Anyone familiar with Furman?

[CelticCat]

I see when you played Montana (who we played for the title in 2001) you had some guys hurt pretty bad - " INJURY REPORT: The physical nature of Saturday’s Cat-Griz game manifested itself on Sunday’s injury report. RB Evin Groves (knee) is likely lost for the remainder of the season. The most prominent of the bumps and bruises suffered by the rest of the team came to QB Jack Rolovich (upper torso) and CB Michael Beach (knee), but both are expected to play. LB Will Claggett (knee) and WR Deon Toliver (collar bone) are likely lost for the season. "
Was groves your starting RB? Were Claggett and Toliver starters? Have you had any injuries to others throughout the year? At what position???? Thanks for information - I am interested in this matchup.


KEY STAT THAT KILLS ME: We have won 13 consecutive home games in a traditionally good conference and this year we are 6-0 at home. On the road this year we are 2-3.....This does not bode well for Saturday.

Good Luck.

Toliver was 3rd-4th string most of the season - he broke his collarbone on a diving TD catch. Claggett had been starting and was playing very well - was a bummer he was injured - he was bigger than his replacement (Matthews) but not as fast. Both were JC transfers.

Groves was our up and coming star from last year as a freshman, but has had an injury riddled season. He was finally healthy, and his first play against the Griz he went down again. Mason is a capable backup, but isn't a very strong back. He makes good cuts and jukes, but doesn't break through many tackles.

Our QBs - Carpenter likes to throw short and can scramble - Rolovich looks for the long ball just about every play. Don't know who will start.

[gofurman]

Thanks. I have been impressed with how much respect is on this board from MSU and FU. A lot of boards they get all irritated when 'opposing' fans come to post. I like what you do here much better as it gives a chance to jaw some but more than that compare teams and have fun. So props to your fans, espescially those that post here!

Thanks for the ijury information. So you rotate QBs and one is slightly injured? The DB that is hurt - was he a starter>? Did you not have any other injuries this year?

What are your strenghts and weaknesses?

[1BadBobcat]

Thanks. I have been impressed with how much respect is on this board from MSU and FU. A lot of boards they get all irritated when 'opposing' fans come to post. I like what you do here much better as it gives a chance to jaw some but more than that compare teams and have fun. So props to your fans, espescially those that post here!

Thanks for the ijury information. So you rotate QBs and one is slightly injured? The DB that is hurt - was he a starter>? Did you not have any other injuries this year?

What are your strenghts and weaknesses?

Our strength is our defense, especially against the run. We are big and fast on the D, and points and yards are hard to come by against us.

Our weakness comes in our punt game. We utilize a roll punt that can be effective, but most of the time just gives our opposition great field position.

[gofurman]

Thanks. I have been impressed with how much respect is on this board from MSU and FU. A lot of boards they get all irritated when 'opposing' fans come to post. I like what you do here much better as it gives a chance to jaw some but more than that compare teams and have fun. So props to your fans, espescially those that post here!

Thanks for the ijury information. So you rotate QBs and one is slightly injured? The DB that is hurt - was he a starter>? Did you not have any other injuries this year?

What are your strenghts and weaknesses?

Our strength is our defense, especially against the run. We are big and fast on the D, and points and yards are hard to come by against us.

Our weakness comes in our punt game. We utilize a roll punt that can be effective, but most of the time just gives our opposition great field position.

"Our strength is our defense, especially against the run. " CRAP. Georgia Southern was the same and held us to 13 points. So no other starters are out for you guys from earlier in the year? If so, at what position ?

[1BadBobcat]

Thanks. I have been impressed with how much respect is on this board from MSU and FU. A lot of boards they get all irritated when 'opposing' fans come to post. I like what you do here much better as it gives a chance to jaw some but more than that compare teams and have fun. So props to your fans, espescially those that post here!

Thanks for the ijury information. So you rotate QBs and one is slightly injured? The DB that is hurt - was he a starter>? Did you not have any other injuries this year?

What are your strenghts and weaknesses?

Our strength is our defense, especially against the run. We are big and fast on the D, and points and yards are hard to come by against us.

Our weakness comes in our punt game. We utilize a roll punt that can be effective, but most of the time just gives our opposition great field position.

"Our strength is our defense, especially against the run. " CRAP. Georgia Southern was the same and held us to 13 points. So no other starters are out for you guys from earlier in the year? If so, at what position ?

