BOBCATS BY THE NUMBERS: 85 Days til Kickoff, and Bill Mulcahy provided an 85-yard thrill in 1962
6/7/2019 2:00:00 PM | Football
Kevin Kassis has quietly become one of the finest Bobcat receivers in history
June 7: In addition to a quick look at players wearing the jersey number corresponding to the number of days remaining until Montana State's season opener at Texas Tech on August 31, Bobcats by the Numbers brings you another tidbit or two aligning with that number.
#85
Kevin Kassis, WR: If someone asks you what Kevin Kassis does to help the Bobcat football team, a better question would be, what doesn't he do? A starting receiver for the past three seasons for the Bobcats, Kassis was MSU's third-leading receiver, led the team in punt returns, was actually sixth on the team in rushing yards, and even played some cornerback when the team was plagued by late-season injuries in 2017. He led the team with 55 catches and 663 receiving yards in 2018, and even adds leadership to his resume as a twi-time team captain. Other than transitioning to the line, there is pretty much nothing wouldn't be willing and able to do to help the football team, including throwing the ball now and again. Kassis' 1,095 career receiving yards is less than 600 from MSU's all-time top 10. Kassis was recently named the top FCS player currently in jersey #85, an indication that he may be in line for some national accolades.
85 – Yards covered by Bill Mulcahy's punt return in a 33-15 Homecoming win over Idaho in 1962. That was the longest punt return on record to that point of Bobcat history, although there is anecdotal evidence of longer returns in the program's early years. Mulcahy provided nearly all the points the Cats would need that day in the game's first 10 minutes. On Montana State's first drive he tossed a six-yard pass to end Gordie Schlabs for a touchdown, then after a Bobcat stop he returned Idaho's punt for a 13-0 lead, then booted the extra point himself. As if Mulcahy wasn't busy enough that day, he was also in the middle of Idaho's first big play. Later in the first quarter Mulcahy, also the team's punter, fielded a low snap in deep punt formation and receiving a bad snap "was mobbed by the Vandal linemen on the MSC 25."
85 – The longest punt in Bobcat history, by Brad Brisbin against Idaho in 1972, covered 85 yards. It was then a Big Sky record, and remains a Bobcat record.
Chronology: Jim Posewitz (1956), Harvey Warren (1957-58), Bill Heyser (1959), Gordie Schlabs (1960-61), Mike Smith (1964-65), Bruce Hogan (1966-67), Gary Evje (1968), Roger Martin (1971-72), Jack Blake (1973), Marty Plumb (1974), Rick Kelsic (1975), Mike McLeod (1976), Dan Meade (1977-79), Bruce Bull (1980-82), Dave Schuessler (1983), Matt Micklewright (1984-88), Shane Maharg (1990-92), Nick Broyles (1993), Scott Harry (1994-97), Brent Swaggert (1999), Brandon Bassett (2000), EC Fults (2001), Blake Wolf (2002-04), Alex Lourdeaux (2005), Michael Chopp (2007-09), Matt Thibault (2010-11), Will Krolick (2012-14), Beau Sandland (2015), Kevin Kassis (2016-)
#85 Notes: Scott Harry was one of the most unique and popular student-athletes at MSU in the 1990s, wearing #85 from 1994-97. A walk-on tight end from Homer, AK, on the Bobcat football team, Harry was suggested to MSU basketball coach Mick Durham during a rash of injuries during the 1995-96 Big Sky Championship season as a player who could hold his own, at least in practice settings. Harry came on board and was immediately useful. In fact, he remained with the basketball team throughout his time at MSU. Harry eventually earned All-Big Sky Honorable Mention honors in both football and hoops. … Beau Sandland was at Montana State for only one season of football, but it was a memorable one. He caught 37 passes for 632 yards and nine touchdowns. He spent a year redshirting after transferring from Miami, and immersed himself in the Bobcat culture. On the field, he was a blend of size, speed and agility rare at the FCS level, and he was a weapon offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey enjoyed employing in his wide-open spread option offense.
#85
Kevin Kassis, WR: If someone asks you what Kevin Kassis does to help the Bobcat football team, a better question would be, what doesn't he do? A starting receiver for the past three seasons for the Bobcats, Kassis was MSU's third-leading receiver, led the team in punt returns, was actually sixth on the team in rushing yards, and even played some cornerback when the team was plagued by late-season injuries in 2017. He led the team with 55 catches and 663 receiving yards in 2018, and even adds leadership to his resume as a twi-time team captain. Other than transitioning to the line, there is pretty much nothing wouldn't be willing and able to do to help the football team, including throwing the ball now and again. Kassis' 1,095 career receiving yards is less than 600 from MSU's all-time top 10. Kassis was recently named the top FCS player currently in jersey #85, an indication that he may be in line for some national accolades.
85 – Yards covered by Bill Mulcahy's punt return in a 33-15 Homecoming win over Idaho in 1962. That was the longest punt return on record to that point of Bobcat history, although there is anecdotal evidence of longer returns in the program's early years. Mulcahy provided nearly all the points the Cats would need that day in the game's first 10 minutes. On Montana State's first drive he tossed a six-yard pass to end Gordie Schlabs for a touchdown, then after a Bobcat stop he returned Idaho's punt for a 13-0 lead, then booted the extra point himself. As if Mulcahy wasn't busy enough that day, he was also in the middle of Idaho's first big play. Later in the first quarter Mulcahy, also the team's punter, fielded a low snap in deep punt formation and receiving a bad snap "was mobbed by the Vandal linemen on the MSC 25."
85 – The longest punt in Bobcat history, by Brad Brisbin against Idaho in 1972, covered 85 yards. It was then a Big Sky record, and remains a Bobcat record.
Chronology: Jim Posewitz (1956), Harvey Warren (1957-58), Bill Heyser (1959), Gordie Schlabs (1960-61), Mike Smith (1964-65), Bruce Hogan (1966-67), Gary Evje (1968), Roger Martin (1971-72), Jack Blake (1973), Marty Plumb (1974), Rick Kelsic (1975), Mike McLeod (1976), Dan Meade (1977-79), Bruce Bull (1980-82), Dave Schuessler (1983), Matt Micklewright (1984-88), Shane Maharg (1990-92), Nick Broyles (1993), Scott Harry (1994-97), Brent Swaggert (1999), Brandon Bassett (2000), EC Fults (2001), Blake Wolf (2002-04), Alex Lourdeaux (2005), Michael Chopp (2007-09), Matt Thibault (2010-11), Will Krolick (2012-14), Beau Sandland (2015), Kevin Kassis (2016-)
#85 Notes: Scott Harry was one of the most unique and popular student-athletes at MSU in the 1990s, wearing #85 from 1994-97. A walk-on tight end from Homer, AK, on the Bobcat football team, Harry was suggested to MSU basketball coach Mick Durham during a rash of injuries during the 1995-96 Big Sky Championship season as a player who could hold his own, at least in practice settings. Harry came on board and was immediately useful. In fact, he remained with the basketball team throughout his time at MSU. Harry eventually earned All-Big Sky Honorable Mention honors in both football and hoops. … Beau Sandland was at Montana State for only one season of football, but it was a memorable one. He caught 37 passes for 632 yards and nine touchdowns. He spent a year redshirting after transferring from Miami, and immersed himself in the Bobcat culture. On the field, he was a blend of size, speed and agility rare at the FCS level, and he was a weapon offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey enjoyed employing in his wide-open spread option offense.
Players Mentioned
WR
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