Saturday, October 21
Sacramento, CA
8:30 pm MT
Montana State University
at
Sacramento State
Julius Davis
Photo by: Garrett Becker
BOBCAT GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #7: Cats Getting Closer to Full Strength
10/20/2023 11:45:00 AM | Football
A small handful of players return from injury for tonight's showdown with Sacramento State
SACRAMENTO, California - As kickoff for Montana State's showdown with third-ranked Sacramento State nears, the Bobcats appear to be inching toward assembling its full offensive weaponry.
After quarterback Tommy Mellott returned from injury last week, a trio of offensive players could return today. Running backs Scottre Humphrey and Julius Davis have each missed recent games, but both are expected back against Sacramento State. The same holds true with receiver and return specialist Jacob Trimble, who may return punts tonight.
Still, the Cats are likely without several key pieces in the showdown with No. 4/3 Sacramento State. Receiver/returner Taco Dowler remains out, while nickel Level Price Jr. is a game time decision.
* * * * *
Sacramento State has excelled on special teams during its rise to Big Sky dominance in recent seasons. This year's Hornets lead the FCS in net punting, averaging 44.28 yards per exchange. Punter Cal McGough averages 44.7 yards per punt, with a long of 56. He has pinned his opponent inside the 20 on 11 of his 15 punts.
Contrast that with the expected return of punt returner Taco Dowler, who led the FCS in punt return average in 2022 in spite of the plaudits handed out to other return specialists in the league. He averaged 17.3 yards per return a season ago, bringing two back for touchdowns.
* * * * *
Sacramento State head coach Andy Thompson is no stranger to the Bobcat program. The Walla Walla, Washington, product played football at Montana (1999, 2001-03). He was 2-2 against the Bobcats as a player, and he served as an assistant coach at Northern Arizona from 2005-018. The Bobcats were 5-6 against those teams. Thompson was part of the Sacramento State staff that handed MSU its most recent loss in Bobcat Stadium during the 2019 season.
After quarterback Tommy Mellott returned from injury last week, a trio of offensive players could return today. Running backs Scottre Humphrey and Julius Davis have each missed recent games, but both are expected back against Sacramento State. The same holds true with receiver and return specialist Jacob Trimble, who may return punts tonight.
Still, the Cats are likely without several key pieces in the showdown with No. 4/3 Sacramento State. Receiver/returner Taco Dowler remains out, while nickel Level Price Jr. is a game time decision.
* * * * *
Sacramento State has excelled on special teams during its rise to Big Sky dominance in recent seasons. This year's Hornets lead the FCS in net punting, averaging 44.28 yards per exchange. Punter Cal McGough averages 44.7 yards per punt, with a long of 56. He has pinned his opponent inside the 20 on 11 of his 15 punts.
Contrast that with the expected return of punt returner Taco Dowler, who led the FCS in punt return average in 2022 in spite of the plaudits handed out to other return specialists in the league. He averaged 17.3 yards per return a season ago, bringing two back for touchdowns.
* * * * *
Sacramento State head coach Andy Thompson is no stranger to the Bobcat program. The Walla Walla, Washington, product played football at Montana (1999, 2001-03). He was 2-2 against the Bobcats as a player, and he served as an assistant coach at Northern Arizona from 2005-018. The Bobcats were 5-6 against those teams. Thompson was part of the Sacramento State staff that handed MSU its most recent loss in Bobcat Stadium during the 2019 season.
Players Mentioned
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WR
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RB
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QB
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CB
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WR
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