Full paper InsIDe saturday, sept. 8 Game at draKe D ay nO. 4 mOntana state at Drake, Drake staDIum, 5 p.m. InsIDe mIrrOr ImaGes n MSU and Drake resemble one another on and off the fieldI G2

nOt theIr Day? n ‘Dogs have won 11 ADRIAN SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ/CHRONICLE straight at home, but will Montana State head coach Rob Ash spent 18 seasons at Drake before taking over at MSU in 2007. be outmatched today, says Colter Nuanez I G6

Once ‘cats, nOw cOaches FAMILIAR n Five former Bobcats are now coaches at Bozeman High I G5 FIve pIllars OF TERRITORY Drake’s success Trip to Des Moines is a trip to a place many Bobcats used to call home n wants (now Football Championship Subdi- experience to go beyond By COLTER NUANEZ • Chronicle Sports Editor vision) level. football I G5 Ash was 125-62-2 at Drake, in- ob Ash saw his kids go to school from kindergarten through cluding winning four PFL champion- 12th-grade in Des Moines, . Bo Beck used to live in an ships and posting an 82-20 record at home. apartment right down the street from Valley High, the alma During the resurrection, Marshall, materR of Alex Wilcox and a place Michael Foster went to school. Ja- now MSU’s defensive coordinator, was an all-league defensive back mie Marshall and Erik Link played at Drake Stadium before roaming (1995-98) before joining Ash’s coach- the sidelines as assistants. ing staff in 2000. Link, now MSU’s tight ends coach, was an all-league Homecoming weekend isn’t sched- big-time football, as the Bulldogs offensive lineman (2000-2002) under uled until Sept. 22 for the Montana became a NCAA Division III affili- Ash. Beck was a Drake assistant for State football team, but today’s trip ate. Then, in 1989, the school hired three seasons (2002-2004) under to Des Moines to take on Drake a Des Moines native to resurrect the Ash. Wilcox, MSU’s strength and FIrst-place University is a homecoming of sorts dream. conditioning coach, came to Mon- shOwDOwn for many of the Bobcats. The capital Ash took over and quickly helped tana State last winter after spending of the Hawkeye State is a place five change the landscape both at Drake two seasons at Drake in the same n Bozeman, West gun MSU coaches and one Bobcat line- and across the country. He played position in his hometown. for 3-0 starts in Eastern backer used to call home. an integral role in helping form the While Ash spent a good portion In 1986, Drake forfeited its Divi- PioneerFootball League, a football- of his 61 years in Des Moines, he AA battle I spOrts sion I-A stature, electing to pull only conference that stretched across isn’t calling today’s return a home all football scholarships from the America, allowing teams who didn’t coming. Printed on recycled PaPer program. The move seemed to spell give grant-in aid to football players impending doom for any dreams of to still compete at the Division I-AA More Homecoming | g2 bozeman daily chronicle Saturday, September 8, 2012 | G2 FCS Non-Conference BOBCAT GAME DAY No. 4 Montana State at Drake 5 p.m. Drake Stadium

Sideline Briefing Bobcats, Bulldogs share similar strengths Records MSU, Drake resemble one No. 4 Montana State 1-0 Drake 1-0 another on, off the field and 51 touchdowns as he Series By COLTER NUANEZ continues his third year 1-1; Montana State won 48-21 in Chronicle Sports Editor as the MSU starter. DU 2010 in Bozeman; Drake won 54-0 senior Tyler Moorehead in Des Moines in 1940. An experienced, savvy is an outside linebacker who can with speed who flies all Weather forecast improvise under pressure. over the field and leads by Passing clouds, 77 degrees A stout defensive line example, evidence in his filled veterans who pride team captain status. You Crowd themselves on making life could say the same thing miserable for opponents. Roughly 5,000 fans excpected about MSU senior Jody A group of quick, speedy Owens. linebackers who move “Their strength is TV sidelines to sidelines definitely in the defensive None with reckless abandon. line like ours is,” Ash An offensive line short said. “The quarterback is Radio on experience, but not tremendous. Piatkowski lacking in talent. A head KXLB-FM (100.7),Tyler Wiltgen, is a fabulous player. He coach who wants his play- was the player of the year Dan Davies, ers’ experiences to go well in the Pioneer League beyond the gridiron. just like DeNarius has Coaches Sounds a lot like been the player of the Montana State if you’re a year in our league. There’s