Ty Okada helped lead MSU's defensive effort Friday at Weber State
Photo by: Garrett Becker
BOBCAT SUNDAY NOTEBOOK #7: Defensive-Oriented Win Leads to Highlights for Bobcat Stop Unit
10/17/2021 7:35:00 PM | Football
13 points and 9 first downs are fewest in a winning effort in many years
Below is a look back at Montana State's 13-7 win against No. 19 Weber State on Friday, October 15, and an early look at its showdown against Idaho State on Saturday, October 23.
NOTES
• The Bobcats own six straight wins against Idaho State in Bobcat Stadium, although the Bengals won the most recent meeting between the long-time rivals 24-17 in Pocatello in 2018.
• Montana State's 13-7 win over Weber State Friday marked the fewest points scored by the Bobcats in a win since a 7-3 victory over Southern Utah in 2007 (159 games ago), and the team's nine first downs stand as the fewest in a victory since getting that many against Stephen F. Austin in a 21-18 win in Nacogdoches in 1994 (306 games ago).
• Montana State's 13 points against Weber State on Friday had been eclipsed in eight of the team's first 24 quarters in 2021.
• 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 stands second in the FCS in passing efficiency (170.0), is 16th in passing yards per completion (13.52), 40th in passing yards per game (202.9), and 17th in passing TDs (13). McKay has 13 touchdown passes with only one interception this season, and in Friday's win at Weber State scored his first rushing touchdown as a Bobcat.
• Isaiah Ifanse's 106.0 rushing yards per game is 9th in the FCS, and Montana State's total of 216.7 yards a game on the ground is 14th nationally (FCS).
• Montana State's defense has held all seven 2021 opponents to less than 20 points, 355 total yards, and 20 first downs. The Cats stand 18th in the FCS in rushing defense (108.3), 8th in passing yards allowed (161.6), 8th in total defense (269.9), and 3rd in scoring defense (10.6).
• 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 is 2nd in the FCS.
• The Cats have finished the last 16 games no worse than even in turnover margin.
• Montana State has rushed for at least 100 yards in 32 straight games, scoring at least one rushing touchdown against 39 consecutive FCS foes.
• Daniel Hardy's 13.5 tackles-for-loss and 8 sacks as a defensive end in 2021 eclipse his 2019 marks (1.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles-for-loss) as a linebacker. He stands 5th in the FCS in tackles-for-loss (1.9 per game), and his 1.14 sacks per game is 8th.
• Daniel Hardy's three tackles on MSU's kickoff coverage unit have each pinned the opponent inside the 25.
• Five of freshman Bryce Leighton's eight punts Friday forced Weber State's superstar returner Rasheed Shaheed into five fair catches.
• Freshman kicker Blake Glessner scored seven points in MSU's 13-6 win, two of his four kickoffs pinned Weber State inside its own 25-yard line, and he has now connected on 10 consecutive field goals, four shy of the Bobcat record.
