BOBCAT GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #11: The Bobcats Face the Grizzlies for the 118th Time
11/17/2018 11:11:00 AM | Football
MSU pays tribute to Treasure State heritage today
"On behalf of all the Bobcat fans here in Afghanistan, I want to wish the team good luck against the Grizzlies."
So ended a letter received by Bobcat Athletics from SGT Austin Cochran, a Montana State University student from 2014 to 2017 who is deployed overseas with his Montana National Guard unit. He currently serves in the Guard in Afghanistan, and plans to gather today with fellow Bobcats and cheer for the Blue and Gold.
One can imagine that Austin's occasionally mind drifts back to his freshman year, 2014, when he recalls in a letter to Bobcat Athletics that "Mac Bignell leveled the running back from" Black Hills State. He certainly will be pulling for hometown friends Logan Jones and Josh Hill (presently injured), who play for the 2018 Bobcats. In tribute to his school, and also to his home state, Austin sent the American flag from Afghanistan that will lead the Bobcats onto the field today, a gesture meaningful to all Bobcats and all Montanans.
Austin Cochran calls the decision to serve in the Montana National Guard "one of the greatest decisions I have ever made." His service to our country gives us pause today. It is to be honored and appreciated, and we all long for the day when Austin and all American service men and women return home safely. His passion for his school and his state draw respect. But it also reminds us, regardless the result of today's game, how this one afternoon in November bind all Montanans, all Bobcats and Grizzlies, year 'round, to something that crosses generations and reaches to all corners of the globe.
Thank you Austin, and thanks to all Montanans – and all Americans – serving overseas and at home. Godspeed.
* * * * *
3-7-77
Every Montana has seen it. Heck, everyone that's ever been to the Treasure State has likely seen the inscription on shoulder or vehicles of Montana Highway Patrol Troopers. It also adorns the flight suits of Montana Air National Guard pilots and the Montana Army National Guard Medevac Unit.
And today it graces the back bumper of Montana State's football helmet as the Bobcats face the Grizzlies in the 118th renewal of this distinctly Montana tradition, the Cat-Griz game.
The official meaning of 3-7-77 is lost to history, but its physical origins aren't. As lawlessness raged through territorial Montana, those thought to be outside of the law in Virginia City found the numbers 3-7-77 on their tents or cabins. That signified that a group of vigilantes had identified them as outlaws, with leaving town the only way to avoid the business end of a noose or gun. Through the years, law enforcement officers in Montana adopted that as a sign that they – Montanans – were enforcing the law and bringing order to this beautiful but wild land.
"I talked to the team about its significance in this state," said Bobcat head coach Jeff Choate, a one-time high school history teacher. "It's something that has meaning to Montanans, even though there are a lot of interpretations. I walked the team through some of that, which a lot of the Montana kids knew, but I think it's important to learn lessons that reach beyond football."
Also on Montana State's Cat-Griz helmet – 1889, 406, and of course Oro y Plata, all special significance for Montanans and the state of Montana.
* * * * *
While his teammates are battling the Grizzlies in his hometown, good thoughts go out today to offensive lineman Colin Hammock, who is a few hours west of Missoula. Hammock is interviewing to become a Rhodes Scholar, one of the most prestigious academic honors in the world. It would be a fitting cap to his Hammock's undergraduate career, as he has been one of Montana State University's most decorated students. Hammock hopes to pursue a career in medicine.
* * * * *
In 2013, Grant Collins and Johnny D'Agostino ran onto the field at Van Winkle Stadium on a cold, snowy Friday night and led the Bozeman Hawks to the state football championship. The middle of three state titles for Bozeman in a six-season span, it was a seen no one present will forget. The Hawks beat a Kalispell Glacier team which included a handful of future Montana State teammates. A few blocks south, those two take the Bobcat Stadium field today for the final scheduled time. They'll be remembered as hometown guys who could have explored different options, followed paths to different places, but instead chose the Cats. They've had tremendous careers in their own ways, and each have fought through incredible obstacles presented them in the form of injuries. D'Agostino follows in the footsteps of his father Mark, a Bobcat great himself, and Collins will receive his degree from the school where his grandfather Don Collins taught for many years. All Bobcat seniors are special, but on this Senior Day, these two deserve a special hat-tip.
* * * * *
As much as anyone in recent years, UM quarterback Dalton Sneed has drawn the praise of the Montana State coaching staff this week, publicly and privately. "He has a really strong lower half," said MSU defensive coordinator Ty Gregorak, "and doesn't always have a lot of regard for his body. I like the way he plays. I really like the way he plays."
