GAME DAY

SATURDAY, NOV. 2 AT NORTHERN COLORADO

FULL PApER INSidE

NO. 5 MONTANA STATE At NORtHERN COLORAdO, GREELEY, 1:30 p.M.

INSIDE
SEcONdARY iSSUES?
Bobcats defensive backeld dealing with rash of injuries, but help should be on the way I 2
Northern Colorado wide receiver Dimitri Stimphill

ADRIAN SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ/CHRONICLE

Montana State has had trouble playing on the road when facing a barren stadium, like it did in Greeley, Colo., in 2011.

BRINGING THE NOISE

By KYLE SAMPLE
Chronicle Sports Writer

BObcAtS NOt LOOKiNg AHEAd

A much-anticipated battle with Eastern Washington looms next week, but Montana State will not overlook UNC I 5

he football stadium at the University of Northern Colorado has an enchanting name Nottingham Field and a less than captivating atmosphere.

Set near the intersection of 17th Avenue and Reservoir Road in Greeley, the venue, with a capacity of 8,500, has a large grandstand along the western sideline and a much smaller one on the eastern edge, leaving both end zones open to views of a parking lot, a small residential area and the UNC practice complex. The two grandstands are rarely filled to capacity; in the eight years since the Bears joined the Big Sky Conference, they have averaged 4,356 fans per game. For the most part, unless Montana or Montana State is visiting,

Nottingham Field sits half empty. Last season, even as the UNC was pushing for its best conference finish, 3,418 people showed up to watch the home team defeat North Dakota, 28-27, in its regular-season finale. Attendance problems are so severe that the schools ticket office is offering fans who wear Bears gear a hat, a T-shirt or anything that promotes the school $5 off their ticket price for this afternoons game. Northern Colorado has won just eight of 41 home games since joining the conference. The game-day atmosphere has not only proven to be a problem for the Bears; its an ominous sign for a Montana State team that largely has struggled in stadiums bereft of energy. At 2-2 on the road one loss came against a Football Bowl Subdivision team, Southern Methodist Montana State has played in four stadiums that were cumulatively half empty. Individually, not one was more than two-thirds full. Its an understandable problem for a team used to playing in front of one of the best crowds the Football Champion-

ship Subdivision has to offer. In terms of capacity, Bobcat Stadium is more than 100 percent full each home game. Playing in largely vacuous stadiums has to sap some energy from a game. Half of MSUs schedule is played against programs that dont have the fan base the Bobcats do. Also, Montana State typically is more talented and generally executes better than its road opponents, which gives it a leg up. Many times this year, however, it has labored to maintain a rhythm assuming one was ever generated. As coach (Rob) Ash has been talking about all week, we need to bring our own environment; we need to bring our own energy, defensive line assistant Michael Rider explained Tuesday. Truthfully, great teams are able do that, and thats what were trying to do. Were trying to be a great team regardless of the environment, regardless of the surface. I dont care if its on a blacktop in front of five fans, we need to come to play, we need to come prepared to play and be a great team.
More NOIse

CANt MAKE it tO GREELEY?

The Chronicle sports sta has you covered. For all of the latest updates and analysis and to join the discussion on the Bobcats battle with Northern Colorado, visit dailychronicle.com/live starting at 1:30 p.m. today. Also be sure and follow @jmaletz on Twitter.

| Saturday, November 2, 2013

bozeman daily chronicle

BOBCATSGAMEDAY
No. 5 Montana State at No. Colorado
1:30 p.m., Nottingham Field, Greeley

Sideline Briefing
Records
No. 5 Montana State 6-2, 4-0 Big Sky Northern Colorado 1-7, 0-4

Series

20th meeting, Montana State leads 18-10-1

Weather forecast
Sunny, 61 degrees

Crowd
Nottingham Field (8,500)

TV
ROOT SPORTS (Tom Glasgow, Robb Akey, Jen Mueller)

Radio
KXLB-FM (100.7) (Tyler Wiltgen, Dan Davies, Riley Corcoran)

Coaches

ROBASH
MSU, 7th year 34th year overall 56-24 at MSU 232-123-5 overall

Earnest Collins Jr
UNC, 3rd year 5th year overall 6-23 at UNC 14-35 overall

Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez/Chronicle

Schedules
Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Oct. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Nov. 2 Nov. 9 Nov. 16 Nov. 23 NORTHERN COLORADO LANGSTON W, 31-10 COLORADO ST.-PUEBLO L, 41-36 @ Wyoming L, 35-7 NORTHERN IOWA L, 26-7 SOUTHERN UTAH L, 27-21 @ Sacramento State L, 37-21 @ Idaho State L, 40-26 UC DAVIS L, 34-18 MONTANA STATE 1:30 p.m. @ North Dakota 12:05 p.m. @ Northern Arizona 4 p.m. CAL POLY 12:05 p.m. Montana State Monmouth W, 42-24 @ Southern Methodist L, 31-30 Colorado Mesa W, 26-0 @ Stephen F. Austin L, 52-38 @ North Dakota W, 63-20 Northern AriZona W, 36-7 @ Weber State W, 34-16 UC Davis W, 34-17 @ Northern Colorado 1:30 p.m. @ Eastern Washington 1 p.m. Southern Utah 4 p.m. Montana Noon

