Full Paper Saturday, oct. 9 Inside Game vs. portland state D ay PORTLAND STATE AT No. 10 MONTANA STATE, 1:35 P.M. BOBCAT STADIUM — HOMECOMING GAME breaking down INSIDE Barriers McGhee, Burton help make history for African-Americans in Big Sky

By WILL C. HOLDEN Chronicle Sports Writer Chris Wilson went to what he called a “majority-black” NO PASSING FANCY school in Maryland for junior high. In high school, he shifted gears to what he called an “all-white” school at n Vikings more of C.M. Russell in Great Falls. a running team “I can’t sugar coat it,” Wilson said. “That’s just the way it is.” these days I 2 Part of a military family, moving wasn’t unusual for Wilson. But moving to Montana was certainly a culture shock. And listen- ing to him describe the experience is similarly shocking. 5-1? As Wilson, an African-American and n The Chronicle’s current redshirt freshman cornerback for Montana State, traveled around Montana Will Holden handicaps during track season, breaking 100-meter state today’s matchup 6 records nearly every time he ran, he heard a similar I refrain. “There goes the black kid, again.” It wasn’t whispered, though he heard the hushed voices, too. They came as he walked through BIG MIKE the halls of CMR. He said many of n his classmates knew nothing about MSU QB McGhee minorities except “what they saw on lets his father do the T.V., what they heard on the radio or what they read on the Internet.” talking I 2 “There were a lot of stereotypes I had to deal with,” Wilson said. “In my first two years there, I went through a lot of issues with racism. I can’t count on my two hands how Portland State coach many times I’ve been called the “N” w ord .” But for an impressionable teenager, the phone call from a Great Falls police officer ordering Wilson to stop dating his teenage daughter for fear that “a black person would ruin his family” took the cake. “It was one thing hearing stuff like that from people who were immature or uneducated,” Wilson said. “But that was a grown man. That’s not a kid.” Suddenly, the normally extraverted Wilson became an introvert out of necessity. “I wanted to get out of Montana,” Wilson said. “I honestly did.” Then MSU assistant coach Justin Gaines gave Wilson a call. In a state where the African-American population is less than 0.6 percent, Gaines, an African-American who played STILL NO. 1? cornerback for the Montana Grizzlies, became someone n Bozeman, Helena Wilson could confide in. Two years later, Wilson is part of a Bobcat team that is High meet in battle of starting an African-American for the first unbeatens Page B1 time in its long history in a conference that now has its I first African-American coach. More BARRIERS I 5 Printed on recycled paper

Montana State quarterback Denarius McGhee runs the ball against Sacramento State last Saturday.

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Sideline Portland State still figuring itself out Briefing Records By WILL C. HOLDEN Montana State 4-1, 2-0 Big Sky Chronicle Sports Writer Portland State 2-2, 1-0 A season ago, Portland State Series and Montana State romped in a 25th meeting, MSU leads 15-9 Portland rain storm before the Bobcats emerged with a 28-10 Weather forecast win. Oh, how much has changed Sunny, high 66 since then. Crowd For starters, Portland State no longer runs the pass-happy More than 14,000 expected offense of and which was once TV capable of games like the 2007 ABC 28 (Chris Byers, Mike shootout against Weber State Callaghan, AJ Donatoni) in which the Vikings scored 68 points and still lost. Radio Under new head coach Nigel Burton, PSU (2-2 overall, 1-0 KXLB-FM (100.7), Jeff Lasky, ) favors the Dan Davies, Tyler Wiltgen run out of the pistol offense. But just what are these new Vikings Coaches capable of accomplishing? If you ask Montana State head coach Rob Ash, it’s yet to be seen. Why? Because three of the Vikings’ four games this season have come against a pair of Pac- COURTESY OF PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY Portland State junior Cory McCaffrey (1) leads the Vikings with 322 rushing yards and two touchdowns. 