eGriz
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Joined: 27 Mar 2002
Posts: 3620
Location: Missoula, Montana
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Grizzlies face another hot QB (Missoulian).
Grizzlies visit tough Texas foe (Great Falls Tribune).
Montana’s first roadie a toughie into Texas (Daily Inter Lake).
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Bearkats looking for redemption against Montana (Huntsville Item).
Coaches Corner: Montana brings an extra amount of excitement (Huntsville
Item).
Top 25 Quick Who - Where - What (I-AA.org).
College Football on TV
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Grizzlies crack top 25 football weekend list (Montana Standard).
___
Tough defenses battle at MSU (Great Falls Tribune).
***
Griz at Sam Houston State 6:00 PM Mountain (5:00 PT, AZ; 7:00 CT; 8:00 ET)
Fox Sports Southwest
Satellite coordinates: KU Band | AMC 9 | Transponder 9 (UM site)
***
Grizzlies face another hot QB
By FRITZ NEIGHBOR of the Missoulian
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2004/09/18/sports/sports02. txt
Huntsville, Texas - Another week, another tough quarterback to deal with for
the top-ranked Montana Grizzlies, who'll battle Sam Houston State on the
Bearkats' home turf Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
Bowers Stadium could be jumping, if the pregame buzz means anything. The
locals haven't been this excited about a game in 11 seasons (Alcorn State,
which SHSU beat in 1994), and Bearkats' coach Ron Randleman expects a large
crowd.
"I'd be disappointed if we didn't have 12,000 fans," he said.
Those thousands who brave 90-degree temperatures probably figure on some
offensive fireworks, given the presence of Montana quarterback Craig Ochs
and Sam Houston signal-caller Dustin Long. And they would be correct, if the
previous two meetings are indicative: 38-14 and 49-24 Grizzly victories.
The 6-foot-3 Long has thrown for 560 yards in two games, and showed how
explosive he can be when he threw for 197 yards in the fourth quarter of
last week's 33-31 Bearkat loss to Southwest Missouri State. That should be a
concern for a Griz team that allowed 300 passing yards to Hofstra's Bobby
Seck. Long has five interceptions, however, four coming against SMS.
"He's a veteran quarterback, and he's thrown for a lot of yards in his
career," Montana coach Bobby Hauck said of the Texas A&M transfer. "He's got
experience. He's hard to fool. You basically need to make plays.
"Given their location and where they recruit, they've got a stable of
skilled athletes on their team. We're thin and young in the secondary, and I
hope we can match up."
Vincent Cartwright, a 6-foot-4 senior flanker, 5-8 speedster Jarrod Fuller,
and 6-0 Jason Mathenia lead a receiving crew that averages 20 yards per
reception. Tight ends Josh Brown and Blake Martin have combined for four
catches for 64 yards. The Bearkats also have 225-pound Jason Godfrey, whose
leg injury has cast doubt on his playing time, and 185-pound Stevie Smith in
the backfield. Smith has 60 yards on 13 carries; Godfrey 105 on 17. Sam
Houston averages 4.0 yards a carry while giving up just 2.1.
The Bearkats mainly throw - and run - out of the spread formation.
"Our '91 team (that won the Southland Conference) was pretty conservative,
with a strong defense and a don't-turn-the-ball-over approach on offense,"
Randleman said. "By '98 we were spread out a lot, and throwing it. We've
kind of evolved.
"With the pressure defenses you see in today's world, unless you have
overpowering offensive linemen, which is difficult to do in today's I-AA, I
think the only way to fight that pressure is to spread the field a little
bit."
That will test a young Griz secondary that includes two juniors - big-play
corner Kevin Edwards and strong safety Van Cooper, Jr. - with the rest being
sophomores and freshmen.
Montana has its own four-receiver offense, triggered by Ochs, who
conceivably could've been matching up with Long on Saturday an hour away
from Huntsville, in College Station. Ochs started as a true freshman for one
of A&M's Big 12 foes, Colorado. The senior has worked through a banged-up
right thumb for 581 yards and four TDs in two games this season. He's
completed 68.4 percent of his passes, with two interceptions.
That's offset the efforts of defenses to limit running back Justin Green,
who has 95 rushing yards in two games. Jefferson Heidelberger, like SHSU's
Fuller, is in the top 15 in I-AA in receiving yards (131 per game). Levander
Segars is another threat. Both displayed their big-play ability in last
week's 41-23 win over a capable Hofstra team. Segars' 75-yard catch-and-run
TD reception gave Montana the lead for good; Heidelberger's 96-yard kickoff
return broke the game open.
Ochs will be playing against a defense that includes five defensive backs,
but will bring pressure. Jeff Mayhew and John Griffin lead the way for SHSU
at tackle. Paul Donelson, a 210-pound senior strong safety, returned an
interception for a TD against Montana last year.
"They have good inside play up front, and their linebackers (led by Marcus
Mikulec) are active," Hauck said. "I like their secondary, too.
"It'll be interesting to see what they do. They changed up a little bit in
the fourth quarter (against Southwest Missouri), and it'll be interesting to
see how long they stick with their pressure game and their 8-man front. That
presents problems just from the fact that they can bring a lot of people
from a lot of different places.
"But they changed their structure a little bit (in the fourth quarter
against SMS), and they didn't get as much pressure on the quarterback."
The result was two SMS touchdowns in the final 1:33.
"They're athletic. Young, but very athletic," said Ochs. "We've played
against some solid defenses to this point, so nothing changes with that.
We've just got to go down there and try to improve this week. We felt like
we made some improvement from week one to week two, and if we can just
continue to do that this week, we'll be all right."
***
Grizzlies visit tough Texas foe
By GEORGE GEISE, Great Falls Tribune
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/news/stories/20040918/localsp orts/1257518.html
The Sam Houston State football squad that takes the field tonight in
Huntsville, Texas, against Montana bears little resemblance to the Bearkat
team that lost 38-14 to the Grizzlies in Missoula a year ago.
Veteran coach Ron Randleman has new quarterbacks, new and improved wide
receivers, and a whole lot more experience than the team he brought to the
Treasure State a year ago.
But the Bearkats (1-1) continue to be plagued by turnovers, which were a
major factor in the program's 2-9 record of a year ago.
"We think we're a lot better at quarterback. We're much better at receiver.
We played 13 true freshmen last year, and they're a year older," Randleman
said. "But we can't turn the ball over and expect to beat good teams."
