The Bobcat Nation

MSU still in hunt for Big Sky title
By RIAL CUMMINGS of the Missoulian

The Big Sky Conference football race was this close to being over, late last Saturday afternoon. Then Michael Beach stepped into the picture.

The junior cornerback scored on a 51-yard interception return with 4:40 to play, lifting Montana State past Weber State 24-18 in front of 10,127 screaming fans at Bobcat Stadium. The dramatic turnaround kept MSU (5-1 Big Sky) just one game behind rival Montana (6-0) with two conference games remaining. Both schools play last-place Northern Colorado before squaring off in what should be a showdown for the championship, Nov. 18 at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

“We said this was going to be a migraine game all week long, and it turned out to be just that,” coach Mike Kramer told the Great Falls Tribune after his Cats, despite being outgained 295-216 in total yardage, rallied for two fourth-quarter touchdowns to claim their fifth straight victory.


Weber led 18-10 before MSU quarterback Jack Rolovich connected on a 24-yard TD strike to Deon Toliver, cutting the deficit to 18-16 with 10:49 remaining. Toliver suffered a broken collarbone while making the diving catch and will be lost for the rest of the season.

Beach's dramatic entrance came as Weber, aiming to run out the clock, faced third-and-4 near midfield. Quarterback Ian Pizarro tried to hit receiver Jon Graves, but Beach jumped the out route, picked off the pass and sprinted untouched down the sideline.

“It seem like slow-motion almost,” Beach said. “I saw it coming from his hand. ... I was in the right spot at the right time.”

Pizarro was understandably disappointed after the Wildcats failed to hold a second-half lead for the third straight week.

“We did it to ourselves again, you know?” he told the Salt Lake City Tribune. “Starting with me. I shouldn't have thrown that interception. If we punt the ball and our defense stops them, we win the game.”

Weber's defense turned in another solid effort, forcing MSU into three three-and-out possessions in the third quarter when the Wildcats built their lead. Cornerback Bo Smith shut down standout Bobcat receiver Michael Jefferson, limiting him to three catches for 34 yards, and MSU netted just 60 rushing yards on 29 carries.

The Wildcats took an 11-10 lead into the fourth quarter, scoring a safety when Ty Sparrow blocked a punt out of the end zone.

But backed by a 20 mph wind, MSU came to life when it counted most.

“It was just an awesome victory for us,” said Rolovich, who finished 12-of-24 for 156 yards and two TDs with no interceptions. “It reminds you how much you love this game and why you play it.”

Thanks for that post ECG. It looks like the Missoulian is more complimentary of our team than our own Chronicle at times.

Cornerback Bo Smith shut down standout Bobcat receiver Michael Jefferson, limiting him to three catches for 34 yards, and MSU netted just 60 rushing yards on 29 carries.

The Missoulian bought into the Weber Coach's line of BS on Jefferson. The game film shows that Jefferson ran circles around the defender, and was open anytime that Rolo wanted to throw to him (which inexplicably Rolo didn't want to do very often).

Magoo is dead on. ** was open all day. Kramer will probably point that outin his QB meetings this week. By the wqy the Cats are ranked 6th nationally in passing in 1-AA. Good job Coach Bailey.

I am still confused about the 10,000 attendance thing. The stadium looked full on TV. If season tickets are sold out, and all the student tickets are distributed and used ... and by most accounts the tickets were nearly sold out ... and the stadium is full, why would we report only 10K? Was that a mistake, or is there some rule that required a lower attendance figure?

Bay Area Cat wrote:I am still confused about the 10,000 attendance thing. The stadium looked full on TV. If season tickets are sold out, and all the student tickets are distributed and used ... and by most accounts the tickets were nearly sold out ... and the stadium is full, why would we report only 10K? Was that a mistake, or is there some rule that required a lower attendance figure?

msusportsinfo wrote:Just to clear it up for you guys: the official attendance at Saturday's game was 13, 827. The initial figure posted on the box score was incorrect, but has been corrected in our file. Thanks

I'm wondering if it had something to do with the buy one get one free ticket thing for the Pepsi Zone. But I don't buy that there were only 10,000 there. The entire stadium was full for the most part and there were a load of people standing on the grass to the left of the box seat side.

longhorn_22 wrote:I'm wondering if it had something to do with the buy one get one free ticket thing for the Pepsi Zone. But I don't buy that there were only 10,000 there. The entire stadium was full for the most part and there were a load of people standing on the grass to the left of the box seat side.

READ WHAT MSUSPORTSINFO SAID BEFORE YOU SAY ANOTHER WORD, HEATHEN!

Egg Salad wrote:

longhorn_22 wrote:I'm wondering if it had something to do with the buy one get one free ticket thing for the Pepsi Zone. But I don't buy that there were only 10,000 there. The entire stadium was full for the most part and there were a load of people standing on the grass to the left of the box seat side.

READ WHAT MSUSPORTSINFO SAID BEFORE YOU SAY ANOTHER WORD, HEATHEN!

I hadn't read that thread yet, GAYLORD.

083190 wrote:By the wqy the Cats are ranked 6th nationally in passing in 1-AA.

Where did you find this information? I don't know how our offense could be ranked so high, unless it is some weird passing side note like ESPN always seems to have; i.e. 6th best passing efficiency on the 4th offensive play in away games played in a dome.

I will echo the sentiments of MAGOO and 083190. Bo Smith did not shut down Michael Jefferson, we did. And Macbride should offer a formal appology to Michael in this weeks Chronicle after he watches his own game film.

What a clown that guy is. Why does an opposing coach call out an opposing player in the paper. Good ridance McBride. Welcome to the BSC cellar.

