mmontanaontana sstatetate ffootballootball 22013013

DeNarius McGhee Preseason Big Sky Offensive MVP

Cody Kirk, RB Brad Daly, DE Tanner Bleskin, WR Preseason All-Big Sky Preseason All-Big Sky Preseason All-Big Sky 22013013 BBobcatobcat FFootballootball QQuickuick FFactsacts Name (Founded) ...... Montana State University (1893) Location ...... Bozeman, MT Enrollment ...... 14,100 President ...... Dr. Waded Cruzado Athletic Director .... Peter Fields (Maine-Presque Isle/’79) ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS Assistant AD, Media Relations/FB Contact ...Bill Lamberty Offi ce/Cell Phone ...... 406/994-5133, 406/580-6781 E-mail Address ...... [email protected] Sports Information Director ...... Tom Schulz Offi ce/Cell Phone ...... 406/994-5130, 406/580-6786 E-mail Address ...... [email protected] Assistant Director/New Media ...... Leslie Masterpaul Offi ce Phone ...... 406/994-5349 E-mail Address ...... [email protected] Athletics Fax Number ...... 406/994-2278 2012 REVIEW Web Site ...... www.msubobcats.com Record Overall/Conference ...... 11-2/7-1, T1st # Weeks Ranked ...... 15 TEAM INFORMATION Final Ranking ...... 5/5 Affi liation/Conference ...... NCAA DI FCS/Big Sky FCS Playoffs ...... 16-10 vs. Stony Brook, 16-34 vs. Sam Houston Nickname ...... Bobcats Colors ...... Blue, gold 2012 RESULTS Stadium ...... Bobcat Stadium Aug 30 Chadron State W 33-6 20,767 Capacity ...... 17,777 Sep 8 at Drake W 34-24 3,558 Turf ...... FieldTurf Sep 15 Stephen F. Austin W 43-35 17,147 Primary Offense/Defense ...... One-back/4-3 Sep 22 *Northern Colorado W 41-16 18,637 Sep 29 *at Southern Utah W 24-17 8,417 COACHING AND SUPPORT STAFF Oct 6 *at UC Davis W 48-41 9,877 (Cornell, Ia., ‘69) HEAD COACH Oct 13 *Eastern Washington L 24-27 20,477 Overall Record: 226-121-5, 33 yrs at MSU: 50-22, 7th yr Oct 27 *North Dakota W 55-10 17,137 Jamie Marshall (Drake ’99) Def. Coord./Secondary (7th) Nov 3 *at Sacramento State W 20-17 7,143 Tim Cramsey (New Hampshire ‘99) Off. Coord./QBs (1st) Nov 10 *Portland State W 65-30 15,177 Daniel Da Prato (UL-Monroe, ‘04) Special Teams/TE (2nd) Nov 17 *at Montana W 16-7 26,210 Jason McEndoo (Wash. St. ‘98) Offensive Line (11th) Dec 1 $Stony Brook W 16-10 15,257 Brian Von Bergen (Illinois ‘92) Receivers (5th) Dec 7 $Sam Houston State L 16-34 16,417 Demo Odems (Iowa ‘96) Running Backs (2nd) Bo Beck (Colorado St. ‘02) Def. Line/Recr. Coord. (7th) 2013 SCHEDULE (Mountain time unless noted) Kane Ioane (MSU ‘05) Linebackers (9th) Aug 29 Monmouth ...... 7:05 pm Brandon North (SFA ‘03) Secondary Asst. (3rd) Sept 7 at SMU ...... 7 pm CT Michael Rider (MSU ‘11) Defensive Line Asst. (1st) Sept 14 Colorado Mesa ...... 1:05 pm Clay Bignell (MSU, ‘12) Defensive Intern Sept 21 at Stephen F. Austin ...... 6 pm CT/5 pm MT Mike Piatkowski (Drake, ‘13) Offensive Intern Sept 28 *at North Dakota ...... 2:35 pm CT Oct 5 *NAU ...... 2:05 pm Offi ce Coordinator Colleen Reyes Oct 12 Open Video Coordinator Garrett Becker Oct 19 *at Weber State ...... 3:35 pm Athletic Trainer Rob Higgs Oct. 26 *UC Davis ...... 2:05 pm Equipment Manager Scott Gifford Nov 2 *at Northern Colo...... 1:35 pm Nov 9 *at Eastern Wash...... 12:05 pm PT Nov 16 *Southern Utah ...... 4:05 pm Nov 23 *Montana ...... 12:05 pm 2013 PERSONNEL BREAKDOWN Starters Returning: Offensive/Defensive/ST ...... 8/6/2 Offensive Lettermen Returning/Lost ...... 18/7 Defensive Lettermen Returning/Lost ...... 19/7 Specialist Lettermen Returning/Lost ...... 2/2 Specialists Returning/Lost ...... 2/1 22013013 BBobcatobcat FFootballootball - OOutlookutlook BBigger.igger. BBetter.etter. BBobcatobcat SStadiumtadium PProvidesrovides CCatat FFansans TThrillinghrilling EnvironmentEnvironment Table of Contents When Montana State stormed out of the home team club- Media Information ...... 2 house to the approving roar of nearly 19,000 Bobcat fans Outlook ...... 3-9 last on Septmeber 10, 2011, a new era in Montana State Position Capsules ...... 10-12 football began. Notebook ...... 13 Barely 500 days in, that era already has earmarks of Roster ...... 14-15 unqualifi ed success. MSU stands 12-3 in home games since Depth Chart ...... 15 the Stadium’s re-christening with over 18,000 fans pouring Coaches ...... 17-21 through the turnstiles for each of those games. Players ...... 23-43 Th e Bobcats christened the newest iteration of Bobcat Stadium that day with a 38-14 win over future Big Sky rival Personnel Breakdown UC Davis in front of the largest crowd in school history. Reno H. Sales Stadium, Th e Zone stadium expansion project, initi- 2013 RETURNER SUMMARY upon completion in 1973. ated just more than a year earlier, culminated in a modern Starters Returning: Offense/Defense/ST ...... 8/6/2 and beautifully simple design that gives Montana State among the fi nest football stadiums in Offensive Lettermen Returning/Lost ...... 19/12 the FCS. Defensive Lettermen Returning/Lost ...... 25/4 While the team’s new surroundings stole headlines early in the season, its play became Specialists Returning/Lost ...... 2/1 the story as the fall progressed. Th e Bobcats strung together nine straight wins at one point, fi nishing with a 10-3 record and a share of the Big Sky Conference title for the second straight OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING Tanner Bleskin, WR 6-3/212/Sr 2,563 career rec yes season. Th e team’s 10 wins marked the most at MSU since the 1984 National Champions won Quinn Catalano, OG 6-4/281/Jr 2nd-year starter 12. Th e Bobcats followed that with another 10-win regular season (and 11 total) in 2012. Jon Ellis, WR 5-10/179/Sr 555 receiving yards in 2012 Th e newly-renovated Bobcat Stadium is a far cry from Montana State’s modest football be- Kyle Godecke, OG 6-5/300/So Started 7 games in 2012 ginnings, although in a contemporary context Bobcat football has always enjoyed outstanding Cody Kirk, RB 5-10/213/Sr 29 career rushing TDs facilities. After playing at the Fairgrounds in the 19th century Montana State football moved DeNarius McGhee, QB 6-0/210/Sr 8,441 career passing yards to a fi eld on the north end of campus, then in 1930 dedicated Gatton Field to Bobcat great and Tiai Salanoa, TE 6-3/255/Jr ...2012 starter, battled injuries World War I casualty Cyrus Gatton. John Weidenaar, OT 6-7/277/So .... Started all 13 games in ‘12 After four decades playing on the current site of MSU’s physical education complex, across the street DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING from Romney Gym, the Cats played in 1972 at Bozeman Craig Ashworth, NT 6-1/275/Sr .. 12-game starter at NT in ‘12 High’s Van Winkle Stadium, moving to the Stadium’s Steven Bethley, S 5-11/213/Sr ...... 3 Int, 2 FR in ‘12 current site across Kagy Boulevard into the Reno H. Sales Brad Daly, DE 6-1/240/Sr ...... Two-year starter Stadium the next season. Deonte Flowers, CB 5-11/180/Jr ...... Two-year starter Na’a Moeakiola, LB 5-11/214/Sr ...... 3 ‘11 interceptions Montana State’s new football home was seen as befi t- Cole Moore, LB 6-2/223/Jr ...... 2011 All-America ting a traditional championship program in the early ‘70s, and was named for a man tied deeply to the University SPECIALISTS RETURNING and its football program. Reno H. Sales was a member of Rory Perez, P/K 6-3/185/Sr ...... 2-year starter the school’s fi rst graduating class and fi rst football team, and after relocating to Butte upon graduation became a world-renowned geologist. His generous gift helped fund Bobcat legends Max Worthington, Credits construction of the Stadium. and Sonny Holland check Bobcat Football’s 40 years at 11th and Kagy have pro- out the result of the ‘98 renovations. The 2013 Bobcat Football Guide was written by MSU vided MSU fans a lot of thrills. Th e team has won 10 Big Sports Information Director Bill Lamberty and designed byTom Schulz, with copy editing by Tom Stuber. Pho- Sky crowns at its current location, and the program’s leading rusher, passer, receiver and tackler tography by Dean Hendrickson, Tina Haines, and Mark all called that site home. MacLeod. In 1998, MSU’s home fi eld was renamed Bobcat Stadium after extensive renovations that completely replaced the west (press box side) grandstands. Th e addition of 32 sky suites and a new press box, along with team houses in the north end zone modernized the aging facility, and created recruiting and competitive boosts that led to Big Sky Championships in 2002, 2003 and 2005.

BBobcatobcat SStadiumtadium AAttendancettendance RRecordsecords Year Record ...... Total Average Kevin Frey 1. 2012 6-2 ....141,016 17,627 2. 2011 6-1 ....119,499 17,071 3. 2010 6-1 ....100,089 14,298 4. 2007 4-2 ...... 85,472 14,245 5. 2005 6-0 ...... 82,262 13,710 6. 2008 4-2 .....80,433 13,406 7. 2009 4-2 ...... 79,696 13,283 8. 2006 3-3 .....89,309 12,758 9. 1993 4-2 .....58,522 12,617 10. 2004 4-2 ...... 74,192 12,365 MMontanaontana StateState University’sUniversity’s BBestest ofof thethe BBestest Rob Ash Alex Willcox 2012 AFCA Region 5 Co-Coach of the Year 2012-13 Samson Equipment FCS Strength 2011 Liberty Mutual FCS Coach of the Year Coach of Year  When Rob Ash fi nished 2012 with 50  Bobcat Strength and Conditioning Coach Alex wins he became the all-time wins leader at Willcox was named FCS Strength Coach of the Year by all three of his head coaching stops, MSU, Samson Equipment Drake, and Juniata  Willcox played football at Iowa, and entered the  Rob Ash becomes the third coach in strength training profession at that school Bobcat history to win three Big Sky titles, although no one else has led the program  He is credited for improving MSU’s strength train- to three consecutive crowns ing program markedly  Bobcat Football compiles over 800 community service hours each season Peter Fields 2011 NACDA Division I FCS West Region AD of the Year  Rob Ash served as Coaches Association President in 2011  MSU has won six conference football championships during his 11 years as Director of Athletics, and fi ve Big Sky titles in other sports Jason McEndoo  Bobcat student-athletes combined to win the 2011 Big Sky Presi- 2011 AFCA Assistant Coach of Year dent’s Cup and the 2012 Big Sky Men’s All-Sports Trophy  Jason McEndoo begins his 11th season at  Montana State has won Big Sky titles in football, track, tennis and Montana State having coached 10 First women’s basketball since Fields was hired at MSU Team All-Big Sky players and eight All- Has served as President of FCS Athletic Directors and College Americas  Athletics Business Management As-  One of McEndoo’s off ensive linemen has sociation during his career, in which served as a team captain in nine of his 11 seasons he has worked at Toledo, Kent State, and Missouri  A former Pac 10 student-athlete at Washington State, McEndoo played for the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks in the  Named College Athletics Busi- NFL, and former Bobcat off ensive lineman Mike Person cur- ness Management Manager of the rently plays for the Seahawks Year in 2004, and serves on numer- ous NCAA and Big Sky committees PPreseasonreseason HHonorsonors CCandidatesandidates BBradrad DDalyaly CCodyody KKirkirk DDefensiveefensive EndEnd RRunningunning BackBack  Preseason All-America  Preseason First Team All-Big Sky

 Preseason First Team All-Big Sky  29 career rushing touchdowns, tied for fi rst in MSU history  Active FCS leader in sacks (20.0), the 10th-best mark in MSU history  2,334 career rushing yards, 7th in MSU history G TT TL S PB H FR FF BK 2012 12 46 9.5 5.5 2 0 2 0 0 G Rush Yds TD Rec Yds TD 2011 12 31 13 12.5 0 7 0 2 0 2012 11 171 841 13 18 175 1 2009 10 10 2 2 1 1 0 1 2 2011 13 241 1351 14 23 271 0 2010 12 30 457 2 1 7 0 PPreseasonreseason HHonorsonors CCandidatesandidates “I think DeNarius McGhee is one of the best ever to play FCS football. When you look at his record of DDeNariuseNarius McGheeMcGhee success, it is almost incredible. He has an uncanny ability to lead his team, and QQuarterbackuarterback he does it one play at a time, one third Montana State’s DeNarius McGhee, the Bobcats’ down conversion at a time, one score representative at the 2013 Big Sky Conference Kickoff, at a time, one comeback at a time. He enters his senior season as one of the most prolifi c never gets rattled and he never quits players in MSU - and Big Sky Conference - history. and he repeatedly fi nds a way to make McGhee’s 263.18 career total yards per game is 11th in a crucial play. But best of all, he is one league history, and his 10,001 career total yards is the of the most unselfi sh players I have 2nd-highest total in school history. ever coached. He has never focused on individual awards; he has only ever  All-America, 2012 (AFCA, 2nd Team Phil Steele) focused on winning games with his team. And that is probably why he has  Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year, 2010 & 2012 won so many individual awards and  First Team All-Big Sky, 2010 & 2012 deserves to win many more.” -MSU Head Coach Rob Ash  Payton Award Finalist, 2010- 12

 Payton Award Preseason Watch List, 2013

 MSU record 30 career wins as starting

 Two-Time Sonny Holland MSU Offensive MVP

 Touchdown passes in 37 of his 38 games

 2010 National FCS Freshman of the Year (CFPA)

A-C-I Pct Yds TD Pass Eff Rush Yds TD 2012 430-284-11 .660 3,154 24 140.96 137 364 5 2011 331-202-14 .610 2,799 24 147.53 90 340 5 2010 362-227-6 .627 3,163 23 253.75 80 181 2 1,123-713-31 .635 9,116 71 307 885 12 BBack-to-Back-to-Backack-to-Back-to-Back BigBig SSkyky CChamps!hamps! It seems like many things changed in Big Sky Conference football in the past year, with the league welcoming four new football members in 2012 season.SATURDA At Montana State,Y though, there is a sense of stability. The Bobcats have sharedI threeS straight FO leagueR titles, improving the team’s record in fi ve straight seasons. Rock-solid defense and an explosive, creative off ensive attack stand as program hallmarks.FOOTBALL Rob Ash arrived as Montana State’s football coach in The national profi le of Bobcat Football took a June of 2007. But in reality, Ash arrived on a blustery dramatic step forward last December, when senior November afternoon in 2012, when he was carried defensive end Caleb Schreibeis (right) was intro- off the fi eld on the shoulders of his players with the duced as the 2012 Buck Buchanan Award winner school’s career wins record in his hip pocket. Ash posed as the top defensive player in the FCS. Schreibeis’ with Sonny Holland, the man he fi rst joined then re- dominant season certainly stands on its own - his placed on the top of that list, but importantly Ash took eight fumbles forced led the nation and his 15 a step toward being embraced as a great fi gure in the tackles-for-loss and 12.5 sacks were also among the program’s history by admitting that no one will ever country’s best marks. Remarkably, Schreibeis wasn’t replace the beloved Holland. Ash now stands atop even on the Buchanan Watch List until the season’s the coaching wins list at three diff erent schools. fi nal week, an ascension which mirrors his career - Schreibeis was a walk-on at MSU who wasn’t on a full scholarship until his sensational senior season.

