Photo by: Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez
GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #5: Bobcats Renew One of Oldest Out-of-State Rivalries When Bears Come Calling
10/2/2021 12:00:00 PM | Football
MSU welcomes Northern Colorado and former NFL star Ed McCaffrey to Bobcat Stadium
In five different stadiums, across three different conferences, for 98 years Montana State and Northern Colorado have found themselves competing on the gridiron. The series started in 1923, with both schools members of the Rocky Mountain Conference, The Bobcats won that intial meeting in 1923 49-12, and whipped the Bears all four times they met in the 1920s.
The 1930s brought good fortunes to the Colorado State Teachers College, as it was then known, and a downturn in the Bobcat program. The Greeley Bears won all six matchups with Montana State in that decade, blanking the Bobcats four times. Another decade change brought another change of direction in the series, with the Cats winning three of four showdowns in the years surrounding World War II. In the 1950s. The Cats won five of seven games against the Bears in the 1950s, including the only Bobcat win of 1950, but Montana State's 13-0 win in Greeley in 1956 brought a halt to the series for 47 years. Montana State became an independent the next season, while Northern Colorado would become an NCAA Division II power in future years.
The rivalry renewed when a transitioning UNC program came to Montana State as a Division II opponent in 2003 and beat the Bobcats 14-10. Future NFL star Vincent Jackson was brilliant that day. The Bobcats won 13-10 in 2006, then UNC celebrated its first Big Sky win wildly in 2007. That 16-13 contest is Northern Colorado's last victory in the series.
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Tyrel Thomas remains behind glass today, although the glass is breakable. "We'll use Tyrel in an emergency," Bobcat coach Brent Vigen said, "but only if we really need him. We'll give him another week if possible." Thomas has yet to play in 2021.
That is the only status change on the injury front.
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UNC is the second straight Bobcat Stadium visitor coached by a former NFL player. UNC's Ed McCaffrey starred for Denver and other teams after a brilliant career at Stanford. San Diego coach Dale Lindsey also played in the NFL.
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Since Northern Colorado beat Rob Ash's first MSU team 16-13 in Greeley for the Bears' first Big Sky win, the Cats have rattled off nine straight wins in the series. The four wins in Bozeman in that stretch have come by 17.0 points.
The 1930s brought good fortunes to the Colorado State Teachers College, as it was then known, and a downturn in the Bobcat program. The Greeley Bears won all six matchups with Montana State in that decade, blanking the Bobcats four times. Another decade change brought another change of direction in the series, with the Cats winning three of four showdowns in the years surrounding World War II. In the 1950s. The Cats won five of seven games against the Bears in the 1950s, including the only Bobcat win of 1950, but Montana State's 13-0 win in Greeley in 1956 brought a halt to the series for 47 years. Montana State became an independent the next season, while Northern Colorado would become an NCAA Division II power in future years.
The rivalry renewed when a transitioning UNC program came to Montana State as a Division II opponent in 2003 and beat the Bobcats 14-10. Future NFL star Vincent Jackson was brilliant that day. The Bobcats won 13-10 in 2006, then UNC celebrated its first Big Sky win wildly in 2007. That 16-13 contest is Northern Colorado's last victory in the series.
* * * * *
Tyrel Thomas remains behind glass today, although the glass is breakable. "We'll use Tyrel in an emergency," Bobcat coach Brent Vigen said, "but only if we really need him. We'll give him another week if possible." Thomas has yet to play in 2021.
That is the only status change on the injury front.
* * * * *
UNC is the second straight Bobcat Stadium visitor coached by a former NFL player. UNC's Ed McCaffrey starred for Denver and other teams after a brilliant career at Stanford. San Diego coach Dale Lindsey also played in the NFL.
* * * * *
Since Northern Colorado beat Rob Ash's first MSU team 16-13 in Greeley for the Bears' first Big Sky win, the Cats have rattled off nine straight wins in the series. The four wins in Bozeman in that stretch have come by 17.0 points.
Players Mentioned
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