Full Paper saturday, sept. 17 Inside Game vs. minot state D ay minot state at No. 5 MONTANA STATE, bobcat stadium, 1:35 P.M. — hall of fame weekend INSIDE GOOD N’ READY BOOT n Bobcats not looking ahead to Eastern DREAMS Washington game I G2
MSU wins n Find out which one Cunningham spent when Colter Nuanez breaks down today’s the summer working game I G6 out with NFL kickers; he may soon become one himself DIVISION 1 MEN’S BASKETBALL
CHRONICLE FILE PHOTO sitting this e is already the most deco- that I could keep up with them really ed by the Cowboys. At the 2009 NFL one out n rated kicker in Montana State gave me a boost in my confidence.” combine, he ran a 4.56-second 40-yard football history. The young “I’m not going to say I’m good enough dash, faster than his USC teammates: fu- Bobcats the only Big manH they call “Sunshine” has scored to kick in the NFL, but I’d like to think I ture All-Pro linebackers Clay Mathews Sky teamEastern not Washington playing Idaho State Montana more points than any Bobcat, hit more am. I’m definitely going to give it a shot.” and Brian Cushing. Cunningham said field goals and extra points than any The opportunity to train with the Buehler was one of the more memorable in conference this Bobcat. Yet when presented with the stable of star kickers arose because of parts of the six-week experience. weekend I G2 opportunity to help his greatness grow, MSU head coach Rob Ash, who coached “It was hilarious; (Buehler) rolled up Montana State senior kicker Jason Cun- Cundiff at Drake University during in Phoenix with this motorcycle shirt on ningham knew he’d found the next step the early 2000s. Cunningham was a and I was like ‘who is this guy?’” Cun- toward chasing his NFL dreams. counselor for the past few summers at ningham said. “He warms up for like DRYING OUT To be the best, one must first see the Cundiff’s kicking camp, something he five minutes and he is ready to hit 60- Montana State Northern Colorado Northern Arizona best and compete with the best. Cun- started doing because of a suggestion yard field goals. He is a different breed n City of Minot, ningham was presented with such an from Ash. In May, with the NFL players of kicker for sure. But he has an absolute opportunity for six weeks last May and locked out, Cunningham got a call from cannon on his leg. I wish I had his leg.” football team heavily June. The senior All-America spent the Cundiff asking him if he’d like to come Cunningham’s right leg isn’t too affected by this first part of his summer working out in to Phoenix to train. shabby itself. He already has four 50-yard Phoenix with the likes of Billy Cundiff “Billy had a bunch of NFL kickers and field goals to his credit, including a ca- summer’s floodI g2 of the Baltimore Ravens, Neil Rackers of punters and snappers there because all reer-long of 55 last season against Drake. the Houston Texans, David Buehler of those specialist guys, they love to work As he enters the third game of his senior the Dallas Cowboys, Graham Gano of together,” Ash said. “I think it helped Ja- campaign today against Minot State, his the Washington Redskins and current son a lot. He is a lot stronger, a lot more resume is already stockpiled. His 258 Portland State Sacramento State Weber State free agent NFL veteran Shayne Graham. accurate, a lot more confident.” points are the most in MSU history and frantic friday Most any college football player has The kickers Cunningham spent time the 12th-most in the history of the Big n Hawk football, soccer, NFL dreams, but for most the dream is with ranged from conservative veterans Sky Conference. A repeat of last season’s th volleyball, cross country an unattainable illusion. After working like Cundiff and Graham to brash studs 102-point campaign (9 best in league
Story by Colter Nuanez of the Chronicle
Bridger Orthopedic. John D. Campbell, M.D. Fellowship Trained in Sports Medicine, US Ski Team Physician Daniel M. Gannon, M.D. Fellowship Trained in Joint Replacement Steven R. Speth, M.D. Fellowship Trained in Spinal Surgery Montana State Team Physicians Robert B. Blake, M.D. Fellowship Trained in Hand Surgery, Upper Extremity Care Jon F. Robinson, M.D. Fellowship Trained in Foot & Ankle Surgery Richard N. Vinglas M.D. Fellowship Trained in Hand Surgery, Upper Extremity Care Alexander B. LeGrand, M.D. Fellowship Trained in Sports Medicine, US Ski Team Physician Martin K. Gelbke, M.D. Fellowship Trained in Orthopaedic Traumatology, and Adult Reconstruction Hip and Knee Surgery John A. Vallin, M.D. Non-operative Spine Care, Neck and Back Pain, Pain Medicine Gene A. Slocum, M.D. Fellowship Trained in Pain Medicine, Non-operative Spine Care Royce G. Pyette, M.D. Non-operative Musculoskeletal Care, US Ski Team Physician
Where we help you lead WWW.BRIDGERORTHOPEDIC.COM TEL: 406.587.0122 FAX: 406.587.5548 a healthier and more active life. 1450 Ellis Street, Ste. 201, Bozeman, MT 59715 G2 | Saturday, September 17, 2011 bozeman daily chronicle BOBCAT GAME DAY Minot State at Montana State 1:35 p.m. Bobcat Stadium