Three straight Big Sky titles attest to Montana State’s success on the fi eld, but you don’t even have to get to Bobcat Stadium on a home game weekend to see the loyalty and passion of Bobcat fans. Thousands fl ock to the Stadium early Saturday - some on Friday night - to revel in the fantastic home atmosphere of Bobcat games.

Montana State’s football tradition reaches across the centuries, but since Bobcat Title Timeline World War II the Bobcat program has produced excellence on the fi eld Posting a In spite of non-league losses 1-1-1 mark to Oregon, BYU and Hawaii, against the Gridcats rolled over their conference only two league rivals. Although rivals, Rocky Mountain offi cials initially Montana ruled that the league title was State unclaimed because no team claimed its Montana State unveiled the played enough games, the RMC fi rst league currently lists the Bobcats as Montana State fi nished the season with a 4-0 crown ‘T’ formation for the fi rst mark in the Rocky Mountain Conference, and time in the school’s annals, 1947 champions although it fell one game short of qualifying for and behind quarterback a league championship the Bobcats enjoyed Gene Bourdet clinched the their best conference season in the league’s RMC title with a season- confi guration that included Colorado, Utah, BYU ending win at Colorado and Wyoming Mines

1926 1938 1946 1947 SATURDAY complished a lot, and who also have a IS FOR lot of good things in front of them.” OFFENSE Thirteen thousand yards. The 2012 Bobcat defense was also FOOTBALL blessed with a ridiculous abundance of Montana State’s offensive Big Three talent. Linebacker Jody Owens won Big has rocketed past that cumulative total Rob Ash has coached football for many Sky Defensive MVP honors, while team- since 2010, when quarterback DeNarius years, and during each season he re- mate Caleb Schreibeis earned the Buck McGhee took the reins at quarterback. members to pause. Running back Cody Kirk joined the start- ing lineup and Tanner Bleskin the rotation He remembers to take at receiver shortly after, and they have a look at his players as formed the core of the offense ever since. MIKE BASHOR MIKE individuals and as student- athletes. And if his visage Offensive football in the 21st century lingers on certain players starts with the trigger man, and that is longer than others, young emphatically true in Bozeman. DeNarius men who have given a McGhee has started all 38 games since great deal to he program he he joined the Bobcat varsity, and has leads, who can blame him? thrown a touchdown in 37 of them.

“I think I do that ev- Think about that for a second. ery year with our seniors, especially the seniors we The game McGhee missed flinging a bring in as freshmen,” strike into the end zone was the contest says Ash, in his seventh at Sacramento State last November 3, year on the sidelines at when the team grinded out a gut-twisting Montana State. “When a 20-17 win. McGhee threw for only 105 guy’s been with you for All-Big Sky running back Cody Kirk yards that day, but Cody Kirk battered five years, you get used to the Hornets for 129 rushing yards. having him around, espe- cially the players that make progress, get- Buchanan Award as the top defensive player That warm afternoon in Superior Califor- ting better all the time. It’s so fun to watch.” in the FCS. On top of that, two-time All- nia stands out for something more important Big Sky tackle Zach Minter, after battling than whether or not McGhee completed There will be plenty of opportunities for injuries throughout the season, opens the a touchdown pass, however, because he Ash to watch and enjoy the 2013 seniors. summer in camp with the Chicago Bears. led his team out of Hornet Stadium with That is good, because for the second straight Darius Jones was one of the most productive a win. That marked his 27th victory as season, some of MSU’s all-time players cornerbacks in the Big Sky, and safety Joel MSU’s starting quarterback, surpassing the are concentrated on one side of the ball. Fuller was a two-time All-Big Sky selection. record held by Paul Dennehy, who watched This season, that is the case on offense. that game from the sideline. McGhee But much talent remains. And Ash enters his senior season with 30 wins. “It’s very cool watching DeNarius (Mc- knows that he will take the appropri- Ghee) throw to Tanner (Bleskin), because ate time through the course of the And if that statistic doesn’t summarize they’ve been throwing together since scout 2013 campaign in appreciation. McGhee’s time at Montana State well team. Add (running back) Cody Kirk, and enough, Ash does so even more suc- that is three players who have really ac- cinctly. “DeNarius is a winner,” he says.

1954 team captains Tom Parac and Bill Roney (left) The 1956 Bobcat national champions

Led by a “Iron Tumbleweed” bruising line, Bobcats claim fi rst Big Sky Don Haas anchored by Championship in league’s second all-league season under direction from Don Hass, Twice was nice picks Ron legendary coach Jim Sweeney MSU’s in 1967, as MSU Warzeka and legendary Iron ran to a second Ray Schoessler, Tumbleweed, straight Big Sky MSC rolled up rushed for title on the strength an 8-1 record Montana State wins Rocky Mountain Conference title in its last year in that league, and 1,460 yards to of All-America and a Rocky lead MSU to a tailback Don Hass’ Mountain title after a tie in the fi rst ever NAIA National Championship game, the Aluminum Bowl, earns school’s fi rst national championship Big Sky title second straight 1,000-yard rushing season 1954 1956 1964 1966 1967 That change has hit no position group ers in the nation to man that position as a harder in the past calendar year than the frosh for a top 25 FCS team. Alex Eekhoff, offensive line through the normal attrition of who also saw considerable action last fall, graduation. Not a single player from the depth enters 2013 as the starting right tackle. chart of MSU’s final game of 2011 plays for the Bobcats in the O-line in 2013, and the Two subtle points stand as cogent regarding 2012 front featured four new starters. But two MSU’s 2013 offensive line. First, every single of those players - relocated tight end Steven player on the preseason two-deep is eligible Foster and center Shaun Sampson - were to return in 2014, so this group can accurately fifth-year seniors who had seen considerable be viewed as a multi-season proposition. action. Ash cautions not to underestimate that factor when evaluating the 2013 offensive line. Second, offensive line coach Jason McEn- doo, arguably the most accomplished assistant “The experience of Shaun and Steven re- in MSU and possibly Big Sky Conference ally allwoed our offensive line to function at history, is committed to the idea of getting a high level” in 2012, Ash says. “We don’t the best five players on the field. That concept have two guys with that sort of experience suits this group, which benefits from depth. this year. We have limited experience spread Flynn and classmates Doug Hanson and Mar- out over every position in the offensive line, shall Womack but no spot with the concentrated experi- have bright ence as we did last year at center and right futures in tackle. Last year our offensive line was at the program. both extremes in terms of experience level. JC transfers This year we’re more in the middle.” Christian Williams and Preseason All-America DeNarius McGhee Matthew Devereux won a starting job at Charles Lee guard last year, but injuries derailed a promis- redshirted “That’s all he’s done as our quarterback, and ing redshirt freshman season mid-stream. He last season, that’s the quarterback’s most important job.” enters this year starting at center, and brings but both strength, agility and extreme intelligence to have flashed Since the eyebrow-raising move to install the position. Devereux is flanked with experi- talent. And McGhee as the program’s starting quarter- ence and ability on each side. Quinn Catalano, Andy Austin back over an incumbent at the beginning of the right guard, is the offensive line’s leader is a fifth- the 2010 season, the Bobcat program has in terms of experience and performance, and year senior won at a historic rate. He has led the Cats has all the earmarks of an All-Big Sky and looking for to shares of three straight Big Sky titles All-America career. Sophomore Kyle Go- the chance to for only the second time in school history. decke, with starting experience last season, contribute. Montana State’s 10 wins in the past three enters the fall in competition with redshirt Tanner Bleskin seasons is a program best, and the .789 freshman JP Flynn, who has impressed in While winning percentage is second-best in a the weight room and during spring ball. MSU’s offensive line may not be well-sea- three-year span at Montana State. Players soned in its current configuration, that can’t be have rolled through the MSU program at all The tackle position is similarly settled. John said of the team’s offensive skilled positions. positions in that time, except quarterback. Weidenaar proved to be a revelation at left Three receivers return with starting experi- tackle last season, one of only two play- ence, including senior Tanner Bleskin. A

Led by quarterback , In Sonny MSU captures three straight Big Sky Holland’s Championships, the fi rst league team crowning with that distinction achievement, Montana State won the Big Sky and NCAA Division II championships In Sonny Holland’s second season, and playing home games in Bozeman High’s Van Winkle rides a Stadium, the Cats sensational 6-0 storm to a 5-1 start in league league record and play to his only the conference crown as MSU’s championship head coach

1968 1972 1976 1979 CoSIDA MSU’s returning pass-catchers SATURDAY Academic stand as one of the more All-America, veteran groups in the FCS. IS FOR Bleskin’s tenacity as Running back shapes up FOOTBALL a route- in similar fashion. Cody Kirk runner and is an All-America caliber run- blocker bring admiration from the Bobcat staff. ning back who has battered Big His speed categorizes him as a possession Sky defenses for two seasons. receiver, but he slipped behind opposing de- His 2,300-plus career rush- fenses for plays of at least 40 yards on three ing yards is in MSU’s top 10 occasions, and for 20-yard plays nine times. and he is just over 1,000 from He is less than 800 yards from joining the the school’s career record. Like Pass protection by Kyle Godecke (left ) and John Big Sky’s all-time top 10 in receiving yards. many running backs, though, Kirk Weidenaar (Dean Hendrickson) has battled injury. He missed Bleskin is joined in 2013 by senior Jon El- two full games and parts of sev- playing?” status ascribed to great and long- lis and junior Brian Flotkoetter. Each started eral others for that reason last season. time players in any league or region. Ash likes at times in 2012, and combined for over how much McGhee has accomplished, but Kirk is far from alone in he loves how much he’s seen. “There aren’t the Bobcat backfield. Shawn very many game situations DeNarius hasn’t Johnson returns as a veteran faced, there aren’t many things a defense presence, and the junior has thrown at him that he hasn’t seen, and can fill a variety of roles. He that kind of experience is invaluable. He may is scat-back type running need time in (new offensive coordinator) Tim back with home-run ability Cramsey’s system, but he’ll get up to speed.” every time he carries, but is also an electric return man McGhee’s fifth season in the Bobcat pro- and pass catcher. A trio of gram unites him with his fourth offensive coor- redshirt freshmen - potential dinator, a fact indicative of the program’s suc- power back Chad Newell, cess but not a situation to be lightly dismissed. versatile Cody Dopps and From a simply strategic standpoint, Cramsey’s mercurial Morris Gates- system may more closely fit McGhee’s abili- Mouton - enter the season ties than any of his predecessors’. McGhee battling for playing time, may be allowed to assert his presence more and the coaching staff has emphatically through reads in both the run and expressed willingness to pass game and in the quarterback run game. evaluate program newcom- ers in the fall. Brandon Davis That point brings to light one of the ma- Quinn Catalano (79) anchors MSU’s off ensive line (Kevin Munger) is a late addition, transfer- jor questions entering spring drills, and ring from Louisiana Tech. one which will hover until the team’s of- fense until it proves itself in the fire of a And then there’s the quar- new season - the presence of new of- 800 yards and eight touchdowns. Add in terback position. As chronicled earlier, Mc- fensive coordinator Tim Cramsey. tight ends Tiai Salanoa and Lee Perkins and Ghee enters his senior season with “Is he still

Montana State’s magical 1984 season ended in Charleston, S.C., with a national Less than 20 championship, and along the way MSU won a share of its fourth Big Sky crown in the months after previous nine years fi nishing an 0-11 2000 season, Montana ascendedd to the top of the Big Sky in 2002 on the strength Doug Graber’s of a 10-7 win in only season as Missoula. Fueled Montana State’s by Corey Smith’s head coach touchdown return off produces a 5-2 the opening kickofff conference in MSU’s win over record, good the Grizzlies, the for a co- Bobcats won their championship second straight Big Sky crown in 2003.

