Rewarding win for Bobcats

Despite playing indoors during the evening which they weren't used to, the Bobcats won over Pocatello 17-13.

By ANDREW HINKELMAN

The Daily Inter Lake

Way back at the beginning of August, before fall camp even started for Montana State, Bobcats coach Mike Kramer was nervous (well, more nervous than usual) about two Big Sky road games - Idaho State and Northern Arizona.

Both teams play indoors, and both games were scheduled for the evening, a poor combination for an outdoor team that plays on grass in the day.

Last Saturday's 17-13 win in Pocatello allayed some of those fears

"Being able to win in a dome, on the road, on turf, at night is pretty darn rewarding," Kramer said Tuesday. "Our guys surrendered the lead early and fought our way back thanks to some big pass plays."

Quarterback Travis Lulay threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to Eddie Sullivan and set up another with a 56-yard completion to Rick Gatewood as the Bobcat passing game continued to improve after an admittedly poor start.

"We've gone from nine to six to three to two drops," Kramer said. "We have worked darn hard on our passing game."

And the results have been encouraging. At Colorado State 10 days ago, Lulay threw for 196 yards and 247 against the Bengals.

Now MSU's attention will turn to its ground game, which has been inconsistent through the first four games.

"We have to run ball better," said Kramer, who added that part of the problem has been the focus on improving the aerial attack.

"We haven't broken any tackles," he said. "Not nearly in the realm that we should get. We want to get Justin Domineck on track."

Domineck will likely see the bulk of the carries Saturday versus Weber State. No. 2 man Morris Milton has a concussion and is doubtful.

- HAPPY HOMECOMING? Saturday's game is homecoming for the Bobcats, and MSU will try to snap a two-game losing skid.

Montana State has a decent shot at doing so. Its opponent (Weber State) both this year and historically has had problems. The Wildcats are 0-5 on the year and are 4-8-1 versus MSU on homecoming.

- CROWD CONTROL: Homecoming is expected to draw another crowd of over 12,000 to Bobcat Stadium. If so it would be the third straight this season, the first time in school history the Bobcats have drawn three 12,000-plus crowds in the same year.

It would also be the fourth in a row overall, dating back to last season's 'Cat-Griz game, also a record.

- INJURY UPDATE: Return specialist Brandon Roosevelt was lost for the season to a knee injury in the first half of the ISU win. Linebacker Jonathan Molock missed his second consecutive game with an ankle injury.