Cornerback Sean Gords and the Bobcats defense has held four of the past six opponents to less than 200 yards passing. Gords is expected to start today despite breaking his hand in an Oct. 19 victory at Weber State.

Thriving through adversity

Montana State secondary continues to impress despite injuries
By JON MALETZ
Chronicle Sports Editor

Aug. 29 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 2 Nov. 9 Nov. 16 Nov. 23

Players to watch
NORTHERN COLORADO QB Seth Lobato: The strong-armed senior is third in the Big Sky Conference and 11th in the Football Championship Subdivision with 287.5 passing yards per game. His primary targets are Jace Davis and Dimitri Stimphill, who combine for 186 yards, tops for any duo in the league. In 17 of his 19 starts against Big Sky opponents, Lobato has thrown for 200 or more yards. MONTANA STATE DE Brad Daly: The senior leads the FCS in sacks and tackles for loss and has been a nightmare for opposing oenses. He logged two sacks and 2 1/2 tackles for loss in last weeks win against UC Davis, and now has at least one TFL in 16 consecutive games.

Injury report
Northern colorado Undisclosed MONTANA STATE Out for season: LB Naa Moeakiola (shoulder), WR Kurt Davis (knee), LB Wyatt Christensen (knee) Out indenitely: DL Zach Hutchins (undisclosed), C Christian Williams (eye) Probable: S Eryon Barnett (shoulder), CB Sean Gords (hand), TE Lee Perkins (undisclosed)

Quick hits
n Montana State is averaging three sacks per game,

which is ninth in the FCS and rst in the Big Sky. n A win today would extend the Bobcats streak of winning seasons to 12 overall and 13 in the Big Sky both school records. n MSU leads the league with an average of 37.9 points per game. n Senior tailback Cody Kirks 14 touchdowns and 10.8 points per game both lead the Big Sky. His touchdown mark is fth in the FCS and second on the programs single-season list. n Todays game will be MSUs rst on natural grass this season. n The Bobcats are 29-1 under head coach Rob Ash when holding opponents to less than 20 points. n MSU is just 7-6 in 13 trips to Greeley, Colo., but Ash is 5-1 against the Bears. n The Bobcats piled up 564 yards of oense and cruised to a 41-16 home victory over UNC during the two squads last meeting in September 2012. n Through seven games, the Bears passing attack has generated seven 100-yard receiving games. n Northern Colorado has never lost on Nov. 2 (7-0-1).

Sean Gords left hand and forearm are wrapped snugly in a hulking mass of tape and foam. A trail of mist billows out of the Montana State seniors mouth on a recent frigid afternoon as he speaks in between labored breaths about his injury a broken bone sustained during a collision against Weber State on Oct. 19. He pauses, winces and momentarily shuts his eyes. I broke a big old bone in there. Im not sure which one, but its in my thumb, index finger and wrist area, too, the cornerback explains as he tinkers with the crude wrapping. I had a procedure (Oct. 21), so ever since then its been about me trying to recover. Obviously, I have a lot of pain today. It might just be the cold weather. Missing more games this time of year is not an option. You just have to figure out a way to make it work. Such has been Montana States mantra in 2013. When substantial injuries led to two starting linebackers being lost for the season before fall camp even commenced, the Bobcats turned to a talented but inexperienced group that has blossomed into one of the teams strengths. When one of its most dynamic playmakers on the defensive line, Preston Gale, missed a total of five games because of a knee injury, sophomore Odin Coe filled the void and proved to be both a productive pass rusher and worthy complement to Buck Buchanan award nominee Brad Daly. When senior quarterback DeNarius McGhee was sidelined for two games with a separated throwing shoulder, backup Jake Bleskin took the reins and engineered two 300-yard passing games. So many coaches say Its next man up, and thats why you prepare, defensive line assistant Michael Rider said. Kids are looking for opportunities. A kid that was a No. 3 on the depth chart going into two-a-days, maybe he can be a great contributor now. Thats all you can ask for The defensive secondary has not been immune to injury and misfortune. Only boundary cornerback Deonte Flowers and free safety Steven Bethley, who recently tore ligaments in his right thumb but avoided a stint on the sideline because of Oct. 12s bye, have started all eight games. Highly touted Texas transfer Eryon Barnett was entrenched at rover before suffering a pinched nerve in Sept. 5s game against Southern Methodist. Consequently, the senior did not see the field in October. Its in the shoulder and the neck, and its just been giving me some problems, Barnett said. With it being in the back of the neck, you always have

