Isaiah Ifanse
Photo by: Garrett Becker
BOBCAT GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #11: It's Been Too Long, but Cat-Griz Returns Today
11/20/2021 11:03:00 AM | Football
Isaiah Ifanse and Elijah Elliott are slated to play this afternoon
MISSOULA, Montana – The 120th Cat-Griz game has been a long time coming.
To be exact, it's been 728 days since the Bobcats leveled UM 48-14 in Bozeman, the longest dormant period since students reassembled at the close of World War II. Bobcat coach Brent Vigen – presiding over his first Cat-Griz game, can feel the excitement.
"I think so," he said, before asserting that "we prepare the same for every game. I can tell you there was no talk about this game until the Idaho game ended. But we know this is a special game. We know what's at stake."
Vigen aims to become the second consecutive Bobcat coach to win his rivalry game debut, and do so in Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The 2016 win here in Jeff Choate's first Bobcat-Grizzly game is best remembered for Chris Murray's impromptu flip into the south end zone, but it boosted Choate into fine company. He became MSU's first rookie to beat UM since Dave Arnold in 1983.
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Montana State's top two running backs participated in pre-game walk-throughs on the field and are scheduled to give the game a go this afternoon. Junior Isaiah Ifanse and freshman Elijah Elliott each travelled, are each dressed, and are each expected to play.
The Cats encountered a bad bit of injury news this week. Cornerback Tyrel Thomas won't play. He had the pass breakup that ended MSU's win over the Grizzlies in 2017.
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Montana State's current four-game win streak in the series is its longest since 1972-77, when Sonny Holland owned the state.
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Regardless of whether he carries the ball today, Troy Andersen's five career Cat-Griz touchdowns is an MSU record.
#GoCatsGo
To be exact, it's been 728 days since the Bobcats leveled UM 48-14 in Bozeman, the longest dormant period since students reassembled at the close of World War II. Bobcat coach Brent Vigen – presiding over his first Cat-Griz game, can feel the excitement.
"I think so," he said, before asserting that "we prepare the same for every game. I can tell you there was no talk about this game until the Idaho game ended. But we know this is a special game. We know what's at stake."
Vigen aims to become the second consecutive Bobcat coach to win his rivalry game debut, and do so in Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The 2016 win here in Jeff Choate's first Bobcat-Grizzly game is best remembered for Chris Murray's impromptu flip into the south end zone, but it boosted Choate into fine company. He became MSU's first rookie to beat UM since Dave Arnold in 1983.
* * * * *
Montana State's top two running backs participated in pre-game walk-throughs on the field and are scheduled to give the game a go this afternoon. Junior Isaiah Ifanse and freshman Elijah Elliott each travelled, are each dressed, and are each expected to play.
The Cats encountered a bad bit of injury news this week. Cornerback Tyrel Thomas won't play. He had the pass breakup that ended MSU's win over the Grizzlies in 2017.
* * * * *
Montana State's current four-game win streak in the series is its longest since 1972-77, when Sonny Holland owned the state.
* * * * *
Regardless of whether he carries the ball today, Troy Andersen's five career Cat-Griz touchdowns is an MSU record.
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
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