BOBCATS BY THE NUMBERS: 16 Days Left!
8/15/2019 8:02:00 AM | Football
Two in-state players wear #16 for the Cats
August 15: 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.
#16
Tanner Trafton, WR: An excellent student and successful athlete at Fergus High, Tanner Trafton joins the Bobcats as a developmental receiver. He was a first team all-state receiver as a senior in 2018.
Luke May, S: Luke May arrived at Montana State as a walk-on quarterback in 2017, but a move to safety resulted in kick teams action the past two seasons and he has emerged as a strong presence in the defensive back meeting room. Regarded as a leader willing to help young players, May is likely to see action at safety this season. He was a multi-sport star growing up in Whitefish, and began his college career as a javelin thrower at Minnesota. In returning to his native Montana he followed his grandfather's footsteps to the Bobcat football team. Bucky May was an excellent halfback for the Cats in the 1960s, and Luke is a personable and popular team member.
16 – Number of different 1,000-yard rushers (season) in school history
From most recent to earliest (given that comprehensive records only date from 1956): Isaiah Ifanse (2018), Troy Andersen (2018), Chris Murray (2017), Cody Kirk (2011, '13), Orenzo Davis (2010), Demetrius Crawford (2008), Ryan Johnson (2001-02), Matt Engelking (1995-96), Fred Moore (1993), Kirk Copeland (1987), Delmar Jones (1977-78), Don Ueland (1976), Tom Kostrba (1976), Stever Kracher (1974-75), Paul Schafer (1968), Don Hass (1966-67)
Chronology: Gay Kravik (1931), Bob Mattmiller (1934), Nicholas Yovetich (1937), Jess Hodson (1940), Shril Williamson (1941), George Hoffman (1946), John Geary (1947-48), Herman Bliss (1949-50), Paul Christopherson (1953), Ron Harcharik (1954-55), Dave Alt (1956-61), Chuck Springer (1963), Foy McClung (1962-64), Wayne Pitzer (1965-67), Jim Bilsky (1968), Steve Endres (1971-73), Mike Anderson (1974-77), Barry Sullivan (1978), Mike Carle (1979-80), Carman Campagna (1982), Mark Page (1983), Jeff Michael (1984-85), Kurt Ostermiller (1986-87), Sam Johnson (1988-89), Todd Pafhausen (1990-91), Scott Matthews (1992-96), Dusty Broderick (1997-99), Jon Knokey (2000-02), Rick Coppack (2003-05), Derek Erickson (2006-07), Mark Iddins (2008-09), Danny Trittler (2010), Te'Shon Burton (2011), Cole Moore (2012-15), Zach Hutchins (2015), Kamden Brown (2016-17), Luke May (2017-)
Other #16 Notes: Cole Moore followed quite a path to get to Montana State, born in England but growing up in New Jersey then prepping for a year in suburban Chicago. He played quarterback in high school but arrived at MSU as a walk-on linebacker. He was among MSU's special teams leaders in tackles in spite of playing only nine games, then started for the remainder of his career. He was Honorable Mention All-Big Sky as a junior and Third Team as a senior, when he also served as a team captain. After graduating he earned his master's degree at Washington, where he worked as Jeff Choate's intern. When Choate became Montana State's head coach, Moore returned to his alma mater and has been an invaluable member of the Bobcat staff. In his administrative role he is crucial to the recruiting effort that has drawn national praise. Mostly, Moore remains the humble, quiet, productive person he was as a Bobcat player, is tremendously efficient and effective in his role as Operations Director, and it is great to have him back in the Fieldhouse… Sometimes a photo catches your eye, and never really exits your mind. There is a shot of quarterback Foy McClung throwing a jump pass – his feet way off the ground, his arm cocked, guard Jerry Ross and fullback Dave Miller protecting him, in a sharp-looking white uniform with a glimmering gold helmet, a large crowd looking on as the Cats thump the Grizzlies in Missoula. McClung's story was as compelling as that photo. He transferred to Montana State from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M junior college before the 1963 season, and contributed "booming punts in the clutch" as a part-time punter. He entered his senior season as the third-string quarterback, a player whose ability "coaches feel they've underrated," per his media guide bio. He was a part-time punter as a junior, and after entering his senior season third on the depth chart rose to the starting role late in the season. He led the Bobcats to a thrashing of Montana in Missoula off the bench, splitting time with starter Ray Foley, and helped the Cats wrap up the Big Sky title with an easy road win at Weber State. McClung was named Back of the Game in the Camellia Bowl, when Montana State won the western regional small college championship by beating Sacramento State on its home turf. In addition to finally wrangling quarterback honors, McClung was the team's punter and place kicker. He made the most of his short time on the MSU campus. The commerce major was a Phi Beta Lambda member and belonged to the Phi Beta Kappa academic honorary. A member of the Bobcat baseball team, he was also Vice President of the French Club. McClung played semi-pro football for the Tulsa Thunderbirds after graduating from MSU.