The Bearkats opened the season with a 60-7 romp over NCAA Div. II Ouchita
Baptist, then lost a heartbreaking 33-31 decision at Southwest Texas State.
Quarterback Dustin Long threw for 197 yards in the fourth quarter to bring
the Bearkats back into contention, but he also threw four interceptions.
Overall, Sam Houston has averaged 404 yards per game through the air,
third-best in the nation.
"Dustin is a very accurate thrower," said Randleman. "He's been great in
practice. But if he struggles like that again (against UM), we will bring
Noah (Allen) in and see what he can do."
Long is a former starter at Texas A&M, and Allen transferred from Oklahoma,
so both bring big-time talent to the position. They have a talented target
in speedster Jason Mathenia (10.2 in the 100 meters), who scored on pass
plays of 44 and 83 yards at SW Missouri State. Mathenia was the Southland
Conference's leading receiver two years ago, but sat out last season with a
disciplinary problem.
Another primary target is 6-5, 235-pound Corey Roberts, who didn't play much
in Missoula a year ago because he wasn't switched to tight end until the
second half of the year.
"Roberts is big and fast and we think he'll create matchup problems for a
lot of teams," said Randleman.
UM coach Bobby Hauck, whose team enters tonight's game as the No. 1 team in
I-AA, is aware of those matchup issues.
"Their strengths are our areas of concern," said Hauck. "They have that
explosive passing attack going against our young back side with new
linebackers and defensive backs."
Randleman is impressed by UM's offense, which averages 403 yards and 34
points per game against solid opposition. Griz senior quarterback Craig Ochs
leads the nation in passing efficiency and is second in yards per game
(290). Senior wide receiver Jefferson Heidelberger is eighth in pass
receptions (19) and yards per game (131).
"It looks to me like their offene is a lot more explosive," said Randleman.
"They look more diverse. They've got good running backs, a big line and
obviously they're throwing it better."
A year ago, Ochs came off the injured list and saw his first action, playing
about 2Þ quarters in relief of Justin Hartman to lead UM to victory.
Randleman clearly expects a high-scoring game tonight.
"You're not going to beat Montana unless you score a lot of points," he
said. "They're not going to beat themselves. The No. 1 team in the country
isn't going to do that."
***
Montana’s first roadie a toughie into Texas
By Andrew Hinkelman, The Daily Inter Lake (Kalispell)
http://www.dailyinterlake.com/NewsEngine/SelectStory_AD.tpl?co mmand=search&db=news.db&eqskudata=36-733702-48
The first road game of the year for new No. 1 Montana will provide the
Grizzlies with a whole host of challenges.
From the arduous trip to Huntsville to the heat and humidity of southeast
Texas to an explosive offense in Sam Houston State, the Grizzlies will be
tested today in their first defense of No. 1 since Nov. 11, 2002.
"It will be a long trip," UM coach Bobby Hauck said Tuesday. Huntsville is
about 70 miles north of Houston with a forecast high of 96 with humidity to
match.
"It’s tough to fly and then bus another hour and a half to get to
Huntsville," he said. "The heat will be a factor, but the biggest problem is
Sam Houston is really good."
The Bearkats lost last week to Southwest Missouri State 33-31 on the
penultimate play of the game, and piled up 453 yards of offense in the
process.
"They’re fourth in the nation total offense, third in passing," Hauck said.
"They’ve got the tools to get up and down the field."
Senior quarterback Dustin Long, a transfer from Texas A&M, has thrown for
560 yards and five touchdowns in two games this year. He was also
intercepted four times against SMS.
The Griz defense, which looked at times a little suspect in the win over
Hofstra last week, will have its hands full.
"Again on defense our biggest thing is to keep improving," Hauck said. "At
times we have five to seven freshmen out there, so they need to keep
improving.
"I thought we did a lot of things right (against Hofstra), but we made some
mistakes too. I wasn’t happy with some of the big plays we gave up,
particularly at the end of the half.
"There was a lot of improvement on defense. We only gave up three on defense
in the second half, so it was a good effort."
Offensively for Montana, look for more of the same. Senior quarterback Craig
Ochs was named the Big Sky offensive player of the week for the second time
after throwing for 364 yards and a touchdown versus the Pride.
"They stop the run extremely well," Hauck said of the Bearkats. "They load
up the box and play an eight-man front, they pressure a bunch, get after the
quarterback. They looked like they gamble quite a bit.
"We just need to handle (the defensive pressure). It kind of comes down to
that. If you handle it you succeed if you don’t you don’t."
Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m. MDT, and can be seen locally on KCFW-TV.
***
RUSHING vs. PASSING OFFENSE
Rsh YPR Att Ypp YPPlay
Sam Houston St. 60 4.0 68 11.9 8.2
Hofstra 57 3.1 96 8.3 6.4
Montana 74 3.0 78 7.5 5.3
Maine 72 4.5 57 6.4 5.3
OFFENSE Rush Pass Total Scoring
Rank Team Ypg Ypg Ypg PPG
Sam Houston St 121 404 525 45.5
Hofstra 88 400 488 34.0
Montana 111 293 404 34.0
Maine 161 182 342 29.0
OFFENSE Rank
Rush Pass Total Scoring
Sam Houston St 71 3 3 8
Hofstra 94 4 7 25
Montana 77 11 31 25
Maine 45 59 56 40
NET PUNTING
Rank Team G Punt Yds Avg R RYd NetAvg
8. Montana 2 10 429 42.9 2 11 41.8
13. Maine 2 11 456 41.5 2 17 39.9
25. Sam Houston St. 2 4 158 39.5 2 7 37.8
57. Hofstra 2 12 410 34.2 3 18 32.7
PUNT RETURNS
Rank Team G Ret Yds TD Avg
7. Sam Houston St. 2 5 95 2 19.0
26. Maine 2 6 72 0 12.0
80. Montana 2 4 18 0 4.5
94. Hofstra 2 5 7 0 1.4
KICKOFF RETURNS
Rank Team G Kret Yds TD Avg
11. Montana 2 5 131 1 26.2
22. Sam Houston St. 2 7 165 0 23.6
59. Hofstra 2 7 130 0 18.6
90. Maine 2 5 76 0 15.2
- - -
Rushing Defense
Rank Team G Rsh Net Avg TD Ypg
9. Maine 2 66 145 2.2 0 73
16. Sam Houston St. 2 85 178 2.1 3 89
30. Montana 2 55 220 4.0 2 110
51. Hofstra 2 85 280 3.3 2 140
PASS EFFICIENCY DEFENSE
Rank Team G Att Com Pct I Yds TD Rating
29. Maine 2 74 39 52.7 5 351 3 92.4
57. Hofstra 2 69 42 60.9 2 457 1 115.5
67. Montana 2 90 55 61.1 3 610 3 122.4
85. Sam Houston St 2 70 47 67.1 1 501 2 133.8
SCORING DEFENSE
Rank Team PtPg
18. Maine 13.5
39. Sam Houston St. 20.0
41. Hofstra 20.5
47. Montana 21.5
TOTAL DEFENSE
Rank Team Pl Yds Avg TD Ypg
20. Maine 140 496 3.5 3 248
48. Sam Houston St. 155 679 4.4 5 340
63. Hofstra 154 737 4.8 5 369
81. Montana 145 830 5.7 6 415
TURNOVER MARGIN
Rank Team Gain Loss
Fm Int Tot Fm Int Tot Mrg
20. Maine 1 5 6 1 2 3 1.5
37. Montana 1 3 4 1 2 3 .5
37. Hofstra 3 2 5 3 1 4 .5
87. Sam Houston St. 3 1 4 2 5 7 -1.5
Sammy's QB Long (Texas A&M transfer) was only 19 for 39 with 4 picked last
Saturday; Sammy also fumbled twice and was flagged 14 times.
