season's eight games, losing 13. The team, though, hasn't thrown an interception, but is -3 in turnovers on the season.
Montana State, on the other hand, has lost just four fumbles in the last 19 games. This season, MSU is -1 in turnovers on the season.
Players Mentioned
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