10 teams and Idaho State, which has won just three games in the Super Bowl,” Burton said. with the program. It’s a criti- in practice and worried about past three years. But a win is a win. And cism that may never be levied getting hurt, you probably are ROB NIGEL The one game that caught considering they all count the on Burton. Ash said the first going to get hurt,” Burton said. ASH BURTON Ash’s eye was the first win for same in the standings, Burton thing that jumps off the tape “It all starts with the offseason MSU, 4th year PSU, 1st year this new PSU program, a 41-33 said his team isn’t discounting about Burton’s Vikings is their practices. We had 98 percent 31st year overall 4th year overall triumph on the road at UC Da- its 38-3 win over 1-4 Idaho State discipline. participation in terms of guys 24-15 at MSU 2-2 at PSU vis, a future Big Sky Conference last week. “I think Nigel has really done not just being here for the 200-114-5 overall 2-2 overall school. “I think Idaho State was a test an excellent job in his first year,” summer but being at all their “That’s really the only game for us,” Burton said. “As much he said. “(The Vikings) are very workouts. Schedules where you can base some judge- as someone could say that team good at defending the run, they “That was something that Portland State ment,” said Ash, whose team is is kind of shooting itself in the have a skilled secondary and I has never happened at Portland 9 @ Arizona St. 54 4-1, 2-0. “They played very well foot, I think our guys did things like what they’re doing on of- State before.” 41 @ UC Davis 33 against a UC Davis team that to force the issue. We played well fense. Nigel has taken the talent A good contingent of healthy 0 @ 69 went and beat a (Football Bowl when faced with that test and that he had and has molded it players has made Burton’s new 38 Idaho St. 3Subdivision team) from San now it’s on to the next one.” into his schemes very well.” pistol offense easier to install. Today Montana St. 2:05 p.m. Jose State. So I think both teams At the very least, the Vi- Burton believes it’s at least But just how good will the must be pretty good.” kings’ two wins this year have partly due to the new offseason new-look Vikings end up being? 10/16 Montana 6:05 p.m. At the very least, the win over something in common: In each program he has installed at PSU, Right now, Griffin said, it’s a 10/23 @ Weber St. 3 p.m. UC Davis will be one Burton contest, they threw the ball less which Husky trans- work in progress. 10/30 Eastern Washington 6:05 p.m. and his PSU staff will remember. than 25 times. fer Willie Griffin called unique. “I’ve been around a lot of foot- 11/6 @ Sacramento St. 3 p.m. It’s even been immortalized by When was the last time PSU’s “It was so physical,” said Grif- ball programs and I know this 11/13 Northern Colorado 1:05 p.m. a still frame, as Burton and his offense threw that few times? fin, one of the program’s new team can be very good,” Griffin 11/20 @ Northern Arizona 3 p.m. coaches knelt in front of the You guessed it — during that running backs. “I’ve never seen said. “Are we progressing as fast scoreboard for a photo after the 28-10 drubbing in the deluge anything like it.” as we’d like to? Probably not. Montana State game. against MSU. Five games into the season, But we’re working every day and 59 Fort Lewis 10 It’s something Burton said It was the beginning of the the Vikings have only dealt with we’re starting to see results.” 22 @ Wash. St. 23 “will never happen again.” end for Glanville, who resigned two major injuries. In Burton’s Will Holden can be reached at 48 Drake 21 “We’re not going to act like following the season partly due eyes, it’s not a coincidence. [email protected] and 30 Eastern Washington 7 one win is like winning the to criticism that he was too lax “My theory is if you’re passive 582-2690. 