to be cautious, especially with the style that I play. Gords was attempting to cut somebody down, during the visit to Ogden, Utah, and the opposing players knee collided with Gords hand, forcing him to leave the game and miss the subsequent home contest against UC Davis. It was extremely tough (watching against the Aggies), especially with this being my senior year, Gords admitted. All I want to do is help my team win, and to be sitting out is not doing much at all. Compounding matters for the thin but talented unit is the recent loss of former second-string cornerback Ijumaa Armstrong. Rob Ash on Tuesday confirmed the Hawaii transfer is no longer with the program, although the head coach declined to divulge further details. While the secondary has emerged as a primary concern, the Bobcats have done much more than simply survive their recent bout with adversity. They have thrived. Montana State is in the midst of a four-game win streak to open Big Sky play and has reestablished itself as a top-five program in the Football Championship Subdivision. The Bobcats currently rank second in the conference in pass efficiency defense and third in passing yards allowed at about 214 per contest. MSU had held four of its past six opponents to less than 200 through the air and two of those, Colorado Mesa and highpowered North Dakota, to less than 100. Additionally, the Bobcats are third in the conference with nine interceptions. Its a blessing to be able to play on a team that you know has the type of system where your starters go down and the guys that are backups are able to fill in, produce and still help win games, Barnett said. Thats a remarkable thing, and its really given me the chance to properly heal my body, make sure Im back for the home stretch and not be in such a rush to hurry up and get back. Added secondary coach Brandon North, Im a pretty confident dude. Coaches always have a motto to never complain about your guys, but I would never anyway so it works in my favor. I like all of them. They work hard, they care, they play hard. They all prepare mentally, and thats all I can ask for. The players we have in this program are just awesome. Norths reserves have proven to be more than stopgaps. Robert Marshall, who was pressed into service against Southern Methodist after Barnett went down, made an instant impact; he forced one fumble and recovered two others against the favored Mustangs, who needed a lastsecond score to escape with a 31-30 victory. Marshall has started four games since and has logged 29 tackles in eight games. He was joined on the field against

UC Davis by James Nelson, who made his first career start in place of Gords despite spending much of the season as a reserve safety. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound junior first learned that he would start one day before kickoff. He admitted to being so anxious that he awoke at 3 a.m. on Oct. 26, could not get back to sleep and spent the rest of morning watching cartoons. Nelson, who previously made his most substantial impact on special teams with a forced fumble and touchdown return at North Dakota, looked poised against the Aggies. MSU limited senior signal caller Randy Wright to just 159 yards passing in a 34-17 win. I had to come out and prove to my coaches and my teammates and this great fan base that we have what James Nelsons got, he said this week. I felt like I made a statement. I think it helps a lot because theyll know that if somebody is tired or banged up theyll have one guy who can play safety or corner. I always knew James can play. I knew he could play because hes from Southern California, joked Flowers about his fellow Californian. He works hard, he studies a lot, and I knew when his name was called upon he was ready, and I think he showed that. I think it meant a lot to him and he was thankful to the coaching staff and to us for believing in him. MSU is expecting some reinforcements today. Although Marshall is tops on the depth chart and is slated to start, Barnett should see significant playing time, and Gords one of two Bobcats (Bethley) on the back end who will be trying to play with bulky casts will be back on the field. Their return comes at a most pivotal period: MSU squares off with senior quarterback Seth Lobato and the leagues third-ranked passing offense today in Greeley, Colo. And next week, it travels to Cheney, Wash., to tussle with Vernon Adams-led Eastern Washington. The sensational sophomore threw for six touchdowns in last weeks triumph in Missoula. Flowers is excited the Bobcats finally have their full complement of players back in the mix. Also, the shutdown cornerback said the experience Nelson and Marshall have accrued of late will prove invaluable during the seasons stretch run. Its always good to look over there and see Sean and see Eryon. Those guys are physical guys, and they help the confidence of the entire defensive backfield, Flowers said. We trust in those guys. We really trust in everyone. Added Barnett, The guys that have filled in have done a wonderful job. We just have an excellent system back there, and I think they will continue to be big contributors. Were going to need them. Jon Maletz can be reached at jmaletz@dailychronicle.com or 5822601. Follow him on Twitter @jmaletz.