Sideline ’Cats plan to be up for Minot State Briefing last week against Davis. He said Beavers may the team’s two three-and-out Records drives and his third quarter Montana State 1-1 have no answer interception were unacceptable. Minot State 0-3 Although he had a quarterback rating of nearly 160, McGhee Series when it comes said he has a new philosophy on First meeting personal preparation for the rest to McGhee of 2011. Weather forecast “My new philosophy is to By COLTER NUANEZ treat every practice like a game,” Isolated T-storms, high 68 Chronicle Sports Writer McGhee said. “I don’t think I’ve done a great job of doing that. Crowd Saturday at Bobcat Stadium, it I will try my best this week so Nearly 15,000 expected will be MSU versus MSU. Eigh- that each and every practice is teen players from visiting Minot a game. Then, when the game State hail from Montana and 47 comes, I can go out and have TV Montana State players are native more fun.” ABC (Chris Byers, Mike Callaghan, to the Treasure State. Montana State is seem- AJ Donatoni) But the similarities between ingly set under center for at the two opponents essentially least two more seasons after Radio end there. this campaign. Minot State is Minot State is currently in the still trying to find a go-to signal KXLB-FM (100.7), Jeff Lasky, Dan second of three-year transi- caller this fall. Havre native CJ Davies, Tyler Wiltgen tion as the Beavers move from Evans started the Beavers first NAIA to NCAA Division II. two games, but Rudolph said The team is playing an inde- six interceptions in six quarters Coaches pendent schedule this fall. The caused Evans to “lose some Beavers are 0-3 entering today’s confidence in what he is doing.” contest after a 19-7 loss at Texas After pulling Evans at halftime A&M-Kingsville last week. This against Concordia University season, Minot will travel 5,623 two weeks ago, Rudolph inserted miles, or roughly 803 miles per Bryce Jorgenson. trip, including the 622-mile trip Jorgenson proceeded to from Minot, N.D., to Bozeman. throw for 307 second-half While Kingsville is a power- yards in the team’s 46-31 loss, affirming his position as the ROB paul house Division II program and last week’s matchup against the full-time starter. ASH rudolph Although Rudolph said his MSU, 5th year Beavers was played in front of Minot St., 5th year team strives for offensive bal- 32nd year overall 14th year overall 13,121 fans, Minot State’s visit 30-18 at MSU 26-18 at Minot St. to Bozeman to play the Foot- ance, it simply hasn’t happened 206-117-5 overall 69-65 overall ball Championship Subdivi- this season. sion’s No. 5 team should prove Minot has just 114 rushing Schedules to be the team’s most challeng- yards in three games, including Minot State ing trip of the season. Minot a season-high 44 yards on the ground last week at Kingsville. 0 Bemidji St. 27 State head coach Paul Rudolph said he wished he could call The Beavers have allowed 379 31 Concordia 43 for a little assistance in slow- rushing yards and things won’t 7 Texas A&M-Kingsville 19 ing down a powerful Bobcat get any easier today. Last week, Today @ Montana St. 1:35 p.m. offense that put up 507 total the Montana State offensive line 9/24 Sioux Falls 12:30 p.m. yards last week in a 38-14 win COURTESY OF MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY was in sync all contest, helping Minot State senior receiver Jabari Taylor, who has 20 catches this sea- 10/1 Black Hills St. 4 p.m. over UC Davis. the team grind out 250 rushing son, gives the Beavers hope through the air. yards, including a career-high 10/15 @ S.D. School of Mines 1 p.m. “We need the NCAA to pass a 155 yards from sophomore run- 10/29 @ Sioux Falls 12:30 p.m. rule that says that the home team happened to teams when they tion, with last week’s virtuoso in Montana can’t snap the ball to ning back Cody Kirk. 11/5 @ Black Hills St. 1:30 p.m. do look past play-down teams performance as evidence. He Today’s contest will be the their quarterback,” Rudolph said. makes us want to prepare,” threw for 257 yards and two 11/19 @ Texas-San Antonio 12 p.m. “That’s pretty much our only second in the newly renovated added junior defensive tackle scores and ran for another Bobcat Stadium. shot. It doesn’t take watching Zach Minter, who made sure to touchdown. During a stretch in Last week, 18,487 fans set an Montana State plenty of film on (Montana State mimic quotation marks with his which Montana State scored on all-time record for the number 10 at Utah 27 quarterback DeNarius McGhee); fingers when saying the word four consecutive drives, McGhee of people to watch a football 38 UC Davis 14 you watch a couple plays and you play-down. “We want to come completed 11 straight passes. game in Bozeman. It remains to Today Minot St. 1:35 p.m. are like ‘OOOH’. (McGhee) is a to practice and prepare, know- He accounted for 211 total yards different level than what we are. be seen whether the Beavers will 9/24 @ Eastern Washington 4:05 p.m. ing this is a team we have to play and three touchdowns in the We haven’t had much success and a win we have to have. You second quar- be as popular 10/1 Sacramento St. 1:35 p.m. on getting that rule passed so never want to think low of any ter alone. a draw, but 10/8 @ Portland St. 2:05 p.m. I’m not sure what we are going opponent. Watching film, they But “Some weeks you know today is 10/15 Northern Arizona 1:05 p.m. to do.” may not be like teams in the Big McGhee isn’t your team is going to be certain to be 10/22 @ Northern Colorado 1:35 p.m. Minot will look to find its in- Sky or like Utah, but you still just a titil- the largest 10/29 Idaho St. 12:05 p.m. ner David and slay Goliath. On have to make sure you get your lating talent up for a game and some crowd Minot State plays 11/5 @ Weber St. 1:35 p.m. the other side of the spectrum, assignments and your reads. If on the field. Montana State head coach Rob you do that, you will have suc- He is also the weeks you know your in front of 11/19 Montana 12:05 p.m. Ash said his team cannot over- cess. If you don’t, you might play team’s leader this season. look any opponent no matter down a level.” in the locker team is going to be Rudolph said Players to watch how overmatched. With Mon- The eight other teams in the room. He said down. I worry about last week’s tana State’s Big Sky Conference Big Sky Conference open league he isn’t letting experience MINOT