64 @ Sacramento St. 61 Today Portland St. 1:35 p.m. 10/16 @ Northern Arizona 4:05 p.m. 10/23 Northern Colo. 1:05 p.m. 10/30 @ Idaho St. 1:35 p.m. 11/6 Weber St. 12:05 p.m. McGhee lets game, ‘Big Mike’ do the talking 11/20 @ Montana 12:05 p.m. Denarius McGhee won’t tell camp, with last year’s starter moved to Euless, Texas, between Players to watch you. Cody Kempt),” Big Mike said. Dallas and Fort Worth. About his name being listed PORTLAND state: QB Connor “And when you’re tied, the job You want Denarius McGhee in Sports Illustrated. Or how Tim always goes to the senior.” to open up? Bring up his father. Kavanaugh is a scrambler and can his teams went 66-3 from Dumas Not this time. When asked about how much make plays when things break seventh grade through high Big Mike wasn’t always big. of an influence he has been, down. Chronicle school. Or how his high school Sports Editor He says he weighed 188 pounds McGhee looks skyward and MONTANA STATE: WR Everett team was in a Gatorade com- during his 13-year stint in the sighs. The kind that says, how Gilbert is a playmaker either mercial that was aired during Army, a period that included can I put this into words? running or catching the football. the NFL playoffs. playing football while stationed “I look to him for everything,” He won’t mention how 17 in Greece. he finally says. “And for love. He Injury report of his classmates signed with That’s why not being able to And he didn’t know he was shows me a lot of love.” Division I football programs, watch Denarius become one of Denarius’ father until a blood McGhee not only is the starter Montana State including Nebraska, Texas, the nation’s top test revealed the truth when his for Montana State, he’s thrown OUT: DE Brad Smith (shoulder), Brigham Young and Oklahoma. “is killing me,” says Gause, son was 7 years old. Until then, for more yards than any other OL Conrad Burbank (knee), Ben Or how some of those schools known simply as “Big Mike” Denarius was living with his freshman in the Football Cham- Tauanuu (leg), LB Dustin O’Connell wanted him — but as a receiver in Texas, where he works for mother in a housing project in pionship Subdivision. Through (collar bone). or cornerback. the sheriff’s department and McComb, Miss., a city that was five games, he has led the Bob- DOUBTFUL: LB Clay Bignell Big Mike will, though. referees volleyball, football and once a focal point of the Civil cats into the red zone 29 times, (ankle). Michael Gause is the one basketball. Rights Movement in the 1960s also an FCS high. (The ’Cats who kept all the news clippings, Big Mike wasn’t sure if Den- — when police and the KKK crossed the opponent’s 20-yard PORTLAND STATE the awards. He attended all of arius would start as a freshman, often clashed. line 40 times last season — in 11 OUT: LB Matt Segi, QB Drew Denarius’ games. Never missed so he never made any travel After finishing sixth grade, games). Hubel (shoulder), OL Zach Dias, OL a football game. Or a basketball plans. little Denarius and Big Mike, Alex Cosenza, WR Salas Louidor. game. A track meet. “He was always tied (in fall in search for a more stable life, More dumas I 5 bozeman daily chronicle Saturday,­ October 9, 2010 | 3 2010

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Willingham at the University “Man, I don’t know about “I think it’s important to un- B i g S K Y Barriers/from 1 of Washington before transfer- that,” he said. “I think our team derstand,” Craney said. “People ring to PSU to play for Burton’s does, though.” sacrificed before us so that I notes For some, the progress staff. The native of Oakland, It’s a team that has never had could play football, so that my symbolized by every snap MSU Calif., said the diversity on each an African-American starting parents could be married, so that 200 FOR ASH: Montana quarterback Denarius McGhee staff was “extremely important” under center. It goes back to the we can have an African-Amer- State’s Rob Ash earned his takes or every play-call PSU to him in making his college late 1980s when the Bobcats last ican quarterback in a place like 200th career NCAA coaching head coach Nigel Burton makes choices. had an African-American take a Montana, where you don’t have victory on Saturday with the today will be hard to notice. But “It gave me a great sense of snap, period. too much diversity. Bobcats’ overtime win over not for Wilson. pride,” Griffin said. “Coach The last such signal callers “I think it’s important to un- Sacramento State. “It’s amazing to see that a Willingham and coach Burton were Antonio Anderson and derstand that things really have Ash has 24 victories in leader of this team, a leader in are two individuals who I think Clarence McKinney, who oc- changed in this country.” his fourth season with