CSN Log
March 10th, 2009, 03:20 PM
03-10-2009 03:06 PM
Montana State Spring Outlook
Returning Starters
Offensive Returners (6)
QB Cody Kempt (7)
WR DeSean Thomas (9)
OG Conrad Burbank (12)
OG Jeff Hansen (12)
OT Mike Person (12)
TE Joe Schreibeis (5)
Defensive Returners (7)
DE Dane Fletcher (9)
DT Dan Ogden (8)
LB Chase Gazzerro (12)
LB Jeff Price (12)
CB Cory Nicol (5)
FS Kevin Retoriano (12)
SS Arnold Briggs (11)
Starters Lost (Games Started)
Offense (5): RB Demetrius Crawford (12), WR Ty Lulay (8), OT Lous Saucedo (12), WR Deon Toliver (10), C Jim Verlanic (9)
Defense (4): LB Bobby Daly (12), DE Dylan Kinkelaar (6), DT Chris Kolone (7), CB Ramon Lewis (12)
Returning Lettermen
Offense (18): RB Blayde Becksted, TE Kyle Begger, OG Conrad Burbank, OG Casey Dennehy, QB Mark Desin, WR DeAndre Green, WR Derek Green, OG Jeff Hansen, QB Mark Iddins, QB Cody Kempt, WR Tyler Lulay, RB Aaron Mason, RB CJ Palmer, OT Mike Person, TE Shane Robison, TE Joe Schreibeis, OG Alex Terrien, WR DeSean Thomas.
Defense (20): CB James Andrews, LB Clay Bignell, S Arnold Briggs, DT Ryan Cerise, S Jordan Craney, DT Leo Davis, DE Dane Fletcher, LB Chase Gazzerro, LB Matt Harris, DE John Laidet, LB Josiah Lusby, CB Cory Nicol, DE Dustin O’Connell, DT Dan Ogden, LB Jeff Price, SS Kevin Retoriano, S Michael Rider, LB Tanner Ripley, DE Brad Smith, S Beau Watkins. Special Teams (3): K Jason Cunningham, P Eric Fisher, LS Tim Garcia.
Lettermen Lost
Offense (9): FB Jesse Anderson, WR Tyler Bolton, TE Brandon Bostick, RB Demetrius Crawford, WR DeAndre Green, WR Tyler Lulay, OT Lou Saucedo, WR Deon Toliver, C Jim Verlanic.
Defense (6): S Jeff Brown, LB Bobby Daly, DT Dylan Kinkelaar, DT Chris Kolone, CB Ramon Lewis, LB Isaiah Taito.
Special Teams (0): none
Returning Redshirts
Offense (15): OL Matt Bernard, QB Byron Campbell, WR Reil Cornelius, OL Derek Dejong, RB Ricky Evans, TE Steven Foster, WR Mike Gallagher, QB Rick Haluszka, WR Dan Malison, OL Clint Mentzel, WR Kazz Siewing, WR Kruiz Siewing, TE Kevin Steiner, OL Ben Tauanuu, OL Andrew Verlanic.
Defense (13): DL Brian Bignell, CB Zach Coleman, LB Ryan D’Agostino, DL Jason D’Alba, LB Jimmy Ekumah, LB Andrew Garaventa, CB Heath Howard, LB Jody Owens, LB Jared Rohrback, LB Shaun Sampson, DL Caleb Schreibeis, CB Trenton Thelen, LB Tyler Volkman.
Returning Squad Members
Offense (6): WR Michael Chopp, OL Michael Erickson, OL Jesse Hoffmann, OT Jeff Miller.
Defense (1): CB Colby Kinna.
Incoming Transfers Spring Only
Offense(1): WR Elvis Akpla. Defense(0): none.
Incoming Transfers for Fall
Offense (0): none. Defense (0): none
Bobcat Offense Notes
Topic: Turnovers
Montana State stood +5 in turnovers in its four Big Sky Conference wins, -9 in its three conference losses. The ‘Cats finished +3 in turnover margin overall in the team’s wins, -16 in the five losses, and stood -1 in home games and -9 on the road.
