Gundy take on Lulay

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 8:41 am

Pokes respectful of Lulay

By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer
9/1/2005

Cowboys' Gundy says Montana State's QB adds element of concern.
STILLWATER -- Oklahoma State's season-opening foe is different from the previous two seasons.

The name Montana State doesn't have the national respect or recognition that Nebraska had in 2003 or UCLA had in 2004.

That doesn't matter to Cowboys coach Mike Gundy. The NCAA Division I-AA opponent rates right up with the Huskers and Bruins on his personal fear factor scale.

"When you have a quarterback who has a chance to potentially be drafted, you have a chance in every game you play. That's the way it is," Gundy said.

Some might accuse Gundy of going overboard with his praise of Montana State quarterback Travis Lulay and his teammates. Lulay has thrown for 8,117 yards and 41 touchdowns in his three years guiding Montana State's offense.

Rick Gatewood was Lulay's favorite target last season, with 64 receptions for 995 yards and eight touchdowns. But earlier this week, he was ruled ineligible for Montana State's first three games.

The Bobcats are 18th in the NCAA I-AA preseason rankings. But they are coming off a 6-5 season in which they lost their last three games and gave up an average of 43 points in those Big Sky Conference
setbacks.

But Gundy doesn't care about that. The OSU head coach says season openers are always difficult because most of the preparation is guess work. Teams evaluate last season's video. If opponents have a good number of returning players, that helps eliminate some of the guess work.

From Gundy's perspective, there is no guess work involved when evaluating Lulay.

"I know what I'm saying, and I'm not trying to play the thing up," Gundy said. "It's always a concern when you play a team that has a mature, quality quarterback."

Bobcats coach Mike Kramer says his offense starts with Lulay and has the chance to be "very explosive. Yet it can also be very efficient," because of an improved running game and more athletic receivers.

"It's almost hard to understand how thoroughly Travis Lulay grasps and understands this offense," Kramer said.

OSU players respect Lulay and Montana State. The passing offense reminds them of similar schemes of some Big 12 opponents.

That alone is why the Cowboys can't afford to take Saturday's season-opening opponent lightly.

"They look a little like Texas Tech with the way they throw the ball. It's going to be a long game," senior strong safety Jamie Thompson said. "I always view every opponent the same, whether it's Montana State or Texas Tech."

Having Montana State at the season's outset and not a few weeks later should help the Cowboys' focus. The game is in Stillwater, and it's Gundy's first game as head coach, which raises the excitement and attention for all involved.

"It's a good thing we are playing this game first, because everybody is jacked up to play it," said senior linebacker Lawrence Pinson. "We have a lot of young guys on our team. It's a big game for Montana State, too. Their quarterback will do anything to win. We have to get ready for this game like we're playing OU."

PLAYING DOWN
Saturday night's opener against Montana State marks the seventh time in the last 10 years Oklahoma State has played an NCAA Division I-AA opponent. A look back at the past six games against I-AA competition:
Sept. 13, 2003: OSU 42, SW Mo. St. 3
Sept. 7, 2002: OSU 45, No. Iowa 10
Sept. 29, 2001: OSU 24, NW State 0
Sept. 16, 2000: OSU 23, SW Texas St. 0

wbtfg · Post by **wbtfg** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 11:40 am

Is anyone going to be able to listen to the Gundy interview on Sports nuts at noon today? If so, please post the highlights

Wolfman · Post by **Wolfman** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 4:06 pm

I really think that MSU has a chance to make this a close game. The Cats need to get a couple of breaks, but, stranger things have happened. With OSU having a new coach and new system, it sometimes takes awhile before everyone is on the same page. Remember Montana's first game with Joe Glenn as coach....a 10-9 loss to Hofstra.

The Cats return alot of experience at key positions. If they can get a couple of fumbles and/or interceptions, and convert them to scores, they might have a chance. Good luck to them. Just my opinion.