Isaiah Ifanse is one of four Washington natives starting for the Cats today
Photo by: Garrett Becker
BOBCAT GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #5: Full-Strength Bobcats Ready for Big Challenge
9/29/2018 12:01:00 PM | Football
Montana State faces fifth-ranked Eastern Washington at 1 pm on Saturday
The news for the Bobcat football program an hour before kickoff today is that there really is no news. There are no last-second depth-chart changes, no injuries or other personnel palpitations, just a football team ready for an important conference home game with a depth chart that's nearly complete.
"We're glad to have Chad Kanow back (he debuted last week) at Will, glad to have (Mike linebacker) Grant (Collins) healthy, glad to have Jahque (Alleyne) ready to go at the post safety," Choate said. "When you think about it we've had a lot of nagging injuries, but because of that I think we'll get stronger and stronger as the season goes along."
* * * * *
Troy Andersen obviously plays a central role in any Bobcat game plan, but MSU head coach Jeff Choate hinted that Andersen's role could be unique this week. "Troy's an exceptional player," Choate said, "and I'm not going to put his talent in a box.
* * * * *
It's no accident that Montana State has an increasing number of players from the state of Washington. That was a stated goal by Jeff Choate when he became the Bobcats' head coach, and he executing that plan.
On offense, three Washington natives start for the Cats – senior center Alex Neale (Duvall) and a pair of freshmen, running back Isaiah Ifanse (Bellevue) and receiver Willie Patterson (Tacoma). Defensively, the Cats line up junior Bryce Sterk (Lynden) at the Buck position. Each of those players have joined the program during Choate's tenure.
"The state of Washington, and especially that I-5 corridor, has a lot of talent," he said. "And there are a lot of MSU students outside of the football program from Washington, so that tells us that it's a natural fit. Montana State historically has had good players from Washington, and the young men we've attracted have been great fits for us."
* * * * *
Big Bacon – 260 lb running back Tyler Natee – has impacted the Bobcat ground game, Jeff Choate said, but maybe not like you'd expect. He's been terrific as a short-yardage back, but as a road grader clearing the way for other Cat backs he's been even better. "Tyler is an exceptional blocker," Choate said. "That phase of his game is really next-level."
* * * * *
Eastern Washington receivers coach Jay Dumas is a former Bobcat assistant. A Washington State standout as a player, Dumas coached Bobcat running backs from 2003-06 after beginning his coaching career in the prep ranks in western Washington.
* * * * *
Montana State's late-game defensive performance continues to impress. In the past two seasons, the Cats have allowed just 5.5 points in the fourth quarter, including 10 in the first four games of 2018.
"We're glad to have Chad Kanow back (he debuted last week) at Will, glad to have (Mike linebacker) Grant (Collins) healthy, glad to have Jahque (Alleyne) ready to go at the post safety," Choate said. "When you think about it we've had a lot of nagging injuries, but because of that I think we'll get stronger and stronger as the season goes along."
* * * * *
Troy Andersen obviously plays a central role in any Bobcat game plan, but MSU head coach Jeff Choate hinted that Andersen's role could be unique this week. "Troy's an exceptional player," Choate said, "and I'm not going to put his talent in a box.
* * * * *
It's no accident that Montana State has an increasing number of players from the state of Washington. That was a stated goal by Jeff Choate when he became the Bobcats' head coach, and he executing that plan.
On offense, three Washington natives start for the Cats – senior center Alex Neale (Duvall) and a pair of freshmen, running back Isaiah Ifanse (Bellevue) and receiver Willie Patterson (Tacoma). Defensively, the Cats line up junior Bryce Sterk (Lynden) at the Buck position. Each of those players have joined the program during Choate's tenure.
"The state of Washington, and especially that I-5 corridor, has a lot of talent," he said. "And there are a lot of MSU students outside of the football program from Washington, so that tells us that it's a natural fit. Montana State historically has had good players from Washington, and the young men we've attracted have been great fits for us."
* * * * *
Big Bacon – 260 lb running back Tyler Natee – has impacted the Bobcat ground game, Jeff Choate said, but maybe not like you'd expect. He's been terrific as a short-yardage back, but as a road grader clearing the way for other Cat backs he's been even better. "Tyler is an exceptional blocker," Choate said. "That phase of his game is really next-level."
* * * * *
Eastern Washington receivers coach Jay Dumas is a former Bobcat assistant. A Washington State standout as a player, Dumas coached Bobcat running backs from 2003-06 after beginning his coaching career in the prep ranks in western Washington.
* * * * *
Montana State's late-game defensive performance continues to impress. In the past two seasons, the Cats have allowed just 5.5 points in the fourth quarter, including 10 in the first four games of 2018.
Players Mentioned
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