Saturday, December 7
BOZEMAN
1 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
UAlbany
Logan Jones and the Bobcats run head-first into UAlbany on Saturday
Photo by: Garrett Becker
12/6/2019 2:09:00 PM | Football
Montana State braces for explosive offense, dynamic defense
BOZEMAN, Montana – Montana State's four-game win streak to close the regular season, capped by a 48-14 win over then-No. 3 Montana, landed the Bobcats the fifth seed in the FCS Playoffs and a first round bye.
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That's the good news. And, as fourth-year Bobcat coach Jeff Choate sees it, could be a bit of bad news as well.
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"When you're playing well you like to keep playing," Choate said as his team prepares for Saturday's Second Round FCS Playoff game against UAlbany, who advanced with a 42-14 first round win against Central Connecticut. "But the rest helps you recharge at this time of year, mentally as well as physically."
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The Bobcats finished the regular season with a 9-3 record, 6-2 in the Big Sky, while the Colonial Athletic Association Great Danes stand 9-4. Freshman quarterback Jeff Undercuffler leads UAlbany with an FCS freshman record 3,270 passing yards and an FCS-best 39 touchdowns. Six of those came last week, and 16 of them this season were hauled in by Juwan Green. The senior receiver has 1,263 receiving yards.
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Defensively, end Eli Mencer causes the most destruction, with 23 tackles-for-loss and 14.5 sacks. Linebacker Levi Metheny has piled up 113 tackles, 6.5 for a loss, with two linterceptions. The Great Dans have 92 tackles behind the line of scrimmage this season, while the Bobcats have registered 90. Mencer could provide a tall task for Montana State's All-Big Sky left tackle Mitch Brott, although Choate expects UAlbany to move Mencer around to take advange of matchups.
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UAlbany enters Saturday's contest on a high note, with four straight wins, including the thrashing of Central Connecticut last week. That was the Great Danes' first-ever playoff win. Similarly, the Bobcats have won four straight, most recently the Cat-Griz win.
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"Every team in the playoffs is a good team," said MSU senior defensive end Bryce Sterk. "We know we have to prepare well and play well."
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Kickoff Saturday is 1 pm in Bobcat Stadium. The game is streamed on ESPN3, with no over-the-air, cable or satellite television available due to NCAA policy.
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#GoCatsGo
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That's the good news. And, as fourth-year Bobcat coach Jeff Choate sees it, could be a bit of bad news as well.
Â
"When you're playing well you like to keep playing," Choate said as his team prepares for Saturday's Second Round FCS Playoff game against UAlbany, who advanced with a 42-14 first round win against Central Connecticut. "But the rest helps you recharge at this time of year, mentally as well as physically."
Â
The Bobcats finished the regular season with a 9-3 record, 6-2 in the Big Sky, while the Colonial Athletic Association Great Danes stand 9-4. Freshman quarterback Jeff Undercuffler leads UAlbany with an FCS freshman record 3,270 passing yards and an FCS-best 39 touchdowns. Six of those came last week, and 16 of them this season were hauled in by Juwan Green. The senior receiver has 1,263 receiving yards.
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Defensively, end Eli Mencer causes the most destruction, with 23 tackles-for-loss and 14.5 sacks. Linebacker Levi Metheny has piled up 113 tackles, 6.5 for a loss, with two linterceptions. The Great Dans have 92 tackles behind the line of scrimmage this season, while the Bobcats have registered 90. Mencer could provide a tall task for Montana State's All-Big Sky left tackle Mitch Brott, although Choate expects UAlbany to move Mencer around to take advange of matchups.
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UAlbany enters Saturday's contest on a high note, with four straight wins, including the thrashing of Central Connecticut last week. That was the Great Danes' first-ever playoff win. Similarly, the Bobcats have won four straight, most recently the Cat-Griz win.
Â
"Every team in the playoffs is a good team," said MSU senior defensive end Bryce Sterk. "We know we have to prepare well and play well."
Â
Kickoff Saturday is 1 pm in Bobcat Stadium. The game is streamed on ESPN3, with no over-the-air, cable or satellite television available due to NCAA policy.
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#GoCatsGo
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