BOBCATS BY THE NUMBERS: 25 Days Until Kickoff, and a Look at 25 Rushing First Downs
8/6/2019 9:00:00 AM | Football
The Bobcats had quite a day running the football in 1968
August 6: 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.
#25
Vacant: No current Bobcat is assigned jersey number 25.
25 – Rushing 1st Downs vs. Portland State in 1968
Several things stand out about Montana State's 17-6 win at Portland State in 1968, even setting the school record 25 rushing first downs. The game lasted only two hours, 32 minutes, for one thing. The Bobcats rumbled up and down the field in beautiful, old Civic Stadium, averaging 4.9 yards per rush while holding the Vikings to -1 net rushing yards. Paul Schafer led the way for the Bobcats that day – foreshadowing a magnificent day later in the season – by gaining 236 yards on 42 carries. The Cats rushed the ball 69 times that cool, cloudy September day, meaning 36.2% of the team's carries resulted in first downs. Ironically, Schafer's first two carries were for a loss of three and no gain. Schafer rushed for 21 first downs himself – which would be the seventh-best mark in school history by a Bobcat team – while Gary Hughes and Hans Pidino also rushed for first downs. The teams opened the game with offensive futility, trading three-and-outs until MSU's second series resulted in a 33-yard scoring strike from Dennis Erickson to Ron Bain. Frank Kalfoss missed the extra point, then Portland State returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. That kick was blocked, and midway through the first quarter the game was tied 6-6. The rest of the day belonged to Schafer, Erickson, and Montana State's excellent offensive line anchored by newly-elected Bobcat Hall of Famer Tony Welzenbach.
Chronology: Albert Allen (1926), Ray Buzzetti (1931), Kenneth McBride (1934), Clifford Vaughn (1937), Arthur Lovera (1940-41), Bill Boston (1946-49), George McCormick (1950), Frank Landon (1953-55), Bob Given (1964-65), Steve Rundle (1966-67), Jay Groepper (1968-69), Larry Hiller (1970), Larry Hiller (1970), Ken Williams (1971), Henry Olmstead (1972), Don Ueland (1973-76), Steve Roderick (1978-81), Pete O'Keefe (1982-83), Eric Miller (1984-85), Scott McFarland (1986), Pat Dringman (1987-88), Clint Bryan (1989-92), Kenyatte Morgan (1993), Charles Ephraim (1995), Steve Salo (1996-99), Jermaine Allen (20000), Cedric Baker (2001), CJ Adkins (2002), Demontae Fitzgerald (2003), Toph Grengell (2004-05), Aaron Mason (2006-07), Colby Kinna (2008), Cody Kirk (2009-13), James Nelson (2014), Zach Stern (2015-16), Tyrel Burgess (2017-18)
Other #25 Notes: If you care about such things, which we here at BBTN clearly do, the absence of accessible statistics before 1956 is a bummer. But when stories of yore truly pique the interest, it can drive you nuts. Such is the case with post-WW II star Bill Boston, a center for the good (and less than good) Bobcat teams that immediately followed World War II. The Montanan and issues of the Exponent both refer to Boston's punting prowess. "Boston's long high punts earned him a place with the nation's best," the Exponent reported in its 1947 season wrapup. Little statistical evidence of Boston's heroics survive, but among the anecdotes and incidents can be mined. For instance, this from The Montanan's capsule of a 12-6 Homecoming win over North Dakota in 1948: "Montana (State) picked up their first touchdown after brilliant Bill Boston ruffled the Sioux feathers with a 52 yard punt to the Savages 4-yard line." Such observations about Boston's punting pepper almost every Bobcat game story for four seasons, and he was undoubtedly a weapon whose punting would be noteworthy even today… Jay Groepper: For any college football program, a positive relationship with its home region is important. From the beginning the Bobcats have benefitted from homegrown talent – from Cy Gatton over 100 years ago to Dane Fletcher and Nick Marudas and Corey Widmer, Bozeman High (or Gallatin High, if you go back far enough) has always matriculated talent down 11th Street. Jay Groepper was a former Bozeman Hawk undoubtedly attracted to MSU not just for the football but for the academic excellence. From his days playing for Bobcat legend Tom LeProwse at Bozeman High he was known as an excellent student, and Groepper later in his college years zeroed in on a career in medicine. That came into clearer focus in the winter after his senior season, 1970, when he was awarded an NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship. As a Bobcat gridder, Groepper was nothing if not versatile. He was one of the team's top flankers in 1968, became a starting safety in 1969, and then started several games at quarterback as a senior in 1970. He is a long-time Spokane physician.
