STADNYK AND BERQUIST HAVE PLAYED LULAY

By Ian Hamilton, Leader-PostOctober 22,

REGINA — Four seasons ago, Cole Bergquist played against Travis Lulay during the 2005 NCAA campaign.
This week, Bergquist has been playing Lulay to help the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defence.
“I have been (mimicking Lulay) a little bit,” Bergquist, one of Saskatchewan’s quarterbacking prospects, said Wednesday after the CFL team practised at Mosaic Stadium, “but I don’t know any of his secrets — nothing too valuable, anyway.”

Coming on in relief of an injured Buck Pierce, Lulay led the B.C. Lions to a 24-21 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday. The CFL rookie completed 13 of 24 pass attempts for 177 yards and a touchdown and rushed seven times for 92 yards in his first extended playing time of the season.

Depending on the state of his sore right (throwing) shoulder, Lulay may get the start Saturday when the Lions visit the Roughriders. If he can’t go, Casey Printers may be the Lions’ starter.

Lulay played four seasons (2002-05) with the Montana State University Bobcats, whom he led to a 3-1 record against the University of Montana Grizzlies during his collegiate career.

In 2005, Lulay completed 15 of 31 pass attempts for 171 yards and rushed eight times for 52 yards in the Bobcats’ 16-6 victory over Montana. On that Grizzlies team were Bergquist (who was 14-for-33 passing for 117 yards and rushed eight times for one yard) and defensive end Mike Stadnyk — who’s now a rookie with the Roughriders.

In ’04, Stadnyk and the Grizzlies prevailed 38-22, with Lulay completing 27 of 56 pass attempts for 386 yards and rushing for just one yard on 11 carries.

In preparation for a possible start by Lulay, Roughriders coaches and defensive players have been looking for tips from Stadnyk.

“They just asked me how he was in college,” said the Regina-born rookie. “He’s a really good quarterback.
“He’s a big guy, he can run around the pocket and he has a good arm. But if he’s out of the pocket, I think we’ll be all right with our defensive scheme. I like the way they’re proceeding with it.”

Lulay probably won’t like it. According to Stadnyk, the secret to handling the former Bobcats pivot is to . . .
“Give him a few shots early,” the former Grizzlies standout said. “The shots weren’t as big in college as they would be here. If they get a few good shots on him and make him feel a D-line presence, he’s going to give up.”

Stadnyk isn’t expected to play Saturday, but would he consider begging the coaches for a chance to renew acquaintances with Lulay?

“I wish I could play,” Stadnyk replied. “That’d be fun for sure. But I’m sure he’ll be in the CFL for a while.”
There will be a playoff atmosphere surrounding Saturday’s game — B.C. (8-7) is only one point behind the Roughriders and Calgary Stampeders (both 8-6-1) for first place in the West — but it won’t outdo the aura surrounding the annual Bobcats-Grizzlies clash.

“It’s a pretty big rivalry,” Bergquist said. “You’ve got the whole state involved. Most of the state’s people are either watching the game or at the game. It’ll make or break either team’s season.

“You can go 10-and-0 and lose your last game versus (the Bobcats) and it puts a nasty taste in your mouth right before the playoffs."

ihamilton@leaderpost.canwest.com