STATE: WR Jabari Taylor opener next week in Cheney, play this weekend. Some may his troops that every week.” playing in already has 20 receptions and 312 Wash., against defending cham- see today’s matchup against look past the front of a — Rob Ash, yards this season. pion Eastern Washington, the Minot as one last tune-up before Beavers in packed house Montana State head coach at Kingsville MONTANA STATE: LB Jody reality of today becoming a trap running the BSC gauntlet. Ash anticipation game is very real. wants his players to be aware of the Sept. should help, Owens. Defense has yet to force a “I worry about that every that everyone else around the 24 with the but it doesn’t turnover this season and Owens week; some weeks you know league is entering that mindset a Eagles. solve his biggest problem. may be first to do so. your team is going to be up for a week before the Bobcats. “We try to take it one game at “We’d certainly like to think game and some weeks you know “The biggest thing we are a time and respect each oppo- that will help coming into this your team is going to be down going to talk about this week nent,” said the sophomore, who weekend,” Rudolph said. “We Injury report for a game,” said Ash, who is is how hard all the other teams has 444 yards and three touch- played in a great environment Montana State 30-18 in five seasons at Montana in our conference are going to downs through the air so far this and we weren’t intimidated by PROBABLE: LB Aleksei Grosulak State. “That’s part of what we do practice because they are all fall. “We are treating Minot State any means. But not to keep beat- (knee); WR Everett Gilbert as coaches each week is to try to starting this week,” Ash said. just like we would treat Eastern. ing a dead horse, but Kingsville assess where our team going to “All eight teams will have great There will be more hype around doesn’t have anybody who has (hamstring). be, what’s our mood going to be. practices all week. We have to (the EWU) game, but that’s our the ball in their hands like the I never try to motivate my team do the same thing because we philosophy going into this game kid they got under center at Game notes on Saturday, I try to motivate know how hard they are going to and each game the rest of the Montana State.” them on Monday and Tuesday work. We can’t fall behind.” season.” Colter Nuanez can be reached n Denarius McGhee‘s 26 and Wednesday.” McGhee brings dynamic McGhee said he was dis- at [email protected] career TD passes are sixth in “Just looking at what has talent to the quarterback posi- pleased with his performance and 582-2690. Bobcat history.
n Cody Kirk’s 101.5 rushing yards per game lead the Big Sky. A flood of adversity has washed over this MSU team n The 41 points allowed by MSU’s defense is fewest in the Big inot State Univer- the Souris River — known shift one located inside a city building. sity is 0-3. That’s as the Mouse in Minot — to “He’s at ‘Ramstad Middle School at the Sky by a school that has played nothing compared rise above flood stage for 73 Auditorium,’ is what they refer to it,” Paul two games M to the losses the Tim days. Rudolph said. city of Minot incurred well Dumas If not for a dike hurriedly The story hardly ends with the head n One current Minot State before the football season Chronicle built in 20-hour shifts near coach. Beaver will always have a special began. Sports Editor campus, the situation at Two of Minot State’s assistants — Jeff place in the Bobcat family. Reserve There was no state fair MSU would have been much Engle and Andy Heitkamp — are living with this summer in the “Magic worse. The dike has since one of Rudolph’s roommates from college, defensive lineman Bryan Howard City.” Local baseball teams been taken down, but the packing three families and 10 people into from Great Falls High is the son were forced to play all of damage remains: Rudolph is one house. of MSU grads Bob and Kathleen their games on the road, with left with a gutted home. Engle, a father of two, and Heitkamp, who Howard, and the brother of no bus to take them there. And, the biggest The Rudolphs, who were under the origi- has six grandchildren, should have a place of former Bobcat basketball star setback of all, thousands lost their homes. nal impression that their house was not in their own soon: a FEMA trailer. Minot State’s head coach is one of them. a flood zone, have lived with three different Minot State seniors Kris Strang and Eric Bobby Howard. Same with two of his assistants. A pair of sets of relatives since the river rose to un- Henke may be classmates, but they are no senior roommates saw their house overtaken precedented levels earlier this summer: Paul’s longer roommates. Henke, a cornerback, n The Big Sky Little League as well. sister, his wife’s sister, his wife’s parents. “A moved back home with his parents in nearby team from Billings that advanced “I wouldn’t wish anybody to go through little bit of everywhere,” Rudolph said. Velva, and Strange, a defensive end, has been to the Little League World Series this thing,” MSU head coach Paul Rudolph The coach’s youngest of three children, crashing on couches, in the MSU locker U.S. Championship game last told me Thursday. Creighton, 12, started school a week late room — just about anywhere but the campus Minot, the northwestern North Dakota after the waters rendered three of the city’s house he was renting with Strang before the month will be introduced after city of 40,000, was marred by high water over schools unusable — possibly for good. Mouse let loose. the third quarter of today’s the summer. A fourth of Minot’s inhabitants Creighton’s former elementary school is one game. were forced to evacuate a flood that caused of them; his current school is now a make- More dumas I b5 bozeman daily chronicle Saturday, September 17, 2011 | G3 2011 MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
