eGriz
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Joined: 27 Mar 2002
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Location: Missoula, Montana
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Hauck views Vikings as a threat (Missoulian).
Rested Griz could add to PSU misery (Great Falls Tribune).
UM GameDay: Grizzlies at Portland State (Billings Gazette).
Vikings are hoping to start fresh against Grizzlies (The Oregonian).
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The I-AA College Football Weekly Preview (Gemunder).
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NAU vs. MSU: Lulay cool in the clutch (Arizona Daily Sun).
NAU vs. MSU: Cats looking for a rare win at NAU (Great Falls Tribune).
NAU vs. MSU: For NAU, there's no place like dome (Bozeman Chronicle).
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This game may be the biggest of them all (Huntsville Item).
Ex-UI official: Don't turn back on Div. I football (AP, Independent Record).
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***
Hauck views Vikings as a threat
By FRITZ NEIGHBOR of the Missoulian
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2004/10/30/sports/sports02. txt
Montana coach Bobby Hauck looks at the Portland State Vikings and sees a team that could be on the brink of a Big Sky Conference title.
"Realistically, they probably should be 3-1 and playing us for the lead in the conference, rather than being 1-3 (in league play)," said Hauck, whose Griz taking on the Vikings Saturday. "Our players know that Portland State's a good football team."
The Vikings boast a fast, stingy defense and an excellent running game.
They're good on special teams, and an offensive line that includes two freshmen - one is a 295-pound, 17-year-old Hawaiian named Brennan Carvelho - has gelled nicely. Yet they're still 3-4, after giving up fourth-quarter leads their last two outings.
It is again familiar territory for the Griz, ranked fourth in Division I-AA.
Their opponent is near the top of its game, and Saturday brings a chance for it to salvage an otherwise disappointing season. Montana may also be facing the best defense it'll see this season, led by linebackers Joey King and Tolo Tuitele, tackles Chuck Jones and Chris Berg and safety Nick Chenault.
"Looking at these guys on paper, they're first or second in just about every (Big Sky) category," Montana receiver Jefferson Heidelberger said. "And on film, you kind of see why. They do things well and they've got great team speed."
Portland State plays mainly zone defense while employing five defensive backs. Despite being short a linebacker, the Vikings are right behind the Griz in rushing defense, both giving up under 120 yards a game.
"They play a whole lot of 'cover 2,' which is generally the defense you want to run the football into," Heidelberger said. "And they still stop the run out of it. They're just good and sound in what they do."
Montana's running game has come more and more into balance with the pass the last few weeks. The Griz have averaged 157 yards on the ground in their three league games, with Justin Green and Lex Hilliard combining for 124 yards an outing. Meanwhile, quarterback Craig Ochs has been sharp all season, and may be sharper now that the cast on his injured right thumb has been discarded. He may have to be, since rain is likely Saturday.
Portland State coach Tim Walsh is impressed with Ochs, a senior in his second season at the helm.
"As a coach the thing that pleases me most is when a quarterback acts like he's in your mind when he's out on the field," Walsh said. "To me, that's the ultimate quarterback."
Portland State counters with Joe Wiser, whose 48 percent completion rate and eight interceptions won't put fear into many teams. But Hauck rates him as a mobile quarterback, able to check down to running backs or his tight ends easily. The return of receiver Ryan Brown has made things easier for Wiser.
Yet he's not likely to complete 60 percent Saturday.
"That's not his deal, but he moves around well and finds people," Hauck said. "With Brown back in there, their throwing game has picked up."
Still, the Vikings' strength is in the legs of Ryan Fuqua and Joe Rubin.
Fuqua, playing through a torn hip muscle, has 607 yards and averages 4.8 yards a carry, and Rubin checks in at 426 and 4.6. "Frankly the other kid
(Rubin) has played better in recent weeks, in my opinion," said Hauck. "I wouldn't be surprised, if Fuqua's not healthy, to see Rubin start. He's a good player. They don't lose anything by putting him in the game."
Rubin, 5-foot-11 and 225, is a more physical presence. Fuqua, 5-11 and 205, has more speed. They'll also be in the backfield together at times.
"They line up in two-back, two-tight end more than any team we've played,"
Hauck said of the Vikings. "We prepared for that versus Eastern Washington, and they didn't do much of it, but these guys are more insistent in running the ball than anyone we've played."
Which is a little different challenge for the Griz in the pass-happy Big Sky.
"They're big guys (up front), they're athletic looking," Montana linebacker Adam Hoge said. "They've averaged 50 or so attempts (actually 44) the last two games running the ball, and I know they've had 10 minutes more than the other teams they've played in time of possession. So the run is definitely going to be a challenge to stop, this week."
Montana is coming off a bye week, following a big 31-28 win at Eastern Washington. Portland State is coming off its second straight heartbreaker, and this game could make their season.
"It's definitely something we've had on our minds all week," said Hoge, the Grizzlies' second-leading tackler with 38. "We don't want to come out and be flat, and we know they're going to play hard - they always play us hard down there in Portland. We're definitely expecting a good game."
