Saturday, September 8
Brookings, SD
5 pm
Montana State University
at
South Dakota State
BOBCAT FOOTBALL GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #2: Bobcats Face SDSU in Jackrabbits' Season Opener
9/8/2018 4:00:00 PM | Football
Strong connections exist between these two Land Grant institutions
After a week of speculation on injuries, the Cats will be without a key starter this evening against third-ranked South Dakota State.
Safety Jahque Alleyne appeared unable to go in the hours leading to kickoff, and JoJo Henderson is slated to start at free safety. He joined the team's starting lineup in 2017 before injuries derailed his sophomore season, and played extensively a week ago against Western Illinois. Redshirt freshman Shawn Borges is slated as the primary backup at both safety spots.
* * * * *
For the second straight week, Jeff Choate enters a game against a strong Missouri Valley Football Conference opponent with the idea of using his team's versatility at quarterback to MSU's advantage. "We'll be very creative today," he said. "We want to use the best players available in roles that will lead to success. We're thinking player, not play. There are guys that have to touch the ball, and that's how we approached this week."
While South Dakota State's defense is one of the most sound, productive and best in the FCS, and other factors can dictate personnel, Choate said execution remains the key. "It really comes down to use operating our offense."
* * * * *
While Montana State opened its season on Thursday with a Gold Rush win over Western Illinois, this week's opponent was experiencing something altogether different on Saturday. South Dakota State's game at Iowa State was cancelled due to a persistent thunderstorm, a phenomena also encountered a few hours to the southeast in Lincoln, Nebraska. In Ames, SDSU's opener became the first Jackrabbits game derailed by weather since the famous Halloween Blizzard of 1991 that paralyzed the region and eliminated the possibility of playing their game against St. Cloud State.
* * * * *
There was one Bobcat connection in SDSU's game at Iowa State. The Cyclones' starting quarterback, who threw a touchdown pass in the early moments of the game, is Kyle Kempt. His brother Cody was an MSU quarterback and then assistant coach, his father played on the 1984 National Championship squad, and his mother ran track at Montana State.
* * * * *
Even before last year's thriller in Bozeman, Montana State defensive coordinator Ty Gregorak was familiar with South Dakota State's offense. MSU's third-year assistant coach held the same role at Montana in 2015, when the Jackrabbits visited Washington-Grizzly Stadium for an FCS Playoff game. Montana won 24-17, but Gregorak remembers being impressed with SDSU freshman quarterback Taryn Christion. UM held the budding star to 18-for-43 passing for 230 yards and a touchdown, and the Grizzlies sacked Christion three times. Saturday's game marks the third time in four years Christion will face a Gregorak defense.
* * * * *
Montana State's last trip to Brookings for a football game was 1964, when the Cats pasted SDSU 46-14. Ben Vaughn scored on a three-yard run to open the scoring and caught a 50-yard pass from Ray Foley to put the Cats up 14-0 and effectively end the game. The Bobcats led that one 33-0 before South Dakota State found the scoreboard.
* * * * *
Two more strong connections exist between South Dakota State and Montana State. Bobcats Director of Athletics Leon Costello came to MSU from SDSU, and current Jackrabbits offensive line coach Jason Eck arrived in Brookings after a season at Montana State.
Safety Jahque Alleyne appeared unable to go in the hours leading to kickoff, and JoJo Henderson is slated to start at free safety. He joined the team's starting lineup in 2017 before injuries derailed his sophomore season, and played extensively a week ago against Western Illinois. Redshirt freshman Shawn Borges is slated as the primary backup at both safety spots.
* * * * *
For the second straight week, Jeff Choate enters a game against a strong Missouri Valley Football Conference opponent with the idea of using his team's versatility at quarterback to MSU's advantage. "We'll be very creative today," he said. "We want to use the best players available in roles that will lead to success. We're thinking player, not play. There are guys that have to touch the ball, and that's how we approached this week."
While South Dakota State's defense is one of the most sound, productive and best in the FCS, and other factors can dictate personnel, Choate said execution remains the key. "It really comes down to use operating our offense."
* * * * *
While Montana State opened its season on Thursday with a Gold Rush win over Western Illinois, this week's opponent was experiencing something altogether different on Saturday. South Dakota State's game at Iowa State was cancelled due to a persistent thunderstorm, a phenomena also encountered a few hours to the southeast in Lincoln, Nebraska. In Ames, SDSU's opener became the first Jackrabbits game derailed by weather since the famous Halloween Blizzard of 1991 that paralyzed the region and eliminated the possibility of playing their game against St. Cloud State.
* * * * *
There was one Bobcat connection in SDSU's game at Iowa State. The Cyclones' starting quarterback, who threw a touchdown pass in the early moments of the game, is Kyle Kempt. His brother Cody was an MSU quarterback and then assistant coach, his father played on the 1984 National Championship squad, and his mother ran track at Montana State.
* * * * *
Even before last year's thriller in Bozeman, Montana State defensive coordinator Ty Gregorak was familiar with South Dakota State's offense. MSU's third-year assistant coach held the same role at Montana in 2015, when the Jackrabbits visited Washington-Grizzly Stadium for an FCS Playoff game. Montana won 24-17, but Gregorak remembers being impressed with SDSU freshman quarterback Taryn Christion. UM held the budding star to 18-for-43 passing for 230 yards and a touchdown, and the Grizzlies sacked Christion three times. Saturday's game marks the third time in four years Christion will face a Gregorak defense.
* * * * *
Montana State's last trip to Brookings for a football game was 1964, when the Cats pasted SDSU 46-14. Ben Vaughn scored on a three-yard run to open the scoring and caught a 50-yard pass from Ray Foley to put the Cats up 14-0 and effectively end the game. The Bobcats led that one 33-0 before South Dakota State found the scoreboard.
* * * * *
Two more strong connections exist between South Dakota State and Montana State. Bobcats Director of Athletics Leon Costello came to MSU from SDSU, and current Jackrabbits offensive line coach Jason Eck arrived in Brookings after a season at Montana State.
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