Tyrel Thomas
Photo by: Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez
BOBCAT GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #4: Familiar Likely to Return for Cats in Portland
9/25/2021 1:57:00 PM | Football
Tyrel Thomas fortifies secondary while Cole Sain adds depth in O-line
HILLSBORO, Oregon (September 25, 2021) - A pair of reliable contributors likely return to the Montana State lineup today, when defensive back Tyrel Thomas is expected to make his first appearance of 2021 and Cole Sain returns after missing two games with an injury.
The most experienced player in the MSU secondary, Thomas is expected to play both cornerback and nickel against Portland State's spread offense. He is likely to move into the rotation as today's game and the season progress, having logged a full week of practice. Sain battled injuries off and on during preseason camp, then went down during the Wyoming game. He is expected to provide depth at the interio offensive line positions.
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Several Montana State players return to familiar environs this weekend, but none more than Elijah Elliott. The freshman Bobcat running back played his high school home games in Hillsboro Stadium, which Portland State now calls home, Elliott's Central Catholic won its 2019 state championship on this field.
His favorite moment todate? "I caught a running back screen pass," he said, "and followed my blocking for a while, but then I hurdled over (blocker) Jordan Reed and scored a touchdown. It was about a 70-yard run."
An electrifying talent, Elliott hopes to accomplish something similar today. "I like this field," he said with his trademark smile.
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One of the hidden factors in any game is field position, so as much as possible today's two punters could find themselves in the spotlight on a bright but breezy afternoon. Portland State senior Seth Vernon averages 46 yards a punt this year, while Bobcat freshman Bryce Leighton checks in at just under 41 yards a boot.
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Vikings quarterback Davis Alexander "is a playmaker that certainly drives their offense," Bobcat head coach Brent Vigen said of PSU's fourth-year starting quarterback. He threw for 212 yards and rushed for 71 more in Montana State's most recent matchup with Portland State. "We will definitely need to be correct in our alignments and assignments (defensively), and get after him."
The most experienced player in the MSU secondary, Thomas is expected to play both cornerback and nickel against Portland State's spread offense. He is likely to move into the rotation as today's game and the season progress, having logged a full week of practice. Sain battled injuries off and on during preseason camp, then went down during the Wyoming game. He is expected to provide depth at the interio offensive line positions.
* * * * *
Several Montana State players return to familiar environs this weekend, but none more than Elijah Elliott. The freshman Bobcat running back played his high school home games in Hillsboro Stadium, which Portland State now calls home, Elliott's Central Catholic won its 2019 state championship on this field.
His favorite moment todate? "I caught a running back screen pass," he said, "and followed my blocking for a while, but then I hurdled over (blocker) Jordan Reed and scored a touchdown. It was about a 70-yard run."
An electrifying talent, Elliott hopes to accomplish something similar today. "I like this field," he said with his trademark smile.
* * * * *
One of the hidden factors in any game is field position, so as much as possible today's two punters could find themselves in the spotlight on a bright but breezy afternoon. Portland State senior Seth Vernon averages 46 yards a punt this year, while Bobcat freshman Bryce Leighton checks in at just under 41 yards a boot.
* * * * *
Vikings quarterback Davis Alexander "is a playmaker that certainly drives their offense," Bobcat head coach Brent Vigen said of PSU's fourth-year starting quarterback. He threw for 212 yards and rushed for 71 more in Montana State's most recent matchup with Portland State. "We will definitely need to be correct in our alignments and assignments (defensively), and get after him."
Players Mentioned
Thursday, July 31
Monday, May 19
Wednesday, May 03
Wednesday, May 03
