BOBCATS BY THE NUMBERS: 56 Days Until Kickoff
7/10/2021 2:00:00 PM | Football
A look at the No. 56 in Bobcat Football History...
Bobcats by the Numbers takes a look at current and past Bobcats whose jersey numbers correspond to the number of days remaining before Montana State opens the 2021 football season at Wyoming on September 4.
#56
Zack Black, DL: A highly-regarded defensive line prospect with a very good frame and excellent athletic ability. Black comes to Bozeman from Meridian, Idaho, which the Bobcats have mined successfully for talent in recent years. Black is expected to use 2021 as a developmental year, but could contribute early in his Bobcat career.
Inside the Numbers – 56: In 1986 the Bobcats beat Northern Iowa 46-25 in a wild game in Reno H. Sales Stadium. On that afternoon the teams combined for 56 first downs – 30 by the Panthers, 26 by the Cats.
Montana State had 56 regular season tackles-for-loss in 1984, and 19 more in the playoffs (3 vs ASU, 4 vs. URI, 12 vs. La Tech).
Spotlight: If the you're looking for a poster child for Montana State's system of locating, recruiting, and developing in-state walk-ons, Shaun Sampson would be a pretty strong candidate. An honorable mention All-Big Sky choice in 2011, Sampson anchored MSU's offensive line in every way. Known as an effective run blocker due to his quickness, he also excelled in the mental aspect demanded of his position. Sampson was an outstanding high school player at Helena Capital, but due to his size was only lightly-recruited into the college ranks. He has found a home in the middle of the Bobcat offensive line, and Honorable Mention All-America and First Team All-Big Sky honors as a senior.
Chronology: Ed Barefield (1970-71), Bill Hansen (1974), Ed Mutch (1975), Tony Woolery (1976-77), Derek Wunsch (1978-80), Don Torchia (1981-83), Tim Ellinghouse (1984-86), Scott McFarland (1987), Dan Wilson (1988), Josh Wanago (1989-92), Chris Sobonya (1993), Cedric Cooper (1994), Josh Rollins (1998-2000), Travis Busse (2002), Troy O'Connor (2003-04), Jesse Anderson (2005-07), Shaun Sampson (2008-12), Tyler Nesbitt (2013), Rocky Hogue (2014-17), Brandon Hayashi (2016-17), Seer Deines (2018-20), Zack Black (2021-).
Bonus for #56: By the sheer math of it, college football players generally dominate the landscape of a college athletic department, often accounting for one-quarter to one-third of a school's student-athletes. There is a standard hierarchy of players that become the most well-known – stars become the public face of college programs, along with skill position players and hometown or local products. Getting to know a player like Brandon Hayashi is generally somewhat different. Hayashi came to MSU as a junior college transfer in the summer of 2016 and played in 17 games during his two seasons. Hayashi never broke the starting lineup on a regular basis, never really got traction except as a run-stuffer, but became one of the most well-liked players in the program for his warm demeanor and ever-present smile. Called 'the den mother' by then-head coach Jeff Choate for his genuine caring for his teammates, Hayashi will long be remembered by those around the program and will always be part of the Bobcat family.
#56
Zack Black, DL: A highly-regarded defensive line prospect with a very good frame and excellent athletic ability. Black comes to Bozeman from Meridian, Idaho, which the Bobcats have mined successfully for talent in recent years. Black is expected to use 2021 as a developmental year, but could contribute early in his Bobcat career.
Inside the Numbers – 56: In 1986 the Bobcats beat Northern Iowa 46-25 in a wild game in Reno H. Sales Stadium. On that afternoon the teams combined for 56 first downs – 30 by the Panthers, 26 by the Cats.
Montana State had 56 regular season tackles-for-loss in 1984, and 19 more in the playoffs (3 vs ASU, 4 vs. URI, 12 vs. La Tech).
Spotlight: If the you're looking for a poster child for Montana State's system of locating, recruiting, and developing in-state walk-ons, Shaun Sampson would be a pretty strong candidate. An honorable mention All-Big Sky choice in 2011, Sampson anchored MSU's offensive line in every way. Known as an effective run blocker due to his quickness, he also excelled in the mental aspect demanded of his position. Sampson was an outstanding high school player at Helena Capital, but due to his size was only lightly-recruited into the college ranks. He has found a home in the middle of the Bobcat offensive line, and Honorable Mention All-America and First Team All-Big Sky honors as a senior.
Chronology: Ed Barefield (1970-71), Bill Hansen (1974), Ed Mutch (1975), Tony Woolery (1976-77), Derek Wunsch (1978-80), Don Torchia (1981-83), Tim Ellinghouse (1984-86), Scott McFarland (1987), Dan Wilson (1988), Josh Wanago (1989-92), Chris Sobonya (1993), Cedric Cooper (1994), Josh Rollins (1998-2000), Travis Busse (2002), Troy O'Connor (2003-04), Jesse Anderson (2005-07), Shaun Sampson (2008-12), Tyler Nesbitt (2013), Rocky Hogue (2014-17), Brandon Hayashi (2016-17), Seer Deines (2018-20), Zack Black (2021-).
Bonus for #56: By the sheer math of it, college football players generally dominate the landscape of a college athletic department, often accounting for one-quarter to one-third of a school's student-athletes. There is a standard hierarchy of players that become the most well-known – stars become the public face of college programs, along with skill position players and hometown or local products. Getting to know a player like Brandon Hayashi is generally somewhat different. Hayashi came to MSU as a junior college transfer in the summer of 2016 and played in 17 games during his two seasons. Hayashi never broke the starting lineup on a regular basis, never really got traction except as a run-stuffer, but became one of the most well-liked players in the program for his warm demeanor and ever-present smile. Called 'the den mother' by then-head coach Jeff Choate for his genuine caring for his teammates, Hayashi will long be remembered by those around the program and will always be part of the Bobcat family.
Players Mentioned
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