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Big SkY CONFERENCE Eastern, Griz highlight opening weekend Standings Team Conf. All Portland St. 0-0 1-0 Defending champion Eagles eye first win in Missoula since 2005, first win of season Sac St. 0-0 1-1 MSU 0-0 1-1 Sac State team will look to N. Ariz. 0-0 1-1 By COLTER NUANEZ rebound against a Wildcat team Idaho St. 0-0 1-1 Chronicle Sports Writer searching for its first win after Montana 0-0 1-1 two Football Bowl Subdivision Weber St. 0-0 0-2 E. Wash. 0-0 0-2 While Montana State welcomes losses. Weber lost on a last-minute N. Colo. 0-0 0-2 Division II Minot State to town touchdown against Wyoming Today’s Games for one more non-league tune-up, 35-32. WSU then hung tough E. Wash. at Montana, 1:05 p.m. the rest of the Big Sky Conference with Utah State for one half before Minot St. at MSU, 1:35 p.m. begins league play this weekend. falling 51-17. N. Colo. at Idaho St., 4:05 p.m. The marquee matchup takes “Anybody that’s been around N. Ariz. at Port. St., 6:05 p.m. place in Missoula, with the de- this game enough knows that each Sac. St. at Weber, 6:05 p.m. fending national champion No. 10 Saturday afternoon brings a life Eastern Washington Eagles travel- of its own,” said Sac State head Dumas/ ing to Washington-Grizzly Sta- coach Marshall Sperbeck. “This from G1 dium in search of their first win of past Saturday, Southern Utah 2011 against No. 12 University of played harder than us. They made “It got really old quick,” Montana Grizzlies. plays when we didn’t. I thought Strang said. “I was living But for a league receiving praise they were the better team that day. out of my car for awhile.” as one of America’s best at the Conversely, Week 1 we had some Engle knows the feel- Football Championship Subdivi- things go our way, we made plays ing. The Beavers’ defen- sion level, each conference tilt is and we executed better than Or- sive line coach hasn’t been crucial, making for several other egon State. Last week was a good forced to his vehicle, but compelling storylines this week. lesson for our team.” hasn’t slept in his own bed Sacramento State will search for While Sac’s upset win was in since June 22 and doesn’t its first-ever win in Ogden against stark contrast to last week’s loss to plan to until next spring Weber State. Idaho State will SUU, the Wildcats aren’t taking — at the earliest. search for its first Big Sky win — any chances. They are expecting Enter football. and first Division I win period the Hornets of Week 1 to show up Fall camp this season — since 2009 with Northern in Utah ready to play today. was an important step Colorado coming to town. And “We are expecting the team toward normalcy. Team Portland State will take the first that showed up at Oregon State meetings were like family step in proving it is a contender, to come to Ogden this weekend,” reunions. And Minot’s not a pretender, as the Vikings said Matt Hammer, Weber State first home game of the host Northern Arizona fresh off a head coach Ron McBride’s top season two weeks ago, bye last week. Here’s a look at this assistant coach. “They showed played at a stadium with- week’s four Big Sky Conference up big for that game. They flew out bleachers, drew nearly games. around on defense. They are 3,000 fans. COURTESY of EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY a very fast, aggressive defense. Not that life is A-okay. No. 10 Eastern Washington Eastern Washington defensive lineman Evan Cook (56) and the Eagles have their They’ve always been squared away “It’s still odd when you at No. 12 Montana sights set on a rare victory at Washington-Grizzly Stadium today in Missoula. on offense since Coach Sperbeck drive by all the garbage This game is rich with intrigue. has been there. We are expecting and all the disaster,” Ru- The defending champs faced with shown up on the stat sheet. Senior snapped an 11-game losing streak the team that showed up in Cor- dolph said. try avoiding a three-game losing quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell has with a 44-7 home win over Divi- vallis to be here this weekend.” The city’s hotels are full streak by going to one of the thrown 129 times for 840 yards sion II Western State last week- and more than 400 people most intimidating venues in the thus far. The challenge for Mon- end. But Kramer isn’t taking that Northern Arizona at are still living in shelters. country. The Grizzlies are thirsty tana will be to transition from into account and knows that no Portland State “I’ve grown up here my for revenge. stopping Cal Poly’s multi-faceted win on ISU’s schedule is a given. Jerome Souers’ Lumberjacks whole life, and seeing the Last season, EWU celebrated power option attack to keeping “I wouldn’t call it winnable, I’d travel north to take on a Vikings town pretty much in dev- the opening of its newly renovated up with the aerial assault EWU call it a game that’s pretty level,” team fresh off a bye. PSU opened astation, that was a pretty stadium — blood-red turf and all promises to bring to Missoula said Kramer, who is 77-75 all- with NAIA Southern Oregon, crazy feeling,” Henke said. — with a 36-27 win over UM. The today. time in the Big Sky. “Both us and earning a 52-0 win, but didn’t “I never thought I’d seen Eagles scored nine points in the “That is a major challenge, Northern Colorado are trying to show many folds of Nigel Burton’s anything like that.” game’s final minute to spring the there’s no question about that find our footing in conference pistol offense. The