I didn't realize the 'Cats are undefeated with CU.
THE STORYLINE
For the second straight year, Montana State opens its season in a Big 12 Conference stadium, facing Colorado in Boulder on September 2. For the second straight season the Bobcats also face a coach making his debut at that school, as CU’s Dan Hawkins moves from Boise State to Colorado. The season also marks the beginning of a new era in the Bobcat program, as Saturday’s game marks the first time Travis Lulay has not started at quarterback since October 5, 2002, a string of 43 consecutive games.
GAME FACTS
KICKOFF: 1:30 pm
SITE: Boulder, CO
STADIUM: Folsom Field
PRESS BOX: 303/492-5626 or 3209
RADIO: Bobcat Network (Kris Atteberry, Dan Davies)
TELEVISION: none
WEB VIDEO: www.CUBuffs.com
HIGHLIGHTS
* Jeff Hastings was 12-for-12 on field goal attempts inside 40 yards in ‘05
* Saturday’s game revives MSU’s longest dormant multi-game rivalry
* MSU and Colorado belonged to the Rocky Mountain Faculty Athletic Conference during the 1920s
* Bobcat DC and former CU assistant Rob Christoff (Linfield) played against current CU coach Dan Hawkins at Willamette (1994-95)
STREAKS
* The ‘Cats have been ranked in 13 straight Sports Network (I-AA) polls
* MSU has four straight winning seasons for the first time since 1976-79, and five straight winng conference seasons for the first time 1972-76
MILESTONES
Travis Lulay finished his career as one of seven players in college football history with 10,000 career yards passing and 1,000 rushing
SHINING
* RB EVIN GROVES gained 435 yards last year, the second-highest total by a Bobcat freshman
* PK Jeff Hastings’ 16 FGs last season was a Bobcat record
* Bobcat Defense has led the Big Sky in total defense in four of the last five seasons
A Bobcat Win...
...gives the Bobcats a victory over a I-A opponent for the first time since 1984 (Fresno State)
...and the Bobcats start a season 1-0 for the third time in the last four years
A Colorado Win...
...snaps a two-game Bobcat winning streak over the Buffs (MSU’s two wins were in 1926 and ‘27)
...gives Dan Hawkins a win in his first game as Colorado’s head coach
Opening Information
Montana State is 54-44-5 in season openers since beginning as the Montana State A&M Aggies in 1897. The Bobcats have won two of Mike Kramer’s season openers, with three of the four losses at Division I-A opponents. Montana State is 35-8-2 when opening the season in Bozeman, 12-29-2 opening on the road, and 3-4-1 on neutral fields. (The location of six Bobcat openers is unknown.) Montana State has not won a season opener away from Bozeman since beating Western Illinois to open the 1993 season.
Opening on the Road
MSU has opened the season in some exotic and historic sites through the years. Mike Kramer’s teams have opened in Laramie, Wyo. (2003), Birmingham’s Legion Field (2001, MSU’s only trip to Alabama), and Stillwater, Okla. (2005). Through the years, the ‘Cats have also opened in The Swamp, in Lawrence, Kans., and against Washington State in both Pullman and Spokane.
Bobcats and the Big 12
Montana State opened 2005 with its first-ever contest against a Big 12 opponent, losing at Oklahoma State 15-10. The Bobcats are 2-6 all-time against current members of the Big 12, capturing a pair of wins three quarters of a century ago against Colorado.
Old League-Mates
Montana State’s contest at Colorado marks the 10th time in the past nine years MSU has played a non-conference game against a school that at one time belonged to the Rocky Mountain Conference. MSU has played a game against a former league-mate every year since departing in 1959, because Big Sky rival Idaho State also belonged to the RMAC.
Second Half Slumber
The Bobcat defense allowed 140 points last season in the first half of its 11 games, but surrendered just 111 in the second half. Of those, Eastern Washington scored 21 in game 10.
TO Turnaround
MSU was +1 in turnovers against Idaho State, the only time in positive numbers all year. MSU finished the season -7.
The No-Return Policy
On Nov. 22, 2003, Corey Smith returned the opening kickoff of the Cat-Griz game for a touchdown which spurred the Bobcats to a 27-20 win and the Big Sky title. Since then, MSU has not returned a punt or kickoff for a touchdown, a streak that stands at 23 games and is the longest span in Mike Kramer’s coaching career. The Bobcats have not allowed a punt return for a touchdown in 32 straight games (since Cal Poly, 2003) or a kickoff return in 54 straight contests.
Catch-Free Zone
While the Bobcats enter 2006 without a single returning catch at receiver Michael Jefferson (Arizona) and Donell Wheaton (UNLV), have DI catches to their credit.
The Rol(ovich) Punt
While he won’t have the opportunity -- at the season’s outset, at least -- to replace Travis Lulay as MSU’s quarterback, he the Hawaii transfer picks up for Lulay as MSU’s punter. Rolovich will use Lulay’s familiar roll-style punt.
To the Paint
MSU scored two defensive touchdowns last season, and in the last six years found the paint a dozen times.
Stops
Montana State’s defense made stops in 74% of the opponents’ offensive possessions last season.
