Bobcats Land Sixth Seed in 2023 FCS Playoffs
11/19/2023 9:02:00 PM | Football
Montana State to face one of two familiar foes on December 2
BOZEMAN, Montana – Montana State earned the sixth seed to the 2023 FCS Playoffs on Sunday, and host the winner of the North Dakota State-Drake game on Saturday, December 2 at 1 pm in Bobcat Stadium.
The 8-3 Bobcats finished Big Sky play 6-2 and tied for second. All three of MSU's losses came on the road against teams that earned seeds – No. 1 South Dakota State, No. 2 Montana, and fourth-seeded Idaho. "I know with our performance yesterday we left some things hanging in the balance for sure," said Bobcats head coach Brent Vigen, "but I do think the committee values our body of work. I do think we feel like we have a really good football team and we have this opportunity to play into December now."
As the sixth seed the Bobcats face either Drake, the winner of the Pioneer Football League, or North Dakota State, an at-large choice from the Missouri Valley Football League. MSU faced both teams in 2021, beating the Bulldogs 45-7 in Brent Vigen's second game as MSU's head coach, Vigen's first victory, before losing to NDSU in the FCS National Championship Game. Vigen said there may be a bit of familiarity from two seasons ago, but that shouldn't play a significant factor.
"It's impressive for Drake to win that conference and get to the playoffs for the first time," he said. "NDSU, we've seen them a little bit. They played Eastern Washington. They went through some things in the middle of the season where they came up on the short end in three games but they've really come on strong as of late. I think the team from '21, there will be some carryover as far as some schemes. The coaching staff hasn't change as far as Coach (Matt) Entz is still there, Coach ITyler) Roehl is still calling it on the offensive side. They have a new coordinator on defense but there are a lot of tried and true principles they've run over time. I think the fact that there's some familiarity from a couple years ago is fair, but I'm sure we're different teams to some degree, too."
The Cats certainly have historical connections to both schools. The Bobcats beat Drake twice under head coach Rob Ash, who came to MSU from the Des Moines school and was the Bulldogs' all-time coaching wins leader. MSU beat North Dakota State in the 1976 playoffs on their way to the that season's National Championship, but in the last 14 years the Bison have ended Montana State's season four times, including the 2021 national title game.
"We'll take this week to heal up a little bit and certainly move forward to these two football teams," Vigen said.
Bobcat season ticket-holders have the opportunity to reserve their tickets through Tuesday, November 21 here. Season ticket presale is Wednesday, November 22, at 10 am, with tickets on sale to the public that day at 12 noon here.
#GoCatsGo
The 8-3 Bobcats finished Big Sky play 6-2 and tied for second. All three of MSU's losses came on the road against teams that earned seeds – No. 1 South Dakota State, No. 2 Montana, and fourth-seeded Idaho. "I know with our performance yesterday we left some things hanging in the balance for sure," said Bobcats head coach Brent Vigen, "but I do think the committee values our body of work. I do think we feel like we have a really good football team and we have this opportunity to play into December now."
As the sixth seed the Bobcats face either Drake, the winner of the Pioneer Football League, or North Dakota State, an at-large choice from the Missouri Valley Football League. MSU faced both teams in 2021, beating the Bulldogs 45-7 in Brent Vigen's second game as MSU's head coach, Vigen's first victory, before losing to NDSU in the FCS National Championship Game. Vigen said there may be a bit of familiarity from two seasons ago, but that shouldn't play a significant factor.
"It's impressive for Drake to win that conference and get to the playoffs for the first time," he said. "NDSU, we've seen them a little bit. They played Eastern Washington. They went through some things in the middle of the season where they came up on the short end in three games but they've really come on strong as of late. I think the team from '21, there will be some carryover as far as some schemes. The coaching staff hasn't change as far as Coach (Matt) Entz is still there, Coach ITyler) Roehl is still calling it on the offensive side. They have a new coordinator on defense but there are a lot of tried and true principles they've run over time. I think the fact that there's some familiarity from a couple years ago is fair, but I'm sure we're different teams to some degree, too."
The Cats certainly have historical connections to both schools. The Bobcats beat Drake twice under head coach Rob Ash, who came to MSU from the Des Moines school and was the Bulldogs' all-time coaching wins leader. MSU beat North Dakota State in the 1976 playoffs on their way to the that season's National Championship, but in the last 14 years the Bison have ended Montana State's season four times, including the 2021 national title game.
"We'll take this week to heal up a little bit and certainly move forward to these two football teams," Vigen said.
Bobcat season ticket-holders have the opportunity to reserve their tickets through Tuesday, November 21 here. Season ticket presale is Wednesday, November 22, at 10 am, with tickets on sale to the public that day at 12 noon here.
#GoCatsGo
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
