Photo by: Garrett Becker
BOBCAT FOOTBALL SUNDAY NOTEBOOK #7: MSU Uses Powerful Ground Game, Stifling Defense to Romp Past Cal Poly
10/10/2021 4:06:00 PM | Football
Cats ramble for 441 total yards, pick off four Mustang passes
Below is a look back at Montana State's 45-7 Homecoming win against Cal Poly on October 9, and an early look at its showdown against the nationally-ranked Weber State Wildcats on October 15. PLEASE NOTE: Montana State's game Friday at WSU is televised by ESPNU and streamed on WatchESPN.com. A cable TV subscription that includes ESPNU is required for WatchESPN.com, which is not covered by ESPN+.
NOTES
• Isaiah Ifanse's 58 rushing yards against Cal Poly raises his career total to 2,499 yards (in 30 career games), 15th among active FCS players. Weber State's Josh Davis is seventh (3,097 yards in 38 career games).
• The Bobcats have scored at least 30 points in five straight games, tied for the fifth-longest such streak in school history. The 2011 team scored 30 in nine straight games, the 2015 team in eight straight, the 1973 club in seven straight, and the 2013 team in six consecutive. The 1984 team also eclipsed 30 points in five straight contests.
• The 2021 Bobcats have scored 40 points in four games, already the fifth-most among all Montana State teams over a full season. The 2014 and 2015 teams each scored more than 40 points seven times, while the 2019 and 1966 teams each scored at least 40 points six times. Four other teams (2011, 2010 and 1984) also scored 40 or more points four times in a season.
• Matthew McKay currently leads the FCS in passing efficiency (180.1), is seventh in passing yards per completion (14.45), 29th in passing yards per game (224.0), and 12th in passing TDs (13). McKay has 13 touchdown passes with only one interception this season.
• Lance McCutcheon has caught a pass of at least 30 yards in all six of Montana State's 2021 games, and has caught a 40-yarder in the last five.
• Isaiah Ifanse's 110.2 rushing yards per game is 7th in the FCS, and Montana State's total of 228.5 yards a game on the ground is 10th nationally.
• Montana State's defense has held all six 2021 opponents to less than 20 points, 355 total yards, and 20 first downs. The Cats stand 10th in the FCS in rushing defense (117.3), 4th in passing yards allowed (152.7), 9th in total defense (270.0), and 3rd in scoring defense (11.2).
• Matthew McKay's 81st pass of the 2021 season, in the second quarter at Portland State, resulted in his first interception thrown as a Bobcat. That is the only pick he – or the Bobcats – have thrown in 2021.
• On the other hand, Montana State's 11 passes intercepted in 2021 leads the FCS.
• The Cats have finished the last 15 games no worse than even in turnover margin.
• Montana State has rushed for at least 100 yards in 31 straight games, scoring at least one rushing touchdown against 39 consecutive FCS foes.
• Daniel Hardy's 10.5 tackles-for-loss and 5 sacks as a defensive end in 2021 eclipse his 2019 marks (1.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles-for-loss) as a linebacker.
STAT SNIPPETS
Isaiah Ifanse's 110.2 rushing yards per game and Montana State's 228.5 each lead the Big Sky Conference.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINATIONS
DEFENSE: Jeffrey Manning, S (6-1, 196, Jr, Los Angeles, California)
Junior safety Jeffrey Manning intercepted one Cal Poly pass and forced another with a hit that popped the ball to Tyrel Thomas, leading Montana State to a 45-7 win over the Mustangs. Manning also registered three tackles. The Bobcats held Cal Poly to 15 first downs and 261 total yards, intercepting four CP passes on the afternoon.