Bobcat fan. Sounds just tremendous analogies like the and player comparisons if you live in America’s between the two pro- Heartland. grams.” Today at Drake Both programs are Stadium, No. 4 Mon- trying to work four new tana State comes to Des starters in on the offen- ROB Chris Moines, Iowa for a non- sive line. Here’s where ASH Creighton conference showdown the first difference pops MSU, 6th year Drake, 5th year with the Bulldogs of the up, though: Of Montana 32nd year overall 16th year overall . State’s four new starters, 40-20 at MSU 31-14 at Drake On paper at least, Mon- two are redshirt freshman 216-119-5 overall 127-28 overall tana State head coach Rob and one is a third-year Ash’s current program sophomore. Drake starts Schedules and his former program five seniors along the of- Drake — he coached at Drake fensive line. 8 Grand View 28 for 18 seasons — look a In a season-opening Sept. 8 No. 4 Montana State 5 p.m. whole lot alike. 33-6 win over Chadron Sept 15 at Indiana State 1 p.m. “The foundations are State in front of a record EARL HULST/ Sept. 22 Morehead State 1 p.m. very similar in how the crowd, MSU senior Drake fifth-year senior quarterback Mike Piatkowski was the 2011 Pioneer Football League Sept. 29 at Campbell 5 p.m. program is run and oper- defensive tackle Zach Offensive Player of the Year. He’s thrown for more than 7,000 yards in his Bulldogs career. Oct. 6 San Diego 12:30 p.m. ated,” said Ash, who is Minter was a force. He Oct. 13 at Valparaiso Noon 42-20 in his sixth season registered 1.5 sacks and team is keen on MSU’s plays, so you just have to focus on anything else Oct. 20 Marist 1 p.m. at MSU after going 125- 2.5 tackles for loss in defensive strengths, par- keep playing hard until besides the game.” 62-2 at Drake. “I told our Nov. 3 at Dayton Noon less than three quarters ticularly in the trenches. you can stop them,” said Creighton’s team came team last Sunday that we of play. The 6-foot-2, “That 96 (Minter), that Moorehead, who had 10.5 to Bozeman three seasons Nov. 10 Butler 1 p.m. are going to be playing a 297-pound All-America Nov. 17 At Jacksonville Noon 3-technique, that guys is sacks last season and leads ago and left licking their mirror image of ourselves. said he is well-aware that awesome, just awesome,” the FCS with three sacks. wounds after falling 48-21 Montana State Fundamentally, they are Drake’s offensive line has 6 Chadron State 33 Creighton said. “If he “It’s more of a mentality and seeing Piatkowski very sound. They play played with each other misses the plane, I hope Sept. 8 at Drake 5 p.m. when you play an offense knocked out of the game. great defense. They are just once. they leave on time. That like Montana State’s.” The quarterback suf- Sept. 15 Stephen F. Austin 1:35 p.m. balanced on offense. They “Oh yeah that gets me dude is a special player.” Drake has won 11 fered a concussion when Sept. 22 N. Colorado (Homecoming) 2 p.m. attack teams in a smart, going, but at the same Creighton also said straight games at home. Jason D’Alba, a former Sept. 29 at Southern Utah 1:35 p.m. intelligent way. They time we are going to senior cornerback Darius That, coupled with the Drake player himself, put Oct. 6 at U.C. Davis 5 p.m. play really hard. They are prepare for them like they Jones, Owens, and junior fact that today marks the a controversial late hit on Oct. 13 Eastern Washington 1:35 p.m. committed guys who are are four year starters,” linebacker Aleksei Gro- first time Ash has coached the Bulldogs’ quarterback. Oct. 20 Open always in the right place.” said Minter, who has 16 sulak all jumped out at in his home town as the Creighton, who is 21-3 at Oct. 27 North Dakota 2 p.m. Drake tallied nine sacks career sacks. “This game him during film study. All opposition makes for an home since taking over Nov. 3 at Sacramento State 5 p.m. in a season-opening 28-6 is all about preparation, all three started for the ‘Cats interesting dynamic. But in 2008, said his team is Nov. 10 Portland State 1:35 p.m. win over NAIA Grand about learning their keys. the last time the programs the Bobcats say their de- excited for a rematch. View. Montana State They are big, but they are Nov. 17 at Montana 1:35 p.m. squared off in 2010. fault homecoming — four “We are excited about finished second in the also new. But people are Last week, McGhee other MSU coaches were playing the game,” Players to watch FCS with 44 sacks last saying that same thing completed 29-of-40 passes