Photo by: Garrett Becker
GAME #11: Bobcats Brace for Big November Contest at UC Davis
11/13/2019 1:40:00 PM | Football
Montana State faces hard-charging Aggies on Saturday in California
BOZEMAN, Montana – It's not exactly as easy as turning the page of a calendar for Montana State football coach Jeff Choate, but almost.
"Every single game in November is consequential and big," Choate said Tuesday. He was discussing his team's game at UC Davis (5-5 overall, 3-3 Big Sky), but it's a notion strongly rooted in his football life. "I don't look at this game as any different from last week's game or the game before. It's a big game for both teams because it's November football."
This particular November football game holds importance for both teams. While the Aggies have found traction difficult to find at times against one of the most difficult schedules in the FCS, UC Davis aims at a winning record that would feature victories over two nationally-ranked opponents. The Bobcats (7-3, 4-2 Big Sky) look to keep their post-season hopes alive.
Choate said that his team is keenly aware of the stakes, especially since a two-game October losing streak that eliminated most of MSU's margin for error, but he said his squad is maintaining a steady gait. "Not that much different, really," when asked if his team has wavered. "I think we've got a mature group of guys, and we've been through a lot together. We remind each other that we've been here before, sometimes at halftime, sometimes on Sunday, and we've got to take that next man up approach or the next play mentality. That's what you've got to do if you want to be successful. You can't worry about what happened yesterday and you can't worry about what's going to happen tomorrow. You've got to live in the moment and go play."
The moment at hand offers a stern challenge for a Bobcat defense that has limited its last two opponents – Southern Utah and Northern Colorado – to just 21 points and and 538 yards combined. The Aggies throw for over 320 yards a game, and average 31 points a contest. Taking out games against California and North Dakota State, UC Davis is closer to 40 points a game than 30. The team's quarterback, Jake Maier, who Choate says "is one of the best (quarterbacks) I've seen in the country at any level."
"It starts primarily on offense with (Maier), a returning All-American and deservedly so," Choate said. "This kid's fun to watch. We didn't play UC Davis last year, but I got to watch him on film a bunch. He's a very accurate passer. He can throw from a variety of arm slots, a variety of platforms, meaning he doesn't have to have his feet necessarily set underneath him all the time to be able to throw accurately, and that makes him dangerous. He's an adequate runner, he runs more to throw, but he can hurt you with his feet in scramble situations."
Choate said Maier "has a handful of targets. (Khris Vaughn) is their leading receiver, and it goes to (Lance Babb II), who I see as an emerging star for them in their offense, a really good guy in the screen game for them. (Jared Harrell) is kind of a complimentary receiver, and (Wes Preece), their security blanket, is a big target at tight end. Then you throw in the fact that they have the league's leading rusher in (Ulonzo Gilliam Jr.). This is a complete offense that's going to be an extreme challenge for us. There's no easy weeks in this league, and this is going to be one of those. We're going to need to eliminate some of the explosive run plays they've been able to get. They always have a couple of tricks up their sleeve. We have to be prepared for that. This is a very explosive, very talented offense that we're facing."
A stout defensive line, Choate says, anchors the Aggies stop unit. "Defensively it starts up front for them," he said. "I think the interior of their defensive line is one of the strengths of their team. (They have) active, big bodies, a nose (tackle, Josiah Suani) that's listed at 329 lbs, so they've got some guys that are hard to move on the interior of their defensive line and they complement that with some excellent payers on the perimeter. They have some of the better pass rushers (in the Big Sky). I'd say Sac State and these guys have the best pass rush group that I've seen on tape, and that says a lot. (Nick Eaton), their Sam linebacker, moves around a little bit, I think he was the conference defensive player of the week, and I love the way this kid plays. He plays with juice, energy, plays hard, physical kid, and he runs well. (Devon King) is a dangerous corner, kind of a ballhawk, creates a lot of turnovers, and a guy that you need to be aware of when you're throwing the football."
Choate also warns that UC Davis fields dangerous units in the kicking game. "Their field goal kicker (Max O'Rourke) is 80% on the year, a very talented guy, and they've got a kickoff returner (Jaylin White) that took one back against Weber State, which has excellent special teams, and (Isaiah Thomas), one of their safeties, is a very aggressive punt returner."
