Photo by: Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez
BOBCATS 125: Chase Benson and Derek Marks
6/13/2022 2:00:00 PM | Football
A pair of in-state interior defensive linemen played big-time roles for recent Bobcat defenses
Leading to the 2022 season, the 125th anniversary of Montana State's first football team, we will look at 125 of the greatest Bobcats. You can find details here and a directory here.
Chase Benson, DT, 2017-21
ALL-TIME TEAM: None previously
HONORS: 3rd Team All-America and 1st Team All-Big Sky in 2021,
A CLOSER LOOK: Chase Benson came to MSU as a lightly-recruited defensive line prospect who Jeff Choate found using his strong network of friends in the Treasure State, and he anchored the middle of the Bobcat defensive line for three seasons with his blend of strength and quickness.
Benson played in all 11 games as a redshirt freshman, then formed the heart of a four-man 2018 rotation at tackle that led the Cats to the post-season for the first time since 2014. That trip to the playoffs became possible on MSU's final defensive play of that year's Cat-Griz game, when Benson blew up the interior of the Grizzly line. That allowed Tucker Yates and Grant Collins to knock the ball out, and Derek Marks to recover it, and Bobcat fans around the globe to celebrate wildly. Benson earned Third Team All-Big Sky honors as a starter in 2019, forcing fumbles against North Dakota State and Western Illinois. As a senior in 2021 he earned 3rd Team All-America and 1st Team All-Big Sky honors, loggin 68 tacikles with 8.0 for a loss and 3.5 sacks.
FROM FORMER BOBCAT HEAD COACH JEFF CHOATE: "Chase was an absolute physical force in the middle of the line. He demanded double teams later in his career. He was an unsung hero of the goal line stand in 2018 and a guy who really led by example with his work ethic every single day."
Derek Marks, DE/DT, 2016-19
ALL-TIME TEAM: None previously
HONORS: 2nd Team All-Big Sky in 2019
A CLOSER LOOK: Derek Marks never earned 1st Team All-Big Sky honors, somehow, but that doesn't matter to former Bobcat coach Jeff Choate. "Derek is exactly the kind of player that deserves to be on this team because he was a foundational player for four years on teams that accomplished some things," he said of Marks' presence as one of the program's top 125 players, and if for nothing other than the amazing back-to-back plays against the Grizzlies that seems like a no-brainer.
The lasting image of the 2018 Cat-Griz game remains Marks sprinting toward the Bobcat sideline with the ball thurst skyward as everyone else present tried to sort out what had just happened to make that game the Miracle in Missoula. That was a defining fumble recovery, but what happened on MSU's very next defensive play against the Grizzlies was, as well. On UM's first play from scrimmage Jahque Alleyne knocked the ball out and Marks recovered it. Again. And after Kevin Kassis' touchdown, the rout was on.
Marks finished his Bobcat career with 20 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including 10 sacks. He forced three fumbles in his career, and recovered one that was not coughed up by the Grizzlies.
FROM FORMER BOBCAT HEAD COACH JEFF CHOATE: "Derek is exactly what you look for. He was a hard-working, humble guy, a quiet leader, an excellent student and teammate. he never looked for accolades, but played his best football when the moment demanded it."
Chase Benson, DT, 2017-21
ALL-TIME TEAM: None previously
HONORS: 3rd Team All-America and 1st Team All-Big Sky in 2021,
A CLOSER LOOK: Chase Benson came to MSU as a lightly-recruited defensive line prospect who Jeff Choate found using his strong network of friends in the Treasure State, and he anchored the middle of the Bobcat defensive line for three seasons with his blend of strength and quickness.
Benson played in all 11 games as a redshirt freshman, then formed the heart of a four-man 2018 rotation at tackle that led the Cats to the post-season for the first time since 2014. That trip to the playoffs became possible on MSU's final defensive play of that year's Cat-Griz game, when Benson blew up the interior of the Grizzly line. That allowed Tucker Yates and Grant Collins to knock the ball out, and Derek Marks to recover it, and Bobcat fans around the globe to celebrate wildly. Benson earned Third Team All-Big Sky honors as a starter in 2019, forcing fumbles against North Dakota State and Western Illinois. As a senior in 2021 he earned 3rd Team All-America and 1st Team All-Big Sky honors, loggin 68 tacikles with 8.0 for a loss and 3.5 sacks.
FROM FORMER BOBCAT HEAD COACH JEFF CHOATE: "Chase was an absolute physical force in the middle of the line. He demanded double teams later in his career. He was an unsung hero of the goal line stand in 2018 and a guy who really led by example with his work ethic every single day."
Derek Marks, DE/DT, 2016-19
ALL-TIME TEAM: None previously
HONORS: 2nd Team All-Big Sky in 2019
A CLOSER LOOK: Derek Marks never earned 1st Team All-Big Sky honors, somehow, but that doesn't matter to former Bobcat coach Jeff Choate. "Derek is exactly the kind of player that deserves to be on this team because he was a foundational player for four years on teams that accomplished some things," he said of Marks' presence as one of the program's top 125 players, and if for nothing other than the amazing back-to-back plays against the Grizzlies that seems like a no-brainer.
The lasting image of the 2018 Cat-Griz game remains Marks sprinting toward the Bobcat sideline with the ball thurst skyward as everyone else present tried to sort out what had just happened to make that game the Miracle in Missoula. That was a defining fumble recovery, but what happened on MSU's very next defensive play against the Grizzlies was, as well. On UM's first play from scrimmage Jahque Alleyne knocked the ball out and Marks recovered it. Again. And after Kevin Kassis' touchdown, the rout was on.
Marks finished his Bobcat career with 20 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including 10 sacks. He forced three fumbles in his career, and recovered one that was not coughed up by the Grizzlies.
FROM FORMER BOBCAT HEAD COACH JEFF CHOATE: "Derek is exactly what you look for. He was a hard-working, humble guy, a quiet leader, an excellent student and teammate. he never looked for accolades, but played his best football when the moment demanded it."
Players Mentioned
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