Jody Owens and the Bobcat defense face a ferocious UM ground game Saturday
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
BOBCAT GAME DAY NOTEBOOK: Cats, Griz Meet for 112th Time
11/17/2012 12:56:00 PM | Football
Ash cites slowing down powerful UM ground game as a key
Montana State receiver Tanner Bleskin stood as a game-time decision with less than an hour until game time, Bobcat coach Rob Ash said. Bleskin was hampered with an injury throughout the week.
"We'll warm him up and see how it goes," Ash said. "The problem is that he hasn't practiced much this week, but it's not like he'll forget the plays or anything. It's just a matter of timing between him and DeNarius."
Ash said Kruiz Siewing will make his first career start in his final regular season game as a Bobcat if Bleskin is unable to go.
"Kruiz has had a good season and he's practiced well," Ash said. "We'll need him to step up, and we'll also need guys like Everett Gilbert and Brian Flotkoetter and Chase Young to step up, as well."
* * * * *
To an older generation of Montanans, Naranche Stadium in Butte stands as a symbol of Cat-Griz lore, hosting 22 matchups between the schools. Naranche was the site of another classic contest on Friday night with plenty of Bobcat tradition. Butte High topped Bozeman in thrilling, improbable fashion to capture the state Class AA Championship, and the Bulldogs are led by former Bobcat receiver Arie Grey, originally from Deer Lodge. Casey Dennehy, a starting guard at MSU just a season ago, serves on Grey's Bulldog staff.
Across the field, Bozeman High's coaching staff features former Bobcats Big Lou Saucedo, Bobby Daly, Eric Fisher, and Chase Gazzerro, whose tackle on a potential kick return for a touchdown in the 2005 Cat-Griz game helped seal MSU's win.
* * * * *
Another great former Bobcat, All-America offensive lineman Mike Person, is on the Bobcat sideline today. Now a member of the Seattle Seahawks, Person is enjoying his bye week with a little fishing and some Cat-Griz football.
* * * * *
Rob Ash is aware of the role reversal in Washington-Grizzly Stadium today. Montana State enters 9-1 with a share of the Big Sky Championship on the line. Montana is 5-5.
"As we've developed this program, there's been more at stake for us each year," Ash said. "We used to be the spoiler and Montana was on the top rung, but each year we've ratched up the stakes and now we're playing this game with a chance to win the championship. And that's what we are all trying to do every season."
* * * * *
Ash is pleased with the way his team practiced in the week leading up to the annual Cat-Griz clash. "It's been very sharp, very physical, and very emotional in a good way," he said.
* * * * *
Montana bludgeoned the Bobcats on the ground in 2011, a fact not lost on Ash.
"That was a pretty strong motivator in the off-season for us, but as the season's gone on you worry about other teams and other games and that kind of fades away," he said. "But watching tape of that game in preparation for this one was a strong reminder."
While the scheme is tweaked and the personnel somewhat different, Ash says UM's physical and diverse ground game remains effective. "They're really tough," he said. "They average 220-230 yards a game on the ground, and they have a great mix of power and speed."
Ash says the key to success is found on the ground. "That will really be a key for us," he said. "We know you can't stop them, but we need to slow them down a little, keep them in second- and third-and-long. It will be very difficult to win without doing that."
"We'll warm him up and see how it goes," Ash said. "The problem is that he hasn't practiced much this week, but it's not like he'll forget the plays or anything. It's just a matter of timing between him and DeNarius."
Ash said Kruiz Siewing will make his first career start in his final regular season game as a Bobcat if Bleskin is unable to go.
"Kruiz has had a good season and he's practiced well," Ash said. "We'll need him to step up, and we'll also need guys like Everett Gilbert and Brian Flotkoetter and Chase Young to step up, as well."
* * * * *
To an older generation of Montanans, Naranche Stadium in Butte stands as a symbol of Cat-Griz lore, hosting 22 matchups between the schools. Naranche was the site of another classic contest on Friday night with plenty of Bobcat tradition. Butte High topped Bozeman in thrilling, improbable fashion to capture the state Class AA Championship, and the Bulldogs are led by former Bobcat receiver Arie Grey, originally from Deer Lodge. Casey Dennehy, a starting guard at MSU just a season ago, serves on Grey's Bulldog staff.
Across the field, Bozeman High's coaching staff features former Bobcats Big Lou Saucedo, Bobby Daly, Eric Fisher, and Chase Gazzerro, whose tackle on a potential kick return for a touchdown in the 2005 Cat-Griz game helped seal MSU's win.
* * * * *
Another great former Bobcat, All-America offensive lineman Mike Person, is on the Bobcat sideline today. Now a member of the Seattle Seahawks, Person is enjoying his bye week with a little fishing and some Cat-Griz football.
* * * * *
Rob Ash is aware of the role reversal in Washington-Grizzly Stadium today. Montana State enters 9-1 with a share of the Big Sky Championship on the line. Montana is 5-5.
"As we've developed this program, there's been more at stake for us each year," Ash said. "We used to be the spoiler and Montana was on the top rung, but each year we've ratched up the stakes and now we're playing this game with a chance to win the championship. And that's what we are all trying to do every season."
* * * * *
Ash is pleased with the way his team practiced in the week leading up to the annual Cat-Griz clash. "It's been very sharp, very physical, and very emotional in a good way," he said.
* * * * *
Montana bludgeoned the Bobcats on the ground in 2011, a fact not lost on Ash.
"That was a pretty strong motivator in the off-season for us, but as the season's gone on you worry about other teams and other games and that kind of fades away," he said. "But watching tape of that game in preparation for this one was a strong reminder."
While the scheme is tweaked and the personnel somewhat different, Ash says UM's physical and diverse ground game remains effective. "They're really tough," he said. "They average 220-230 yards a game on the ground, and they have a great mix of power and speed."
Ash says the key to success is found on the ground. "That will really be a key for us," he said. "We know you can't stop them, but we need to slow them down a little, keep them in second- and third-and-long. It will be very difficult to win without doing that."
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