STAT SNIPPETS
Daniel Hardy's 13.5 tackles-for-loss is 4.5 from Montana State's career top 10 list, and his eight sacks is two away from 10th on the school single-season liast in that category.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINATIONS
DEFENSE: Daniel Hardy, DE (6-3, 240, Sr, Beaverton, Oregon)
Daniel Hardy's dominant play as a senior defensive end led to three of the game's most crucial plays in Montana State's 13-7 victory against No. 19 Weber State in Ogden on Friday. On the first Wildcat drive of the second half, Hardy punched the ball out of Wildcat running back Dontae McMillan's hands for a fumble at midfield, and after Troy Andersen recovered it the Bobcats moved 22 yards for a 46-yard field goal that gave MSU a 10-7 lead. On Weber State's final drive of the game from near midfield, with the Bobcats leading by six, Hardy sacked Wildcats quarterback Bronson Barron for a seven-yard loss. Two plays later, on third-and-17, Hardy finished the last WSU scoring threat with a half-sack. After WSU's ensuing punt the Bobcats ran out the clock to close out the program's first win against a nationally-ranked opponent this season. Hardy finished the game with a season-high eight tackles, and his three sacks and tackles-for-loss give him eight sacks and 13.5 tackles-for-loss on the season. His forced his first of the season. Hardy's 1.14 sacks per game is eighth in the FCS and second in the Big Sky, while his 1.9 tackles-for-loss per game is fifth nationally, second in the league.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Blake Glessner, K (6-2, 180, Fr, Woodinville, Washington)
Freshman kicker Blake Glessner scored seven points and two of his four kickoffs pinned Weber State inside the 25-yard line as Montana State beat the 19th-ranked Wildcats 13-7 in Ogden on Friday. Glessner converted all three of his scoring kicks, finishing 2-for-2 on field goals and 1-for-1 on PATs. His two field goals came early in the third quarter after Bobcat takeaways gave the Cats drives starting at the 50 and the Weber State 33. Glessner's 46-yarder was the second-longest of his season. One drive later Weber State stopped a Bobcat drive in the red zone, and Glessner connected from 32 yards. Glessner has made 10 consecutive field goals and leads the Big Sky in field goals per game (1.86) and field goal percentage (.812), and is third in the Big Sky in scoring (9.3 points per game). His 12 field goals is two away from Montana State's single-season top 10 list, and his string of 10 straight is second-longest in Bobcat history. He is one made field goal from tying Jason Cunningham's school record for a freshman.
FIRST LOOK: Montana State vs. Idaho State
Game Details: Date – October 23 Site – Bobcat Stadium Kickoff – 1 pm Special Promotions – Pack the Place in Pink Record – MSU is 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the Big Sky, while Idaho State stands 1-5 overall and 1-3 in the conference. Montana State beat Weber State 13-7 last Friday, its first win over a nationally-ranked foe in 2021. Idaho State lost 31-10 at Portland State last Saturday, its fifth consecutive road loss. Audio – Statewide on the Bobcat Radio Network and msubobcats.com (Zach Mackey, Mikey Rider, Dan Davies) Video– ABC stations around Montana and SWX (503 on cable, 8.2 over the air) in Billings Streaming – ESPN+
NOTES
• The Bobcats own six straight wins against Idaho State in Bobcat Stadium, although the Bengals won the most recent meeting between the long-time rivals 24-17 in Pocatello in 2018.
• Montana State's 13-7 win over Weber State Friday marked the fewest points scored by the Bobcats in a win since a 7-3 victory over Southern Utah in 2007 (159 games ago), and the team's nine first downs stand as the fewest in a victory since getting that many against Stephen F. Austin in a 21-18 win in Nacogdoches in 1994 (306 games ago).
• Montana State's 13 points against Weber State on Friday had been eclipsed in eight of the team's first 24 quarters in 2021.
• 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 stands second in the FCS in passing efficiency (170.0), is 16th in passing yards per completion (13.52), 40th in passing yards per game (202.9), and 17th in passing TDs (13). McKay has 13 touchdown passes with only one interception this season, and in Friday's win at Weber State scored his first rushing touchdown as a Bobcat.
• Isaiah Ifanse's 106.0 rushing yards per game is 9th in the FCS, and Montana State's total of 216.7 yards a game on the ground is 14th nationally (FCS).
• Montana State's defense has held all seven 2021 opponents to less than 20 points, 355 total yards, and 20 first downs. The Cats stand 18th in the FCS in rushing defense (108.3), 8th in passing yards allowed (161.6), 8th in total defense (269.9), and 3rd in scoring defense (10.6).
• 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 is 2nd in the FCS.
• The Cats have finished the last 16 games no worse than even in turnover margin.
• Montana State has rushed for at least 100 yards in 32 straight games, scoring at least one rushing touchdown against 39 consecutive FCS foes.
