Big Sky notes: Bobcats follow McGhee’s lead
Montana State QB is sixth all-time in total offense in Big Sky
For almost four seasons, DeNarius McGhee has made it look easy.
The Montana State quarterback is a two-time Big Sky Conference MVP, earning the first as a redshirt freshman. Last year he was a first-team All-American and a Payton Award semfinalist, and stands sixth in career total offense in conference history.
Impressive? Yes.
Easy? Never.
In the second start of his freshman year in 2010, the Bobcats were leading 22-7 at Washington State and looking for more. Then McGhee threw the first of two interceptions and WSU came back for a 23-22 win.
“It was devastating for DeNarius and for all of us,” MSU coach Rob Ash said. “But it was a matter of learning on the job.”
Two weeks later, McGhee led the Bobcats to a 30-7 whipping of eventual national champion Eastern Washington.
“I feel like he learned on the job, and pretty soon they’ve seen it all,” Ash said of new quarterbacks in general and McGhee in particular.
The same on-the-job training began a year ago for Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams, who was thrust into the starting role at Weber State. Adams seemed comfortable enough in his new role – until the Eagles’ high-stakes game three weeks later against none other than Montana State.
“I don’t know if you noticed, but I was scared – that was the biggest game I’d played and the worst game I’d played,” said Adams, who completed just 12 of 29 passes for 145 yards and two interceptions.
Even McGhee struggled, throwing a fourth-quarter interception that Eastern safety Jordan Tonani returned for the eventual winning score in a 27-24 win that ultimately decided the Big Sky title.
In other words, the on-the-job training never ends.
“You never know what kind of defense you’ll face until the ball is snapped,” McGhee said.
With McGhee in his final year, the torch is being passed to a new generation. Adams, now a redshirt sophomore, is the top-rated quarterback in the nation; McGhee (107 for 166, for 1,407 yards, 16 TDs and one interception) is having another strong year, but still a bit off form after a midseason shoulder injury that cost him three weeks.
“I’m a lot more mature, I can read defenses a lot better, and we’re playing really well as a team,” said Adams, who is completing 66 percent of his passes for 3,078 yards, 35 touchdowns and just nine picks.
“He’s been the best quarterback in the conference, but this is my chance to show that I’m the best,” Adams said.
“That’s not cockiness, but I have confidence, I have great receivers and I have a great offense.”