on Ash’s staff at Drake — Creighton said. “We have season. Drake fifth-year about our offensive line. for 176 yards and four won’t be a distraction. all kinds of respect for DRAKE: QB Mike Piatkowski senior quarterback Eric We will see who prepares touchdowns. CSC broke “It will be an interest- Montana State. We played is a fifth-year senior who’s been Piatkowski was the PFL better.” off the line at the snap ing environment, but them in 2010 and were starting at Drake the past three Offensive Player of the “I try not to look it like on the majority of MSU’s we know they are a solid disappointed with the end Year last season and has falls. Last week, he surpassed 7,000 that, but it’s going to make offensive plays, giving team,” said MSU junior result. Our guys aren’t thrown for 7,198 yards me play hard,” added McGhee not much else running back Cody Kirk, going to back down to career passing yards. and 55 touchdowns in junior middle linebacker MONTANA STATE: DT Zach but to dice the Eagles un- who rushed for 91 yards anybody, I will promise his Bulldogs career. MSU Na’a Moeakiola. “Fresh- derneath. The fast-paced in the opener. “But it’s just you that.” Minter is among the best defensive quarterback DeNarius man or senior, I want to attack MSU employs one week as a time. That’s “We have a healthy linemen in the FCS. He had 1.5 McGhee was the Big play as hard as I can at all is something that got all we approach each respect, but there is no sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss in Sky Conference Offen- times.” Drake’s attention on film. game. We just want to stay fear. We believe if we play MSU’s 33-6 win over Chadron State sive Most Outstanding Drake head coach “They are going to keep focused on the game. It’s our best, we will be good to open 2012. Player in 2010 and has Chris Creighton said his converting, keep making like Cat-Griz. You can’t enough to win.” thrown for 6,138 yards Injury report Montana State OUT: DE Odin Coe (shoulder), not have eneded up a Bobcat. football game on African soil. His players DT Brian Bignell (shoulder), DE Homecoming/from G1 “It’s very much a coincidence he ended may not know Ash, but the significance of Heath Hunter (leg), OL Christian up at Montana State,” Ash said with a the return is not lost on Creighton. Williams (eye) “We just had great friends there. My laugh. “I told him the other day, and I think “The guy put 18 years of his life, raised his Questionable: Kruiz Siewing kids were able to go K through 12 in the I crushed him, that I did not specifically family here,” Creighton said. “If I was every (ankle) same school district while their dad was remember Mike. I remember Austin because fortunate enough to be somewhere for 18 Probable: LB Aleksei Grosulak a college head football coach and that he was kind of the ringleader for the ball years and had an opportunity to take a team just doesn’t happen very often,” said Ash, boys. It was kind of a strange deal, he went back to that place, I think that would be (shoulder), DE Brad Daly (ankle) who is 40-20 at MSU after taking over in to Houston to get a little bit more exposure. special. So I think it will be neat for him to 2007. “But I don’t feel like I’m going home We were recruiting Houston and we found come back to this place he helped establish Drake because home is Montana and home is him there. Ironically, I don’t think I would and put so much of his life into.” UNDISCLOSED Bozeman. have found him if he would have stayed at When Ash looks at the program he left I’ve been here long enough, that’s really, Iowa.” and the program he has helped reestablish Game notes truly how I feel. It’s a special place, but it “When I first came on a visit here, I its place among the FCS elite, he sees strik- n Montana State head won’t be going home.” thought to myself that Coach Ash looked ing similarities. coach Rob Ash coached at The MSU roster says Foster, a sophomore really familiar,” Foster said. “When I first “We put a really solid program together linebacker, hails from Seabrook, Texas, started looking through all the coaches, then — with good high school recruiting, get- Drake for 18 seasons (1989- a suburb of Houston. But the 6-foot-1, my mom told me they all used to coach at ting guys in the weight room, a tradition 2006) and compiled a 125-62- 228-pounder calls Des Moines home. Fos- Drake. It kind of all clicked from there. It’s of working hard and earn your spot, a lot 2 record....Ash was 82-20 