Friday, October 15
Ogden, UT
8 p.m.
Montana State University
at
Weber State
Ty Okada
Photo by: Garrett Becker
GAME #7: Bobcats Meet Weber State For Only Second Time With Both Teams Nationally-Ranked Friday On ESPNU
10/13/2021 4:30:00 PM | Football
MSU faces four-time defending Big Sky Champion Wildcats in
BOZEMAN, Montana – Now, everything changes.
Montana State heads to Ogden, Utah, to face the four-time defending Big Sky Champion Weber State Wildcats on Friday at 8 pm in a game televised on ESPNU. The No. 19 Wildcats stand as Montana State's first nationally-ranked opponent of 2021 – Weber State has already faced three, including FBS foe Utah – and while WSU enters Friday game coming off its bye week the Cats play on one day fewer rest than normal.
And according to Bobcat coach Brent Vigen, none of that matters. "Now the dynamics have changed," he said. "We're playing on a different day, in a different place, certainly against an opponent that has accolades that are well-deserved. With not only their ranking this year but their achievements over the last several years they have our attention. We've preached not caring who we play, when, where, all that stuff. I think our guys have taken that mindset and repeated it week after week. Generally that's shown in our performance."
Montana State (4-1 overall, 3-0 in the Big Sky, ranked No. 9 in the FCS) visits a Wildcats (2-3 overall, 1-1 in the Big Sky, ranked No. 18) team in a unique showdown. This is the second meeting (the first was a 26-21 Bobcat in win 2009) between the Cats and Weber State with both teams nationally ranked.
Weber State has played several quarterbacks this season – three have thrown at least 20 passes – but are fueled by the dynamic running back tandem of Dontae McMillan (57.8 yards a game) and Josh Davis (53.3). Game-changing returner/receiver Rashid Shaeed averages 17.5 yards per catch, 11.1 yards per punt return, and 32.2 yards per kick return.
Even against its stout schedule, Weber State's defense has excelled. The Wildcats rank 26th in the FCS in scoring defense (20.8 points a game) and 18th in total defense (299.2 yards a game). Defensive linemen Jared Schiess and George Tarias combine for 1.2 sacks per game while Ja'Kobe Harris has snagged a pair of interceptions.
Riding a four-game win streak, the Bobcats have scored at least 40 points against all four FCS opponents while limiting the five 2021 foes to less than 20 points and 20 first downs. Vigen knows the stakes now rise. "We got through that stretch of games that a lot of people thought we should win," he said, "and now we're getting ready for a big game against a team that's had its way in the Big Sky in the last several years. And getting to play on a big stage, ESPNU, national television, it's a great opportunity for our guys."
The quick turnaround doesn't faze MSU's first-year head coach. "It's a quick week, and I think our guys have responded real well. Time doesn't stop, we're going to play that game on Friday, so we've got to get our work in. Fortunately I've been a part of a lot of these Friday night games the last seven years (while at Wyoming). I know we had one each year, we had a lot of short weeks last year, so having been a part of it, laying out a plan, the players and coaches alike have taken to it so it's been a positive."
Vigen knows everyone in the Bobcat program is excited for the challenge of Friday's big showdown. "I hope that we've had the correct sense of urgency every week, but I think human nature would probably say that there is (urgency for Friday's game). I think our guys have handled their preparation each one of the last five weeks relative to the five opponents like we want them to, very business-like."
Friday's 8 pm game airs on ESPNU, and the only streaming option is WatchESPN.com, which requires a cable subscription that includes ESPNU for access.
#GoCatsGo
Montana State heads to Ogden, Utah, to face the four-time defending Big Sky Champion Weber State Wildcats on Friday at 8 pm in a game televised on ESPNU. The No. 19 Wildcats stand as Montana State's first nationally-ranked opponent of 2021 – Weber State has already faced three, including FBS foe Utah – and while WSU enters Friday game coming off its bye week the Cats play on one day fewer rest than normal.
And according to Bobcat coach Brent Vigen, none of that matters. "Now the dynamics have changed," he said. "We're playing on a different day, in a different place, certainly against an opponent that has accolades that are well-deserved. With not only their ranking this year but their achievements over the last several years they have our attention. We've preached not caring who we play, when, where, all that stuff. I think our guys have taken that mindset and repeated it week after week. Generally that's shown in our performance."
Montana State (4-1 overall, 3-0 in the Big Sky, ranked No. 9 in the FCS) visits a Wildcats (2-3 overall, 1-1 in the Big Sky, ranked No. 18) team in a unique showdown. This is the second meeting (the first was a 26-21 Bobcat in win 2009) between the Cats and Weber State with both teams nationally ranked.
Weber State has played several quarterbacks this season – three have thrown at least 20 passes – but are fueled by the dynamic running back tandem of Dontae McMillan (57.8 yards a game) and Josh Davis (53.3). Game-changing returner/receiver Rashid Shaeed averages 17.5 yards per catch, 11.1 yards per punt return, and 32.2 yards per kick return.
Even against its stout schedule, Weber State's defense has excelled. The Wildcats rank 26th in the FCS in scoring defense (20.8 points a game) and 18th in total defense (299.2 yards a game). Defensive linemen Jared Schiess and George Tarias combine for 1.2 sacks per game while Ja'Kobe Harris has snagged a pair of interceptions.
Riding a four-game win streak, the Bobcats have scored at least 40 points against all four FCS opponents while limiting the five 2021 foes to less than 20 points and 20 first downs. Vigen knows the stakes now rise. "We got through that stretch of games that a lot of people thought we should win," he said, "and now we're getting ready for a big game against a team that's had its way in the Big Sky in the last several years. And getting to play on a big stage, ESPNU, national television, it's a great opportunity for our guys."
The quick turnaround doesn't faze MSU's first-year head coach. "It's a quick week, and I think our guys have responded real well. Time doesn't stop, we're going to play that game on Friday, so we've got to get our work in. Fortunately I've been a part of a lot of these Friday night games the last seven years (while at Wyoming). I know we had one each year, we had a lot of short weeks last year, so having been a part of it, laying out a plan, the players and coaches alike have taken to it so it's been a positive."
Vigen knows everyone in the Bobcat program is excited for the challenge of Friday's big showdown. "I hope that we've had the correct sense of urgency every week, but I think human nature would probably say that there is (urgency for Friday's game). I think our guys have handled their preparation each one of the last five weeks relative to the five opponents like we want them to, very business-like."
Friday's 8 pm game airs on ESPNU, and the only streaming option is WatchESPN.com, which requires a cable subscription that includes ESPNU for access.
#GoCatsGo
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