Nick Morasko and Wade Rademacher did the number 97 proud
Bobcats by the Numbers: 97
5/24/2013 10:39:00 AM | Football
97 days until kickoff, and today we look at the history of #97 at MSU
Every day we look at players who donned the jersey number corresponding to the number of days until the Bobcats open the 2013 season on August 29 against Monmouth. The list of MSU football players by the jersey number is based on preseason rosters. The set of available rosters is complete from 1946-81 and '83-present. Only the 1926-27, 1934, 1937 and 1941 rosters are available in the pre-WWII years. Corrections, additions, or rosters that fill out the set are welcome to blamberty@msubobcats.com.
#97
Connor Thomas, DT: Connor Thomas arrived at MSU in January, bringing athleticism to the Bobcat defensive line. He has struggled with an injury since arriving, but the Montana State coaching staff lauds him for his academic performance and his locker room presence.
Spotlight Player: Nick Morasko is the most productive and accomplished Bobcat to wear #97 – in fact, he's the only Bobcat to earn All-America honors (Honorable Mention during his senior season in 2001) in that jersey number. His story is also compelling on a number of fronts. He started at defensive end almost immediately, joining the starting lineup at end as a true freshman. The next season, 1998, he started all 11 games, and in 1999 moved inside to tackle while retaining his productivity. He was one of just five seniors on the squad in 2000, Mike Kramer's first season as the Bobcats' head coach, but an injury in the third game forced him to the sideline for the remainder of the season. Bobcat fans remember 2000 for the team's 0-11 record, but less remembered is the extreme growth of the program during that campaign and the next. As a fifth-year senior, Morasko was instrumental in the Bobcats' return to defensive dominance, earning First Team All-Big Sky honors. Morasko also made a major and lasting contribution to Bobcat football upon signing with Cliff Hysell's team in the winter of 2007, joining the vanguard of an MSU in-state recruiting revival.
Notable #97s in the Bobcat Past: Chris Kolone was a talented and productive defensive tackle, but battled injuries throughout his career in the mid-2000s. Wade Rademacher was one of the final players to roll through pipeline from Minnesota maintained during Earle Solomonson's tenure as Bobcat head coach, and also one of the finest. He switched to #97 as a sophomore and became a player known for his pass rushing ability and a staple of the Bobcat defensive line for two seasons. Consistently lauded for his character, Rademacher has worked as a Treasure State law enforcement officer for many years.
Through the years: Gregg Wilks (1983), Terry Martinson (1984-85), Jared Wright (1986), Bryan Krumwiede (1987-90), Wade Rademacher (1991-93), Jon Bednarz (1994), Jarrod Beekley (1995), Justin Morris (1996), Nick Morasko (1997-2001), Ben Smith (2002), Nick Gilchrist (2003-04), Chris Kolone (2005-2008), Derek DeJong (2010), Zach Logan (2011)
#97
Connor Thomas, DT: Connor Thomas arrived at MSU in January, bringing athleticism to the Bobcat defensive line. He has struggled with an injury since arriving, but the Montana State coaching staff lauds him for his academic performance and his locker room presence.
Spotlight Player: Nick Morasko is the most productive and accomplished Bobcat to wear #97 – in fact, he's the only Bobcat to earn All-America honors (Honorable Mention during his senior season in 2001) in that jersey number. His story is also compelling on a number of fronts. He started at defensive end almost immediately, joining the starting lineup at end as a true freshman. The next season, 1998, he started all 11 games, and in 1999 moved inside to tackle while retaining his productivity. He was one of just five seniors on the squad in 2000, Mike Kramer's first season as the Bobcats' head coach, but an injury in the third game forced him to the sideline for the remainder of the season. Bobcat fans remember 2000 for the team's 0-11 record, but less remembered is the extreme growth of the program during that campaign and the next. As a fifth-year senior, Morasko was instrumental in the Bobcats' return to defensive dominance, earning First Team All-Big Sky honors. Morasko also made a major and lasting contribution to Bobcat football upon signing with Cliff Hysell's team in the winter of 2007, joining the vanguard of an MSU in-state recruiting revival.
Notable #97s in the Bobcat Past: Chris Kolone was a talented and productive defensive tackle, but battled injuries throughout his career in the mid-2000s. Wade Rademacher was one of the final players to roll through pipeline from Minnesota maintained during Earle Solomonson's tenure as Bobcat head coach, and also one of the finest. He switched to #97 as a sophomore and became a player known for his pass rushing ability and a staple of the Bobcat defensive line for two seasons. Consistently lauded for his character, Rademacher has worked as a Treasure State law enforcement officer for many years.
Through the years: Gregg Wilks (1983), Terry Martinson (1984-85), Jared Wright (1986), Bryan Krumwiede (1987-90), Wade Rademacher (1991-93), Jon Bednarz (1994), Jarrod Beekley (1995), Justin Morris (1996), Nick Morasko (1997-2001), Ben Smith (2002), Nick Gilchrist (2003-04), Chris Kolone (2005-2008), Derek DeJong (2010), Zach Logan (2011)
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