the this conference is of color,” Wil- have really helped make progress casionally ran under center in Bobcats. He won 51 games son said. “To see that there’s no in .” Earle Solomonson’s veer offense. SHaring the same field at Juniata from 1980-88. Ash struggle here, no conflict, it’s just Bobcat head coach Rob Ash, McKinney’s last year with the For most teams in present-day then won 125 games in 18 amazing.” who serves as the vice presi- Bobcats was in 1990, after which of college football, the huddle seasons at Drake. Ash is the dent of the he transferred to the University has become a relic of the game’s first coach in Big Sky history Burton sees progress Coaches Association (AFCA), of Mary in North Dakota. past like natural grass, H-shaped to win his 200th career game That this article found its way champions diversity on college While McKinney says he still goal posts or the quick kick. coaching in the league. Ash is into a newspaper irks Burton. He football coaching staffs as well. follows MSU, mostly to keep tabs But Ash hasn’t forgotten what one of seven active coaches at looks forward to a day when this He called the hiring of five on his former high school pro- the huddle can be seen to sym- the FCS level with 200 career story no longer has a place on African-Amer- bolize. wins. this page. ican assistant “We all sweat and bleed the same colors.” “It’s one of the great Ash is one of three coaches But he also knows the facts. coaches on his unifying symbols in to have coached in the Big While strides have been made staff, includ- — Nigel Burton, Portland State head coach our society,” Ash said. Sky to reach 200 career wins. for minority head coaches in ing current “You get guys from Nevada’s Chris Ault cur- the NFL, NBA and even NCAA assistants Kerry all kinds of differ- rently has 211 career wins. men’s basketball, NCAA football Dixon and Gaines, “absolutely tege and current Bobcat running ent backgrounds on Jim Sweeney, who coached lags behind. essential.” backs coach Kerry Dixon, whom the football team, and as you Montana State from 1963- When he was named head “People gravitate to people he coached at Houston Yates go through everything you go 67, finished his career with coach at Portland State in De- they’re comfortable with,” Ash High, he admitted he hasn’t been through on a football field, pretty 200 victories, earning the cember, Burton became one of said. “I think our coaches do a back to Bozeman in years. soon the ways you divide people up get blurred. All that matters is milestone at Fresno State. 32 head coaches of color in all good job of relating to everyone Still, he said, he can’t imag- Ault won 111 games while of college football. That means on the team, regardless of their ine it’s changed much from the that you’re teammates.” It’s one of the reasons why coaching in the Big Sky, a he helps form a faction of less background, but it’s just so es- welcoming place it was almost 20 league record. than 6 percent in a profession of years ago. Burton loves the game of football sential to have diversity on your and believes it’s done wonders 582 that coach a sport where 41 staff. It just assures that every- “When I stepped off the plane ROAD WINS — FINALLY: percent of the participants are of from Houston, Texas, it was defi- combating racism in the United body is going to find somebody States. Northern Arizona, Eastern color. that they’re comfortable with.” nitely a culture shock,” McKin- Washington, Montana and And the percentage of that 41 ney said. “But I must say that the “I look at our team,” Burton Burton’s actions signify his said, “and I see white kids from Montana State all earned percent that have experienced is- agreement with Ash. With people of Bozeman welcomed us road victories last Saturday. sues of racism similar to Wilson with open arms. I couldn’t have Beaverton, Ore., I see black kids five Caucasians, four African- from Oakland, I see Hispanic During the first four weeks of might surprise you, Burton said. asked for a better atmosphere to the season, the only road vic- Americans, two Polynesians and play college football.” kids from Los Angeles, I see “I don’t think there are too Asian kids from Newberg, Ore., I tories by Big Sky teams came many of those