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Breaking News......... Judge to hear arguments in southeastern MT water quality case......... Billings man killed by holiday lightning strike......... MONDAY'S WEATHER: Squeaky clean after overnight rainshowers!......... 5-month-old golden retriever saves Missoula man from fire at condo......... Local News......... 8-year-old Missoula girl electrocuted on 4th; Man dies in Flathead boating accident........Departing doctors: State faces shortage of primary-care physicians........Departing doctors: Physicians may face legal hurdles if they leave hospitals........Primary-care physician losses minimal in Billings........Dancing with honor: Ronan teen proudly accepts responsibility as Arlee Celebration's Young Warrior........Montana Meth Project's claims under scrutiny........

Offense: Cody Kempt is the newly-anointed quarterback, edging Mark Iddins for the job, and he has back Demetrius Crawford and receivers Deon Tolliver and Derek Green and a pair of seasoned tight ends (Brandon Bostick and Joe Schreibeis) as targets. The Bobcats have to like the right side of their offensive line, where Jeff Hansen and Mike Person have put down anchor alongside center Jim Verlanic. Beyond that there are some new faces, because left tackle Peder Jensen graduated and left guard Chris Smith left the program. Lou Saucedo, a 330-pound senior, steps in at tackle; Conrad Burbank, a 285-pound freshman, is in at left guard. Two more new faces at receiver are senior DeAndre Green, an academic casualty in '07, and freshman DeSean Thomas.

Defense: Dane Fletcher is a standout at end and coach Rob Ash expects big things from an in-shape Chris Kolone at nose tackle, and Kevin Retoriano is flipping from strong safety to free safety. The corners are fairly green, and it'll be tough to replace down linemen Aaron Papich (graduated) and Brandon Hoffenbacker (grades), but there is a hole card. “As long as we have Bobby Daly in the middle I think our defense will be fine,” Ash said. “You can't block him.” Daly is bracketed by the up-and-coming Chase Gazzerro and converted running back Isaiah Taito on the strong side, and Jeff Price on the weak side. Seniors Paul Bartsch and Winifred product Dylan Kinkelaar fortify the front.

Notable: Head coach Rob Ash is 3-0 against the other second-year Big Sky coaches (ISU's John Zamberlin, Portland State's Jerry Glanville and Sac State's Marshall Sperbeck).

Quotebook: “Inexperience in kicking had a little to do with our five losses. A couple mistakes here and there and we very easily could've been 8-3 rather than 6-5.” - LB Bobby Daly

Stud to watch: Bobby Daly. After making 136 and 121 tackles the last two seasons, the 223-pound former walk-on from Helena Capital is a Buchanan Award candidate at middle linebacker.

Pay attention to: Demetrius Crawford. The 185-pound JC transfer missed spring ball with an injury but gained 868 yards last fall, making him one of the top returning backs in the Big Sky.

Bobcat data

Forecast: Fourth by the coaches, third by media.

2007: 6-5, 4-4 in the Big Sky Conference

Starters returning: 7 on offense, 6 on defense.

Coach: Rob Ash, second season (6-5)

Quote: “Spring was really valuable for us because we didn't have one last year. We also had a chance to really refine what we're trying to do on the offensive side of the ball.” - Rob Ash

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