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Saturday, November 2, 2013 |

BOBCATSGAMEDAY
No. 5 Montana State at No. Colorado
1:30 p.m., Nottingham Field, Greeley

MONTANA STATE AT NORTHERN COLORAdO

When Montana State has the ball
Remember Montana States early season yards rushing and 252 passing on the season. struggles? Yeah, we dont either. Theyve been held to fewer than 30 points just The Bobcats have been locked in since once, and that was backup quarterback Jake the start of Big Sky Conference play in late Bleskins rst collegiate start. September. This recent four-game winning Did we mention Northern Colorado has just streak has included a 63-point outburst in a one win against NAIA Langston and is rout of North Dakota and largely one-sided surrendering an average of more than 400 aairs against Northern Arizona, Weber State yards of total oense? Heck, this is a team and UC Davis. that allowed 41 points in a loss to Division II First-year oensive coordinator Tim Cramsey Colorado State-Pueblo and 40 to Idaho State. and high-powered MSU appear The Bears sure are hoping to catch to have hit their stride, averaging the Bobcats looking ahead to their EDGE more than 41 points during the run. much-anticipated Nov. 9 trip to Cheney, More important, the Bobcats have Wash. We wouldnt bet on it, however. demonstrated a knack for adapting MSU will take care of business. on the y and game-planning to Sure, it is just 7-6 at Nottingham exploit mismatches. Field, but the talent gap in this Against North Dakota and Northern matchup is too vast. Arizona, the Cats dominated on the Johnson and Cody Kirk should nd ground. Against Weber State and ample space in which to maneuver Davis, record-setting quarterback DeNarius thanks to an oensive line that outweighs McGhee was up to his usual tricks. Because the Northern Colorado defensive front by an the Aggies typically play man to man on the average of nearly 30 pounds. outside, MSU devised a plan to get tailback McGhee will pick his spots and break open Shawn Johnson in space and in a one-on-one this game with a couple big plays to his talented battle with a linebacker. The junior speedster receiving corps and perhaps with his legs; should win that matchup very time, and he did last weeks willingness to run was a telltale sign last week; the result was two catches on wheel McGhee is 100 percent. routes for 92 yards and one touchdown. Northern Colorado boasts a talented linebacking Whatever it takes. corps but not much else. MSU piled up 564 yards of Today, the Bobcats likely will do whatever oense in last years meeting, a 41-16 victory. We they want. Theyre averaging more than 204 expect todays outcome to be similar.

The Edge

DEPTH CHARTS
Montana State Offense
LEFTTACKLE 55 John Weidenaar 76 Marshall Womack LEFTGUARD 63 Kyle Godecke 72 Charles Lee CENTER 74 Matthew Devereux 6-3/300 So 70 Joel Horn 75 JP Flynn 72 Charles Lee 79 Quinn Catalano 64 Andy Austin 9 2 DeNarius McGhee Jake Bleskin 6-4/295 So 6-5/304 Fr 6-3/280 Jr 6-4/300 Jr 6-3/285 Sr 6-0/212 Sr 6-1/195 So 5-10/213 Sr 5-9/175 Jr 6-3/218 Sr 6-3/193 So 5-10/175 Sr 5-7/174 Jr 6-2/211 Jr 6-3/185 So 6-3/257 Sr 6-2/240 Jr 6-3/185 Sr 8 RIGHTGUARD 6-5/315 So 6-3/280 Jr 6-7/280 So 6-5/280 Fr

No. Colorado Defense

LEFT END 49 Gavin Miller 99 Kyle Todd 94 Lexington Smith 45 Matt Gackle RIGHT TACKLE 92 Chris Urbaniak 96 Sean Alexander 6-3/275 So 6-4/307 Sr 6-3/246 Sr 6-2/252 Jr 6-3/300 Jr 6-0/271 Jr

NOSE GUARD

RIGHT END

59 Kendall Gr.-McGhee 6-5/259 Sr 91 Devontae Chapple 6-5/268 Jr STRONGSIDE LINEBACKER 40 Max Flores 29 JaQueal Walker 56 Clarence Bumpas 46 Conor Sparacio 5 Leilon Willingham 6-0/219 Jr 6-1/210 So 6-2/245 Sr 6-1/234 Sr 6-2/252 Jr 5-11/216 Sr 5-10/168 Jr 5-10/168 Fr 6-2/204 So 6-2/204 Fr 6-1/201 Sr 6-2/204 Fr 5-10/177 Sr 5-10/179 Jr 6-1/169 Sr 6-0/194 Fr

RIGHTTACKLE

QUARTERBACK

MIDDLE LINEBACKER

RUNNINGBACK 25 Cody Kirk 33 Shawn Johnson X RECEIVER 86 Tanner Bleskin 83 Manny Kalfell 4 Jon Ellis

