GAME #4: Bobcats Close Non-Conference Slate When Mercyhurst Visits Bobcat Stadium Saturday

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GAME #4: Bobcats Close Non-Conference Slate When Mercyhurst Visits Bobcat Stadium Saturday

9/19/2024 11:41:00 AM | Football

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MSU looks for 4-0 start

By: Bill Lamberty

BOZEMAN, Montana – In a non-conference campaign built on the unknown, Montana State's showdown with Mercyhurst highlights that theme.

The Bobcats host a first-time opponent in its first year as a Division I program making the furthest trip west in its history when the Lakers visit Bobcat Stadium for a 1 pm kickoff. Mercyhurst wasn't even on the schedule when MSU's spring practice period ended in late April, but when Stephen F. Austin canceled a game scheduled for a week ago this week's game came together quickly.

"We're playing an unfamiliar opponent, this game was one that was scheduled late late, it was almost June when this game was actually scheduled," Montana State head coach Brent Vigen said. "We look forward to the opportunity to play and get better and to playing in front of our fans again."

Opening the season on Week Zero at New Mexico gives the team an extra open week in its schedule, and Vigen said Montana State put the open weekend to good use. "We utilized the bye week well," he said. "We had some really good work on the field, first and foremost, and had a chance to get out recruiting Thursday and Friday. And for a team that started (practice) way back on July 25, for our guys to get Saturday and Sunday off was beneficial, as well."

Reinforcements arrive for the Bobcats this week, particularly in the offensive line. Guards Burke Mastel and JT Reed, both considered starting candidates at the outset of fall practice, return at left guard. That moves Conner Moore back to left tackle, and gives the Bobcats an offensive line as close to intact as it's been since July.

"Getting Connor back to tackle was always the plan once we could do it," Vigen said. "The health of Burke and/or JT was always part of that. We appreciate what (three-game starting left tackle) Cedric Jefferson's been able to do in the interim, he played well and is a guy that will continue to be in the conversation. But getting Connor back home was what we wanted to do."

Even with injuries up front – starting center Justus Perkins remains out with an injury – Montana State's ground game has churned out yards. The Cats average 355.7 yards a game, second-best in the FCS, and several weapons have been usefully deployed. Four players make up the bulk of that yards-per-game average. Running backs Scottre Humphrey (117.0) and Adam Jones (105.4) lead the way, while quarterback Tommy Mellott chips in 58.0 yards a game and Jared White adds 49.3.

The more telling stat, though, and one which points toward the line's dominant play is the team's yards per rush average. Montana State averages 7.51 yards per rush, a figure which takes yards lost on sacks into account. That mark leads the next-closest FCS school, Central Arkansas, by three-quarters of a yard per attempt. The Bobcats have hit 10 running plays of at least 10 yards in the season's first three games.

Vigen expects to face a Mercyhurst defense employing differing looks in an attempt to slow down the Bobcats. "They're multiple, fairly aggressive, they threw a lot of things against Robert Morris," he said. "Robert Morris was able to make some plays on the flip side of some of that in both in the run and the pass game. It's one of those opponents where you have to be ready for quite a bit up front, and even coverage-wise fairly aggressive."

Offensively, quarterback Adam Urena throws for 234.7 yards a game, with Cameron Barmore and Joe Kerbacher combining to catch 31 of the team's 71 completions. Earnest Davis leads the team with 54.3 yards rushing a game.

"They're a team that wants to be balanced, they're not run- or pass-heavy," Vigen said. "Offensively in each one of those games they've been able to do some things. The quarterback is a dual threat guy, not the biggest guy but I think he's got a knack for making some things happen, to be able improvise. They have some decent skill, for sure, some good size at skill (positions), a running back that certainly can run with power."

Mercyhurst enters Saturday's game with a 1-2 record, with a season-opening win over Wheeling and a narrow loss at Howard before last week's 55-28 defeat by new conference rival Robert Morris, traditionally one of the NEC's top teams.

Montana State carries a 3-0 record into Saturday's contest, and look to become only the 10^th Bobcat team to begin a season 4-0. The program's only similar hot start this century came in 2012, when the team won its first six games. Saturday's game also marks MSU's final non-conference game, with the team opening Big Sky play at Idaho State next week.

Kickoff Saturday is 1 pm and streams live on ESPN+. Billed as a Scripps Sports Saturday Showdown, the game airs live on MTN over-the-air on digital channels in Bozeman (KBZK channel 7.2 and DirecTV channel 14), Butte (KXLF channel 4.2 and DirecTV channel 14), Great Falls (KRTV channel 3.2 and DirecTV channel 4), Helena (KTVH channel 12.2). The game airs at 5 pm via tape delay in Billings (KTVQ channel 2.2 and DirecTV channel 5), and Missoula (KPAX channel 8.2 and DirecTV channel 9). More information on MTN stations can be found here.

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