Purveying the Passing
Montana State’s most productive passing day came, tellingly, in a loss. The Bobcats threw for 248 yards against Eastern Washington, the team’s highest passing total of the season. Just as tellingly, the only game MSU attempted more passes than rushing attempts was the home loss to EWU.
The Rush on Rushing
Montana State led the Big Sky in rushing in 2008 for the 10th time in history, but the first since 1989 (when MSU was the only option team in the pass-happy Big Sky). The Bobcats have raced past the 100-yard mark rushing in nine of the last 10 games. MSU’s 2,103 rushing yards was the highest total since 1993.
Down Deep
Montana State spent most of 2008 among the Big Sky’s top three teams in red zone offense, but in the end its season was defined by a bad day inside the opponent 20. MSU turned three trips into the Grizzly red zone in the season finale into two points, and turned the ball over twice. That performance dropped MSU from second in the Big Sky to seventh (79.1%).
Plastic, Paper, and the Bobcats
Montana State allowed only 17 sacks in 2008, the fewest in the Big Sky and 30th in the FCS. Half of that total came against Eastern Washington (five) and Sacramento State (three) in consecutive games. South Dakota, Idaho State and Portland State each failed to sack MSU’s quarterback.
Three at a Time
The 2008 season marks the first time Montana State has used three starting quarterbacks in the same season since Mark Fisher, Bryan Nixon and Joe Volek all started at least once in 1991.
Treasure State Trivia
Mark Desin became the first player from Montana to throw a pass or start a game at quarterback for MSU since Kevin Flatow in 2000, and the first Treasure State signal caller to win a game as Bobcat quarterback since Kasey Harte in 1999.
More of the Turnover Tale
Since the beginning of 2005, MSU is 15-1 when positive in turnover margin, 4-7 when even, and 9-11 when in negative numbers. The Cats finished 2008 -10, after finishing +4 in 2007.
No Close Calls
Only three of MSU’s last 25 games were decided by single digits, and the two-point win over NAU was the team’s slimmest victory since beating ISU 30-28 in 2005.
Bobcat Defense Notes
Double the Fun
A look at Bobcat players since 1958 with multiple interception returns for TDs…
3 - Kevin Retoriano: PSU ‘08, NC ‘08, ISU ‘07
2 - Michael Beach: Weber ‘07, Weber ‘06
2 - Kane Ioane: St. Mary’s ‘03, UAB ‘01
2 - Omar Turner: EWU ‘96, CSU ‘95
2 - Rob Pouliot: BSU ‘88, E. Ore. ‘85
2 - Randy Hickel: Weber ‘73, UM ‘73
Scoopin’ and Scoring
MSU is 10-0 during Rob Ash’s tenure when the defense scores (including special teams safeties), 3-10 when it does not.
2008 PSU Retoriano 17 int return ……..MSU 49-32
NAU Fletcher blocks quick kick for S ….. MSU 25-23
NC Retoriano 64 int return ……….MSU 20-7
SAC Retoriano rec’d Greens punt blk ……MSU 31-20
ISU J. Anderson blk punt safety .MSU 33-21
ASC Jeff Brown 10 fumble ret ……MSU 59-3
2007 PSU Mike Beach 72 int ret ……….MSU 50-36
ISU Kevin Retoriano 83 int ret …MSU 40-20
Chase Gazzerro safety ……..MSU 40-20
WEB Chase Gazzerro 26 int ret ……MSU 21-5
Mike Beach 12 int ret …………MSU 21-5
DIX Team safety ………………………MSU 61-7
Dan Ogden 62 int ret ………….MSU 61-7
Pastry Party
MSU failed to force a turnover at Minnesota, K-State or Montana (all three losses), but had 28 takes in its other nine games.
The Rush to Judgment
The Bobcats surrendered 119.2 yards a game rushing in its five losses, 64.3 yards a game in the seven victories.
