OGDEN, Utah — After two weeks of speculation over a potential quarterback change, Montana State will make a move under center on Saturday afternoon. True freshman quarterback Chris Murray will make his first career start as MSU takes on Weber State at Stewart Stadium.
The start became official with the submission of the lineup one hour before the 1:30 p.m. kickoff.
Other changes to Montana State’s starting lineup includes: sophomore Tre’Von Strong starting instead of senior John Walker (suspended for first half) opposite redshirt freshman Chris Harris at cornerback; redshirt freshman Mitch Brott starting in place of injured junior left tackle Dylan Mahoney; junior Jayshawn Gates starting in place of injured sophomore John D’Agostino at slot receiver; and senior Matt Brownlow starting in place of injured sophomore Tucker Yates at nose tackle.
Murray, a 6-foot-2, 180-pounder from Inglewood, California who prepped at Lawndale High, has played in each of Montana State’s six games during a 2-4 start. Murray played nine snaps in MSU’s season-opening 20-17 loss at Idaho, ripping off a 14-yard run on one of the first carries of his career.
Murray had a 33-yard run, MSU’s longest of the season at that point, and totaled 42 rushing yards in a 27-24 win over Bryant. Murray played the majority of the second half of MSU’s 55-0 blowout over Western Oregon, completing 3-of-6 passes for 50 yards and rushing nine times for 33 yards, including the first three rushing touchdowns of his career.
Murray played three snaps in a 17-15 loss to North Dakota to open Big Sky Conference play. Junior quarterback Tyler Bruggman, MSU’s starter the first six games of the season, threw three interceptions, including two in the fourth quarter and one in the last 64 seconds of the loss.
Bruggman completed just one of his first eight passes against Sacramento State before getting the hook in favor of Murray. The freshman played most of the final three quarters, electrifying at times with his formidable speed. Murray rushed 16 times for 187 yards and three touchdowns, including scoring spurts of 58 and 59 yards. He also completed 4-of-12 passes for 104 yards but saw tight ends Austin Barth and Curtis Amos drop sure touchdown passes. Montana State built a 38-21 lead entering the fourth quarter but couldn’t run out the clock. The Hornets scored 20 unanswered points to rally for a 41-38 win. After Jaelin Ratliff’s touchdown with 17 seconds left, MSU went with Bruggman over Murray for the final possession.
In last week’s 20-14 loss to Northern Arizona, Bruggman and the offense gained just 94 yards on their first 36 snaps before getting pulled again. Murray rushed 11 times for 41 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to one score. Murray also completed 7-of-16 passes for 88 yards. The Bobcats manufactured all 14 of its points with Murray at the helm.
MSU took possession with 1:46 remaining. Murry threw a 20-yard strike to freshman Kevin Kassis on a 3rd and 19, then hit John D’Agostino for nine yards to midfield. A few plays later, Siupeli Anua beat Caleb Gillis around the edge, sacked Murray and stripped the ball. NAU recovered to secure its first Division I win.
This season, Bruggman has completed 48.3 percent of his passes for 853 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions. In Big Sky Conference play, he is completing 38.5 percent of his passes for 325 yards (108.3 per game), no touchdowns and three interceptions.
Murray is completing 41.7 percent of his passes for 246 yards, no touchdowns and one interception this season. He has rushed for 304 yards and scored seven touchdowns, tied with Montana running back Jeremy Calhoun for the top total in the conference. Murray is averaging 6.5 yards per carry.
In Big Sky play, Murray is completing 57.8 percent of his passes for 192 yards (64 per game), no touchdowns and an interception against NAU. He has carried the ball 29 times for 226 yards (7.8 yards per carry) and has scored four touchdowns against Big Sky competition.
