Bobcats hope to get over the hump against Weber
Montana State coach Jeff Choate hasn’t declared whether incumbent Tyler Bruggman will start at quarterback Saturday afternoon when the Bobcats face Weber State.
But Weber coach Jay Hill has a pretty good idea of his main concern.
“I know one thing,” Hill said, “all you’ve got to do is pull up the Sac State game and you’ve got the other quarterback (Chris Murray) running all over the place. He’s got great ability to run the ball.”
Murray, who last week turned 18, has provided promise in what is turning into a hopeless season for the Bobcats, who take on the Weber State Wildcats on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 in Ogden, Utah (Root TV, FM-102.7, AM-1150), in a Big Sky Conference game. The true freshman is a tremendous running threat who has scored seven touchdowns and averaged 6.5 yards per rushing attempt.
Grizzlies look to keep it rolling against Hornets
The Bobcats have lost three straight close Big Sky games, including last week’s 20-14 decision to Northern when MSU spotted the Lumberjacks three scores and a ferocious rally fell just short.
Murray led the rally and is expected to get a majority of the snaps against Weber, regardless of the starter.
“We do have a plan to play both of them,” said Choate. “I don’t want to put Chris in a situation where everything is on him. We’ve got to help him.
“I think we’re getting closer to where we can let him have a little bit more. I want to be careful how we handle him. I’ve seen it with great players where you put everything on them and they get put through the grinder, more psychologically than physically. We’ve just got to be smart about how we protect this young man. I think he’s got some great things in front of him.”
Choate also believes in the future program, though the Bobcats are 0-3 in league play and 2-4 overall.
“I feel like we’re getting closer, but it’s not like we’re making big strides,” Choate said. “It’s incremental. Hopefully that will stick.”
It’s expected that Choate will eventually stick with Murray, the fleet frosh who hasn’t displayed much passing prowess (42 percent completion rate) but has been a revelation on designed runs and scrambles.
“He sees the field well and looks like another running back out there at times,” Hill said. “”If you just let him run the ball all over that’s never a recipe for success.”
Weber State (2-0, 3-2) has won three straight games and features veteran quarterback Jadrian Clark, productive halfback Treshawn Garrett (428 yards rushing) and a solid defense.
The Bobcat offense can also rely on halfbacks Chad Newell (358 yards rushing) and Gunnar Brekke. But the offensive line, not an altogether experienced group to begin with, may have to be shuffled since left tackle Dylan Mahoney of Great Falls may be sidelined with turf toe.
Defensive leaders for the Bobcats include outside linebacker Mac Bignel (nine tackles for loss) and safety Bryson McCabe (seven pass break-ups).
The Weber defense features swift linebacker Tre’von Johnson, a converted safety, and sophomore sidekick Landon Stice, the Big Sky’s leading tacker (10.2 per game).
3 Things To Watch
1. Home On The Road? The Bobcats have dominated the Wildcats for decades, having won five straight and 12 of the last 13 in a series that dates back to 1963. Montana State is trying to extend an eight-game winning streak at Stewart Stadium in Ogden and hasn’t lost at Weber State since 1996.
2. Protection issues? The Bobcats’ revamped offensive line did not offer consistently solid pass protection last week against Northern Arizona, especially in the final minute when a sack of Chris Murray caused a fumble that ended MSU’s hopes. Weber State hasn’t been a sack-happy out (only six all season), so it won’t be a good for MSU if Wildcat defenders are making many plays in the backfield.
3. Breakout performances. Weber State’s Stewart Stadium has provided the backdrop for some tremendous individual efforts by Montana State players. Among the all-time Bobcat bests at the stadium was the 243-yard rushing effort of Ryan Johnson (2001), the 313-yard passing performance of DeNarius McGhee (2013) and the amazing play of Travis Lulay, who threw for 384 and rushed for 142 yards at Weber (2005). Will it be the turn on Saturday for Chris Murray or Chad Newell?
– Scott Mansch