Col Larry Gardner, an MSU grad originally from Great Falls
BOBCAT GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #9: Air Space Over Roos Field Could Be Busy Today; Bobcats Unsettled in O-Line
11/6/2021 1:05:00 PM | Football
Before Eastern Washington's Eric Barriere fills the air with passes, a Bobcat grad will participate in a flyover
Brent Vigen knows the task ahead of his football team today is difficult, and it begins with slowing down Eastern Washington's aerial barrage. Eagles superstar quarterback Eric Barriere leads the nation in passing efficiency, passing TDs, and passing yards.
"He can hurt you in a lot of ways," admits Montana State coach Brent Vigen, and many of them occur in the air space over Roos Field. But even higher up, before Barriere and the Bobcats defense have at each other, a Bobcat grad has coordinated an event in even more rarified air. Colonel Larry Gardner, known in ranks as "Joker," helped pull together a flyover as part of Eastern Washington Athletics' tribute to the Washington Air National Guard.
Gardner is a 1996 Montana State graduate with a civil engineering degree, and serves as Wing Commander of the 141st Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane. After starring on CMR's 1990 and 1991 state championship football teams he began his college career playing safety and cornerback for Carroll College's Fighting Saints before landing at MSU. Two Eastern Washington graduates, Tim Ridnour and Jon Cael, will fly over Roos Field before today's game.
Gardner has a starring role in an excellent promotional video thanking EWU and the greater community for its support. It's worth a watch (also linked above). He took six hits before the production crew finally (mercifully?) ended the proceedings. "It's not as easy as you'd think to stand there looking like you know you don't know a hit is coming," he said with a laugh.
One of Gardner's sons, Kaden, followed his footsteps and currently plays football at Carroll. A daughter, Addison, plays basketball at MSU Billings. Another son, Brycen, competes for Spokane's Mead High in cross country today, which will keep Larry Gardner from attending the Bobcat-Eastern game. But the proud Montanan enjoys tapping into Treasure State roots, whether it be reconnecting with lifelong friends like Dave Dickenson, a UM football legend, or fellow Bobcats, of which there are several at Fairchild.
As for his nickname, Joker, he said, "I wish I had a really funny story, but I don't. When I get to laughing and smiling I guess I look like the Joker (of Batman fame), and a friend of mine, who is a Grizzly, pointed that out. And it's stuck."
Gardner said it's "fun to ride for the brand over here," and while he doesn't see the Cats play as much as he'd like he stays connected. Famed long-time Great Falls Tribune sportswriter Scott Mansch profiled Gardner here.
* * * * *
First the bad injury news: offensive guard Taylor Tuiasosopo is injured and will miss the game, as will reserve guard/center Cole Sain. Joe McElroy makes his first career start in Tuiasosopo's place.
* * * * *
The timing couldn't be much better for the return of a wave of injured Bobcats. Expected play today after missing some amount of time due to injuries: cornerbacks Tyrel Thomas and James Campbell, linebacker Callahan O'Reilly, defensive tackle Chase Benson (he'll be a game day decision but was trending toward playing throughout the week), and offensive tackle TJ Session.
* * * * *
If you're looking for a quick and easy explanation for the rise of Eastern Washington football to the Big Sky Conference's pinnacle since Mike Kramer led the Eagles to the 1997 league title, starting behind the center would be an excellent choice. In this century, every single full-time starting quarterback except one has earned All-America and First Team All-Big Sky honors during their careers. The player who didn't achieve that level Fred Salanoa, was 2nd Team All-Big Sky.
The list: Fred Salanoa (1999-2001), Josh Blankenship (2002), Erik Meyer (2003-05), Matt Nichols (2006-09), Bo Levi Mitchell (2010-11), Vernon Adams (2012-14), three players split time in 2015 but one was Gage Gubrud (2016-18), and Eric Barriere (2019-21). Barriere, Gubrud and Adams each earned at least one national player of the year honor, and the rest other than Salanoa earned Big Sky MVP honors at least once.