All-Americas Jon Montoya (left, ‘02) and Corey Smith (‘03) 1982 1984 2002 and 2003 “We have talented “I saw progress every week on offense,” players on defense, but Ash said. “We started out a little shaky, they may be stepping but we fixed things as we went along. By into unfamiliar roles,” the last scrimmage in Great Falls I thought Ash said. “Jody (Ow- the timing was good, the offense was look- ens) and Zach (Minter) ing like it was starting to roll into form.” and Caleb (Schreibeis) were dynamic and vis- Whether it continues to roll in the fall ible players for several remains unknown, but what is known years. But when they about MSU’s 2013 offense is this - a vet- began their careers as eran quarterback enters at the helm, with starters they were young proven All-Big Sky talent ready to carry guys. That’s where and catch the ball. Up front, the team our program was then. blends youth and experience, punctuated (Defensive end) Preston by depth. Montana State’s offense could be Gale and (linebackers) a productive and dynamic unit in 2013. Alex Singleton and Mike Foster, players like that Brad Daly is among the nation’s returning sack leaders (Dean Hendrickson) who we will ask to play DEFENSE more important roles That was pretty impressive. this year, have been end. I’m excited to watch guys who have in this program. They learned from some been in the program step into primary roles.” Montana State’s defense put together quite great players and they’ve embraced a season in 2012. The Bobcats led the Big the way we do things and teach things. If ever a player was poised to step into a Sky Conference It’s time for them to step forward.” leading man role up front it’s Brad Daly, not in scoring defense only because of his physical skills but be- and total defense, MSU’s front seven took big hits in person- cause of his drive and seasoning. As Schrei- produced one nel terms, but responds with quality and beis was driven on every rep by the feeling player who earned proven players. Schreibeis graduates as that he needed to continually prove himself, the Buck Buchan- the FCS’ top defensive player, but senior Daly is driven by a love of playing football an Award as the Preston Gale stands ready and able to fill tempered by a season working in oil fields top FCS defensive the void. No Zach Minter in the middle? No, across the west in 2010-11 school year. player and another but the hard-working trio of Craig Ashworth, who earned Big Steven Bethley (Dean Taylor Sheridan and Taylor Dees forms a “Having come to know Brad, when Hendrickson) Sky Defensive a physical, reliable presence inside, par- he left I thought to myself, ‘Either we’ll MVP honors, and ticularly suited to plug gaps and defend the never see him again or this will be the featured three All-Americas. Rob Ash knew run. Darius Jones departs at one corner? best thing that ever happens to him,’” it was possible, and what came to pass did Senior Sean Gords appears poised to fulfill Ash said. “I think the whole experi- not shock MSU’s long-time head coach. the promise he displayed as a young player ence was very good for him, and he’s before injuries began to bedevil him. poised to have a great senior season.” Painstakingly piecing that defense to- gether was a difficult process for defen- Add it up and Ash is happy with what his Gale may also be poised for a sensational sive coordinator Jamie Marshall. Following club brings to 2013. “Defensively we need to season. The senior missed an entire year last year’s act may be impossible. But Ash build depth,” Ash says. “It’s a matter of who’s with a knee injury, but was very good last looks forward to watching the attempt. the fourth corner, who’s the fourth defensive fall in his return. Forcing his way into the

In the fi nal game for and Jeff Bolton in the Blue and Gold, Montana State won the Big Sky Championship with a memorable 16-6 win over the Grizzlies in Bobcat Stadium

Jeff Bolton, top Montana State capped its fourth championship of the young century by beating Montana in Washington-Grizzly Stadium (left), and Right, Travis Lulay the encore last fall included inspiring and inspired efforts by seniors such as Elvis Akpla (left) and Casey Dennehy is carried into Bobcat immortality by the crowd 2005 2010 2011 2012 rotation with Daly Bethley’s nickanme is well-earned. says. “He’s been very good and Schreibeis, His knack for ending up with the ball at that his whole career. Gale’s five tackles- in his hands in big moments proved And we’ve always coached for-loss and three to be key for the Bobcats at a couple that point, that we’d rather sacks stand as of crucial moments in 2012. He have a high punt not re- eye-popping snagged a game-clinching inter- turned than a longer punt production for a ception against Stephen F. Austin, that can be returned easily.” part-time player. pulled down another in the end zone Fourth-year junior on the final play of MSU’s road win Ash added a wrinkle last Connor Verlanic at Southern Utah, and also turned season, when Trevor Bolton appears ready in a pick-six against Portland State. joined the punting mix. The to reassert the freshman’s ability to add the presence of one It’s always easy to find the roll punt to his kicking rep- of MSU Football’s gaps in a unit and worry about ertoire gave MSU consider- great family names the product on the field. But able flexibility. Bolton was at defensive end, Ash is looking forward to decid- used primarily on MSU’s side Michael Foster moves into and sophomore ing such matters in fall camp. of the 50, when the abil- the middle on the Bobcat Punter Rory Perez ity to pin an opponent deep defense (Dean Hendrickson) Odin Coe - who missed last year “I really like that we’re set up for was at a premium, and he with an injury - is competition at several positions in August,” averaged 36.8 yards a kick while nailing the one of the program’s most intriguing play- Ash said. “That makes individuals bet- opponent inside the 20-yard line 10 times. ers. He could be potentially dominant. ter, and it makes your program better. We have people with experience in our program As good as Perez has been punting the Inside, Nate Bignell and Connor Thomas across the board, and that’s a big factor.” ball, he was spectacular last year as MSU’s could force their way into the Ashworth-Sher- place-kicker. He finished the season 41-for- idan-Dees triad. Each made physical gains 45 on extra points, but most of the misses in recent months and will be asked to provide came very early in the season. He was even depth as the development process continues. KICK TEAMS better from further afield, hitting 17-for-21 A two-way star. on field goal tries. He nailed the first seven Exceptional linebacker play has been a of his college career in that category, Perez trademark of Montana State’s last dozen or so Without a lot of flash or noise, Rory Perez made kicks from every spot on the field teams, and last year’s crew may have been has established himself as player who can in every kind of situation, showing a spe- the school’s best. Conference defensive player impact football games in big ways. The senior cial knack for clutch kicks. His chip shot in of the year Jody Owens, the group’s only enters 2013 as Montana State’s fourth-year an extreme pressure situation in Missoula senior, led the way. But a host of underclass- starting punter and second-year starting place clinched the Cat-Griz game last November. men contributed, and they form the heart kicker, and has proven terrific in both roles. of MSU’s 2013 linebacker group. Michael Depth is an unknown in the kicking game. Foster takes over in the middle for injured Perez has handled punting chores since he Bolton could obviously handle punting duties, Na’a Moeakiola, who was likely lost for the arrived on campus. His average yards-per- and has seen the field as a place-kicker, as season with an injury suffered in the spring. punt have increased each season, moving to well. Incoming freshman Luke Daly enters Alex Singleton brings a bigger, physical pres- a 40.8 average in 2012. Perez’s primary char- as the heir apparent to Perez in placements, ence to Owens’ Will spot, and Cole Moore acteristic as a punt has always been - and and he was a standout prep punter, too. anchors the Sam spot. Redshirt freshman remains - the ability to hang punts in the air. Fea’o Vunipola enters the season as a likely Shawn Johnson exerted himself as an super-sub, particularly after the late-summer “Rory just has a knack for kicking the ball electric return man last year. He averaged retirement of Aleksei Grosulak due to injuries. high without sacrificing much distance,” Ash 8.8 yards per punt return and 22.1 yards per kick return, and dashed 72 yards for a When fully assembled, the linebacker touchdown on a punt. With more consistency, corps’ talent is unquestioned. “No one player Johnson could become one of the top return can replace Jody Owens,” Ash said, “but men in the FCS. Two less-heralded special- we don’t have to. We have a group with ties will be in new but capable hands this diverse skills, complementary skills, and year. Freshman long snapper Rocky Hogue they’re experienced. That’s important.” joined the Bobcats in late July, while Tan- ner Roderick takes over as the holder. The secondary also loses some serious talent in two-time All-Big Sky safety Joel Daniel DaPrato arrives from league rival Fuller and lock-down corner Darius Jones. Sacramento State to coordinate MSU’s special Each contributed many big moments in 2012, teams effort. Ash likes the arrangement of one but, again, experienced players have the person drawing the kick teams together, and opportunity to step in. Senior Eryon Barnett is impressed with DaPrato. “He is fiery and slides over from his cornerback spot to Fuller’s emotional, and very competent,” Ash said. “He vacated Rover position, while Sean Gords will be a great addition to our coaching staff.” rides an outstanding spring into a starting cornerback bid. His opposite remains second- year starter Deonte Flowers, while Steven Bethley, dubbed “Big Play Beth” in local media circles, holds down the free safety spot. TThehe BBobcatobcat ExperienceExperience The Straight At some point in recent seasons, Rob Ash But mostly Ash has enjoyed working with has crossed the threshold from New Coach the players, those he inherited and those Who Inherited a Big Challenge to the rarest he brought to Bozeman. “I really like coach- and Narrow of coaching descriptors: Long-Time Coach. ing Montana kids,” he said. “The kids we’ve Season-by-Season MSU TD/Int Ratios Rob Ash inherited a program which had recruited from the state are just like we hoped been rebuilt into a championship outfi t in the – they’re dedicated, they love football, they do fi ve seasons prior to his arrival, and during what you want them to do. It’s been a lot of fun.” Year TD/Int Diff. Record his six years in Bozeman has continued the Ash’s recruiting sweet spot begins at 2012 24/11 +13 11-2 process and escalated the program’s status. homes, and extends nearly nation-wide. But challenges remain - the eternal quest for “Whether they’re from Texas or California or 2011 24/14 +10 10-3 consistency, the enhancement of every element the Northwest or the Midwest, we’ve identifi ed 2010 26/7 +19 9-3 of the program, and most importantly the hunger the type of person we want in this program, 2009 14/10 +4 7-4 by everyone associated with Bobcat Football to and the staff and players have done a great win the school’s fourth National Championship. job convincing the best of them to come.” 2008 14/19 -5 7-5 2007 15/14 +1 6-5 2008 ...... 1st ...... 314.1 2006 17/19 -2 8-5 Consistent Excellence 2007 ...... 3rd ...... 366.9 2005 17/10 +7 7-4 Big Sky Conference Total Defense Ratings 2006 ...... 4th ...... 306.8 2004 15/9 +6 6-5 2005 ...... 1st ...... 332.2 2003 14/13 +1 7-6 2012 ...... 1st...... 316.4 2004 ...... 4th ...... 382.8 2002 23/9 +14 7-6 2011 ...... 2nd ...... 329.7 2003 ...... 1st ...... 298.4 2001 19/17 +2 5-6 2010 ...... 5th ...... 384.8 2002 ...... 1st ...... 306.8 2000 8/13 -5 0-11 2009 ...... 1st ...... 343.9 2001 ...... 1st ...... 358.0 1999 12/11 +1 3-8 1998 22/8 +14 7-4 1997 22/9 +13 6-5 Trending Up 1996 11/12 -1 6-5 Winning Seasons by Bobcat Head Coaches (since 1950) 1995 5/14 -9 5-6 Coach Years # Seasons # Winning Seasons 1994 17/13 +4 3-8 1993 14/12 +2 7-4 Rob Ash 2007-present ...... 6 ...... 6 1992 7/10 -3 4-7 2000-06 ...... 7 ...... 5 1991 12/25 -13 2-9 1992-99 ...... 8 ...... 4 1990 12/24 -12 4-7 E. Solomonson 1987-91 ...... 5 ...... 0 1989 8/13 -5 4-7 Dave Arnold 1983-86 ...... 4 ...... 1 1988 7/17 -10 4-7 Doug Graber 1982 ...... 1 ...... 1 1987 5/12 -7 1-10 Sonny Lubick 1978-81 ...... 4 ...... 2 1986 23/12 +11 3-8 Sonny Holland 1971-77 ...... 7 ...... 6 1985 29/19 +10 2-9 Tom Parac 1968-70 ...... 3 ...... 1 1984 32/24 +8 12-2 Jim Sweeney 1963-67 ...... 5 ...... 4 1983 7/15 -8 1-10 1958-62 ...... 5 ...... 5 1982 14/18 -4 6-5 1955 ...... 1 ...... 0 1981 8/17 -9 3-7 1952-54, 56-57 ...... 5 ...... 3

Big Sky Conference Year-by-Year League Records Since 2002 Coach...... UM MSU EWU NAU WSU SAC PSU ISU 2012...... 3-5 7-1+ 7-1+ 6-2 2-6 4-4 2-6 0-8 Composite Big Sky Record 2011 ...... 7-1+ 7-1+ 5-3 3-5 5-3 3-5 5-3 1-7 since 2002 2010...... 5-3 8-0+ 7-1+ 4-4 5-3 5-3 1-7 0-8 Conf. BSC Solo Nat’l FCS Losing 2009...... 8-0+ 5-3 6-2 4-4 6-2 4-4 1-7 1-7 School Rec. Champ Titles Champ Plffs Seas 2008...... 7-1+ 5-3 5-3 4-4 7-1+ 3-5 3-5 1-7 UM 67-17 9 3 0 9 1 2007...... 8-0+ 4-4 6-2 5-3 4-4 3-5 3-5 2-6 MSU 60-24 6 0 0 6 0 2006...... 8-0+ 6-2 3-5 5-3 3-5 4-4 6-2 1-7 EWU 56-28 4 0 1 6 3 2005...... 5-2+ 5-2+ 5-2+ 1-6 4-3 1-6 4-3 3-4 NAU 43-41 1 0 0 1 4 2004...... 6-1+ 4-3 6-1+ 3-4 1-6 2-5 4-3 2-5 WSU 42-42 1 0 0 2 4 2003...... 5-2+ 5-2+ 3-4 5-2+ 4-3 1-6 1-6 4-3 SAC 33-51 0 0 0 0 7 2002...... 5-2+ 5-2+ 3-4 3-4 1-6 3-4 3-4 5-2 PSU 33-51 0 0 0 0 7 TOTAL ...... 67-17 60-24 56-28 43-41 42-42 33-51 33-51 20-64 ISU 20-64 1 0 0 0 9 +-Big Sky Title BBobcatobcat PositionPosition DownloadDownload

Quarterbacks Rob’s Report Coordinator Comments From Head Coach Rob Ash Offensive Coordinator Tim Cramsey Returning Starter “When you change offensive coordina- “We obviously have very high expectations DeNarius McGhee (6-0, 212, Sr) tors and implement new elements into the for the quarterback position. DeNarius is a offense, there is always a transition period. very good player who had a great spring and Returning Letterman But DeNarius (McGhee) has obviously seen summer, and he’s his typical high-energy Jake Bleskin (6-1, 192, So) so many different things from defenses and self. Jake (Bleskin) is on the edge of being Redshirt has so much experience that I think we’ll a very good football player. He’s very heady (6-2, 188, Fr) be able to minimize that. His familiarity with and has a good arm. Dakota is so athletic, Incoming Freshman other players on offense is also a big posi- that keeps him in the mix on every play. I’ve Quinn McQueary (6-2, 185, Fr) tive. He and Tanner (Bleskin) have played been very impressed with Quinn McQueary, pitch-and-catch together since their days as a (new) freshman. He is athletic and he’s Quarterbacks Coach on the scout team, and Cody Kirk is right a coach’s son, so he has a good feel for the Tim Cramsey (1st year at MSU) in that group, too. There is a lot of familiar- game.” Overview ity there. Jake Bleskin has had very good moments in practices and scrimmages and The big-picture view of MSU’s quarterback when we’ve needed him in games, and I’m position is pretty rosy. DeNarius McGhee very confi dent he’ll be very good when his returns as a fourth-year starter, with a time comes. Dakota Prukop has also shown pair of Big Sky Offensive MVP awards in some the ability to run the offense, throw the his hip pocket. Jake Bleskin is a capable ball, contribute with his legs. And we’re ex- backup with tremendous promise beyond cited about Quinn McQueary’s future in the this year, while 2012 redshirt Dakota Prukop program, as well. The quarterback position and incoming freshman Quinn McQueary is in good hands in our program right now.” bring great athleticism to the position. On the ground there is some intrigue, with the team’s quarterback - and offensive system Quarterback Notes DeNarius McGhee is one of only 10 players - in the hands of a third offensive coordina- in league history to earn multiple Big Sky tor in as many seasons. McGhee’s success, Offensive MVP awards, and MSU’s fi rst two- to some degree, has undoubtedly led to the time choice ever... he is the program’s fi rst past two offensive coordinators landing jobs offensive MVP since Kelly Bradley in 1984... at FBS schools, which in turn lends a little McGhee has started every game of his uncertainty to the upcoming season. Beyond Bobcat career, and has thrown a touchdown that, though, MSU’s quarterback situation appears solid. in every game but one.