guys out there one Libyan on his staff, PSU staff Gaines would have to agree. is one of the most culturally di- see Polynesian kids from Hawaii. by Portland State (at UC who have never had an experi- “Obviously there’s racism “They come together and form Davis) and Northern Arizona ence like that,” Burton said. verse in the Big Sky Conference. everywhere in American, but But to Burton, only two colors a team and it becomes pretty (at Idaho State). But Burton is the first to point I don’t think it’s a major issue hard to hold on to prejudices.” Portland State was the only matter. here,” he said. “Whether it’s out progress, especially the It’s been especially true for home team to win on Sat- “Sweat and blood,” he said. Bozeman or Missoula, fans want progress being made in Oregon Wilson as he’s made the transi- urday. The Vikings opened “We all sweat and bleed the same to see the best players out on the — a place where he says closed- tion from high school to college. their home schedule with a minded people “don’t fair very colors.” field, regardless of the color of “There’s something that the 38-3 win over Idaho State w e l l .” their skin.” The age of Denarius guy across from you can do that at Hillsboro Stadium. Idaho This past January, the Oregon Still, there are frequent re- you can’t do,” Wilson said. “I Senate unanimously passed a bill Despite the fact that it appears minders that African-Americans, State has lost 17 straight road think you get that more in col- conference games and 24 that requires state universities to the spotlight was made for him, measured at 0.33 percent of the lege than you do in high school interview a minority candidate there’s a bashful side to McGhee. Bozeman population as of the straight overall away from because the sense of mind that Pocatello. before hiring a head football And it’s obvious he’s never 2000 census, are a miniscule mi- you gain from high school to coach. been the face of a football pro- nority, even in a university town. college. NO JONES: Eastern Wash- The bill was drafted at the re- gram before. For one, Gaines sometimes “We’re all a family. There is quest of a Portland State student But just five games into his gets his haircut from Wilson ington’s Taiwan Jones sat out no sense of color on the locker last weekend’s 35-24 road win Sam Sachs, who played football college career, it appears evident because “no one else in Bozeman room or on the team or with the for Western Oregon. Sachs is that fans can’t get enough of knows how to cut black hair.” coaches.” over Weber State with an in- white. McGhee’s pinpoint passes or the Jordan Craney laughed and For McGhee, it has gone even jury. Jones still leads the FCS “Once everybody found 100-watts that beam out of every agreed that barbers are often further than that. in all-purpose yards (238.8 out all the facts, it passed very Texas-sized smile. tough to find. But that hair “To step out in front of 14,000 yards per game) and his 129.5 smoothly,” Burton said. “I was When asked about the neces- seems to be the greatest of wor- fans and having this feeling that rushing yards per game is very happy to see it.” sity of the ongoing expansion ries means something to MSU’s they care as much about whether sixth in the nation. Having played for two Afri- of Bobcat Stadium, one booster starting safety, a native of Poca- you win or lose as they do about Jones is expected to play can-American head coaches in said, “Denarius McGhee de- tello, Idaho, which has a similar you as a person, it’s pretty spe- today at home against North- his three years of college football, serves a better place to play.” lack of diversity. cial,” McGhee said. “It’s been an ern Arizona. running back Willie Griffin said When confronted with the Being biracial, Craney knows honor to play here.” information, that McGhee grin he sees what he calls “necessary there was a time when he Will Holden can be reached at Big SkY steps” being made. grows so fast his mouth goes “wouldn’t even have been al- [email protected] and CONFERENCE agape. Griffin played for Tyrone lowed to be here.” 582-2690. Standings Team Conf. All MSU 2-0 4-1 N. Ariz. 1-0 3-1 Portland St. 1-0 2-2 Dumas/from 1 an oncoming linebacker The lesson? “You’re that he could have