FOOTBALL OPPONENT PREVIEW #10: MONTANA STATE 8/25/2009 Location: Bozeman, Mont. Nickname: Bobcats Colors: Blue & Gold Conference: Big Sky Home Field: Bobcat Stadium Capacity/Surface: 13,500/FieldTurf Head Coach: Rob Ash Primary Offense: One-Back Primary Defense: Multiple 2008 Overall Record: 7-5 2008 Conf. Record/Finish: 5-3/t3rd 2008 Postseason: None Letterman Returning/Lost: 39/15 Starters Returning/Lost: 15/9 Series Record: MSU leads, 11-6 Over the next couple of weeks, Hornetsports.com will take a closer look at each of the upcoming 11 opponents for Sacramento State in the 2009 football season. GENERAL PREVIEW At the end of last season, Montana State was one of the hottest teams in the Big Sky. The Bobcats won four games in a row before falling to rival Montana in the final contest. Head coach Rob Ash guided the team to a 7-5 overall mark in 2008 and will rely on 15 returning starters to help the Bobcats contend for the Big Sky title. MSU opens the year at Michigan State on Sept. 5 marking the second straight season the team has faced a Big 10 opponent (Minnesota). However, unlike last year, Montana State will play only one FBS opponent this year as Dixie State and South Dakota complete the non-league portion of the schedule. OFFENSE Quarterback Cody Kempt returns as the starter for the Bobcats. Last season, Kempt completed 110-of-215 pass attempts for 1,315 yards and nine touchdowns with 15 interceptions. Kempt spread the ball around with three receivers who each caught at least 20 passes. However, DeSean Thomas is the only member of the trio back on the team. Thomas led the squad with 24 receptions for 407 yards and four touchdowns to earn honorable mention all-Big Sky honors. One other big hole to fill will be at running back where Sacramento-area product Demitirus Crawford completed his eligibility. Crawford was one of the top backs in the conference in 2008, rushing for 1,314 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 109.5 yards per game and 5.2 yards per carry. C.J. Palmer is the likely candidate to replace Crawford. Palmer rushed for 312 yards a year ago but was used frequently around the goal line where he had seven scores. DEFENSE Heading into camp, the Bobcat defense looked to be one of the most formidable in the Big Sky. Unfortunately, the secondary has taken a couple of big blows as all-Big Sky cornerback Arnold Briggs suffered a season-ending knee injury and all-Big Sky safety Kevin Retoriano dislocated his elbow and will be sidelined for a few weeks. Even with those setbacks, Montana State boasts defensive lineman Dane Fletcher and linebacker Jeff Price. Fletcher is a preseason All-American and Buck Buchanan Award candidate. Last year, he tallied 44 tackles, including 14.5 for loss and 6.5 sacks. He also broke up five passes, forced two fumbles and recovered another. Price is the leading returning tackler on the team with 67 stops. The Bobcat secondary will make up for the loss of Briggs and Retoriano with safety Cory Nicol who led the team with four interceptions. SPECIAL TEAMS Kicker Jason Cunningham and punter Eric Fisher both return. Cunningham was a second team all-Big Sky selection after converting 13-of-19 field goals with a long of 52 yards. Fisher averaged 41.8 yards per punt and put 22 kicks inside the 20. SERIES RECORD Sacramento State and Montana State first met in the 1964 Camellia Bowl. MSU leads the all-time series, 11-6, and has won the past four meetings. Sacramento State is 1-6 in Bozeman with the victory coming in 1991.