The Bobcat Nation

First, let me say congratulation to the MSU football team on starting the season in such an impressive fashion. Now the question is can MSU get the Cal Poly Mustangs off their back?

The Cal Poly offense struggled against I-A Troy, but looked better against Sac State. The defense is still looking strong even though Jordan Beck and a few others graduated. The keys to winning this game for CP is going to be limiting the number of turnovers by the offense and establishing the passing game. If the defense plays like it has the first two games and our offense minimizes the number of turnovers it will be a good game. If CP plays sloppy it will be a tough one to win.

Thankfully this one is in SLO and not Bozeman. Because of the home field advantage I say in the end Cal Poly wins by a touchdown.

-- Go Mustangs!

Unfortunately, our AD didn't schedule any "breathers" for us this year. Although Beck single-handedly beat the Cats in Bozeman last year, I know we are in for a battle down in Cali.

The good news for the Bobcats is that I honestly feel that we played to maybe 75% of our ability yesterday. The closer we get to 100% (never a guarantee at ANY point in the season for ANY team), the more likely it is that we win a game. This is easily the most talented team I've seen since 84, and I think we may be better than that.

In other words, CPM, if we don't help you out by hurting ourselves, I think we will get the Mustang Monkey off our back. Even a couple mistakes won't kill this team, but a -2 or worse turnover margin will make it tough to win down there.

Remember 1 simple thing: SFA put up 48 points (I know it was a DII school, but still, 48 is tough to do) in week 1; they needed a TON of help from the refs to get 6 yesterday. I think our D is going to be very, very good...

El_Gato wrote:Unfortunately, our AD didn't schedule any "breathers" for us this year. Although Beck single-handedly beat the Cats in Bozeman last year, I know we are in for a battle down in Cali.

The good news for the Bobcats is that I honestly feel that we played to maybe 75% of our ability yesterday. The closer we get to 100% (never a guarantee at ANY point in the season for ANY team), the more likely it is that we win a game. This is easily the most talented team I've seen since 84, and I think we may be better than that.

In other words, CPM, if we don't help you out by hurting ourselves, I think we will get the Mustang Monkey off our back. Even a couple mistakes won't kill this team, but a -2 or worse turnover margin will make it tough to win down there.

Remember 1 simple thing: SFA put up 48 points (I know it was a DII school, but still, 48 is tough to do) in week 1; they needed a TON of help from the refs to get 6 yesterday. I think our D is going to be very, very good...

whats scarey is that it seems like we are a slow starter historically under kramer and even heysell, just think about how the NAU or suck state games would be once we do reach 100 percent

This game is going to be a huge test for us. I still haven't decided which game is going to be harder, Poly or NDSU, and I am going to go with Poly simply because we get the Bison at home. But I am definately worried about both games.

Everyone knows that Poly owns us. If we can beat them in their own place, I will start to believe this team won't fall short of my expectations like previous sqauds have.

If we continue to turn the ball over, we will not win at Poly. And their defense is a much better group than SFA, even with Becks graduation. We must establish a running game, or at least a short pass game (screens, etc). They played tough against a decent Troy squad, and then whooped up on Sac.

Good luck Stangs, may this game be injury free and evenly matched!

I agree with CC. Cal Poly will be the best test up to this point. But I think we have the edge because:

a) We are miles ahead of last years team because of our experience.
b) Lots of dropped balls in last years game and a costly int was the difference.
c) Doesn't sound like Cal Poly is as good as last year.
d) After Stillwater, playin' on the road shouldn't be a problem (like the grit).
e) Our defense, our defense, our defense.....
f) The last two years we dug ourselves a hole. We just need to play them even or better through the first half and the game should be ours.
g) Lulay doesn't lose to anyone 3 years in a row.

FlatheadLakeCat wrote:I agree with CC. Cal Poly will be the best test up to this point. But I think we have the edge because:

a) We are miles ahead of last years team because of our experience.
b) Lots of dropped balls in last years game and a costly int was the difference.
c) Doesn't sound like Cal Poly is as good as last year.
d) After Stillwater, playin' on the road shouldn't be a problem (like the grit).
e) Our defense, our defense, our defense.....
f) The last two years we dug ourselves a hole. We just need to play them even or better through the first half and the game should be ours.
g) Lulay doesn't lose to anyone 3 years in a row.

Agree on all points above. We were absolutely inept on offense last year when we played Cal Poly (Drops/missed passes etc. as the WR's were very new to system) and the key is, it was still a close game. I think we breat this streak on Saturday down there and win by two TD's. Cal Poly's defense is pretty good I'm sure, but it will not be as swarming w/o Beck back there this year. It should be a good game, but I think if MSU takes care of the ball and doesn't turn it over .. our offense will put up more points than theirs against each other defenses.