done potentially get a shot at E. Wash. 2-1 3-2 had his teammate not only as good as your better. the national champion- Montana 2-1 3-2 stepped in the way to cre- Sac. St. 1-2 2-3 One other column weakest player.” If he’s helping the team, s h ip.” ate an opening. Denarius McGhee will only then will he be satis- He doesn’t need Big N. Colo. 1-2 2-3 stands out on the NCAA Weber St. 1-2 2-3 “Everybody was jump- continue to deflect any fied. Mike to tell you that statistics page. McGhee ing on Denarius,” Mike Idaho St. 0-3 1-4 is listed as a sophomore, said of the touchdown attention sent his way. “If we improve each much. Today’s Games though the error can be He won’t acknowledge week,” McGhee says, Tim Dumas can be Idaho St. at Montana, 1 p.m. run’s aftermath, “but Portland St. at MSU, 1:35 p.m. understood: He doesn’t re- nobody said anything to his statistics. He’ll say, “we’ll be that team to beat reached at tdumas@ NAU at E. Wash., 2 p.m. semble a first-year player. the boy who made the even after last week’s and potentially win the dailychronicle.com and N. Colo. at Sac St., 3 p.m. Doesn’t act like one, block.” career (up till now) game, Big Sky and move on to 582-2651. either. “It’s ALL about the team,” McGhee says. “What do your accolades matter?” excelptmt.com | Bozeman 406.556.0562 | Manhattan 406.284.4262 Is this kid really 19? The selfless, down-to- earth, egoless attitude comes from Big Mike. Introducing the newest member of the excel team He says he sat Denarius Specializing in the rehabilitation and prevention down after a seventh- of sports-related injuries grade game in which he ran 75 yards for a touch- down. Big Mike didn’t Jason Lunden, DPT, SCS just attend all of his son’s Board Cert. Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy games, he taped them, too. And it was while Expertise matters watching the film that Mike made sure to point out that Denarius would David Coletta Amy Pakula Jeff Moore Jason Lunden have “gotten smashed” by MPT, CMPT DPT DPT, MTC DPT, SCS 6 | bozeman daily chronicle Saturday, October 9, 2010 BOBCAT GAME DAY Portland State at Montana State 1:35 p.m. Bobcat Stadium

The Edge De p t h c h a r t s Montana State Portland State Po r t l a n d St a t e a t Mo n t a n a St a t e Offense Defense LEFT TACKLE LEFT END When Montana State has the ball 72 Mike Person 6-5/295 Sr 99 Jack Forbes 6-3/225 Jr 70 Killian Fitzpatrick 6-8/270 Fr Passing: Outside of Washington State, EDGE have even more time to dissect defenses 94 Bryant Long 6-3/245 Fr this Portland State secondary may be the today, which isn’t good news for PSU. LEFT GUARD LEFT TACKLE most talented Denarius McGhee has seen Rushing: Don’t be surprised if you 57 Casey Dennehy 6-1/270 So 95 Julious Moore 6-0/290 Fr this season. DeShawn Shead has proven see more of C.J. Palmer this week. In 71 Jesse Hoffmann 6-4/286 Sr 97 Alika Vaiese 6-1/275 Jr his 12-carry, 131-yard, two-touchdown himself at the Big Sky level, and fellow CENTER RIGHT TACKLE corner David Ross, who was ranked the performance in MSU’s 64-61 win over 15th-best corner in the nation coming out Sacramento State last week, Palmer 56 Shaun Sampson 6-0/249 So 92 Travis Beckley 6-4/285 Sr of high school when Nigel Burton recruited showed the kind of speed that has kept 61 Alex Terrien 6-4/285 Jr 98 Josh ah Toon 6-3/280 Fr him to Oregon State, has no business being him from being a feature back his whole RIGHT GUARD RIGHT END in the Big Sky. Throw in ballhawking safety Manoa career. And following that performance, he got much 61 Alex Terrien 6-4/285 Jr 93 Carl Sommer 6-4/260 Jr more work in practice this week than he has at any Latu, another member of Burton’s outstanding first 71 Jesse Hoffmann 6-4/286 Sr 32 Brian Walters 6-0/220 Sr recruiting class, and you see why even a team like other point this season. If Orenzo Davis isn’t careful, Arizona State wasn’t able to decimate the Vikings he may end up becoming the change of pace back RIGHT TACKLE LINEBACKER through the air. with Palmer getting the majority of the carries. 