GAME DAY

SATURDAY, NOV. 16 Vs. sOUTHERN UTAH

FULL PApER INSidE

SOUTHERN UTAH VS. NO. 8 MONTANA STATE, BObCAT STAdiUM, 4 p.M.

INSIDE
MAKiNg SENSE Of THE MAdNESS
The Chronicle talks with the Sports Networks Craig Haley to gain some clarity on a muddled playoff picture in the FCS I 2

PhOtOs bY ADRIAN SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ/CHRONICLE

Linebacker Feao Vunipola and the Montana State defense had no answers during last weeks deflating loss to Eastern Washington.

MUCH TO PROVE
Bobcats defense eager to show last weeks performance was an anomaly
STORY BY JON MALETZ ChrOnicle SPOrts EditOr

Southern Utah quarterback Aaron Cantu

ontana State released its Sunday football notebook as usual last week, about 24 hours after the Bobcats returned from Eastern Washington.
for all of about 30 seconds, Ash said. We have a good attitude here about choosing how to respond to adversity and moving on. Thats what were going to do. Added defensive line coach Bo Beck, You cant lick your wounds, you have to learn from your scars. Those likely abound after a lost weekend in which Montana States firm grasp on first place in the Big Sky and its seemingly clear path to a fourth consecutive league title were momentously derailed. The Bobcats defense has appeared vulnerable at times during the seasons first few months, but this one felt different. They were completely exposed, and they had no answer for Eagles quarterback Vernon Adams and the Big Skys top offense.
More DEFENSE

Brad Daly has 13 sacks and 18 tackles for loss.

ANOTHER CLOSE gAME ON TAp?

Last years battle between Montana State and Southern Utah was not decided until the fourth quarter. Should we expect more of the same today? I 6

The brief email contained an updated injury report, coach and player interview protocols, some pertinent statistics and nominations for players of the week. Senior wide receiver Tanner Bleskin was an obvious choice on offense after the Great Falls native produced his fourth 100-yard receiving game of the season and upped his career reception total to 187 just 14 shy of cracking the Big Skys all-time top 10. So, too, was David Dash on special teams; the junior filled in admirably for the injured Jon Ellis, returning six kickoffs for 131 yards. Next to the header for defense, however, there was just one word. None. There was little to laud after arguably the most humbling experience of the season. Head coach Rob Ash admitted Tuesday that the Bobcats didnt even bother watching the tape of its 54-29 loss to the Eagles; theyre well aware of what they did wrong, and theyre eager to move ahead and quickly. Honestly, we met for 10 minutes Sunday and I talked about the Eastern game

BE iN THE KNOW
For all of the latest updates and analysis and to join the discussion on the Bobcats battle with Southern Utah, visit dailychronicle.com/live starting at 4 p.m. today. Also be sure and follow @jmaletz and @bozchronsports on Twitter.

| Saturday, November 16, 2013

bozeman daily chronicle

BOBCATSGAMEDAY
Southern Utah at No. 8 Montana State
4 p.m., Bobcat Stadium

Sideline Briefing
Records Series
No. 8 Montana State 7-3, 5-1 Big Sky Southern Utah 7-3, 4-2 Fourth meeting, Montana State leads 3-0

SEARCHING FOR CLARITY

Weather forecast
Cloudy, 34 degrees

Crowd TV

Bobcat Stadium (17,777)

Max Media (Chris Byers, Mike Callaghan, Jeff Eberle)

Radio

KXLB-FM (100.7) (Tyler Wiltgen, Dan Davies, Colter Nuanez)