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a reserve. A pair of talented redshirts, guard Montana State’s offensive line coach, Offensive Line JP Flynn and tackle Marshall Womack, 10 members of that position group have could challenge for starting jobs, and a pair served as team captain... Andy Austin is Returning Starter of JC transfers who spent last season on the the only senior in the 2013 offensive line OG Quinn Catalano (6-4, 289, Jr), OT John injured list could also contribute - Christian group. Weidenaar (6-7, 277, So), OG Kyle Go- Williams at center or guard, Charles Lee decke (6-5, 310, So) at guard. That provides the team with a lot Other Returning Lettermen of options, but also a lot to sort through in Coordinator Comments Andy Austin (6-3, 290, Sr), Matthew De- August. Tackle Andy Austin, a long-time Offensive Coordinator Tim Cramsey vereux (6-3, 294, So), Alex Eekhoff (6-6, reserve, is the only senior in the group. “I’m excited about our offensive line. 288, Fr), Matt Devereux (6-3, 287, Fr), Joel They do what we ask them to do, they’ve Horn (6-4, 290, Fr) Rob’s Report gotten stronger and they work hard. Redshirts From Head Coach Rob Ash It’s a group with good size and we’re JP Flynn (6-5, 304, Fr), Dillon Fraley (6-5, “The offensive line is still young. We gradu- continuing to develop depth there.” 278, Fr), Doug Hanson (6-4, 285, Fr), ated a bunch of guys there over the last Charles Lee (6-2, 291, Jr), Christian Wil- two years. When you think about it, it’s not liams (6-3, 310, Jr), Marshall Womack (6-5, always just one year’s graduation class that 273, Fr) can impact a position or group of positions. Over (the last) two years we lost four seniors Squad Member and then two more, back-to-back, so that Brad Mathis (5-10, 293, So) just took the top off our O-line group. I think Incoming Freshman the young guys showed up (in the spring). Andrew Alt (6-4, 260, Fr), Caleb Gillis (6-4, We have no seniors except Andy Austin in 210, Fr), Dylan Mahoney (6-5, 240, Fr), this two deep. That group needs a really Offensive Line Coach good summer, and a really good August. I Jason McEndoo (11th year at MSU) think physically we’ll be OK, we’re just really raw. We’re still working on some position Overview battles there. At center I think we’re settled The good news in that experience abounds with Devereux. We’re still evaluating to see on the offensive line. The Bobcats have who really are the best fi ve guys. We might players with at least one career start at four shuffl e the deck one more time (before the of the fi ve positions. The bad news is that season).” left tackle John Weidenaar and right guard Quinn Catalano are the only players to start Offensive Line Notes for an entire season. Matthew Devereux Shaun Sampson earned All-America honors enters his sophomore season as the start- last season, raising to nine the number of ing center after splitting 2012 at a guard Bobcat O-linemen that have earned such spot with Kyle Godecke. Right tackle Alex accolades under Jason McEndoo’s tute- Eekhoff saw considerable action in 2012 as lage... during McEndoo’s 11 seasons as O O O O O O O O O O O

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more intrigue. Gunnar Brekke is viewed as handful of new runningbacks.” Running Backs an every-down back, while Nick LaSane and Cody Vitt could fi ll the power-back role Running Back Notes Returning Starter early in their careers if called upon. Plenty of Cody Kirk’s 2,334 career rushing yards Cody Kirk (5-10, 213, Sr) options arise at running back, and second- is seventh in MSU history... he was Other Returning Lettermen year coach Demo Odems, with an already- selected as a preseason All-Big Sky Shawn Johnson (5-9, 172, Jr) established ability to get the most out his choice. Redshirts backs, will be in charge of sorting through Cody Dopps (6-1, 204, Fr), Morris Gates- things in August. Coordinator Comments Mouton (5-9, 167, Fr), Chad Newell (6-1, Offensive Coordinator Tim Cramsey 214, Fr) Rob’s Report “The two with experience, Cody (Kirk) From Head Coach Rob Ash and Shawn John(son), they are very Incoming Transfer “I think every season I try to make some Brandon Davis (5-8, 160, So) good, and they are what we need. time to refl ect on the careers of players that They really complement each other Incoming Freshman are really difference-makers as people and perfectly. Chad Newell is a player I Gunnar Brekke (5-11, 188, Fr), Nick La- athletes in our program, and Cody Kirk is think can help us this year. He had Sane (5-11, 200, Fr), Cody Vitt (6-0, 195, one of those players I want to appreciate this a good spring and summer, and he Fr) year. We have quite a few of them spread needs to continue to improve himself, Running Backs Coach across the offense and defense, special but I like the work he’s done. I’m also Demo Odems (2nd year at MSU) guys who mean so much to this program. excited about Brandon Davis. He has Cody Kirk has been such a productive very good explosiveness and good Overview player, but not everyone sees how his work vision.” When a position group starts with Cody ethic and his personality really elevate this Kirk, the general outlook is usually posi- program. His determination and tive. That’s the case with the MSU running toughness make everyone around back situation in 2013, but question marks him better. I’m looking forward to certainly exist. Kirk enters the season as the Cody having a great senior season. every-down back, with a track record of ex- We got our power series fi red up in cellence in every phase. Shawn Johnson’s the spring, and that will remain part role is yet to be pinned down, but he is likely of our offense. It’s not like you have to be active in the pass game along with the to use two tight ends in an offense read-option attack. Kirk and Johnson offer that looks like Woody Hayes’ to use a unique contrast, but each are dangerous power. Shawn Johnson will give with the ball in their hands. Beyond that, a us a different look at running back, host of alternatives arise in terms of depth at and we’ll evaluate how best to use running back. Redshirts Cody Dopps, Morris him during August, but his big-play Gates-Mouton and Chad Newell each im- ability will be something we want to pressed Bobcat coaches during the spring. take advantage of. August will also A cast of incoming freshmen offer even be for sorting out our depth, with a O O O O O O O O O O O

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Receivers Bergen’s role has expanded to Pass Game Receiver Notes Coordinator, an apt reward for the man who Tanner Bleskin is poised to move toward Returning Starter has molded MSU receivers into an extreme- the top of MSU’s career receiving charts. Tanner Bleskin (6-3, 219, Sr), Jon Ellis (5- ly productive unit. BREAKING - Kurt Davis He is eighth in school history in receiving 10, 179, Sr) was lost for the season in early August. yards and receptions, and ninth in touch- Other Returning Lettermen down catches... with Everett Gilbert’s Rob’s Report departure, MSU has graduated one of its David Dash (5-7, 174, Jr), Brian Flotkoetter From Head Coach Rob Ash (6-2, 198, Jr), top fi ve career pass-catchers (joining El- “I’m not prepared to say that (transitioning to vis Akpla in 2011) for the second straight Squad Member a new offensive coordinator) is a step back- season. Manny Kalfell (6-3, 191, So) ward to take two steps forward, but it can Redshirts stunt you early. Fortunately we had a good Coordinator Comments Shadeed Crockett (6-1, 179, Fr), Kurt Davis spring and Tim Cramsey was able to imple- Offensive Coordinator Tim Cramsey (6-5, 221, Jr), Will Krolick (6-0, 192, Fr) ment some of our vocabulary. One of the “I think we have some depth at receiver. Incoming Transfer things I want to see in August is our explo- Brian Flotkoetter, Tanner Bleskin and Jon Mitch Griebel (5-10, 193, So, from Air siveness in the passing game, the ability to Ellis have played a lot of football in this Force), Tanner Roderick (6-2, 190, So, produce explosive plays. That will be crucial program, and they have a lot of football from Nevada) to our success. There are a million ways to left in this program. Tanner Roderick has scheme that, and we’ll use the strengths of Incoming Freshman shown some good things, and we’ll need Tanner Bleskin and Jon Ellis and Brian Flot- him to play well (in the fall). The other two Jayshawn Gates (5-8, 150, Fr), Jacob koetter to accomplish that. Tanner Bleskin is Stanton (6-2, 180, Fr), players in the depth chart that we need such an accomplished player in all phases of good things from are Mitch (Griebel) and Receivers Coach the game. Everyone knows what he can do Manny (Kalfell). They need to continue to Brian Von Bergen (4th year at MSU) catching the ball, but he is a precise route- help us.” runner and a ferocious blocker. Jon Ellis is Overview a player that can be playmaker, and Brian The sheer number of good receivers in the Flotkoetter fi ts in that category, as well. Kurt Bobcat program is impressive, but just as Davis showed us some good things in the impressive is the wide range of weapons spring, and his size adds an element that present in that position group. Tanner Ble- isn’t something defenses normally need to skin, Brian Flotkoetter and Kurt Davis give deal with regularly at our level. The redshirt the Cats remarkable size, with Bleskin and year after transferring (from UNLV) really Flotkoetter adding game-proven ability to helped him. Tanner Roderick is a player we get deep. Nevada transfer Tanner Roderick really look forward to working with in August. has shown tremendous athleticism, while Air He battled some injuries in the spring, but Force transfer Mitch Griebel puts on display his athleticism is obvious and he could also the ability to work in space - and both bring add a positive elemnet to the offense. We’re the savvy one expects from accomplished very happy with the group of receivers we quarterbacks. David Dash has also emerged have, and August will be all about fi tting as a threat. Receivers coach Brian Von them into Coach Cramsey’s scheme.” O O O O O O O O O O O

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Tight Ends Rob’s Report From Head Coach Rob Ash Returning Starter “We don’t have great numbers at tight end, Tiai Salanoa (6-3, 257, Jr) but I really like the players we have there. Other Returning Lettermen Tiai Salanoa is a dynamic player who is Lee Perkins (6-2, 232, Jr) good on the line of scrimmage and in the pass game. Lee Perkins is a tough, physical Redshirt player who is also versatile. Austin Barth is Austin Barth (6-5, 233, Fr) an intriguing addition this year. He brought Incoming Freshman him in as a quarterback and he redshirted none last year, but as a tight end he is athletic. Tight Ends Coach Austin had a good year on the scout team Daniel DaPrato (1st year at MSU) and a very good spring, and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do.” Overview The numbers are slim, but the talent Tight End Notes abundent at the tight end position for MSU Tiai Salanoa is MSU’s fi rst out-of-state this year. The top two on the depth chart, starter at tight end since Blake Wolf’s All- Tiai Salanoa and Lee Perkins, each have America campaign of 2004... Salanoa and starting experience and wide-ranging skills. Perkins each started games during the 2013 Salanoa is very good in space and as a season. pass-catcher, and even after battling injury throughout his sophomore season retains Coordinator Comments explosiveness down the fi eld and tough- Offensive Coordinator Tim Cramsey ness underneath. Perkins’ specialty is at We’re thin but talented at tight end. Tiai is the point-of-attack in the run game, but he moving very well for a big guy, he’s catching is a sure-handed pass-catcher, as well. The the ball well. He will be a big player for us. emerging wild card is redshirt freshman Lee (Perkins) is a smash guy, a physical Austin Barth, MSU’s top offensive scout last player who we can use as a blocking back fall and its most improved offensive player in and in different ways in the pass game. the spring. Austin is still young in that position, but he has all the tools we look for.”

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through the ranks. Brad Daly succeeds Defensive Line Caleb Schreibeis, who succeeded Dane Fletcher. Inside, MSU’s tackle tandem Returning Starter succeeds Zach Minter, who succeeded Craig Ashworth (6-1, 276, Sr), Brad Daly Dan Ogden. At end, Preston Gale fi nally (6-1, 240, Sr) gets his chance to shine opposite Brad Other Returning Lettermen Daly this fall. Inside, Craig Ashworth has DT Nate Bignell (6-2, 273, So), DT Tay- done fantastic, if largely anonymous, work lor Dees (6-2, 273, Jr), DE Preston Gale over the past two seasons. He forms a (6-3, 254, Sr), DT Taylor Sheridan (6-3, three-man rotation with Taylor Sheridan 277, So), DE Conner Verlanic (6-4, 240, and Taylor Dees to cover the tackle and Jr), DE Hayden Vick (6-3, 236, Jr) nose spots. One of the group’s wild cards Squad Member is Odin Coe, injured as a redshirt fresh- Odin Coe (6-3, 254, So) man in 2012 but an explosive and athletic presence capable of playing all four spots Redshirts on the D-line.Newcomers Monte Folsom Luke Halliburton (6-0, 234, Fr), Zach and Connor Thomas could compete for Hutchins (6-3, 238, Fr), Connor Thomas playing time. (6-3, 290, Fr) Incoming Transfer Rob’s Report DE Robert Wilcox (6-3, 255, So, from From Head Coach Rob Ash Defensive Line Notes Grambling - will redshirt in 2013) “I don’t think we’ll see much difference in DT Zach Minter and DE Caleb Schreibies Incoming Freshman the level of defensive end play this year each earned First Team All-Big Sky Monte Folsom (6-2, 264, Fr), Devin Jef- because Brad (Daly) is back and Preston honors a season ago... Bobcat defensive fries (6-1, 215, Fr), Dallas Hayes (6-1, Gale is a senior. We have two seniors line coach Bo Beck has produced four dif- 293, Fr) there, and I think the D-end play will be ference All-Americas and six First Team Defensive Line Coach very similar to what we’ve seen in the All-Big Sky selections in his six seasons Bo Beck (7th year at MSU) past with Caleb and Daly. Those two will as MSU’s D-line coach, and school’s only play really tough. Zach Minter was such a Buck Buchanan Award winner. dynamic player, but Craig Ashworth has Overview good experience inside (at nose tackle), Coordinator Comments: Two concepts supercede all others on and we may use a three-man rotation Defensive Coordinator Jamie Marshall with him and Taylor Sheridan and Taylor the Bobcat defensive line - success, and “I’m excited to see where we are Dees. We have some young players succession. The group counts among its compared to last spring. I think there are that continue to make progress, Con- success stories six First Team All-Big Sky going to be some surprise names that nor Verlanic and Nate Bignell and Luke selections, four different All-Americas - all come up in the fall. Preston Gale is the Halliburton. Hayden Vick is a player with accomplished over the past four seasons wild card right now - are guys like he and some versatility who has had some good - with two MSU defensive linemen on Odin Coe going to arrive, in a sense? That moments, and we’re anxious to see Odin NFL preseason rosters. Just as impor- will be important.” tantly is how players have matriculated Coe healthy and at full speed.” O O O O O O O O O O O