mystery sur- Joe Ford is Minot’s upset and kick-start its run to the because not only was Cal Poly a play. They have a much-improved rounding this PSU team is cause defensive backs coach. national title. run team, but they were a very outlook on how they play the for concern for the NAU head He’s not a native North “Anytime those things happen physical run team,” said Pflugrad, sport. I have a healthy respect for man. Dakotan — and he’s lucky. to you, whether it’s an arch-rival who is 8-5 in his second season at what they are trying to do on of- “They are a different team than He wasn’t affected by or not, it’s always a motivating the UM helm. “They were so run- fense and defense. We really have they were a year ago,” Souers said. the flood. Not the water, factor as players and coaches,” oriented with different styles of our work cut out for us.” “I’m concerned about the amount anyway. UM head coach Robin Pflugrad run. You bring in a passing game While Kramer knows his way of things they have prepared in “I have never seen said this week during the Big like Eastern has with so many around the conference, today will two weeks that we haven’t seen on something so devastat- Sky Conference’s conference call tools and it makes things tough. be UNC head coach Earnest Col- tape. They kept it pretty vanilla ing,” he said. “A quarter of with the media. “There’s a lot of Mitchell can throw all the kinds lins Jr.’s first Big Sky game as a head their opener. We have to really the town was destroyed. emotions that take place before a of throws there are. You do have man. He said his team is aware of be on our toes, be prepared to And we’re not talking game. Hopefully taking our play- to shift gears the whole week in ISU’s conference losing streak, but make adjustments throughout the about water in the base- ers back to the Cal Poly situation practice.” said it shouldn’t play a factor. course of the game.” ment; we’re talking about and then the Eastern situation Eastern won three straight “For us, it’s just about us win- Opening with a “play-down” four to six feet of water on from a year ago can help motivate games against the Grizzlies from ning the game,” Collins said. “I game combined with having a bye the main floors.” our players.” 1990 to 1992, but haven’t won wouldn’t care if it’s Idaho State or in Week 2 has Burton thinking his North Dakota’s Magic Now EWU comes to Missoula consecutive games since. EWU Eastern Washington, the defend- team should have some extra pep City will not disappear, to face an improved Grizzly squad hasn’t won at Washington-Grizzly ing national champions. It’s about in its collective steps. however. All its citizens fresh off a 37-23 win over Cal Poly since 2005. winning the game. I don’t’ put “The bye week went very well; can do now is move on. last weekend, a game that involved pressure on the kids saying they we gave our guys some extra “All summer long, it was a little revenge itself. Cal Poly beat Northern Colorado at haven’t won a game or this that time because we had a very flood, flood, flood,” said UM 35-33 in San Luis Obispo last Idaho State or the other. It’s a totally different physical camp,” Burton said. MSU starting linebacker season. Can Eagles head coach Northern Colorado and Idaho ball club every year. For us, it’s “We got some good work in and Josh Weidler, whose house Beau Baldwin imagine a tougher State were picked to finish at the about focusing on what we need introduced some of Northern just on the other side of place to snap a losing streak than bottom of the Big Sky. But this to do to win the ball game.” Arizona. We are fresh, which the dike was flooded, but Missoula? game has an interesting story line is good because it’s back to the not beyond repair. “The “Probably not,” Baldwin said. in former Montana State head No. 20 Sacramento State grind this week.” town has really come “It’s a challenge, a challenge for coach Mike Kramer’s official at Weber State Eight of nine Big Sky teams together. And not just for our guys. Montana is playing return to the Big Sky. The Hornets travel to Ogden, opened up with FBS opponents football. It’s neighbors really good football, like they Kramer has been a part of the a place they’ve never won before, on Week 1. Eastern, Montana, helping neighbors.” consistently do. They have a lot league as a player (University of in search of finding an identity. MSU and Sac State are the only For three hours today, of veterans, a great defense, so it Idaho) or coach (MSU, EWU and Media outlets hyped the team as a BSC schools who have played an it will be football, football, will be a challenge for our guys. It ISU) for much of the past four program on the rise entering the FCS opponent in 2011. Perhaps football. Minot State was is, it’s a tough place to go play, but decades. Today, he will try to lead season. Sac looked like the hype Souers, the longest-tenured coach 6-4 last year, but hasn’t even bigger than that, it’s a tough his team to a Big Sky victory for was real with a 29-28 overtime in the league (14 seasons), said it won since. Call it a re- opponent.” the first time since a win over win over Oregon State of the Pac- best building year. Eastern lost all-world running Portland State in 2009. 12 in Week 1. But the Hornets had “Now, it’s about making the Tim Dumas can be back Taiwan Jones to the Oak- Northern Colorado dropped a letdown last weekend, losing switch into the conference level of reached at tdumas@ land Raiders off last season’s 13-2 its season-opener to Division II to future BSC member Southern play,” Souers said. “That’s all that dailychronicle.com and squad. Jones’ absence has already Lindenwood two weeks ago. ISU Utah 35-14. matters.” 582-2651.