50 Leo Davis 6-4/271 Jr 42 Joel Sisler 6-2/210 So With sizable and rangy corners like Shead and Both should have success against Portland State’s 70 Killian Fitzpatrick 6-8/270 Fr 40 Quinn Stewart 6-2/220 Jr Ross, don’t expect another huge day from Julius run defense, which, regardless of the presence of QUARTERBACK LINEBACKER Lloyd or Elvis Akpla. But McGhee has shown he can solid linebackers like Ryan Rau and D.J. Macarthy, 9 Denarius McGhee 6-0/197 Fr 56 Ryan Rau 6-1/230 Jr get by when opposing teams work to take away is bad. Say what you will about the Oregon Ducks those weapons. And because PSU doesn’t have and how they’re going to run the ball on anybody, 12 Cody Kempt 6-2/211 Sr 44 Shane Melbo 6-1/220 Jr any linebackers or safeties who can stick with slot good rush defenses never give up 528 yards to any RUNNING BACK LINEBACKER receivers like Everett Gilbert, DeSean Thomas and opponent. I know the Vikings held both UC Davis 8 Orenzo Davis 5-9/185 Jr 41 DJ Macarthy 6-0/235 Sr Kruiz Siewing, along with tight ends like Kyle Begger and Idaho State to under 76 yards on the ground, but 20 C.J. Palmer 6-0/210 Jr 54 Jaycob Shoemaker 6-0/230 So and Shane Robison, expect those players to come to both teams are the worst at running the ball in their W RECEIVER CORNERBACK the forefront today. respective conferences. But the key to all of this is still McGhee. As good Meanwhile, MSU is the best rushing offense in the 14 Everett Gilbert 5-9/180 So 6 David Ross 6-0/180 Jr as the Vikings may be in coverage, they can’t cover Big Sky, averaging five yards a carry with 12 rushing 27 DeSean Thomas 6-1/180 Jr 25 Michael Williams 5-9/165 So forever. And while Viking defensive end Carl Sommer, touchdowns. And the Bobcats may even get two X RECEIVER STRONG SAFETY another Oregon State transfer, has made strides, starting offensive lineman back this week. They have all 1 Elvis Akpla 6-1/187 Jr 15 Manoa Latu 6-1/205 Jr PSU’s pass rush is more anemic than the ones MSU the personnel they need to run on the Vikings today. 86 Tanner Bleskin 6-3/210 Fr 27 Donte Almond 6-2/195 Jr has faced the past two weeks. It means McGhee will Edge: Montana State Z RECEIVER FREE SAFETY When PORTLAND STATE has the ball 82 Julius Lloyd 6-0/184 Sr 22 Nathan Snow 5-11/190 So 10 Kruiz Siewing 5-11/182 So 2 Nick Green 6-2/200 So Passing: The strong statement made Rushing: Going back to the point just about the Bobcats’ pass defense in this EDGE made, keeping a lid on Kavanaugh is the TIGHT END CORNERBACK column last week was supported over the key to slowing all aspects of the PSU 81 Kyle Begger 6-2/245 Jr 24 Deshawn Shead 6-2/195 Jr first 30 minutes against the Hornets, as attack, and that includes rushing. In 88 Shane Robison 6-5/250 Jr 29 Denzel Davis 5-9/170 So MSU held Sac State quarterback Jeff Flem- wins against UC Davis and Idaho State, KICKER PUNTER ing to 51 yards on less than a 50 percent Kavanaugh rushed for over five yards a 15 Jason Cunningham 6-1/162 Jr 30 Thomas Duyndam 6-4/215 So completion rate while picking him off carry. That forces defenses to key on PSU’s twice. But everything changed in the third quarterback, which opens up holes for quarter, when MSU gave up a staggering the crafty Cory McCaffrey, who gained an Defense Offense 258 pass yards, with Fleming completing 15 of 24 astounding 8,460 yards in three years in high school, BANDIT LEFT TACKLE passes for 258 yards and three touchdowns. and the speedy Washington Husky transfer Willie 90 Dan Ogden 6-0/270 Sr 79 Dustin Waldron 6-6/280 Jr The true Bobcat pass defense is somewhere in Griffin. 51 Nick Gale 6-4/280 So between. It obviously hurt them a week ago not In the Bobcats’ 28-10 win in an ugly, rainy game in 34 Preston Gale 6-2/239 Fr having Jordan Craney, having Darius Jones play Portland last year, they held Kavanaugh to 67 yards TACKLE LEFT GUARD with a massive cast and having to rely more on true on 20 carries. He was sacked four times and passed 96 Zach Minter 6-2/277 So 67 Manuel Rojas 6-2/290 So freshmen Sean Gords and Steven Bethley. All those for 67 yards. But the Bobcats had the services of Clay 63 Zach Logan 6-3/295 Fr 51 Nick Gale 6-4/280 So parties should be back at full strength and with Bignell, who led the team with eight tackles and 2.5 NOSE TACKLE CENTER more seasoning this week, so it stands to reason that tackles for a loss in that game, and a very healthy against Portland State’s passing offense, which looks defense line, which logged 2.5 of those four sacks. It’s 45 Jason D’Alba 6-2/277 Sr 61 Adam Kleffner 6-3/310 Jr even more lethargic than Sac State’s did coming in, very likely the Bobcats will have neither today. 