Photo by: Montana State University
GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #1: Bobcats Open 2018 with Annual Gold Rush Game
8/30/2018 6:00:00 PM | Football
Montana State's defensive front will be missing a key component tonight
Not quite 30 years ago, Montana State looked across Reno H. Sales Stadium before its first game of the 1990 season and saw a scrappy, talented Western Illinois team.
Like tonight, that was a big intersectional game. Like this Bobcat team, that one had high hopes. The 1990 Cats opened with a stunning win at Idaho before losing at Colorado State in Week Two. And the Bobcats opened that warm, windy afternoon with a thunderclap.
Late in the first quarter, John Tetrault found Rob Tesch for a 51-yard touchdown pass. Tetrault plowed in from one yard out early in the second quarter, then Tim Stoppa did the same just before the half to send MSU into the intermission with a 21-0 lead. The hits kept coming in the third quarter, when Jeremy Wicht dashed 36 yards for a touchdown. The Bobcats led 28-0, and the game was for all intents and purposes over. Montana State won 38-16 to raise its record to 2-1 on the season. The team's spread offense compiled 178 yards rushing and 172 passing.
Bob Wilkinson rashed for 71 yards, and Tetrault threw for 155 yards and a touchdown. Rob Hatch led the defense with two tackles-for-loss and two forced fumbles.
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Senior defensive tackle Tucker Yates will miss tonight's game, serving a one-game suspension for a violation of MSU's student-athlete code of conduct. He returns next week for the South Dakota State game.
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Tonight's game is Montana State's 12th Gold Rush Game, and has become a strong tradition. Its predecessors: 2017 – South Dakota State, 31-27 loss; 2016 – Bryan, 27-24 win; 2015 – Fort Lewis, 45-14 win; 2014 – Black Hills State, 57-10 win; 2013 – Monmouth, 42-24 win; 2012 – Chadron State, 33-6 win; 2011 – UC Davis, 38-14 win; 2010 – Fort Lewis, 59-20 win; 2009 – Dixie State, 23-20 win; 2008 – Adams State, 59-3 win; 2007 – Dixie State, 61-7 win.
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You don't have to go far back for Bobcat home opener superlatives. One year ago, against South Dakota State, Chris Murray threw for 311 yards and four touchdowns, and rushed for 107 yards, becoming the last 300-yard passer and 100-yard rusher on opening day.
Like tonight, that was a big intersectional game. Like this Bobcat team, that one had high hopes. The 1990 Cats opened with a stunning win at Idaho before losing at Colorado State in Week Two. And the Bobcats opened that warm, windy afternoon with a thunderclap.
Late in the first quarter, John Tetrault found Rob Tesch for a 51-yard touchdown pass. Tetrault plowed in from one yard out early in the second quarter, then Tim Stoppa did the same just before the half to send MSU into the intermission with a 21-0 lead. The hits kept coming in the third quarter, when Jeremy Wicht dashed 36 yards for a touchdown. The Bobcats led 28-0, and the game was for all intents and purposes over. Montana State won 38-16 to raise its record to 2-1 on the season. The team's spread offense compiled 178 yards rushing and 172 passing.
Bob Wilkinson rashed for 71 yards, and Tetrault threw for 155 yards and a touchdown. Rob Hatch led the defense with two tackles-for-loss and two forced fumbles.
* * * * *
Senior defensive tackle Tucker Yates will miss tonight's game, serving a one-game suspension for a violation of MSU's student-athlete code of conduct. He returns next week for the South Dakota State game.
* * * * *
Tonight's game is Montana State's 12th Gold Rush Game, and has become a strong tradition. Its predecessors: 2017 – South Dakota State, 31-27 loss; 2016 – Bryan, 27-24 win; 2015 – Fort Lewis, 45-14 win; 2014 – Black Hills State, 57-10 win; 2013 – Monmouth, 42-24 win; 2012 – Chadron State, 33-6 win; 2011 – UC Davis, 38-14 win; 2010 – Fort Lewis, 59-20 win; 2009 – Dixie State, 23-20 win; 2008 – Adams State, 59-3 win; 2007 – Dixie State, 61-7 win.
* * * * *
You don't have to go far back for Bobcat home opener superlatives. One year ago, against South Dakota State, Chris Murray threw for 311 yards and four touchdowns, and rushed for 107 yards, becoming the last 300-yard passer and 100-yard rusher on opening day.
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