off on him. When all his friends went out MSU, Cunningham quickly had second Cunningham can be found hanging out Kicker/from G1 for football, he decided to give it a whirl. thoughts about moving more than 1,100 with sophomore punter Rory Perez and He was lost at first, not liking a single miles from home. sophomore long snapper Donald Tudahl. His kicking prowess earned Cunning- aspect of the game. But then his middle “I’m not going to lie, it was really hard The threesome has endless amounts of ham first-team All-Big Sky and All-Amer- school team had a kickoff contest to deter- the first semester,” Cunningham said. “If I “tricks” to stay entertained when they ica honors as a junior. He was a consensus mine who would be the regular kicker. wouldn’t have had football and teammates aren’t honing their craft. Perez said Cun- preseason All-America pick heading into “They were about to stop the competi- around me, I might have given up and ningham has also been a great mentor. his senior season. So how does Cunning- tion because a guy hit it kind of far, but I went back home. I know I thought about “I came in as a true freshman and he was like, ‘whoa, whoa, whoa,” Cunning- ham stack up with a 10-year NFL veteran it, especially when the snow and winter took me in,” said Perez, who came to ham said. “I boomed it way farther than set in.” Bozeman from Moreno Valley, Calif. “He like Cundiff? Ash said it’s pretty close. him and they were like, ‘hey, we found our When Cunningham first arrived on didn’t have to do that. He took me in, “Billy is still the best I’ve ever had kicker. I never played a single other posi- the MSU campus, his golden blonde hair showed me around, made me feel wel- because he is so clutch,” Ash said. “Jason is tion on the field after that.” was long and flowing. Former Montana come. I’ve learned a lot from him about clutch too. Actually, they are fairly compa- Six years later, Cunningham was weigh- State running back Ricky Evans quickly kicking, especially how to stay cool under rable in a lot of respects. They both have ing whether to take a full scholarship to likened Cunningham to the character pressure. He is a good friend.” really long legs. Billy kicked a 62-yarder kick at the University of North Texas or Rony “Sunshine” Bass from the movie Cunningham can see the light at the for me at Drake. Jason’s long is 55. Billy is accept a preferred walk-on spot at Texas “Remember the Titans” played by Kip end of his college football career tunnel. a little better kickoff guy. But my defini- Tech. A week before signing day, North Pardue. In the film, “Sunshine” moves to He is less than two semesters away from tion of how good a kicker is comes when Texas called and rescinded their offer, say- Virginia from California and is quickly earning his degree in industrial engineer- the game is on the line. How do they do ing they didn’t think a freshman could be given a hard time about his flowing hair ing. He has confidence he will at least on those clutch kicks? Both those guys a Division I starting kicker. Cunningham and his apparent talent. Evans quickly receive a tryout to kick professionally after were really tough in those situations.” leaned toward walking on in Lubbock made the connection since Cunningham college. Looking back, he’s just glad he Four years ago, Cunningham could have at Tech or going north to take a full ride came from a far away place and was in the made it through that first hard winter. never imagined kicking field goals in Big from the Colorado School of Mines. starting lineup from the moment he came “Now, I’m so glad I stayed and stuck it Sky country. Ten years ago, he couldn’t Then Montana State called. to campus. out because it’s been so worth it,” Cun- have imagined playing football at all. Cunningham felt out of his element in The nickname stuck. During Cunning- ningham said. “I’d go back and do it all As a 7th grader in Amarillo, Texas, his first visit to the Gallatin Valley, but he ham’s second collegiate start at Kansas over again if I could. I can’t believe it’s Cunningham was addicted to soccer. But knew Ash’s track record when it came to State, the Wildcat faithful showered him flown by this fast.” living in the heart of the one of the most coaching kickers and he liked the enthu- with chants of “Sunshine”. Colter Nuanez can be reached at cnu- football-crazed states in America rubbed siasm of Bobcat fans. After signing with During the majority of MSU practices, [email protected] or at 582-2690. G6 | Saturday, September 17, 2011 bozeman daily chronicle BOBCAT GAME DAY Minot State at Montana State 1:35 p.m. Bobcat Stadium