at ter’s father, Melvin, played at the University kind of a small world that we ended up here. of redshirting, player development — all of Drake Stadium, but today will of Iowa before spending a season with the My mom definitely liked that Iowa connec- that contributes to the tradition of win- mark the first time he coaches Dallas Cowboys. Foster went to Valley High tion.” ning,” Ash said. “We promised every guy in the venue as a visitor....The for three years. Zach Minter is one of two Bobcats who while I was at Drake that they’d leave with Bulldogs have won 11 games “Actually one of my best friends and I used hail from Arizona. But he will have quite two things: a diploma and a championship to be ball boys for Coach Ash,” Foster said. the cheering section today. His mother, ring. We promise that same thing here at in a row at home...DU is 7-2 As a junior high kid, Foster remembers Dannette’s side of the family is driving up Montana State.” in nine previous match-ups thinking working for a college team was from Chicago. About 28 people will smat- While a handful Montana State players against “as cool as it gets.” He remembers eating ter Drake Stadium wearing specially made and coaches have ties to Drake, most don’t. schools...After a nine-sack chips and drinking Gatorade while dancing Minter t-shirts. Yet the Bobcats still want Ash’s return to performance in their opener around the Bulldogs locker room at halftime “Oh no, that’s a surprise for me for sure,” his hometown to end in celebration. against NAIA Grand View, of games. Minter said bashfully when told about the “We have to get them back, show them Drake currently leads the FCS Now, almost a decade later, Foster returns t-shirts. “They will be there though, for sure why Coach Ash left,” said junior middle in full force. That’s the first time family on linebacker Na’a Moeakiola with a laugh. in sacks...In 2010, Montana to his roots. “It’s going to be awesome; there will be a that side has seen me play in my whole life, “I don’t want to say too much, but we just State posted a 48-21 win over ton of family that have never seen me play in so that’s exciting.” want to go out there and play hard for our DU in Bozeman. Orenzo Davis college and this might be their only opportu- None of Chris Creighton’s players know coach. rushed for 160 yards and two nity,” said MSU’s backup middle linebacker. Ash. Since he took over the program in De- “We are going to have to bring our own touchdowns in the MSU win... “My barber shop is right down the street too. cember of 2007, the 43-year-old has broken energy, our own enthusiasm within the Last season, Drake went 9-2, I might head to my barber shop.” boundaries. Last year, the Bulldogs shared team and just carry that over onto the field. sharing the PFL title. If Foster would have stayed in Des Moines the PFL title. Two years ago, his team trav- We need an electric sideline on the field. to complete his high school career, he may eled to Tanzania to play the first American We just have to be happy and have fun.” bozeman daily chronicle Saturday, September 8, 2012 | G3 2012

#4 // Wide Receiver Jon Ellis G4 | Saturday, September 8, 2012 bozeman daily chronicle bozeman daily chronicle Saturday, September 8, 2012 | G5 FCS Non-Conference BOBCAT GAME DAY Montana State at Drake 5 p.m. Drake Stadium, Des Moines, Iowa CREIGHTON’S WAY over the country that want to compete at the FCS level but Drake experience about don’t give grant-in aid football scholarships. Because the school of less than 3,200 undergrads puts a priority on the classroom, it makes for an interesting collec- much more than football tion of athletes. From aspiring lawyers to future practitio- ners of medicine and pharmacy, Drake is atypical of most By COLTER NUANEZ FCS football teams. Chronicle Sports Editor “One of the most important things at Drake is academics because we don’t have football scholarships,” Moorehead Chris Creighton’s vision is crystal-clear when it comes to said. “Most kids that come to play at Drake are in-tune to his Drake University football team. The program he took academics and love the game of football as well, otherwise over in December of 2007 is based on five tenets, all of they wouldn’t be playing it here. Academics is one of our which concern life much more than they do football. top priorities and we take pride in that.” Strive for academic excellence. Be your best. Embrace the Moorehead is studying to earn a PhD in