Walsh is 1-7 in his career facing Montana, the lone win coming 51-48 in overtime in 1999. Two years ago the Griz escaped with a 24-21 win at PGE Park, thanks to an 11-yard touchdown pass to Portland native JR Waller with
51 seconds left.
"It'll be an evenly matched game," Hauck said.
"Playing here for four years, we've been kind of 'The Team' on everybody's schedule," Heidelberger said. "Whether they're in the hunt or not. This week's no different, especially since these guys are so good and they kind of need something to make their season a good one."
***
Former UM president Pantzer, 90, dies
By DONNA SYVERTSON of the Missoulian
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2004/10/30/news/local/news0 4.txt
***
Rested Griz could add to PSU misery
By GEORGE GEISE, Great Falls Tribune
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20 041030/SPORTS/410300322/1006
A healthy, well-rested Montana football team will take on a Portland State squad reeling from consecutive last-minute losses today (4:35 p.m. kickoff) at PGE Park in Portland.
The Grizzlies are 3-0 in Big Sky play, 6-1 overall and ranked fourth in the NCAA Division I-AA poll. UM has been idle since beating Eastern Washington
31-28 two weeks ago in Cheney, Wash.
Coach Tim Walsh's Vikings are 1-3 in conference play, 3-4 overall, and out of the playoff hunt for the fourth straight year.
But UM coach Bobby Hauck doesn't expect the Vikings to roll over and play dead.
"That's not the nature of Portland State," said Hauck. "I have no doubt we'll see their A Game."
PSU might well be 3-1 in Big Sky play, and very much in the playoff picture, if not for devastating losses at Montana State (31-24 overtime) and Northern Arizona (21-20) the past two games. In both outings, the Vikings held double-digit leads in the second half, but gave up big plays in the last few minutes.
"It's tough, because we preach preparation and playing hard and good things will happen," said Walsh. "We are doing those things, but for whatever reason good things are not happening for us."
Hauck said Portland State always plays UM tough, especially in Portland. The Vikings beat UM 51-48 at home in 1999, but have lost the last two at PGE Park, including a 24-21 setback in 2002.
"When you play Portland State, you know they're going to do three things,"
said Hauck. "They'll run the ball, they'll stop the run and they'll play hard."
The Vikings pretty much have to run this season because their passing game ranks near the bottom of the Big Sky. Senior quarterback Joe Wiser completes only 46 percent of his passes, and has thrown for only 158 yards per game.
Bt running backs Ryan Fuqua and Joe Rubin have combined for 1.033 yards, despite running behind a line that starts two freshmen.
"It's our strength (running the ball) against Montana's front four, which is their best area," said Walsh.
The Griz probably will see both running backs today, but not in tandem. PSU uses a fullback mostly as a blocker, along with a lot of double-tight end alignments. Fuqua has rushed for 4,316 yards in his career, No. 2 in I-AA history, but has been slowed by injuries this season. He still averages 4.8 yards per carry.
The Vikings' top receiver is Shaun Bodiford with 29 catches for 409 yards and three TDs. No other Vikings has more than 11 receptions.
It wouldn't surrpise anybody — Hauck included — if Portland State threw more often than usual tonight. Montana's pass defense is yielding 330 yards per game, by far the worst in the league, but it's gotten better the past month.
The Grizzlies have 11 interceptions, and have given up only nine TD passes.
Chuck Jones (6-4, 290) and Chris Berg (6-3, 310) are the biggest set of defensive tackles in the league. Jones is a transfer from Kansas.
"They're tough to run against," said Hauck. "They played Fresno State (27-17
loss) about as tough as anybody."
The Grizzlies are as healthy as they've been all year, with center Jay Green back in the linep, which allows the offensive linemen to return to their normal positions.
Quarterback Craig Ochs has been sharp and running backs Justin Green, Lex Hilliard and JR Waller have been more effective in recent games. Teams were stacking the box early, but have had to respect UM's passing game the past month.
Defensively, junior linebacker Shane MacIntyre, senior tackle Jonny Varona and ends Mike Murphy of Great Falls and Lance Spencer of Malta have played well lately. The Grizzlies are platooning quite a bit on defense as Hauck tries to keep his troops fresh for the fourth quarter.
UM ranks No. 11 in passing offense (263 yards per game) and 26th in scoring offense (32 ppg).
This is the last road game for Montana this season, at least until the I-AA playoffs. The Grizzlies are home the next three weeks against Northern Arizona, Sacramento State and Montana State.
UM shares the Big Sky lead with Montana State (3-0), which plays at Northern Arizona (3-1) tonight.
***
UM GameDay: Grizzlies at Portland State
Billings Gazette
http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=2&display=rednews/ 2004/10/30/build/sports/53-um-gameday.inc
When: 4:30 p.m.
Where: Portland, Ore.
Records: No. 4 Montana: 6-1 overall, 3-1 Big Sky. Portland State: 3-4, 1-3.
