Saturday, November 19
BOZEMAN
12 pm
Montana State University
vs
Montana
Photo by: Garrett Becker
BOBCAT GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #11: Bobcats, Grizzlies Get Together for Historic 121st Showdown
11/19/2022 11:00:00 AM | Football
Montana State looks for share of Big Sky Conference title
BOZEMAN, Montana – The week leading to the 121st Cat-Griz game has been unprecedented. The hype surrounding College Game Day's selection of and arrival in Bozeman for today's show is like nothing Bobcat Athletics has previously experienced. Many more thousands of people know about the glory of college football in our state right now than when we all woke up today.
But now, as kickoff nears, none of that matters. It's the Cat and the Griz, and this afternoon nearly everyone in the state will pull for one side or the other.
While the official series record stands at 41-73-5 this is the 121st meeting because UM's 2011 win was vacated for using ineligible players. The Grizzlies beat MSU 29-10 a year ago to snap a four-game Bobcat win streak. The Grizzlies enter this weekend's showdown with a 7-3 record, 4-3 in the Big Sky, and while many consider UM a playoff team an eighth win certainly seals a bid. The Bobcats are 9-1 with the only loss to an FBS top 25 team, Oregon State, and are generally considered safely into the playoffs with a top eight seed a strong possibility.
* * * * *
Several Bobcat personnel decisions remain unclear as game day dawns. Running backs Lane Sumner and Isaiah Ifanse are not likely to play. On the other side of the equation, defensive end Brody Grebe and linebacker Danny Uluilakepa each had good weeks of practice and pregame warmups will determine their status.
* * * * *
Today's game is unique for one Bobcat. Cole Sain's father (John) and uncle (Mike) both played football for the Bobcats, with John transferring from Western Montana College after that school dropped football. Cole Sain began his career at Montana in 2018 before playing at Riverside College in California in 2019. Sain came to MSU in 2020, played as a reserve while starting once in 2021, and earned a starting job at guard this season.
* * * * *
If you see a player wearing 69 for the Cats today, it's Devin Slaughter. The defensive lineman usually dons No. 91, but is helping out on the offensive line, which forces a number change.
* * * * *
But now, as kickoff nears, none of that matters. It's the Cat and the Griz, and this afternoon nearly everyone in the state will pull for one side or the other.
While the official series record stands at 41-73-5 this is the 121st meeting because UM's 2011 win was vacated for using ineligible players. The Grizzlies beat MSU 29-10 a year ago to snap a four-game Bobcat win streak. The Grizzlies enter this weekend's showdown with a 7-3 record, 4-3 in the Big Sky, and while many consider UM a playoff team an eighth win certainly seals a bid. The Bobcats are 9-1 with the only loss to an FBS top 25 team, Oregon State, and are generally considered safely into the playoffs with a top eight seed a strong possibility.
* * * * *
Several Bobcat personnel decisions remain unclear as game day dawns. Running backs Lane Sumner and Isaiah Ifanse are not likely to play. On the other side of the equation, defensive end Brody Grebe and linebacker Danny Uluilakepa each had good weeks of practice and pregame warmups will determine their status.
* * * * *
Today's game is unique for one Bobcat. Cole Sain's father (John) and uncle (Mike) both played football for the Bobcats, with John transferring from Western Montana College after that school dropped football. Cole Sain began his career at Montana in 2018 before playing at Riverside College in California in 2019. Sain came to MSU in 2020, played as a reserve while starting once in 2021, and earned a starting job at guard this season.
* * * * *
If you see a player wearing 69 for the Cats today, it's Devin Slaughter. The defensive lineman usually dons No. 91, but is helping out on the offensive line, which forces a number change.
* * * * *
Players Mentioned
RB
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RB
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