Photo by: Garrett Becker
GAME #5: Bobcats Host Portland State for Homecoming 2023 in Showdown Between High-Scoring Offenses
9/27/2023 4:44:00 PM | Football
MSU looks to stay hot against powerful Portland State
BOZEMAN, Montana – The Big Sky Conference's two most prolific offenses get together in Bobcat Stadium Saturday when Montana State hosts Portland State in a matchup between teams fresh off wins in their league openers. Kickoff for MSU's Homecoming game is 2 pm.
The third-ranked Bobcats (3-1, 1-0 Big Sky) whipped No. 10/8 Weber State 40-0 last week, and while Montana State's offense rolled up 518 yards and 24 first downs the defense stole the spotlight. It pitched MSU's first shutout since 2016, and its first against a Big Sky foe since 2006. Portland State (2-2, 1-0), on the other hand, battered Cal Poly 59-21 one week after scoring 91 against North American. The 150 points in consecutive games is the most by a Vikings team in consecutive games since 1980.
Recent results reflect the season to date. MSU leads the Big Sky in scoring offense at 44.0 points a game, while the Vikings are second at 43.5 points a game.
"They have the capability to do quite a bit," Bobcat coach Brent Vigen said of his team's opponent on Saturday. "They pose a lot of problems for you."
Dante Chachere triggers the Portland State offense. The dynamic dual purpose quarterback throws for 98.5 yards a game and rushes for 48.5, and is surrounded by weapons. Running backs Quincy Craig (61.8 yards a game, 6.5 yards per carry) and Jobi Malary (49.0, 7.3) form a formidable duo, and their abilities are punctuated by the threat of Chachere scoring whenever he has the ball. In the passing game, Craig and wide receiver Jermaine Braddock have each caught 11 passes.
Linebacker Michael Montgomery (23 total tackles, 1.5 for a loss) and nickel back Travis West (20 tackles, 0.5 behind the line of scrimmage) lead the Vikings defense. Linebacker Parker McKenna's 19 tackles include 2.5 for a loss, and he's one of four Vikings to intercept a pass.
The Bobcats continue to rely on a powerful and diverse ground game. MSU leads the FCS 324.8 yards a game rushing, and six different players gain at least 40 yards per game. Wisconsin transfer Julius Davis has helped fill the void left by an injury to starting running back Lane Sumner, gaining 70.0 yards per game. Freshmen Jared White (62.3) and Scottre Humphrey (42.3) combine for over 100 yards per game, as well. Tight end Treyton Pickering snared a pair of touchdowns at Weber State to pace MSU's passing game.
Saturday's showdown pits a pair of teams that won their Big Sky opener a week ago, each on a two-game winning streak. The Bobcats look to extend their program record 22-game home winning streak in a game that is televised on CBS stations across Montana and streams on ESPN+. Ben Creighton, Ty Gregorak and Scott Breen have the call. Keaton Gillogly, RJ Fitzgerald and Dan Davies call the action on the Bobcat Radio Network.
#GoCatsGo
The third-ranked Bobcats (3-1, 1-0 Big Sky) whipped No. 10/8 Weber State 40-0 last week, and while Montana State's offense rolled up 518 yards and 24 first downs the defense stole the spotlight. It pitched MSU's first shutout since 2016, and its first against a Big Sky foe since 2006. Portland State (2-2, 1-0), on the other hand, battered Cal Poly 59-21 one week after scoring 91 against North American. The 150 points in consecutive games is the most by a Vikings team in consecutive games since 1980.
Recent results reflect the season to date. MSU leads the Big Sky in scoring offense at 44.0 points a game, while the Vikings are second at 43.5 points a game.
"They have the capability to do quite a bit," Bobcat coach Brent Vigen said of his team's opponent on Saturday. "They pose a lot of problems for you."
Dante Chachere triggers the Portland State offense. The dynamic dual purpose quarterback throws for 98.5 yards a game and rushes for 48.5, and is surrounded by weapons. Running backs Quincy Craig (61.8 yards a game, 6.5 yards per carry) and Jobi Malary (49.0, 7.3) form a formidable duo, and their abilities are punctuated by the threat of Chachere scoring whenever he has the ball. In the passing game, Craig and wide receiver Jermaine Braddock have each caught 11 passes.
Linebacker Michael Montgomery (23 total tackles, 1.5 for a loss) and nickel back Travis West (20 tackles, 0.5 behind the line of scrimmage) lead the Vikings defense. Linebacker Parker McKenna's 19 tackles include 2.5 for a loss, and he's one of four Vikings to intercept a pass.
The Bobcats continue to rely on a powerful and diverse ground game. MSU leads the FCS 324.8 yards a game rushing, and six different players gain at least 40 yards per game. Wisconsin transfer Julius Davis has helped fill the void left by an injury to starting running back Lane Sumner, gaining 70.0 yards per game. Freshmen Jared White (62.3) and Scottre Humphrey (42.3) combine for over 100 yards per game, as well. Tight end Treyton Pickering snared a pair of touchdowns at Weber State to pace MSU's passing game.
Saturday's showdown pits a pair of teams that won their Big Sky opener a week ago, each on a two-game winning streak. The Bobcats look to extend their program record 22-game home winning streak in a game that is televised on CBS stations across Montana and streams on ESPN+. Ben Creighton, Ty Gregorak and Scott Breen have the call. Keaton Gillogly, RJ Fitzgerald and Dan Davies call the action on the Bobcat Radio Network.
#GoCatsGo
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