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Linebackers Vunipola headlining a cast of young play- (2002-04 and Mac Mollohan (2003-04) ers should add quality depth... those young as Bobcat linebackers to repeat as First Returning Starter players may be called upon early. LATE Team All-Big Sky selections. Na’a Moeakiola (5-11, 217, Jr), Cole Moore DEVELOPMENT - Just prior to fall camp, (6-2, 220, Sr) Aleksei Grosulak retired due to injury and Coordinator Comments: Na’a Moekiola was likely lost for the season. Other Returning Lettermen Defensive Coordinator Jamie Marshall Michael Foster (6-1, 228, Jr), Alex Singleton “I’m hoping we can settle on a starting (6-2, 227, Jr), Rhett Young (6-0, 218, Jr) Rob’s Report lineup (early in camp), with all the From Head Coach Rob Ash changes that are happening. After Squad Member “Depending on health, which you can never that we’ll work on fi nding some depth. Heath Hunter (6-1, 221, So), Rob Walsh take for granted at linebacker, I expect this The biggest key is the Mike linebacker (6-1, 219, So) group to play at the level established level in position. That’s where Michael Foster Redshirts our program, which is very high. You don’t needs to step up and become a reliable Fletcher Collins (6-2, 236, Fr), Fe’ao Vuni- replace Jody Owens with one player, but player for us.” pola (5-11, 222, Fr) we have an experienced group so we’ll ask Incoming Freshman everyone in the group to raise their level of Blake Braun (6-1, 223, Fr), Wyatt Chris- play. Na’a Moeakiola has been a very good tensen (6-0, 212, Fr) player for two seasons in a quiet way, and he could becoe a dominant player this year. Linebackers Coach Cole Moore has also been an impact player Kane Ioane (10th year at MSU) in the Big Sky Conference. As a coach it’s exciting and rewarding when young players Overview like Michael Foster and Alex Singleton get The good news at linebacker for MSU is their chances to step into primary roles, and that only one player departs. The bad news they’ll have their chance this year. We’ll work is that the player is 2012 Big Sky Defensive hard to get the best players on the fi eld, and MVP Jody Owens, an all-time great Bobcat (defensive coordinator) Jamie Marshall has who held down the Will spot for three years. done a great job getting our players into Alex Singleton steps into that role, and he position to do the best job they can do.” brings an entirely different profi le - bigger, more physical, but still very active and agile. Linebacker Notes He played well when called on last season. The Bobcats have four linebackers who Na’a Moeakiola returns as the starting Mike, haver started at least once in their career at but he enters the season injured and his linebacker this year... Jody Owens became return date is unknown. Michael Foster, who the fourth Bobcat in the past decade to earn also has battled injuries, has proven highly Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year honors capable. The combination of Cole Moore in 2012... Owens also joined Roger Cooper returning at the Sam position and Fe’ao

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injuries, and he lines up opposity Deonte season at MSU after transferring from Defensive Backs Flowers. And at safety, Eryon Barnett saw Texas... James Okeke was also a late considerable action last year and while at transfer, also from Hawai’i, and joins Returning Starter Texas, and he moves to safety as a big, Barnett and Armstrong as the only S Steven Bethley (5-11, 219, Sr), CB De- physical presence. Cornerback Ijumaa Arm- transfers on MSU’s defensive depth onte Flowers (5-11, 183, Jr) strong, a transfer from Hawai’i, also adds chart entering 2013. Other Returning Lettermen experience at a corner, while James Nelson S Eryon Barnett (6-2, 195, Sr), CB Sean and Rob Marshall appear ready to accept Coordinator Comments: Gords (5-10, 193, Sr), S Rob Marshall (6-0, expanded roles at safety. Defensive Coordinator Jamie Marshall 195, Jr), James Nelson (5-10, 199, Jr), CB “I’m still excited to see how this group Brad Nordahl (5-11, 172, So) Rob’s Report will handle fall (camp). I’d like to think it Squad Member From Head Coach Rob Ash will be a solid, accountable group that CB Cody Cleveland (6-0, 193, Jr) “It looks like the coaching adjustment we will make some plays. But we have to go made in the spring, with Coach (Jamie) Mar- out and prove that.” Redshirts shall taking over in the secondary, is going S Vince DiGiallonardo (5-11, 187, Fr), CB to work out really well. Brandon North gets Brad Nordahl (5-11, 178, Fr), Trace Timmer an expanded role, which he deserves, and (5-11, 178, Fr) Coach Marshall really wanted to get back on Incoming Transfers the fi eld and coach a position. We really like CB Ijumaa Armstrong (6-0, 187, So, from the front-line players. Moving Eryon Barnett Hawai’i), S James Okeke (6-1, 194, So, to safety worked well, and having Steven from Hawai’i) Bethley back is a positive. Deonte Flowers Incoming Freshman is a steady performer at corner, and Ijumaa Mac Bignell (6-0, 185, Fr), Kellen Kolmor- Armstrong looked very good in the spring. gen (6-0, 175, Fr), Khari Garcia (5-10, 178, But one of the big surprises in camp was Fr), Jaylen Price (5-10, 175, Fr), Trevan Sean Gords playing the way we know he Timmer (6-0, 202, Fr) can at a corner. He was healthy in the spring Secondary Coaches and just looked terrifi c. We need a safety to Jamie Marshall (1st year as DB coach, 7th step forward during fall camp, and James year at MSU); Brandon North (3rd year at Nelson and Rob Marshall will each have the MSU) opportunity. That will be one of the positions I really keep my eye on in August.”

Overview Secondary Notes Technically, two starters return in Montana A pair of FBS transfers are in line to land State’s secondary for the 2013 season. But starting jobs at the outset of fall camp, with in reality, cornerback Sean Gords started Ijumaa Armstrong arriving from Hawaii and early in his career before being beset by Eryon Barnett in his second (and senior)

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Rob’s Report open job with AJ Silva’s departure. We’ll Specialists From Head Coach Rob Ash need to get the long snapper and holder “We knew Rory Perez was an outstand- positions sorted out, but we have a head Returning Starter ing kicker when we recruited him, he just start with Tanner Roderick and Nate P/K Rory Perez (6-3, 199, Sr) didn’t have the opportunity during his fi rst Bignell performing well in those jobs in Lettermen two years because of Jason Cunning- the spring.” P/K Trevor Bolton (5-10, 185, So) ham. When he got his chance last year Squad Member he was terrifi c, and we knew he’d perform Kicking Game Notes LS Nate Bignell (6-2, 273, So) that way. His punting has always been While Rory Perez returns to hold down the kicking and punting duties, MSU’s Incoming Transfer fabulous. We’ve coached him to empha- 2012 ‘battery’ - the long snapper and H Tanner Roderick (6-2, 190, So, from size hang time, which is his strength, holder - will be new... hit 80.9% of his fi eld Nevada) and that has really had a positive affect on our punt coverage. We’ll evaluate our goals last year, the third-best season in Incoming Freshman kickoff situation in fall camp, that’s an MSU history. P/K Luke Daly (6-1, 172, Fr), LS Rocky Hogue (6-1, 210, Fr) Special Teams Coordinator Daniel DaPrato (1st season at MSU) Overview As good as Rory Perez has been at punt- ing the football during his three seasons at Montana State, his ability to kick it may have been even better last fall. The native Californian has been marvelous limiting opponent punt returns with consider- able hang time, and last year boosted his average to 40.8 yards a punt. But he also nailed 17 of his 21 fi eld goals, hitting each of his fi rst seven tries. Perez is one of the fi nest weapons in the FCS, there’s really no arguing that point. As a change of pace, Trevor Bolton added the roll punt to his game last year, and was effective in pinning opponents deep. He also has experience kicking. Shawn Johnson is another solid weapon in the return game, particularly with a slight enhancement to his consistency. The long snapper (likely newcomer Rocky Hogue) and holder (Tanner Roderick) positions are in new hands this season.

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No. Name, Position Ht Wt Cl Exp Major Hometown (JC/HS) 65 Christian Williams, C 6-3 310 Jr RS/JC Socio Glendale, AZ (Scottsdale CC/Cactus) 1 Steven Bethley, S 5-11 215 Sr 3V Socio Chino, CA (Don Antonio Lugo) 66 Andrew Alt, OL 6-4 260 Fr HS Univ Stu Roundup, MT (Roundup) 2 Jake Bleskin, QB 6-1 192 So 1V HHP Great Falls, MT (CM Russell) 67 Doug Hanson, OL 6-4 265 Fr RS Univ Stu Trabuco Canyon, CA (Mission Viejo) 2 Na’a Moeakiola, LB 5-11 214 Sr 3V Bus Mgt Euless, TX (Trinity) 68 Dillon Fraley, OL 6-5 278 Fr RS Bus Bigfork, MT (Bigfork) 3 Sean Gords, CB/S 5-10 193 Sr 3V Marketing Torrance, CA (North Torrance) 69 Eric Williamson, DL 6-2 205 Fr HS Univ Stu Polson, MT (Polson) 4 Jon Ellis, WR 5-10 179 Sr 2V Socio Mansfi eld, TX (Summitt) 70 Joel Horn, OG/C 6-4 320 So 1V Civ Engin Kalispell, MT (Glacier) 5 Dakota Prukop, QB 6-2 188 Fr RS Econ Austin, TX (Vandergrift) 71 Alex Eekhoff, OL 6-6 288 So 1V Const Eng Tech Reno, NV (Bishop Manogue) 5 Robert Marshall, S 6-0 195 Jr 2V Hea Enh Carrollton, TX (Creekview) 72 Charles Lee, OL 6-4 291 Jr RS/JC Comm Hea Menifee, CA (Fullerton JC/Paloma V.) 6 Kurt Davis, WR 6-5 221 Jr RS/Tr Socio Bellfl ower, CA (UNLV/Centennial) 73 Caleb Gillis, OL 6-4 210 Fr HS Eng Glenn, MT (Beaverhead Co.) 7 Preston Gale, DE 6-3 254 Sr 2V Bus Mgt Forney, TX (Forney) 74 Matthew Devereux, C 6-3 294 So 1V Business Eugene, OR (Marist) 8 Ijumaa Armstrong, CB 6-0 187 So Tr Lib Stu Culver City, CA (Hawaii/Culver City) 75 JP Flynn, OL 6-5 304 Fr RS Mech Eng Tech Bettendorf, IA (Bettendorf) 9 DeNarius McGhee, QB 6-0 212 Sr 3V Marketing Euless, TX (Trinity) 76 Marshall Womack, OL 6-5 273 Fr RS Sec Ed Lakeway, TX (Lake Travis) 10 Odin Coe, DE 6-3 254 So Sq Earth Sci Camas, WA (Camas) 77 RETIRED FOR BILL KOLLAR, DL, 1970-73 11 Tanner Roderick, WR 6-2 190 So Tr Kinesio Bozeman, MT (Nevada/Bozeman) 78 RETIRED FOR JAN STENERUD, K, 1964-66 12 David Dash, WR 5-7 174 Jr 1V Socio Fontana, CA (A.B. Miller) 79 Quinn Catalano, OG 6-4 289 Jr 2V Bus Mgt San Diego, CA (Scripps Ranch) 13 Mitch Griebel, WR 5-10 193 So RS/Tr Ex Sci Littleton, CO (Heritage/Air Force) 80 Tiai Salanoa, TE 6-3 257 Jr 2V Sociology Oxnard, CA (Oxnard) 14 Quinn McQueary, QB 6-2 185 Fr HS Univ Stu Manhattan, MT (Manhattan) 81 Jacob Stanton, WR 6-2 180 Fr HS Univ Stu Billings, MT (Central) 15 Austin Barth, TE 6-5 233 Fr RS Univ Stu Columbia Falls, MT (Columbia Falls) 83 Manny Kalfell, WR 6-3 191 So Sq Bus Mgt Bozeman, MT (Bozeman) 15 Cody Cleveland, S 6-0 198 Jr Sq Socio New Lenox, IL (Providence) 84 Brian Flotkoetter, WR 6-2 211 Jr 2V Socio Laurel, MT (Laurel) 16 Cole Moore, LB 6-2 220 Jr 2V Poli Sci Palo Alto, CA (Lake Forest Prep) 85 Will Krolick, WR 6-0 192 Fr RS Mech Eng Anchorage, AK (South) 17 Chad Newell, RB 6-1 214 Fr RS Mech Eng Billings, MT (Senior) 86 Tanner Bleskin, WR 6-3 218 Sr 3V Microbio Great Falls, MT (CM Russell) 17 Kellen Kollmorgen, FS 6-0 155 Fr HS Univ Stu Waukee, IA (Waukee) 87 Shadeed Crockett, WR 6-1 179 Fr RS Civil Eng Champlin, MN (Maple Grove) 18 Rory Perez, P/K 6-3 199 Sr 3V Mktg Moreno Valley, CA (Canyon Spr) 89 Chris Houden, TE 6-5 237 Jr 1V Busin Madison, WI (Memorial) 18 Bo Hughes, DB 6-0 195 Fr HS Univ Stu Missoula, MT (Loyola) 90 Taylor Sheridan, DT 6-3 277 So 1V Bus Mgt Littleton, CO (Rock Canyon) 19 Jayshawn Gates, WR 5-8 150 Fr HS Univ Stu Palo Alto, CA (Palo Alto) 91 Robert Wilcox, DE 6-3 255 So Tr Kinesio Frisco, TX (Grambling/Princeton HS) 20 Brandon Davis, RB 5-8 180 So Tr Univ Stu Granbury, TX (La Tech/Granbury) 92 Nate Bignell, DT 6-2 273 So Sq Elem Ed Drummond, MT (Drummond) 20 Jaylen Price, DB 5-10 175 Fr HS HHP Little Elm, TX (Little Elm) 93 Lee Perkins, TE 6-2 232 Jr 2V Plant Sci Great Falls, MT (Great Falls) 21 RETIRED FOR DON HASS, TAILBACK, 1965-67 94 Devin Jeffries, DL 6-1 215 Fr HS Univ Stu Kalispell, MT (Glacier) 22 Eryon Barnett, S 6-2 195 Sr 1V Socio Euless, TX (Texas/Trinity) 95 Zach Hutchins, DE 6-3 238 Fr RS Bus Fin Las Vegas, NV (Bishop Gorman) 23 Nick LaSane, RB 5-11 200 Fr HS Socio Dallas TX (Lovejoy) 96 Monte Folsom, DL 6-2 270 Fr HS Univ Stu Dillon, MT (Beaverhead Co.) 24 Cody Dopps, RB 6-1 204 Fr RS Bus Mgt Bigfork, MT (Bigfork) 97 Connor Thomas, DT 6-3 290 Fr HS Bio Med Sci Kalispell, MT 25 Cody Kirk, RB 5-10 213 Sr 3V Math Frenchtown, MT (Frenchtown) 98 Luke Halliburton, DL 6-0 234 Fr RS Hea Enh Kalispell, MT (Glacier) 26 James Nelson, S 5-10 199 Jr 1V Elem Ed Los Angeles, CA (LB Poly) 99 Dallas Hayes, DL 6-1 293 Fr HS Univ Stu Kent, WA (Tahoma) 27 Gunnar Brekke, RB 5-11 188 Fr HS Univ Stu Helena, MT (Capital) 28 Vince DiGiallonardo, DB 5-11 187 Fr RS Univ Stu Polson, MT (Polson) 29 Fe’ao Vunipola, LB 5-11 222 Fr RS Univ Stu Pittsburg, CA (Pittsburg) 22013013 AlphabeticalAlphabetical RosterRoster 30 Trevor Bolton, K/P 5-10 189 So 1V Ex Sci Great Falls, MT (Great Falls) 66 Andrew Alt, OL 75 JP Flynn, OL 62 Brad Mathis, OG 31 Khari Garcia, DB 5-10 178 Fr HS Univ Stu Covina, CA (Charter Oak) 8 Ijumaa Armstrong, CB 96 Monte Folsom, DL 9 DeNarius McGhee, QB 32 Heath Hunter, DE 6-1 221 So Sq Business Bozeman, MT (Bozeman) 50 Craig Ashworth, DT 51 Michael Foster, LB 14 Quinn McQueary, QB 33 Shawn Johnson, RB 5-9 172 Jr 2V Health Enh Bakersfi eld, CA (Centennial) 64 Andy Austin, OG 68 Dillon Fraley, OL 2 Na’a Moeakiola, LB 34 Blake Braun, LB 6-1 223 Fr HS Univ Stu Riverside, CA (Redlands E. Valley) 22 Eryon Barnett, CB 7 Preston Gale, D 16 Cole Moore, LB 35 Morris Gates-Mouton, RB 5-9 167 Fr RS Univ Stu Palo Alto, CA (Palo Alto) 15 Austin Barth, TE 31 Khari Garcia, DB 26 James Nelson, S 36 Brad Nordahl, CB 5-11 172 So 1V Art Frenchtown, MT (Frenchtown) 1 Steven Bethley, S 19 Jayshawn Gates, WR 17 Chad Newell, RB 37 Deonte Flowers, CB 5-11 183 Jr 2V Math San Diego, CA (Samuel Morse) 49 Mac Bignell, DB 35 Morris Gates-Mouton, RB 36 Brad Nordahl, CB 38 Trace Timmer, S 5-11 180 So Sq Const Eng Tech Great Falls, MT (Great Falls) 92 Nate Bignell, DE 73 Caleb Gillis, OL 18 Rory Perez, P 39 James Okeke, DB 6-1 194 Tr Univ Stu Lagos, Nigeria (Island Pacifi c Academy/Hawai’i) 2 Jake Bleskin, QB 63 Kyle Godecke, OL 93 Lee Perkins, TE 40 Cody Vitt, RB 6-0 195 Fr HS Ani Sci Fairview, MT (Fairview) 86 Tanner Bleskin, WR 3 Sean Gords, CB 19 Jaylen Price, WR 41 Brad Daly, DE 6-1 240 Sr 3V Business Helena, MT (Capital) 30 Trevor Bolton, K/P 13 Mitch Griebel, WR 5 Dakota Prukop, QB 42 Trevan Timmer, DB 6-0 202 Fr HS Civ Eng Great Falls, MT (Great Falls) 34 Blake Braun, LB 44 Aleksei Grosulak, LB 11 Tanner Roderick, WR 43 Alex Singleton, LB 6-2 227 Jr 2V Socio Thousand Oaks, CA (Thousand Oaks) 27 Gunnar Brekke, RB 61 Richard Hageman, LS 80 Tiai Salanoa, TE 45 Luke Daly, K 6-1 172 Fr HS Bio Sci Billings, MT (Central) 79 Quinn Catalano, OT 98 Luke Halliburton, DL 90 Taylor Sheridan, DT 46 Hayden Vick, DE 6-3 236 Jr 1V Hea Enh Power, MT (Power) 54 Wyatt Christensen, LB 67 Doug Hanson, OL 43 Alex Singleton, LB 47 Taylor Dees, DT 6-2 273 Jr 2V El Ed Worden, MT (Huntley Project) 15 Cody Cleveland, S 99 Dallas Hayes, DL 81 Jacob Stanton, WR 48 Connor Verlanic, DE 6-4 240 Jr 2V Ag Bus Drummond, MT (Drummond) 10 Odin Coe, DE 56 Rocky Hogue, LS 97 Connor Thomas, DT 49 Mac Bignell, DB 6-0 185 Fr HS Uni Stu Drummond, MT (Drummond) 59 Fletcher Collins, LB 70 Joel Horn, OG/C 38 Trace Timmer, S 50 Craig Ashworth, DT 6-1 276 Sr 2V Kinesiolgy Florenc69e, MT (Florence) 87 Shadeed Crockett, WR 89 Chris Houden, TE 42 Trevan Timmer, DB 51 Michael Foster, LB 6-1 228 Jr 2V Civil Eng Seabrook, TX (Clear Lake) 41 Brad Daly, DE 18 Bo Hughes, DB 48 Connor Verlanic, DE 52 RETIRED FOR SONNY HOLLAND, CENTER, 1956-59 45 Luke Daly, K 32 Heath Hunter, LB 46 Hayden Vick, DE 53 Robert Walsh, LB 6-1 219 So Sq Bioeng Twin Bridges, MT (Twin Bridges) 12 David Dash, WR 95 Zach Hutchins, DL 40 Cody Vitt, RB 54 Wyatt Christensen, LB 6-0 212 Fr HS F&W Bio Fountain Valley, CA (Fountain Valley) 20 Brandon Davis, RB 94 Devin Jeffries, DL 29 Fe’ao Vunipola, LB 55 John Weidenaar, OT 6-7 277 So 1V Ag Bus Manhattan, MT (Manhattan Christian) 6 Kurt Davis, WR 33 Shawn Johnson, RB 53 Robert Walsh, LB 56 Rocky Hogue, LS 6-3 200 Fr HS Univ Stu Merced, CA (Merced) 47 Taylor Dees, DT 83 Manny Kalfell, WR 55 John Weidenaar, OT 58 Rhett Young, LB 6-0 218 Jr 2V An Sci Augusta, MT (Augusta) 74 Matthew Devereux, C 25 Cody Kirk, RB 91 Robert Wilcox, DE 59 Fletcher Collins, LB 6-2 236 Fr RS Bio Med Sci Seattle, WA (Seattle Prep) 28 Vince DiGiallonardo, DB 17 Kellen Kollmorgon, FS 65 Christian Williams, OL 60 Dylan Mahoney, OL 6-5 240 Fr HS Univ Stu Great Falls, MT (CM Russell) 24 Cody Dopps, RB 85 Will Krolick, WR 76 Marshall Womack, OL 61 Ryan Hageman, LS 5-11 205 Jr Tr Univ Stu Jordan, MT (Mont. Tech/Jordan) 71 Alex Eekhoff, OL 23 Nick LaSane, RB 58 Rhett Young, LB 62 Brad Mathis, OG 5-10 293 So Sq History Georgetown, TX 4 John Ellis, WR 72 Charles Lee, OL 63 Kyle Godecke, OG 6-5 310 So 1V Finance Dillon, MT (Beaverhead) 84 Brian Flotkoetter, WR 60 Dylan Mahoney, OL5 64 Andy Austin, OG/OT 6-3 290 Sr 1V Psych Billings, MT (West) 37 Deonte Flowers, CB 5 Robert Marshall, S 22013013 BBobcatobcat DDepthepth CCharthart aandnd PPronunciationsronunciations

