BOBCAT CALENDAR: Cats Reinforce 1956 National Championship with Solid '57 Season, Including September 21 Win over Fresno State
9/21/2020 2:00:00 PM | Football
Tony Storti's final season as the top Cat included a road win at Fresno State
A look day-by-day look at Montana State football through its history...
September 21
SPOTLIGHT: As mentioned earlier in this series, one of the interesting threads winding through Bobcat football history is the presence of several long-time intersectional rivalries. One of those began today in 1957 when Montana State beat Fresno State 27-14 in central California. In fact, the Bobcats also beat the Bulldogs 14-7 on the road in 1974, making FSU the only team the Cats have played twice on September 21.
The 1957 tilt brought together two small school programs trending in somewhat different directions. Fresno State was a pre-World War II power in the California small school ranks, but had managed only two winning seasons from 1946-53. By the time Fresno State hosted the Bobcats in 1957, the Bulldogs had won 17 of its previous 20 football games. On the other hand, Montana State had found its footing under head coach Tony Storti and was ascending into three decades as a national power.
The Bobcats came from behind to win under the lights in Fresno, sparked by an unusual play. Halfback Ron Harcharick was hemmed in near the sideline on a sweep that began near midfield, according to The Exponent, and at the 30 he pitched the ball to Bob Rudio. Rudio "carried the mail from the 30-yard stripe to the end zone, diving the last three yards for the touchdown."
The win was considered an upset, and alongside a thumping of the Grizzlies was certainly a prize win for the 1957 squad that finished 8-2. But just as significantly, it launched a long, meaningful series that grew from small regional powers to nationally-known programs in their divisions by the time it ended in 1986. Interestingly, the 1957 Montana State Bobcats included two assistant coaches (Herb Agocs, Tom Parac) and one player (Sonny Holland) that would eventually serve as the program's head coach, and an assistant (Gene Bourdet) who would serve as athletic director at both MSU and Fresno State.
GAMES ON TODAY'S DATE
2019 - #8 MSU 56, Norfolk State 21
2013 - at Stephen F. Austin 52, MSU 38
2002 - at Washington State 45, MSU 28
1996 - MSU 37, UM Duluth 0
1991 - Idaho 48, MSU 14
1985 - Eastern Washington 28, MSU 23
1974 - MSU 14, at Fresno State 7
1968 - MSU 17, at Portland State 6
1963 - at Tulsa 23, MSU 13
1957 - MSU 27, at Fresno State 14
1935 - at Utah State 33, MSU 7
1929 - MSU 25, Centerville 0
September 21
SPOTLIGHT: As mentioned earlier in this series, one of the interesting threads winding through Bobcat football history is the presence of several long-time intersectional rivalries. One of those began today in 1957 when Montana State beat Fresno State 27-14 in central California. In fact, the Bobcats also beat the Bulldogs 14-7 on the road in 1974, making FSU the only team the Cats have played twice on September 21.
The 1957 tilt brought together two small school programs trending in somewhat different directions. Fresno State was a pre-World War II power in the California small school ranks, but had managed only two winning seasons from 1946-53. By the time Fresno State hosted the Bobcats in 1957, the Bulldogs had won 17 of its previous 20 football games. On the other hand, Montana State had found its footing under head coach Tony Storti and was ascending into three decades as a national power.
The Bobcats came from behind to win under the lights in Fresno, sparked by an unusual play. Halfback Ron Harcharick was hemmed in near the sideline on a sweep that began near midfield, according to The Exponent, and at the 30 he pitched the ball to Bob Rudio. Rudio "carried the mail from the 30-yard stripe to the end zone, diving the last three yards for the touchdown."
The win was considered an upset, and alongside a thumping of the Grizzlies was certainly a prize win for the 1957 squad that finished 8-2. But just as significantly, it launched a long, meaningful series that grew from small regional powers to nationally-known programs in their divisions by the time it ended in 1986. Interestingly, the 1957 Montana State Bobcats included two assistant coaches (Herb Agocs, Tom Parac) and one player (Sonny Holland) that would eventually serve as the program's head coach, and an assistant (Gene Bourdet) who would serve as athletic director at both MSU and Fresno State.
GAMES ON TODAY'S DATE
2019 - #8 MSU 56, Norfolk State 21
2013 - at Stephen F. Austin 52, MSU 38
2002 - at Washington State 45, MSU 28
1996 - MSU 37, UM Duluth 0
1991 - Idaho 48, MSU 14
1985 - Eastern Washington 28, MSU 23
1974 - MSU 14, at Fresno State 7
1968 - MSU 17, at Portland State 6
1963 - at Tulsa 23, MSU 13
1957 - MSU 27, at Fresno State 14
1935 - at Utah State 33, MSU 7
1929 - MSU 25, Centerville 0
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