pharmacy. He’s family the Bulldogs personify. Have fun always, because fun also a two-time All-Pioneer League selection and an NFL has endless personalities. And, most importantly, be impact prospect. On Tuesday, the 6-foot-1, 223-pounder gave an men. interview to the Chronicle shortly after meeting with scouts “We want our program to positively and significantly from the St. Louis Rams. impact our guys’ lives, otherwise my life will be empty The program isn’t unique, but the collection of players when I’m done. If my tombstone is just my win-loss record, is uncommon. So is the path the Bulldogs have traveled. then my life has been a joke,” Creighton said. “We want our Drake last took on Ash and his Bobcats in Bozeman in program to positively impact the world.” 2010. A few weeks before its trip to Bozeman — MSU won, 49-21 ¬— Drake forfeited its postseason tie-ins, instead Heavy words from a man paid to coach a football team, Earl Hulst/DraKE uNIVErsItY but words that his players absorb and exemplify. electing to go on a global adventure. The team elected to participate in the Global Kilimanjaro Chris Creighton is in his fifth season as the head football coach “Absolutely one of the things that Coach Creighton takes at Drake University. so much pride in is being good men at all times,” said se- Bowl, the first game in Africa. While in nior linebacker Tyler Moorehead. “Whether it be commu- Tanzania, the team climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. “That’s sort of a microcosm, even though that’s a macro winning. It’s an “Olympic attitude” because one can win nity service or in the classroom, we want to be impact men. without being one’s best. Whether we are in the community, on the field, we want to trip, of the type of experience we want our guys to have,” Creighton said. You must buy into the concept of family because at the influence people and lead people. end of the day, what else is there? Football must remain fun “And above all, we are a family.” The model Creighton uses is the model Ash used to resurrect the Bulldogs over two decades ago. As Ash’s team because when you were eight years old, were you think- On the surface, it may sound like talking points, coach ing about how much money a professional gets paid? And speak, cliché rhetoric. But at Drake University, things must travels to Des Moines on Saturday for a non-league show- down, the similarities between the two programs remain. whether it’s on the gridiron or in the community, you must be done differently. strive to make an impact. In 1986, the Des Moines, Iowa private school chose to cut “I think that’s the way you build a program is to bring in the right kind of guys who fit academically into the pro- “I have a crystal-clear vision for what I think a football all football scholarships, dropping the team from a Division program can and should be,” Creighton said. “Basically that I-A playing school — the team won the Aloha Bowl in 1981 gram and then train and build them over time,” Ash said. “I’m glad to see Coach Creighton has been able to build vision states that I want to make playing football at Drake — into purgatory. It was uncertain if football would survive. University ONE of the most incredible experiences of our In 1989, current Montana State head coach Rob Ash, that model and perpetuate the success.” One can hear his passion when Creighton communicates guys lives. Not THE most, because that would be pathetic. a Des Moines native, took over. In 18 seasons at the helm But I want their four or five years here to be incredible. For for the Bulldogs, Ash rejuvenated the program and played the five pillars of his program. You must strive for academic excellence, he says, because people come from all over the that to happen, there needs to be deep and real relation- a key role in the founding of the Pioneer Football League. ships with the team, with each other. I want these guys to The PFL is a football-only league made up of members all world to study at Drake. You must always be at your best, which goes far beyond appreciate every minute of it.”