Take and Take
Montana State had at least three takeaways in each of its five Big Sky wins, one each in its two conference losses
Defensive Bests
Adams State’s 116 yards was the fewest allowed by MSU during the Rob Ash era, and the fewest since Portland State’s 112 yards in ‘03. Minnesota’s 352 yards against MSU is the second-lowest total by an FBS foe vs. the Cats.
Third Down Thrills
After Weber State gashed the Cats for 7-for-14 on third down plays, MSU held opponents to 28-for-87 on third down situations. MSU’s opponent third down rate of 32.8% was the best in the Big Sky.
Plenty of Picks
MSU’s 36 interceptions in Jamie Marshall’s two-year tenure as defensive coordinator is fourth-highest since 1982, when defensive stats begin at MSU:
Ints ……………………………………..Years
1. 39 ………………………………..1992 & ‘93
1. 39 ………………………………..1984 & ‘85
1. 39 ………………………………..1981 & ‘82
4. 36 ………………………………..2007 & ‘08
4. 36 ………………………………..1991 & ‘92
6. 33 ………………………………..2006 & ‘07
6. 33 ………………………………..1983 & ‘84
8. 32 ………………………………..1985 & ‘86
9. 30 ………………………………..1990 & ‘91
10. 29 …………….. 1988 & ‘89, 1982 & ‘83
Bobcat Special Teams Notes
Just for Kicks
Jason Cunningham was a revelation as MSU’s place kicker during his true freshman campaign. Cunningham is 13-for-19, the fourth-most field goals in the Big Sky this season, and his 68.4% success rate is fifth-best in the Big Sky. From Long Range
Jason Cunningham’s 25-yard FG vs. Weber State was his first attempt inside 40 yards last season. Cunningham converted five of his seven tries beyond 40 yards.
Game-Winner
The third of Jason Cunningham’s three field goals against Northern Arizona, a 38 yarder with 1:24 to play in the fourth quarter, marked his first college game-winner.
Punter Pins
Bobcat punter Eric Fisher nailed Weber and Idaho State inside their own five-yard line twice each in back-to-back weeks, and his pin at the five against NAU led to a safety and field goal - five points in a game the Bobcats won by two. His 22 pins inside the 20 led the Big Sky Conference in 2008.
Long Distance
Eric Fisher’s 73-yard punt against EWU was the seventh-longest punt in Bobcat history and the third-longest in the Big Sky in 2008.
Points on Punts
MSU scored points on blocked punts in 2008 against ISU (safety), Sacramento State (TD), and NAU (safety). A blocked punt resulted in a TD drive against NC.
King for a Day
In spite of MSU’s Homecoming loss to Weber State, Eric Fisher will always remember October 11, 2008. The junior from Billings averaged 40.3 yards on six punts, with a long of 53 yards. He pinned Weber inside the five-yard line twice. To top things off, Fisher was named MSU’s Homecoming King that day, the first Bobcat football player so honored.
Block Party
MSU blocked six kicks in 2008, after getting four in 2007. From 1999-2006, the Bobcats blocked eight kicks. The only two seasons in which MSU blocked more than four are 1990 (six) and 1984 (nine).
More Block Blogging
At NAU, Dane Fletcher became the first Bobcat since Rob Pouliot (1988, vs. Boise State) to block two kicks in one game. Fletcher blocked a punt that the Bobcat offense turned into a touchdown, and a quick kick that resulted into a safety. On the ensuing drive, MSU scored a field goal.
Return Remarks
Three long return streaks ended for Montana State’s kick teams in 2008…
– UM’s Marc Mariani returned a punt 75 yards for a TD, snapping an MSU string of 64 straight without a punt return for TD.
– Portland State’s Aaron Woods returned a kickoff for a touchdown, MSU’s first allowed in 84 games (EWU, 2001)
– Demetrius Crawford’s 100-yard kickoff return at Minnesota snapped a string of 47 games without a kick return TD.