WEAKSIDE LINEBACKER 37 Mason Walters 21 Courtney Hall 6 Brandon Lenoir

LEFT CORNERBACK

F/YRECEIVER 12 David Dash Z RECEIVER 84 Brian Flotkoetter 11 Tanner Roderick TIGHTEND 80 Tiai Salanoa 93 Lee Perkins KICKER 18 Rory Perez

FREE SAFETY 42 Kyle Griffin 38 Taylor Risner 28 Timi Niweigha 38 Taylor Risner 22 Mykel Morse James Davis PUNTER 60 Tanner Ellingsen 61 Jesse Holzmer

STRONG SAFETY

RIGHT CORNERBACK

When Northern Colorado has the ball

Northern Colorado boasts one of the confer12th in the league with an average of 80 yards ences top passing attacks, which could chalper game. Theyve rushed for more than 100 just lenged an injured MSU secondary. once against a Division I opponent. Bears quarterback Seth Lobato That extreme lack of balance averages nearly 297 yards passing per spells doom against a tenacious and EDGE game the third-best tally in the Big opportunistic Bobcats defensive Sky. The senior, who has battled injury front. Senior Brad Daly continues this fall, has thrown for 200 or more to lead the FCS in sacks and tackles in 17 of 19 starts against conference for loss and is emerging as a serious opponents and has a host of weapons contender for the Buck Buchanan at his disposal. The receiving tandem award. Couple him with Odin Coe of Dimitri Stimphill and Jace Davis are and Preston Gale, who logged a sack averaging a league-best 186 per contest. and a forced fumble last week, and an active Those numbers are skewed, however, by the linebacking corps, and Lobato should be in for a Bears lack of a reliable running threat; theyre long afternoon.
7

Defense
END Preston Gale TACKLE 47 Taylor Dees 92 Nate Bignell 50 Craig Ashworth 90 Taylor Sheridan BANDIT 41 Brad Daly 46 Hayden Vick 16 Cole Moore 34 Blake Braun 51 Michael Foster 6-1/240 Sr 6-3/236 Jr 6-2/220 Jr 6-1/225 Fr 6-1/228 So 6-0/215 Jr 6-2/240 Jr 5-10/222 Fr 5-11/183 Jr 5-11/172 Jr 6-0/200 Jr 6-2/200 Sr 1 2 3 2 5-11/210 Sr 5-11/199 Jr 5-10/193 Sr 5-11/199 Jr 6-3/185 Sr 6-2/273 Jr 6-2/273 So 6-1/280 Sr 6-3/280 So 6-3/254 Sr 6-3/250 So 10 Odin Coe

Offense
LEFT TACKLE 76 Marcus Piechowski 6-5/292 Fr 70 Sean McGill 57 Jake Solomon CENTER 64 Zak Thrall 78 Joe Carroll 65 Tyler Olker 79 Conner Pawlak 74 Sean Palinckx 72 Filipo Mose 9 Seth Lobato 6-3/300 Sr 6-1/273 Sr 6-2/286 Sr 6-3/3-2 Jr 6-6/290 So 6-5/307 So 6-6/223 Sr 5-10/183 Sr 6-7/290 Fr 6-3/288 Sr LEFT GUARD 67 Austin Hendrickson 6-3/283 Fr

NOSETACKLE

RIGHT GUARD

SAMLINEBACKER

RIGHT TACKLE

MIKELINEBACKER

QUARTERBACK 17 Tim Tancik

The bottom line

Northern Colorado is coming o a bye and historically has played Montana State tough in Greeley. The Bears have never lost on Nov. 2 (7-0-1). The fth-ranked Bobcats are 2-2 on the road and will be playing on natural grass for the rst time this season one week before they travel to Eastern Washington for a much-hyped showdown of top-ve FCS teams. Admittedly, were reaching when trying to uncover reasons why todays game could be a trap for MSU. In reality, this should be another lopsided Bobcats win and an eighth consecutive Bears loss. According to MSU linebacker Michael Foster, playing Montana State typically brings out the best in the opposition (see Weber State). UNCs best still wont be good enough today, however. Montana State should roll in Greeley, and Eastern Washington likely will not be tested in Pocatello, Idaho. Bobcats players and coaches insist they focus on one game at a time, but we cant resist looking ahead to a battle of Big Sky unbeatens Nov. 9 in Cheney, Wash.