When the Grizzlies have the ball: The Grizzlies are coming off a bye week after having defeated Eastern Washington 31-28 the week before. "The week off was good for our team because we worked on fundamentals, which is important to us because we have such a young team," Montana coach Bobby Hauck said. "We're getting healthier as the season progresses, which is unusual, but obviously a big plus for us."
The Grizzlies are coming off a good offensive showing against EWU two weeks ago, even if it took a blocked field goal attempt at the end of the game to seal the victory. Running back Lex Hilliard had a career day against the Eagles, rushing for 116 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Craig Ochs passed for 230 yards and a touchdown and he ranks second in the league (17th
nationally) in passing efficiency. He's thrown for 1,651 yards and averaging
235.9 yards per game. He's also thrown 12 touchdown passes. The Vikings, though, lead the Big Sky in several defensive categories and they are ranked 37th nationally in total defense, allowing 328.4 yards per game.
When the Vikings have the ball: Portland State's offense starts with the run. And that means the Griz will see large doses of running back Ryan Fuqua. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound senior rushes for an average of 101.2 yards per game and is second on the school's career rushing list. Fuqua has rushed for 607 yards and six touchdowns this season. Junior fullback Joe Rubin (5-11, 225) had 26 carries for 133 yards last week in a 21-20 last-second loss to Northern Arizona. Overall, the Vikings average 184.9 yards rushing.
PSU quarterback Joe Wiser completes just 46.3 percent of his passes, and he's averaging 158.1 yards per game.
Key matchup: Montana's defensive line vs. Portland State's offensive line.
While the Vikings love to pound the ball, the Grizzlies savor the task of stopping the run. The Griz have held their opponents to just over 118 rushing yards per game this season. If Montana can shut down Fuqua and Rubin and force Wiser to throw, it could be a long day for the Vikings. "Montana has the best defensive line in the Big Sky," Portland State coach Tim Walsh said. "It's a conundrum."
Notes: The Griz have beaten Portland State eight of their last nine meetings and lead the series 21-10. ... Although the Vikings have just one Big Sky win, the past two losses have been close - 21-20 last week to NAU and 31-24 to Montana State in overtime two weeks ago. ... Griz QB Ochs had thrown 117 straight passes without an interception before being picked off by Eastern Washington in UM's first drive of the third quarter two weeks ago. ...
Senior receiver/punt returner Levander Segars had one punt return at EWU, breaking the I-AA record for number of returns with 124. Segars needs 124 punt return yards to break the record of 1,325.
***
Vikings are hoping to start fresh against Grizzlies
With its Big Sky championship hopes dashed, PSU shifts its focus to defeating No. 4 Montana
NORM MAVES JR., The Oregonian, Saturday, October 30, 2004
http://www.oregonlive.com/vikingsfootball/oregonian/index.ssf? /base/sports/109913809349470.xml
For people who love to carve seasons up into digestible chunks, here's a way to look at Portland State's game today against fourth-ranked Montana:
It's a season opener. PSU is starting fresh.
The Vikings' pretenses at a Big Sky Conference championship disappeared after frustrating losses at Montana State and Northern Arizona. In one sense, they're starting a new, four-game season.
No matter the circumstances, the Grizzlies are a big game for PSU. Players and coaches talked about the salving effect a victory over the Grizzlies (6-1, 3-0 Big Sky) would have on the Vikings' wounded pride.
PSU coach Tim Walsh said he already assumes the players understand that much.
"This game gives them a chance," he said, "to have something memorable to talk about when they're 50 years old."
That goes for the coach, too. Walsh turns 50 in December.
Montana is coming off an open week, having clinched its 19th consecutive winning regular season two weeks ago with a 31-28 victory at Eastern Washington, which beat Portland State 41-21 on Oct. 2, the last time the Vikings played at PGE Park.
Montana linebacker Shane MacIntyre blocked a 28-yard field goal with 18 seconds left to preserve the Grizzlies' win over Eastern Washington. It was the second time this season the Grizzlies saved themselves with a blocked field goal -- the other in a 24-22 home win over Idaho State.
Montana's only loss came in their third game, 41-29 at Sam Houston State, which is ranked eighth in The Sports Network's Division I-AA top 25.
The Grizzlies have won their last four games. They also have won the last four games in the series and 21 of 31 overall against Portland State. The last time PSU beat the Grizzlies was in 1999, 51-48 in overtime, when Montana was ranked second in the country.
*** ***
The I-AA College Football Weekly Preview
Volume XIII, Issue 10, Week of October 28-30, 2004
http://www.columbia.edu/~ebg6/football/preview.html
Will the real Appalachian State please stand up? A week after being crushed by 2nd-ranked Georgia Southern 54-7, they come back and beat 5th-ranked Wofford, 38-17. After their season almost ended when a 40-35 loss to Northwestern State left them at (2-2) with GSU, Wofford and Furman still on the schedule, the resilient Mountaneers are now (5-3) and an impressive
(3-1) in the Southern Conference, with the worst part of their schedule now complete. It's possible that a team most people were writing off after the GSU game could finish second in the SoCon and earn a playoff berth.
