By GREG RACHAC
Of The Gazette Staff
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles ... kramer.txt
On Saturday, the Montana State Bobcats will host a playoff game at Bobcat Stadium for the first time since 1984 after starting this season 1-3. The last time MSU took the field at home in the playoffs, the Bobcats vaulted themselves past Rhode Island and into the Division I-AA championship game, which they won 19-6 over Louisiana Tech.
During preparations for this week's game against the Furman Paladins, MSU head coach Mike Kramer talked with Gazette sports writer Greg Rachac about the 2006 season and the postseason that lies ahead. Following is a glimpse of their conversation.
Gazette: Your program is hosting a playoff game for the first time in 22 years. What does it mean to you?
Kramer: It's the next step. All year we knew we needed to somehow find a way to get a home game in the playoffs. Now that we've achieved it, it gives us the taste of what it's like to reach that next step as a program. It's a tremendous accomplishment, especially when you consider our 1-3 start.
Gazette: Back in October, when your team was 1-3 with the season slipping away, would you have laughed if I'd told you you'd end up hosting a playoff game?
Kramer: I wouldn't have laughed, but I would have said it couldn't happen unless we defeated the Grizzlies and gained seven consecutive wins. And with three minutes to go in Missoula we were close to making it happen. We just couldn't make the plays. Yet, for whatever reason, the committee felt we were deserving of an opportunity. Whatever sequence it was has occurred, and we're hosting. We can't wait to go.
Gazette: At the time, how satisfying was it to beat Colorado?
Kramer: It was the start of the season, and we played better than a lot of people thought we would have, given the fact it was Cory Carpenter's first start at quarterback. But we played well. At receiver, Mike Jefferson showed he could be a dominant player. I was excited Michael could fashion a year indicative of the opening game. Our defense played its guts out against Colorado, too, and they've played their guts out down the stretch.
Gazette: In the weeks following, what was going through your mind as those losses progressed?
Kramer: We were concerned mightily about what had happened. The question was: Why were we playing so poorly, and what rebound was necessary to become the team we knew we could be? We were able to find a way through it, and our defense found its way. In the meantime, we withstood a flood of injuries on offense, especially at quarterback. But overall, it was a great effort by the defense and the coaching staff to right the ship and carry the program.
Gazette: What, specifically, was your team able to do in order to rebound?
Kramer: That's a good question. I can't really find (the answer). Obviously, we've come up with a lot of stops defensively. During that three-game interlude, outside the Eastern Washington game, we couldn't get off the field defensively. But since that time, we've had almost 30 three-and-outs. We're getting our butts off the field. Offensively, we've gotten going in a couple games, but recently we've shriveled up a little bit. For this ball game (against Furman), I believe the best way to have success is to go back to our pass first, pass second and pass third options to get going.
Gazette: How crazy has this season been? If it were a rollercoaster at a carnival, would anybody want to get on?
Kramer: (Laughs) It would be great ticket. It would be a phenomenal, hair-raising, death-defying thrill ride. This season has had its ups and downs, and to our team's credit, we haven't panicked and we've stayed relatively stable.
Gazette: You were there in 1984 the last time a playoff game was played in Bozeman. Will this game against Furman bring back any memories for you?
Kramer: No, not as much as it will bring back memories from my team at Eastern Washington in 1997. In 1984, I was an assistant and just happy to be there. In 1997 at Eastern, we were hosting a playoff game with the idea of going to win a national championship. And that was the first time Eastern had hosted. For us now (at MSU), since it's been so long for our team and coaches, it's going to be relatively new and a lot of fun.
Gazette: A few days ago, you listed a couple comparisons between this team and that '84 team. How clear are the similarities to you?
Kramer: Not a lot, now that I think about it. That 1984 team was ably led by a sophomore quarterback (Kelly Bradley) that was on fire. We had an offense that knew no bounds, and hadn't been stopped at any point in the season. Defensively, we really had the makings of greatness. We had a solid defensive front, great linebackers that were deep and a good secondary with speed. This team is way faster, and probably better at wide receiver in terms of athleticism. But this year, aside from the Northern Arizona and Idaho State games, we haven't been able to put together a showcase game in terms of our overall and abounding talent.
Gazette: You've described this season as a "migraine headache" on a number of occasions. But admit it: You're having fun, right?
Kramer: I'm having fun, but only since 11 o'clock on Sunday when we found out we were hosting. We've gone through three punters, two punt returners, two quarterbacks, three tailbacks, three or four base defenses, we've had guys suspended, and we had only one guy named to the All-Big Sky team (Michael Jefferson). This is about as different a year as I can remember any coach having.
Gazette: Is this the most interesting season you've ever been a part of?
Kramer: You got it buddy. That's exactly right. I've been glad to be part of the process. To me, it's been a great job by our coaching staff, but it has required a lot of maturity. Our guys displayed a lot of leadership that only really good teams show when they're up against the wall.