58 Rhett Young 43 Alex Singleton 29 Feao Vunipola 37 Deonte Flowers 36 Brad Nordahl ROVER 5 Robert Marshall FREE SAFETY 1 Steven Bethley 26 James Nelson 3 Sean Gords PUNTER 18 Rory Perez 22 Eryon Barnett

WILLLINEBACKER

RUNNING BACK 6-1/228 Fr 6-3/239 Jr 6-2/238 Sr 6-2/209 Sr 6-0/198 Jr 6-0/198 Sr 5-9/178 Jr 5-10/180 Jr 5-9/178 Jr 5-11/152 Fr 6-0/194 Fr

31 Tromaine Dennis 5-11/217 Sr 26 Darius Graham TIGHT END 88 Sawyere Monson 47 Austin Wilbers 25 Jace Davis 1 Will Jefferson Will Jefferson Marcell Peoples Dimitri Stimphill Marcell Peoples KICKER 68 Jamie Falloon 61 Jesse Holzmer

BOUNDARYCORNER

X WIDE RECEIVER

44 10

H WIDE RECEIVER

Z WIDE RECEIVER

FIELDCORNER 26 James Nelson

Fisher, Golden both still building programs

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) Jimbo Fisher replaced a legend at Florida State. Al Golden took over a legendary program at Miami. Sounds great, though if theres one thing the two coaches who will be squaring off when the unbeaten Seminoles play host to the unbeaten Hurricanes in Tallahassee, Fla. on Saturday night will agree upon, its that the growing pains they endured along the way were far tougher than most people might realize. These days, the worst is over for both. Fisher and Florida State are rolling, looking every bit like a national championship contender. Golden and Miami are off to a flying start, plus no longer have the threat of massive NCAA sanctions hanging over the program. And for the first time in a long time, the annual meeting of the Seminoles and the Hurricanes is truly in the national spotlight. Shows college football is gettin right again, Fisher said. Sure seems that way. No. 3 Florida State (7-0, 5-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) and No. 7 Miami (7-0, 3-0) are meeting as unbeatens this late in the season for the first time since 1991, when the Hurricanes won a nailbiter in Tallahassee on the way to the schools fourth national title in 11 seasons. The Canes have just one championship since, and oddsmakers have listed them as threetouchdown underdogs this weekend. Florida States resurgence on the national scene is clearly farther along, without question. The Seminoles won the ACC title last year and the Orange Bowl. Theyre putting up numbers now akin to when Bobby Bowden was in his coaching heyday in Tallahassee. They have a quarterback in Jameis Winston who has a first name many people couldnt pronounce correctly a few weeks ago, but is now a Heisman Trophy frontrunner. Even their rivals at the other end of the state are tipping their collective caps. I think clearly you have to be a program to graduate the number of kids that they graduated and yet be in the same situation they are in right now, Golden said of the Seminoles. We are building that. A lot of people are premature and saying The U is back. The U is building. We have to continue to build.

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BOBCATSGAMEDAY
No. 5 Montana State at No. Colorado
1:30 p.m., Nottingham Field, Greeley

Alabamas offensive line answers early questions

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) Nobodys picking on Alabamas big men now. The top-ranked Crimson Tides rebuilt offensive line seemed to have a massive question mark hovering over it after struggling in the season opener with Virginia Tech. As in, how is Bama going to win a third straight national title with those blockers? They dont seem like a liability any more, and not coincidentally the Tide has been rolling. After that game, it made us mad up front, guard Anthony Steen said. We know if we dont do our job up front, were not going to have a good game. We know it all starts with us. We know if we have a good game, then the quarterback and running backs have a good game and the receivers have a good game. We go into each game thinking if we do our job up front then well be fine. Since that debut performance, the Tides line has kept quarterback AJ McCarrons jersey fairly pristine, opened big holes for tailbacks T.J. Yeldon and Kenyan Drake and helped pave the way for a team that hasnt been challenged in the six games since beating No. 12 Texas A&M. The linemen are no longer getting beat up by either critics or opposing defenses for Alabama, which plays No. 11 LSU next weekend. I think the fact that our offensive line has improved and we can create balance of run and pass is why were playing really well the last few weeks on offense, Tide coach Nick Saban said. Alabama allowed four sacks against the Hokies, but none in the past four games. The running game has been producing an average of 227 yards since replaced Jones at center, though Chad Lindsay filled in for three-plus games when he was injured. Austin Shepherd took over for Fluker at right tackle. Those guys are working real well together, LSU linebacker Lamin Barrow said. Of course they lost a lot of guys but I think they still have some of the top linemen in the country coming back. Theyve got one of the top guards. Those guys work well together. Tigers defensive tackle Anthony Johnson said this line is probably the best well play all year. Johnson and LSU sound anything but intimidated, though. The strategy, he said, is just be physical. Punch them in the mouth. Kouandjio said the early hiccups were understandable with three players making their first starts. He remembers it took him awhile to reach a comfort zone as a starter last season. It was like the new territory, he said. Last year was my first year starting. I felt as if its a new thing, kind of shy, kind of held back here and there. After a while, you just drop it off, drop it all off, and just play like you know how to play. Saban said the turnaround is a combination of improved technique, chemistry and communication. I think the confidence in each other is better, he said. I think that just comes from guys playing together. We have improved. I think when guys have confidence that helps their improvement. I think its a combination of all those things. The result is most of those questions have gone away.