#16
Tanner Trafton, WR: An excellent student and successful athlete at Fergus High, Tanner Trafton joins the Bobcats as a developmental receiver. He was a first team all-state receiver as a senior in 2018.
Luke May, S: Luke May arrived at Montana State as a walk-on quarterback in 2017, but a move to safety resulted in kick teams action the past two seasons and he has emerged as a strong presence in the defensive back meeting room. Regarded as a leader willing to help young players, May is likely to see action at safety this season. He was a multi-sport star growing up in Whitefish, and began his college career as a javelin thrower at Minnesota. In returning to his native Montana he followed his grandfather's footsteps to the Bobcat football team. Bucky May was an excellent halfback for the Cats in the 1960s, and Luke is a personable and popular team member.
16 – Number of different 1,000-yard rushers (season) in school history
From most recent to earliest (given that comprehensive records only date from 1956): Isaiah Ifanse (2018), Troy Andersen (2018), Chris Murray (2017), Cody Kirk (2011, '13), Orenzo Davis (2010), Demetrius Crawford (2008), Ryan Johnson (2001-02), Matt Engelking (1995-96), Fred Moore (1993), Kirk Copeland (1987), Delmar Jones (1977-78), Don Ueland (1976), Tom Kostrba (1976), Stever Kracher (1974-75), Paul Schafer (1968), Don Hass (1966-67)
Chronology: Gay Kravik (1931), Bob Mattmiller (1934), Nicholas Yovetich (1937), Jess Hodson (1940), Shril Williamson (1941), George Hoffman (1946), John Geary (1947-48), Herman Bliss (1949-50), Paul Christopherson (1953), Ron Harcharik (1954-55), Dave Alt (1956-61), Chuck Springer (1963), Foy McClung (1962-64), Wayne Pitzer (1965-67), Jim Bilsky (1968), Steve Endres (1971-73), Mike Anderson (1974-77), Barry Sullivan (1978), Mike Carle (1979-80), Carman Campagna (1982), Mark Page (1983), Jeff Michael (1984-85), Kurt Ostermiller (1986-87), Sam Johnson (1988-89), Todd Pafhausen (1990-91), Scott Matthews (1992-96), Dusty Broderick (1997-99), Jon Knokey (2000-02), Rick Coppack (2003-05), Derek Erickson (2006-07), Mark Iddins (2008-09), Danny Trittler (2010), Te'Shon Burton (2011), Cole Moore (2012-15), Zach Hutchins (2015), Kamden Brown (2016-17), Luke May (2017-)
Other #16 Notes: Cole Moore followed quite a path to get to Montana State, born in England but growing up in New Jersey then prepping for a year in suburban Chicago. He played quarterback in high school but arrived at MSU as a walk-on linebacker. He was among MSU's special teams leaders in tackles in spite of playing only nine games, then started for the remainder of his career. He was Honorable Mention All-Big Sky as a junior and Third Team as a senior, when he also served as a team captain. After graduating he earned his master's degree at Washington, where he worked as Jeff Choate's intern. When Choate became Montana State's head coach, Moore returned to his alma mater and has been an invaluable member of the Bobcat staff. In his administrative role he is crucial to the recruiting effort that has drawn national praise. Mostly, Moore remains the humble, quiet, productive person he was as a Bobcat player, is tremendously efficient and effective in his role as Operations Director, and it is great to have him back in the Fieldhouse… Sometimes a photo catches your eye, and never really exits your mind. There is a shot of quarterback Foy McClung throwing a jump pass – his feet way off the ground, his arm cocked, guard Jerry Ross and fullback Dave Miller protecting him, in a sharp-looking white uniform with a glimmering gold helmet, a large crowd looking on as the Cats thump the Grizzlies in Missoula. McClung's story was as compelling as that photo. He transferred to Montana State from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M junior college before the 1963 season, and contributed "booming punts in the clutch" as a part-time punter. He entered his senior season as the third-string quarterback, a player whose ability "coaches feel they've underrated," per his media guide bio. He was a part-time punter as a junior, and after entering his senior season third on the depth chart rose to the starting role late in the season. He led the Bobcats to a thrashing of Montana in Missoula off the bench, splitting time with starter Ray Foley, and helped the Cats wrap up the Big Sky title with an easy road win at Weber State. McClung was named Back of the Game in the Camellia Bowl, when Montana State won the western regional small college championship by beating Sacramento State on its home turf. In addition to finally wrangling quarterback honors, McClung was the team's punter and place kicker. He made the most of his short time on the MSU campus. The commerce major was a Phi Beta Lambda member and belonged to the Phi Beta Kappa academic honorary. A member of the Bobcat baseball team, he was also Vice President of the French Club. McClung played semi-pro football for the Tulsa Thunderbirds after graduating from MSU.
Players Mentioned
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