Coaches

ROBASH
MSU, 7th year 34th year overall 57-24 at MSU 233-123-5 overall

ED Lamb
SUU, 6th year 6th year overall 33-32 overall
ChronIcle fIle Photo

Schedules
Aug. 29 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 9 Nov. 16 Nov. 23 SOUTHERN UTAH @ South Alabama W, 22-21 FORT LEWIS W, 49-0 @ Washington State L, 48-10 @ Sacramento State W, 24-21 OT @ Northern Colorado W, 27-21 UC DAVIS L, 21-3 PORTLAND STATE W, 17-7 @ Eastern Washington L, 34-10 IdaHo State W, 19-9 @ Weber State W, 27-21 @ Montana State 4 p.m. NORTHERN ARIZONA 1:05 p.m. Montana State MonmoutH W, 42-24 @ Southern Methodist L, 31-30 Colorado Mesa W, 26-0 @ Stephen F. Austin L, 52-38 @ North Dakota W, 63-20 NortHern Arizona W, 36-7 @ Weber State W, 34-16 UC Davis W, 34-17 @ Northern Colorado W, 35-28 @ Eastern Washington L, 54-29 SoutHern UtaH 4 p.m. Montana Noon

Shawn Johnson and Montana State ran wild against Northern Arizona earlier this season. The Sports Networks Craig Haley predicts that both The Bobcats and Lumberjacks will secure postseason bids with wins today.

TSNs Haley tries to make sense of muddled FCS postseason picture

By KYLE SAMPLE
Chronicle Sports Writer

Aug. 29 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 2 Nov. 9 Nov. 16 Nov. 23

Players to watch
SOUTHERN UTAH DE James Cowser: the talented sophomore ranks third in the FCS and second in the Big Sky in tackles for loss at 1.7 per game, and is fifth in the nation and second in the conference with .9 sacks per game. He had 4 1/2 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery Oct. 19 against Eastern Washington. MONTANA STATE RB Cody Kirk: The senior workhorse is 6 yards shy of 1,000 on the season after his 100-yard, twotouchdown effort at Eastern Washington. He has rushed for at least 100 and scored twice in three consecutive games, and his 3,328 yards are 318 from Ryan Johnsons program record and 401 from joining the conferences all-time top 10.

Injury report
SOUTHERN UTAH Undisclosed MONTANA STATE Out for season: LB Naa Moeakiola (shoulder), WR Kurt Davis (knee), LB Wyatt Christensen (knee) Out indefinitely: S/CB James Nelson (ankle), DL Zach Hutchins (undisclosed), C Christian Williams (eye) Probable: WR Jon Ellis (Undisclosed), TE Tiai Salanoa (knee)

Quick hits
Southern Utah allows 18.5 points per game, while Montana State averages 38.5 against league opponents. n The Thunderbirds lead the Big Sky in rushing defense, total defense and scoring defense, while the Bobcats counter with the third-ranked rushing and scoring offense. n Senior tailback Cody Kirks 11.2 points per game and 18 touchdowns each lead the Big Sky. n MSU is sixth in the FCS in average attendance at 19,627. n The Cats average 427 yards and 37 points per game on their six-year old turf field. Theyve scored 244 first-half points, which is more than six Big Sky teams have scored all season. n MSU has logged at least 20 first downs in each of its games this season. n Last weeks win over Weber State gave SUU head coach Ed Lamb his first seven-win season and assured the Thunderbirds of a winning campaign for the third time in the past four seasons. n After intercepting nine passes in the first seven games, the Bobcats have just one in the past three Brad Dalys pick at Northern Colorado.
n

