BOBCAT HISTORY LESSON: The MSU-North Dakota Series that Began in 1948 Ends (for now) on Saturday
10/25/2019 9:00:00 AM | Football
A look at the Montana State-North Dakota rivalry
Montana State's intermittent series with North Dakota began in 1948 at Gatton Field, and ends Saturday (for the time being, at least) at the Alerus Center. Here is a look:
All-Time Series: Montana State holds a narrow 19-15-1 advantage in the series, which began in Bozeman in 1948.
In Bozeman: The Cats own an 11-6 edge in Bozeman.
At Opponent: North Dakota has won eight of the 17 games played in Grand Forks, with one tie.
Streaks and Stuff
North Dakota joins Eastern Washington and Weber State as the only Big Sky teams other than Montana that Jeff Choate has faced three times when Bobcats and UND meet on Saturday… Montana State won five straight games in this series from 1954-59, and four straight from 1966-69. The Fighting Hawks won five straight from 1971-75.
Here's a Good Story
Montana State's final scheduled game against North Dakota allows for the opportunity to look at the first-ever contest between the schools, a 12-6 Homecoming win in 1948.
The Bobcats fumbled four times in the first half, but UND crossed the goal line only once. Herb Claffy, called by the Montana State Exponent "a 155 pound speedster, gave North Dakota a touchdown lead in the second period by twisting and turning through the Bobcat squad on a 32 yard run to score." The first half ended with Montana State at the UND eight-yard line.
The tables turned in the second half, when North Dakota lost a pair of fumbles. Bill Boston recovered one at the UND seven-yard line early in the third quarter, and Adam Marshall scored from three yards out to tie the game. In the fourth quarter, quarterback Ed Gorrila found end Harry Perrigo on a 53-yard pass to set up Milt Clawson's three-yard, game-winning touchdown run around the right end.
North Dakota managed a pair of late passes into the end zone. One connected, but was disallowed after a false start, and the other sailed long. The Bobcats pounced on the second Sioux fumble of the half to seal the win.
Memory
Long-time Bozeman businessman Phil Schneider first came to Bozeman in 1958 as an offensive lineman-kicker on the Bobcat football team. The Jamestown, North Dakota, native "fell in love with Bozeman on my visit" and spent most of his adult life in the Gallatin Valley. Schneider was part of Montana State's 35-14 win over the then-Fighting Sioux as a sophomore, then made two straight trips to Grand Forks. The Cats tied UND 6-6 in 1960, the suffered a 46-0 defeat in 1961.
"I still get razzed about that when I run into some of the old-timers I played against," he said with a laugh. "That was an old-fashioned (butt)-kicking."
But Schneider enjoyed the opportunity play in front of family and friends – and against former teammates and rivals – in Grand Forks and in Fargo. "It was (a big deal) for me because my whole family was at that game in Grand Forks. We didn't even get close enough (to the end zone) even try a field goal my senior year. I was only kicking (that season)."
Schneider was recruited by North Dakota and North Dakota State, but chose Montana State after visiting campus.
All-Time Series: Montana State holds a narrow 19-15-1 advantage in the series, which began in Bozeman in 1948.
In Bozeman: The Cats own an 11-6 edge in Bozeman.
At Opponent: North Dakota has won eight of the 17 games played in Grand Forks, with one tie.
Streaks and Stuff
North Dakota joins Eastern Washington and Weber State as the only Big Sky teams other than Montana that Jeff Choate has faced three times when Bobcats and UND meet on Saturday… Montana State won five straight games in this series from 1954-59, and four straight from 1966-69. The Fighting Hawks won five straight from 1971-75.
Here's a Good Story
Montana State's final scheduled game against North Dakota allows for the opportunity to look at the first-ever contest between the schools, a 12-6 Homecoming win in 1948.
The Bobcats fumbled four times in the first half, but UND crossed the goal line only once. Herb Claffy, called by the Montana State Exponent "a 155 pound speedster, gave North Dakota a touchdown lead in the second period by twisting and turning through the Bobcat squad on a 32 yard run to score." The first half ended with Montana State at the UND eight-yard line.
The tables turned in the second half, when North Dakota lost a pair of fumbles. Bill Boston recovered one at the UND seven-yard line early in the third quarter, and Adam Marshall scored from three yards out to tie the game. In the fourth quarter, quarterback Ed Gorrila found end Harry Perrigo on a 53-yard pass to set up Milt Clawson's three-yard, game-winning touchdown run around the right end.
North Dakota managed a pair of late passes into the end zone. One connected, but was disallowed after a false start, and the other sailed long. The Bobcats pounced on the second Sioux fumble of the half to seal the win.
Memory
Long-time Bozeman businessman Phil Schneider first came to Bozeman in 1958 as an offensive lineman-kicker on the Bobcat football team. The Jamestown, North Dakota, native "fell in love with Bozeman on my visit" and spent most of his adult life in the Gallatin Valley. Schneider was part of Montana State's 35-14 win over the then-Fighting Sioux as a sophomore, then made two straight trips to Grand Forks. The Cats tied UND 6-6 in 1960, the suffered a 46-0 defeat in 1961.
"I still get razzed about that when I run into some of the old-timers I played against," he said with a laugh. "That was an old-fashioned (butt)-kicking."
But Schneider enjoyed the opportunity play in front of family and friends – and against former teammates and rivals – in Grand Forks and in Fargo. "It was (a big deal) for me because my whole family was at that game in Grand Forks. We didn't even get close enough (to the end zone) even try a field goal my senior year. I was only kicking (that season)."
Schneider was recruited by North Dakota and North Dakota State, but chose Montana State after visiting campus.
Leon Costello Press Conference: Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center
Thursday, July 31
A Conversation with President Dr. Waded Cruzado | Montana State Athletics
Monday, May 19
Big Cats, Little Trucks - Willie Patterson
Wednesday, May 03
Matt Houk Introductory Press Conference
Wednesday, May 03
