Saturday, September 17
Portland, OR
6 pm MT
Montana State University
at
Oregon State
Brian Armstrong
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
BOBCAT GAME DAY NOTEBOOKD #3: New Series, Old Friends Take Center Stage at Portland's Providence Park Today
9/17/2022 5:15:00 PM | Football
Bobcats face former player, assistant in first ever meeting with Oregon State...
PORTLAND, Oregon – For the first time in three games this season Montana State made it through game week without injuries or lineup changes. Elijah Elliott becomes the third Bobcat to start at running back this season, following Lane Sumner and Jared White. Both have suffered injuries and are out.
* * * * *
When Bobcat offensive line coach Brian Armstrong shakes hands with his opposite number before or after today's game it will be more than a courtesy acknowledgement. A couple decades ago, current Oregon State offensive line coach Jim Michalczik positively affected Armstrong's coaching career.
After his playing days at UM Western (then Western Montana College), Armstrong helped jump start his coaching career by networking with Cliff Hysell's coaching staff at MSU. Butch Damberger and Hysell had recruited Armstrong to MSU before his time as an All-America in Dillon. Missoula product Jim McElwain was the offensive coordinator, as well.
But no one was more helpful than Michalczik. "I'd drive down every Wednesday and we at lunch at Kagy Korner," Armstrong said, calling the opportunity to talk football and coaching with the man MSU folks called Mauler "really great."
* * * * *
Oregon State is MSU's second straight first-time foe. Last week's win against Morehead State came in the first meeting between the two.
* * * * *
When Bobcat coach Brent Vigen talks about matching Oregon State's physicality it sounds like a talking point most coaches use for line of scrimmage play. That's not necessarily the case.
"We have to match their physicality," Vigen said. "It will be really important for our receivers to get off the line of scrimmage, for our secondary to play strong."
* * * * *
Physicality at the point of attack also remains crucial, per Vigen. "I don't think we need to be the more physical team, but we definitely need to hold our own at the line of scrimmage," he said. "The offensive line is their core, it's the strength of their offense, so that's an important matchup. But we have good players, too. I look forward to seeing our guys perform."
* * * * *
In addition to Michalczik, Cole Moore also entered Providence Park wearing orange today. Moore was an all-conference linebacker and team captain from 2011-14, and is now OSU's Director of Player Personnel.
#GoCatsGo
* * * * *
When Bobcat offensive line coach Brian Armstrong shakes hands with his opposite number before or after today's game it will be more than a courtesy acknowledgement. A couple decades ago, current Oregon State offensive line coach Jim Michalczik positively affected Armstrong's coaching career.
After his playing days at UM Western (then Western Montana College), Armstrong helped jump start his coaching career by networking with Cliff Hysell's coaching staff at MSU. Butch Damberger and Hysell had recruited Armstrong to MSU before his time as an All-America in Dillon. Missoula product Jim McElwain was the offensive coordinator, as well.
But no one was more helpful than Michalczik. "I'd drive down every Wednesday and we at lunch at Kagy Korner," Armstrong said, calling the opportunity to talk football and coaching with the man MSU folks called Mauler "really great."
* * * * *
Oregon State is MSU's second straight first-time foe. Last week's win against Morehead State came in the first meeting between the two.
* * * * *
When Bobcat coach Brent Vigen talks about matching Oregon State's physicality it sounds like a talking point most coaches use for line of scrimmage play. That's not necessarily the case.
"We have to match their physicality," Vigen said. "It will be really important for our receivers to get off the line of scrimmage, for our secondary to play strong."
* * * * *
Physicality at the point of attack also remains crucial, per Vigen. "I don't think we need to be the more physical team, but we definitely need to hold our own at the line of scrimmage," he said. "The offensive line is their core, it's the strength of their offense, so that's an important matchup. But we have good players, too. I look forward to seeing our guys perform."
* * * * *
In addition to Michalczik, Cole Moore also entered Providence Park wearing orange today. Moore was an all-conference linebacker and team captain from 2011-14, and is now OSU's Director of Player Personnel.
#GoCatsGo
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