The Edge De p t h c h a r t s Montana State Minot State Mi n o t St a t e a t Mo n t a n a St a t e Offense Defense LEFT TACKLE END When Montana State has the ball 68 Conrad Burbank 6-4/297 Sr 54 Zack Robinson 6-1/240 Sr 79 Quinn Catalano 6-5/276 Fr 90 Ben Pease 6-5/230 Jr Passing: For 22 minutes in Montana EDGE 507 yards of total offense against Davis State’s 38-14 win over UC Davis last could pale in comparison to today’s LEFT GUARD NOSE GUARD Saturday, sophomore quarterback numbers. 57 Casey Dennehy 6-1/280 Sr 50 Luke Artz 6-2/284 So DeNarius McGhee was magical. He 62 Ben Tauanuu 6-4/300 Jr 57 Josh Zimmer 6-0/265 So completed 11 straight passes, including Rushing: The Montana State offense touchdowns of 21 yards and 36 yards achieved almost perfect balance CENTER LINEMAN to Elvis Akpla and Kruiz Siewing, last week against UCD. The team 56 Shaun Sampson 6-0/277 Jr 94 Ryan Rauhauser 6-4/331 Fr respectively. That was against an Aggie threw for 257 yards and ran for 61 Alex Terrien 6-4/283 Sr 91 Joel Deckert 6-3/230 Fr defense with a secondary heralded as 250. Sophomore tailback Cody Kirk RIGHT GUARD END one of the most talented in school history. broke out for a career-high 155 yards and two 61 Alex Terrien 6-4/283 Sr 93 Gino Maxi 6-1/255 Sr This week, McGhee should be able to do rushing touchdowns en route to his first Big Sky 75 Andrew Verlanic 6-4/279 Jr 51 Kris Strang 6-1/201 Sr whatever he wants when throwing the football. Conference Offensive Player of the Week award. Minot State head coach Paul Rudolph half- The Beavers have struggled at times stopping RIGHT TACKLE OUTSIDE LINEBACKER jokingly said the only chance his Beavers have of the run all season, allowing 379 yards in three 50 Leo Davis 6-4/300 Sr 5 Levi Freidt 6-2/207 Fr slowing down Montana State’s potent offense losses. Montana State will undoubtedly be the 72 Stephen Memory 6-4/295 Jr 2 Brian Sorensen 6-3/217 Jr would be if the NCAA passed a rule stating home most talented and physical team the Beavers QUARTERBACK INSIDE LINEBACKER team quarterbacks in the state of Montana play. With what is almost certain to be a big early 9 DeNarius McGhee 6-0/213 So 40 Chad Marshall 6-2/215 So couldn’t take a snap this week. Although the lead, look for the Bobcats to pound the Beavers 5 Grayson Galloway 6-4/207 Jr comment was tongue-in-cheek, Rudolph may on the ground in an effort to keep the clock 42 Casey Weinmann 6-0/203 Fr have been right in his assessment that his team ticking. RUNNING BACK OUTSIDE LINEBACKER has no chance to stop McGhee. It’s unlikely Kirk will get 22 carries like he did last 25 Cody Kirk 5-10/214 So 38 Blair Dinsdale 5-11/203 Sr The good news for Minot State is that it’s highly week, but today could be a coming out party for 7 Tray Robinson 6-1/221 Jr 24 Brett Mohr 6-1/195 Jr unlikely McGhee will play a full four quarters. any of Montana State’s other three running backs. X RECEIVER LINEBACKER Look for junior Grayson Galloway to get his first Look for increased carries to go to junior Tray 1 Elvis Akpla 6-1/190 Sr 11 Josh Weidler 6-3/200 Fr extended action of his Bobcat career. Robinson, sophomore Kerry Sloan and senior C.J. 4 John Ellis 5-10/180 So Today could also be a day for wide receivers like Palmer. 95 Cameron Stone 6-3/230 So Siewing and redshirt freshmen Matt Thibault and A career day individually isn’t likely, but a Z RECEIVER BOUNDARY CORNER Brian Flotkoetter to show their stuff as well. rushing total that surpasses last week’s total 86 Tanner Bleskin 6-3/215 So 14 Eric Henke 5-9/177 Sr If McGhee and the offense get into a rhythm certainly is. 84 Brian Flotkoetter 6-2/205 Fr 30 Eric Kuntz 6-9/160 Fr like they did for a stretch last Saturday, MSU’s EDGE: Montana State W RECEIVER STRONG SAFETY 14 Everett Gilbert 5-9/195 Jr 27 John Denne 6-4/192 Jr When minot state has the ball 10 Kruiz Siewing 5-11/189 Jr 29 Ben Van Walleghem 6-0/179 Jr TIGHT END FIELD CORNERBACK Passing: Havre native CJ Evans was tana State defensive line will certainly 89 Steven Foster 6-5/260 Jr 31 Mike Hickman 5-11/164 Fr the opening-day starter for the Bea- EDGE get pressure with a pass rush on Jorgen- vers. But he threw six interceptions in son. The Bobcats have to start getting 88 Shane Robison 6-5/260 Sr 3 Laron Peoples 6-3/195 Jr six quarters of play, losing his job to takeaways, particularly by an unproven KICKER PUNTER today’s starter, Bryce Jorgenson. secondary that features new starters 15 Jason Cunningham 6-1/180 Sr 16 Andrew Walker 6-3/175 Fr After being inserted against Con- Joel Fuller, Steven Bethely and Sean cordia University two weeks ago, Gords. Defense Offense Jorgenson threw for 307 yards and a pair of touchdowns. But the numbers Rushing: Last weekend, Texas A&M- END LEFT TACKLE were deceiving, as CU had already pulled its Kingsville limited Minot State to 44 yards rush- 11 John Laidet 6-5/255 Sr 79 Matt Callan 6-5/285 Jr starters because of a 31-0 halftime lead. Last ing. The total doubled as the Beavers’ highest 34 Preston Gale 6-3/252 Fr 71 Bobby Bartz 6-3/275 So week against Texas A&M-Kingsville, Jorgenson number of rushing yards in a game this season. TACKLE LEFT GUARD returned to earth, throwing for 91 yards and a Don’t count on anything changing today. The 96 Zach Minter 6-1/285 Jr 69 Mitch Haugeberg 6-3/293 Jr pair of interceptions. Beavers’ offensive line is big, especially right Montana State has been in the midst of a tackle Habeeb Ranu (6-foot-6, 341 pounds). But 99 Brian Bignell 6-2/255 Jr 60 Adedamola Sobande 6-1/301 Jr turnover drought, particularly when it comes the Montana State defensive front led by Zach NOSE TACKLE CENTER to interceptions. The team had just eight picks Minter and Caleb Schreibeis should wreak havoc 98 Christian Keli’i 6-0/305 Jr 64 Jacob Everson 6-3/294 Fr during last fall’s Big Sky Conference title run. in the backfield this afternoon. 