The Bobcat Nation

Posted: **Tue Aug 16, 2005 4:11 pm**

I tried starting this discussion in the middle of a long smack thread, but that simply wasn't the best place for it, so I'll clarify and give it a shot here.

I'm personally overwhelmed and confused as to what exactly Hauck has and hasn't said over the last couple years in terms of MSU and in terms of things that speak to his class as a professional in general.

To sort through all of that, I propose that we use this thread in the spirit of "Mythbusters" on Discovery (one of my favorite shows ... and I am pretty sure I saw Adam as I was walking out and he was walking in to a local business a couple weeks ago, and I'm just enough of a geek that I got a D list celebrity sighting rush out of it). If you're not familiar with the show, they pull different urban legends and apply science to the stories to determine whether the story is plausible or whether the story is not physically possible (myth busted).

In our version, I say we present specific assertions about Hauck (I'll do the first one) that must be disproved by Griz supporters (or anyone who wants to disprove it).

Or, rather, a person can present direct evidence of something he said that you think was classless, and provide either documentation to support the assertion that it was said, or any other evidence certifying its authenticity. Dissenters can then challenge that evidence if it is not solid.

When we present evidence, let's not opine as to why we think something is classy or classless -- let's just present evidence of what was or wasn't said, and set aside opinions about what was said for other threads.

In this way, I'm hoping that we can produce a volume of material that will prove exactly what he has and has not said so that we will finally have some idea as to what stories are true or not true. Then we can talk smack in other threads with some solid evidence to back up our opinions.

VERY IMPORTANT: I don't want this to turn into a smack thread. Please keep all posts objective (let's pretend to be academics on this thread) and just present the evidence or point out flaws in other's evidence, but don't let yourself be biased or emotional out of school loyalty or personal feelings. In this way, we should be able to collectively come to some semblance of truth in our facts.

Posted: **Tue Aug 16, 2005 4:14 pm**

ASSERTION: Hauck never (or extremely rarely) says anything complimentary about MSU or its football program.

CHALLENGE TO OTHER POSTERS: Refute this assertion with citations that contradict it.

(And again, let's not argue about whether the assertion indicates something bad about Hauck in this thread -- let's just figure out if the assertion is true by whether it can be proven to be untrue or not).

Posted: **Tue Aug 16, 2005 5:00 pm**

Bay Area Cat wrote:ASSERTION: Hauck never (or extremely rarely) says anything complimentary about MSU or its football program.

CHALLENGE TO OTHER POSTERS: Refute this assertion with citations that contradict it.

(And again, let's not argue about whether the assertion indicates something bad about Hauck in this thread -- let's just figure out if the assertion is true by whether it can be proven to be untrue or not).

Bobby Hauck:
"Both gifts," Montana coach Bobby Hauck said of the kickoff and interception return. "Without those two plays, I'm not sitting here in the mood I'm in."

"I thought we were in control, despite being down by three at halftime," the first-year Griz coach from Big Timber added. "It's a bad day to give a game away. This game is important to me. I grew up around here."

Craig Ochs:
"He made a great play," Ochs said. "He stepped up right when I threw it.''

compared to Coach Kramer's comments from the same article/game:

"To be able to play against one of the best programs in the history of I-AA and be able to stand on top twice is just a measure of how far we've come," fourth-year coach Mike Kramer said.

Here's the article for those to look over.

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/ar ... zsprts.txt

I edited out my previous statements in order to go along with BAC's thoughts on just letting quotes speak for themselves.

Posted: **Tue Aug 16, 2005 5:17 pm**

Thanks coachouert, that's exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to read. Although (and I am really splitting hairs with this comment, so I apologize) let's just let the quotes speak for themselves and not add any discussion about why we think they are good or bad/classy or classless, etc. I'm afraid that the thread will spin out of control very quickly if people start focusing on debating the meaning of the quotes as opposed to simply trying to prove what has or has not been said.

I already deleted several posts from other posters. Again, please no smack on this thread (unfortunately, I am talking to Bobcat folks). Please indulge me (I know this is highly experimental, but I'm seeing if it can work) and let's see if we can fill an entire thread on a contentious subject with nothing but facts.