Ouachita Baptist (DII) L vs. SHSU 60-7, L vs. Valdosta St (DII) 40-19. SW Mo
St beat Drake (I-AA Pioneer League) 31-26, and then SHSU 33-31. Sagarins: 83
Montana, 187 SHSU, 206 Drake, 216 Albany (41-0 loser to Hofstra).
***
Bearkats looking for redemption against Montana
By Jason Barfield, Huntsville Item
http://www.itemonline.com/articles/2004/09/18/sports/todays_sp orts/sports01.txt
Make no mistake about it, this game is bigger than just an ordinary
September nonconference contest at Bowers Stadium. When the Montana
Grizzlies take the field for tonight's kickoff, it will mark the first time
the No. 1-ranked I-AA team has been to Huntsville since 1988. A capacity
crowd is expected for the first time in years - and oh by the way - the game
just happens to be on TV.
It is easy to say this game is one of the most anticipated contests in the
last 10 years for the Bearkats. All of that said, this game means even more
to a group of seniors that were part of the 2001 Southland Conference
championship team.
That squad, led by quarterback Josh McCown, cruised to a 9-2 regular season
and won its first playoff game against Northern Arizona. The following week
the Kats headed to Missoula, Mont., to take on the No. 1-ranked Grizzlies in
the quarterfinals of the I-AA playoffs. With temperatures in the mid-30s,
the Griz handed SHSU a 49-24 loss. It was the first of two victories for
Montana in Washington Grizzly Stadium in this young series.
The Kats haven't forgotten their two trips to Big Sky Country.
"Ever since 2001, and then when I found out we had Montana on the schedule,
there has been a bitter taste in my mouth," said cornerback Mark Hughes. "We
felt we had a chance at a national championship in 2001. Last year we had a
chance to go up there and make a statement and we didn't do it. This game
sort of feels like a rivalry to me, although it would help if we won this
game."
Last season was the second trip by the Kats to Montana, and after hanging
tough early in the game, the Kats gave up 17 unanswered points in the second
half in a 38-14 loss. SHSU finished the year 2-9 and Montana once again was
in the playoffs, but that doesn't change the fact the players felt like they
had a chance to win that game.
"What I think about the most is we had a really good chance of playing with
those guys, keeping the games closer than they were and possibly winning
them," senior lineman Chris Louvier said. "We didn't capitalize on any of
that. We just made little mistakes that could have been avoided and that
cost us."
Senior safety Paul Donelson said there is certainly a feeling the Kats have
something to prove.
"We want to show them this is not the same team they have seen the last two
times they have faced us," said Donelson, who returned an interception for a
touchdown last season against the Griz. "They are coming into our house and
they are going to have to deal with the heat and humidity and everything
that goes with that, just like we had to deal with the weather up at their
place. We will just have to see how they handle it down here."
With game-time temps expected to still be in the low-90s for the 7 p.m.
kickoff, the players are hoping the heat and humidity will play a factor.
But in the end, they know the outcome is going to be based on what they do
on the field.
"Actually I am going into this like it is any other game," Hughes said. "I
know this is big, but like coach (Ron Randleman) has been preaching to us,
it's all about us and we can't worry about the other team. If you look at
last week, it wasn't about Southwest Missouri State. We just made too many
mistakes."
Despite the 33-31 loss to Southwest Missouri State last week, the Kats still
feel they have a good chance to be part of the playoffs at the end of the
season. There has even been talk of a trip to Chattanooga, Tenn., to the
national championship game. That's what makes today's game even more
important - to get to the title game, it most likely means a rematch with
Montana in the playoffs.
That extra element has played a part in the Kats' preparation for today's
game.
"We are taking this season one game at a time, but at the same time, we know
that if we go to the playoffs we will probably see these guys again before
it is all over," Louvier said. "We just want to give them a good taste of
what playing us is like here at home and maybe set the tone for a second
game if that happens."
While the Grizzlies are used to playing in front of a home crowd of more
than 20,000 rowdy fans, Louvier is hoping a packed Bowers Stadium can
generate a similar type of excitement and atmosphere.
"It would be nice to have a full, packed stadium," Louvier said. "Maybe that
will fire us up even more knowing our school supports us. That is always a
plus playing in front of a big crowd that that is cheering for you.
"Having a chance to be at home and play them at the same place we practice
every day, we get an advantage with that," he said. "This is our house, this
is where we live."
***
Coaches Corner: Montana brings an extra amount of excitement
By Jason Barfield, Huntsville Item
http://www.itemonline.com/articles/2004/09/18/sports/todays_sp orts/sports02.txt
HI: What stands out the most about Montana's football team?
RR: They have no glaring weaknesses. They are a well-balanced team that
plays hard. I think they are good in all three phases of the game. Their
offense may be the strongest of the three. They are very solid in all
aspects and it is just the way they play, with a lot of toughness and
confidence, that is going to make this a good game.
HI: What makes Ochs such a good quarterback?