Meanwhile GSU at (6-0) in the Southern Conference, has clinched at least a tie for the conference title, and needs only a win against Furman on November 6, or losses by Furman and Appalachian State in any of their remaining conference games to clinch yet another SoCon title and automatic playoff berth.
In the Atlantic 10 Conference, Delaware came back from a 21-7 deficit to defeat William & Mary, 31-28. The defending champs sit tied atop the conference standings with a (5-0) record. They're tied with James Madison, and face the Dukes in a November 7 showdown in Harrisonburg that will most likely decided the conference champion. Nothing changed in the Big Sky Conference last week, as Montana and Montana State remain tied atop the standings with perfect (3-0) records. The two schools meet, as usual, in the final game of the season on November 20 -- this year, in Missoula. In the Gateway Football Conference, it's Southern Illinois and everyone else. The Saluki's are still unbeaten in the conference, following their 27-3 win over SMS last weekend. SIU is (7-1) in 2004, and have clinched a winning record for the second straight season -- the first time since 1982 and 1983 that the school has accomplished that, and the first time the school has done it as a member of the GFC.
In the MEAC, Hampton (7-1, 4-1) beat SC State 52-36 last week, handing the Bulldogs their first conference loss of 2004, and putting Hampton in position to take the conference crown with a win over Bethune-Cookman (4-2,
3-1) next weekend. B-CC, a half-game behind Hampton entering this weekend's competition, faces North Carolina A&T (3-5, 1-3) on Saturday. Jacksonville State was handed their first Ohio Valley Conference loss of the season on Saturday, a 16-13 defeat at the hands of Tennessee Tech. JSU, TTU and Eastern Kentucky all enter this week's schedule with one conference loss.
JSU already beat EKU this season, and EKU and TTU still have each other to play, so one of the three will end up with at least two losses. If Eastern Kentucky beats TTU, Jacksonville State will have the edge in the playoff race, while if Tennessee Tech pulls out the win, the race is theirs to lose.
Back in the East, Lafayette, Lehigh and Colgate are all unbeated in Patriot League play, though Colgate visits Lehigh this weekend (live on CSTV at 1pm) so one of those teams will probably fall out of race for the automatic berth. Colgate plays Lafayette next weekend, and Lafayette kicks off against Lehigh in their annual end-of-season game on November 20. Fordham lost to Lafayette last weekend, their second straight loss, which is the first time since 2001 that they've lost back-to-back games. The Southland Football Conference only recently began their 5-game conference schedule, and with four of the six teams having played only one Southland game this season, the race for the playoffs is too early to analyze. However, Nicholls State had a huge win last weekend, shocking then-No. 9 Northwestern State 40-14, pushing them (briefly, most likely) back into the conference race and dropping Northwestern State all the way to No. 15 in the current rankings.
THIS WEEK'S GAMES AMONG THE SPORTS NETWORK TOP 25:
#8 SAM HOUSTON STATE AT #13 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN Stephen F. Austin, after losing 17-14 last week to Texas State, suddenly finds itself in must-win territory. Only once in the previous 40 years of Southland Conference football has a team with two conference losses won the league championship -- Sam Houston State in 1991 when they finished (5-2) and shared the title with McNeese State who went (4-1-2) for an identical
.714 winning percentage. Sam Houston State, which was picked to finish fourth in the pre-season coaches poll, and fifth in the SID poll, is currently riding a five-game winning streak, and is tied (at 1-0) with Texas State at the top of the conference standings. Stephen F. Austin (picked first by the SID's and second by the coaches) is currently tied for last place in the conference, though as I said earlier in the Preview, it's still too early to forecast the final standings after so few conference games.
They've lost two of their last three, however, after starting the season with four straight wins. SHSU QB Dustin Long is the 2nd rated passer in I-AA with a 173.9 rating -- ranking below only Erik Meyer of Eastern Washington, who's rated at 174.3 for the season. His top receiver, Jarrod Fuller, is 6th nationally in receiving yards per game (108.6). Nationally, SHSU is 3rd in total offense and 3rd in scoring offense, and 2nd in pass efficiency. SFA won this game last year, 34-31, and this year's game is in Nacogdoches. But Sam Houston State is much improved over last year, and I think their offense will power them to their sixth straight victory.
#12 LEHIGH VS #18 COLGATE
No offense to Lafayette, who is among three unbeaten teams in the Patriot League this season (conference games only), but this is probably the Patriot League championship. The winner of this game has been league champions or co-champions in each of the last seven years. Last year, Colgate topped Lehigh 17-10 enroute to a perfect regular season that ended in the championship game against Delaware. Colgate is led by QB Chris Brown and Payton Award candidate Jamaal Branch. Branch is 7th in I-AA in rushing this year, with 870 yards in 7 games (124.29 ypg). Defensively, the Raiders are led by SS Geoff Bean, who has been the league's Defensive POTW for each of the last two weeks. Lehigh is led by QB Mark Borda, who leads the conference in passing efficiency (4th nationally), in completions, total offense and points responsible for. Lehigh is 6th nationally in turnover margin, 5th in passing efficiency, ninth in total defense and seventh in scoring defense.
