Bobcats shift focus on offense
BOZEMAN, Mont. – It’s a familiar foe with a familiar coach, but don’t be fooled.
The Eastern Washington University Eagles are facing a different Montana State University team today in a critical Big Sky Conference football showdown. The loser will be knocked from a share of the conference lead and see the end to its playoff hopes.
“We’re pretty much out of character here with a very strong passing game, and I wouldn’t say ‘non-existent,’ but way overshadowed, running game,” said MSU coach Mike Kramer, the former head coach at Eastern. “Our injuries and defections at tight end have cost us the ability to be multiformational. Because we don’t have the ability to have a lead blocker in front of our tailback, our running game has dried up.”
In the process of pulling out three consecutive October games on their last possession, the Bobcats turned into a high-powered and dangerous passing team under the direction of junior quarterback Travis Lulay.
“They’re doing a good job of making Travis the focal point, which is a good place to start,” said Eagles head coach Paul Wulff, who was promoted from offensive line coach when Kramer left EWU. “When you throw it that much, you’re going to make a lot more plays. We know they’re going to have their yards against us.
“But it’s not so much the fact he can throw the ball so well, but he’s a running back back there that can throw the ball. He’s a physical, strong runner that can break tackles … so that kind of makes their running game effective, too.”
The Bobcats’ leading rusher is Justin Domenick, with 555 yards. Lulay, fresh off a school-record, 516-yard outing, has thrown for 11 touchdowns and 2,667 yards, the third-best season in MSU history with two games left. He has also rushed for 260 yards and seven TDs.
Chaz Guinn (43 receptions), Rick Gatewood (469 yards in the last four games) and Eddie Sullivan (three 100-yard games in the last four), all had more than 100 yards last week, a 38-28 loss to lowly Sacramento State that put MSU in the same do-or-die situation as Eastern.
The Bobcats have been solid on defense all season until, as Kramer said, “(We) had our one-game cave-in last week. Hopefully we’ll be much better this week.
“Hopefully we’ll play well early and have enough momentum to get into the fourth quarter. We have to avoid (an) early faux pas. Eastern has played throughout the year with mostly a two-score lead, and they play very differently than when the game is tied. They’ve had a two-score lead so much that I’m not sure I know what they’ll play like when it’s close.”
After two season-opening losses, 28 points in a 31-28 loss to Montana is the only time Eastern has scored less than 38. Its closest win was 17 points.
In the last three games, while giving up a total of minus-2 yards rushing, the Eagles have outscored opponents 101-14 in the middle two quarters.
“It’s really cool to watch both sides of the ball at Eastern play so well,” Kramer said. “(But) everything else on that team pales in comparison to the two Erics. (Quarterback) Erik Meyer and (receiver) Eric Kimble are having great years.
“One of the things I think the Eastern people need to recognize is the genius of Paul Wulff, especially on offense. He’s had three offensive coordinators in five years and never lost momentum, never had to restart, never had to start over.”
“He’s a peach,” Wulff replied.
With middle linebacker Roger Cooper, an All-American candidate, and junior Mac Mollohan, who was all-conference last year, backing up linemen Ray Sebestyen and Beau Clark, the Bobcats defense has been solid until last week.
Quick kicks
Senior Brandon Eggart, a Cheney grad, is the backup for both of MSU’s outstanding linebackers and started two games. Another Cheney product, sophomore Ryan Cogley, backs up MSU lineman Ray Sebestyen. EV grad Joe Hirst started at left tackle as a freshman last year for MSU, but has played once this year because of an injury.