RR: I don't know yet. We have only seen him on film, and I would have to see
him upclose to really be able to say. He obviously throws a good ball and
that appears to be his strength. He has some very good receivers, but he
does a really good job getting the ball to them. There are things a
quarterback does during a game that makes him really good, and unfortunately
you don't see that until you get an upclose look at him.
HI: What do you expect to see from the Montana offense?
RR: Their running game is very good, but I think their passing game is their
strength. I thought, and we still may see more run than pass, but they throw
it more than I thought they probably would. It appears they are evolving to
less run and more pass. Again, that is out of a two-game sample, so we won'
really know until the game.
HI: How much more important is this game, knowing that most any year in the
playoffs a meeting with Montana is probably imminent?
RR: For a nonconference ballgame, I think this is terribly important for a
number of reasons. Undeniably, Montana is a quality I-AA program. They
demand respect in the I-AA world. So just purely from that standpoint this
game is important. Also, they are the No. 1 ranked team, and you just don't
get that many chances to play the top team in the nation, especially at
home. This is an opportunity we need to take advantage of. But the most
important thing about this game, is with the way the playoffs are set up, it
is going to be Southland and Big Sky. If we hope to ever get the kind of
respect we would like to have, we have to win some of these games.
HI: With everything circling around this game, what do you do with the kids
to make sure they stay focus on aspects of the game and not anything else?
RR: I don't think that will be a problem because it is so early in the
season and we are coming off a game that pointed out some things we need to
improve on if we are going to make a run in the Southland. I think the
emotion part will carry into this game, and we are going to need that,
because we are not going to win this without the emotion, but our players
have to keep it in check.
HI: From a defensive standpoint, you know Montana is going to put points on
the board, how do you keep the players from getting discouraged?
RR: I have talked to our defensive coaches about this and I will address the
players about it as well. I don't think 28 points is going to win this game,
but who knows. The thing too, is if you play an offense like Montana, you
just have to keep coming at them and hope you can make a couple stops.
Montana is going to move the football against any team they play this year
and they are going to score points. Are we going to shut them out? No. But
if we don't play hard every game we are not going to make the stops to win
the ball game.
*** ***
Top 25 Quick Who - Where - What
I-AA.org
http://www.i-aa.org/article.asp?articleid=60641
#1 Montana at Sam Houston State
Bowers Stadium (14,000/AstroTurf), 6:05 p.m. (MTN.).
Montana leads the series 2-0:
William Penn at #2 Southern Illinois
Kickoff Time: 6:05 p.m. CT
Site: McAndrew Stadium (17,000)
The Series: First meeting
#3 Furman University “Paladins” at Gardner-Webb University “Bulldogs”
Spangler Stadium (7,200) • Boiling Springs, N.C.
Series Record - Furman Leads, 1-0
Last Meeting - No. 7 Furman 45, GWU 0, Sept. 27, 2003, Greenville, S.C.
#4 Wofford at #5 Georgia Southern
Paulson Stadium (18,000); Statesboro, Ga.
Georgia Southern holds a 6-3 series lead dating back to the first meeting in
1982. Wofford is 2-2 in Statesboro and 1-4 in Spartanburg. As SoCon rivals,
the Eagles lead 5-2.
#6 Villanova Wildcats vs. James Madison Dukes
Villanova Stadium (12,000), Villanova, Pa.
First Meeting: 1993, JMU, 42-3
Overall: Villanova Leads 6-5-0
Overall Under Talley: 6-5-0
Last Villanova Win: 10/4/03, 38-14
Last JMU Win: 10/7/00, 57-23
#7 UNI vs. #12 Stephen F. Austin
Cedar Falls, IA. UNI-Dome (16,324/Artificial), 4:05 p.m. Central,
UNI leads this series, which began in the 1995 season, 5-1 and the Panthers
have won five consecutive games, including last year's 38-24 win in
Nacogdoches. UNI's only loss was 26-7 in Texas in the series' first game.
SFA is 0-3 in Cedar Falls.
#8 Maine at Mississippi State
Starkville, Miss., Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field (55,082), 7 p.m.
Eastern
First meeting.
#9 Massachusetts vs. Richmond
McGuirk Alumni Stadium (17,000/Grass), Amherst, Mass. • Band Day
All-Time Series: UMass leads, 12-8
Last Meeting: UMass wins 30-17 on Nov. 8, 2003
All-Time at McGuirk: UMass leads, 5-4
William and Mary at #10 New Hampshire
Cowell Stadium/Mooradian Field - Durham, N.H. (6,500)
All-Time Series - W&M leads the series 7-2. The Tribe is 2-1 in Durham, N.H.
Last Meeting - W&M won, 38-28, on Nov. 11, 2003, in Williamsburg.
#11 Hilltoppers at Eastern Kentucky
Roy Kidd Stadium (20,000), Richmond, Ky., 6:30 p.m. (CST)
The Series: WKU 44, EKU 33, 3 ties
In Richmond: EKU 20, WKU 12, 2 ties / in BG: WKU 28, EKU 11 / Site unknown:
WKU 4, EKU 2, 1 tie
First Meeting: EKU 36-6, Oct. 23, 1914 (site unknown)
Last Meeting: WKU 36-3, Sept. 20, 2003 in BG / In Richmond: EKU 30- 10, Oct.
9, 1999
Current Series Streak: WKU - 2 (2000-03) / In Richmond: EKU - 1 (1999)
#13 Delaware vs. West Chester
Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware (Freshman Family Weekend)
• The West Chester series is the Blue Hens’ most played rivalry with this
week’s game the 46th meeting
• Delaware leads the series by a 38-6-1 margin (all games played at Newark,
DE) with 10 straight wins and 13 wins in the last 14 meetings. West
Chester’s last victory in the series was a 21-20 win in 1992.
Dartmouth at #14 Colgate
Andy Kerr Stadium (10,221), Hamilton, N.Y.
Colgate and Dartmouth are meeting for the 19th time with the Raiders holding
a 13- 4-1 edge in the series. The Raiders come into Saturday’s contest with
a five-game winning streak against the Big Green including a 31-9 victory
last fall in Hanover. Colgate is 4-0 against Dartmouth at Andy Kerr Stadium.
The Big Green’s last win over the Raiders was a 35-14 decision in 1995.