97 Zach Logan 6-4/295 Fr 73 Sergio Magana 6-2/265 Jr This season, the Bobcats have yet to register an Minot will have to pass often as it’s unlikely BANDIT RIGHT GUARD interception. The defense, a unit that is third in that a team with 114 total rushing yards this the Big Sky through two games with 294 total season will make much money on the ground 49 Caleb Schreibeis 6-3/253 Jr 70 Kyle Stein 6-5/265 So yards per game against average, has no take- against the ‘Cats. Look for Montana State’s 41 Brad Daly 6-1/232 So 75 Kristopher Firey 6-0/276 Jr aways this season. sack total of three to double or maybe triple SAM LINEBACKER RIGHT TACKLE Montana State must use today’s matchup to today. 9 Roger Trammell 6-0/215 Sr 76 Habeeb Rafiu 6-6/341 Sr start creating turnovers defensively. The Mon- EDGE: Montana State 29 Cole Moore 6-2/221 Fr 69 Mitch Haugeberg 6-3/293 Jr MIKE LINEBACKER QUARTERBACK special teams 42 Clay Bignell 6-2/240 Sr 4 Bryce Jorgenson 6-1/207 Fr 51 Michael Foster 6-1/232 Fr 15 Andrew Torgerson 6-2/201 So Kickers & punters: Jason Cun- Rory Perez is sporting. Advantage, again, WILL LINEBACKER RUNNING BACK ningham enters today No. 12 on the EDGE goes to Montana State. all-time Big Sky Conference scoring 23 Jody Owens 6-1/221 Jr 28 Tyson Schatz 5-8/191 Sr list. He is 2-for-3 on field goal tries this Returners: Montana State is still pla- 2 Na’a Moeakiola 5-11/220 So 21 Nico Youngren 5-11/195 Jr season, but last week’s 22-yard miss is tooning Akpla and true freshman Shawn BOUNDARY CORNER Z RECEIVER something he said made him reevalu- Johnson on punt returns. Johnson is also 13 Darius Jones 5-10/179 Jr 6 Jabari Taylor 5-11/180 Sr ate his preparation and work to not emerging as the go-to guy returning 8 Zach Coleman 5-10/172 Jr 10 Nate Christianson 6-3/182 So have a mistake like that again. He is an kickoffs. All-America and one of the greatest The punt-return game may be one of ROVER X RECEIVER kickers in Montana State history. the only areas Minot State is comparable to the 5 Joel Fuller 6-0/200 Jr 18 Zac Rudolph 5-8/175 Sr In three games this season, Minot State kicker Bobcats. Eric Kuntz is averaging 12.7 yards per 31 Robert Marshall 6-0/202 Fr 13 Oz Reinholz 6-5/179 Jr Nick Phillips has hit one field goal. In other words, return. FREE SAFETY B RECEIVER Montana State holds a distinct edge in the kick- But as with all other matchups in this game, 28 Steven Bethley 5-11/210 So 1 Brent Sorensen 5-8/173 Fr ing game. Montana State’s statistics could receive a huge Minot State punter Andrew Walker is averaging boost this week because of the disparity in talent 6 Heath Howard 5-10/190 Jr 81 Josh Taylor 5-10/175 Fr 41.7 yards per punt, but that doesn’t compare to between the two teams. FIELD CORNER TIGHT END the 44.3 yard per punt average Montana State’s EDGE: Montana State 17 Sean Gords 5-10/188 So 89 Kirk Mason 6-2/213 Jr 37 Deonte Flowers 5-11/168 Fr 99 Bobby Bartz 6-3/275 So INTANGIBLES PUNTER KICKER 18 Rory Perez 6-3/179 So 23 Nick Phillips 5-10/170 Fr Minot State head coach Paul EDGE Award caliber. Rudolph said it himself: the Beavers But it doesn’t stop there. Each Bobcat minot state notes simply don’t have any players like position group has a definitive leader, a DeNarius McGhee. Minot doesn’t player who won’t let the team slip into A Homecoming of Sorts have anyone with McGhee’s a lackadaisical attitude with a Division II The Minot State football team carries several strong ties with the improvisational abilities nor do they opponent coming to town. state of Montana. Of the 18 Beavers that hail from the Treasure State, have a field general of Walter Payton EDGE: Montana State five enter Saturday’s game on the team’s two-deep depth chart ... 8 CJ Evans, QB Havre 10 Nate Christianson, WR Havre 12 Chistian Ker, QB Bigfork 13 Ozzie Reinholz, WR Molt 15 Andrew Torgerson, QB Colstrip 30 Mike Hickman, DB Havre overall 39 Tyler Molyneaux, LB Chinook If the Montana State offense finds a rhythm like it 43 Zac Haskell, LB Florence did a week ago against UC Davis, the Bobcats could 57 Josh Zimmer, DL Great Falls 58 Ethan Hall, LB Potomac realistically score as many points as they wished 65 Jordan Sampleton, OL Missoula today. 67 Chad Sickles, OL Missoula But head coach Rob Ash isn’t one to run up the 81 Josh Taylor, WR Fairview 82 Porter Sturm, WR Roy score, so once his team has a comfortable lead, the 83 Drew Baldry, WR Scobey Bobcat backups should get plenty of playing time. 90 Ben Pease, DL Hardin Minot State’s only hope may lie in the fact that 95 Cameron Stone, DL Great Falls Montana State plays at Eastern Washington next 98 Bryan Howard, DL Great Falls week. If the Beavers catch the ‘Cats napping today, Famous Beavers an upset isn’t out of the realm of possibilities. But 3 The most famous MSU alum of all is likely Dale Brown, the long- 56 the talent disparity between the two teams is so time LSU men’s basketball coach, who played hoops at Minot State. great, the likelihood of that happening is unlikely. Former Eastern Washington head coach Ray Giacoletti, now an as- sistant at Gonzaga, also played for the Beavers. Actor Josh Duhamel, who starred in all three Transformers movies and in the NBC series Las Vegas, played quarterback for the Beavers. He may be most famous Analysis by COLTER NUANEZ of the Chronicle for being married to Stacy Ferguson, known as “Fergie” of the Black Eyed Peas.