BOBCAT FOOTBALL SUNDAY NOTEBOOK #10: Bobcats Hold Off Idaho to Set Up Cat-Griz Showdown
11/14/2021 5:47:00 PM | Football
Bobcat defense continues string of excellent play
Below is a look back at Montana State's 20-13 win against Idaho on November 13, and an early look at its Cat-Griz showdown on Saturday, November 13.
NOTES
• Montana State's nine wins to this point is one of eight seasons in school history with at least that many victories.
• The current nine-game win streak matches a similar run in 2011 as the longest in school history.
• Three of Blake Glessner's kickoffs Saturday resulted in touchbacks, and on the fourth MSU pinned the Vandals at their own 16 to begin their final drive of the game.
• MSU extended its season-long string of holding every opponent below 21 points and 355 yards with Saturday's win against Idaho.
• Montana State's defense is fifth in the FCS with 160.8 passing yards allowed per game.
• The Bobcats finished their first undefeated home regular season since 2010 by beating Idaho on Saturday. Since 1930, 12 Bobcat teams posted undefeated regular seasons. The Cats dropped a home playoff game in 2010, leaving 1976 as the most recent season which MSU finished with a perfect home record.
• With his ninth win of 2021 on Saturday, Brent Vigen became Montana State's all-time wins leader among first-year head coaches.
• Montana State has rushed for at least 100 yards in 36 straight games, scoring at least one rushing touchdown against 42 consecutive FCS foes.
STAT SNIPPETS
Montana State leads the Big Sky with 230.8 rushing yards per game, while the Grizzlies allow a league-low 73.0 yards a game on the ground.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINATIONS
DEFENSE: Troy Andersen, LB (6-4, 240 Sr, Dillon, Montana)
Troy Andersen led all players with a career-high 17 tackles in Montana State's 20-13 win over Idaho in the 2021 Bobcat regular season finale. Andersen is now 8th in the FCS with 10.4 total tackles a game, and 8th with 5.6 solo tackles per game.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Bryce Leighton, P (6-3, 188, Fr, Camas, Washington)
For the second consecutive week Bryce Leighton's punting provided pivot point in a close Montana State win. The freshman punted four times Saturday, pinning Idaho inside its own 20 twice and averaging 44.5 yards per punt. Both of Leighton's punts that pinned the Vandals deep came in the game's final 17 minutes with the game tied, and UI punted after each of those possessions. The second of those resulted in MSU's winning touchdown. Idaho's starting field position after MSU's four punts was its own 27 yard line.
FIRST LOOK: Montana State vs. Montana
Game Details: Date – November 20 Site – Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula Kickoff – 12 noon Special Promotions – NA Record – MSU is 9-1 overall and 7-0 in the Big Sky, while UM stands 8-2 overall and 5-2 in the conference. The Grizzlies beat Northern Arizona 30-3 in Flagstaff on Saturday. Audio – Statewide on the Bobcat Radio Network and on-line on the Varsity Network (Zach Mackey, Mikey Rider, Dan Davies) Video– ROOT Sports Streaming – ESPN+ outside of the ROOT Sports footprint.
NOTES
• Montana State's nine wins to this point is one of eight seasons in school history with at least that many victories.
• The current nine-game win streak matches a similar run in 2011 as the longest in school history.
• Three of Blake Glessner's kickoffs Saturday resulted in touchbacks, and on the fourth MSU pinned the Vandals at their own 16 to begin their final drive of the game.
• MSU extended its season-long string of holding every opponent below 21 points and 355 yards with Saturday's win against Idaho.
• Montana State's defense is fifth in the FCS with 160.8 passing yards allowed per game.
• The Bobcats finished their first undefeated home regular season since 2010 by beating Idaho on Saturday. Since 1930, 12 Bobcat teams posted undefeated regular seasons. The Cats dropped a home playoff game in 2010, leaving 1976 as the most recent season which MSU finished with a perfect home record.
• With his ninth win of 2021 on Saturday, Brent Vigen became Montana State's all-time wins leader among first-year head coaches.
• Montana State has rushed for at least 100 yards in 36 straight games, scoring at least one rushing touchdown against 42 consecutive FCS foes.
STAT SNIPPETS
Montana State leads the Big Sky with 230.8 rushing yards per game, while the Grizzlies allow a league-low 73.0 yards a game on the ground.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINATIONS
DEFENSE: Troy Andersen, LB (6-4, 240 Sr, Dillon, Montana)
Troy Andersen led all players with a career-high 17 tackles in Montana State's 20-13 win over Idaho in the 2021 Bobcat regular season finale. Andersen is now 8th in the FCS with 10.4 total tackles a game, and 8th with 5.6 solo tackles per game.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Bryce Leighton, P (6-3, 188, Fr, Camas, Washington)
For the second consecutive week Bryce Leighton's punting provided pivot point in a close Montana State win. The freshman punted four times Saturday, pinning Idaho inside its own 20 twice and averaging 44.5 yards per punt. Both of Leighton's punts that pinned the Vandals deep came in the game's final 17 minutes with the game tied, and UI punted after each of those possessions. The second of those resulted in MSU's winning touchdown. Idaho's starting field position after MSU's four punts was its own 27 yard line.
FIRST LOOK: Montana State vs. Montana
Game Details: Date – November 20 Site – Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula Kickoff – 12 noon Special Promotions – NA Record – MSU is 9-1 overall and 7-0 in the Big Sky, while UM stands 8-2 overall and 5-2 in the conference. The Grizzlies beat Northern Arizona 30-3 in Flagstaff on Saturday. Audio – Statewide on the Bobcat Radio Network and on-line on the Varsity Network (Zach Mackey, Mikey Rider, Dan Davies) Video– ROOT Sports Streaming – ESPN+ outside of the ROOT Sports footprint.
Players Mentioned
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
