Bobcat Game Day Notebook: Cat-Griz Edition
Bill Lamberty
11/21/2009 9:11:15 AM
Clay Bignell will not be in Bobcat Stadium Saturday, but he remains in the hearts of his teammates as he recovers from back surgery.
The Gallatin Valley awoke to a blanket of new snow - courtesy of a brief, pre-dawn blizzard - and a dose of bad and scary news on Saturday.
Montana State middle linebacker Clay Bignell, a sophomore who has started all season, remains hospitalized after surgery to alleviate an infection in his back late Thursday. Bignell faces more tests, medication, and possibly surgery to solve the issue, which came to light last week in the form of back pain and flu-like symptons. For the near-term Clay will remain hospitalized. More is expected on his long-term prognosis as time passes.
The infection is in the back, but is not believed to be in the spinal column.
The thoughts and prayers of all in Bobcat Nation - and, undoubtedly, across the state regardless of allegiances - go to Clay and his family for a full and speedy recovery.
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In Bignell's absence, Jeff Price moves from Will linebacker to Bignell's Mike spot, with Matt Harris starting at Will. The move is expected to mean Bobcat fans will see considerably more of freshman linebacker/end Brad Daly today. Harris started during the month Price missed with a nerve injury in his shoulder.
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How big is Montana's offensive line? Dane Fletcher called them "a bunch of big, tall guys," the same as usual, which, of course, is a high compliment.
But in terms of raw size, the Grizzly O-line is phenomenal. Compare UM to Montana State's season-opening opponent, Michigan State of the Big 10: the Grizzlies are bigger than Michigan State at three of the five positions, and are essentially even at another, while Montana's cumulative and average size edge the Spartans.
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A pair of brothers line up on opposite sidelines today. Andrew Verlanic is a redshirt freshman offensive lineman for the Bobcats, while Alex is Montana's starting center.