Saturday, November 10
BOZEMAN
1 pm
Montana State University
vs
Northern Colorado (SENIOR DAY/AG APPRECIATION)
Alex Neale
Photo by: Garrett Becker
GAME #10: Bobcats Close Home Portion of 2018 Season with Senior Day Saturday
11/7/2018 8:54:00 AM | Football
Northern Colorado visits Bobcat Stadium for the first time since 2012
BOZEMAN, Montana – Looks can be deceiving, as the old saying goes, and Jeff Choate lived that while watching Northern Colorado video in preparation for Montana State's Senior Day game against the Bears on Saturday. Kickoff is 1 pm in Bobcat Stadium.
"You watch the first half of every game and it looks like an 8-2 team, not a 2-8 team," Choate says. "They fight. They play hard."
The Bears claim just two victories, but they've come in the last three weeks. UNC whipped Northern Arizona 42-14, then nipped Southern Utah 42-39 in Cedar City. Even in the 48-14 loss to Eastern Washington, Choate said, "they were right there with them. Eastern Washington struggled to move the ball at times."
That sets up an interesting matchup between a defensive front that Jeff Choate calls a "very, very stout, competitive front seven" and a Montana State offense that has churned out rushing yards. Quarterback Troy Andersen triggers MSU's diverse ground game, averaging 109.8 yards, 13th in the FCS. As a team the Cats gain 220.7 yards a game on the ground, 24th nationally. Running back Isaiah Ifanse set an MSU freshman record by gashing Cal Poly for 227 yards a week ago. UNC linebacker Luke Nelson's 80 tackles lead the Bears, while linebacker Henry Stelzner's 10.5 tackles-for-loss is third in the Big Sky. Choate also singled out end Keifer Morris "who has some twitch on the edge" and tackle Robert Moss who "causes problem."
"They play really hard," Choate says of the Bears defense. "They make you earn everything you get. I really like their front seven, I like their personnel. I wouldn't say they're as talented as Weber State, but they're in that category with the Weber States, the Idaho States."
The Bears offense has been troubled by an early-season injury at the quarterback position, which has spread playing time among three players. Keaton Mott throws for 183 yards a game, with 10 touchdowns and only five interceptions, while Conor Regan has 248.0 yards passing in his four games. Jacob Knipp's 64.8% completion rate is the best on the team.
UNC's brightest offensive star is receiver Alex Wesley, who Choate says "is probably on the clock, an NFL type of guy. He can really blow the top off a defense." Wesley is a former Big Sky Conference 400 meter champion, and the senior is in the midst of his second consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season. Willie Fiarman caught a long touchdown pass against the Cats last season in Greeley, and his 44 yards a game is a strong complement for Wesley. Running backs Milo Hall (64.5 yards a game) and Trae Riek (37.6) rush for over 100 yards a game combined, giving the Bears a strong ground presence.
As with the UNC defense, Choate is impressed with the Bears on offense. "Offensively they have guys on the perimeter that can go," he said. "You have to get them covered, or they'll get some chunk plays down the field."
Choate expressed disappointment with how his team played defensively last week, particularly late. The Cats allowed 21 fourth-quarter points, just a dozen less than MSU opponents had combined for in the first eight games of the season. "Finishing is foundational in our program," Choate said. "That will be an emphasis" leading to today's kickoff.
The Cats enter Saturday's game with a 5-4 record, 3-3 in the Big Sky. One more win clinches Montana State's first winning record since 2014, and boosts the team into the finale next week in Missoula. Northern Colorado closes its season today in Bobcat Stadium.
#GoCatsGo
"You watch the first half of every game and it looks like an 8-2 team, not a 2-8 team," Choate says. "They fight. They play hard."
The Bears claim just two victories, but they've come in the last three weeks. UNC whipped Northern Arizona 42-14, then nipped Southern Utah 42-39 in Cedar City. Even in the 48-14 loss to Eastern Washington, Choate said, "they were right there with them. Eastern Washington struggled to move the ball at times."
That sets up an interesting matchup between a defensive front that Jeff Choate calls a "very, very stout, competitive front seven" and a Montana State offense that has churned out rushing yards. Quarterback Troy Andersen triggers MSU's diverse ground game, averaging 109.8 yards, 13th in the FCS. As a team the Cats gain 220.7 yards a game on the ground, 24th nationally. Running back Isaiah Ifanse set an MSU freshman record by gashing Cal Poly for 227 yards a week ago. UNC linebacker Luke Nelson's 80 tackles lead the Bears, while linebacker Henry Stelzner's 10.5 tackles-for-loss is third in the Big Sky. Choate also singled out end Keifer Morris "who has some twitch on the edge" and tackle Robert Moss who "causes problem."
"They play really hard," Choate says of the Bears defense. "They make you earn everything you get. I really like their front seven, I like their personnel. I wouldn't say they're as talented as Weber State, but they're in that category with the Weber States, the Idaho States."
The Bears offense has been troubled by an early-season injury at the quarterback position, which has spread playing time among three players. Keaton Mott throws for 183 yards a game, with 10 touchdowns and only five interceptions, while Conor Regan has 248.0 yards passing in his four games. Jacob Knipp's 64.8% completion rate is the best on the team.
UNC's brightest offensive star is receiver Alex Wesley, who Choate says "is probably on the clock, an NFL type of guy. He can really blow the top off a defense." Wesley is a former Big Sky Conference 400 meter champion, and the senior is in the midst of his second consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season. Willie Fiarman caught a long touchdown pass against the Cats last season in Greeley, and his 44 yards a game is a strong complement for Wesley. Running backs Milo Hall (64.5 yards a game) and Trae Riek (37.6) rush for over 100 yards a game combined, giving the Bears a strong ground presence.
As with the UNC defense, Choate is impressed with the Bears on offense. "Offensively they have guys on the perimeter that can go," he said. "You have to get them covered, or they'll get some chunk plays down the field."
Choate expressed disappointment with how his team played defensively last week, particularly late. The Cats allowed 21 fourth-quarter points, just a dozen less than MSU opponents had combined for in the first eight games of the season. "Finishing is foundational in our program," Choate said. "That will be an emphasis" leading to today's kickoff.
The Cats enter Saturday's game with a 5-4 record, 3-3 in the Big Sky. One more win clinches Montana State's first winning record since 2014, and boosts the team into the finale next week in Missoula. Northern Colorado closes its season today in Bobcat Stadium.
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
RB/QB
/ Football
RB
/ FootballLeon Costello Press Conference: Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center
Thursday, July 31
A Conversation with President Dr. Waded Cruzado | Montana State Athletics
Monday, May 19
Big Cats, Little Trucks - Willie Patterson
Wednesday, May 03
Matt Houk Introductory Press Conference
Wednesday, May 03