With just two weeks remaining in the FCS regular season, the Big Sky championship appears to be wrapped up. With last weeks win over Montana State, Eastern Washington is undefeated in the league and enjoys a onegame lead. Certainly, there is possibility for an upset: Eastern faces two run-oriented teams Cal Poly and Portland State that have the capability of dominating time of possession and keeping the Eagles quick-strike, dynamic offense off the field. Just behind Eastern Washington, there is a race for second unfolding; Montana State and Northern Arizona are in second place at 4-1 with the Bobcats holding the tiebreaker over the Jacks by way of their 36-7 defeat of NAU on Oct. 5. And just behind those two are Montana, Cal Poly and the team the Bobcats face today, Southern Utah, at 4-2. With the logjam at the top, many are wondering how the conference will fit into the FCS playoff picture. This season marks the first time that 24 teams will qualify for the postseason; 14 by way of automatic bids given to conference champions and 10 courtesy of atlarge bids. With four Big Sky teams in the top 12 of the latest the Sports Network poll, three from the conference almost certainly will make it into the playoffs but what about the possibility of four ? To make sense of how the Big Sky will fit into the postseason picture, the Chronicle talked with Todd Haley, Senior Editor and FCS Executive Director at the Sports Network. Bozeman Daily Chronicle: How long have you been covering the FCS? Craig Haley: Ive been at the Sports Network since 2010. BDC: Can you expand on how the Big Sky fits into the postseason and how do you see it playing out? CH: I would say the Big Sky is pretty safe for four teams; Eastern Washington, Montana State, Montana (and) Northern Arizona. Obviously, a lot factors in with the next two weekends and what happens nationally and not just in the Big Sky. Knowing the strength of those teams, they seem like theyre all going to have the

ADRIAN SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ/CHRONICLE

Wide receiver Shaq Hill and Eastern Washington are the Big Skys lone unbeaten after last weeks 54-29 rout against Montana State.The third-ranked Eagles can clinch at least a share of the regularseason title with a win today over the Cal Poly Mustangs. The game will be televised live on ROOT SPORTS. EWU is seeking its third league title in the past four years.

SKY-LIGHTs
BIG SKY IN THE RANKINGS: Four Big Sky teams are ranked in the top 12 in this weeks Sports Network Poll. Eastern Washington remained third. Montana moved to No. 7, while Montana State dropped to eighth. Northern Arizona is 12th. Southern Utah received the fourth-most votes of teams not in the poll. In the Coaches Poll, Eastern Washington is third, Montana is eighth, Montana State is 10th, and NAU is 13th. NDSU tops both polls, followed by Eastern Illinois. KUPPS STREAK LIVES: Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp hauled in a 36-yard TD pass from Anthony Vitto with 6 minutes, 10 seconds in the win over Montana State. Kupp has now caught a TD pass in 10 straight games, which is one shy of the FCS record. Marshalls Randy Moss (1996), Cal Polys Ramses Barden (2008) and Eastern Washingtons Brandon Kaufman (2010) all caught TD passes in 11 straight. Kupp has caught 60 passes for 1,092 yards and 14 touchdowns and needs 104 receiving yards to tie the FCS record for the receiving yards by a freshman. RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME: Montana sophomore wide receiver/return specialist Ellis Henderson has had the game-winning touchdown in the Grizzlies last three wins. Last Saturday, Henderson returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown with just 1:36 to play to give UM a 3127 win. The week before, Henderson caught a 25-yard TD in overtime to lifting Montana to a 51-48 win over Sacramento State. On Oct. 19, Henderson caught a 23-yard TD in overtime as the Griz beat Cal Poly 21-14. Henderson also had four catches for 188 yards and two touchdowns against South Dakota and is averaging 155.4 all-purpose yards per game, which ranks third in the Big Sky. More BIG sky

up in arms when they dont get an at-large bid. Its never going to change whether you have 16 teams, 20 teams or 24 this year because there is always going to be teams on the bubble and the bubble is going to burst on them. There is just too many teams with resumes that are pretty worthy, but sometimes a tough decision is going to keep a certain team out. I think this is similar to just about any other year. BDC: Say the next four weeks goes how its supposed to go and whoever wins the UM-MSU matchup, can you see a scenario where four teams dont make it in? If so, which is the team least likely to be the third at-large team? CH: Thats a good question. I would have to think Eastern Washington has played its way in and Northern Arizona certainly has the easiest schedule here they should beat Northern Colorado at home. If they do that, I cant see them not getting in. Then it comes to Montana and Montana State. I think if they both win on Saturday this coming week, theyre both in. Obviously, one of them has to lose the last weekend. I think this is sort of the key for all four of them: if all four win this weekend, I dont think there is any doubt theyre all in. If one of them trips up, well then maybe that last weekend, when theyre a little tougher matchups, maybe that factors in then.
More playOFFs

