Photo by: Mike Bashor
BOBCAT FOOTBALL GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #12: Cats Look to Drag Griz into Deep Water
11/23/2019 11:00:00 AM | Football
Montana State hosts ancient rivals today
Bobcat players will tell you it comes from a dominant, experience and well-conditioned offensive line that never loses its focus on the big picture. Matt Miller calls it patience with the run game. Jeff Choate likens it to dragging the opponent into deep water.
By whatever name, Choate's Montana State football program has developed a knack for winning games in the second half behind a relentless, pounding rushing attack. The Bobcats outscore their opponents 177-105 after halftime, 90-62 in the fourth quarter and overtime combined.
And the team's ground game is the major reason, at least on the offensive side of the equation. The Bobcats have gained 1,603 yards after halftime this season, and just 1,256 yards before the intermission. The Cats average 175.0 yards per second half, and 6.1 yards per carry after the break.
For context, Montana State's 175.0 yards in the second half would rank 5th against all other Big Sky teams' full-game rushing average, just two-and-a-half yards behind Weber State's 177.4 yards per game, which is fourth-best (excluding the Cats).
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Every football team has been beaten up by injuries by late November, and neither of today's combatants are different. Today's Cat-Griz game brings a mixed bag of news to Montana State fans. Linebacker Troy Andersen is a game-time decision, but appears unlikely to play as the day dawned.
The Bobcats, though, are gaining some players down the stretch. Isaiah Ifanse is healthier than he's been since week two, according to MSU head coach Jeff Choate, and he returned to action last week 77 yards and a touchdown at UC Davis. Travis Jonsen also returned to action a week ago with 93 rushing yards and 63 through the air.
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Jeff Choate's teams have shown a knack for playing their best football when the games matter the most. Since the 2016 season began, the Cats stand 15-17 from August through October, and 8-3 in November. That includes last week's win at Northern Colorado, the team's second victory in a row.
* * * * *
The Cats carry a couple of odd in-season streaks into today's game. Montana State has played four consecutive reigning Big Sky Defensive Players of the Week – UM's Jace Lewis earned the award last week, Nick Eaton of UC Davis before him, preceded by Michael Walker of UNC and Southern Utah's Carlton Johnson. (Hat-tip to Kreg Worrest for the note.) MSU is also lining up across from an opponent coming off a win for the seventh straight week when today's Cat-Griz game kicks off.
By whatever name, Choate's Montana State football program has developed a knack for winning games in the second half behind a relentless, pounding rushing attack. The Bobcats outscore their opponents 177-105 after halftime, 90-62 in the fourth quarter and overtime combined.
And the team's ground game is the major reason, at least on the offensive side of the equation. The Bobcats have gained 1,603 yards after halftime this season, and just 1,256 yards before the intermission. The Cats average 175.0 yards per second half, and 6.1 yards per carry after the break.
For context, Montana State's 175.0 yards in the second half would rank 5th against all other Big Sky teams' full-game rushing average, just two-and-a-half yards behind Weber State's 177.4 yards per game, which is fourth-best (excluding the Cats).
* * * * *
Every football team has been beaten up by injuries by late November, and neither of today's combatants are different. Today's Cat-Griz game brings a mixed bag of news to Montana State fans. Linebacker Troy Andersen is a game-time decision, but appears unlikely to play as the day dawned.
The Bobcats, though, are gaining some players down the stretch. Isaiah Ifanse is healthier than he's been since week two, according to MSU head coach Jeff Choate, and he returned to action last week 77 yards and a touchdown at UC Davis. Travis Jonsen also returned to action a week ago with 93 rushing yards and 63 through the air.
* * * * *
Jeff Choate's teams have shown a knack for playing their best football when the games matter the most. Since the 2016 season began, the Cats stand 15-17 from August through October, and 8-3 in November. That includes last week's win at Northern Colorado, the team's second victory in a row.
* * * * *
The Cats carry a couple of odd in-season streaks into today's game. Montana State has played four consecutive reigning Big Sky Defensive Players of the Week – UM's Jace Lewis earned the award last week, Nick Eaton of UC Davis before him, preceded by Michael Walker of UNC and Southern Utah's Carlton Johnson. (Hat-tip to Kreg Worrest for the note.) MSU is also lining up across from an opponent coming off a win for the seventh straight week when today's Cat-Griz game kicks off.
Players Mentioned
Thursday, July 31
Monday, May 19
Wednesday, May 03
Wednesday, May 03