FIRST LOOK: Montana State vs. Weber State
Game Details: Date – October 15 Site – Stewart Stadium Kickoff – 8 pm Special Promotions – NA Record – MSU is 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the Big Sky, Weber State stands 2-3 overall and 1-1 in the conference. Weber State is coming off its bye week, while the Cats play on one day shorter rest than usual. Audio – Statewide on the Bobcat Radio Network and msubobcats.com (Zach Mackey, Mikey Rider, Dan Davies) Video– ESPNU (Mark Neely, Tom Ramsey) Streaming – WatchESPN.com, which requires a cable subscription and is not covered by an ESPN+ subscription
NOTES
• Isaiah Ifanse's 58 rushing yards against Cal Poly raises his career total to 2,499 yards (in 30 career games), 15th among active FCS players. Weber State's Josh Davis is seventh (3,097 yards in 38 career games).
• The Bobcats have scored at least 30 points in five straight games, tied for the fifth-longest such streak in school history. The 2011 team scored 30 in nine straight games, the 2015 team in eight straight, the 1973 club in seven straight, and the 2013 team in six consecutive. The 1984 team also eclipsed 30 points in five straight contests.
• The 2021 Bobcats have scored 40 points in four games, already the fifth-most among all Montana State teams over a full season. The 2014 and 2015 teams each scored more than 40 points seven times, while the 2019 and 1966 teams each scored at least 40 points six times. Four other teams (2011, 2010 and 1984) also scored 40 or more points four times in a season.
• Matthew McKay currently leads the FCS in passing efficiency (180.1), is seventh in passing yards per completion (14.45), 29th in passing yards per game (224.0), and 12th in passing TDs (13). McKay has 13 touchdown passes with only one interception this season.
• Lance McCutcheon has caught a pass of at least 30 yards in all six of Montana State's 2021 games, and has caught a 40-yarder in the last five.
• Isaiah Ifanse's 110.2 rushing yards per game is 7th in the FCS, and Montana State's total of 228.5 yards a game on the ground is 10th nationally.
• Montana State's defense has held all six 2021 opponents to less than 20 points, 355 total yards, and 20 first downs. The Cats stand 10th in the FCS in rushing defense (117.3), 4th in passing yards allowed (152.7), 9th in total defense (270.0), and 3rd in scoring defense (11.2).
• Matthew McKay's 81st pass of the 2021 season, in the second quarter at Portland State, resulted in his first interception thrown as a Bobcat. That is the only pick he – or the Bobcats – have thrown in 2021.
• On the other hand, Montana State's 11 passes intercepted in 2021 leads the FCS.
• The Cats have finished the last 15 games no worse than even in turnover margin.
• Montana State has rushed for at least 100 yards in 31 straight games, scoring at least one rushing touchdown against 39 consecutive FCS foes.
• Daniel Hardy's 10.5 tackles-for-loss and 5 sacks as a defensive end in 2021 eclipse his 2019 marks (1.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles-for-loss) as a linebacker.
STAT SNIPPETS
Isaiah Ifanse's 110.2 rushing yards per game and Montana State's 228.5 each lead the Big Sky Conference.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINATIONS
DEFENSE: Jeffrey Manning, S (6-1, 196, Jr, Los Angeles, California)
Junior safety Jeffrey Manning intercepted one Cal Poly pass and forced another with a hit that popped the ball to Tyrel Thomas, leading Montana State to a 45-7 win over the Mustangs. Manning also registered three tackles. The Bobcats held Cal Poly to 15 first downs and 261 total yards, intercepting four CP passes on the afternoon.
FIRST LOOK: Montana State vs. Weber State
Game Details: Date – October 15 Site – Stewart Stadium Kickoff – 8 pm Special Promotions – NA Record – MSU is 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the Big Sky, Weber State stands 2-3 overall and 1-1 in the conference. Weber State is coming off its bye week, while the Cats play on one day shorter rest than usual. Audio – Statewide on the Bobcat Radio Network and msubobcats.com (Zach Mackey, Mikey Rider, Dan Davies) Video– ESPNU (Mark Neely, Tom Ramsey) Streaming – WatchESPN.com, which requires a cable subscription and is not covered by an ESPN+ subscription
Players Mentioned
DE
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CB
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