#15 Montana State vs. #24 Cal Poly
Bobcat Stadium, Bozeman, MT
SERIES CP 7-4
At MSU CP 3-2
At UM CP 4-2
Current Streak CP 5W
#16 Western Illinois at Hampton
12:30 p.m (CT) - Hampton, Va.
Series Record This is the first meeting between Hampton and Western
Illinois, and is the third of four first-time opponents for the Leathernecks
this season.
#17 Northwestern State Demons vs. Texas Southern Tigers
Turpin Stadium (15,971, AstroPlay), Natchitoches, LA, 6:00
First Meeting
#18 Appalachian St. vs. The Citadel
Kidd Brewer Stadium (16,650), Boone, NC
SERIES: Appalachian State leads 21-11
Last time, September 27, 2003 The Citadel 24, ASU 21
#19 Northeastern - Idle
#20 McNeese State vs. Youngstown State
Cowboy Stadium (17,416 cap.) 7 p.m.
SERIES: the series is tied 2-2....McNeese won the last meeting (2002 in
Youngstown, OHIO) by a 28-13
score....the two teams played in the 1997 1-AA Championship game with
Youngstown posting a 10-9 win
#21 Northern Arizona - Idle
#22 Lehigh Mountain Hawks vs. Liberty Flames
Williams Stadium (12,000), Lynchburg, Va. - 7 pm (Est)
First Meeting
#23 Penn at San Diego
Torero Stadium - San Diego, Calif.
1 p.m. (PST)/4 p.m. (PST)
Series - First meeting
#25 Southeastern Louisiana Lions at Texas State Bobcats
San Marcos, Texas • Bobcat Stadium (15,218)
The Series 8th Meeting; Texas State Leads, 7-0
Last Meeting Sept. 27, 2003 in San Marcos; Texas State, 38-17
The closest the Lions came to victory in the series was a 10-7 loss in
Hammond during the 1984 season.
***
College Football on TV
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page= news/satellite.htm
All times Mountain
10 a.m.
Cincinnati at Syracuse, MSG, ESPN-+, DSS
Duke at Va Tech, FOX-So, Sunshine, DSS
Maryland at W Va, G5-14s (ESPN 2)
Nebraska at Pitt, ABC
San Diego St at Michigan, G5-9s (ESPN)
UCF at Penn St, :10 ESPN+, TV 17 (Phil), DSS
10:30 a.m.
Holy Cross at Harvard, CN8
No Ill at Iowa St, FOX-North
TCU at Texas Tech, FOX-AZ, Bay, Comcast (Phil)
Vanderbilt at Ole Miss, Jeff Pilot, DSS
11 a.m.
Marshall at Ga, PPV, ESPN+, DSS
B-Cookman vs. Grambling, CSTV
12 p.m.
Ohio U at Miami-Ohio, ESPN+
1 p.m.
FAU at Mid Tenn, Comcast (Local)
1:30 p.m.
LSU at Auburn, CBS
Oregon at Oklahoma, ABC, DSS
Ohio St at NC St, ABC, DSS
2 p.m.
Wisconsin at Arizona, FOX-AZ, MW, NE
3 p.m.
Morgan St at San Jose St, Comcast (Local)
4 p.m.
Toledo at E Michigan, Comcast (Local)
4:30 p.m.
UAB at Florida St, G5-14s (ESPN 2)
5 p.m.
Clemson at Texas A&M, G5-6s (TBS)
Notre Dame at Michigan St, G5-9s (ESPN)
Western Carolina at Alabama, PPV
So Florida at So Carolina, PPV
Lafayette at Princeton, CSTV
Fordham at Columbia, YES
SMU at Oklahoma St, PPV
Utah at Utah St, ku-band
UCLA at Washington, ABC, DSS
Air Force at UNLV, DSS
5:30 p.m.
Wofford at Ga So, FOX-South
6 p.m.
Florida at Tenn, CBS
Montana at Sam Houston St, FOX-SW
Hawaii at Rice, ESPN+, DSS
Boise St at UTEP, ESPN+, DSS
8 p.m.
Iowa at Arizona St, FOX-AZ
Minn at Colorado St, G5-14s (ESPN 2)
USC at BYU, G5-9s (ESPN)
8:30 p.m.
Washington St vs. Idaho, FOX-Rocky Mountain
*** ***
Grizzlies crack top 25 football weekend list
Montana Standard (Butte)
http://www.mtstandard.com/articles/2004/09/17/sportscollege/hj jfjaicjagfjj.txt
The University of Montana Grizzlies made the Top 25 "Best College Football
Weekends" list by Sports Illustrated writer Matthew Waxman. Sports
Illustrated on Campus released the cover story on Thursday.
The schools were ranked by game atmosphere, student section, dedication,
history, traditions and extracurriculars.
Tennessee, LSU, Texas A&M, Florida and Notre Dame were the top five teams.
The University of Montana was listed in the 25th spot as the darkhorse
choice. The Grizzlies were the only Division I-AA team that made the list.
Reasons for Montana's ranking on the list include being a Division I-AA
powerhouse, Monte, the Clark Fork River and local microbrews.
---
Best College Football Weekends
Maybe there's a better all-around college sports town -- we said as much
last year -- but on any given Saturday in the fall, we know where we want to
be: Knoxville
Perennial powerhouses, six-digit crowds and serious tradition ensure a
perpetually jumpin' vibe at Knoxville.
By Matthew Waxman, Sports Illustrated, Issue date: September 16, 2004
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/sioncampus/09/15/best_we ekends0916/index.html
Think your school's game-day experience is all that and a bag of chips?
Universities like to carry the one definitive aspect of their programs
around like a trump card. But Tennessee sees whatever your school is
bringing to the table and bets the House That General Neyland Built that
it's got you beat.
What's the competition holding? Washington shows its floating tailgate off
Puget Sound only to have Tennessee match it with the Volunteer Navy. Next up
is Georgia and its famous bulldog, Uga. Sorry. Compared with Smokey,
Tennessee's unflappable bluetick coonhound, Uga looks as clichéd as a
poker-playing bulldog.
Michigan and Ohio State put up the Big House (2003 average attendance:
110,918) and the pregame dotting of the i, respectively. Tennessee, however,
responds with its own six-digit crowds ('03 average: 105,038), which
detonate as the Vols run through the fabled T before the game.
The challengers keep coming: Auburn's Tiger Walk, Nebraska's Sea of Red and
West Virginia's Country Roads. Tennessee answers: Vol Walk, Orange Nation,
Rocky Top. And don't forget the fabled checkerboard end zone. King the Vols.