right resume come Selection Sunday. Obviously, Southern Utah hopes to be in the conversation and theyre going to have to win those last two games at Montana State and against Northern Arizona. Thats going to be tough to do, but hey, thats why they play the game. I think the first four teams

are really in good shape here. BDC: Obviously, there are other good conferences, but have you seen a similar scenario to this play out since youve been following the FCS? CH: Yeah, every year there is going to be a small handful of teams that are going to be

bozeman daily chronicle

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| Saturday, November 16, 2013

bozeman daily chronicle

bozeman daily chronicle

Saturday, November 16, 2013 |

BOBCATSGAMEDAY
Southern Utah at No. 8 Montana State
4 p.m., Bobcat Stadium

Defense/from 1
Eastern Washingtons 591-yard offensive outburst is difficult to fully comprehend. It scored eight touchdowns in eight possessions seven drives covered at least 70 yards and reeled off a conferencerecord 12.3 yards per play, shattering the previous mark by 1.2. Of the Eagles 48 offensive plays two were kneel downs in the waning moments of the fourth 27 covered at least 10 yards. Despite maintaining possession for just 22 minutes, 37 seconds, Eastern scored 54 points the highest total an MSU defense had allowed in nearly three seasons. Adams, one of the frontrunners for the Walter Payton Award along with Eastern Illinois signal caller Jimmy Garoppolo, was 16 of 18 for 300 yards and four touchdowns, bringing his season total to 39, just three shy of the Big Sky record. Four of those completions went to Shaq Hill, who burned the Bobcats for 172 yards and three touchdowns. The Eagles also produced 244 yards on the ground at an 8.7-per-carry clip. Eight possessions and eight touchdowns is an absolute joke, senior defensive lineman Craig Ashworth said. I definitely know I was embarrassed, and I know a lot of people felt that way. Added linebackers coach Kane Ioane, As you a coach, you feel like you let your players down. Obviously, if our guys dont perform then it comes back on us; we obviously did not get them ready on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. You struggle as a coach to find out what to say at those points. There was little to say as Eastern methodically and repeatedly marched down the field in a fashion Ash likened to a pitcher tossing a perfect game. We ran into a good team that had a hot day, the coach said. We had chances to get out of drives on third downs, and they converted those. I wouldve liked to have seen the impact of a stop any time. That couldve sort of stemmed the tide and gotten us back in the game, and it just kept snowballing in the other direction. The Eagles were so efficient that they encountered just six third downs in the game; they converted four, and scored fourth-down touchdowns on the two they failed.

AP

Eastern Washington tailback Quincy Forte rushed for 123 yards on 15 carries and scored twice last week.

Montana States best chance to quell the home teams momentum came in the waning minutes of the second quarter, when linebacker Cole Moore jumped a route and nearly picked off a pass intended for Cooper Kupp. Moore dropped the ball, however, and Eagles tailback Quincy Forte scored on a 25-yard scamper on the ensuing snap. That was right at the end of the half; it wouldve been 21-20 at the half at the very worst and they wouldve ended the half on a bad play, Ash said. The quarterback and the entire offense has to think about that the entire halftime, and we go in with momentum on defense. (Moore) fooled Vernon on it; he looked like he was going to the flat but drifted back underneath the second-level route and the ball just got on him too quick. He played it extremely well

