Code red: MSU's Travis Lulay has drawn national attention for his composure while rallying his team from behind. Photo courtesy of MSU Athletics.

Jon Kasper of the Big Sky Conference recently interviewed Montana State University quarterback Travis Lulay. Here are Lulay's thoughts on tomfoolery, staying cool and another tall, red-headed quarterback. And, oh yes, the upcoming Cat-Griz tilt.

Montana State junior quarterback Travis Lulay has guided the Montana State Bobcats to back-to-back Big Sky Conference Co-Championships. The Bobcats can stay in the hunt for a third with a win over Eastern Washington this Saturday. Lulay is having a fantastic junior campaign. Lulay is completing 55 percent of his passes. He's thrown for 2,667 yards with 11 touchdowns. Lulay leads the Big Sky in total offense at 325.2 yards per game. Lulay is a business major who had a 3.91 grade point average in High School. Travis talked with Jon Kasper of the Big Sky Conference. Let's get to know Travis Lulay:

Q: You've gained quite a reputation for pulling off some big-time fourth-quarter comebacks. What kind of mindset do you need as a quarterback to rally your team when the chips are down?
A: You just have to be calm and confident. You have to be the soothing agent in huddle. Guys look you in the eyes in the huddle and you have to be 100 percent confident you can get the job done.

Q: You've been on an amazing hot streak of late. You won the Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week three times, have thrown for more than 1,600 yards in your last four games, including a 516-yard effort last week. You've always been a solid QB who wins games, but never put up great numbers. What's the difference now?
A: The thing is right now we're just clicking on all cylinders. It starts with the offensive line. They are giving me time to sit back there and throw the ball. It ends with the wide-outs making plays. It's a combination of us clicking on all cylinders and being on the same page.

Q: You guys are coming off an upset loss to Sacramento State. Now, your backs are against the wall if you hope to win the Big Sky Championship and make the playoffs. Of course this is nothing new to you, having been in the same spot the last two years. Why do the Bobcats seem to thrive on these situations?
A: I don't know what it is to tell you the truth. We find ourselves in this situation and come to realize we've been here before and we can do this. I don't necessarily think we thrive on it. I don't think we fear it at all. We're in a familiar situation to years past. We're optimistic about the last couple of weeks.

Q: Mike Kramer is known for using some pretty big words with the media. Has he ever talked to you and the team and then left you scrambling for a dictionary? Can you recall any of the big words?
A: He does. He does it all the time. I think sometimes he opens up a dictionary and points to a word and finds a way to use the word in a team speech. Knowing Coach Kramer he probably does You see guys scratching their heads a lot of times in team meetings. There have been so many that one doesn't really stand out, except tomfoolery. I think that's one of his favorite words.

Q: The Brawl of the Wild is next week in Missoula. It might just be the biggest game in Division I-AA football. It's certainly the biggest game in Montana. How do you focus on the task at hand this week and not think ahead to Montana?
A: I think it's pretty easy to focus on task at hand. Our pre-season goals were to make the playoffs and make a run at a national championship. To keep those hopes alive, we need to win this week. All of our focus and energy is on Eastern Washington. We have to take this one week at a time. If you look ahead in this conference, you'll get beat. We'll be more than prepared.

Q: Your brother Tyler is a freshman at Montana State. Have you guys had any brotherly squabbles since he arrived on campus? He also looks a lot like you. Do people think Tyler is you?
A: We get along pretty good, as a matter of fact. He gets that quite a bit (people confusing him with me). He was at the Bobcat Auction and people were coming up to him. He always points people in my direction.

Fun facts

Favorite Bozeman restaurant: I have to give a nod to Pickle Barrel.

Favorite thing about the state of Montana: Just the atmosphere. The people are nice and it's an outdoorsy community. The people are nice. The outdoorsy is something I loved growing up. I can drive 10 minutes from town and try to be in the hills trying to find deer and elk.

Favorite CD: I've maybe bought two CDs in my life. I'm a radio guy. XL Country 100.7.

Last book you read: Friday Night Lights. It's been a little while. I just saw the movie. I've been on the textbooks lately.

If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be and why?: Right now, I'd like to have dinner with Brett Favre to see how he goes about every day business. He's somebody I look up to. He's so tough at that position. He has so many traits to be admired. It would be an interesting dinner.

Written by Jon Kasper of the Big Sky Conference and posted 11/11/04.