1. TENNESSEE
Total Score: 54
ATMOSPHERE: 10. There's plenty of local color, with the Fanta-flavored scene
much like the line in Rocky Top: "Wild as a mink but sweet as soda pop."
STUDENT SECTION: 8. Cargo-pocket roulette is a common method for sneaking
Tennessee Mash into Orange Nation. GOD, COUNTRY, FOOTBALL: 10. Vols fans are
notoriously loyal and will pay any price for a ticket. Good thing cops look
the other way when it comes to scalping. GIPPER FACTOR: 8. Tennessee leads
the nation in wins since 1926, when General Neyland took over. Phillip
Fulmer has the highest winning percentage among active I-A coaches. IN-GAME
TRADITIONS: 8. Pregame, the Pride of the Southland Band forms the T through
which Smokey and the players run. After big wins the quarterback often will
conduct the band. EXTRACURRICULARS: 10. "Lookin' for a moonshine still?" as
Rocky Top asks. Then you must have a pregame Volguarita at Calhoun's while
overlooking the Volunteer Navy on the banks of the Tennessee. But don't miss
out on Vol Walk, when players strut down Peyton Manning Pass to the stadium.
2. LSU
Total Score: 52
ATMOSPHERE: 10. "It's Saturday night in Death Valley," crows the P.A.
announcer as the Tigers storm the field to a deafening roar. The Baton Rouge
scene is Cajun-infused, and the 7 p.m. kickoffs leave plenty of time for the
sauce to seep in. STUDENT SECTION: 9. Students line up at the stadium gates
as early as 8 a.m. to secure the best seats, in the north end zone. After 12
hours of preloading, undergrads are primed and ready for maximum rowdiness,
which includes a different music-accompanied chant for every down (third
down: the band plays Eye of the Tiger as students pump their arms). GOD,
COUNTRY, FOOTBALL: 9. Purple-and-gold-adorned fans arrive from all over the
state to help maintain a fever pitch, one that got so loud during an '88 win
over Auburn that a seismograph in the school's geology department recorded
tremors after LSU scored the winning TD. GIPPER FACTOR: 7. After a Tigers
defensive stand the Golden Band from Tigerland plays the "Chinese Bandits"
tune, an ode to the stalwart '56 defensive squad. The students follow with
"We're not worthy" bowing. IN-GAME TRADITIONS: 7. Mike the Tiger rides
through the stadium in a cage topped by the LSU cheerleaders. He's then
parked next to the visiting team's entrance and roars as the opposition
tiptoes onto the field. EXTRACURRICULARS: 10. On top of the 90,000 fans in
attendance, another 20,000 come to the stadium just for the tailgating.
Crawfish étouffée, jambalaya, cochon de lait (pig roast) and other Cajun
specialties give this tailgating scene a ragin' flavor.
3. TEXAS A&M
Total Score: 50
ATMOSPHERE: 10. The College Station experience begins Friday night with a
20,000-strong Midnight Yell practice to amp up for the main event. Come game
time the spirit of Aggieland is so fierce that the fans have earned official
12th Man status. STUDENT SECTION: 10. Students make up half the 82,600-seat
stadium and wrap from end zone to end zone. Those not into the game are
called "the two-percenters" and are verbally abused like burnt-orange-headed
stepchildren. GOD, COUNTRY, FOOTBALL: 7. Alumni known as Ol' Aggs set up
shop as early as Wednesday for football weekends that ended in a loss only
four times in the '90s. GIPPER FACTOR: 6. Bear Bryant coached here before
heading to Alabama; 2004 marks the 50th anniversary of his Junction Boys.
IN-GAME TRADITIONS 8. Yell leaders cue students when to "hump it" and when
to lock arms and sway to Saw Varsity's Horns Off. After victories, yell
leaders are carried across campus and tossed into Fish Pond.
EXTRACURRICULARS: 9. At the end of yell practice, students "mug down" by
planting one on their dates. Those without kissing partners hold up lighters
to signal their availability. For postgame action, the 15 bars that span the
three blocks of Northgate serve as decompression chambers.
4. FLORIDA
Total Score: 49
ATMOSPHERE: 10. Both sides of the stadium rise almost vertically, keeping
the noise in and the fans on top of the action. The Swamp has been called
"the loudest, most obnoxious and notorious piece of real estate" in college
football. STUDENT SECTION: 9. Students do the chomp in prime seats between
the 25- and 50-yard lines. GOD, COUNTRY, FOOTBALL: 8. To every non-Gator
lover who has set foot in the Swamp, admit it: The thought I might die
tonight crossed your mind. GIPPER FACTOR: 6. Not much to brag about before
the Steve Spurrier coaching era. IN-GAME TRADITIONS: 7. Mr. Two Bits (a.k.a.
George Edmondson, 77) brings down the house leading his homespun cheer.
EXTRACURRICULARS: 9. Acts such as Jerry Seinfeld have performed at Gator
Growl, the nation's largest student-run pep rally.
5. NOTRE DAME
Total Score: 48
ATMOSPHERE: 10. You just have to be there. Rather than try to explain the
school's famed mystique, we'll cop to what former Supreme Court Justice
Potter Stewart said when attempting to define porn: "I know it when I see
it." STUDENT SECTION: 8. Students are as likely to attend home games as they
are their own graduation. At the stadium, they conduct the 1812 Overture and
start the "We are N-D" chant that sweeps around the stands. GOD, COUNTRY,
FOOTBALL: 10. ND doesn't have an official homecoming weekend, because every
game entices alumni to make the pilgrimage to South Bend. GIPPER FACTOR: 10.
The Horsemen, the Heismans, Holtz and the helmets -- a legacy that even
sub-.500 ball can't tarnish. IN-GAME TRADITIONS: 7. Players tap the PLAY
LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY sign on the way out to the field and, win or lose,
toast the student section with a helmet-raised rendition of the alma mater.
Notre Dame's fight song could be Billboard's No. 1 hit of all time.
EXTRACURRICULARS: 3. That rare major football school where you'll get funny
looks if there's beer coming out of your nose. Touchdown Jesus and the
Grotto are cool, but South Bend is one dead town -- and Chicago isn't as
close as you think.