AP

Alabama's rebuilt offensive line, which lost three All-Americans and two NFL first-round picks, was the biggest question mark in the Crimson Tide's bid for a third straight national title. Maligned early in the season, the group has kept quarterback AJ McCarron's jersey mostly spotless and opened gaping holes for the backs.

failing to reach 100 in the opener. The early issues werent totally unpredictable. Alabamas offensive line last season was regarded as perhaps the programs best ever, and maybe even one of the tops in college football history. Three All-Americans departed, including NFL first-round draft picks Chance Warmack and D.J. Fluker and 2011 Outland Trophy winner Barrett Jones. Filling those spots was bound to be a challenge.

It took a couple of weeks for us to get things together, said left tackle Cyrus Kouandjio, himself a projected firstrounder. After the past couple of weeks, things have been coming together and Im really glad that everythings starting to work out. Kouandjio and Steen were the only returning starters on the line. Kouandjios brother, Arie, took over at left guard after battling injuries to both knees early in his career. Ryan Kelly

Baylor goes from Big 12 bottom to leading under Coach Briles

WACO, Texas (AP) earned enough respect The Baylor Bears were the where when people look at laughing stock of the Big us, theyre thinking thats a 12, stuck at the bottom tough out. of the league when coach While the Bears have Art Briles arrived six years a school-record 11-game ago. winning streak, there is They had just finished still a long way to go this their 12th consecuseason for a possible Big tive losing season since 12 title and BCS shot. the leagues inception. They still have to play the There were four different rest of the teams in the top coaches in that span, along half of the league standwith a 29-game conference ings, and go to rival TCU. losing streak that is still Next is arguably the the longest in most-anticipated the Big 12. game ever at the I certainly Ive never worlds largest really looked Baptist univerthink that at what had sity, Thursday happened prior people view us night at home as a legitimate against No. 13 to that, Briles said. I didnt Oklahoma (7-1, threat, feel like it was 4-1). The Bears Art Briles, relevant. And also still have Baylor Bears coach to play No. 15 its really not. Especially Texas Tech, No. with what the No. 5 Bears 18 Oklahoma State and (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) are doing co-Big 12 leader Texas. now in quite a reversal. That regular-season finale With their fast-paced ofagainst the Longhorns will fense that leads the nation be their last game at Floyd at 64 points and 718 total Casey Stadium before movyards a game, the Bears are ing into a new $260 million outscoring opponents by an on-campus stadium being average margin of 48 like built along Interstate 35 so many of the lopsided on the banks of the Brazos losses they used to routine- River. ly endure themselves. They Art had a road map scored 69 in their season when we hired him, opener, and have reached athletic director Ian Mc70 points four times since. Caw said, recalling that Baylor is the Big 12s Briles talked about first only undefeated team and, becoming competitive, with its highest ranking in then going to a bowl game 60 years, the only one in and eventually competing the top 10. for a Big 12 title and more. I certainly think that He laid it all out, kind of people view us as a legitithe vision and progression mate threat, Briles said. of the program. And its Whether were viewed becoming a reality. as the perennial program The Bears are coming off that this is one that you a 59-14 victory at Kansas, better watch out for all which lost its 25th consecuthe time, I dont know. tive Big 12 game. The JayTime will tell on that. But hawks would break Baylors I do think now that weve mark of futility if they lose