right up until the end. The same could not be said of the Bobcats, who had no answer for Eastern in the final 30 minutes. The Eagles scored three touchdowns on drives that covered 70 or more yards in five or fewer plays during the onslaught. Its frustrating. Its hard not to let that break you mentally, senior defensive end Brad Daly said after the game. Where does Montana State turn now? How does it solve its obvious defensive deficiencies when confronting teams with pass-heavy, spread attacks, an issue that cropped up against Stephen F. Austin and has periodically resurfaced, most notably on the red turf? Players and coaches offered no concrete solutions this week at least not publicly. Instead, they insisted they dont put much stock in one negative result, no matter how

glaring it is. They praised this groups resilience. Weve got a lot of doubters now coming out and saying we cant do it, Ashworth said. We know that performance was not up to our standards, and were going to get better and come back from this. Added Ioane, You got to love being the underdogs and having people question you. Youve got that external motivation beyond just that intrinsic motivation, and youve got to embrace that. The leaders of that defense Brad Daly, Stephen Bethley and those seniors they dont want to go out with that being the way their defense is remembered. Theyre going to help motivate our guys and theyll prove themselves Saturday. Jon Maletz can be reached at 582-2601 or jmaletz@dailychronicle.com. Follow him on Twitter @jmaletz.

Big Sky/from 2
SEVEN FOR SOUTHERN: Southern Utah notched its seventh win of the season, downing Weber State 27-21 on Saturday, marking the first time since 2000 the Thunderbirds have won seven in a season. SUU is seeking its first eight-win season since 1999. Following todays game with MSU, the T-birds host No. 12 Northern Arizona at home. HARDIN TOPS AT NORTH DAKOTA: In his final career home game at North Dakota, senior Greg Hardin became the schools all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. Hardin enters his final game with 205 catches for 3,404 yards. The previous school records of 199 catches and 3,382 yards were held by Weston Dressler, who played from 2004-07. Hardin caught the game-winning touchdown with 2:51 to play in the 24-21 win on Saturday. He ranks fourth in the nation with an average of 180.2 yards per game. MUSTANGS TOUGH ON D: Cal Polys defense held Sacramento State to just one touchdown in a 42-7 win over the Hornets last Saturday, continuing a tremendous string of games by the unit. Cal Poly has allowed an average of 10.4 points and 271.6 yards in its past five games. The Mustangs take on Eastern Washington on Saturday. The Eagles lead the Big Sky in passing offense, total offense and scoring offense.

TODAYS LINEUP
Weber State (0-6, 1-9) at #7 Montana (4-2, 8-2), 12:05 p.m. TV: Max Media Internet: WatchBigSky.com #3 Eastern Washington (6-0, 8-2) at Cal Poly(4-2, 5-5), 12:35 p.m. T V: ROOT SPORTS/DIREC T V s Audience Network 101 Idaho State (3-7) at Brigham Young (6-3), 1:05 p.m. TV: BYU-TV Sacramento State (3-3, 4-6) at Portland State (3-3, 6-4), 1:05 p.m. Internet: WatchBigSky.com North Dakota (2-5, 3-7) at UC Davis (3-3, 3-7), 4:05 p.m. Internet: WatchBigSky.com Northern Colorado (0-6, 1-9) at #12 No. Arizona (5-1, 7-2), 4:05 p.m. TV: NAU-TV, Fox Sports Arizona Plus Internet: WatchBigSky.com Southern Utah (4-2, 7-3) at #8 Montana St. (5-1, 7-3), 4:05 p.m. TV: Max Media (Montana) Internet: WatchBigSky.com