We already have a healthy smack thread on this topic -- let's keep the two threads completely distinct in tone.

Posted: **Tue Aug 16, 2005 9:05 pm**

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2003 ... orts02.txt

yet another article, this one from missoula....again after the loss in bozeman to the bobcats in 2003.

Bobby Hauck:
"How would you assess Lulay's play?" Hauck said. "Craig threw for a better percentage, and more yards, and so on and so forth. ... He was the better quarterback in the game today."

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2003 ... orts02.txt

Here is an ever elusive "STATE" comment (while I will be one of the first to admit that it is not all that demeaning to MSU, still backs up that Hauck does use the phrase when refering to Montana State University)

"All that stuff is irrelevant until the game is over,'' said Montana first-year coach Bobby Hauck. "To me it's about the rivalry. It's about beating them. We'll enjoy the fruits of that if we can win the game. But it's all about beating State.''

Posted: **Tue Aug 16, 2005 9:25 pm**

"My perspective on it was he didn't play bad," said the coach. "How would you assess Lulay's play? Craig threw for twice as many yards."

Billings Gazette
"This is amid rumors that he housed his team in Livingston Friday to prevent Bozeman from getting any direct commerce from the Griz."
- I know it is a rumor, but it was still printed for the masses to see.

Just a few tidbits I picked up from the Billings Gazette, nothing big. I'm not in the mood to search very much right now.

Posted: **Tue Aug 16, 2005 10:43 pm**

Such a juicy topic, I have to chime in.

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2003 ... griz04.txt

"Until about five minutes ago when we found out who we were playing, I was still really down after the (Montana) State game,'' Hauck said. "It's exciting to have someone else and something else to focus on instead of what happened (Saturday).''

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2003 ... orts01.txt

"Right now, I'm just pretty bitter," Hauck said.
"It was a bad day to give a game away," Hauck said.

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2003 ... tters4.txt

I think what University of Montana coach Bobby Hauck said about the Bobcats or Montana State is not right: "They don't deserve Montana in their name."

First of all, we're all from Montana, whether we're Cats or Griz fans. In the Missoulian, Hauck couldn't even give the Cats a single compliment. He called the two touchdowns gifts. The Cats have worked on those kinds of things all year. MSU has one of the best kick return/punt return teams in the league. The Cats have one of the best defenses in the Big Sky Conference. They have top-of-the-line cornerbacks. They also pressured Greg Ochs and caused him to throw two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown. Another reason why the Cats won is Travis Lulay threw smart passes. The whole Cats team played their hearts out.

I think Hauck should at least give them a few compliments. Kramer did. The best motivational speech the Bobcats received was from Griz coach Hauck. "They don't deserve Montana in their name." Really?

Cody Kirk,

10955 U.S. Highway 93 N., Missoula

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2003 ... orts02.txt

"They were both gifts," Hauck said. "Without those two plays, I don't think I'm sitting here in the mood I'm in."

I thought I'd throw this little tidbit in here for idiots like Bozgriz, jagur, and theblackgecko who always like to think the only game that matters to us Cats is the Cat-friz game.

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2003 ... orts01.txt

"It's the biggest game of the year,'' he said. "I've always told people I'd rather go 1-11 and beat the Cats than go 11-1 and lose to them.''

I'm sure that others will come up with plenty more examples, all in good time.

Posted: **Tue Aug 16, 2005 11:21 pm**

Bay Area Cat wrote:ASSERTION: Hauck never (or extremely rarely) says anything complimentary about MSU or its football program.

CHALLENGE TO OTHER POSTERS: Refute this assertion with citations that contradict it.

(And again, let's not argue about whether the assertion indicates something bad about Hauck in this thread -- let's just figure out if the assertion is true by whether it can be proven to be untrue or not).

Still plenty to play for
Posted: Saturday, Nov 20, 2004 - 08:49:54 am PST
By ANDREW HINKELMAN
The Daily Inter Lake

Big Sky title, home playoff contest, bragging rights all up for grabs in annual gridiron contest

Today's 'Cat-Griz game has the Big Sky championship and a home playoff game on the line for Montana. It has state bragging rights and school pride on the line for Montana State.