By Montana State University Sports Information
Montana State Spring Outlook
Returning Starters
Offensive Returners (6)
QB Cody Kempt (7)
WR DeSean Thomas (9)
OG Conrad Burbank (12)
OG Jeff Hansen (12)
OT Mike Person (12)
TE Joe Schreibeis (5)
Defensive Returners (7)
DE Dane Fletcher (9)
DT Dan Ogden (8)
LB Chase Gazzerro (12)
LB Jeff Price (12)
CB Cory Nicol (5)
FS Kevin Retoriano (12)
SS Arnold Briggs (11)
Starters Lost (Games Started)
Offense (5): RB Demetrius Crawford (12), WR Ty Lulay (8), OT Lous Saucedo (12), WR Deon Toliver (10), C Jim Verlanic (9)
Defense (4): LB Bobby Daly (12), DE Dylan Kinkelaar (6), DT Chris Kolone (7), CB Ramon Lewis (12)
Returning Lettermen
Offense (18): RB Blayde Becksted, TE Kyle Begger, OG Conrad Burbank, OG Casey Dennehy, QB Mark Desin, WR DeAndre Green, WR Derek Green, OG Jeff Hansen, QB Mark Iddins, QB Cody Kempt, WR Tyler Lulay, RB Aaron Mason, RB CJ Palmer, OT Mike Person, TE Shane Robison, TE Joe Schreibeis, OG Alex Terrien, WR DeSean Thomas.
Defense (20): CB James Andrews, LB Clay Bignell, S Arnold Briggs, DT Ryan Cerise, S Jordan Craney, DT Leo Davis, DE Dane Fletcher, LB Chase Gazzerro, LB Matt Harris, DE John Laidet, LB Josiah Lusby, CB Cory Nicol, DE Dustin O’Connell, DT Dan Ogden, LB Jeff Price, SS Kevin Retoriano, S Michael Rider, LB Tanner Ripley, DE Brad Smith, S Beau Watkins. Special Teams (3): K Jason Cunningham, P Eric Fisher, LS Tim Garcia.
Lettermen Lost
Offense (9): FB Jesse Anderson, WR Tyler Bolton, TE Brandon Bostick, RB Demetrius Crawford, WR DeAndre Green, WR Tyler Lulay, OT Lou Saucedo, WR Deon Toliver, C Jim Verlanic.
Defense (6): S Jeff Brown, LB Bobby Daly, DT Dylan Kinkelaar, DT Chris Kolone, CB Ramon Lewis, LB Isaiah Taito.
Special Teams (0): none
Returning Redshirts
Offense (15): OL Matt Bernard, QB Byron Campbell, WR Reil Cornelius, OL Derek Dejong, RB Ricky Evans, TE Steven Foster, WR Mike Gallagher, QB Rick Haluszka, WR Dan Malison, OL Clint Mentzel, WR Kazz Siewing, WR Kruiz Siewing, TE Kevin Steiner, OL Ben Tauanuu, OL Andrew Verlanic.
Defense (13): DL Brian Bignell, CB Zach Coleman, LB Ryan D’Agostino, DL Jason D’Alba, LB Jimmy Ekumah, LB Andrew Garaventa, CB Heath Howard, LB Jody Owens, LB Jared Rohrback, LB Shaun Sampson, DL Caleb Schreibeis, CB Trenton Thelen, LB Tyler Volkman.
Returning Squad Members
Offense (6): WR Michael Chopp, OL Michael Erickson, OL Jesse Hoffmann, OT Jeff Miller.
Defense (1): CB Colby Kinna.
Incoming Transfers Spring Only
Offense(1): WR Elvis Akpla. Defense(0): none.
Incoming Transfers for Fall
Offense (0): none. Defense (0): none
Bobcat Offense Notes
Topic: Turnovers
Montana State stood +5 in turnovers in its four Big Sky Conference wins, -9 in its three conference losses. The ‘Cats finished +3 in turnover margin overall in the team’s wins, -16 in the five losses, and stood -1 in home games and -9 on the road.