Offense Defense LEFT TACKLE BANDIT 55 John Weidenaar* (WY-dun-our) 6-7 277 So& 41 Brad Daly*** 6-1 240 Sr& 76 Marshall Womack 6-5 273 Fr& 10 Odin Coe 6-3 254 So& LEFT GUARD NOSE 63 Kyle Godecke* (go-DECK-ee) 6-5 310 So& 50 Craig Ashworth** 6-1 276 Sr& or 75 JP Flynn 6-5 304 Fr& 92 Nate Bignell 6-2 273 So& 70 Joel Horn* 6-4 320 So& 97 Connor Thomas 6-3 290 Fr& 67 Doug Hanson 6-4 265 Fr& TACKLE CENTER 47 Taylor Dees** 6-2 273 Jr& 74 Matthew Devereux* (DEV-uh-roe) 6-3 294 So& 90 Taylor Sheridan* 6-3 277 So& 65 Christian Williams 6-3 310 Jr&+ END 68 Dillon Fraley 6-5 278 Fr& 7 Preston Gale** 6-3 254 Sr& RIGHT GUARD 48 Connor Verlanic** 6-4 240 Jr& 79 Quinn Catalano* (cat-uh-LAWN-o) 6-4 289 Jr& 46 Hayden Vick* 6-3 236 Jr& 72 Charles Lee 6-2 291 Jr&+ SAM RIGHT TACKLE 16 Cole Moore** 6-2 220 Jr& 71 Alex Eekhoff* (EEK-off) 6-6 288 So& 32 Heath Hunter 6-1 221 So& 64 Andy Austin* 6-3 290 Sr& MIKE QUARTERBACK 51 Michael Foster** 6-1 228 So& 9 DeNarius McGhee*** (duh-NAIR-ee-us) 6-0 212 Sr& 59 Fletcher Collins 6-2 236 Fr& 2 Jake Bleskin* 6-1 192 So& 58 inj-Rhett Young** 6-0 218 Jr& 5 Dakota Prukop (PROO-kop) 6-2 188 Fr& WILL RUNNING BACK 43 Alex Singleton** 6-2 227 Jr 25 Cody Kirk** 5-10 213 Sr& 29 Fe’ao Vunipola (FAY-ou VOON-ipp-o-luh) 5-11 222 Fr& 33 Shawn Johnson** 5-9 172 Jr 53 Rob Walsh 6-1 219 So& 17 Chad Newell 6-1 214 Fr& OR BOUNDARY CORNER 27 Gunnar Brekke 5-11 188 Fr 3 Sean Gords*** 5-10 193 Sr 20 Brandon Davis 5-8 180 So+& 8 Ijumaa Armstrong (EE-joo-mah) 6-0 187 Jr&+ X RECEIVER 38 Trace Timmer 5-11 180 So& 86 Tanner Bleskin** 6-3 218 Sr& ROVER 83 Manny Kalfell 6-3 193 So& 22 Eryon Barnett* (like Aaron) 6-2 195 Sr&+ F/Y RECEIVER 5 Robert Marshall** 6-0 195 Jr 4 Jon Ellis** 5-10 179 Sr FREE SAFETY 12 David Dash 5-7 174 Jr& 1 Steven Bethley*** 5-11 215 Sr 13 Mitch Griebel (GRY-bell) 5-10 193 So+& 26 James Nelson* 5-10 199 Jr& Z RECEIVER 15 Cody Cleveland 6-0 198 Jr& 84 Brian Flotkoetter* (FLAWT-cutter) 6-2 211 Jr& FIELD CORNER 11 Tanner Roderick 6-3 190 So&+ 37 Deonte Flowers* (dee-AWN-tay) 5-11 183 Jr 85 Will Krolick 6-0 192 Fr& 36 Brad Nordahl* (NORE-doll) 5-11 172 So& 87 Shadeed Crockett 6-1 179 Fr& 28 Vince DiGiallonardo (Dee-jello-NARD-o) 5-11 187 Fr& TIGHT END 80 Tiai Salanoa* (Tee sal-uh-NO-uh) 6-3 257 Jr *-letters won &-used redshirt year +-transferred to MSU 93 Lee Perkins* 6-2 232 Jr& 15 Austin Barth 6-5 233 Fr&

Special Teams PUNTS/PLACEMENTS 18 Rory Perez** 6-3 199 Sr 30 Trevor Bolton 5-10 189 So& LONG SNAPS 92 Nate Bignell 6-2 273 So SHORT SNAPS 92 Nate Bignell 6-2 273 So

Includes only players who participated in spring drills 22013013 BBobcatobcat OOpponentpponent CCapsulesapsules 1 Monmouth 5 at North Dakota 9 at Northern Colorado Location ...... West Long Branch, NJ Location ...... Grand Forks, ND Location ...... Greeley, CO Enrollment ...... 6,000 Enrollment ...... 14,378 Enrollment ...... 12,148 Nickname ...... Hawks Nickname ...... UND Nickname ...... Bears Colors ...... Midnight blue, white Colors ...... Kelly green, white Colors ...... Blue, gold Stadium ...... Kessler Field Stadium ...... Alerus Center (12,283) Stadium ...... Nottingham Field (8,500) Afi lliation ...... NCAA DI FCS Afi lliation ...... NCAA DI FCS Afi lliation ...... NCAA DI FCS Conference ...... Independent Conference ...... Big Sky Conference ...... Big Sky Athletics Director ...... Dr. Marilyn McNeil Athletics Director ...... Brian Faison Athletics Director ...... TBA Head Coach ...... Kevin Callahan Head Coach ...... Chris Mussman Head Coach ...... Earnest Collins, Jr. Alma Mater ...... Rochester/’77 Alma Mater ...... Iowa State/’90 Alma Mater ...... Northern Colorado/’96 Career/at School ...... 114-91, 21st/same Career/at School ...... 28-26, 6th/same Career/at School ...... 5-17, 3rd/13-29, 5th Record vs. MSU ...... 0-0 (0-0/0-0) Record vs. MSU ...... 0-1 (0-0/0-1) Record vs. MSU ...... 0-2 (0-1/0-1) SID ...... Greg Viscomi SID:Ryan Powell ([email protected]) SID:Heather Kennedy ([email protected]) Phone: ...... o: 732/571-4447 Phone: ..701/777-2986, cell 701/213-5921 Phone: ..970/351-1065, cell 970/978-0675 2 at SMU 6 NAU 10 at Eastern Washington Location ...... Dallas, TX Location ...... Flagstaff, AZ Location ...... Cheney, WA Enrollment ...... 10,893 Enrollment ...... 23,600 Enrollment ...... 12,587 Nickname ...... Mustangs Nickname ...... Lumberjacks Nickname ...... Eagles Colors ...... Red, blue Colors ...... Blue, gold Colors ...... Red, white Stadium ...... Gerald J. Ford Stadium Stadium ...... Walkup Skydome Stadium ...... Roos Field (8,600) Afi lliation ...... NCAA DI FBS Afi lliation ...... NCAA DI FCS Afi lliation ...... NCAA DI FCS Conference ...... American Athletic Conf. Conference ...... Big Sky Conference ...... Big Sky Athletics Director ...... Dr. R. Gerald Turner VP for Athletics ...... Dr. Lisa Campos Athletics Director ...... Bill Chaves Head Coach ...... June Jones Head Coach ...... Jerome Souers Head Coach ...... Beau Baldwin Alma Mater ...... NY State Regents Alma Mater ...... Oregon/’83 Alma Mater ...... Central Wash./’83 Career/at School .. 107-75, 15th/31-34/6th Career/at School ...... 84-85, 16th/same Career/at School .....44-19, 6th/54-22, 7th Record vs. MSU ...... 0-0 (0-0/0-0) Record vs. MSU ...... 7-7 (4-3/3-4) Record vs. MSU ...... 3-2 (1-1/2-1) SID:...Brad Sutton ([email protected]) SID:...... Denise Thompson SID:...... Dave Cook ([email protected]) Phone: .o: 214/768-1651, c: 214/914-8705 Phone: o: 928/523-6330, c: 512/216-3440 Phone: 406/243-5402, cell 406/370-9435 3 Colorado Mesa 7 at Weber State 11 Southern Utah Location ...... Grand Junction, CO Location ...... Ogden, UT Location ...... Cedar City, UT Enrollment ...... 7,700 Enrollment ...... 26,483 Enrollment ...... 8,066 Nickname ...... Mavericks Nickname ...... Wildcats Nickname ...... Thunderbirds Colors ...... Maroon, white Colors ...... Purple, white Colors ...... Scarlet, white Stadium ...... Stocker Stadium Stadium ...... Stewart Stadium (17,500) Stadium ...... Eccles Coliseum (8,500) Afi lliation ...... NCAA DII Afi lliation ...... NCAA DI FCS Afi lliation ...... NCAA DI FCS Conference ....Rocky Mountain Athletic Conf. Conference ...... Big Sky Conference ...... Big Sky Athletics Director ...... Butch Miller Athletics Director ...... Jerry Bovee Athletics Director ...... Ken Beazer Head Coach ...... Russ Martin Head Coach ...... Jody Sears Head Coach ...... Ed Lamb Alma Mater ...... Chadron State/’84 Alma Mater ...... Washington State/’91 Alma Mater ...... BYU/’96 Career/at School ...... /0-0, 1st Career/at School ...... 2-9, 2nd/same Career/at School ...... 26-29, 6th/same Record vs. MSU ...... 0-0 (0-0/0-0) Record vs. MSU ...... 0-0 Record vs. MSU ...... 0-1 (0-1/0-0) SID:...... David Jahnke SID:...... Paul Grua SID:...... Neil Gardner ([email protected]) Phone: ...... Phone: . o: 801/626-7414, c: 801/425-3811 Phone: ...... 435/586-7723, 435/559-0275 4 at Stephen F. Austin 8 UC Davis 12 Montana Location ...... Nacogdoches, TX Location ...... Davis, CA Location ...... Missoula, MT Enrollment ...... 12,999 Enrollment ...... 33,300 Enrollment ...... 14,943 Nickname ...... Lumberjacks Nickname ...... Aggies Nickname ...... Grizzlies Colors ...... Purple, white Colors ...... Blue, gold Spirit Colors ...... Maroon, silver Stadium ...... Homer Bryce Stadium Stadium ...... Aggie Stadium Stadium ...... Washington-Grizzly Afi lliation ...... NCAA DI FCS Afi lliation ...... NCAA DI FCS Afi lliation ...... DI FCS Conference ...... Southland Conference ...... Great West Conference ...... Big Sky Athletics Director ...... Robert Hill Athletics Director ...... Terry Tumey Athletics Director ...... Kent Haslam Head Coach ...... J.C. Harper Head Coach ...... Ron Gould Head Coach ...... Mick Delaney Alma Mater ...... Clemson/’99 Alma Mater ...... Oregon/’88 Alma Mater ...... UM Western/’64 Career/at School ...... 34-36, 7th/same Career/at School ...... 0-0, 1st/same Career/at School ...... 5-6/2nd, 12-15-1/4th Record vs. MSU ...... 0-1 (0-0/0-1) Record vs. MSU ...... 0-0 Record vs. MSU ...... 0-1 (0-1/0-0) SID:...... James Dixon ([email protected]) SID:...... Mike Robles SID:Dave Guffey ([email protected]) Phone: ..936/468-2606, cell 936/552-1171 Phone: .... 530/752-3680, c: 530/979-1747 Phone: 406/243-5402, cell 406/370-9435 tthehe CCOACHESOACHES HHEADEAD CCOACHOACH RRobob AAshsh