Add it up, Choate says, and "this is a complete team. They've had a little bit of an up-and-down season (because) they've played a tough schedule.
Why is a question they're probably asking, but I know all they care about right now is how? How are they going to get that next win and move forward."
Montana State brings to UCD Health Stadium on Saturday a group that Choate says is a team in every sense. "This is the definition of a team," he said. "The group of kids playing for Team 122 at Montana State University is the definition of team. We have no superstars… This is a group of guys that care about each other, and they are going to do what they have to do to win. And in today's day and age, when everybody wants a superstar, I think this is a unique deal… When guys come together and play this game the right way it's rewarding."
Choate has seen incremental progress both offensively and defensively. Quarterback Tucker Rovig continues to improve, and he operates an offense that leads the Big Sky Conference in rushing yards (nearly 260 per game). Several players have stepped into the void created by injuries to starting running back Isaiah Ifanse and another of the team's top offensive weapons, receiver/quarterback Travis Jonsen.
Defensively end Bryce Sterk and linebackers Troy Andersen and Amandre Williams key a unit that has become increasingly efficient in slowing opponent ground games and creating big plays. In the team's most recent three games, MSU has allowed the opponent around 51 rushing yards and 285 total yards per game. The Cats have picked off three passes and sacked the opposing quarterback a dozen times in that period, as well.
In Aggies head coach Dan Hawkins, Choate sees someone who has winning programs everywhere from Division III to the Big 12, including considerable success at Boise State, before returning to coach at his alma mater. "That guy's done a great job down there," Choate says of his counterpart on Saturday, "taking a program as an alum, taking a program that he obviously has a lot of pride in and passion for, and elevating it very quickly."
Choate knows Saturday's task is tall. "We've got a really tough opponent in front of us, but these are the games I like to coach in. I enjoy matching wits with good coaches, matching schemes, but I know this – at the end of the day it's going to come down to the team that executes at the highest level and plays with the most physicality."
Kickoff is 5 pm MT, and the game airs around Montana on ABC stations, as well as SWX in Billings. Video is available on Pluto.tv and WatchBigSky.com, and the game also airs on the Bobcat Radio Network around Montana and on msubobcats.com and the Tune In app.
#GoCatsGo
"Every single game in November is consequential and big," Choate said Tuesday. He was discussing his team's game at UC Davis (5-5 overall, 3-3 Big Sky), but it's a notion strongly rooted in his football life. "I don't look at this game as any different from last week's game or the game before. It's a big game for both teams because it's November football."
This particular November football game holds importance for both teams. While the Aggies have found traction difficult to find at times against one of the most difficult schedules in the FCS, UC Davis aims at a winning record that would feature victories over two nationally-ranked opponents. The Bobcats (7-3, 4-2 Big Sky) look to keep their post-season hopes alive.
Choate said that his team is keenly aware of the stakes, especially since a two-game October losing streak that eliminated most of MSU's margin for error, but he said his squad is maintaining a steady gait. "Not that much different, really," when asked if his team has wavered. "I think we've got a mature group of guys, and we've been through a lot together. We remind each other that we've been here before, sometimes at halftime, sometimes on Sunday, and we've got to take that next man up approach or the next play mentality. That's what you've got to do if you want to be successful. You can't worry about what happened yesterday and you can't worry about what's going to happen tomorrow. You've got to live in the moment and go play."
The moment at hand offers a stern challenge for a Bobcat defense that has limited its last two opponents – Southern Utah and Northern Colorado – to just 21 points and and 538 yards combined. The Aggies throw for over 320 yards a game, and average 31 points a contest. Taking out games against California and North Dakota State, UC Davis is closer to 40 points a game than 30. The team's quarterback, Jake Maier, who Choate says "is one of the best (quarterbacks) I've seen in the country at any level."
"It starts primarily on offense with (Maier), a returning All-American and deservedly so," Choate said. "This kid's fun to watch. We didn't play UC Davis last year, but I got to watch him on film a bunch. He's a very accurate passer. He can throw from a variety of arm slots, a variety of platforms, meaning he doesn't have to have his feet necessarily set underneath him all the time to be able to throw accurately, and that makes him dangerous. He's an adequate runner, he runs more to throw, but he can hurt you with his feet in scramble situations."