• Daniel Hardy's 13.5 tackles-for-loss and 8 sacks as a defensive end in 2021 eclipse his 2019 marks (1.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles-for-loss) as a linebacker. He stands 5th in the FCS in tackles-for-loss (1.9 per game), and his 1.14 sacks per game is 8th.
• Daniel Hardy's three tackles on MSU's kickoff coverage unit have each pinned the opponent inside the 25.
• Five of freshman Bryce Leighton's eight punts Friday forced Weber State's superstar returner Rasheed Shaheed into five fair catches.
• Freshman kicker Blake Glessner scored seven points in MSU's 13-6 win, two of his four kickoffs pinned Weber State inside its own 25-yard line, and he has now connected on 10 consecutive field goals, four shy of the Bobcat record.
STAT SNIPPETS
Daniel Hardy's 13.5 tackles-for-loss is 4.5 from Montana State's career top 10 list, and his eight sacks is two away from 10th on the school single-season liast in that category.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINATIONS
DEFENSE: Daniel Hardy, DE (6-3, 240, Sr, Beaverton, Oregon)
Daniel Hardy's dominant play as a senior defensive end led to three of the game's most crucial plays in Montana State's 13-7 victory against No. 19 Weber State in Ogden on Friday. On the first Wildcat drive of the second half, Hardy punched the ball out of Wildcat running back Dontae McMillan's hands for a fumble at midfield, and after Troy Andersen recovered it the Bobcats moved 22 yards for a 46-yard field goal that gave MSU a 10-7 lead. On Weber State's final drive of the game from near midfield, with the Bobcats leading by six, Hardy sacked Wildcats quarterback Bronson Barron for a seven-yard loss. Two plays later, on third-and-17, Hardy finished the last WSU scoring threat with a half-sack. After WSU's ensuing punt the Bobcats ran out the clock to close out the program's first win against a nationally-ranked opponent this season. Hardy finished the game with a season-high eight tackles, and his three sacks and tackles-for-loss give him eight sacks and 13.5 tackles-for-loss on the season. His forced his first of the season. Hardy's 1.14 sacks per game is eighth in the FCS and second in the Big Sky, while his 1.9 tackles-for-loss per game is fifth nationally, second in the league.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Blake Glessner, K (6-2, 180, Fr, Woodinville, Washington)
Freshman kicker Blake Glessner scored seven points and two of his four kickoffs pinned Weber State inside the 25-yard line as Montana State beat the 19th-ranked Wildcats 13-7 in Ogden on Friday. Glessner converted all three of his scoring kicks, finishing 2-for-2 on field goals and 1-for-1 on PATs. His two field goals came early in the third quarter after Bobcat takeaways gave the Cats drives starting at the 50 and the Weber State 33. Glessner's 46-yarder was the second-longest of his season. One drive later Weber State stopped a Bobcat drive in the red zone, and Glessner connected from 32 yards. Glessner has made 10 consecutive field goals and leads the Big Sky in field goals per game (1.86) and field goal percentage (.812), and is third in the Big Sky in scoring (9.3 points per game). His 12 field goals is two away from Montana State's single-season top 10 list, and his string of 10 straight is second-longest in Bobcat history. He is one made field goal from tying Jason Cunningham's school record for a freshman.
FIRST LOOK: Montana State vs. Idaho State
Game Details: Date – October 23 Site – Bobcat Stadium Kickoff – 1 pm Special Promotions – Pack the Place in Pink Record – MSU is 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the Big Sky, while Idaho State stands 1-5 overall and 1-3 in the conference. Montana State beat Weber State 13-7 last Friday, its first win over a nationally-ranked foe in 2021. Idaho State lost 31-10 at Portland State last Saturday, its fifth consecutive road loss. Audio – Statewide on the Bobcat Radio Network and msubobcats.com (Zach Mackey, Mikey Rider, Dan Davies) Video– ABC stations around Montana and SWX (503 on cable, 8.2 over the air) in Billings Streaming – ESPN+
Players Mentioned
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