If pressed to boil Rob Ash’s six-year around the Gallatin Valley with involve- won in only once previously. The Bobcats tenure at Montana State down to a catch- ment in a wide variety of service activi- rose to the occasion, ending the reign of phrase, you could do worse than: It just ties. the 12-time defending Big Sky Champi- keeps getting better. ons with a hard-fought 21-16 win. The strongest testimony to MSU’s suc- Literally. cess in those areas came on January Ash’s late-season success also reached 9, 2012 when Ash earned the Liberty past November. In December 2011 and Because in his time at Montana State, Mutual 2011 National Coach of the Year 2012 the Bobcats claimed playoff victo- except for the 2007 squad which he took for the Football Championship Subdivi- ries, and have hosted four home playoff over in mid-June, each team has posted sion (FCS), a marker of Ash’s success in games in the last three years. a better record than the one before. all three areas of focus. Charged with the task of improving on Ash grew up in a Friday Night Lights a 10-win season and back-to-back Big “The awards are tremendous,” Ash says, world far from the plains of Texas and Sky titles, the 2012 team “but I can’t emphasize enough decades before a book of that name shed raised the stakes again. that these are more a refl ection light on the sometimes-seedy side of high Montana State rang up of the entire staff than any single school football in oil country. Ash grew up 11 wins, won a share of individual, including me. The the son of an Iowa minister whose family the Big Sky for the third quality of assistant coaches in this became ingrained in each community he straight year, and won an program is remarkable, and I’m served by following its high school foot- FCS Playoff game for the proud to work with them.” ball program. “We would drive for hours second straight season. to that week’s game,” Ash recalls, “and The work of Ash and his staff we knew we were getting close when we Taken as a whole, Ash’s has resulted in 50 wins over six could see the lights of that town’s stadium career at Montana State seasons (Ash’s record at MSU in the distance.” has proven spectacular. is 50-22), 30 of them in the past In six seasons, his teams’ three campaigns. That marks the An Academic All-America quarterback 50 wins boost him to the most wins, and second-highest at Cornell College in Iowa, Ash cut his top of the school’s career winning percentage, over such a coaching teeth as a graduate assistant wins list. That could not be a surprise – stretch in school history. Ash now stands at his alma mater while simultaneously Ash now stands atop the career wins list 226-121-5 in his 33 seasons as a college working as a freelance scout for a local at three different schools – but its predict- head coach, with that win total standing high school football program. He also ability remains impressive. And individual 12th among active college coaches and coached other sports, including tennis, awards have followed. Ash was the 2010 43rd all-time. He is just one of fi ve Bobcat taking lessons from each new assignment Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year, coaches to bring multiple championships that would serve him in later years. the 2011 Liberty Mutual FCS Coach of the to MSU, and one of just three with three Year, and the 2012 AFCA West Region titles to his credit. When presented the opportunity to lead Co-Coach of the Year (along with becom- his own program he jumped at it, never ing a fi nalist for Liberty Mutual national Bringing championships to Bozeman mind that Juniata sits in the remote hills honors for a second consecutive season). was nothing new for Ash – he now owns of Pennsylvania, and that people could eight – or the Bobcats. Montana State’s barely pronounce the its name, much less In the last half-dozen years, Ash has 2012 crown stands as the program’s sixth locate it on a map. (For the record, Ju- infused the Bobcat program with the in the last 11 years, the most successful niata College is pronounced joo-nee-AW- three-layered foundation of his programs. such period in program history in terms tuh.) Ash led that school, whose football They are as easy to identify as they are to of championships. Ash’s 50 wins place players often traipsed into the woods on understand. him alone in Montana State’s legendary hunting expeditions after practice, to one coaching family, and his .694 winning league title on the way to becoming its all- Success on the fi eld. Achievement in the percentage trails only Tony Storti. time winningest coach before leaving for classroom. Integrity in the community. his native Iowa and a unique challenge at A career that touches fi ve different Drake University in Des Moines. More than just vague goals plucked from decades and spans the a mission statement, Ash’s six years have continent, from the hills of produced tangible results in each area. Pennsylvania through the The Bobcats own three straight league plains of his native Iowa titles for only the second time in school to the majestic mountains history, and the recently-departed senior of Montana, prepared Ash class of 2012 stand as the group with well for last year’s crucial the most wins a Bobcat class has ever moments. The all-time wins produced. leader at both Drake and Juniata, the meticulous plan- Simultaneously, MSU Football has joined ning and preparation of Ash the FCS’s standard bearers in academic and his staff led the Bobcats success as measured by a wide range to Montana’s Washington- of metrics, including graduation rate and Grizzly Stadium in Novem- Academic Progress Rate. The Bobcats ber of 2010, with an opportu- have also raised the program’s profi le in nity to claim a championship the MSU and Bozeman communities and in a venue the program had Rob Ash became MSU’s all-time winningest football coach last November (Kelly Gorham) There, Ash led Drake to four champion- After a record of success at Juniata, ships in a conference he helped create – which included a 51-36-3 record, Ash During the course of his career, Ash the Pioneer Football League – while help- soon caught the eye of the athletic has gained prominence in his profes- ing the once-powerful program transition administration at Drake in Ash’s native sion through an avenue aside from his from Division III status to Division I-AA, Iowa. Likewise, Ash saw opportunity. “We sterling coaching record. Ash has risen fi ghting for a return to relevance in Big 10 enjoyed our time at Juniata, but the tim- to progressively higher levels of promi- and Big 12 country. While at Drake, Ash ing of returning to Iowa was good from a nence and responsibility in the American began helping inspire a passion in aspir- family standpoint, and we saw the chance Football Coaches Association, a sign of ing young professionals that led them to build something at a school with the both respect from his peers and his high down the football coaching path, spawn- academic tradition Drake enjoys.” level of diligence and organization. He ing the careers of more than a dozen was elected to the AFCA Board of Trust- assistant football coaches. From the outset, Ash and his staff took ees in 2002, a position he held through advantage of that opportunity. His fi rst his immediate past presidency in 2012. After decades of success and a positive Bulldog squad in 1989 posted a 7-3 mark, His tenure as the organization’s president impact on hundreds of young lives, Ash and when his next team fi nished 6-4 he marks a fi rst for an MSU coach. yearned for one challenge – the opportu- had helped Drake to three straight win- nity to compete for a national champion- ning seasons for the fi rst time in nearly Ash and his wife Margaret have two ship. That opportunity came on June 11, two decades. In fact, Ash’s Drake teams grown children - Scott, who lives in Boze- 2007, when Bobcat Athletic Director Peter posted only two sub-.500 records in 18 man, and Kelly, who graduated with her Fields introduced Ash as Montana State’s years, 1991 and 2002, and those seasons Master’s Degree in jazz performance at 31st head coach. Ash took the reins of a combined were just three games below New York University and is now a touring program steeped in success and tradi- break-even (9-12). Ash’s last three Drake professional musician. Margaret works at tion. “Bobcat Football is defi ned by tre- squads fi nished with a cumulative 25-8 home booking leisure travel, land vaca- mendous institutional support, passionate record. The Bulldogs won four Pioneer tions, and destination weddings. and loyal fans, and an outstanding record Football League titles during Ash’s tenure. of success,” Ash said at the time. I look forward to being part of that tradition.” Rob Ash’s Coaching Record All Conf...... HomeRoad GrassTurf Day Night Ash spent many years building his At Montana State impressive resume of success. His 2012 11-2 7-1 ...... 6-2 5-0 0-0 11-2 8-1 3-1 coaching career began at his alma mater, 2011 10-3 7-1 ...... 6-1 4-2 0-0 10-3 10-2 0-1 Cornell (Iowa) College, shortly after grad- 2010 9-3 7-1 ...... 6-1 3-2 0-0 9-3 9-3 0-0 uating in 1973. After earning a master’s 2009 7-4 5-3 ...... 4-2 3-2 2-2 5-2 7-4 0-0 degree in history from the University of 2008 7-5 5-3 ...... 4-2 3-3 1-0 6-5 7-4 0-1 Michigan in 1975 (he received a second 2007 6-5 4-4 ...... 4-2 2-3 5-5 1-0 6-4 0-1 Totals 50-22 35-13 ...... 30-10 20-12 8-7 42-15 47-18 3-4 in physical education from Iowa in 1980), he began coaching football and other At Drake sports at Cornell in 1975. 2006 9-2 6-1/2nd ...... 5-2 4-0 2005 6-4 2-2/3rd North ...... 3-1 3-3 After four years as an assistant at Cor- 2004 10-2 4-0/1st North ...... 6-1 4-1 2003 6-6 1-3/T4th North ...... 6-1 0-5 nell, Ash’s legacy as a highly-successful 2002 5-6 1-3/4th ...... 3-2 2-4 head coach began in the hills of rural 2001 5-5 1-3/T4th North ...... 3-1 2-4 Pennsylvania at NCAA Division III Juniata 2000 7-4 3-1/T1st ...... 5-1 2-3 in 1980. His fi nal three squads rolled up a 1999 7-4 2-2/3rd ...... 3-2 4-2 30-11-1 mark, which comprises one of the 1998 7-3 4-0/1st ...... 5-0 2-3 most successful spans in Eagles history. 1997 8-3 2-3/3rd ...... 4-1 4-2 1996 8-3 4-1/2nd ...... 5-0 3-3 Ash enjoyed his experience at Juniata. 1995 8-1-1 5-0/1st ...... 4-0-1 4-1 “We faced a lot of challenges there. It 1994 7-3 3-2/3rd ...... 4-1 3-2 1993 8-2 3-2/2nd ...... 4-1 4-1 is an excellent school academically in 1992 7-2-1 --- ...... 5-0 2-2-1 a beautiful part of the country, but so 1991 4-6 --- ...... 1-5 3-1 many people had never heard of it, and 1990 6-4 --- ...... 4-0 2-4 those that had usually mispronounced its 1989 7-3 --- ...... 4-1 3-2 name,” Ash recalled with a laugh. Totals 125-63-2 At Juniata Born: July 9, 1951 1988 6-3-1 --- ...... 2-2-1 4-1 Hometown: Ottumwa, IA 1987 7-3 --- ...... 4-1 3-2 Education: Cornell (Iowa) College, BBA, 1973; 1986 9-2 --- ...... 5-1 4-1 Michigan, MA, 1975; Iowa, MA; 1980 1985 8-3 --- ...... 5-0 3-3 Player: Academic All-America quarterback, 1984 3-6-1 --- ...... 2-4 1-2-1 Cornell (Iowa) College, 1969-72 1983 2-8 --- ...... 2-3 0-5 Family: Wife Margaret, son, Scott, daughter, Kelly 1982 6-4 --- ...... 4-1 2-3 1981 6-2-1 --- ...... 3-1-1 3-1 2007- Montana State Head Coach 1980 4-5 --- ...... 2-3 2-2 1989-2006 Drake Head Coach Totals 51-36-3 ...... 29-16-2 22-20-1 1980-88 Juniata Head Coach TOTAL 226-121-5 1976-79 Cornell College Assistant Coach CCOORDINATORSOORDINATORS

