Saturday, December 7
BOZEMAN
1 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
UAlbany
Logan Jones and the Bobcats run head-first into UAlbany on Saturday
Photo by: Garrett Becker
GAME #13: Bobcats Host UAlbany Great Danes in FCS Playoffs on Saturday
12/6/2019 2:09:00 PM | Football
Montana State braces for explosive offense, dynamic defense
BOZEMAN, Montana – Montana State's four-game win streak to close the regular season, capped by a 48-14 win over then-No. 3 Montana, landed the Bobcats the fifth seed in the FCS Playoffs and a first round bye.
That's the good news. And, as fourth-year Bobcat coach Jeff Choate sees it, could be a bit of bad news as well.
"When you're playing well you like to keep playing," Choate said as his team prepares for Saturday's Second Round FCS Playoff game against UAlbany, who advanced with a 42-14 first round win against Central Connecticut. "But the rest helps you recharge at this time of year, mentally as well as physically."
The Bobcats finished the regular season with a 9-3 record, 6-2 in the Big Sky, while the Colonial Athletic Association Great Danes stand 9-4. Freshman quarterback Jeff Undercuffler leads UAlbany with an FCS freshman record 3,270 passing yards and an FCS-best 39 touchdowns. Six of those came last week, and 16 of them this season were hauled in by Juwan Green. The senior receiver has 1,263 receiving yards.
Defensively, end Eli Mencer causes the most destruction, with 23 tackles-for-loss and 14.5 sacks. Linebacker Levi Metheny has piled up 113 tackles, 6.5 for a loss, with two linterceptions. The Great Dans have 92 tackles behind the line of scrimmage this season, while the Bobcats have registered 90. Mencer could provide a tall task for Montana State's All-Big Sky left tackle Mitch Brott, although Choate expects UAlbany to move Mencer around to take advange of matchups.
UAlbany enters Saturday's contest on a high note, with four straight wins, including the thrashing of Central Connecticut last week. That was the Great Danes' first-ever playoff win. Similarly, the Bobcats have won four straight, most recently the Cat-Griz win.
"Every team in the playoffs is a good team," said MSU senior defensive end Bryce Sterk. "We know we have to prepare well and play well."
Kickoff Saturday is 1 pm in Bobcat Stadium. The game is streamed on ESPN3, with no over-the-air, cable or satellite television available due to NCAA policy.
#GoCatsGo
That's the good news. And, as fourth-year Bobcat coach Jeff Choate sees it, could be a bit of bad news as well.
"When you're playing well you like to keep playing," Choate said as his team prepares for Saturday's Second Round FCS Playoff game against UAlbany, who advanced with a 42-14 first round win against Central Connecticut. "But the rest helps you recharge at this time of year, mentally as well as physically."
The Bobcats finished the regular season with a 9-3 record, 6-2 in the Big Sky, while the Colonial Athletic Association Great Danes stand 9-4. Freshman quarterback Jeff Undercuffler leads UAlbany with an FCS freshman record 3,270 passing yards and an FCS-best 39 touchdowns. Six of those came last week, and 16 of them this season were hauled in by Juwan Green. The senior receiver has 1,263 receiving yards.
Defensively, end Eli Mencer causes the most destruction, with 23 tackles-for-loss and 14.5 sacks. Linebacker Levi Metheny has piled up 113 tackles, 6.5 for a loss, with two linterceptions. The Great Dans have 92 tackles behind the line of scrimmage this season, while the Bobcats have registered 90. Mencer could provide a tall task for Montana State's All-Big Sky left tackle Mitch Brott, although Choate expects UAlbany to move Mencer around to take advange of matchups.
UAlbany enters Saturday's contest on a high note, with four straight wins, including the thrashing of Central Connecticut last week. That was the Great Danes' first-ever playoff win. Similarly, the Bobcats have won four straight, most recently the Cat-Griz win.
"Every team in the playoffs is a good team," said MSU senior defensive end Bryce Sterk. "We know we have to prepare well and play well."
Kickoff Saturday is 1 pm in Bobcat Stadium. The game is streamed on ESPN3, with no over-the-air, cable or satellite television available due to NCAA policy.
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
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