The Butcher wrote:

083190 wrote:By the wqy the Cats are ranked 6th nationally in passing in 1-AA.

Where did you find this information? I don't know how our offense could be ranked so high, unless it is some weird passing side note like ESPN always seems to have; i.e. 6th best passing efficiency on the 4th offensive play in away games played in a dome.

At sportsnetwork we are ranked 13th for passing offense

longhorn_22 wrote:

Egg Salad wrote:

longhorn_22 wrote:I'm wondering if it had something to do with the buy one get one free ticket thing for the Pepsi Zone. But I don't buy that there were only 10,000 there. The entire stadium was full for the most part and there were a load of people standing on the grass to the left of the box seat side.

READ WHAT MSUSPORTSINFO SAID BEFORE YOU SAY ANOTHER WORD, HEATHEN!

I hadn't read that thread yet, GAYLORD.

CAT FIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I, too, seen the box score of 10,000+. My buddy was over there and I asked him if there were plenty of empty seats??? He said, no, it was full. So we argued....

I won't tell him about this.

longhorn_22 wrote:I'm wondering if it had something to do with the buy one get one free ticket thing for the Pepsi Zone. But I don't buy that there were only 10,000 there. The entire stadium was full for the most part and there were a load of people standing on the grass to the left of the box seat side.

I didn't get one free!! Did MSU rip me off??

1. Duquesne 9 329 197 12 59.88 2640 24 293.3
2. Towson 8 290 198 6 68.28 2341 14 292.6
3. San Diego 8 244 166 3 68.03 2271 25 283.9
4. Grambling 8 288 153 9 53.13 2240 19 280.0
5. Holy Cross 9 345 222 4 64.35 2442 21 271.3
6. Coastal Caro. 8 225 140 7 62.22 2164 17 270.5
7. Dayton 8 240 132 10 55.00 2105 9 263.1
8. Elon 8 281 175 10 62.28 2057 15 257.1
9. Brown 7 257 136 10 52.92 1798 11 256.9
10. Charleston So. 8 228 163 11 71.49 2008 18 251.0
11. Davidson 8 306 172 4 56.21 2005 17 250.6
12. St. Peter's 8 345 196 10 56.81 1970 11 246.3
13. Montana St. 9 290 166 12 57.24 2202 15 244.7
14. New Hampshire 8 257 182 3 70.82 1936 19 242.0
15. Northern Ariz. 8 221 143 2 64.71 1933 20 241.6

We had been higher last week.

We are 6th in total passing yards...it drops down to 13th in average passing yards per game because we've played one more game than the teams above us.

Bay Area Cat wrote:I am still confused about the 10,000 attendance thing. The stadium looked full on TV. If season tickets are sold out, and all the student tickets are distributed and used ... and by most accounts the tickets were nearly sold out ... and the stadium is full, why would we report only 10K? Was that a mistake, or is there some rule that required a lower attendance figure?

Oh I think there could have easily been 2,000 or so empty seats. Sold, just not occupied.

orsalak wrote:

longhorn_22 wrote:I'm wondering if it had something to do with the buy one get one free ticket thing for the Pepsi Zone. But I don't buy that there were only 10,000 there. The entire stadium was full for the most part and there were a load of people standing on the grass to the left of the box seat side.

I didn't get one free!! Did MSU rip me off??

Yep. It was advertised for family weekend.

CelticCat wrote:1. Duquesne 9 329 197 12 59.88 2640 24 293.3
2. Towson 8 290 198 6 68.28 2341 14 292.6
3. San Diego 8 244 166 3 68.03 2271 25 283.9
4. Grambling 8 288 153 9 53.13 2240 19 280.0
5. Holy Cross 9 345 222 4 64.35 2442 21 271.3
6. Coastal Caro. 8 225 140 7 62.22 2164 17 270.5
7. Dayton 8 240 132 10 55.00 2105 9 263.1
8. Elon 8 281 175 10 62.28 2057 15 257.1
9. Brown 7 257 136 10 52.92 1798 11 256.9
10. Charleston So. 8 228 163 11 71.49 2008 18 251.0
11. Davidson 8 306 172 4 56.21 2005 17 250.6
12. St. Peter's 8 345 196 10 56.81 1970 11 246.3
13. Montana St. 9 290 166 12 57.24 2202 15 244.7
14. New Hampshire 8 257 182 3 70.82 1936 19 242.0
15. Northern Ariz. 8 221 143 2 64.71 1933 20 241.6

We had been higher last week.

How many of the teams above us are ranked?

Helcat72 wrote:

CelticCat wrote:1. Duquesne 9 329 197 12 59.88 2640 24 293.3
2. Towson 8 290 198 6 68.28 2341 14 292.6
3. San Diego 8 244 166 3 68.03 2271 25 283.9
4. Grambling 8 288 153 9 53.13 2240 19 280.0
5. Holy Cross 9 345 222 4 64.35 2442 21 271.3
6. Coastal Caro. 8 225 140 7 62.22 2164 17 270.5
7. Dayton 8 240 132 10 55.00 2105 9 263.1
8. Elon 8 281 175 10 62.28 2057 15 257.1
9. Brown 7 257 136 10 52.92 1798 11 256.9
10. Charleston So. 8 228 163 11 71.49 2008 18 251.0
11. Davidson 8 306 172 4 56.21 2005 17 250.6
12. St. Peter's 8 345 196 10 56.81 1970 11 246.3
13. Montana St. 9 290 166 12 57.24 2202 15 244.7
14. New Hampshire 8 257 182 3 70.82 1936 19 242.0
15. Northern Ariz. 8 221 143 2 64.71 1933 20 241.6

We had been higher last week.

How many of the teams above us are ranked?

I count two that are above us.