The only starter on D who is out is Will Clagget, LB, #41. Fortunately, we have terrific LB corps, so his loss has not hurt us too much. On offense, we probably lost our starting TB yesterday in Evin Groves, #28. Evin is a sophomore who was fast becoming a stud until he was injured in Week 1 against Colorado. He came back a couple of weeks ago, but reinjured the same knee against the Griz and most likely will need another surgery. Our backup is freshman by the name of Aaron Mason, #25. A completely different runner than Groves. Mason is speed guy/ slasher whereas Groves likes to run between the tackles. Our starting QB was dinged up pretty good yesterday as well, Jack Rolovich, #12. He actually only won the starting job about 6 or 7 weeks ago, so if can't go Cory Carpenter, #15 will start. He began the season as the starter. Both are juniors.

[gofurman]

Thanks. I have been impressed with how much respect is on this board from MSU and FU. A lot of boards they get all irritated when 'opposing' fans come to post. I like what you do here much better as it gives a chance to jaw some but more than that compare teams and have fun. So props to your fans, espescially those that post here!

Thanks for the ijury information. So you rotate QBs and one is slightly injured? The DB that is hurt - was he a starter>? Did you not have any other injuries this year?

What are your strenghts and weaknesses?

Our strength is our defense, especially against the run. We are big and fast on the D, and points and yards are hard to come by against us.

Our weakness comes in our punt game. We utilize a roll punt that can be effective, but most of the time just gives our opposition great field position.

"Our strength is our defense, especially against the run. " CRAP. Georgia Southern was the same and held us to 13 points. So no other starters are out for you guys from earlier in the year? If so, at what position ?

The only starter on D who is out is Will Clagget, LB, #41. Fortunately, we have terrific LB corps, so his loss has not hurt us too much. On offense, we probably lost our starting TB yesterday in Evin Groves, #28. Evin is a sophomore who was fast becoming a stud until he was injured in Week 1 against Colorado. He came back a couple of weeks ago, but reinjured the same knee against the Griz and most likely will need another surgery. Our backup is freshman by the name of Aaron Mason, #25. A completely different runner than Groves. Mason is speed guy/ slasher whereas Groves likes to run between the tackles. Our starting QB was dinged up pretty good yesterday as well, Jack Rolovich, #12. He actually only won the starting job about 6 or 7 weeks ago, so if can't go Cory Carpenter, #15 will start. He began the season as the starter. Both are juniors.

THANKS.

Injuries at FU :
#45 Felton - our stud FB
#12 Gray - our starting QB slowed with ankle sprain
#62 Goolsby our starting center
Other OL has been dinged up pretty good too......

[DaGriz]

Our starting QB was dinged up pretty good yesterday as well, Jack Rolovich, #12

I saw Rolovich was hurt but never heard what it was? Did they ever say? Is he available for this weekend?

[catmom]

It was something to do with his kidney's hurting (from a hard hit). With that kind of back pain it is not easy for him to throw those long bombs he likes to do. Have heard nothing about if he will play or not yet.

[Citizen Griz]

I think MSU has a real chance in this game provided they keep their cool. The Furman I remember from 2001 was a very disciplined, fundementally sound team -- the kind that just goes about its business as you implode under penalties.
They didn't do anything flashy, their athletes weren't super human, their offense didn't depend on a lot of option hocus pocus, but all 11 guys did their jobs at the same time. A team like that can be very hard to beat if your head's not where it should be.
Furman has a great football history and ever since Marshall left the SoCon, the Paladins have been in the hunt for the conference title pretty much every year. This is probably the first time they've been this far out west since the title game was played in Tacoma, or Pocatello.

[FU97]

I think MSU has a real chance in this game provided they keep their cool. The Furman I remember from 2001 was a very disciplined, fundementally sound team -- the kind that just goes about its business as you implode under penalties.
They didn't do anything flashy, their athletes weren't super human, their offense didn't depend on a lot of option hocus pocus, but all 11 guys did their jobs at the same time. A team like that can be very hard to beat if your head's not where it should be.
Furman has a great football history and ever since Marshall left the SoCon, the Paladins have been in the hunt for the conference title pretty much every year. This is probably the first time they've been this far out west since the title game was played in Tacoma, or Pocatello.

We went to Northern Arizona and won 42-31 in the first round of the 1996 playoffs. We also played at Wyoming in the 2002 (?) season.

[WalkOn79]

Groves (RB) was our starter in September, but was injured in practice after the Colorado game. Aaron Mason replaced him for most of the season, and set a freshman rushing record at MSU. Groves played in the last four games, but unfortunately re-injured his knee in the Cat-Griz game. Mason will be the starter and has a ton of ability, though inexperienced.

Claggett was injured three weeks ago, but we're deep at linebacker.

Tolliver was injured earlier in the season as well, (broken collarbone on a game winning catch). He also was not a starter, and we are deep at WR.