Choate said Maier "has a handful of targets. (Khris Vaughn) is their leading receiver, and it goes to (Lance Babb II), who I see as an emerging star for them in their offense, a really good guy in the screen game for them. (Jared Harrell) is kind of a complimentary receiver, and (Wes Preece), their security blanket, is a big target at tight end. Then you throw in the fact that they have the league's leading rusher in (Ulonzo Gilliam Jr.). This is a complete offense that's going to be an extreme challenge for us. There's no easy weeks in this league, and this is going to be one of those. We're going to need to eliminate some of the explosive run plays they've been able to get. They always have a couple of tricks up their sleeve. We have to be prepared for that. This is a very explosive, very talented offense that we're facing."
A stout defensive line, Choate says, anchors the Aggies stop unit. "Defensively it starts up front for them," he said. "I think the interior of their defensive line is one of the strengths of their team. (They have) active, big bodies, a nose (tackle, Josiah Suani) that's listed at 329 lbs, so they've got some guys that are hard to move on the interior of their defensive line and they complement that with some excellent payers on the perimeter. They have some of the better pass rushers (in the Big Sky). I'd say Sac State and these guys have the best pass rush group that I've seen on tape, and that says a lot. (Nick Eaton), their Sam linebacker, moves around a little bit, I think he was the conference defensive player of the week, and I love the way this kid plays. He plays with juice, energy, plays hard, physical kid, and he runs well. (Devon King) is a dangerous corner, kind of a ballhawk, creates a lot of turnovers, and a guy that you need to be aware of when you're throwing the football."
Choate also warns that UC Davis fields dangerous units in the kicking game. "Their field goal kicker (Max O'Rourke) is 80% on the year, a very talented guy, and they've got a kickoff returner (Jaylin White) that took one back against Weber State, which has excellent special teams, and (Isaiah Thomas), one of their safeties, is a very aggressive punt returner."
Add it up, Choate says, and "this is a complete team. They've had a little bit of an up-and-down season (because) they've played a tough schedule.
Why is a question they're probably asking, but I know all they care about right now is how? How are they going to get that next win and move forward."
Montana State brings to UCD Health Stadium on Saturday a group that Choate says is a team in every sense. "This is the definition of a team," he said. "The group of kids playing for Team 122 at Montana State University is the definition of team. We have no superstars… This is a group of guys that care about each other, and they are going to do what they have to do to win. And in today's day and age, when everybody wants a superstar, I think this is a unique deal… When guys come together and play this game the right way it's rewarding."
Choate has seen incremental progress both offensively and defensively. Quarterback Tucker Rovig continues to improve, and he operates an offense that leads the Big Sky Conference in rushing yards (nearly 260 per game). Several players have stepped into the void created by injuries to starting running back Isaiah Ifanse and another of the team's top offensive weapons, receiver/quarterback Travis Jonsen.
Defensively end Bryce Sterk and linebackers Troy Andersen and Amandre Williams key a unit that has become increasingly efficient in slowing opponent ground games and creating big plays. In the team's most recent three games, MSU has allowed the opponent around 51 rushing yards and 285 total yards per game. The Cats have picked off three passes and sacked the opposing quarterback a dozen times in that period, as well.
In Aggies head coach Dan Hawkins, Choate sees someone who has winning programs everywhere from Division III to the Big 12, including considerable success at Boise State, before returning to coach at his alma mater. "That guy's done a great job down there," Choate says of his counterpart on Saturday, "taking a program as an alum, taking a program that he obviously has a lot of pride in and passion for, and elevating it very quickly."
Choate knows Saturday's task is tall. "We've got a really tough opponent in front of us, but these are the games I like to coach in. I enjoy matching wits with good coaches, matching schemes, but I know this – at the end of the day it's going to come down to the team that executes at the highest level and plays with the most physicality."
Kickoff is 5 pm MT, and the game airs around Montana on ABC stations, as well as SWX in Billings. Video is available on Pluto.tv and WatchBigSky.com, and the game also airs on the Bobcat Radio Network around Montana and on msubobcats.com and the Tune In app.
#GoCatsGo
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