It's a familiar scenario for this rivalry game over the last 18 years, and for 16 of them it resulted in a Griz victory. What is unfamiliar in this particular situation this year is the quality of the Bobcats.

This is an MSU team that was in first place in the conference just two weeks ago. But an uncharacteristic defensive breakdown in the two games leading up to the 'Cat-Griz game -- resulting in an unforgivable loss to Sacramento State and a bitter overtime defeat to Eastern Washington in a game the Bobcats led by three touchdowns in the second half -- has left Montana State as an also-ran in terms of a league title and playoffs.

Should the Bobcats be able to reclaim any of the defensive acumen they showed through the first eight games of the season, then today's 104th Brawl of the Wild could be one for the ages.

Consider that both teams average more than 30 points and 400 yards of offense (MSU is over 500) per game in league play. Both teams have All-American-worthy quarterbacks in Craig Ochs (Montana) and Travis Lulay (Montana State).

And while the Griz won 16 in a row from 1986 to 2001, the Bobcats have won the last two, each time preventing Montana from winning the Big Sky and taking the title for themselves.

All the ingredients are present for the makings of a classic.

"It's definitely still easy to get up, even if it isn't for the Big Sky championship," MSU linebacker and former Flathead star Mac Mollohan said. "One of our goals is to beat the Griz. We'll all be up for it."

For Montana State to have any shot, though, the defense is going to have to rebound after getting shredded two weeks in a row.

"Unfortunately for us, the wheels have come off defensively," Bobcats coach Mike Kramer said. "We've underplayed our own ability. As we look to Saturday, can our down four guys create enough harassment of Craig Ochs to force some turnovers?"

Said Mollohan: "For the front seven, we need to stop the run and we need to get to the quarterback so Ochs doesn't have time to throw it. We need to get after Ochs a lot and help our DBs out."

UM coach Bobby Hauck was confident the Bobcats would get their defense together for today's game.

"They've got a good defense and they'll play well against us," he said. "They've got a good team and we need to play well.

"Our goal on defense remains to improve every week. We need to put our best team out on the field on Saturday."

Kickoff from Washington Grizzly Stadium is scheduled for noon. The game can be seen locally on KAJ-TV, cable channel 8, over the air channel 18. Tom Katz will handle play-by-play with Flathead coach Grady Bennett and Mike Callaghan providing color.

NOTES: Montana leads the series 64-35-5, including 26-14-1 in Missoula. ... The Bobcats have turned in 10 100-yard receiving performances over the last five games, eight more than they had all of 2003. ... The Grizzlies are enjoying their 19th consecutive winning season and will likely make the playoffs for the 12th straight year. ... Lulay will start his 32nd consecutive game at quarterback. The junior is 18-13 during that stretch.

Posted: **Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:18 am**

coachouert wrote:

1"Both gifts," Montana coach Bobby Hauck said of the kickoff and interception return. "Without those two plays, I'm not sitting here in the mood I'm in."

2"I thought we were in control, despite being down by three at halftime," the first-year Griz coach from Big Timber added. "It's a bad day to give a game away. This game is important to me. I grew up around here."
Neither quote one nor two are in any way negative comments towards the cats. Period. It's great when your coach k speaks poorly or the team or a player. It's him just being real. But when our coach does the same it is some how bad mouthing the cats.

Posted: **Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:21 am**

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2003 ... tters4.txt
Quote:
I think what University of Montana coach Bobby Hauck said about the Bobcats or Montana State is not right: "They don't deserve Montana in their name."

First of all, we're all from Montana, whether we're Cats or Griz fans. In the Missoulian, Hauck couldn't even give the Cats a single compliment. He called the two touchdowns gifts. The Cats have worked on those kinds of things all year. MSU has one of the best kick return/punt return teams in the league. The Cats have one of the best defenses in the Big Sky Conference. They have top-of-the-line cornerbacks. They also pressured Greg Ochs and caused him to throw two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown. Another reason why the Cats won is Travis Lulay threw smart passes. The whole Cats team played their hearts out.