Colgate is 10th in pass efficiency defense. The schools each played Yale in an out-of-conference matchup, with the Eli's beating Colgate 31-28, and losing to Lehigh, 30-24. Colgate is probably the second best team Lehigh will face all season (after A-10 Villanova, who accounts for LU's only loss thus far), but that being said, I think Lehigh is the slightly better team.
They have the better defense, and are playing at home, where they're always tough to beat. Lehigh will get revenge for last year's 7-point loss, and move into the driver's seat for the Patriot League crown.
UPSET OF THE WEEK:
#3 DELWARE OVER (I-A) NAVY
No other game really jumps out at me, and besides, Delaware won this game
21-17 last year. Last year, as is this one, is Navy's homecoming game, and you would think that after last season, Navy wouldn't risk a loss by scheduling the Hens on such a big weekend. I admit, I may have discounted Delaware a bit after they lost at home to New Hampshire in Week 1, and they barely got by Towson in Week 2. In fact, that's been Delaware's M.O. all season -- barely being good enough to win. Of their six wins, four have been by 5 points or less -- 21-17 over Towson, 43-38 over Maine, 20-19 against Hofstra and 31-28 last week against William & Mary. Their only two 'big'
wins were against West Chester (a closer-than-expected 24-6 win) and against a worse-than-expected Massachusetts team (21-7 in Amherst). I think, true to form, the Hens will keep it close through the first three quarters, then pull out the win in the fourth.
UGLY GAME OF THE WEEK:
VMI (0-8, last place in the Big South) AT JAMES MADISON (6-1, tied for first in the A-10) The Keydets have already been shut out once this year, and have blowout losses to (I-A) Ohio, Richmond, William & Mary, and Georgetown. They've only scored more than 17 points once this year (24 against Charleston Southern) and have scored 10 or fewer points in half their games. VMI is scoring an average of 11.5 points a game (compared to JMU's 28.2), and is allowing 28.6 points a game (compared to the Dukes' 17.1). JMU's only loss this year was to (I-A) West Virginia. They've won four in a row since then, and should easily make it five.
*** ***
Lulay cool in the clutch
By ED ODEVEN, Arizona Daily Sun
http://www.azdailysun.com/non_sec/nav_includes/story.cfm?story ID=96980
Here's a stress-producing, frustration-building challenge: Go to the Library of Congress and thumb through thousands upon thousands of newspapers'
football game recaps or travel across the country and talk to hundreds of football coaches from Pop Warner to the NFL.
While doing so, try to find some evidence of someone not named Jake Plummer who has accomplished what Montana State quarterback Travis Lulay has done over the past three Saturdays.
Lulay has led his team to three successive wins on the game's final drive.
The Bobcats began this remarkable stretch against Weber State Oct. 9.
Trailing 14-0 at the half, Lulay and Co. scored 20 second-half points capped by E.J. Cochrane's 44-yard field goal with no time remaining to win it 20-17. A week later, Lulay threw for 375 yards in a 31-24 overtime triumph over Portland State. He was knocked out of the game in the first half, but returned to lead the Bobcats to a fourth-quarter rally; Justin Domenick scored the game-tying, 1-yard TD with no time left in regulation, and added the game-winning run in OT. (Here's how teammate Brant Birkeland described Lulay's game-changing impact that day after returning from an injury: "You see Superman coming out of the phone booth like that and it makes you play that much harder," Birkeland told the Great Falls Tribune. "He's a great
leader.") The Lulay legend continued to grow last Saturday against South Dakota State, a game in which the junior QB threw for a career-high 411 yards and three touchdowns. It ended with Cochrane nailing a 22-yard field goal with two seconds left.
As a result, the 24th-ranked Bobcats (5-2 overall, 3-0 in the Big Sky
Conference) are once again fighting for the conference championship, which they won a piece of the last two seasons.
"It's not how you draw it up," Lulay said of the down-to-the wire victories.
"You don't draw it up winning a heart-stopper every week ... but as long as we're winning the football game, that's ultimately what counts.
The record still shows we're 5-2 right now. I think it's just a testament to
how hard we've been playing and some things have gone our way."
Montana State coach Mike Kramer said, "He's won big games, and he's won them
with his brains, his arm and his feet. ... And like all legends, he's driven
by a competitive nature that has nothing to do with what he's already
accomplished."
Indeed, NAU knows all about Lulay's flair for the dramatic. After all, the
6-foot-2, 205-pound Oregonian helped produce a magical victory for the
Bobcats last October over NAU. In that contest, MSU trailed 17-7 with 2:19
remaining. Lulay engineered the comeback, running 32 yards for a TD with
1:07 left. After the Bobcats recovered an onsides kick, Lulay got back to
work, finishing it off with a 1-yard keeper with 15 ticks left on the clock.