A ROUND ThE BIG SK y ‘Cats become coaches National powers collide in Boone Griz travel to Appalachian No. 9 EaStErN WaShiNgtoN at WaShiNgStoN StatE: The Eagles are State for early showdown fresh off a dominant 20-3 win over FBS Idaho. Now the Eagles and their high-flying By Chronicle Staff passing game led bwide receivers Brandon Kaufman and Nicholas Edwards will look Twelve of the Big Sky Conference’s 13 for a second upset in as many weeks. football-playing schools will hit the grid- iron Saturday. But eyes around the FCS SouthErN utah at Cal: The rigors will be most intently watching the match- continue for star quarterback Brad Sorens- up of No. 11 Montana at No. 12 Appala- en and the Thunderbirds. SUU lost 34-3 at chian State in Boone, North Carolina. FBS Utah State last week and now travel to The showdown pits two of the top FCS Pac 12 Cal for another play-up game. team in the country over the last 25 years. In 24 years at the helm for the Moun- WEbEr StatE at bYu: taineers, head coach Jerry Moore coach The Cougars is 207-80. He is the six-time Southern looked to be in mid-season form during Conference Coach of the Year, has led last week’s 30-6 trouncing of Washington the team to 17 conference titles and won State. Weber fell short, losing to Fresno three straight national championships be- State 37-10 in its opener. tween 2005 and 2007. He’s coached two Unless Mike Hoke can make some mag- Buck Buchanan winners (Dexter Coakley ic in this Beehive State match-up, WSU is in 1995 and 1996) and two Walter Pay- staring a 0-2 start right in the face. ton award winners (Armanti Edwards in 2005 and 2006). PortlaNd StatE at North CHroNIClE FIlE PHoto dakota: Bobby Daly, center with hat, played linebacker for Montana State from 2005-2008. The Helena Since Kidd Brewer Stadium — better This will be a conference game Capital product is now the linebackers coach at Bozeman High School. known as “The Rock” — opened in 1962, the next time the schools square off, but the Mountaineers have lost 62 times at North Dakota will get its first taste of home. The stadium holds nearly 22,000 Big Sky competition in 2012 and it won’t Quintet of former MSU players now Hawk coaches fans. count against its league record. Gazzerro and Groves are rookies all over In the last 25 years — Washington- Both teams played NAIA schools By GIDAL KAISER again. Grizzly opened in Missoula in 1986 — last week, with UND destroying South Chronicle Sports Writer “They love it. I was fortunate,” Purcell UM has lost 20 out of 162 home games. Dakota Mines 66-0 and Portland State said. “The knowledge and stuff those guys The stadium holds 25,204. outlasting Carroll College 38-20. Look at the mug shots from the 2006 bring is really good; they share a lot and In the time span, Montana has won Sac State plays Colorado, U.C. Davis Montana State University media guide, know a lot.” 17 Big Sky titles and has made seven is at San Jose State, and NAU plays at then look around the Bozeman High None have designs of becoming a full- national title appearnces, winning titles UNLV. Northern Colorado and Idaho practice fields. time coach/teacher – though Saucedo in 1995 and 2001. State play Division II teams. You see five faces, and the ex- notes if he gets an opportunity at pressions they hold mirror the the college level “I’ll definitely take faces from the media guide. it.” For now, he’s content to run a They all look the same, give or group home for A.W.A.R.E. Inc and Bozeman take a few years of aging, and consider this his hobby. hold similar expressions. “One way to give back to the Bobby Daly, Eric Fisher, sport and lifestyle I love is to coach; Arborcare Chase Gazzerro, Evin Groves to give kids the blueprint to suc- and Lou Saucedo all came to ceed and the passion and will to do Montana State between 2003 great things,” Saucedo said. Tree Service and 2005, each starting their Saucedo Daly and Groves cited giving journey as Bobcat football back and teaching others as the players. They all went through primary reason they walk around • 4 Certified Arborists on Staff ups and downs – Groves was forced into a giant swath of grass located behind early retirement due to chronic inju- the Bozeman High softball complex for ries, Saucedo missed a full season due roughly three hours a day. They each used • Certified Urban Integrated Pest to academic ineligibility and spent his the word fun multiple times in describ- Management practitioner on staff career moving from the defensive line to ing their feelings towards football and offensive line; on the opposite end, Daly coaching. producedCall two All-America us now seasons for for a FRDalyee sells eSTIMATe! insurance and works at 4800 • Fruit Tree Pruning MSU. Gym; Groves is a music producer for Several years later, they all have sepa- Main Event West; both Gazzerro and rate jobs, separate