* * * * *
One Bobcat who has done some fine aerial work of his own this year is kicker Blake Glessner. He is fourth in the FCS with 1.88 field goals per game and 18th in field goal percentage (.833). His 15 field goals this season is fifth-most in Bobcat history.
"He can hurt you in a lot of ways," admits Montana State coach Brent Vigen, and many of them occur in the air space over Roos Field. But even higher up, before Barriere and the Bobcats defense have at each other, a Bobcat grad has coordinated an event in even more rarified air. Colonel Larry Gardner, known in ranks as "Joker," helped pull together a flyover as part of Eastern Washington Athletics' tribute to the Washington Air National Guard.
Gardner is a 1996 Montana State graduate with a civil engineering degree, and serves as Wing Commander of the 141st Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane. After starring on CMR's 1990 and 1991 state championship football teams he began his college career playing safety and cornerback for Carroll College's Fighting Saints before landing at MSU. Two Eastern Washington graduates, Tim Ridnour and Jon Cael, will fly over Roos Field before today's game.
Gardner has a starring role in an excellent promotional video thanking EWU and the greater community for its support. It's worth a watch (also linked above). He took six hits before the production crew finally (mercifully?) ended the proceedings. "It's not as easy as you'd think to stand there looking like you know you don't know a hit is coming," he said with a laugh.
One of Gardner's sons, Kaden, followed his footsteps and currently plays football at Carroll. A daughter, Addison, plays basketball at MSU Billings. Another son, Brycen, competes for Spokane's Mead High in cross country today, which will keep Larry Gardner from attending the Bobcat-Eastern game. But the proud Montanan enjoys tapping into Treasure State roots, whether it be reconnecting with lifelong friends like Dave Dickenson, a UM football legend, or fellow Bobcats, of which there are several at Fairchild.
As for his nickname, Joker, he said, "I wish I had a really funny story, but I don't. When I get to laughing and smiling I guess I look like the Joker (of Batman fame), and a friend of mine, who is a Grizzly, pointed that out. And it's stuck."
Gardner said it's "fun to ride for the brand over here," and while he doesn't see the Cats play as much as he'd like he stays connected. Famed long-time Great Falls Tribune sportswriter Scott Mansch profiled Gardner here.
* * * * *
First the bad injury news: offensive guard Taylor Tuiasosopo is injured and will miss the game, as will reserve guard/center Cole Sain. Joe McElroy makes his first career start in Tuiasosopo's place.
* * * * *
The timing couldn't be much better for the return of a wave of injured Bobcats. Expected play today after missing some amount of time due to injuries: cornerbacks Tyrel Thomas and James Campbell, linebacker Callahan O'Reilly, defensive tackle Chase Benson (he'll be a game day decision but was trending toward playing throughout the week), and offensive tackle TJ Session.
* * * * *
If you're looking for a quick and easy explanation for the rise of Eastern Washington football to the Big Sky Conference's pinnacle since Mike Kramer led the Eagles to the 1997 league title, starting behind the center would be an excellent choice. In this century, every single full-time starting quarterback except one has earned All-America and First Team All-Big Sky honors during their careers. The player who didn't achieve that level Fred Salanoa, was 2nd Team All-Big Sky.
The list: Fred Salanoa (1999-2001), Josh Blankenship (2002), Erik Meyer (2003-05), Matt Nichols (2006-09), Bo Levi Mitchell (2010-11), Vernon Adams (2012-14), three players split time in 2015 but one was Gage Gubrud (2016-18), and Eric Barriere (2019-21). Barriere, Gubrud and Adams each earned at least one national player of the year honor, and the rest other than Salanoa earned Big Sky MVP honors at least once.
* * * * *
One Bobcat who has done some fine aerial work of his own this year is kicker Blake Glessner. He is fourth in the FCS with 1.88 field goals per game and 18th in field goal percentage (.833). His 15 field goals this season is fifth-most in Bobcat history.
Players Mentioned
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