* * * * *
Saturday's game is the last scheduled game for a group of Bobcat seniors that Jeff Choate holds in high regard. "This is a special group," he said. "I think this is a group I'll stay close to for the rest of my coaching career, and hopefully for the rest of my life."
So ended a letter received by Bobcat Athletics from SGT Austin Cochran, a Montana State University student from 2014 to 2017 who is deployed overseas with his Montana National Guard unit. He currently serves in the Guard in Afghanistan, and plans to gather today with fellow Bobcats and cheer for the Blue and Gold.
One can imagine that Austin's occasionally mind drifts back to his freshman year, 2014, when he recalls in a letter to Bobcat Athletics that "Mac Bignell leveled the running back from" Black Hills State. He certainly will be pulling for hometown friends Logan Jones and Josh Hill (presently injured), who play for the 2018 Bobcats. In tribute to his school, and also to his home state, Austin sent the American flag from Afghanistan that will lead the Bobcats onto the field today, a gesture meaningful to all Bobcats and all Montanans.
Austin Cochran calls the decision to serve in the Montana National Guard "one of the greatest decisions I have ever made." His service to our country gives us pause today. It is to be honored and appreciated, and we all long for the day when Austin and all American service men and women return home safely. His passion for his school and his state draw respect. But it also reminds us, regardless the result of today's game, how this one afternoon in November bind all Montanans, all Bobcats and Grizzlies, year 'round, to something that crosses generations and reaches to all corners of the globe.
Thank you Austin, and thanks to all Montanans – and all Americans – serving overseas and at home. Godspeed.
* * * * *
3-7-77
Every Montana has seen it. Heck, everyone that's ever been to the Treasure State has likely seen the inscription on shoulder or vehicles of Montana Highway Patrol Troopers. It also adorns the flight suits of Montana Air National Guard pilots and the Montana Army National Guard Medevac Unit.
And today it graces the back bumper of Montana State's football helmet as the Bobcats face the Grizzlies in the 118th renewal of this distinctly Montana tradition, the Cat-Griz game.
The official meaning of 3-7-77 is lost to history, but its physical origins aren't. As lawlessness raged through territorial Montana, those thought to be outside of the law in Virginia City found the numbers 3-7-77 on their tents or cabins. That signified that a group of vigilantes had identified them as outlaws, with leaving town the only way to avoid the business end of a noose or gun. Through the years, law enforcement officers in Montana adopted that as a sign that they – Montanans – were enforcing the law and bringing order to this beautiful but wild land.
"I talked to the team about its significance in this state," said Bobcat head coach Jeff Choate, a one-time high school history teacher. "It's something that has meaning to Montanans, even though there are a lot of interpretations. I walked the team through some of that, which a lot of the Montana kids knew, but I think it's important to learn lessons that reach beyond football."
Also on Montana State's Cat-Griz helmet – 1889, 406, and of course Oro y Plata, all special significance for Montanans and the state of Montana.
* * * * *
While his teammates are battling the Grizzlies in his hometown, good thoughts go out today to offensive lineman Colin Hammock, who is a few hours west of Missoula. Hammock is interviewing to become a Rhodes Scholar, one of the most prestigious academic honors in the world. It would be a fitting cap to his Hammock's undergraduate career, as he has been one of Montana State University's most decorated students. Hammock hopes to pursue a career in medicine.
* * * * *
In 2013, Grant Collins and Johnny D'Agostino ran onto the field at Van Winkle Stadium on a cold, snowy Friday night and led the Bozeman Hawks to the state football championship. The middle of three state titles for Bozeman in a six-season span, it was a seen no one present will forget. The Hawks beat a Kalispell Glacier team which included a handful of future Montana State teammates. A few blocks south, those two take the Bobcat Stadium field today for the final scheduled time. They'll be remembered as hometown guys who could have explored different options, followed paths to different places, but instead chose the Cats. They've had tremendous careers in their own ways, and each have fought through incredible obstacles presented them in the form of injuries. D'Agostino follows in the footsteps of his father Mark, a Bobcat great himself, and Collins will receive his degree from the school where his grandfather Don Collins taught for many years. All Bobcat seniors are special, but on this Senior Day, these two deserve a special hat-tip.
* * * * *
As much as anyone in recent years, UM quarterback Dalton Sneed has drawn the praise of the Montana State coaching staff this week, publicly and privately. "He has a really strong lower half," said MSU defensive coordinator Ty Gregorak, "and doesn't always have a lot of regard for his body. I like the way he plays. I really like the way he plays."
* * * * *
Saturday's game is the last scheduled game for a group of Bobcat seniors that Jeff Choate holds in high regard. "This is a special group," he said. "I think this is a group I'll stay close to for the rest of my coaching career, and hopefully for the rest of my life."
Players Mentioned
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