And, voila, the Bobcats won the game, 21-17.
The Bobcats have been on a roll ever since and they've won eight straight
Big Sky games.
"It really comes down to execution and critical plays in critical
situations," Lumberjacks coach Jerome Souers said. "Defenses have every
opportunity to make a play, too. But that just makes a statement about
Travis Lulay and the way he can rise above however they are struggling
during the course of a game -- things they are doing right, things they
aren't doing right -- that he manages to bring it all together in the fourth
quarter, in a critical situation.
"I'm sure in the fourth quarter we'll be very aware of Travis Lulay and his
mobility and the things that he can do."
Lulay, who also serves as MSU's rugby-style punter, said mental toughness is
a key characteristic of his team.
"We never believe we are out of a football game, regardless of the score,
regardless of how much time is on the clock," he said.
That belief starts in the huddle and transcends any other thought during
games, especially in crunch time.
"I think my teammates have recognized that I am a leader," Lulay said. "My
role in those situations is to keep guys cool and keep guys believing that
we are going to go downfield and score, regardless of the situation. That's
my mentality in the huddle."
Though Lulay doesn't usually produce as many eye-popping statistics as
Eastern Washington QB Erik Meyer or NAU's Jason Murrietta, people recognize
that he's an exceptional quarterback.
"He's won championships and led his team from behind and he's a big-game
quarterback," Kramer said.
Poise and preparation make this happen.
"Confidence comes from time and repetition," Souers said. "Lulay's been
doing it often enough that you have a pretty good feel that he can do it
again (win a game in the closing seconds)."
The Lumberjacks just hope it doesn't happen Saturday.
***
Cats looking for a rare win at NAU
By SCOTT MANSCH, Great Falls Tribune
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20 041030/SPORTS/410300323/1006
Will the Montana State Bobcats jump over the Jacks for the second week in a
row?
Defeating the Jackrabbits from South Dakota State is one thing, but cutting
down the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks in Flagstaff — where the Cats haven't
won since 1979 — could prove problematic tonight.
"I feel good about it," said MSU head coach Mike Kramer. "It's uphill in a
lot of ways, but it's also do-able in a lot of ways. So let's go get it."
The Bobcats, 3-0 in Big Sky Conference play and 5-2 overall, are looking to
end a 12-game losing streak at NAU's Walkup Skydome. Kickoff is tonight at 7
(Omega TV) as the Lumberjacks (3-1, 4-3) look to continue their home
dominance over the Bobcats.
Coach Jerome Souers' team is also seeking a little payback for MSU's 21-17
victory last year in Bozeman, when the Bobcats and clutch quarterback Travis
Lulay scored two touchdowns in the final 2:13. Though NAU dominated the
final stats, the Lumberjacks lost.
"That was a tough loss for us last year," said Souers. "Montana State
executed when they needed to. But that didn't make it any easier to
swallow."
Kramer scoffed at the notion that revenge will be a determining factor
today.
"NAU has to get in line behind a a lot of teams that have not been able to
close the door on Travis Lulay," he said. "Whether they want to feel like
it's revenge or last year was a freak thing, guess what? Travis does it a
lot."
Lulay in fact "did it" to South Dakota State last week, leading the Cats
downfield in the final minute for the short field goal that provided a 27-24
victory. It was MSU's fourth straight narrow victory and the third game in a
row that Lulay has led a game-winning drive in the final moments.
Northern Arizona also won a thriller last week, rallying from a 10-point
deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat Portland State 21-20 on Paul
Ernster's 48-yard field goal.
The Jacks are led by sophomore quarterback Jason Murrietta, the offensive
MVP of the Big Sky a year ago, and senior halfback Roger Robinson. Murrietta
has thrown for 1,355 yards and 11 scores, but his youthful receiving corps
has struggled at times. Robinson, a Utah State transfer who burned the
Bobcats for 161 yards last year in Bozeman, is averaging 4.8 yards per carry
and 88 yards per game.
"We had four seniors on our offensive line who were not too bad, and that
amounted to a large part of that," Souers said of Robinson's play against
MSU a year ago. "Roger's a good running back and if you give him some room
he's going to make you pay for it."
The Lumberjacks also have a talented backup at running back in Philo
Sanchez. He hit Portland State with a 42-yard halfback pass last week and
could be a factor today.
The Lumberjack defense, featuring native Montanans Vince Henman and John
Perrigo, is a tricky unit not unlike the Cal Poly bunch that gave MSU
trouble earlier this year.
"They'll push the linebackers up close and try to trick you into thinking
it's (blitz) and then drop back," Kramer said. "We'll have to understand
where they're going and what they're doing."
Lulay has been masterful in recent weeks. He threw for a career-high 375
yards in an overtime victory over Portland State two weeks ago, then passed
for 411 yards and three scores last week against South Dakota State.
"There are a lot of really good things going on for us in the passing game,"
said Kramer.
