Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
On Further Review: Montana State Team Effort Takes Down Western Illinois
8/31/2018 8:13:00 AM | Football
It took all three facets of the game - offense, defense and special teams - for Montana State to close out a season-opening Gold Rush victory over Western Illinois
Montana State beat the Western Illinois Leathernecks, 26-23, to open its college football season at Bobcat Stadium.
The game started with a struggling offense going 1-for-8 on third down and gaining only 83 first half yards. The story of the half was the Bobcats' stingy defense. The Bobcats picked off Leatherneck quarterback Sean McGuire twice to keep the game close while the offense got its early jitters out.
"It was a good start," said Montana State head coach Jeff Choate. "(I'm) pretty thrilled with our ability to get after the quarterback, even when we didn't get sacks. (McGuire) was not comfortable in the pocket… Maybe made some errant throws he doesn't normally make."
Despite going into the half with a 13-6 deficit, the Bobcats were poised to not let it affect their outlook on the second half.
"I knew we were going to come out in the second half with great energy," said sophomore quarterback Troy Andersen. "We have a lot of playmakers on our offense."
Trailing at half, the Bobcats needed to make a few offensive adjustments. The first drive included a couple quick throws to wide receivers Kevin Kassis and Willie Patterson to get the offensive side of the ball moving.
Montana State opened the third quarter with an 81-yard scoring drive to tie it at 13. That began a back-and-forth affair late into the game.
"We had to get some guys out of the box," said Choate. "We had to make them at least honor the passing game, whether that was quick throws to force the edges to soften up a bit, or the intermediate stuff to move the pocket to let (Andersen) get out."
It also eventually led to open running lanes for Andersen, who finished with 145 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. It appeared as the game went on, Andersen got stronger.
"We used tempo and kind of got moving a bit," said Andersen. "We came out with a lot better energy in the second half. Our offensive line, they really do a great job, gave us a lot of push. Running backs did a great job running hard."
The consistent Bobcat of the game was place-kicker Tristan Bailey, making 4 of 4 field goals, including a 50-yarder.
"It's all mental. It's the preparation leading up," said Bailey. "It's not all about physical ability. I know I have the physical ability. It's all the mental aspect of it."
His kicks included a 47-yarder to end the first half and a 35-yard kick for the go ahead score at 26-23 with 4:02 left in the fourth quarter. Despite being a newcomer on the squad, Bailey kept his composure throughout.
"It's nothing different throughout the game," said Bailey. "You have to be prepared for every kick the same. You can't put too much pressure on a kick at the end of the game, you can't put too much pressure on it and be like you have to make it or everything's going to end if you don't [make the field goal]. You have to treat everything the same."
It took all three facets of the game to defeat the Leathernecks on Thursday.
The Bobcats travel to Brookings, S.D., next to face South Dakota State on Sept. 8.
The game started with a struggling offense going 1-for-8 on third down and gaining only 83 first half yards. The story of the half was the Bobcats' stingy defense. The Bobcats picked off Leatherneck quarterback Sean McGuire twice to keep the game close while the offense got its early jitters out.
"It was a good start," said Montana State head coach Jeff Choate. "(I'm) pretty thrilled with our ability to get after the quarterback, even when we didn't get sacks. (McGuire) was not comfortable in the pocket… Maybe made some errant throws he doesn't normally make."
Despite going into the half with a 13-6 deficit, the Bobcats were poised to not let it affect their outlook on the second half.
"I knew we were going to come out in the second half with great energy," said sophomore quarterback Troy Andersen. "We have a lot of playmakers on our offense."
Trailing at half, the Bobcats needed to make a few offensive adjustments. The first drive included a couple quick throws to wide receivers Kevin Kassis and Willie Patterson to get the offensive side of the ball moving.
Montana State opened the third quarter with an 81-yard scoring drive to tie it at 13. That began a back-and-forth affair late into the game.
"We had to get some guys out of the box," said Choate. "We had to make them at least honor the passing game, whether that was quick throws to force the edges to soften up a bit, or the intermediate stuff to move the pocket to let (Andersen) get out."
It also eventually led to open running lanes for Andersen, who finished with 145 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. It appeared as the game went on, Andersen got stronger.
"We used tempo and kind of got moving a bit," said Andersen. "We came out with a lot better energy in the second half. Our offensive line, they really do a great job, gave us a lot of push. Running backs did a great job running hard."
The consistent Bobcat of the game was place-kicker Tristan Bailey, making 4 of 4 field goals, including a 50-yarder.
"It's all mental. It's the preparation leading up," said Bailey. "It's not all about physical ability. I know I have the physical ability. It's all the mental aspect of it."
His kicks included a 47-yarder to end the first half and a 35-yard kick for the go ahead score at 26-23 with 4:02 left in the fourth quarter. Despite being a newcomer on the squad, Bailey kept his composure throughout.
"It's nothing different throughout the game," said Bailey. "You have to be prepared for every kick the same. You can't put too much pressure on a kick at the end of the game, you can't put too much pressure on it and be like you have to make it or everything's going to end if you don't [make the field goal]. You have to treat everything the same."
It took all three facets of the game to defeat the Leathernecks on Thursday.
The Bobcats travel to Brookings, S.D., next to face South Dakota State on Sept. 8.
Players Mentioned
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