Montana State Bobcats
Overall Rank: #6
#2 Big Sky
Montana State Team Page
2010 Record: (9-3, 7-1)
2010 Postseason: FCS Playoffs
Coach: Rob Ash (29-17 at Montana State, 205-116-5 overall)
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: C.J. Palmer, RB, 477 yards
Passing: DeNarius McGhee, QB, 3,163 yards
Receiving: Elvis Akpla, WR, 682 yards
Tackles: Aleksei Grosulak, LB, 88
Sacks: Zach Minter, DT, 5.0
Interceptions: Aleksei Grosulak, LB, 2; Zach Minter, DT, 2
Orenzo Davis led Montana State with 1,126 rushing yards and 11 total trips to the end zone. His unexpected departure is a small setback, but this team has plenty of other rushers who can pick up the slack. C.J. Palmer is more than capable of filling in and the addition of Tray Robinson, a transfer from Oregon, could make the ground game just as effective as it was with Davis.
Strengths:
The offensive line looked a little stronger a month ago, but they do return four starters. Coach Rob Ash was expecting Oregon State transfer Tyler Thomas to step into the vacant starting position, but he will not be joining the team. The illness of junior college transfer Stephen Memory is also an issue. However, this is still a deep and experienced unit that should help make life easier for the running backs and quarterback DeNarius McGhee. It seems like it has been a while since Montana State did not have a quarterback battle over the summer and the steadiness McGhee has provided should give the entire offense a big boost. As a freshman in 2010, McGhee threw for 3,163 yards, 23 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He is an elusive quarterback who can create time for himself when the pocket breaks down and almost always makes the right decision. And that was as a freshman. McGhee losses his favorite target in wide receiver Julius Lloyd, but he did spread the ball around a lot. Elvis Akpla, Everett Gilbert and Tanner Bleskin were all honorable mention All-Big Sky selections and are more than ready to make McGhee’s sophomore season even better than his freshman season.
Weaknesses:
Montana State had high hopes for vast improvement for their defense. However injuries, most notably to linebacker Aleksei Grosulak, have hindered some of that enthusiasm. Grosulak may be back eventually, but it will be a little while. In the meantime Jody Owens, Clay Bignell and Roger Trammell will have to pick up the slack. The front four was hit hard by graduation, including all-conference first-team honoree Dan Ogden. John Laidet will have to become a more consistent pass rusher and tackle Zach Minter will have to anchor the line while Coach Ash finds a couple new players to fill in around them. The secondary has their own holes to fill, but this unit at least has some experienced players ready to fill the void. Safeties Joel Fuller and Sean Gords have a few starts under their belts and are ready to step into full-time starting roles. Cornerback Darius Jones is not a spectacular player, but he is very solid. The pass defense has to get better if Montana State hopes to have any success in the playoffs, but their success will hinge on the team being able to get consistent pressure on the quarterback.
The Bottom Line:
The Bobcats were handed a humiliating defeat at home in their opening game of the FCS Playoffs last year, falling to North Dakota State 42-17. This team will get back to the playoffs and they will remember what happened last year. Few teams in the conference will be able to stop this offense, but the defense still cannot afford to give up 42 points to anybody. McGhee and company will have the offense moving effectively right away and if the defense can keep up, Montana State can make a deep run in the playoffs.
Projected Postseason: FCS Playoffs
2010 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 175.67 (33rd in nation, 3rd in conference)
Passing Offense: 276.17 (9, 1)
Total Offense: 451.83 (4, 1)
Scoring Offense: 33.00 (10, 1)
Rushing Defense: 153.08 (65, 5)
Pass Defense: 230.00 (91, 5)
Total Defense: 383.08 (90, 5)
Scoring Defense: 25.83 (70, 5)
Turnover Margin: .00 (55, 5)
Sacks: 1.92 (49, 5)
Sacks Allowed: 1.50 (39, 3)
Madness 2011 FCS Football Recruit Rankings:
#88 Jamarcus Darden