#25
Vacant: No current Bobcat is assigned jersey number 25.
25 – Rushing 1st Downs vs. Portland State in 1968
Several things stand out about Montana State's 17-6 win at Portland State in 1968, even setting the school record 25 rushing first downs. The game lasted only two hours, 32 minutes, for one thing. The Bobcats rumbled up and down the field in beautiful, old Civic Stadium, averaging 4.9 yards per rush while holding the Vikings to -1 net rushing yards. Paul Schafer led the way for the Bobcats that day – foreshadowing a magnificent day later in the season – by gaining 236 yards on 42 carries. The Cats rushed the ball 69 times that cool, cloudy September day, meaning 36.2% of the team's carries resulted in first downs. Ironically, Schafer's first two carries were for a loss of three and no gain. Schafer rushed for 21 first downs himself – which would be the seventh-best mark in school history by a Bobcat team – while Gary Hughes and Hans Pidino also rushed for first downs. The teams opened the game with offensive futility, trading three-and-outs until MSU's second series resulted in a 33-yard scoring strike from Dennis Erickson to Ron Bain. Frank Kalfoss missed the extra point, then Portland State returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. That kick was blocked, and midway through the first quarter the game was tied 6-6. The rest of the day belonged to Schafer, Erickson, and Montana State's excellent offensive line anchored by newly-elected Bobcat Hall of Famer Tony Welzenbach.
Chronology: Albert Allen (1926), Ray Buzzetti (1931), Kenneth McBride (1934), Clifford Vaughn (1937), Arthur Lovera (1940-41), Bill Boston (1946-49), George McCormick (1950), Frank Landon (1953-55), Bob Given (1964-65), Steve Rundle (1966-67), Jay Groepper (1968-69), Larry Hiller (1970), Larry Hiller (1970), Ken Williams (1971), Henry Olmstead (1972), Don Ueland (1973-76), Steve Roderick (1978-81), Pete O'Keefe (1982-83), Eric Miller (1984-85), Scott McFarland (1986), Pat Dringman (1987-88), Clint Bryan (1989-92), Kenyatte Morgan (1993), Charles Ephraim (1995), Steve Salo (1996-99), Jermaine Allen (20000), Cedric Baker (2001), CJ Adkins (2002), Demontae Fitzgerald (2003), Toph Grengell (2004-05), Aaron Mason (2006-07), Colby Kinna (2008), Cody Kirk (2009-13), James Nelson (2014), Zach Stern (2015-16), Tyrel Burgess (2017-18)
Other #25 Notes: If you care about such things, which we here at BBTN clearly do, the absence of accessible statistics before 1956 is a bummer. But when stories of yore truly pique the interest, it can drive you nuts. Such is the case with post-WW II star Bill Boston, a center for the good (and less than good) Bobcat teams that immediately followed World War II. The Montanan and issues of the Exponent both refer to Boston's punting prowess. "Boston's long high punts earned him a place with the nation's best," the Exponent reported in its 1947 season wrapup. Little statistical evidence of Boston's heroics survive, but among the anecdotes and incidents can be mined. For instance, this from The Montanan's capsule of a 12-6 Homecoming win over North Dakota in 1948: "Montana (State) picked up their first touchdown after brilliant Bill Boston ruffled the Sioux feathers with a 52 yard punt to the Savages 4-yard line." Such observations about Boston's punting pepper almost every Bobcat game story for four seasons, and he was undoubtedly a weapon whose punting would be noteworthy even today… Jay Groepper: For any college football program, a positive relationship with its home region is important. From the beginning the Bobcats have benefitted from homegrown talent – from Cy Gatton over 100 years ago to Dane Fletcher and Nick Marudas and Corey Widmer, Bozeman High (or Gallatin High, if you go back far enough) has always matriculated talent down 11th Street. Jay Groepper was a former Bozeman Hawk undoubtedly attracted to MSU not just for the football but for the academic excellence. From his days playing for Bobcat legend Tom LeProwse at Bozeman High he was known as an excellent student, and Groepper later in his college years zeroed in on a career in medicine. That came into clearer focus in the winter after his senior season, 1970, when he was awarded an NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship. As a Bobcat gridder, Groepper was nothing if not versatile. He was one of the team's top flankers in 1968, became a starting safety in 1969, and then started several games at quarterback as a senior in 1970. He is a long-time Spokane physician.
Players Mentioned
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