0 and 11

[The Butcher]

I’d credit the recent success in athletics to our President and AD. Before they came in, those roles on campus didn’t really focus much on athletics. Losing former ADs Peter Fields and Chuck Lindemann was a big turning point for athletics today.

[BLACKnBLUEnGOLD]

I gave up on that season after the Bobcats lost their play-down game (to a NAIA team that wasn't even good in NAIA no less). Judging by the attendance numbers, I wasn't alone.

[84CatGrad]

The streak, that 0-11 season, and various other heartbreaks are why I lay pretty low during this week. I feel like its bad karma, at least for me, to get too confident. I keep vewy, vewy quiet until game time, then I scream my head off. If we win, I pretty much go berserk.

[cats_thirdeye]

My freshman year and a sad introduction to Bobcat football from an out of stater. Was there all along the way and have enjoyed the emotional roller coaster over the years as this program has developed into a power. Taking a step back to look at the overall trajectory, it is impressive to see where we are compared to that year.

Was also my freshman year at MSU. I think I went into a game maybe twice and for less than a quarter total that first year. Like most, sat and enjoyed the tailgates and my introduction to "kegs & eggs" most Saturdays. I actually spent more time in WaGriz that year as I went to the first half of Cat/griz in Missoula before leaving for the tailgates. Can't for the life of me figure out why the fall semester always seemed rougher on me academically given my weekend choices...

After graduating, my first season tickets were in the wooden bleachers in the end zone. Seeing where things were then and where they are now on campus is pretty damn amazing. President Cruzado did a presentation at BOR yesterday focused on the changes on campus. Seeing the old pictures of so many buildings and what they look like now along with all the new construction really hit home how fortunate we've been as an institution.

Ha! Yep, right there with you. I remember so many Saturday mornings getting rudely awakened by the marching band coming by the dorms. Had to drag my ass to the tailgates for some hair of the dog. Definitely spent more time in the muddy lots vs the stadium that year as well.

Amazed everytime I make it back how much the campus keeps improving. So proud to where this institution has come on all areas.

[cats_thirdeye]

The streak, that 0-11 season, and various other heartbreaks are why I lay pretty low during this week. I feel like its bad karma, at least for me, to get too confident. I keep vewy, vewy quiet until game time, then I scream my head off. If we win, I pretty much go berserk.

I have also learned to lay low all week due to the history. Have never had great results when I have come in confident. Even this year, I still have a pit in my stomach from the bad juju over the years. Last year did not help either.

[SonomaCat]

Maybe you were there with me. The year was 2000 and first year head coach Mike Kramer finished the season 0 and 11. You remember the wooden endzone bleachers, not closing Kagy before games, the muddy and rowdy tailgate section. In away games I and maybe a dozen others would watch the game at the Hideaway Lounge. Wow how far we've come. I am so grateful and proud of this team. This next month is gonna be so much fun. Enjoy it Bobcat fans. I wasn't sure it was ever gonna happen. I will see you in Frisco!

A-f-in-men.

[Dbrewmsu]

I went to every home game that 0-11 season. I thought we were doomed for perpetuity. It was amazing how the Cats turned things around after that season. If someone told me back then what the future held for this team, the stadium, and the fans, I would have absolutely thought they were crazy. I've never been so happy to be sooooo wrong

[lutecat]

You all should read the article that @TomCat wrote for Skyline. It talks about that season. Arie as the rb and what he said at the presser. Wherr he say that team going in the future. That dude was the high school coach of Tommy. And then when you think of the significance of the flag exchange of those two in the game this year. Chills...literal chills just thinking about it.

Where we were...where we are.... and it starts with Arie and now we're where we are with Tommy.

[89Cat]

My first year at MSU was 1985 - a year after we won the chipper. The Cats went 2-9. How does a program go from
1-10 in ‘83 to 12-2 and a national title, back to 2-9? Ask Dave Arnold. That’s gotta be one of the most bizarre 3-year stretches in football history anywhere. After a 3-8 season the next year Arnold was gone, only to join Dennis Erickson at Miami where they won a couple nattys. What a ride for Dave. That ushered in the Erle Solomonson era. I was taking a football coaching class at the time and each week we’d have a member of the coaching staff come in and talk. I’ll never forget the day Earle came in and told us, “We only have four plays. Out goal is to not out-coach you, but to out-execute you. Well, his option attack led to a 15-38 Bobcat career. Yes, we suffered those years. I remember my friend and I went to an Eastern Washington game. It was colder than hell and snowing. There were only about 200-300 people in the stands. We left at the half and watched the rest on TV. Those were miserable days to be a Bobcat football fan. Fortunately, our basketball team had the Ferch boys which made the winter exciting. My wife and I have had season tickets for the last few years. It’s been well worth the wait. Go Cats!

[bcatfan1]

I was actually having this conversation with my wife a couple weeks ago. I was Freshman for the 0-11 season. And I remember Bobcat football games being such an afterthought for most students. Nobody was going to the games! I can't remember if it was that season or the next where homecoming was major blizzard and there were probably less than 1,000 people in the stadium. Even the first few times I took her to Bozeman to go to a game, the focus was more on good meals and spending some time at the Rocking R. If the weather was less than perfect, we'd barely spend anytime in the stadium. It's hard to believe how much has changed in the past 24 years! The entire gameday atmosphere has been completely transformed. Go Cats!