November 2005
Bulldogs Fall to Eastern Oregon
Monday, November 14 2005
Western closed out the 2005 season with a 17-22 loss to Eastern Oregon. The Bulldogs finished with a 2-9 overall record and a 2-6 Frontier Conference mark.
The Bulldogs got off to a rocky start as they fumbled the ball away on their first possession. Eastern couldn't capitalize on the turnover and were forced to punt. Quarterback Travis Blome capped five play, 76 yard drive with a one yard quarterback keeper.
Western held their lead through the first quarter. Eastern tied the game at the 11 minute mark of the second half. The Bulldogs recaptured the lead on a 12 play 71 yard drive capped by a Caleb Drinkwalter TD run.
Eastern tied the game on their next possession and the half ended with the game tied at 14.
In the second half, the Bulldogs held Eastern to only one touchdown, but gave up two more points on a safety. Western could only manage a field goal.
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Bulldogs at Eastern Oregon in Season Finale
Thursday, November 10 2005
The University of Montana-Western football team plays their final game of the 2005 season at Eastern Oregon University, Saturday, Nov. 12. Kickoff is 2:00 pm MST.
The game will broadcast on KDBM-AM, 1490 on the AM dial and over the internet on sportsjuice.com
Western enters the weekend with a 2-8 overall record and 2-6 in the Frontier Conference after last weekend’s 45-13 win over Rocky Mountain College.
“We finally put things together,” said Lee. “We clicked in all three areas. In the first game against Rocky, it was comedy of errors and they took advantage of everyone. This time around, we didn’t have a single error in special teams. It is a huge difference from the first time. Also defensively, we played very, very well, particularly when there was a sudden change. We had three turnovers, but the defense went in and held them and gave the ball back to the defense. Offensively, we played very well and spread the ball around to our receivers. That was the kind of football we expected all year. We have beaten ourselves. This game, we put it together. We didn’t let turnovers affect us. All and all, it was a great win for our program and give us something to build on.”
This will be the fourth meeting between Western and Eastern Oregon in the past four years. In the first meeting, at La Grande, the Bulldogs fell behind early and then came from behind to win. In the first meeting in Dillon, Eastern held the Bulldogs out of the end zone on eight straight tries from the one yard line to preserve a win. Last year, the game was also close and hard-fought with Western winning 17-14.
Eastern is 5-3 on the season after last weekend’s 23-15 win over Southern Oregon. Against the Frontier this season, Eastern is 2-2 with wins over Rocky (twice) and Tech and losses to Carroll and MSU-Northern. Eastern Oregon joins the conference next year as a full member in football.
“Every year has been a dog fight with Eastern Oregon,” added Lee. “They are a good,solid program. They are a very physical team on defense. Eastern has some very talented players on offense. They are very well coached. Eastern is a very balanced team offensively. They will give you multiple looks with a lot of different formations. Defensively, they really like to mix it up. They were the only team other than Carroll to be Tech. We anticipate another tough game and we need to continue to play like we did last week.”
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Bulldogs Rock Rocky
Saturday, November 5 2005
The Bulldogs scored 31 unanswered points in the first half on the way to a 45-13 win over Rocky Mountain College in a Frontier Conference football game from Dillon.
The win raises Western’s record to 2-6 in the Frontier and 2-8 overall. Rocky falls to 1-6 in the league and 1-9 overall.
The beginning of the game was uneventful as Rocky was three and out on their first possession and Western’s first possession ended with a Travis Blome fumble at the Rocky 20 yard line. The Bears did not take advantage of the opportunity and were forced to punt. Three plays later, a 28 yard touchdown pass from Travis Blome to Jake Larson put the first Bulldog points on the board.
Rocky was forced to punt on their next possession. The Bulldogs scored next on a seven play, 67 yard drive capped by a 39 yard Brad Hollen field goal. The Bulldogs first possession of the second quarter ended with a Travis Blome pass tipped and intercepted by Rocky.
The Bears could not could convert and punted the ball away. Western scored on their next three possessions to build a 31-0 halftime lead.
Western opened the second half with an eight play, 75 yard drive capped by a Blome to Jake Larson 31 yard touchdown strike. Rocky showed a bit of spark on their first drive of the second half as they drove 64 yards and seven plays to score their first touchdown on a Sanchez to Hagadone touchdown pass.
Western outgained Rocky 492 to 246 in total yards. Travis Blome was 22 of 33 for 351 yards and four touchdowns. Caleb Drinkwalter rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Josh Illig caught nine passes for 130 yards and one touchdown and Jake Larson caught six passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Kawai Curnan led Western’s defense with 10 tackles. Ryan Keltz had two interceptions for the Bulldogs defense.
Western closes out the regular season next weekend at Eastern Oregon.
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Bulldogs Host Bears
Friday, November 4 2005
The Bulldogs play host to the Bears of Rocky Mountain College in a Frontier Conference game from Dillon’s Vigilante Field. Kickoff is 12:00 Noon.
The game will be broadcast on KDBM Radio, 1490 on the AM Dial and over the internet on Sportsjuice.com.
Bulldog seniors and Bulldog parents will be honored at the beginning of the contest.
Western is 1-8 overall and 1-6 in Frontier Conference play after losing 45-0 to Carroll College last weekend.
“We knew going into the game, they were a very good football team,” said Bulldog coach Tommy Lee. “In fact, I think this is their best team since I have been here. They are a veteran group that is experienced and talented in all areas. I would be surprised if they don’t win a fourth straight national championship. Our plan going in was to try and control the ball and the clock and keep their offense off the field. Obviously we didn’t do that. Penalties and turnovers continue to haunt us. In order for us to win a game, we need to eliminate the mistakes."
Rocky lost to MSU-Northern 21-9 a week ago and stand at 1-8 overall and 1-5 in league play. When the two teams met last month in Billings, the Bears won 44-20. In that game, Western turned the ball over four times, three times with an interception and once with a fumble.
“We can’t make as many mistakes this time as we did last time against Rocky,” added Lee. “Our special teams play was atrocious. We had a punt return dropped, a punt blocked and we missed every kick, either extra point or field goal. We did move the ball. We had a ton of yards, but we struggled in the red zone.”
Western outgained the Bears 445 to 356, but could only manage to score 20 points.
“This week we need to be more consistent on offense and have some ball control to give our defense some rest,” said Lee. “They are playing a lot because of the numerous turnovers and penalties. The thing I am most proud about this year, is these kids have not given up. We are a very young team. They continue to work and play hard. We don’t always play smart, but we play hard. One of these days, we are going to put it all together, and hopefully it will be in these last two weeks so our seniors have something good to remember, and something we can build on going into next year.”
The Bulldogs lead the league in passing offense with 255 yards a game. One stat Western leads the league in is not one that one wants to lead in, and that is penalties. The Bulldogs have committed 65 penalties.
Western closes out the season next weekend at Eastern Oregon.
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