lives. ButUse one this thing couponFisher work for in town. Yet they all found • Tree Removals brings them together every day of the time to stay connected to the sport that week: being mentors to the Bozeman brought them to the Gallatin Valley. Hawk$ football team. Each of 00them still “Being around these guys … I missed • Large Tree Pruning loves the game and stays connected to it. I missed the game,” Groves said. “These it – and each other – through hours they are the same guys I stepped out on the spend together25 as part of Troy Purcell’s fieldoff with in college. Those are my broth- coaching staff. your next Treeers, and Workit feels like old times out here.” Saucedo is in his third year with Pur- Added Daly: “Football is my first love, GO CATS! cell, second year as defensive coordinator by far, so I have to stay involved,” Daly after former Bobcat Roger Cooper moved said. “I had a lot of great coaches on my Locally owned by Ron and Helen Naffziger. on to coaching. Daly and way to success and I’m hoping I can help www.bozemanarborcare.com • 406-587-5819 Fisher are in their second years while someone do the same thing.” G6 | Saturday, September 8, 2012 bozeman daily chronicle FCS Non-Conference BOBCAT GAME DAY No. 4 Montana State at Drake 5 p.m. Drake Stadium, Des Moines, Iowa The edge Depth chartS MSU oFFenSe dRake deFenSe

Montana State at Drake leFT TaCkle end 55 John Weidenaar 6-7/267 Fr 91 B. Coleman 6-3/266 Jr 71 Alex Eekhoff 6-6/268 Fr 35 Kolby Knuth 6-3/227 So When MonTana STaTe haS The ball leFT gUaRd noSe Rushing: During the first half of Mon- ping the run in an effort to get the Cats 74 Matt Devereux 6-3/287 Fr 93 Brett Park 6-3/283 Jr tana State’s season-opening 33-6 win edge in to long-yardage situations on third 63 Kyle Godecke 6-5/316 Fr 96 Ryan Larson 6-4/277 So over Chadron State, the ‘Cats young of- downs to utilize a pass rush that cur- CenTeR TaCkle fensive line struggled to get a push and rently leads the FCS in sacks. 56 Shaun Sampson 6-0/268 Sr 94 Matt Acree 6-2/284 So worked to find a rhythm. After halftime, Passing: The Bulldogs will be eager 70 Joel Horn 6-4/290 Fr 49 Nick Underwood 5-11/270 So the Bobcats made adjustments, but it to get MSU into third downs so they RIghT gUaRd end was the acclimation to the speed of a can unleash their array of blitzes and 79 Quinn Catalano 6-4/265 So 92 Anthony Gianaras 6-3/246 Sr college game that benefited redshirt cut Moorehead loose. But if Drake al- 72 Charles Lee 6-2/315 Jr 46 Naser Hannoon 6-0/226 Jr freshmen John Weidenaar and Matthew lows MSU to get into short-yardage sit- Devereux and sophomore Quinn Catalano most uations, Bobcat quarterback DeNarius McGhee RIghT TaCkle RoveR in their first college starts. will slice and dice DU’s young secondary. Look 61 Steven Foster 6-5/268 Sr 44 Tyler Moorehead 6-1/233 Sr The results was 142 of 214 MSU rushing yards for receiver Jon Ellis to build on last week’s two- 64 Andy Austin 6-3/284 Jr 54 Mike Cardamone 6-2/205 Fr coming after intermission. touchdown performance and look for Everett QUaRTeRbaCk MIke lInebaCkeR Drake prides itself on the aggressiveness of its Gilbert, Chase Young, Brian Flotkoetter and 9 DeNarius McGhee 6-0/210 Jr 53 Travis Merritt 6-0/223 So front seven. Senior linebacker Tyler Moorehead Tanner Bleskin to get in on the action as well. 2 Jake Bleskin 6-1/186 Fr 51 Seth Hedman 6-4/223 Fr is one of the better players at the position in the McGhee probably won’t top his completion total RUnnIng baCk bUCk FCS. Travis Merritt was an all-conference pick at (29), but he certainly will throw for more than 25 Cody Kirk 5-10/208 Jr 30 John Hugunin 5-11/215 Fr middle linebacker as a freshman. Junior defen- 176 yards. 7 Tray Robinson 6-1/225 Sr 33 Alex Thompson 6-1/231 Fr sive end Brandon Coleman is stout against the run and the pass. Expect Drake to prioritize stop- edge: Montana State X ReCeIveR CoRneRbaCk 86 Tanner Bleskin 6-3/219 Jr 34 John Bloss 6-0/173 Fr When dRake haS The ball 81 Kurt Davis 6-5/210 Jr 22 Brad Duwe 6-0/183 Fr Z ReCeIveR WhIP Rushing: Freshman Gary Scott, Jr. edge and junior middle linebacker Na’a 4 Jon Ellis 5-10/180 Jr 26 Bob Quilico Jr. 6-0/195 Fr rushed for 117 yards in his debut at Moeakiola say has them licking their 84 Brian Flotkoetter 6-2/205 So 48 Jake Underwood 6-1/195 Fr tailback last week for Drake. But that lips. F/Y ReCeIveR FRee SaFeTY was against an NAIA school. Passing: Mike Piatkowski probably 14 Everett Gilbert 5-9/197 Sr 21 Mike Ratelle 6-1/195 Fr Montana State allowed 100 yards has bad memories of the Bobcats. 