Receivers Rick Gatewood, Eddie Sullivan and Chaz Guinn have all had big
moments this season, and tight end Blake Wolf caught 11 passes for 137 yards
last week.
The MSU defense must contain Robinson and come up with a consistent pass
rush if the Bobcats are to win. A defensive front led by Raymond Sebestyen
and Chad Gluhm registered six sacks a week ago and will look for similar
results today.
Of course, success hasn't come readily in Flagstaff for the Bobcats, who
haven't won there since a team coached by Sonny Lubick registered a 10-7
triumph on Oct. 20, 1979.
Kramer said there's good reason for the Cats' struggles at NAU's Walkup
Skydome.
"It hasn't been the dome or the (artificial) turf or the travel," he said.
"NAU's been flat better."
The veteran MSU coach suggested that isn't the case this year.
"I guess we'll find out after (tonight) if we're as good of a team as I
think we are," Kramer said.
***
For NAU, there's no place like dome
By TIM DUMAS, Bozeman Chronicle
http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2004/10/30/sports/01 msu%20football.txt
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Northern Arizona University's dome field advantage has
been a hot topic this week, as has Montana State's quarter-century drought
inside said dome. But the Lumberjacks aren't dominant at home simply because
they play indoors. There have been good teams here for years.
Remember, NAU finished in a tie for first a year ago in the Big Sky
Conference before upsetting top-ranked McNeese State on the road in the
Division I-AA playoffs.
And Northern Arizona has posted winning seasons in nine of the past 11
years, but has been consistently better at home; to the tune of an exact 2:1
ratio (108-54).
Advantage?
"I think that tends to get overplayed," Northern Arizona head coach Jerome
Souers said. "It comes down to players going against players. I'm sure
that's what's going to happen (tonight)."
MSU's last win in Walkup Skydome happened in 1979, so long ago that no
current Bobcats had been born yet and head coach Mike Kramer was an
assistant at Helena High at the time.
All Montana State quarterback Travis Lulay knows is that he's 0-1 at Walkup.
Lulay made his third career start here two years ago and nearly led the
'Cats back from a late 10-point deficit in a 20-17 loss.
"It's a difficult game because it's a good football team at their place,"
Lulay said. "It's not because we've lost however many times in a row."
The Bobcats spent a warm Friday afternoon in Phoenix, eating lunch at Bank
One Ballpark (home of the Arizona Diamondbacks) before practicing at Phoenix
College. They then bused here to much colder climes, where nine inches of
snow fell Thursday.
Once tonight's game kicks off, a fast-paced, flake-free game will be in
store.
Montana State (5-2, 3-0 Big Sky) has excelled in its no-huddle offense
lately, but the Lumberjacks will counter by not huddling on defense. Tiring
out the hosts may not be possible.
"We're not concerned with the conditioning end of it," Souers said. "We're
concerned with the ability of Travis Lulay and his host of receivers and the
fact that he can run."
Lulay posted the Big Sky's top all-purpose game of the season last week
against South Dakota State, finishing with 426 yards (411 passing, 15
rushing). The coaching staff called just one quarterback draw for Lulay
after the junior missed a series the prior week due to head and knee
injuries.
Whether he runs more against NAU depends on the Lumberjacks.
"If it fits into the flow of the game, we'll do it," Lulay said. "We'll see
what their defense is doing and we'll figure out what our best method will
be to attack that defense."
Since his injury, Lulay has been well protected. In six halves, he has been
sacked just once thanks to MSU's improved offensive line play.
Said starting left guard Brant Birkeland: "We knew, if he needed three to
five seconds back there, we're going to give him seven to eight now. Our
team is based around Travis, both his athletic ability and his leadership."
NAU (4-3, 3-1) is talented at quarterback as well. Sophomore Jason
Murrietta, the conference's offensive MVP last fall, has thrown 11
touchdowns and six interceptions this season.
Murrietta hasn't had any breakout games, however. Last season he threw five
touchdowns in a game twice and surpassed the 300-yard mark three times. In
2004, his top passing game is a 250-yard effort against Western New Mexico,
although he did throw four touchdowns.
Northern Arizona also has a weapon in Paul Ernster, who handles all of the
kicking. Ernster leads Division I-AA in punting average (47.8, Lulay is
sixth at 43.7) and kicked a game-winning field goal from 48 yards last week
against Portland State.
"He has a huge leg," Kramer said. "He will keep us pinned on kickoff returns
and punts."
Kramer expects Ernster to punt well against his team, continuing a
season-long trend. In all seven games, opposing punters have outkicked their
average by at least five yards.
Out of the backfield, NAU has a tough runner in Roger Robinson, who has nine
career 100-yard games, including four this season. For MSU, backup tailback
Morris Milton will miss his second straight game due to nerve damage in his
shoulder.
Justin Domineck is again the starter and will also return kickoffs as
Michael Williams (strained knee) is out for the next month.
As for the 25 years of futility at Walkup Skydome, there's never been a more
opportune time to snap the streak, according to Kramer.
