From todays Missoulian

Eastcoastgriz · Post by **Eastcoastgriz** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 7:51 am

Bobcats tight-lipped after loss to UC Davis
By RIAL CUMMINGS of the Missoulian

The Montana State Bobcats were obviously feeling blue after losing to UC Davis 45-0 last Saturday at Bobcat Stadium, the school's worst home shutout loss in 91 years.

Exactly how they were feeling, about the present or the future, wasn't known. For the first time in his seven-year tenure, Coach Mike Kramer didn't allow his players to meet with the media following the debacle.

“I don't do it out of maliciousness or meanness,” Kramer told the Great Falls Tribune. “I do it out of care and love for our guys. They feel bad. They're hurting. And we've got a game here (against Eastern Washington) in seven days, so I've got a pretty arduous task ahead of me. Because I'm going to spend half the week explaining, and half the week bolstering our team.”

MSU's rebuilt offense hasn't been the same after losing four-year starting quarterback Travis Lulay and a host of receivers. That figured to take some time. But the Cats (1-2) hit new lows against UC Davis, managing just eight first downs - one in the first half - while netting 2 yards rushing.

Kramer said he doesn't anticipate switching quarterbacks after Cory Carpenter struggled for the second straight week, completing just 12-of-22 passes for 119 yards with two interceptions. He threw three interceptions in a 35-24 loss to Division II Chadron State.

“We didn't aid him at all, with some drops and a totally ineffective running game,” Kramer said. “The injury tally on our starting offensive players really kind of caught us today.”

Injured Cats

No doubt, injuries have taken a toll on the Bobcats.

Coming into the season, the Cats expected running back Evin Groves, tight end Elliott Barnhart and receiver Josh Lewis to help carry the offense. They're all sidelined with knee injuries.

Now the defense has been struck a critical blow. Safety Ryan Force missed most of the UC Davis game with a dislocated shoulder, which could very well keep him out of Saturday's Big Sky opener against Eastern Washington.

“All of a sudden we lost almost all of our communication,” Kramer said. “It's too bad we're so dependent on one player, which is obviously something we'll have to address before we begin our game plan for Eastern Washington.”

New Hornet QB

Sacramento State coach Steve Mooshagian all but endorsed junior Marcel Marquez as his starting QB following the Hornets' 17-10 loss to third-ranked Cal Poly.

Marquez, who relieved starter Crosby Wehr on Sac State's third series, finished 6-of-17 passing for 40 yards and ran 11 times for 38 yards. Although they weren't impressive numbers, Marquez impressed Mooshagian with his toughness.

“He added a spark,” Mooshagian told the Sacramento Bee when asked if Marquez would start this weekend against Montana. “I think he played really well. ... I would say based on what I saw I would lean in that direction.”

The Hornets (0-2) didn't have an offensive play of more than 19 yards and gained just 146 total. Still, despite committing 11 penalties for 185 yards, they gave Cal Poly all it could handle. The Mustangs were hampered by the absence of standout running back James Noble, who sat out the second half with an ankle injury.

Eagles grounded

Eastern Washington, coming off losses to Division I-A foes West Virginia and Oregon State, was supposed to get back on track against Division II Central Washington. Instead, the Eagles had breakdowns in almost every area in an embarrassing 21-14 loss.

“We've got some growing up to do,” EWU coach Paul Wulff told the Spokane Spokesman-Review.

Especially disappointing was the performance of EWU's veteran offensive line. CWU manhandled the unit, holding the Eagles to just 3.9 yards per rush and sacking freshman quarterback Matt Nichols three times.

Nichols hit 18-of-35 passes for 213 yards with two interceptions.

“Our first downs were awful,” Wulff said. “When they stopped us on first down we would find ourselves in the same situation every time and we just became predictable.”

Hometown support

The saga of Northern Colorado punter Mitch Cozad prompted various reactions from his hometown of Wheatland, Wyo. Cozad was expelled from school and faces assault charges after allegedly stabbing starting punter Rafael Mendoza in his kicking leg.

The Greeley (Colo.) Tribune quoted attorney Eric Jones, a neighbor of the Cozad family, as saying: “Mitch, he has always been a very polite young man, very friendly.”

Larry Fertig, a retired carpenter in the town of 3,500, said the incident has been blown out of proportion.

“It's all a big joke; nobody cares,” Fertig said, adding: “I've seen street fights that are bloodier than that.”

Joanne Rice, the owner of a quilt shop, said she doesn't think Cozad is the type of person who would stab someone and is withholding judgment until more facts are reported.

“I'm not taking it at face value,” she said. “I think something else has happened.”

QB shortage

Not only did Portland State drop a 42-16 decision at California, the Vikings lost their top two quarterbacks within a seven-minute span of the first quarter.

Starter Sawyer Smith landed awkwardly after throwing away a pass to avoid a sack and suffered a sprain in the area of his hip. Backup Tygue Howland went down two series later with an injury to his left knee. He was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of the damage.

Third-string signal caller Rob Freeman came in and completed 12-of-17 passes for 119 yards.

“He's taken - what? - 12 live snaps in his life, and he came out against these guys, in these conditions, and played great,” PSU coach Tim Walsh told the Oregonian.

Receiver Tremayne Kirkland, an option QB in high school, also took some snaps under center for the Vikings (2-1).

Quick kicks: EWU is 0-3 for the first time since 1983. ... NAU senior defensive back Jeff Wheeler tied a Division I-AA record by returning two interceptions for TDs in a 66-14 win over Division II Dixie College. ... Weber State finally scored its first TD of the 2006 season with two minutes to play in the first quarter against Southern Utah. The Wildcats, who won 24-13, rolled up 438 total yards. They had a combined 236 in their first two games. ... NAU senior Jason Murrietta has a passing efficiency rating of 191.5, best in the nation.

catatac · Post by **catatac** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:52 am

I don't belong to the QBC... but speaking to some of you that do... would anyone object this week if Kramer just skipped the "half the time explaining" part, and spent 100% of his time this week bolstering the team? As others have stated... that could be part of our problem.

canyoncat · Post by **canyoncat** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 9:30 am

catatac wrote:I don't belong to the QBC... but speaking to some of you that do... would anyone object this week if Kramer just skipped the "half the time explaining" part, and spent 100% of his time this week bolstering the team? As others have stated... that could be part of our problem.

Agree 100%. I don't belong to the QBC either and I know these individuals pay a lot of money to belong, but I do wish that for this week Kramer just stays in Bozeman coaching and "bolstering" the team. Get them back on track and then go back to the traveling. I really think if we can get by EWU with a win it will go a long way in restoring the confidence of this team. Put them on a high note heading to Flagstaff.

GO CATS!!!