11 Chase Young 5-11/196 Sr 48 Jake Underwood 6-1/195 Fr rushing to Division II Chadron State The fifth-year senior quarterback was last week, but that was with nary a the starter when Drake came to Boze- TIghT end CoRneRbaCk blitz and with All-America defensive man in 2010. He left the game with a 80 Tiai Salanoa 6-3/255 So 2 Derek Temple 5-10/180 So tackle Zach Minter missing the first quarter do concussion after a controversial late hit and 93 Lee Perkins 6-2/235 So 5 Matt Buckley 6-0/191 Fr to a minor rules infraction. his team left the Gallatin Valley 48-21 losers. kICkeR PUnTeR This week, look for the Bobcat defense to Piatkowski is the key to Drake’s multi-tempo 18 Rory Perez 6-3/185 Jr 19 Jeremy Stein 6-2/185 Jr fly to the football and swarm the Bulldogs’ offense and he has 7, 108 career passing yards rushing attack. Junior defensive end Brad Daly to show for it. If he can stay upright, the Bull- is questionable after injuring his ankle against dogs can hang tough. Easier said than done MSU deFenSe dRake deFenSe CSC, but classmate Preston Gale may actually against an MSU team that was 2nd in the na- be an upgrade against the run. tion in sacks last fall. end leFT TaCkle Drake is working in four new starters on the 41 Brad Daly 6-1/240 Jr 56 Matt Purdom 6-5/302 Sr offensive line, something that both Minter edge: Montana State 34 Preston Gale 6-3/252 Jr 55 Paddy O’Connell 6-3/255 Sr TaCkle leFT gUaRd INTANGIBLES 96 Zach Minter 6-1/297 Sr 73 Zach Bosch 6-5/310 Sr 47 Taylor Dees 6-2/266 So 75 Aaron Johnson 6-5/280 So Drake has won 11 games in a row edge a top-25 program on the brink and noSe TaCkle CenTeR at home and are 21-3 in the last Drake was an FCS mid-major. 50 Craig Ashworth 6-1/281 Jr 74 Troy Whitmer 6-2/284 Sr four seasons under Chris Creighton Today, Drake is still a mid-major, 90 Taylor Sheridan 6-3/264 Fr 79 John McMahan 6-3/265 So at home. The Bulldogs won the while Montana State is among the FCS bandIT RIghT gUaRd Pioneer Football League last season elite. The No. 4 Bobcats have won 17 and are riding high with stars like of their last 22 games since last facing 49 Caleb Schreibeis 6-3/253 Sr 70 Avery Fuhs 6-4/311 Sr Moorehead, Coleman and Piat- Drake. The ‘Cats aspirations go beyond 48 Connor Verlanic 6-4/233 So 63 Eric Pachter 6-3/320 So kowski back for one more year. conference titles and aim at Frisco, Texas, the SaM lInebaCkeR RIghT TaCkle But the Bobcats’ rise has been meteoric. The site for the FCS national title game. 16 Cole Moore 6-2/219 So 72 Vince Israel 6-6/285 Sr last time the two schools faced off, MSU was edge: Montana State 44 Leks Grosulak 5-10/215 Jr 59 Jack Beck 6-4/290 So MIke lInebaCkeR QUaRTeRbaCk oveRall 2 Na’a Moeakiola 5-11/217 Jr 2 Mike Piatkowski 6-1/188 Sr On paper, the match-up looks like one of 51 Michael Foster 6-1/228 So 15 Andy Rice 6-3/208 So mirror images. Both teams rely on fierce front- WIll lInebaCkeR SPlIT end sevens, both teams have experienced, savvy 23 Jody Owens 6-1/218 Sr 17 Nick Rosa 6-0/161 Sr , both teams have head coaches 43 Alex Singleton 6-2/223 So 27 Graham Butler 6-2/184 So who are men of character. But games aren’t boUndaRY CoRneR FlankeR played on paper. Montana State’s talent on 13 Darius Jones 5-10/175 Sr 17 Nick Rosa 6-0/161 Sr the outside — both at wide receiver and in the 22 Eryon Barnett 6-2/195 Jr 27 Graham Butler 6-2/184 So defensive backfield — far outweighs that of the Bulldogs. The Bobcat defense was utterly domi- RoveR TIghT end nate in the team’s opener and the team will be 5 Joel Fuller 6-0/199 Sr 16 Kevin Marshall 6-4/247 Sr hungry to prove it was no fluke. 31 Robert Marshall 6-0/202 So 88 Dan Hohenstein 6-6/247 Jr Rob Ash’s return to a place he coached for 18 FRee SaFeTY J-baCk 44 seasons could be a distraction. Playing in a 10 1 Steven Bethley 5-11/219 Jr 1 Michael Hudson 6-3/212 So hostile environment where the host has won 17 Sean Gords 5-10/188 Jr 10 Jacob Schmudlach 6-2/229 Jr 11 straight could be a challenge. But Montana FIeld CoRneR S-baCk State has bigger aspirations than pseudo- 37 Deonte Flowers 5-11/175 So 5 TJ James 6-0/180 Jr homecomings. MSU will give Ash his first win in his hometown as a visitor. 24 James Andrews 6-1/186 Sr 28 Gary Scott, Jr. 5-9/185 Fr PUnTeR kICkeR Analysis by ColTeR nUaneZ of the Chronicle 18 Rory Perez 6-3/185 Jr 99 Spencer Lee 6-1/186 So

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