The Bobcat Nation

Football: MSU captain Mac Mollohan earning respect through hard work

By TIM DUMAS, Chronicle Sports Writer

Mac Mollohan has closed the gap. Toned down the extremes.

The difference between the calm, off-the-field Mollohan and the non-stop, ferocious football player was once gaping.

Not that lifting himself into orbit for a high school game was a bad thing. Three all-state honors and a conference MVP nod at Flathead High in Kalispell attest to that.

But the sky-high nature took its toll. His tank eventually ran empty. His two personalities clashed.

Mollohan still gets charged up for football, but now the voltage is at a controllable level. And he rarely shorts out.

"I get in a zone and ... I just can't describe it, but I am a totally different person on the field," said Mollohan.

That person made his Montana State debut as a true freshman, led the team in tackles the past two seasons and was named a captain for this season.

The inside linebacker is a captain not because of any boisterous vocalizations - remember, he's laid back - but for several other reasons.

Mostly, preparation.

Studying endless film, unfailingly lifting weights and understanding offenses. That's why he's a looked-up-to senior.

Time to ratchet up those leadership skills?

"It's not that I'm trying to, it's more that I want to," he said. "This is my fourth year. I need to be the leader and I want to be the leader."

It's the same way in the weight room.

Mollohan was named strength athlete of the year at Montana State last year. For all sports.

That accolade doesn't go to the person who lifts the most. But to the one with the best attitude, who is willing to do extra work. Who's in there before and after workouts.

"I strive on trying to be as strong as possible and be the best player I possibly can," said Mollohan, who also takes a yoga class to help himself stay flexible. "The weight room helps me out a lot."

"Mac works the most on getting the most out of himself," says MSU linebackers coach Rob Christoff.

Mollohan has earned first team all-Big Sky Conference honors twice. One more and he'll become just the third Bobcat to do so.

This from a soccer player who didn't pick up football until the eighth grade when the family moved from Polson to Kalispell.

Small wonder he had trouble harnessing his enthusiasm when kickoff meant helmet-to-helmet contact rather than toe-to-toe touches.

"In high school, I had to temper it down because I'd get really riled up," said the 6-foot, 205-pounder, who was born Mackenzie Mollohan in Cleveland to a military father. "But now, because there's a lot more going on, I calm myself down."

Christoff needs Mollohan to be tranquil when an explanation is needed.

Said Christoff: "I can get him on the headphones in the middle of a game from the press box and just tell him, 'here's how they're blocking this and here's how I want you to fit it.' He hadn't practiced it all week and he gets it."

Mollohan is the first to admit he gets frustrated with himself when he makes a mistake. But for such a well-prepared, intelligent player, he carries an important trait: a short memory.

"He can wash what happened to him on the play before," Christoff said. "He can pick himself back up and move on to the next play and make a great play."

The effort is always there.

Just don't expect any cheerleading.

"He's a reserved guy," Christoff said. "But if you could take out good traits from different players on any team and put them into one guy, he is that guy."

Linebackers

AT A GLANCE

COACH: Rob Christoff (6th year)

RETURNING STARTERS: Sr. Mac Mollohan (6-0, 205); Sr. Nick Marudas (6-2, 218).

ALSO RETURNING: Jr. Clive Lowe (6-2, 232); So. Epikopo King (6-0, 215); Jr. Grant Elliott (6-0, 217); Sr. Clayton Curley (6-1, 195); Sr. Jason Gathing (6-1, 208).

RETURNING REDSHIRTS: Fr. Dan Ashley (6-1, 195); Fr. Bobby Daly (6-1, 229); Fr. Wes Mauia (6-0, 237).

KEY LOSSES: Roger Cooper (2004 co-Big Sky defensive player of the year).

STRENGHTS: Speed. King and Marudas are two of the five fastest players on the team.

KEY QUESTIONS: Are linebackers too light? Also, Lowe is new to the position, which means he's new to dropping back into coverage. Will his progress turn this aspect into a strength?

DID YOU KNOW? Curley's cousin Dan played tight end at Eastern Washington when Mike Kramer coached there and went on to play for the St. Louis Rams and New Orleans Saints.

OUTLOOK: Health is key. King began camp late due to a back injury. Mollohan and Marudas are the only ones who have started at the position while Lowe, Elliott and Gathing have never played it at MSU.

ETC: Mollohan led the team in tackles last season and was 10th in the conference.

QUOTE: Christoff on using four linebackers this season: "It allows us to do more things. You're a little bit pigeon-holed if you've got four down linemen and one of those guys is a defensive end and not as good a cover guy. We have a lot more flexibility."

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/ar ... llohan.txt

Most of you are probably tired of my praise of Mac, but I can tell you it's been an honor to watch this young man growing up & playing the game of football.

I've been doing radio for the Braves for 10+ years now and of ALL the kids I've seen play here AS WELL AS for our opponents, Mac has always been the 1 kid I'd most want to play for my alma mater. There's always bigger kids on the field, there's always faster kids on the field, and there's always stronger kids on the field, but as long as Mac is suited up, there's simply not a better FOOTBALL PLAYER on the field.

Mac is blessed with the best defensive football instincts I've ever seen in a high school or college player. Add to his natural ability the fact that he is willing to put in so much extra time in the weight room & the film room, and you end up with a young man who will no doubt become just the third Bobcat to win 1st team honors 3 years in a row. Remember that he's just 6 feet tall and struggles to get his weight over 210 (and can't keep it there once practice/games start); look around college football rosters these days & you'll know that's SEVERELY undersized for a linebacker...

Off the field, Mac is one of the nicest, most respectful kids I've ever known. Despite his devotion to Bobcat football, my understanding is that he is on pace to receive his degree in Civil Engineering.

When I heard about the schedule poster the Cats were coming out with this year, I remembered telling Mac once upon a time following his Sophomore season that if he kept it up, he'd be on the poster. Well, this is his second year with that honor (along with #14) and I think this season's version is going to be a collector's item by the time 2005 is over.

Travis Lulay & Mac Mollohan; I can't think of 2 young men who better embody the spirit of Bobcat football and the talent & dedication it has taken to get our program back to respectability. We are very fortunate that this season we get to watch 2 of the greatest football players to ever wear a Bobcat uniform. The best part for those of us in the stands? One of them will always be on the field!

Thanks, Mac, for 7 great years watching you play football; I have a feeling season #8 will be the best yet!

Ditto El Gato! Two great guys and I also believe they are what Bobcat Football is all about... and what student athletes are all about! True leaders in every sense... and I look forward to them leading the Cats to a great season this year!

El Gato: Great post, especially the part about how these two kids embody and represent Bobcat football. I couldn't agree more!

Mac is great. He and Kane Ione have similar traits!

When he first went to MSU, I pictured him as the next Kane, playing Safety. I thought his size would prevent him from being a solid Big Sky LB; BOY, WAS I WRONG! And I've never been happier to say so!