"If the Bobcats were ever able to win here (in the past), it would be an
upset," he said. "As we look at it this year, I think we're pretty darned
similar teams."
'Cat scratches
Northern Arizona has two Montanans on its roster. Both DL John Perrigo and
LB Vince Henman played at Laurel High School. Last year in Bozeman, Perrigo
had three sacks while Henman recorded five tackles and recovered a fumble
... P/K Paul Ernster is third all time in scoring at NAU with 207 points. He
trails Micky Penaflor (242) and Archie Amerson (228) ... NAU averages 162
rushing yards at home, but just 73 on the road. QB Jason Murrietta has
thrown just one interception at home, but five on the road.
***
This game may be the biggest of them all
By Jason Barfield, Huntsville Item
http://www.itemonline.com/articles/2004/10/30/sports/todays_sp orts/sports02.txt
As the cliché goes, "you can throw out the records when these two teams face
off."
That is never more true than when Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin
get together. It is the 78th meeting of the "Battle of the Piney Woods" and
while it is always a big game, this game might be the biggest.
Both teams come into the game ranked in the top 15 for the first time in the
history of the rivalry, but this one is big for so many other reasons.
For SHSU, the Kats are seeking their first outright Southland Conference
title. The two previous title they won were both shared. In fact, the
Bearkats have not won an outright title since they won the Gulf Star
Conference in 1986. The last title for the Kats came in 2001 when they went
5-1 in league play. But a loss to McNeese State kept the Kats from staking
sole claim to the crown.
In 2001, SHSU won its first playoff game at home against Northern Arizona
and then lost on the road to Montana. They players that were part of that
team realize the importance of getting home games for the playoffs. To do
that, they pretty much have to run the table in the Southland. This is their
first road test.
Also, it is a big game for quarterback Dustin Long. He has been named as a
contender for the Walter Payton Award, and this is the type of game that can
grab national attention. With the Kats ranked No. 8 and the Jack No. 13, a
big game from Long will certainly garner some national recognition.
He is already starting to get some run from the national media. Matt
Dougherty, I-AA columnist for The Sports Network, listed Long as the
front-runner for the award in his column this week.
"If I was forced to pick a winner right now, I'd go with Long. The transfer
from Texas A&M has nearly 2,000 yards passing and 21 touchdowns. More
importantly, he's been the catalyst in turning last season's 2-9 record at
Sam Houston State into a 6-1 start and No. 8 national ranking. If Long puts
up big numbers on the road against Northwestern State and Stephen F. Austin
and leads the Bearkats into the playoffs, he'll have a good shot to travel
to Chattanooga as the Payton winner."
For SFA, this game is huge as well. They lost last weekend to Texas
State-San Marcos on the road. Head coach Mike Santiago is feeling the
pressure to win, and an 0-2 start to league play might just keep his team
out of the playoffs once again.
It doesn't get much easier for the Jacks with a road trip to Nicholls State
the following weekend. It may not be a reach to say Santiago is coaching
with his job on the line today in a game he has not been very successful at
winning.
SHSU has won three of the last four games over the Jacks. The one win for
SFA was last season and it took a 54-yard field with a second left to beat
the worst Sam Houston State team in 25 years.
While this game is always about bragging rights, more than pride is on the
line today. A win by SHSU could be the catalyst the Bearkats need for a 5-0
Southland Conference season.
The Lumberjacks need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive and avoid what
could be the beginning of a disastrous season that started with so much
hope.
***
Ex-UI official: Don't turn back on Div. I football
By The Associated Press, Helena Independent Record
http://www.helenair.com/articles/2004/10/30/sports/b05103004_0 4.txt
MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) — Former University of Idaho Athletic Director Bill
Belknap fears a divide is being creating over athletics at the state's land
grant college.
‘‘It's starting to become an academic versus athletic argument rather than
an athletic and academic argument,'' Belknap said. ‘‘Athletics is one of
those areas people are looking at with a funny eye.''
Belknap, who served 10 years as Vandal athletic director before retiring in
1988, told the Latah Economic Development Council not to expect the school's
athletic program to become successful overnight.
‘‘The notion that we could go back is a trap we could fall into,'' Belknap
said. ‘‘If the university falls into the trap, it will regret it. The
challenge will be to stick with it during difficult times.''
The recent Vision and Resources Task Force report stirred debate with its
doubt that the university is financially capable of to maintain Division I-A
status in football and should consider a return to Division I-AA. University
President Tim White tried to squelch the discussion by supporting the
current program and the planned move to the Western Athletic Conference.
Research economist Steve Peterson, hired by the school to conduct an
economic study of the university on the state economy, agreed with White and
Belknap that the university should remain in Division I-A, even if teams are
struggling now.
Fans spent $2.5 million in Moscow from mid-2003 to mid-2004, Peterson said,
and the athletic programs revenue capacity will increase greatly with the
move to the WAC and bigger named opponents.
The state appropriated more than $5 million to the athletic program last
year, according to the report.
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