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Playoffs/from 2
BDC: If the Big Sky does put four teams in, youve got to think if Eastern wins out theyre going to get a firstround bye, but how do you see it shaking out for the other three? Also considering the attendance numbers Montana has and Montana State is likely to have. CH: Well, I mean obviously their goal is to be one of the eight seeds and have a first-round bye and be guaranteed a home playoff game in the second round. If Montana or Montana State doesnt get a bye and plays in the first round, there is no doubt theyll host games because of their draw. Northern Arizona, you know, Im siding on the idea they wouldnt host a first round game, but thats not impossible, as well. Those 16 teams in the first round, they pair them geographically this year for the first time. Then it becomes the bid situation; whoever wins the bid to host, sometimes its not

fair the better team is on the road. Montana and Montana State will host their first game whether its in the first round or if they get a bye and play in the second round. Theres no doubt theyll host a game, if not more than one. BDC: You have had Montana State going to North Dakota State in the second round in previous projections. Do you think that is basically what will happen? CH: No, the selection committee is not basing anything on my predictions or anybody else that does a mock playoff bracket. I rooted for that because Montana State pulled out of a game with North Dakota State. To me, I hope the committee has a sense of humor and does something like that. The second round, theyre all going to be tough matchups, more or less. Who knows? It could happen, it may not. Actually this week I have Montana playing in the second round against North Dakota State, not Montana State. Itll be someone geographic that

second weekend, but thats the reason why I was predicting Montana State, just having some fun with it and saying, Hey, youre going to have to play them after all. BDC: Cal Poly has been such a wild card. They have a good defense, they have a tough-to-stop offense because teams dont see that style often, they play Eastern Washington this week. What happens if Cal Poly wins that game and the other three Big Sky teams win? CH: As far as for Eastern, or, ? BDC: Yes, because that would put them in a tie with Northern Arizona. CH: It would, but if Montana State wins then it is a three-way tie at that point. Then it would come down to the last weekend. There are a handful of scenarios whether there is two teams tied, or three teams tied. Its always easiest when there is just two and there is a headto-head meeting that determines it. But you pretty much have to wait and see who is in that scenario.

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| Saturday, November 16, 2013

bozeman daily chronicle

BOBCATSGAMEDAY
Southern Utah at No. 8 Montana State
4 p.m., Bobcat Stadium

SOUTHERN UTAH AT MONTANA STATE

When Montana State has the ball
The talk centered squarely on the opposing That pressure will not exist today, although offense after last weekends trip to Cheney, moving the ball will be a much more arduWash. and deservedly so but DeNarius ous task. Settle in for an intriguing matchup McGhee and company produced one of their between one of the Big Skys best offenses best performances of the fall, at least statistically. against the league leader in total defense They generated four scoring drives of eight (348.6/game), rushing defense (109.7) and or more plays that each covered 72 or more scoring defense. yards. They piled up 504 yards of total offense, Southern Utah, which started eight freshman and McGhee was, well, McGhee, completing 31 on defense a season ago including standout of 37 passes for 330 yards, rushing for 60 more end James Cowser and linebacker Zak Brownand accounting for two touchdowns. ing, the Big Skys newcomer of the Cody Kirk pitched in with his third year has produced 24 takeaways. EDGE consecutive 100-yard, twoCornerbacks Tyree Mills and LeShaun touchdown effort. Sims have combined for seven interMontana State nearly matched ceptions and 12 pass breakups, and scores with high-powered Eastern linebacker Chad Hansen, an All-Great Washington during a thoroughly enWest Conference selection in 2011, tertaining first half. The second half, is back to full strength after an injury however, was a vastly different story. filled 2012. Throw out their one scoring drive The combination has produced in the final 30 minutes and the Bobcats had 145 headaches for the opposition. yards of offense and three marches that ended They play physically, they play courageously with a missed field goal, a turnover on downs and they take care of their assignments for the and an interception. most part, Thunderbirds head coach Ed Lamb Head coach Rob Ash called that an underasserted. achievement; the Eagles defense surrendered MSU likely will not get to 30 points like it has 566 yards to Idaho State one week earlier, after in eight of 10 games, but it does possess the all. We think there was simply too much presbalance to pull this one off. McGhee could have sure to be perfect not to mention the final yet another historic afternoon, too; hes just 257 outcome was all but decided with about 12 min- yards shy of breaking Travis Lulays program utes to play. record for total offense (12,205 yards).

