Photo by: Martel Construction
Montana State Opens 2022 Football Season Against McNeese in Gold Rush Game
9/2/2022 8:52:00 PM | Football
Experienced Bobcats square off with talented Cowboys
BOZEMAN, Montana - Brent Vigen calls it a 50-50 proposition, one he was on the opposite side of a year ago.
On Saturday, Vigen leads his second Montana State football team into Bobcat Stadium for the 2022 season opener. The Bobcats host McNeese, playing its first game under head coach Gary Goff. Kickoff is 6 pm in Bobcat Stadium.
A year ago Vigen used the opportunity of an unknown opponent to drag Wyoming deep into the fourth quarter in a game MSU lost 19-16 on a late Cowboys drive. Much has transpired in the interim, including a dozen Bobcat victories and an appearance in the NCAA FCS National Championship Game.
This year. Vigen hopes his veteran squad has the answers for whatever questions are presented by a different group of Cowboys. "They're going to present us with some things that we have exactly prepared for," he said. "(MSU's players) can't panic. We have to play through that."
Goff and McNeese brings an unquestionably talented team to Bozeman, even if the several transfers haven't played together yet. A traditional FCS power, the Cowboys have played in a pair of championship games, but in spite of an 80-51 cumulative record since 2010 McNeese owns just two playoff appearances in that time.
The Cats enter 2022 with a veteran group of skill position players, and talent but inexperience in both lines. Sophomore quarterback Tommy Mellott led the team on its playoff run last year, becoming the first Bobcat signal caller ever to make his starting debut in the post-season. Running backs Elijah Elliott and Lane Sumner and receiver Willie Patterson add punch to the offense.
Defensively, end Brody Grebe and tackle Sebastian Valdez bring experience to an otherwise youthful front line. Linebacker Callahan O'Reilly and a veteran secondary give the Bobcats a balance of experience and ability on defense. Safeties Jeffrey Manning Jr. and Ty Okada are among the best at their positions in the league.
The game streams on ESPN+ and airs across Montana on ABC stations and in Billings on SWX (channel 503 on cable, 8.2 over the air).
#GoCatsGo
On Saturday, Vigen leads his second Montana State football team into Bobcat Stadium for the 2022 season opener. The Bobcats host McNeese, playing its first game under head coach Gary Goff. Kickoff is 6 pm in Bobcat Stadium.
A year ago Vigen used the opportunity of an unknown opponent to drag Wyoming deep into the fourth quarter in a game MSU lost 19-16 on a late Cowboys drive. Much has transpired in the interim, including a dozen Bobcat victories and an appearance in the NCAA FCS National Championship Game.
This year. Vigen hopes his veteran squad has the answers for whatever questions are presented by a different group of Cowboys. "They're going to present us with some things that we have exactly prepared for," he said. "(MSU's players) can't panic. We have to play through that."
Goff and McNeese brings an unquestionably talented team to Bozeman, even if the several transfers haven't played together yet. A traditional FCS power, the Cowboys have played in a pair of championship games, but in spite of an 80-51 cumulative record since 2010 McNeese owns just two playoff appearances in that time.
The Cats enter 2022 with a veteran group of skill position players, and talent but inexperience in both lines. Sophomore quarterback Tommy Mellott led the team on its playoff run last year, becoming the first Bobcat signal caller ever to make his starting debut in the post-season. Running backs Elijah Elliott and Lane Sumner and receiver Willie Patterson add punch to the offense.
Defensively, end Brody Grebe and tackle Sebastian Valdez bring experience to an otherwise youthful front line. Linebacker Callahan O'Reilly and a veteran secondary give the Bobcats a balance of experience and ability on defense. Safeties Jeffrey Manning Jr. and Ty Okada are among the best at their positions in the league.
The game streams on ESPN+ and airs across Montana on ABC stations and in Billings on SWX (channel 503 on cable, 8.2 over the air).
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
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