6. OKLAHOMA
Total Score: 47
ATMOSPHERE: 7. Memorial Stadium is located in the heart of campus, giving it
an intimate feel. STUDENT SECTION: 6. When the gates open two hours before
kickoff, students bum-rush the best seats and find props (sombreros,
ThunderStix) awaiting them. GOD, COUNTRY, FOOTBALL: 10. From the Oklahoma
fight song: "I'm a Sooner born and Sooner bred, and when I die, I'll be a
Sooner dead." GIPPER FACTOR: 9. Seven national titles, four Heisman winners
and the longest winning streak (47 games) in Division I history. IN-GAME
TRADITIONS: 8. The Ruf/Neks (SIOC, Sept. 9) fire shotguns into the air and
blitz the Sooner Schooner around the field after scores. EXTRACURRICULARS:
7. Pregame tailgating is focused on Lindsey and Jenkins streets. For
postgame libations, Campus Corner is the spot.
7. ALABAMA
Total Score: 46
ATMOSPHERE: 8. Loud, undeniably proud and admirably one of the last schools
in Western civilization that doesn't storm the field after big wins. But can
we cut the blaring of Sweet Home Alabama to maybe, say, a mere 73 times a
game? STUDENT SECTION: 6. The Greek section gets dressed up for an afternoon
of launching Bourbon Bombs, spewing venom at the opposition and its
cheerleaders, and even throwing haymakers at one another. The non-Greek
section is still enthusiastic, but sitting there doesn't require earmuffs.
GOD, COUNTRY, FOOTBALL: 10. Recent book Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer
chronicles the Ahab-esque monomania that possesses 'Bama fans. GIPPER
FACTOR: 10. Each game is preceded by a Bear Bryant tribute, which can be
deeply moving and eerily messianic. IN-GAME TRADITIONS: 6. Prized alumni
like Joe Namath present the game ball. The Rammer Jammer chant ("We're gonna
beat the hell out of you") sets the tone early. EXTRACURRICULARS: 6. For
pregame festivities, Crimson Tide alums roll into town in RVs and park in
the Tutwiler and Coleman Coliseum lots. Families dominate the Quad, while
students prefer frats and sororities near the stadium.
8. GEORGIA
Total Score: 45
ATMOSPHERE: 10. Dubbed the Greatest Spectator Stadium in the South, Sanford
Stadium is heaven for watchdawgs. The silver britches tussle between the
hedges in a setting that balances quaint with big-time football. STUDENT
SECTION: 8. There are two equally exuberant student sections: The
west-end-zone section seats underclassmen while the section between the 20-
and 30-yard lines is the preferred spot. GOD, COUNTRY, FOOTBALL: 8. A
die-hard couple held a Georgia-themed wedding on campus prior to kickoff,
then headed to the stadium to cheer their Bulldogs. GIPPER FACTOR: 6. Every
football-playing youngster knows Pop Warner. What most probably don't know,
though, is that the coaching legend began his career in Athens. IN-GAME
TRADITIONS: 6. An appearance by Uga VI, the English bulldog, drives the
girls wild. Other crowd pleasers include the "Spell Georgia" cheer, the
"Calling the Dawgs" chant and the "How 'Bout Them Dogs!" call.
EXTRACURRICULARS: 7. Decentralized tailgating takes place all over campus.
Most unlikely yet pleasingly cool spot: the cemetery across from the
stadium. Postgame, it's off to ring the Chapel Bell before painting the town
Georgia red.
9. WISCONSIN
Total Score: 44
ATMOSPHERE: 8. Wisconsin football is backed by the most eclectic fan base in
the country, a diverse constituency that ranges from hippies to blue-collar
townspeople. School motto could be: Even the stoners love football. STUDENT
SECTION: 9. At Camp Randall Stadium students badger the opponents and even
prey on their own young: Freshmen in Section O, prepare to be serenaded with
"O sucks. Eat s---." GOD, COUNTRY, FOOTBALL: 6. Known for traveling in large
numbers, Wisconsin fans filled 70% of the Rose Bowl the last three times
their team played in the game. GIPPER FACTOR: 3. Barry Alvarez, Wisconsin's
portly ringmaster, has brought a swagger to a program that was a
laughingstock pre-1990. IN-GAME TRADITIONS: 9. Fans regularly link up for On
Wisconsin and for synchronized rowing. They completely let go by moshing to
House of Pain's Jump Around between the third and fourth quarters, resulting
in perhaps the rowdiest three minutes in college football. EXTRACURRICULARS:
9. Alumni belly up to fenced-in beer gardens on Regent Street, while
students prefer tilting back for story-high funnels flowing from porch
parties on Dayton Street.
10. WEST VIRGINIA
Total Score: 43
ATMOSPHERE: 8. Mountain men and women emerge from the nearby hills to treat
opponents like their personal spittoons. Visiting fans should consider
themselves lucky if they escape without having been made to squeal like a
pig. Last year security allegedly kicked and Maced students attempting to
topple the goalposts after a victory over Virginia Tech. STUDENT SECTION: 7.
All students get in for free. Hooligans prefer the lower section, while pure
spectators head to the upper tier. Students get halftime passes to go refuel
or pass out. GOD, COUNTRY, FOOTBALL: 9. On game day, the stadium (capacity:
60,000) becomes more populated than the largest city in the state. GIPPER
FACTOR: 3. The Mountaineers have had three undefeated regular seasons, and
with Miami's migration to the ACC, West Virginia is, for the first time, the
premier program in the Big East. IN-GAME TRADITIONS: 7. The Mountaineer
mascot is a burly, bearded senior wearing a coonskin cap who shoots off his
musket after every WVU score and at the end of each quarter. In 1980, John
Denver dedicated Mountaineer Field with a rendition of Take Me Home, Country
Roads, which has become the game-day anthem. EXTRACURRICULARS: 9. If
furniture isn't removed from porches and lawns by the end of the week before
a big game, the city confiscates it in an attempt to snuff out
couch-and-chair-fueled bonfires that occasionally rage on Grant Avenue after
wins.
11. OHIO STATE
Pros: The dotting of the i in the script Ohio by the sousaphone player is
the granddaddy of all football traditions. The Shoe fits 101,568 and is
listed in the National Register of Historic Places. And don't miss Skull
Session, a peprally featuring the band and coachJim Tressel. Con: It's
Columbus.
12. ARMY
The football has been terrible for decades, but there's no more idyllic a
setting than West Point on a crisp fall day. From the Corps of Cadets parade
to the boisterous students clad intheir Saturday best, we salute
theirattention to detail.