I think Hauck should at least give them a few compliments. Kramer did. The best motivational speech the Bobcats received was from Griz coach Hauck. "They don't deserve Montana in their name." Really?

Cody Kirk,

10955 U.S. Highway 93 N., Missoula

I'm pretty sure this is not a quote from our coach rather it's from msu alum Cody Kirk

Posted: **Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:22 am**

"All that stuff is irrelevant until the game is over,'' said Montana first-year coach Bobby Hauck. "To me it's about the rivalry. It's about beating them. We'll enjoy the fruits of that if we can win the game. But it's all about beating State.''

How is this negative towards the cats????

Posted: **Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:25 am**

I haven’t read a negative comment directed towards the cats yet.

Posted: **Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:28 am**

How about another challenge. List any derogatory comments directed at the cats since December 2003. Any thing from any source.

Posted: **Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:29 am**

BozoneCat wrote:Such a juicy topic, I have to chime in.

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2003 ... griz04.txt
"Until about five minutes ago when we found out who we were playing, I was still really down after the (Montana) State game,'' Hauck said. "It's exciting to have someone else and something else to focus on instead of what happened (Saturday).''

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2003 ... orts01.txt
"Right now, I'm just pretty bitter," Hauck said.
"It was a bad day to give a game away," Hauck said.

Again how is any of this negitive towards the cats???

Posted: **Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:31 am**

Eastcoastgriz wrote:
BozoneCat wrote:Such a juicy topic, I have to chime in.

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2003 ... griz04.txt
"Until about five minutes ago when we found out who we were playing, I was still really down after the (Montana) State game,'' Hauck said. "It's exciting to have someone else and something else to focus on instead of what happened (Saturday).''

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2003 ... orts01.txt
"Right now, I'm just pretty bitter," Hauck said.
"It was a bad day to give a game away," Hauck said.

Again how is any of this negitive towards the cats???

It is called being a poor or sore loser. A characteristic many regard as a undesirable one.

Posted: **Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:45 am**

mquast53000 wrote:
Eastcoastgriz wrote:
BozoneCat wrote:Such a juicy topic, I have to chime in.

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2003 ... griz04.txt
"Until about five minutes ago when we found out who we were playing, I was still really down after the (Montana) State game,'' Hauck said. "It's exciting to have someone else and something else to focus on instead of what happened (Saturday).''

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2003 ... orts01.txt
"Right now, I'm just pretty bitter," Hauck said.
"It was a bad day to give a game away," Hauck said.

Again how is any of this negitive towards the cats???
It is called being a poor or sore loser. A characteristic many regard as a undesirable one.

Ok, i dont agree, but lets say he is a sore loser. How is that in any way negative towards the cats?

After losing two in a row, your coach had thrown in the towel for the season last year. I'll take Hauck any day over that.

Posted: **Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:54 am**

Objective please, people. No smack, and no assertions of opinion. Just facts. We already have the smack thread for the pure conjecture.

Posted: **Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:16 pm**

Point of order, BozoneCat.

The 1-11 quote is from Dylan McFarland not Bobby Hauck.

Posted: **Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:11 pm**

theblackgecko wrote:Point of order, BozoneCat.

The 1-11 quote is from Dylan McFarland not Bobby Hauck.

Uh, yeah, I know that.

The point I am making is that you like to accuse Bobcat fans of basing a season's success solely on the outcome of the Cat-griz game, while acting as if griz fans barely care about beating the Cats. Funny how one of the best (and classiest) griz players to ever come out of Missoula admits he would rather go 1-10 and beat the Cats than 10-1 while losing to them.

Posted: **Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:13 pm**

The thread was supposed to be specifically about things that Hauck said, though, and not Griz-dom in general.

That being said, I am sensing that my noble (I thought) experiment was doomed to failure from the start, unless I wanted to micromanage the entire process with lots of deleted posts and constant clarifications. I don't think this medium works very well for what I was hoping to do. It's kind of like the herding cats commercial (no pun intended) from Super Bowls past.

The Bobcat Nation

Hauck's character flaws

Hauck's character flaws