Saturday, September 28
BOZEMAN
1 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
Northern Arizona
Travis Jonsen
Photo by: Garrett Becker
GAME #5: Bobcats Pit Grinding Ground Game Against Northern Arizona's Explosive Aerial Attack
9/26/2019 8:01:00 AM | Football
MSU looks to control the ball and game against one of college football's top quarterbacks
BOZEMAN, Montana – If there was any doubt that this week was different, Jeff Choate dispelled that on Monday morning. "You might notice I'm a little more serious today," he informed the media corps that covers Bobcat football at his weekly press conference.
The message was sent. And received.
"We get nothing on Saturday for being 3-1 in the non-conference," Choate said. "Nothing."
That portion of the schedule ended when the Bobcats and Norfolk State left the Bobcat Stadium playing field a week ago, and the season begins to matter more when Montana State hosts long-time Big Sky rival Northern Arizona today to begin Big Sky Conference play.
Today's game shapes up as a battle of wills between the top passing team in the nation – Northern Arizona averages 398 passing yards per game – and the Big Sky's best ground game. The Bobcats 258.8 yards per game rushing the football.
Quarterback Case Cookus and running back Joe Logan are Northern Arizona's central figures on offense. Logan rushes for just 19.8 yards a game, but is the team's third-leading receiver at 56.2 yards a game. Cookus averages 344.2 yards a game in the air, and Logan has caught five of his 12 touchdown passes.
Bobcat linebacker Michael Jobman says that much of NAU's offensive output "goes between (Cookus) and (Logan)," and MSU head coach Jeff Choate agrees. "They use a lot of (run-pass options) and they're a heavy (up-)tempo team."
Cookus is back for a sixth season under first-year head coach Chris Ball, who is not shy about taking shots downfield. "Right around 10 times a game they're going to launch (deep passes)," Choate says. "It doesn't matter what the score is this team is never out of the game because they're one play away every single time."
Logan's versatility and big play ability adds a dangerous dimension to the Lumberjacks offense. "His numbers in the run game don't reflect how important he is in this offense," Choate said. "They use him a ton in the pass game, he's a threat whenever he touches the ball, he ran all over us (in 2016). We really did not tackle him well. He had a huge run at the end of the first half two years ago when we were down there."
Where Northern Arizona's offense relies on the quick strike, the Cats are patient. Montana State has run the ball on 65% of its offensive plays in the last seven games, and under Jeff Choate has thrown more passes than it has used run plays in just four of 39 games. Last week, three Bobcats – Logan Jones, Shane Perry and Lane Sumner – surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark, the first time that's happened in Bobcat history.
Choate said there's plenty of credit to go around for Montana State's success on the ground. "That speaks to the job that (tight ends coach and run game coordinator) Brian Armstrong does of consistently getting us into good runs, the stable of backs we have, and the pride our offensive line has in running the ball. Those things usually don't happen in the first half, they happen in the second half and they happen for a reason. Our kids are well-conditioned and excited to get into the second half."
MSU's offense faces what Choate characterizes the Lumberjacks defense as agile and athletic. "They use lots of movement, lots of bogus pressure," he said. "The D-line is going to be active. I really like (interior linemen Aaron Andrews and Jalen Goss), those two guys inside. (Andrews) plays really hard, I really like the way that kid plays. (Goss) is a big, physical dude, he's a good player. (Jalen Cook and Anthony Sweeney) are both active safeties, (Khalil Dorsey) is a veteran, active corner. (Carson Taylor), their Buck, is a veteran guy, I remember him from a couple years ago. He's a good player."
The matchup of the day may be between Montana State's defensive front seven on and a Northern Arizona offensive line that features two seniors and a junior and which averages 300 pounds on the outside but which is lighter and quick on the inside. Bobcat senior Bryce Sterk leads the FCS in sacks at 8.5, and has been a force in unsettling opposing quarterbacks this season. Tackles Derek Marks, Jason Scrempos and Chase Benson have also been effective at affecting the opposing quarterbacks, and outside linebacker Amandre Williams is a brilliant tackler in the open field.
Choate said a hidden factor emerges when kick teams enter the field. "On paper (Northern Arizona has) the two best specialists in the conference, the best kicker (Luis Aguilar) and the best punter (DJ Arnson), and they have Joe Logan returning kicks so they take pride in that area." The Bobcats counter with punter Jered Padmos, who is unmatched when it comes to limiting opposing return games. Only eight of his 19 punts have been returned this season. Tristan Bailey, the Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week two weeks ago, has flashed brilliance, as well.