The Edge

DEPTH CHARTS
Montana State Offense
LEFTTACKLE 55 John Weidenaar 76 Marshall Womack LEFTGUARD 63 Kyle Godecke 64 Andy Austin CENTER 74 Matthew Devereux 6-3/300 So 70 Joel Horn 75 JP Flynn 64 Andy Austin 79 Quinn Catalano 71 Alex Eekhoff 9 2 DeNarius McGhee Jake Bleskin 6-4/295 So 6-5/304 Fr 6-4/285 Sr 6-4/300 Jr 6-6/288 So 6-0/212 Sr 6-1/195 So 5-10/213 Sr 5-9/175 Jr 6-3/218 Sr 6-3/193 So 5-10/175 Sr 5-7/174 Jr 6-2/211 Jr 6-3/185 So 6-2/240 Jr 6-3/257 Jr 6-3/185 Sr 8 RIGHTGUARD 98 Toi Taufa 94 Kouri Jones 11 Chad Hansen 43 Josh Kariya 42 Zak Browning END 6-5/250 Jr 6-4/257 Jr 6-3/240 Sr 6-3/226 Fr 5-11/217 So 18 Austin Anderson 6-5/315 So 4-4/285 Sr 98 Toi Taufa TACKLE 97 Robert Torgerson 6-2/270 Fr 6-1/291 So 6-7/280 So 6-5/280 Fr 94 Kouri Jones TACKLE 93 Andrew Eide 6-4/261 Fr 6-1/291 So

Southern Utah Defense

END 53 James Cowser 6-4/250 So 6-4/257 Jr

RIGHTTACKLE

STRONGSIDE LINEBACKER

QUARTERBACK

MIDDLE LINEBACKER 56 Chinedu Ahanonu 5-11/230 Fr WEAKSIDE LINEBACKER 7 Matt Holley 6-1/216 Jr 6-3/203 So 6-0/199 So 5-11/193 So 6-0/191 Sr 6-2/208 Sr 6-3/209 So 6-2/201 So 6-0/199 So 5-11/193 So 5-11/185 Jr 6-2/192 Sr 14 Mike Evans 36 LeShaun Sims 23 Myles Carelock 20 Tommy Collet 12 Anthony Fagans 28 Miles Killebrew 29 Michael Byrd 36 LeShaun Sims 23 Myles Carelock PUNTER 13 Brock Miller Fatu Moala

RUNNINGBACK 25 Cody Kirk 33 Shawn Johnson X RECEIVER 86 Tanner Bleskin 83 Manny Kalfell 4 Jon Ellis

CORNERBACK

F/YRECEIVER 12 David Dash Z RECEIVER 84 Brian Flotkoetter 11 Tanner Roderick TIGHTEND 93 Lee Perkins 80 Tiai Salanoa KICKER 18 Rory Perez

FREE SAFETY

STRONG SAFETY

CORNERBACK

When Southern Utah has the ball

The good news for the Montana State defense and rushing (123.9) offense. today: Vernon Adams will be in San Luis Abispo, Gone is Thunderbirds quarterback Brad Calif., when the ball is kicked off in Bozeman. Sorensen, who was a seventh-round NFL draft No. 3s performance last week likely is pick by the Chargers. Aaron Cantu still giving Bobcats defenders nighthas proven to be a productive, if not EDGE mares; it was clear this week they dynamic, replacement, averaging were not too thrilled to talk about 174 yards per contest. He has nine what exactly went wrong in Cheney. touchdowns and is completing nearly The short answer: everything. Now, 65 percent of his passes but has been they are eager to move on and to plagued by 11 interceptions. Mike prove themselves. Sharp, who provides more of a dualToday provides a great opportunity threat look, has seen time as a signal to do that. Montana State will be caller, too, and is the teams secondleading rusher with 369 yards. squaring off with a Southern Utah offense that is 12th out of 13 in the Big Sky in total offense at No matter who is under center, a beleaguered 310 yards per game, 12th in third-down converbut talented Bobcats defense has the upper hand in this matchup. sions (35 percent) and 10th in both passing (186)