Purveying the Passing
Montana State’s most productive passing day came, tellingly, in a loss. The Bobcats threw for 248 yards against Eastern Washington, the team’s highest passing total of the season. Just as tellingly, the only game MSU attempted more passes than rushing attempts was the home loss to EWU.
The Rush on Rushing
Montana State led the Big Sky in rushing in 2008 for the 10th time in history, but the first since 1989 (when MSU was the only option team in the pass-happy Big Sky). The Bobcats have raced past the 100-yard mark rushing in nine of the last 10 games. MSU’s 2,103 rushing yards was the highest total since 1993.
Down Deep
Montana State spent most of 2008 among the Big Sky’s top three teams in red zone offense, but in the end its season was defined by a bad day inside the opponent 20. MSU turned three trips into the Grizzly red zone in the season finale into two points, and turned the ball over twice. That performance dropped MSU from second in the Big Sky to seventh (79.1%).
Plastic, Paper, and the Bobcats
Montana State allowed only 17 sacks in 2008, the fewest in the Big Sky and 30th in the FCS. Half of that total came against Eastern Washington (five) and Sacramento State (three) in consecutive games. South Dakota, Idaho State and Portland State each failed to sack MSU’s quarterback.
Three at a Time
The 2008 season marks the first time Montana State has used three starting quarterbacks in the same season since Mark Fisher, Bryan Nixon and Joe Volek all started at least once in 1991.
Treasure State Trivia
Mark Desin became the first player from Montana to throw a pass or start a game at quarterback for MSU since Kevin Flatow in 2000, and the first Treasure State signal caller to win a game as Bobcat quarterback since Kasey Harte in 1999.
More of the Turnover Tale
Since the beginning of 2005, MSU is 15-1 when positive in turnover margin, 4-7 when even, and 9-11 when in negative numbers. The Cats finished 2008 -10, after finishing +4 in 2007.
No Close Calls
Only three of MSU’s last 25 games were decided by single digits, and the two-point win over NAU was the team’s slimmest victory since beating ISU 30-28 in 2005.
Bobcat Defense Notes
Double the Fun
A look at Bobcat players since 1958 with multiple interception returns for TDs…
3 - Kevin Retoriano: PSU ‘08, NC ‘08, ISU ‘07
2 - Michael Beach: Weber ‘07, Weber ‘06
2 - Kane Ioane: St. Mary’s ‘03, UAB ‘01
2 - Omar Turner: EWU ‘96, CSU ‘95
2 - Rob Pouliot: BSU ‘88, E. Ore. ‘85
2 - Randy Hickel: Weber ‘73, UM ‘73
Scoopin’ and Scoring
MSU is 10-0 during Rob Ash’s tenure when the defense scores (including special teams safeties), 3-10 when it does not.
2008 PSU Retoriano 17 int return ……..MSU 49-32
NAU Fletcher blocks quick kick for S ….. MSU 25-23
NC Retoriano 64 int return ……….MSU 20-7
SAC Retoriano rec’d Greens punt blk ……MSU 31-20
ISU J. Anderson blk punt safety .MSU 33-21
ASC Jeff Brown 10 fumble ret ……MSU 59-3
2007 PSU Mike Beach 72 int ret ……….MSU 50-36
ISU Kevin Retoriano 83 int ret …MSU 40-20
Chase Gazzerro safety ……..MSU 40-20
WEB Chase Gazzerro 26 int ret ……MSU 21-5
Mike Beach 12 int ret …………MSU 21-5
DIX Team safety ………………………MSU 61-7
Dan Ogden 62 int ret ………….MSU 61-7
Pastry Party
MSU failed to force a turnover at Minnesota, K-State or Montana (all three losses), but had 28 takes in its other nine games.
The Rush to Judgment
The Bobcats surrendered 119.2 yards a game rushing in its five losses, 64.3 yards a game in the seven victories.
