BOBCAT GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #9: Coy Steel is Back, Danny U is Out as Bobcats Head into Walkup Skydome
11/5/2022 12:00:00 PM | General
MSU faces uphill battle when kickoff comes under a roof
Today's lineup when the Bobcats face Northern Arizona in the Walkup Skydome is a testimony to the kind of adversity Montana State has faced in 2022, along with the its ability to meet those challenges head first.
Senior receiver Coy Steel returns to the Bobcats receiver corps today for the first time since September 2021. On the other side of the equation, starting linebacker Danny Uluilakepa will miss today's game with a leg injury. So does Lane Sumner, and it's also likely that quarterback Sean Chambers is out again, although his status could be determined close to kickoff.
Steel was injured on the team's longest punt return of the season last year, which sparked the Cats to a road win over Portland State in the Big Sky opener. Steel has been a steady special teams player and a productive receiver, but Justin Udy, who coaches both units, says his reach extends far beyond his on-field presence. "He's such a great leader," Uday said. "He sits with Taco Dowler (who replaced Steel as both slot receiver and punt returner) in meetings, he's great on the sideline, he knows our system so well that he's a huge help in every area."
Bobcat head coach Brent Vigen is also impressed with Steel's presence. "He doesn't say a lot so when he speaks up everyone listens," he said. "He's someone who everyone in the program respects."
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Uluilakepa, a special teams standout as a redshirt freshman a year ago, misses his first game of the season. He was injured during the win against Weber State two weeks ago.
Chambers has made progress from his leg injury throughout the last two weeks since missing the Weber State game Lane Sumner left that contest late and is not on the trip to Flagstaff.
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Montana State continues to run the ball 65% of the time, but the heavy ground game does not mean the Cats lack in big plays. Of the 375 running plays the Cats have executed this season, 46 (or 12.2%) have resulted in gains of 12 yards or more.
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One last bow tied upon MSU's epic home win over fifth-ranked Weber State, courtesy of Brett Hein of the Ogden Standard-Examiner: Montana State scored five offensive touchdowns against the Wildcats, which entered the game in the top five in the FCS in most defensive categories. WSU's other seven opponents combine for seven offensive touchdowns, an average of 1.0 per game.
Senior receiver Coy Steel returns to the Bobcats receiver corps today for the first time since September 2021. On the other side of the equation, starting linebacker Danny Uluilakepa will miss today's game with a leg injury. So does Lane Sumner, and it's also likely that quarterback Sean Chambers is out again, although his status could be determined close to kickoff.
Steel was injured on the team's longest punt return of the season last year, which sparked the Cats to a road win over Portland State in the Big Sky opener. Steel has been a steady special teams player and a productive receiver, but Justin Udy, who coaches both units, says his reach extends far beyond his on-field presence. "He's such a great leader," Uday said. "He sits with Taco Dowler (who replaced Steel as both slot receiver and punt returner) in meetings, he's great on the sideline, he knows our system so well that he's a huge help in every area."
Bobcat head coach Brent Vigen is also impressed with Steel's presence. "He doesn't say a lot so when he speaks up everyone listens," he said. "He's someone who everyone in the program respects."
* * * * *
Uluilakepa, a special teams standout as a redshirt freshman a year ago, misses his first game of the season. He was injured during the win against Weber State two weeks ago.
Chambers has made progress from his leg injury throughout the last two weeks since missing the Weber State game Lane Sumner left that contest late and is not on the trip to Flagstaff.
* * * * *
Montana State continues to run the ball 65% of the time, but the heavy ground game does not mean the Cats lack in big plays. Of the 375 running plays the Cats have executed this season, 46 (or 12.2%) have resulted in gains of 12 yards or more.
* * * * *
One last bow tied upon MSU's epic home win over fifth-ranked Weber State, courtesy of Brett Hein of the Ogden Standard-Examiner: Montana State scored five offensive touchdowns against the Wildcats, which entered the game in the top five in the FCS in most defensive categories. WSU's other seven opponents combine for seven offensive touchdowns, an average of 1.0 per game.
Friday, September 05
Thursday, July 31
Monday, May 19
Wednesday, May 03
