Saturday, August 24
Albuquerque, NM
2 pm MT
Montana State University
at
New Mexico
MSU (light jerseys) faces New Mexico on the 1947 Harbor Bowl
Photo by: Courtesy MSU Exponent
BOBCAT GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #1: Changes in O-Line, Kicking Game Marks MSU's First Game at New Mexico Since 1923
8/24/2024 1:05:00 PM | Football
Cedric Jefferson, Titan Fleischmann, Myles Sansted make first career starts
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – Montana State plays in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the first time since 1923 today, and it features a new-look Bobcat offensive line and a change in the kicking game.
In the offensive line, last year's starting tackles move inside to flank starting center Cole Sain. Sophomore Conner Moore, a Freshman All-America left tackle a season ago, starts at left guard. Returning All-America right tackle Marcus Wehr starts at right guard against the Lobos. Bobcat coach Brent Vigen previously announced that sophomore Titan Fleischmann starts at right tackle today, with redshirt freshman Cedric Jefferson starts at left tackle.
Justus Perkins was injured during preseason camp, so today's game snaps his 40-game starting streak at center. Senior guard JT Reed remains unavailable with an injury.
* * * * *
The other starter change was precipitated by an injury to starting place kicker Casey Kautzman during practice last week. Redshirt freshman Myles Sansted sees his first college game action today, and handled place kicking duties.
* * * * *
Montana State's only previous trip to Albuquerque resulted in a 34-7 win on Thanksgiving Day 1923. The teams traded early touchdowns, then Ken Hatfield scored on a 63-yard run and Floyd Romney returned an interception for another score, and the outcome was all but decided by halftime.
That win came on the back leg of a two-game road trip. The Cats beat Northern Colorado in Greeley five days before, then after a couple of days in Denver jumped back on the train to New Mexico.
* * * * * *
The most recent meetings between the school was a 13-13 tie in the 1947 Harbor Bowl, played at the conclusion of the 1946 season. The New Year's Day affair was Montana State's first-ever bowl game. Bobcat Hall of Famer Gene Bourdet, who eventually became the school's director of athletics, starred for the Bobcats that day.
* * * * * *
Montana State opens its 120th season of college football today. The Bobcats stand 15-38-3 when opening a season on the road. Opening in an FBS stadium is nothing new for MSU. Since 1978, when Division I subdivisions formed, Montana State has losses at two Division II schools (Portland State in 1985 and Sacramento State in 1991) and two wins at FCS foes (1990 at Idaho and 1993 at Western Illinois. MSU's only win in the other 21 games was a 19-10 victory at Colorado in 2006.
* * * * *
Montana State is seeking its first win against a Mountain West opponent after two losses to Wyoming (2003 and 2021). MSU's wins against FBS/I-A teams:
1978 – MSU 35, Fresno State 14
1981 – MSU 30, Fresno State 26
1984 – MSU 35, Fresno State 31
2006 – MSU 19, Colorado 10
#GoCatsGo
In the offensive line, last year's starting tackles move inside to flank starting center Cole Sain. Sophomore Conner Moore, a Freshman All-America left tackle a season ago, starts at left guard. Returning All-America right tackle Marcus Wehr starts at right guard against the Lobos. Bobcat coach Brent Vigen previously announced that sophomore Titan Fleischmann starts at right tackle today, with redshirt freshman Cedric Jefferson starts at left tackle.
Justus Perkins was injured during preseason camp, so today's game snaps his 40-game starting streak at center. Senior guard JT Reed remains unavailable with an injury.
* * * * *
The other starter change was precipitated by an injury to starting place kicker Casey Kautzman during practice last week. Redshirt freshman Myles Sansted sees his first college game action today, and handled place kicking duties.
* * * * *
Montana State's only previous trip to Albuquerque resulted in a 34-7 win on Thanksgiving Day 1923. The teams traded early touchdowns, then Ken Hatfield scored on a 63-yard run and Floyd Romney returned an interception for another score, and the outcome was all but decided by halftime.
That win came on the back leg of a two-game road trip. The Cats beat Northern Colorado in Greeley five days before, then after a couple of days in Denver jumped back on the train to New Mexico.
* * * * * *
The most recent meetings between the school was a 13-13 tie in the 1947 Harbor Bowl, played at the conclusion of the 1946 season. The New Year's Day affair was Montana State's first-ever bowl game. Bobcat Hall of Famer Gene Bourdet, who eventually became the school's director of athletics, starred for the Bobcats that day.
* * * * * *
Montana State opens its 120th season of college football today. The Bobcats stand 15-38-3 when opening a season on the road. Opening in an FBS stadium is nothing new for MSU. Since 1978, when Division I subdivisions formed, Montana State has losses at two Division II schools (Portland State in 1985 and Sacramento State in 1991) and two wins at FCS foes (1990 at Idaho and 1993 at Western Illinois. MSU's only win in the other 21 games was a 19-10 victory at Colorado in 2006.
* * * * *
Montana State is seeking its first win against a Mountain West opponent after two losses to Wyoming (2003 and 2021). MSU's wins against FBS/I-A teams:
1978 – MSU 35, Fresno State 14
1981 – MSU 30, Fresno State 26
1984 – MSU 35, Fresno State 31
2006 – MSU 19, Colorado 10
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
OT
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OL
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OL
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OG
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OG/C
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K
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DL
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