FBS Sun Belt Conference. Cramsey played quarterback at New Hampshire from 1995-98 after redshirting in 1994, serving as JJamieamie MarshallMarshall a team captain as a senior. He fi lled a unique role, also serving Assistant Head Coach/Defensive as the team’s long snapper during his four years on the varsity. Following three years in private business he entered the high Coordinator/Secondary-Safeties school coaching ranks in his native Pennsylvania, returning to his alma mater as tight ends coach in 2003. In 2006 he became It would have been hard to imagine in the summer of 2007, running backs coach, and two years later took over coaching when Jamie Marshall arrived at Montana State, that the Bobcat quarterbacks. He added offensive coordinator duties in 2009, defense could be more highly productive or regarded than it was and was also recruiting coordinator and kickoff return coach at that time. Yet, under Marshall’s coordination for six seasons, at points during his time there. Leaving New Hampshire after that is exactly what has happened. The long-time Rob Ash the 2011 season, Cramsey took over as offensive coordinator disciple has produced the league’s top defense in yards allowed at Florida International in 2012, helping the Panthers average three times, and in 2012 also allowed the fewest points, second- 383.8 yards and 25.0 points per game. fewest rushing yards, and third-fewest passing yards in the Big Sky. That level of production is not new – since 2008, Marshall’s Birth Date: October 8, 1975 defense has led the league in a major defensive statistical Hometown: Allentown, PA category six times and has never been in the bottom half of the Education: BS, Business, New Hampshire, 1998 league rankings in any category. Marshall’s defenses have pro- Player: QB/LS at New Hampshire duced a host of individual stars, capped by the 2012 Buck Bu- Family: Wife Amy, children Brock (1 chanan Award winner (Caleb Schreibeis) and Big Sky Defensive MVP (Jody Owens). In Marshall’s tenure MSU has produced 2013- Montana State ...... Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks four consensus All-Americas (LB Bobby Daly, 2007, DE Dane 2012 Florida International ...... Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Fletcher in ’09, and LB Jody Owens and DE Caleb Schrei- 2008-11 New Hampshire ..Offensive Coordinator(‘09-11)/Quarterbacks beis in ‘12) and 10 First Team All-Big Sky choices. Marshall’s 2006-07 New Hampshire ...... Running Backs 2003-05 New Hampshire ...... Tight Ends emergence as engineer of one of the top FCS stop units is no GAME DAY ASSIGNMENT: Sideline surprise. The Dubuque, Iowa, native had similar success as DC (2003-06)at Drake, engineering 10th place Bulldog fi nishes in FCS scoring defense during two of his last three seasons. His teams defended the run (12th in 2004) and pass (10th in 2006, 23rd in ‘04) with equal profi ciency. After one season in the Iowa DDanielaniel DDaPratoaPrato prep ranks (1999), Marshall joined Ash’s staff at his alma mater. He was a defensive assistant at Drake from 2000-02 before his Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends rise to coordinator. The All-Pioneer League defensive back as a junior and senior, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Drake in No stranger to the Big Sky Conference, Daniel DaPrato brings a 1999. Marshall played for Ash at Drake from 1995-98. wealth of experience to his fi rst season at MSU. DaPrato spent the six seasons prior to joining the Bobcat staff at Sacramento Hometown: Dubuque, Iowa State, coaching receivers throughout his tenure and rising to Born: March 7, 1977 the role of special teams coordinator from 2010-12. At different Education: BS Secondary Ed, Drake, 1999 points during his time at Sac State he also served as interim Player: Two-time All-Pioneer DB at Drake strength and conditioning coach, academic liaison, and travel Family: Wife Kristi, son Cole (5, daughter Piper (1) coordinator. DaPrato coached nine All-Big Sky players, includ- ing the school’s single-season record-holder for receptions and 2007- Montana State ...... Defensive Coordinator 2003-06 Drake ...... Defensive Coordinator touchdowns, as well as an All-America, while with the Hornets. 2000-02 Drake ...... Defensive assistant DaPrato’s coaching career began at his alma mater, Louisiana- GAME DAY ASSIGNMENT: Press Box Monroe, where he gained progressive responsibilities as a graduate assistant, director of football operations and recruiting coordinator. DaPrato played quarterback at Louisiana-Monroe after transferring from Chabot Junior College. He began his career at New Mexico Highlands. The West Sacramento native TTimim CramseyCramsey will coordinate special teams and coach tight ends at MSU. Off ensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Hometown: Modesto, CA His prior knowledge of Montana State football may be con- Born: October 2, 1981 densed into one early-winter afternoon in 2011, but Tim Education: Louisiana-Montroe, BA, ‘04; Louisiana-Monroe, MA, ‘05 Cramsey is impressed with what he has seen. The University of Player: ULM (2002-03), Chabot JC (‘01), NM Highlands (‘00) New Hampshire’s offensive coordinator in 2011 when the Bob- Family: Wife Giovanna cats topped UNH 26-25 in an FCS Playoff Game in Bozeman, 2013- Montana State ...... Special Teams Coord./Tight Ends Cramsey comes to Bozeman in a similar capacity after one 2007-12 Sacramento State ...... Receivers/ST (2010-12) season as offensive coordinator at Florida International of the 2006 Louisiana-Monroe ...... DFO (2005)/GA (2004-05) GAME DAY ASSIGNMENT: Press Box OOFFENSIVEFFENSIVE AASSISTANTSSISTANT CCOACHESOACHES son with the Salukis he moved to Northwestern, where he was football operations director from 1997-99. In his second stint at JJasonason MMcEndoocEndoo Miami he served as the Red Hawks’ recruiting coordinator, help- Run Game Coordinator/Off ensive Line ing land a list of future NFL starters including Ben Roethlisberg- er, and spent four years as pass game coordinator. Von Bergen The senior member of MSU’s coaching staff, Jason McEndoo was part of three MAC East title teams and a top 10 BCS fi nish stands as one of the top assistant coaches in Big Sky history. in 2003, developing three straight team MVPs, and guiding two The 2011 AFCA FCS Assistant Coach of the Year enters his receivers into the NFL draft (Trevor Gaylor, Chargers, 2000, and 11th season as architect of one of the most decorated and pro- Ryne Robinson, Panthers, ‘07). In addition to his positive impact ductive units in the FCS, and his fi ve MSU championship rings on the fi eld, Von Bergen is credited as a top-notch recruiter. is the most earned by an assistant football coach at the school. McEndoo has coached seven Bobcat All-Americas and 10 First Born: December 26, 1969 Team All-Big Sky selections, including All-America center Jeff Hometown: Hebron, IL Bolton, the 2005 Rimington Award einner as Division I-AA’s top Education: Illinois, BS, 1992; Miami (Ohio), MS, 1994 center. McEndoo has also forged the careers of 2010 consen- Family: Wife Erin, son Gunnar (9) sus All-America Mike Person (a seventh round choice by San 2009- Montana State ...... Pass Game Coordinator (2013-)/Receivers Francisco in the 2011 NFL Draft), and 2012 All-America Shaun 2000-08 Miami (Ohio) ...... Receivers Sampson. In 2011, two Bobcat O-linemen – Conrad Burbank 1997-99 Northwestern ...... Football Operations and Alex Terrien – earned All-America honors. MSU’s offensive 1996 Southern Illinois ...... Running Backs front led the Big Sky in fewest sacks allowed in 2006 and ‘08, 1993-95 Miami (Ohio) ...... Graduate Assistant and in rushing yards in ’08, and is a leadership hub in the Bob- 1992 Miami (Ohio) ...... Volunteer Coach cat program. At least one Bobcat offensive lineman has served as a team captain in nine of McEndoo’s 11 seasons. The former All-Pac 10 offensive lineman (1997) graduated from Washington State in ‘98, spending the next three seasons in the NFL with DDemoemo OOdemsdems Seattle and New Orleans. He coached high school football in Washington from 2000-02 before arriving at MSU, and his wide- Running Backs ranging service activities includes coaching youth baseball. Demo Odems adapted brilliantly during his fi rst season coach- Born: February 25, 1975 ing running backs at MSU in 2012. A former University of Iowa Hometown: Aberdeen, WA receiver, Odems inherited a talented, experienced group of Education: Washington State, BA, 1998; Whitworth, MA, 2003 backs last fall, but in spite of dealing with injuries all season Player: Washington State 1994-97, All-Pac 10 as senior MSU running backs rushed for 1,509 yards. Odems came to Family: Wife Ruth, son Luke (11), daughters Elizabeth (9), Aubrie (7), Ainslee (4) MSU from Lyndon B. Johnson High School in Austin, Tex., where he was 22-19 in four seasons. His 2011 squad fi nished 2003- Montana State ...... Run Game Coord. (2013-)/Offensive Line 6-4, winning the school’s fi rst outright district title since 1995. 2002 Mt Spokane HS ...... Offensive Line Odems began his coaching career as an LBJ assistant in 1997, 2000-01 Lake Washington HS ...... Offensive Line GAME DAY ASSIGNMENT: Sideline joining the Lancaster, Tex., HS staff as offensive coordinator in 2001. In 2005, Odems became a graduate assistant at Wiscon- sin, moving on to Arkansas-Monticello as receivers coach in 2006. He returned to the prep ranks in 2007, coaching at John- son High in Austin, before becoming Athletic Director and head BBrianrian VonVon BergenBergen coach at LBJ the next season. After a productive career at Iowa, Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Odems impressed with the Texas Terminators in the Indoor Football League and the Grand Rapids Rampage in the Arena Football League. In 2001, he was Ironman of the Game in the Brian Von Bergen’s impact on the Montana State receiving Arena Bowl XV, earning All-Ironman WR honors that season. corps was immediate, molding a youthful group of receivers into an offensive force in 2009, and his contributions lasting. Born: May 4, 1974 Acknowledging that, Rob Ash promoted Von Bergen to Pass Education: BS, Iowa, 1996; MS, Texas A&M Commerce, 2011 Game Coordinator in the summer of 2013, a title refl ecting a Player: Four-year letterman, three-year starting receiver at Iowa, broadening scope of responsibility as well as a role he has long 1992-96; Indoor Football League and Arena Football League held at MSU. Incredibly, during his four years at MSU Von Ber- Family: Wife Kimberly, grown son Justin gen has coached two of the program’s top fi ve all-time receivers Hometown: Austin, TX in terms of yards, Elvis Akpla, MSU’s fi rst All-America receiver since 1994, and Tanner Bleskin, for the entirety of their careers. 2012- Montana State...... Running Backs The 17-year Division I coaching veteran came to MSU in 2009 2008-11 Austin, Tex., Lyndon B. Johnson HS...... Head Coach after coaching Miami (Ohio) receivers from 2000-08. A 1992 2007 Austin, Tex., Johnson HS ...... Head Coach 2006 Arkansas-Monticello...... Receivers Illinois graduate, he began his coaching career as a volunteer 2005 Wisconsin ...... Graduate Assistant coach (1992) and graduate assistant (1993-95) at Miami, before 2001-04 Lancaster, Tex., HS ...... Offensive Coordinator coaching running backs at Southern Illinois in 1996. After a sea- 1997-2000 Austin, Tex., Lyndon B. Johnson HS...... Assistant DDEFENSIVEEFENSIVE AASSISTANTSSISTANT CCOACHESOACHES BBoo BeckBeck KKaneane IoaneIoane Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator Linebackers

Already one of the legendary position groups in Big Sky history, Kane Ioane’s greatness as a Bobcat football player is unques- Montana State’s defensive line has only enhanced its reputation tioned, but his status as an MSU assistant coach is catching up. in six years under Bo Beck’s direction. An original member of A member of the Bobcat coaching staff since his playing days Rob Ash’s Bobcat coaching staff, Beck’s Bobcat defensive front ended in 2003, Ioane is building a considerable legacy working earned the ultimate achievement in 2012 when senior end Caleb with MSU’s linebackers. In his nine seasons on the Bobcat staff, Schreibeis was selected as the Buck Buchanan Award recipi- including seven as a full-time assistant and four as the team’s ent as the top defensive player in the FCS. Beck has coached primary linebackers coach, Ioane has worked with some of the a quartet of All-Americas – end Dane Fletcher in 2009, now a top ‘backers produced by MSU, including two-time All-America member of the New England Patriots, tackles Dan Ogden (2010) linebackers Jody Owens and Bobby Daly. The Billings native and Zach Minter (2011), and Scrheibeis in 2012. The MSU de- earned All-Big Sky honors twice, and was Big Sky Defensive fensive line’s individual achievement is grounded in production MVP as a senior in 2003. Ioane paced a defense that led the as a unit. The Bobcats led the Big Sky in sacks in 2011 – piling league in fewest yards allowed for three straight seasons, win- up a gaudy 44 – and ‘09, fi nishing second in ‘08 and ‘12. Brad ning back-to-back Big Sky titles in 2002 and ‘03, and Ioane led Daly led the Big Sky averaging 1.04 sacks in ‘11. Beck also the conference in tackles as a sophomore and junior. The only assumed recruiting coordinator duties in 2012. A former CSU four-time All-America in Bobcat history, Ioane capped his career defensive lineman, Beck began his collegiate coaching career with consensus fi rst team honors as a senior. Ioane comes by as Rob Ash’s defensive line coach at Drake from 2002-04, his coaching ability naturally. His father is a long-time basketball moving to Iowa State as a graduate assistant from 2004-06. and golf coach at Billings Skyview, and his brother Kip is the Beck began his playing career at Arizona State, fi nishing at and head men’s basketball coach at Willamette University in Oregon. graduating from CSU in 2002. Born: January 23, 1982 Hometown: Billings, MT Born: September 4, 1971 Education: Montana State, BA, 2005 Education: BA CSU, 2002; MS Drake, 2005; MS Iowa State, 2007. Player: MSU, All-America safety and Big Sky Defensive MVP Player: Played at Arizona State (1989, ’90), Colorado State (1991, ’92) Hometown: Fort Collins, CO 2009- Montana State ...... Linebackers 2005-08 Montana State ...... Linebackers Asst 2007- Montana State ...... Defensive Line/Recruiting Coord. (2012) GAME DAY ASSIGNMENT: Sideline 2004-06 Iowa State...... Graduate Assistant 2002-04 Drake ...... Defensive Line 1994-2001 Fort Collins (Colo.) HS ...... Defensive Coordinator GAME DAY ASSIGNMENT: Sideline BBrandonrandon NNorthorth Secondary Assistant-Cornerbacks

MMichaelichael RRiderider After helping Stephen F. Austin to back-to-back Southland titles Defensive Line Assistant in 2009 and ’10, Brandon North has coached on MSU’s 2011 and ‘12 championship squads. North helped tutor a Bobcat A key fi gure in Montana State’s return to national prominence secondary that fi nished fi rst in the league in pass defense and under Rob Ash, Michael Rider returns to Bozeman for his fi rst pass effi ciency defense in 2011, and in total defense and scor- season as a full-time assistant, coaching defensive linemen with ing defense in 2012. North spent four seasons on the coaching Bo Beck. Rider played safety for the Cats from 2007-10, earning staff at SFA, and during the Lumberjacks’ 2009-10 champion- Honorable Mention All-Big Sky honors twice and serving as s ship seasons coached Lumberjack safeties. A member of that team captain in 2010. His last regular season play as a Bobcat school’s 1999 league title team, North was an all-conference was a championship-clinching interception in Washington- defensive back who was named ESPN Sports Ticker National Grizzly Stadium on the last play of a Bobcat win. A year earlier, Player of the Week once that year. North earned his bachelor’s in 2009, Rider keyed one of the legendary goal-line stands in degree from SFA in 2003 and his master’s in 2009. He spent school history, getting stops on third and fourth downs inside the four years in retail management before returning to the Stephen 10-yard line as MSU stunned #11 Weber State 26-21. Rider was F. Austin program as an assistant coach in 2007. a standout at Billings West, and his father played at Texas. Born: January 30, 1978 Born: March 30, 1988 Hometown: Houston, TX Hometown: Billings, Mont. Education: Stephen F. Austin, BA, 2003; Stephen F. Austin, ME, 2009 Education: MSU, 2011 Player: Stephen F. Austin 1996-2000, All-Southland as junior, senior 2012 UNLV ...... Graduate Assistant 2011- Montana State ...... Secondary Assistant 2011 Montana State ...... Intern 2007-10 Stephen F. Austin ...... Safeties GAME DAY ASSIGNMENT: Press Box GAME DAY ASSIGNMENT: Press Box