13. NEBRASKA
Huskers fans are arguably the most polite in the country. You'd put on a
happy face too if your team had played in a bowl game for 34 straight
seasons.
14. AUBURN
Fans start tailgating on the Loveliest Village on the Plains as early as
Wednesday; the weekend ends with a two-ply rolling of Toomer's Corner.
15. TEXAS
High marks for Hook 'em Horns, the Hell Raisers and a dance team hotter than
the Texas sun. Points off for the view of the local highway. Don't forget
the rockin' good times on Sixth Street after a win.
16. CLEMSON
Pad along on the paw prints from the pregame party at the converted gas
station, the Esso Club, over to the Hill for "the most exciting 25 seconds
in college football": the players' rubbing Howard's Rock before charging
down to the field.
17. OREGON
For a unique pregame experience, check out the Ducks' indoor practice
facility, the Moshofsky Center, which hosts a giant tailgating party.
18. PENN STATE
The sight of JoePa, with his Coke-bottle glasses, leading the boys in blue
makes you wax nostalgic about a simpler time ... when Penn State was a
powerhouse.
19. IOWA
Have a Big Ass Turkey Leg on your way to old-school Kinnick Stadium, a
rickety structure in its 75th year. After every Hawkeyes touchdown, lose
your voice doing the famous four-cornered "I-O-W-A" chant.
20. FLORIDA STATE
Head to the Village to see students batter a car painted in the opposing
school's colors. Then watch Chief Osceola, on his horse Renegade, fire his
flaming spear into the field.
21. WASHINGTON
Best known for the floating tailgate party and the scenic views of Lake
Washington. One of the few places where we'll tolerate the Wave, as it
originated here in 1981.
22. OLE MISS
The Grove is beautiful, the ubiquitous "Hotty Toddy" chant sublime, but how
seriously can you take a school where Miss Americas outnumber Heisman Trophy
winners 3 to 0?
23. SOUTH CAROLINA
Fans "railgate" on the Cockaboose Railroad, a line of train cars stationed
outside Williams-Brice Stadium. At $200,000 a suite, it's not exactly
student-friendly.
24. MICHIGAN
The Big House is chock-full ofhistory -- 11 national titles, 40 Big Ten
titles, three Heisman winners, the most wins in NCAA history -- and,
perplexingly, of one-hand clappers (picture below notwithstanding).
25. MONTANA
The darkhorse choice. In Missoula, site of A River Runs Through It, fans sip
Moose Drool and Trout SlayerAle while tailgating along the Clark Fork River.
Grizzly Stadium hosts the I-AA powerhouse as well as Monte, a
motorcycle-riding, break-dancing bear named National Mascot of the Year in
2003.
*** ***
*** ***
Tough defenses battle at MSU
By SCOTT MANSCH, Great Falls Tribune
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/news/stories/20040918/localsp orts/1257516.html
BOZEMAN -- You'd think a two-time defending Big Sky Conference champion and
national playoff entrant wouldn't have anything left to prove.
But that's definitely not the mindset of the Montana State Bobcats today
when the Cal Poly Mustangs visit for a nonconference battle of nationally
ranked NCAA I-AA football teams.
"If we want big crowds, or if we want home playoff opportunities, then we
have to beat a team of this caliber at home in front of our crowd," said MSU
head coach Mike Kramer. "We've got to win, to make our fans believe that
we're as good as I think we are."
The Bobcats, superb on defense and largely unimpressive on offense a week
ago in a 19-0 victory over NCAA Division II Adams State, are ranked 14th by
The Sports Network, which is two spots lower than last week.
Cal Poly, 7-4 in 2003 and 2-0 after a 35-20 triumph at Idaho State last
week, is ranked 22nd.
"These are the kind of games that put you on the national map," Kramer said.
"And without regard to playoffs or rankings, this is bigger than that. It's
about us as a program being able to defend its honor at home against any
I-AA team that comes in here. Period."
The Cats have lost five in a row to Cal Poly, including a 24-21 frustration
last year in San Luis Obispo, Calif., when the Mustangs' Darrell Jones
returned a punt for a score.
Ever since, Kramer has gotten away from a conventional punting scheme and
now employs quarterback Travis Lulay, whose rugby-style, line-drive bouncers
have been extremely effective. The junior from Oregon will have to be just
as efficient when passing the football today against a Cal Poly defense that
last week registered three touchdowns, including a pair of interception
returns.
Lulay misfired on 25 of 39 passing attempts last week, but he wasn't
intercepted either.
"Travis did a good job of understanding that we were having a rough day,"
Kramer said. "He didn't try to amp it up another notch or take silly
chances. He didn't hang the ball out and throw it recklessly or errantly, he
preserved the shutout by playing error-free."
Receivers Chaz Guinn, Brandon Roosevelt and Ricky Gatewood will be on the
spot today. For the rushing yards don't figure to come easily against Cal
Poly coach Rich Ellerson's "swarm" defense, a swift unit led by All-American
linebacker Jordan Beck that's produced eight turnovers in two games.
The Mustangs rely on an option-package offense led by quarterback Cordel
Webb, a Saint Mary's transfer who was a nonfactor last season in the Gaels'
40-0 shutout loss to Montana State. Jones is a key player in the passing
game and on special teams, while senior slotback Geno Randle averages about
seven yards a carry.
"We'll run option, but we really feel like we can throw the football," said
Ellerson.
Certainly that was the case three years ago in Bozeman when NFL-bound QB
Seth Burford threw for 221 yards in Cal Poly's 34-6 triumph. The Mustang
defense had 10 sacks and three interceptions in that one.
Montana State, of course, also has a formidable defense these days. The
Bobcats are expected to use a 3-4 alignment today that features Beau Clark
at noseguard and Ray Sebestyen at anchor end. Senior linebacker Roger Cooper
roams sideline to sideline.
"The difference in this game," said Kramer, "is which ever offense gets
going."
Kramer said freshman Tyler Bolton, a former Great Falls High star, will
handle extra points and field goals.
"He might miss a couple because he's a pup, but I have the most confidence
in him," Kramer said. "His range is really from 50 yards on in, so I've just
got to trust my instincts."
A crowd of more than 12,000 is expected today, and Kramer believes they'll
come away impressed.
"I think we're real good, especially on defense," Kramer said. "Now if we
can play with just a little more confidence on offense, this team will
really, really get going."
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