Lulay-less Era Begins

Well since I haven't found anyone else to write articles for the blog yet, so I'll attempt one to help pass the time until we start getting some other information up.

When fans around the I-AA community think about the future of Montana State, they will most likely respond with three words, or a variation of these three : "Travis Lulay graduated". And how can you blame them? The most prolific passer in Bobcat history led his team to 4 straight winning seasons, 2 straight playoff appearances and 3 shares of the Big Sky Championship in his 4 years as starter. So now that the red-headed houndini is off to greener pasters, where does that leave the Bobcat offense?

Not only do the Cats lose Lulay, but all-conference performers Jeff Bolton (C) and Ricky Gatewood (WR), and offensive starters Chaz Guinn (WR), Tremaine Murray (WR), Justin Domineck (RB), Michael Bass (RB), and Lawrence Figueroa (G) all exhausted their eligibility as well.

I think you saw the beginning of a new Cat offensive last year vs the Griz. For those who respond with those three words, I reply with one simple word: "balance". I look for the Cat offense to be very balanced next year. Evin Groves (5'8 185) fought his way into the starting role as a freshman last year, and gave Cat fans something they hadn't seen in a while - a running back who rushed for more yards per game than Travis Lulay. Despite getting only 94 carries and starting only 3 games (he played sparingly in 3 other games), he rushed for 436 yards and 6 TDs in a total of 6 games. He has given Cat fans hope that he may be the first 1,000 yard rusher since the all-time leading rusher in Cat history, Ryan Johnson, mustered up 1,092 yards back in '02. Throw redshirt sophmore Isaih Taito (5'11 180) into the mix, and I think the Cats will pack a nice 1-2 punch with Groves getting the load and Taito to come in and spell relief.

So if the running game has the potential, where does that leave the passing game? All 5 WRs who saw the field last year are gone. An all-conference Payton candidate is gone. So who do we have waiting in the wings at QB? Many are high on junior Hawaii transfer Jack Rolovich (6'3 215), but we have a QB who has been waiting patiently on the bench for 3 years, and I think it just might be his time to come out. Cory Carpenter (6'2 214) hasn't had a chance to hardly see the field in his 3 years at MSU, but he knows the offense better than anyone at this point, and still has 2 years of eligibilty left. I have seen the kid throw in practice and in trash time in games, and I believe he has the potential to make the Cats an aerial threat. Bringing in Rolovich can ony create competition, and I'm confident whomever wins the starting job will give the Cats a solid passing game next year.

To address the issue at the WR position, Kramer has brought in several JUCO/I-A transfers for immediate help at that position. WR is the one position Kramer never seems to rely on high school kids for, which is a shame in my opinion, but you can't argue with his track record of WR transfers - Ricky Gatewood, Junior Adams, Chaz Guinn, Tremaine Murray, the list goes on. Kramer has brought in 3 veteran transfers at WR position: Donnell Wheaton (5'11 178 SR UNLV), Michael Jefferson (6'3 185 SR UofArizona), and Deon Toliver (6'3, 180 SO East LA College). It shoud also be noted that Tyler Lulay (6'0 182), brother of Travis, may be fighting for a starting role as well, as a sophomore.

Kramer has told us time and time again that his style is the smashmouth football. Now that he has the tools to run that kind of offense, only time will tell how that will translate onto the field.

So Cat fans, the face of this team has changed, but there is no reason to fret. Mike Kramer has built a sucessful program up here, and should continue to be for some time. Lulay helped create this program, and now we will see what Kramer can do with it.