Up-tempo spread offense making waves across SEC

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) Gus Malzahn and his no-huddle offense have faced more than their fair share of doubters and critics over the years, dating back to his days as a high school coach in Arkansas. That debate has followed Malzahn all the way to the Southeastern Conference, once thought of as the place creative offenses went to die. No more. Led by an influx of new, offensive-minded coaches including Malzahn, now the head coach at Auburn the SEC has joined the rest of college football by embracing the age of the lightning-fast spread. Its a trend highlighted by the success of schools like Auburn, Texas A&M, Missouri and Ole Miss, though not all of the league led by defending national champion Alabama has let go of its running and defensive roots. The differences in style and tempo have played out beyond the field. Theyve led to debate about player safety among coaches and increased salesmanship in recruiting battles largely focused on the spreads appeal to skill players eager to reach the NFL. The greatest thing that can help us in our recruiting department is the more failure the Philadelphia Eagles have, Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said, noting the struggles of the up-tempo offense run by former Oregon coach Chip Kelly during his first season in the NFL. Bielemas answer came after a question about the perception that the spread might be more fun than his more traditional, balanced approach to offense. The former Wisconsin coach, who led the Badgers to three Rose Bowl berths in seven seasons there, said recruits find his style enjoyable. He also said the Arkansas offense is what the NFL is running. Every kid that plays offense and defense and special teams football in college wants to play in the NFL, Bielema said. He wants to play in a system thats going to benefit his ability to play at the next level. I really believe that over the course of time, the pro-style offense is going to win out for that exact reason. Bielema has been at the forefront of a debate about up-tempo offenses in the college game. He contends that more plays and less time for substitutions leads to more injuries. Its a point the usually reserved Malzahn reacted to at SEC media days in July, saying he thought it was a joke. Early in Malzahns career, while coaching in the smallest high school classification in Arkansas, his Shiloh Christian team famously won a playoff game 70-64. It was an offensive shootout that caused one coach in the states largest classification one who ran the traditional wing offense to react by saying that will never work in big-time high school football.

AP

Baylor running back Lache Seastrunk is hoisted into the air by Spencer Drango after scoring in the first quarter of Oct. 26's game against the Kansas Jayhawks in Lawrence, Kan.

their last five games. Baylor went winless in Big 12 games four different seasons, including the one before Briles was hired, and won only once in the conference six other times. The Bears 447 points this year are already more than twice as many as they scored in nine of those seasons. Finally in 2010, Briles third year, the Bears had a winning record and went to a bowl game. A year later, Robert Griffin III won the Heisman Trophy and Baylor won the Alamo Bowl to get its first 10-win season since Mike Singletary played there 31 years earlier. Certainly most everyone outside the program probably thought then that the Bears had peaked since Griffin was headed to the NFL. But Nick Florence broke several of Griffins single-

season school records last season, when the Bears went 8-5 with a win over UCLA in the Holiday Bowl. And Bryce Petty, the fourthyear junior who had thrown only 14 passes before this season, is the Big 12s top passer, at 350 yards per game with 18 touchdowns and one interception. Griffin, in his second season starting for the Washington Redskins, doesnt believe that the Bears have ever really gotten the respect that he feels like they have earned. This is what we dreamed of. ... If you believe it, you can achieve it, but you also have to be willing to sacrifice to get there, Griffin said. Thats what (coach Briles) has done, and thats what all the guys that were with me and even that are there now are still doing.

Noise/from 1
Only once this season has Montana State been able to do that on the road, and it came in perhaps the best road environment it has faced at least initially. Against North Dakota, in an indoor stadium two-thirds full, the Bobcats put forth arguably their most complete game of the season, beating UND 63-20 after generating a 42-7 halftime edge and driving away most of North Dakotas fans in the process.

In that first half, the Bobcats produced eight plays of 15 or more yards, sparking both the offense and defense and possibly providing an answer to what has ailed the Bobcats away from Bozeman. (We need) big plays, Rider said. Success is fun; winning is fun. Winning is exciting and making big plays, but that doesnt just happen. We need to prepare all week. We need to prepare starting today to make those big plays. Now, Montana State heads into a stadium at which it has traditionally had a difficult time. In the three games the Bobcats

have played at Nottingham Field since Ash was hired in June 2007, they are 2-1. The average score of those contests was 23-15, including a 16-13 loss in the coachs debut season. I will never forget 2007, when we went down there and lost. That game is still vivid in my memory, Ash said Tuesday. Added Northern Colorado head coach Earnest Collins Jr. when asked why the Bears have been so competitive against Montana State in Greeley, Its one of those deals that its a measuring stick because Montana State is always at the top of

the conference, and youre trying to measure yourself up against those guys. Today should be the last time this fall that the Bobcats are faced with a playing in an energy-challenged stadium; MSUs final road game Nov. 9 at Eastern Washington presumably will come at sold-out Roos Field. But with Northern Colorado and likely a sparse turnout standing between Montana State and its showdown with the Eagles, Ash will look to a select group to make sure the Cats get off to a fast start and leave Greeley with their unblemished

conference record intact. I think weve got a lot of guys, from DeNarius McGhee to Cody Kirk to Tanner Bleskin, Brad Daly, the veterans on our team I think most of the guys on our team have been ready to play, Ash said. You get a couple guys that make a mistake or two and it shows up. But its not an epidemic or a major problem; I think weve got the core of our team that always has been ready and always will be ready. Kyle Sample can be reached at ksample@dailychronicle.com or 582-2690. Follow him on Twitter @kylesample_bdc.