BOBCATS BY THE NUMBERS: 19 Days Until Kickoff
8/16/2021 4:52:00 PM | Football
A look at the no. 19 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.
#19
Jaharie Martin, RB: One of the most intriguing players on the MSU roster, Jaharie Martin is also one of the most interesting people on the squad. A power lifter who gained national acclaim in high school, he originally came to MSU as a linebacker but even head coach Jeff Choate offered that while Martin didn't slot neatly into a single position and was signed because "we just needed to take a player of his ability and figure the rest of it out" when he arrived in Bozeman. Martin enters 2021 as the team's power back, a running back whose physical style fits well in Montana State's explosive ground game.
Neil Daily, LB: A two-time All-Class AA selection at Billings West, Neil Daily was early to commit to the Bobcats and has proven to be a bright, young linebacker prospect during his first season in the program.
Spotlight – Johnny Gardiner: A bomber in both the literal and football sense, Johnny Gardiner followed quite a path to get to Montana State and an even more interesting one in the years after his season in Bozeman. The Minneapolis native played left halfback for the Golden Gophers in 1941 and '42, but enlisted in the air corps and flew bomber missions over Europe with distinction, receiving two Distinguished Flying Crosses. Following the war Gardiner first traveled east, playing one season at Purdue, then headed west to finish his career at Montana State. After his season with the Cats he signed as an import with Winnipeg of the CFL, called a "fine passer, fast, nifty and has a fighting heart" by a teammate, but after enduring a season of injuries and on-field misfortune Gardiner retired from football and began putting to use his commercial sciences degree. Gardiner accepted a position with the Parker Pen Company in Janesville, Wisconsin, before beginning his own business services company in California a short time later. He spent the rest of his days as a successful businessman in California, passing away in 2015 at the age of 92.
Chronology: James Gennary (1930), William Greer (1931), Bill Penttila (1934), Floyd Roth (1937), Robert Olson (1940), James O'Loughlin (1946-47), John Gardiner (1948), Bob Weast (1949), Kurt Ueland (1950), Joe Liesses (1953), Bernie Ellingson (1955), James Cowan (1983), Jeff Mayfield (1984-85), Scott Surby (1986), Robert LaPlant (1987), Quinn Falk (1988), Steve Fried (1989-92), Kalonji Watts (1994), Kasey Harte (1995), Marc Lubick (1996), Ken Amato (1998), JB Kellogg (1999-00), Nate Cook (2001-03), Chaz Guinn (2004-05), Jamelle Banks (2006-07), Rick Haluszka (2008-12), Jayshawn Gates (2013-16), Callahan O'Reilly (2017), Ty Okada (2017-)
Other #19 Notes: Nate Cook was a fine punter and kicker for the Bobcats from 2001-03, but he will long be remembered for one glorious moment in his MSU career – with Montana State's season literally hanging in the balance and the most miraculous comeback in recent memory in his grasp, Cook nailed a 36-yard field goal with no time on the clock (courtesy of a defensive penalty on the game's final play) to boost the Cats to a stunning 31-30 win at Sacramento State.
#19
Jaharie Martin, RB: One of the most intriguing players on the MSU roster, Jaharie Martin is also one of the most interesting people on the squad. A power lifter who gained national acclaim in high school, he originally came to MSU as a linebacker but even head coach Jeff Choate offered that while Martin didn't slot neatly into a single position and was signed because "we just needed to take a player of his ability and figure the rest of it out" when he arrived in Bozeman. Martin enters 2021 as the team's power back, a running back whose physical style fits well in Montana State's explosive ground game.
Neil Daily, LB: A two-time All-Class AA selection at Billings West, Neil Daily was early to commit to the Bobcats and has proven to be a bright, young linebacker prospect during his first season in the program.
Spotlight – Johnny Gardiner: A bomber in both the literal and football sense, Johnny Gardiner followed quite a path to get to Montana State and an even more interesting one in the years after his season in Bozeman. The Minneapolis native played left halfback for the Golden Gophers in 1941 and '42, but enlisted in the air corps and flew bomber missions over Europe with distinction, receiving two Distinguished Flying Crosses. Following the war Gardiner first traveled east, playing one season at Purdue, then headed west to finish his career at Montana State. After his season with the Cats he signed as an import with Winnipeg of the CFL, called a "fine passer, fast, nifty and has a fighting heart" by a teammate, but after enduring a season of injuries and on-field misfortune Gardiner retired from football and began putting to use his commercial sciences degree. Gardiner accepted a position with the Parker Pen Company in Janesville, Wisconsin, before beginning his own business services company in California a short time later. He spent the rest of his days as a successful businessman in California, passing away in 2015 at the age of 92.
Chronology: James Gennary (1930), William Greer (1931), Bill Penttila (1934), Floyd Roth (1937), Robert Olson (1940), James O'Loughlin (1946-47), John Gardiner (1948), Bob Weast (1949), Kurt Ueland (1950), Joe Liesses (1953), Bernie Ellingson (1955), James Cowan (1983), Jeff Mayfield (1984-85), Scott Surby (1986), Robert LaPlant (1987), Quinn Falk (1988), Steve Fried (1989-92), Kalonji Watts (1994), Kasey Harte (1995), Marc Lubick (1996), Ken Amato (1998), JB Kellogg (1999-00), Nate Cook (2001-03), Chaz Guinn (2004-05), Jamelle Banks (2006-07), Rick Haluszka (2008-12), Jayshawn Gates (2013-16), Callahan O'Reilly (2017), Ty Okada (2017-)
Other #19 Notes: Nate Cook was a fine punter and kicker for the Bobcats from 2001-03, but he will long be remembered for one glorious moment in his MSU career – with Montana State's season literally hanging in the balance and the most miraculous comeback in recent memory in his grasp, Cook nailed a 36-yard field goal with no time on the clock (courtesy of a defensive penalty on the game's final play) to boost the Cats to a stunning 31-30 win at Sacramento State.
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