Bobcat football: Special play from Great Falls stars

His family is special in Bobcat history, for sure, but Trace Timmer never imagined that special teams would be his calling at Montana State.

"It's been a little bit of a tough road for me, but I think I've come a long way and overcome adversity," said the MSU junior, a reserve defensive back and special teams ace. "I'm happy where I'm at. I think I've been successful and I'm helping the team."

Timmer, son of Kirk and Kelly Timmer of Great Falls, has had significant shoulder trouble in recent years. He's undergone two surgeries but this fall has been pain-free. Neither does he feel sorry for himself.

Trace's older brothers, Ty and Trevan, also earned college football scholarships only to have their careers ended prematurely by injuries. Trevan recently retired from football after five shoulder surgeries, the last just a few weeks ago. He was also a scholarship player at MSU and is now studying engineering.

And oldest brother Ty, a former Montana Grizzly linebacker who is now in med school, suffered a pair of knee injuries that affected his football career. All the boys had fine high school careers for the Bison.

When they weren't on the injured list, that is.

"You can't dwell on it," Trace said. "You get knocked down and you have to get back up. Trevan's been really tough with that … We've been through a lot with injuries in our family. I guess I've been the most lucky."

He said he doesn't play with worry.

"You can't dwell on things like that. You just have to play with your all and hope for the best," Trace said.

In high school, Trace rarely left the field. Now, though, he's on the sideline a lot. Trace plays on both kickoff teams and both punt teams. He's a backup at cornerback.

"It was hard at first, but I came to realize this is where I fit in with the team and where my niche is," he said. "I realize it and now I embrace it. It's what it is, but at the same time I enjoy it now. I'm trying to contribute any way I can."

Last week against Central Arkansas, Trace made a pair of solo tackles in space and the public address announcer exclaimed "TACKLE BY TIMMER."

It had to be a familiar refrain for longtime Bobcat fans.

About 30 years ago, the Timmer boys' father, Kirk, was a star linebacker for the Bobcats. Kirk Timmer, who starred on MSU's 1984 national championship team, eventually had a brief professional football career and remains a legendary figure in Bobcat lore. He married Kelly (Angelos), a Bobcat women's basketball starter and a fine athlete in her own right.

The irony is that Kirk played a rugged position for years and didn't suffer the serious injuries that have plagued his boys. But Trace isn't worried about measuring up.

"No, not really," he said. "Because of my injuries, I've been set back a lot. But we have a great team and I'm glad to contribute."

TREVOR BOLTON is yet another former Great Falls High star athlete who has found a home on special teams for the Bobcats. He's currently leading the FCS in punting at 48.8 yards per kick. In 13 punts overall this season, he's had nine travel at least 50 yards.

"It's great to get the opportunity and prove that I can punt and help the team with field position," said Bolton, a left-footed kicker.

Bolton has shared punting duties with Jake Bleskin, a talented quarterback from Great Falls who offers intriguing possibilities when he's back in deep punt formation. Bolton is a fine all-around athlete, too, and the former Bison star receiver raced 25 yards for a first down on a fake.

"It's been a tough adjustment, from being on the field for every play in high school to having only a few chances during a game," Bolton said. "Any success you do have helps you get through it. Being on a winning team makes it that much better."

Bolton's father, Pat, was one of the best kickers in MSU history and is a member of the Bobcat Hall of Fame. Comparisons, of course, are not fair. And Trevor said he feels nothing but pride in his family name.

"I know people and the people know what my dad did here. And it's nice to step into that," he said. "But it's also nice to do something different. My dad never punted, so I'm kind of making a name for myself doing that. I do feel pressure sometimes, but it's good pressure. I want to live up to my name, both for myself and the team."

BOLTON SAID the Bobcat locker room is optimistic these days, with a huge battle looming Saturday against FCS national power Eastern Washington. The Cats are ranked No. 14 this week, while Eastern Washington, which hammered Montana State 54-29 last year, is No. 2.

"We've very focused," said Bolton. "I think everyone is buying in and knows that this is a big game. It will be a good challenge but we're ready for it."

Though it's not a Big Sky Conference game, Saturday's clash has national playoff implications. The Eagles won so convincingly a year ago and, led by All-American quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., appear to be even better on offense this season.

Undeniably for the Bobcats, there's a little pride at stake. The sting of last year's loss lingers.

"It's a very big motivating factor," said Trace Timmer. "It sticks with you. You get beat like that and it leaves a real bitter taste. You never look past teams, but you're always looking forward to games like this. Where you want to prove yourself and prove to the nation how good we actually are."