Bobcats really pull a rabbit out of the hat

After four straight down-to-the-wire wins for No. 24 Montana State, including last-second wins against Weber State and South Dakota State and an overtime win over Portland State, Bobcats coach Mike Kramer revealed Tuesday the nefarious plan behind the end-of-game drama.

"We're just trying to increase the amount of money we get from our medical stock," he joked. "We're working on some medication for all the people with angina."

It's easy to kid around as long as MSU keeps winning the close ones, but South Dakota State's comeback from a two-touchdown deficit with less than two minutes to go in the game - which forced another game-winning drive from Travis Lulay and the offense - highlighted the problems at cornerback.

"I would like to think it didn't have to be," said Kramer of SDSU's rally. "But our top four corners are down, and when teams get desperate and are chucking it down the field …

"It's something we're aware of and it's hopefully something we can get just a little bit better at."

After the Jackrabbits tied the game, Lulay moved Montana State 69 yards in 49 seconds to set up EJ Cochrane's winning field goal.

That drive, along with another near the end of the first half - eight plays, 59 yards (though 15 were erased on a penalty) in 1:35, ending in a missed field goal - showcased the growth of the Bobcats' passing attack since the first couple of games.

"We are catching the ball," Kramer said, alluding to a plague of drops in the early part of the season. "The one thing that has not been an issue is protection. Travis is able to combine excellent protection along some astute pass running.

"South Dakota State tried to take away the run all day and that left some passing lanes open. We hurt ourselves with penalties in the second quarter. Otherwise I think the game would have been a blowout."

- INJURY UPDATE: Cornerback Kory Austin is still hampered by a hip pointer, but will practice today in hopes he can play Saturday. That should enable Ryan Force to move back to safety, his natural position.

"Had he played safety on those last couple of (SDSU) passes, the outcome would have been a little less dramatic," Kramer said.