Montana State University
Northern Arizona
MSU Game Day Notebook vs. Northern Arizona
10/16/2010 3:11:02 PM | Football
Bobcats face explosive Lumberjacks short-handed on defense
Montana State enters today's crucial showdown against Northern Arizona short-handed on defense, although the news is better on offense.
Freshman quarterback Denarius McGhee went through preliminary warmups without problems, and is slated to start. Guard Conrad Burbank enters the depth chart at the second right guard after missing several weeks with a knee injury.
The Bobcats remain banged up on defense, however. Strong safety Jordan Craney won't play after attempting to warm up this morning, while middle linebacker Clay Bignell remains a game time decision. The bad news came yesterday, when cornerback Arnold Briggs remained hampered by a hamstring injury suffered Wednesday in practice. He is a game time decision.
Senior Anthony Cosme-Peko will start for Craney, while freshman Sean Gords starts at corner if Briggs is unable to play. Aleksei Grosulak starts at middle linebacker, flanked by Roger Trammell and Jody Owens.
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Northern Arizona appears uniquely prepared to attack MSU's injured defense. Along with Payton Trophy candidate Michael Herrick, one of the league's top quarterbacks, Zach Bauman has rejuvenated the Lumberjacks ground game. Bauman averages 95.6 yards a carry, fourth-best in the Big Sky.
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Bauman is coached by a young man familiar to Bobcat fans. Former MSU (and Rocky Mountain College) running back Jimmy Beal is NAU's running backs coach. Beal's infectious smile and positive demeanor is well-remembered in the MSU Athletic Department.
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Today's game is NAU's first at home in 44 days, and only its second of the season. By contrast, the Bobcats have played four home games in 2010.