Word on the street was that Gatewood would be declared eligible for the second half of the CP game? If true, do we put him in? I think we put him in to get some rhythm back, so he is back to game speed come NDSU.

CelticCat wrote:Word on the street was that Gatewood would be declared eligible for the second half of the CP game? If true, do we put him in? I think we put him in to get some rhythm back, so he is back to game speed come NDSU.

If it's true, he needs to start the 2nd half. Especially with Miller hurt.

CelticCat wrote:Word on the street was that Gatewood would be declared eligible for the second half of the CP game? If true, do we put him in? I think we put him in to get some rhythm back, so he is back to game speed come NDSU.

If this is true, then we for sure better play him in the 2nd half. He is a field 'stretcher' and just having him in running down the seem in the slot will help our offense/running game. He has been practicing against our defense every week so I'm sure he will have his game speed right away when he comes in as our defense is tough!

Not sure when Gatewood will be eligible, but now the question is who will he replace when he does come back? To me its not much of a question but I know the coaching staff wanted him to replace Chaz but the past couple games he has been playing really well, my guess would be that he takes over Miller's spot. What do you guys think? Imagine the possibilities with Murray, Guinn, and Gatewood as options for Lulay.

CelticCat wrote:Word on the street was that Gatewood would be declared eligible for the second half of the CP game? If true, do we put him in? I think we put him in to get some rhythm back, so he is back to game speed come NDSU.

I don't believe this is true. If I remember right, this is what MSU/Gatewood were asking for in their appeal that got denied by the NCAA.

After two games I don't think there is any question that Miller should sit when Gatewood returns whether he is hurt or not. Chaz has really played well and Murray has become our #1 man already. What a fleet of receivers!

I thought I read that we asked Gatewood be eligible after the 1st 1/2 of the third game but our petition was denied. I will try and find the link to the article.

I thought we appealed to have the entire suspension removed, it would seem awfully silly to appeal just so he could play for 2 more quarters.

Don't be surprised if Guinn is benched for Gatewood. I am also very high on Guinn this season, he is having a great year, but it always seems Kramer isn't. I listened to Kramer after the loss at OSU, and Atterbury said that Guinn seemed to step up nicely, and Kramer started talking about the other WRs and Lulay, then got back to the point and said "yea Guinn played O.K." I just don't know how high the staff is on him. I believe Miller should be 4th string, but who knows. I love having to make a hard decision between 4 guys.

I believe we did appeal the entire suspension but also asked for the second half this week and were denied on both.

I agree about Kramer and Co.'s opinion of Guinn. I think they are way off base but I wouldn't be surprised to see him the odd man out either. Kinda the same thing with Roosevelt.

This was posted from the bottom of a missoulian article in the original Gatewood appeal denied thread:

QUICK KICKS: Speaking of MSU, Bobcat receiver Ricky Gatewood lost his appeal of an NCAA suspension for academic ineligibility. The NCAA found an error in his eligibility certificate for the 2004 season, and docked him one game for every four he played. He played 10 games, so MSU wanted him reinstated at halftime of its third game, at Cal Poly. ...

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2005 ... griz89.txt

I believe the same thing was in the Tribune or Helena paper also.

Yea, that is the article I was thinking about KMax. Now I know why you get the big bucks around here.

might be wrong on this, but I thought kramer said he would move quinn to his traditional spot when gatewood came back. I think he'll find a way to keep quinn on the field, especially with the injury to miller.

Congrats on a great start. MSU looks solid on both sides of the ball and Lulay is one of the best QB's in I-AA.

As far as Cal Poly is concerned, even though the lost Beck they maybe even better this year. Gocong is one of the best DE and Poly secondary is considerably better and deeper this year.

Offensively Poly did start Garnett last year until the 5th game of the year. Before that Poly did not have a passing game. Poly's offense has some of the better receivers in I-AA and will a lot better than what you saw last year.

I think it will be a great game and the one with the least mistake will win.

How many Bobcat fans will make the trip. You better have your tickets now because Poly has started construction on new west side stands and seating has been reduced this year.

What's the stadium now hold? It was really small before and I thought was sold out when the Cats played down there 2 years ago. It sounds like it will be a tight fit. Are there just stands on one side now?

I got my tickets ordered last week, so at least I'll be able to get in.

Bleachers on both sides, old looking:
seating capacity of 8,500.