Things have felt different in Bozeman this week. Fall-like weather is in the air, and the football begins to mean a little bit more. Or as Jeff Choate sums it up, succinctly: "League play, man."
#GoCatsGo
The message was sent. And received.
"We get nothing on Saturday for being 3-1 in the non-conference," Choate said. "Nothing."
That portion of the schedule ended when the Bobcats and Norfolk State left the Bobcat Stadium playing field a week ago, and the season begins to matter more when Montana State hosts long-time Big Sky rival Northern Arizona today to begin Big Sky Conference play.
Today's game shapes up as a battle of wills between the top passing team in the nation – Northern Arizona averages 398 passing yards per game – and the Big Sky's best ground game. The Bobcats 258.8 yards per game rushing the football.
Quarterback Case Cookus and running back Joe Logan are Northern Arizona's central figures on offense. Logan rushes for just 19.8 yards a game, but is the team's third-leading receiver at 56.2 yards a game. Cookus averages 344.2 yards a game in the air, and Logan has caught five of his 12 touchdown passes.
Bobcat linebacker Michael Jobman says that much of NAU's offensive output "goes between (Cookus) and (Logan)," and MSU head coach Jeff Choate agrees. "They use a lot of (run-pass options) and they're a heavy (up-)tempo team."
Cookus is back for a sixth season under first-year head coach Chris Ball, who is not shy about taking shots downfield. "Right around 10 times a game they're going to launch (deep passes)," Choate says. "It doesn't matter what the score is this team is never out of the game because they're one play away every single time."
Logan's versatility and big play ability adds a dangerous dimension to the Lumberjacks offense. "His numbers in the run game don't reflect how important he is in this offense," Choate said. "They use him a ton in the pass game, he's a threat whenever he touches the ball, he ran all over us (in 2016). We really did not tackle him well. He had a huge run at the end of the first half two years ago when we were down there."
Where Northern Arizona's offense relies on the quick strike, the Cats are patient. Montana State has run the ball on 65% of its offensive plays in the last seven games, and under Jeff Choate has thrown more passes than it has used run plays in just four of 39 games. Last week, three Bobcats – Logan Jones, Shane Perry and Lane Sumner – surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark, the first time that's happened in Bobcat history.
Choate said there's plenty of credit to go around for Montana State's success on the ground. "That speaks to the job that (tight ends coach and run game coordinator) Brian Armstrong does of consistently getting us into good runs, the stable of backs we have, and the pride our offensive line has in running the ball. Those things usually don't happen in the first half, they happen in the second half and they happen for a reason. Our kids are well-conditioned and excited to get into the second half."
MSU's offense faces what Choate characterizes the Lumberjacks defense as agile and athletic. "They use lots of movement, lots of bogus pressure," he said. "The D-line is going to be active. I really like (interior linemen Aaron Andrews and Jalen Goss), those two guys inside. (Andrews) plays really hard, I really like the way that kid plays. (Goss) is a big, physical dude, he's a good player. (Jalen Cook and Anthony Sweeney) are both active safeties, (Khalil Dorsey) is a veteran, active corner. (Carson Taylor), their Buck, is a veteran guy, I remember him from a couple years ago. He's a good player."
The matchup of the day may be between Montana State's defensive front seven on and a Northern Arizona offensive line that features two seniors and a junior and which averages 300 pounds on the outside but which is lighter and quick on the inside. Bobcat senior Bryce Sterk leads the FCS in sacks at 8.5, and has been a force in unsettling opposing quarterbacks this season. Tackles Derek Marks, Jason Scrempos and Chase Benson have also been effective at affecting the opposing quarterbacks, and outside linebacker Amandre Williams is a brilliant tackler in the open field.
Choate said a hidden factor emerges when kick teams enter the field. "On paper (Northern Arizona has) the two best specialists in the conference, the best kicker (Luis Aguilar) and the best punter (DJ Arnson), and they have Joe Logan returning kicks so they take pride in that area." The Bobcats counter with punter Jered Padmos, who is unmatched when it comes to limiting opposing return games. Only eight of his 19 punts have been returned this season. Tristan Bailey, the Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week two weeks ago, has flashed brilliance, as well.
Things have felt different in Bozeman this week. Fall-like weather is in the air, and the football begins to mean a little bit more. Or as Jeff Choate sums it up, succinctly: "League play, man."
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
K
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DE
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DL
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P
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RB
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DL
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DE
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DL
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