Defense
END 7 Preston Gale TACKLE 47 Taylor Dees 97 Connor Thomas 50 Craig Ashworth 90 Taylor Sheridan BANDIT 41 Brad Daly 46 Hayden Vick 16 Cole Moore 34 Blake Braun 51 Michael Foster 6-1/240 Sr 6-3/236 Jr 6-2/220 Jr 6-1/225 Fr 6-1/228 So 6-0/215 Jr 6-2/240 Jr 5-10/222 Fr 5-11/183 Jr 5-11/172 Jr 6-0/200 Jr 6-2/200 Sr 5-11/210 Sr 6-0/190 Jr 3 5-10/193 Sr 5-11/188 So 6-3/185 Sr 6-2/273 Jr 6-3/270 Fr 6-1/280 Sr 6-3/280 So 6-3/254 Sr 6-3/250 So 10 Odin Coe

Offense
LEFT TACKLE 77 Cody Burgess 68 Gavin Farr 52 Brad Meyer 59 P.J. T. Tauanuu CENTER 68 Gavin Farr 54 Nick Nissen 54 Nick Nissen 59 P.J. T. Tauanuu 63 Daron Griffin 6-3/298 Sr 6-3/287 Jr 6-3/287 Jr 6-3/334 Fr 6-4/350 Sr 6-6/324 Sr 6-3/298 Sr 6-3/287 Sr 6-3/334 Fr

LEFT GUARD

NOSETACKLE

RIGHT GUARD

SAMLINEBACKER

RIGHT TACKLE 72 Daniel Fleischman 6-6/300 So QUARTERBACK 16 Mike Sharp 15 Aaron Cantu 4 2 26 Toa Afatasi Malik Brown FULLBACK Jake Allie 6-1/230 Sr 6-1/240 So 6-2/192 Sr 5-11/180 Jr 6-3/219 Jr 5-9/186 So 5-7/168 Sr 5-8/165 Jr 5-8/179 Sr 5-11/185 Jr 39 Frank Sanft 8 1 Fatu Moala C.J. Morgan 6-2/190 Fr 6-2/215 Jr 5-9/190 Fr 6-1/205 So

MIKELINEBACKER 58 Rhett Young 43 Alex Singleton 29 Feao Vunipola 37 Deonte Flowers 36 Brad Nordahl ROVER 5 Robert Marshall FREE SAFETY 1 6 3 Steven Bethley Cody Cleveland Sean Gords PUNTER 18 Rory Perez 22 Eryon Barnett

The bottom line

Todays game features a pair of 7-3 teams desperate to produce a victory to bolster their playoff resumes. It will pit a Montana State offense that scores an average of 38.5 points per Big Sky game against a Southern Utah defense that surrenders just 18.5. Its a safe bet this contest wont tax the scoreboard operator, but dont expect this clash to be devoid of drama. The Bobcats are 3-0 all time against the Thunderbirds, sure, but last years battle at Eccles Coliseum in Cedar City proved to be one of their toughest games on the road to an 10-1 regular-season record. Southern Utah scored 10 straight points in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter to knot the game at 17, and then Montana State responded with 12-play, 67-yard scoring drive capped by a 3-yard strike from McGhee to wide receiver Brian Flotkoetter. McGhee simply would not let his team lose. He wont let the Bobcats lose this time around, either, not with so much on the line. MSU will be heading into the Brawl of the Wild at 8-3.

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Z WIDE RECEIVER 88 Easton Pedersen 83 Roadin Delus Griff McNabb KICKER 95 Colton Cook 13 Brock Miller

H WIDE RECEIVER 80 Chris Robinson

FIELDCORNER 38 Trace Timmer

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