Montana State University
2-1
Western Oregon
1-2 , 0-1
Bobcats Lead FCS in Red Zone Offense While Defense Limits Opportunities
9/19/2016 6:08:00 PM | Football
MSU has converted all 2016 red zone scoring chances, but WOU didn't have any Saturday
"We call them money downs," the first-year Bobcat defensive coordinator says, "third downs, red zone. We're far from perfect, but in those situations we're playing pretty darn good."
Montana State's season numbers are impressive – the Bobcat defense ranks fourth in the FCS in red zone scoring chances allowed at 50% – but last weekend's effort went beyond that. The Bobcats didn't allow Western Oregon to score in its red zone opportunities because it didn't have any. WOU never advanced past the MSU 20-yard line.
As good as the Bobcat defense has been inside the 20, the team's offense has been better. Montana State shares the national lead in red zone offense, scoring on all 13 of its trips inside the opponent 20-yard line this season. That includes 10 touchdowns.
"The biggest thing is our kids really executing what we're asking to them execute, and them believing that it doesn't matter if it's first down or third down or fourth down," says MSU offensive coordinator Courtney Messingham. "If you still have an opportunity you have the opportunity to score, so take full advantage of it."
Gregorak calls third down conversion rate one of the most important components of successful red zone play – and of successful defense in general – and his unit has recorded stops on 30 of its 40 third down opportunities. That 75% success rate ranks eighth among FCS squads.
"You can give up some plays, you can give up some yards, but if you buckle down on third down and in the red zone you're in good shape," he said.
Messingham brings red zone success back to confidence and mindset. "I think it's just making a play when you have the opportunity to make a play," he said. "Fortunately, be it a running back or a quarterback or a wide receiver, kids have made a play when the opportunity came to them."
The Bobcats receive a stern test Saturday, opening Big Sky Conference play against North Dakota. Kickoff is 2 pm at Bobcat Stadium.
Team Stats
WOU 0, MSU 3
MSU - Gabe Peppenger 32 yd field goal 4 plays, -11 yards, TOP 0:57
WOU 0, MSU 10
MSU - Chris Murray 3 yd run (Gabe Peppenger kick), 1 plays, 3 yards, TOP 0:05
WOU 0, MSU 17
MSU - Chris Murray 6 yd run (Devon Tandberg kick), 5 plays, 48 yards, TOP 2:02
WOU 0, MSU 24
MSU - John D'Agostino 13 yd pass from Tyler Bruggman (Devon Tandberg kick) 3 plays, 50 yards, TOP 0:34
WOU 0, MSU 31
MSU - Justin Paige 30 yd pass from Tyler Bruggman (Devon Tandberg kick) 5 plays, 55 yards, TOP 1:58
WOU 0, MSU 34
MSU - Devon Tandberg 37 yd field goal 4 plays, -7 yards, TOP 0:18
WOU 0, MSU 41
MSU - Mitch Herbert 32 yd pass from Tyler Bruggman (Devon Tandberg kick) 6 plays, 45 yards, TOP 2:26
WOU 0, MSU 48
MSU - Chris Murray 18 yd run (Devon Tandberg kick), 11 plays, 73 yards, TOP 3:40
WOU 0, MSU 55
MSU - Logan Jones 9 yd run (Devon Tandberg kick), 5 plays, 34 yards, TOP 2:36
