Saturday, December 7
1:00 pm
Montana State University
vs
UT Martin
Tommy Mellot scores against UTM in 2021
Photo by: Garrett Becker
BOBCAT GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #13: Cats Without Rohan Jones, Julius Davis vs. UTM
12/7/2024 11:59:00 AM | Football
MSU revisits the starting debut of Touchdown Tommy
BOZEMAN, Montana – The Bobcats face today's playoff opener without a pair of offensive weapons, MSU head coach Brent Vigen announced Saturday.
Fullback Rohan Jones and running back Julius Davis each suffered injuries last week that will cost them today's game. They both impacted the Bobcats' championship-clinching games in November, with Jones catching a touchdown pass in last week's thumping of the Grizzlies and Davis leading the Cats in rushing in the win at UC Davis.
Tight end Rylan Schlepp and running back Colson Coon slide up the depth chart with the absences.
* * * * *
UT Martin's last visit to Bozeman proved memorable to Bobcat fans for many reasons, but most remarkable was the debut of Tommy Mellott as Montana State's starting quarterback. The freshman was elevated for the postseason, and it didn't take long for everyone to notice. Mellott scored the game's first points on a one-yard run, but late in the first half fumbled on what would become a scoop-and-score for a Skyhawks touchdown. After three quarters, the Bobcats led 12-7.
Then, everything changed.
On the third play of the fourth quarter, Mellott dashed up the middle, angled toward the visiting sideline, and put his blazing speed on display for the world to see. The result was an electrifying 73-yard touchdown run, and the game was never in doubt again.
Mellott finished with 180 rushing yards, and Isaiah Ifanse added 176. Callahan O'Reilly's 10 tackles paced the defense, and a week later the Cats upset the unbeaten No. 1-ranked Sam Houston Bearkats on the way to a championship game run.
* * * * *
It's not difficult to identify the most crucial matchup in today's game. Montana State leads the FCS in rushing offense at 317.9 yards per game. The Skyhawks allow only 84.9 yards a game, fourth in the FCS.
* * * * *
Montana State has scored in 43 of this season's 48 quarters.
* * * * *
The Bobcats have surrendered only 10 first-half points in Bobcat Stadium this season.
#GoCatsGo
Fullback Rohan Jones and running back Julius Davis each suffered injuries last week that will cost them today's game. They both impacted the Bobcats' championship-clinching games in November, with Jones catching a touchdown pass in last week's thumping of the Grizzlies and Davis leading the Cats in rushing in the win at UC Davis.
Tight end Rylan Schlepp and running back Colson Coon slide up the depth chart with the absences.
* * * * *
UT Martin's last visit to Bozeman proved memorable to Bobcat fans for many reasons, but most remarkable was the debut of Tommy Mellott as Montana State's starting quarterback. The freshman was elevated for the postseason, and it didn't take long for everyone to notice. Mellott scored the game's first points on a one-yard run, but late in the first half fumbled on what would become a scoop-and-score for a Skyhawks touchdown. After three quarters, the Bobcats led 12-7.
Then, everything changed.
On the third play of the fourth quarter, Mellott dashed up the middle, angled toward the visiting sideline, and put his blazing speed on display for the world to see. The result was an electrifying 73-yard touchdown run, and the game was never in doubt again.
Mellott finished with 180 rushing yards, and Isaiah Ifanse added 176. Callahan O'Reilly's 10 tackles paced the defense, and a week later the Cats upset the unbeaten No. 1-ranked Sam Houston Bearkats on the way to a championship game run.
* * * * *
It's not difficult to identify the most crucial matchup in today's game. Montana State leads the FCS in rushing offense at 317.9 yards per game. The Skyhawks allow only 84.9 yards a game, fourth in the FCS.
* * * * *
Montana State has scored in 43 of this season's 48 quarters.
* * * * *
The Bobcats have surrendered only 10 first-half points in Bobcat Stadium this season.
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
FB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
TE
/ FootballLeon 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