Take and Take
Montana State had at least three takeaways in each of its five Big Sky wins, one each in its two conference losses
Defensive Bests
Adams State’s 116 yards was the fewest allowed by MSU during the Rob Ash era, and the fewest since Portland State’s 112 yards in ‘03. Minnesota’s 352 yards against MSU is the second-lowest total by an FBS foe vs. the Cats.
Third Down Thrills
After Weber State gashed the Cats for 7-for-14 on third down plays, MSU held opponents to 28-for-87 on third down situations. MSU’s opponent third down rate of 32.8% was the best in the Big Sky.
Plenty of Picks
MSU’s 36 interceptions in Jamie Marshall’s two-year tenure as defensive coordinator is fourth-highest since 1982, when defensive stats begin at MSU:
Ints ……………………………………..Years
1. 39 ………………………………..1992 & ‘93
1. 39 ………………………………..1984 & ‘85
1. 39 ………………………………..1981 & ‘82
4. 36 ………………………………..2007 & ‘08
4. 36 ………………………………..1991 & ‘92
6. 33 ………………………………..2006 & ‘07
6. 33 ………………………………..1983 & ‘84
8. 32 ………………………………..1985 & ‘86
9. 30 ………………………………..1990 & ‘91
10. 29 …………….. 1988 & ‘89, 1982 & ‘83
Bobcat Special Teams Notes
Just for Kicks
Jason Cunningham was a revelation as MSU’s place kicker during his true freshman campaign. Cunningham is 13-for-19, the fourth-most field goals in the Big Sky this season, and his 68.4% success rate is fifth-best in the Big Sky. From Long Range
Jason Cunningham’s 25-yard FG vs. Weber State was his first attempt inside 40 yards last season. Cunningham converted five of his seven tries beyond 40 yards.
Game-Winner
The third of Jason Cunningham’s three field goals against Northern Arizona, a 38 yarder with 1:24 to play in the fourth quarter, marked his first college game-winner.
Punter Pins
Bobcat punter Eric Fisher nailed Weber and Idaho State inside their own five-yard line twice each in back-to-back weeks, and his pin at the five against NAU led to a safety and field goal - five points in a game the Bobcats won by two. His 22 pins inside the 20 led the Big Sky Conference in 2008.
Long Distance
Eric Fisher’s 73-yard punt against EWU was the seventh-longest punt in Bobcat history and the third-longest in the Big Sky in 2008.
Points on Punts
MSU scored points on blocked punts in 2008 against ISU (safety), Sacramento State (TD), and NAU (safety). A blocked punt resulted in a TD drive against NC.
King for a Day
In spite of MSU’s Homecoming loss to Weber State, Eric Fisher will always remember October 11, 2008. The junior from Billings averaged 40.3 yards on six punts, with a long of 53 yards. He pinned Weber inside the five-yard line twice. To top things off, Fisher was named MSU’s Homecoming King that day, the first Bobcat football player so honored.
Block Party
MSU blocked six kicks in 2008, after getting four in 2007. From 1999-2006, the Bobcats blocked eight kicks. The only two seasons in which MSU blocked more than four are 1990 (six) and 1984 (nine).
More Block Blogging
At NAU, Dane Fletcher became the first Bobcat since Rob Pouliot (1988, vs. Boise State) to block two kicks in one game. Fletcher blocked a punt that the Bobcat offense turned into a touchdown, and a quick kick that resulted into a safety. On the ensuing drive, MSU scored a field goal.
Return Remarks
Three long return streaks ended for Montana State’s kick teams in 2008…
– UM’s Marc Mariani returned a punt 75 yards for a TD, snapping an MSU string of 64 straight without a punt return for TD.
– Portland State’s Aaron Woods returned a kickoff for a touchdown, MSU’s first allowed in 84 games (EWU, 2001)
– Demetrius Crawford’s 100-yard kickoff return at Minnesota snapped a string of 47 games without a kick return TD.
By Montana State University Sports Information