98 Christian Keli’i 6-0/282 So 72 Dalton Jasso 6-2/280 So a return to form for MSU’s pass defense, which was Expect Bignell, who didn’t practice all week, to miss END RIGHT GUARD the second best in the conference before the Hornet his second straight game with an ankle sprain. Expect 11 John Laidet 6-5/250 Jr 66 Mitch Gaulke 6-2/265 Fr game, could be in order. defensive tackle Dan Ogden, who is consistently 49 Caleb Schreibeis 6-3/245 So 73 Seth Giandomenico 6-4/275 Jr The key for the Vikings, like MSU, is their quarter- banged up, to continue to have pains — growing back. Connor Kavanaugh is not a great passer, but he and otherwise — as he shifts to defensive end to SAM LINEBACKER RIGHT TACKLE has a knack for avoiding pressure, which helps him make up for the loss of Dustin O’Connell. Players 44 Aleksei Grosulak 5-10/250 Fr 69 Kyle Ritt 6-2/290 So find open receivers and scramble for big gains. The like Aleksei Grosulak, filling in for Bignell, and Zach 9 Roger Trammell 6-1/230 Jr 64 Mitchell Van Dyk 6-9/270 Fr key for MSU today will be containing him, which may Minter, who is getting more work at defensive tackle, MIKE LINEBACKER QUARTERBACK be tough for a battered MSU defensive line. But these will have to prove they can play a full 60 minutes 42 Clay Bignell 6-2/236 Jr 10 Connor Kavanaugh 6-0/180 Jr PSU receivers aren’t exactly special, so at the very today. After getting scared last week at Sacramento least, don’t expect MSU to be gashed through the air State, expect that they will. 44 Aleksei Grosulak 5-10/250 Fr 14 Tygue Howland 6-3/220 Sr for a second straight week. Edge: Montana State WILL LINEBACKER RUNNING BACK 23 Jody Owens 6-1/214 So 1 Cory McCaffrey 5-9/180 Jr special teams 59 Tanner Ripley 6-1/214 Sr 28 Willie Griffin 5-8/195 Jr TIGHT END Kicking & punting: MSU continues On the flip side, Montana State did man- BOUNDARY CORNER to excel in both areas. Jason Cun- EDGE age to block the game-tying field goal try 26 Arnold Briggs 5-10/185 Sr 91 Rory Richards 6-3/225 Sr ningham has proven he has ice in his from Sacramento State last week, so PSU 17 Sean Gords 5-10/185 Fr 81 Julius Thomas 6-5/240 Sr veins, as he’s 13 of 14 on field goals this has to be prepared too. FREE SAFETY RECEIVER year with one game-winner and one Returns & coverage: Everett Gilbert 22 Michael Rider 5-11/196 Sr 83 Nick Hutter 5-11/180 Sr 55-yarder. and Orenzo Davis have put together Returners have still only gained some nice kickoff returns this season, 32 A. Cosme-Peko 5-11/209 Sr 12 Kalua Noa 6-1/205 So two yards off of Rory Perez’s hang but other than that both teams are ROVER RECEIVER time-heavy punts. Kicker Zach Brown, rather pedestrian when it comes to 7 Jordan Craney 6-1/205 Sr 84 6-2/185 So an all-conference selection last year, returning. 5 Joel Fuller 6-0/200 So 85 Nevin Lewis 6-2/195 So and punter Thomas Duyndam have been equally As far as covering kicks and punts, both teams FIELD CORNER FLANKER deadly for the Vikings. have been solid. The key for both teams will be blocking for kicks And a week after seeing onside kicks attempted 13 Darius Jones 5-10/167 So 5 Ray Fry 5-8/180 Sr and punts. The Bobcats have missed five point- by each team at Sac State, don’t expect to see 24 James Andrews 6-1/187 Jr 87 Keitrell Anderson 5-9/170 So after tries this season because of shoddy blocking anything as whacky this week. PUNTER KICKER and they even had a punt blocked last week, too. Edge: Montana State 18 Rory Perez 6-2/180 Fr 19 Zach Brown 6-1/180 So

HANDCRAFTED CUISINE NEW 2011 overall Portland State has the ability to sneak up on teams this season, and its talented secondary and run-based pistol offense could both give FREE MSU trouble. But Montana State has too much WI-FI firepower on offense and will be too motivated on defense for the Vikings to have a chance at slipping by in Bozeman today. The Bobcats come out firing on all cylinders once again, and this time they manage to put their opponent away in LOWEST UP FRONT PRICED DEALER IN THE U.S., the second half. true food cafe GUARANTEED

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