ALL-TIME BOBCATS: Ron Bain
5/28/2019 3:30:00 PM | Football
Ron Bain's emergence as a pass-catcher in 1968 showed the way into football's future
MAY 28: Each day until Montana State's 2019 season opener the staff of Bobcats By The Numbers will offer a look at one of the players to make one of the school's all-time teams, in alphabetical order. On November 21, 1933, The Exponent announced 37 players selected by a panel of former players and coaches, divided into three teams that comprised Montana State's "mythical" all-time team. In 1969, the Billings Gazette's Norm Clarke conducted a poll to select the school's all-time team, and again in 2000 Bobcat Athletics and the Billings Gazette selected a third all-time team. The BBTN staff added players from the 21st century.
Ron Bain, FL, 1966-68
ALL-TIME TEAM: 2000 Billings Gazette Team
HONORS: MSU's career receiving leader until 1992.
A CLOSER LOOK: There are circumstances to acknowledge, of course, but Ron Bain is pretty easy to identify as the first truly brilliant wide receiver in Bobcat history. Now, he played with Dennis Erickson, who most consider the program's best quarterback until Kelly Bradley arrived in 1983, on a completely stacked offense (Don Hass, a great line, good blocking backs) and he was among the first wave of players to specialize at receiver after the mid-1960s change to two-platoon football. He was listed as a halfback in 1966, but the Bobcats soon shifted to the I formation and Bain settled in at flanker. Spurred by the dynamic combination of Erickson and Bain the Bobcats increased their passing output each of their three seasons. The Cats threw for 549 yards in 1965, when Bain and Erickson played freshman football, but that figure jumped to 879 in 1966, 937 in 1967, and 1,872 in 1968. His 1,110 receiving yards in 1968 is believed to be more than any previous Bobcat compiled in a career. Bain is also part-and-parcel of one of the most thrilling Cat-Griz games ever. The 1968 rivalry game will always be remembered for Paul Schafer's heroics, that wouldn't have been possible without Bain, whose touchdown catch with five minutes to play drew MSU to within 24-22. Schafer scored in the game's final seconds to give Montana State the win. Even after the offensive explosion of the last four decades, Bain remains ninth in school history in receiving, his senior season total is third, and his 14 career touchdown catches is tied for sixth.
FROM THE 1968 BOBCAT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE: "Bain, a starter the past two seasons, is one of the best receivers ever to play at MSU… Great hands, outstanding runner after catching the ball… Had sensational spring game, hauling in seven passes for 133 yards and three TD's… Cats' leading receiver last year with 25 catches for 359 yards and three TD's… Though he hasn't carried the ball often, Bain is an excellent running back… Last season he carried 21 times for 133 yards – a 6.3 average… Though one of the strongest men on the squad, he also has good quickness… Comes from a family of fine athletes… Three Bain boys have received Koford Award from Kalispell High School, which goes to the outstanding athlete in the graduating class… Captained high school football and basketball teams."
Ron Bain, FL, 1966-68
ALL-TIME TEAM: 2000 Billings Gazette Team
HONORS: MSU's career receiving leader until 1992.
A CLOSER LOOK: There are circumstances to acknowledge, of course, but Ron Bain is pretty easy to identify as the first truly brilliant wide receiver in Bobcat history. Now, he played with Dennis Erickson, who most consider the program's best quarterback until Kelly Bradley arrived in 1983, on a completely stacked offense (Don Hass, a great line, good blocking backs) and he was among the first wave of players to specialize at receiver after the mid-1960s change to two-platoon football. He was listed as a halfback in 1966, but the Bobcats soon shifted to the I formation and Bain settled in at flanker. Spurred by the dynamic combination of Erickson and Bain the Bobcats increased their passing output each of their three seasons. The Cats threw for 549 yards in 1965, when Bain and Erickson played freshman football, but that figure jumped to 879 in 1966, 937 in 1967, and 1,872 in 1968. His 1,110 receiving yards in 1968 is believed to be more than any previous Bobcat compiled in a career. Bain is also part-and-parcel of one of the most thrilling Cat-Griz games ever. The 1968 rivalry game will always be remembered for Paul Schafer's heroics, that wouldn't have been possible without Bain, whose touchdown catch with five minutes to play drew MSU to within 24-22. Schafer scored in the game's final seconds to give Montana State the win. Even after the offensive explosion of the last four decades, Bain remains ninth in school history in receiving, his senior season total is third, and his 14 career touchdown catches is tied for sixth.
FROM THE 1968 BOBCAT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE: "Bain, a starter the past two seasons, is one of the best receivers ever to play at MSU… Great hands, outstanding runner after catching the ball… Had sensational spring game, hauling in seven passes for 133 yards and three TD's… Cats' leading receiver last year with 25 catches for 359 yards and three TD's… Though he hasn't carried the ball often, Bain is an excellent running back… Last season he carried 21 times for 133 yards – a 6.3 average… Though one of the strongest men on the squad, he also has good quickness… Comes from a family of fine athletes… Three Bain boys have received Koford Award from Kalispell High School, which goes to the outstanding athlete in the graduating class… Captained high school football and basketball teams."
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