Rolovich was also not the starter early in the season, but replaced Cory Carpenter who went out with a high ankle sprain. Rolo proceeded to win 4 in a row, and when Cory got healthy, he didn't get his job back. Rolo got injured late in the Cat-Griz game on a huge hit by a blitzing corner. Originally reported as a bruised kidney, but now has been upgraded to probable, with a muscle pull in his back. Both QB's should be ready to go on Saturday.

My keys to a Cat victory:

1) Cat defense is one of the best in the country against the run, so our front 7 against your stud FB is THE match-up of the game.

2) Cats must find some balance on offense, and run for at least 80 to 100 yards.

3) Our receiving corp has break-away speed and size. If we can protect whichever QB is playing with a solid and experienced OL, then our WR's could have a big day.

4) If Furman is forced to play catch-up and throw the ball, then our defensive team speed and pass rush will make it very tough sledding.

[gofurman]

Groves (RB) was our starter in September, but was injured in practice after the Colorado game. Aaron Mason replaced him for most of the season, and set a freshman rushing record at MSU. Groves played in the last four games, but unfortunately re-injured his knee in the Cat-Griz game. Mason will be the starter and has a ton of ability, though inexperienced.

Claggett was injured three weeks ago, but we're deep at linebacker.

Tolliver was injured earlier in the season as well, (broken collarbone on a game winning catch). He also was not a starter, and we are deep at WR.

Rolovich was also not the starter early in the season, but replaced Cory Carpenter who went out with a high ankle sprain. Rolo proceeded to win 4 in a row, and when Cory got healthy, he didn't get his job back. Rolo got injured late in the Cat-Griz game on a huge hit by a blitzing corner. Originally reported as a bruised kidney, but now has been upgraded to probable, with a muscle pull in his back. Both QB's should be ready to go on Saturday.

My keys to a Cat victory:

1) Cat defense is one of the best in the country against the run, so our front 7 against your stud FB is THE match-up of the game.
2) Cats must find some balance on offense, and run for at least 80 to 100 yards.

3) Our receiving corp has break-away speed and size. If we can protect whichever QB is playing with a solid and experienced OL, then our WR's could have a big day.

4) If Furman is forced to play catch-up and throw the ball, then our defensive team speed and pass rush will make it very tough sledding.

Number one is probably right on - problem is Felton may not be healty - he hasn't been 100% or even close for a month. I wish you could see him at 100%

[FUwolfpacker]

Felton will be as healthy as he has been in a while this weekend. He's had 2 weeks to rest, so while he may not be close to 100%, he won't be on crutches either.

I just watched all of the Cat/Griz game, and Furman is really going to have to stick to the gameplan and keep running the ball. Our running game sets up our play-action passing attack, which is where we get a lot of our big plays. As mentioned above, your secondary is very fast and reacts well, so Furman will have to stay out of obvious passing downs. If Furman has to start playing from behind, it could be a long day for us. Gray is a good QB, but he can get in some trouble when he's forced to pass a lot.

MSU's WR's are very fast, but Furman's defensive strategy is basically not to give up the big play, so MSU will probably have to be patient and stick to the short routes. Furman has great talent on the defensive line, but we just have not been able to generate much pressure at all. I wish our coaches would unleash our players like MSU's and Montana's coaches did. I do like your attacking style of defense and wish we played like that at times. The guy in our secondary to watch out for is safety Jeremy Blocker. He is the best DB we have. He has great instincts and is one of the the hardest hitters in the SoCon.


Your keys to an MSU victory are dead on though WalkOn. Although special teams needs to be added. Furman's are either really good or really bad (mostly bad this year). As coaches say every week, winning the turnover and special teams battle will go a long way to determining the winner of this game.

[rtb]

So is anyone from Furman making the trip to Bozeman?

[FUwolfpacker]

So is anyone from Furman making the trip to Bozeman?

Maybe a few, but I would be surprised if we had more than 50 there. The majority of the people there will probably be players' parents. That's just too far for a lot of us to travel on thanksgiving weekend.

[FU97]

So is anyone from Furman making the trip to Bozeman?

Maybe a few, but I would be surprised if we had more than 50 there. The majority of the people there will probably be players' parents. That's just too far for a lot of us to travel on thanksgiving weekend.

Too far to travel on such short notice on Thanksgiving weekend. All the decent airfares are long gone to travel that far.

[Bleedinbluengold]

I watched the Furman-UNC game this year on tv. Furman is more than capable of winning in Bozeman no matter how injured they are, or how cold it is. I've watched them before in the I-AA playoffs, and they are disciplined and very skilled. They are a machine.

Furman has, by far, more playoff experience in there coaching staff and in their program, and I think that is a big plus for them.

This will be a very very tough matchup for the Cats. I hope we play disciplined and we COMMIT to running the ball.