Saturday, October 11
BOZEMAN
1 pm
Montana State University
vs
Idaho State
Bryant Meredith and Justin Lamson
Photo by: Brian Morse
GAME #7: Bobcats Host 'Dangerous' Idaho State Team on Saturday at 1 pm
10/10/2025 11:14:00 AM | Football
Staunch Bobcat defense squares off with explosive ISU offense
BOZEMAN, Mont. (Oct. 9, 2025) – After winning against a nationally-ranked opponent in in historically the most difficult venue for Montana State in the Big Sky Conference, Brent Vigen had a simple message this week.
The danger level is rising.
"Idaho State is a very dangerous team," Vigen said of his team's Saturday showdown with the Bengals (2-4 overall, 1-1 Big Sky) at 1 pm in Bobcat Stadium. "It's a team that does have four losses but they've been very competitive. UNLV, New Mexico and this past weekend against Montana, those were games that certainly hung in the balance as the second half went on."
Idaho State's primary threat lies in its explosive, dynamic offense, with the passing game is the tip of the spear. The Bengals lead the Big Sky Conference in total offense (476.5 yards per game) and passing offense (318.2), while the team's 38.5 points per game is second in the league.
"Offensively they're very explosive, averaging just under 40 points a game, throwing it for over 300, and they've done that playing three quarterbacks," Vigen said. "They have a receiving corps that's very versatile with size along with good quickness. They have a run game that can do some things, as well, so offensively they will pose a challenge for our defense."
Bengals quarterback Jordan Cooke stands second in the Big Sky in total offense (279.8 yards per game) and passing (277.4). He diced Montana's offense last week, throwing for 421 yards. Fleet-footed Ian Duarte and towering 6-foot-6 Michael Shulikov anchor lead ISU with 27 catches each, and Tsion Nunnally and Damien Morgan each have 23. Dason Brooks rushes for 6.4 yards per carry and 84.8 yards per game.
Montana State (4-2, 2-0), ranked fifth in the FCS this week, brings strong defensive credentials to Saturday's showdown. The Cats have held four straight opponents to 10 points and 300 yards or less. Montana State is 11th nationally in scoring defense (18.2 points per game) and 10th in total defense (296.0 yards).
While transitioning to a new defensive system and coordinator, the Bengals have "definitely had their moments," Vigen said. "They went through a transition late last year where they flipped the script on defense and made a change and I think they've taken some real strides to where they want to be."
Montana State's offense continues to operate at an efficient rate, but at Northern Arizona added an element of explosiveness. The Bobcat stand second in the FCS in completion percentage (.714), 20th in rushing offense (199.2 yards per game) and 27th in total offense (413.7 yards per game).
Lamson turned in the team's longest play from scrimmage last week, when he connected with freshman receiver Jabez Woods on a 79-yard touchdown pass. Add Taco Dowler's 5.33 catches per game, best in the Big Sky, and his 90-yard punt return, and the Bobcats pieced together a complete performance a week ago.
Vigen said each of the team's three components – offense, defense and kick teams – have come to trust and rely on each other. "Part of that is the offense can look out there and see the defense is doing everything that it can, and vice versa, and know that ultimately we'll break through," he said of overcoming slow starts. "That's the sign of a team that believes in one another, and that more than anything is what you need to have. Guys on the field are doing a good job playing their part."
Kickoff for this year's MSU Parent and Family Weekend game is 1 pm on Saturday. The game is sold out, but airs on CBS stations around Montana (as well as The Spot-MTN in Missoula), streams on ESPN+, and is broadcast on the Bobcat Radio Network and the Learfield's Varsity app.
#GoCatsGo
The danger level is rising.
"Idaho State is a very dangerous team," Vigen said of his team's Saturday showdown with the Bengals (2-4 overall, 1-1 Big Sky) at 1 pm in Bobcat Stadium. "It's a team that does have four losses but they've been very competitive. UNLV, New Mexico and this past weekend against Montana, those were games that certainly hung in the balance as the second half went on."
Idaho State's primary threat lies in its explosive, dynamic offense, with the passing game is the tip of the spear. The Bengals lead the Big Sky Conference in total offense (476.5 yards per game) and passing offense (318.2), while the team's 38.5 points per game is second in the league.
"Offensively they're very explosive, averaging just under 40 points a game, throwing it for over 300, and they've done that playing three quarterbacks," Vigen said. "They have a receiving corps that's very versatile with size along with good quickness. They have a run game that can do some things, as well, so offensively they will pose a challenge for our defense."
Bengals quarterback Jordan Cooke stands second in the Big Sky in total offense (279.8 yards per game) and passing (277.4). He diced Montana's offense last week, throwing for 421 yards. Fleet-footed Ian Duarte and towering 6-foot-6 Michael Shulikov anchor lead ISU with 27 catches each, and Tsion Nunnally and Damien Morgan each have 23. Dason Brooks rushes for 6.4 yards per carry and 84.8 yards per game.
Montana State (4-2, 2-0), ranked fifth in the FCS this week, brings strong defensive credentials to Saturday's showdown. The Cats have held four straight opponents to 10 points and 300 yards or less. Montana State is 11th nationally in scoring defense (18.2 points per game) and 10th in total defense (296.0 yards).
While transitioning to a new defensive system and coordinator, the Bengals have "definitely had their moments," Vigen said. "They went through a transition late last year where they flipped the script on defense and made a change and I think they've taken some real strides to where they want to be."
Montana State's offense continues to operate at an efficient rate, but at Northern Arizona added an element of explosiveness. The Bobcat stand second in the FCS in completion percentage (.714), 20th in rushing offense (199.2 yards per game) and 27th in total offense (413.7 yards per game).
Lamson turned in the team's longest play from scrimmage last week, when he connected with freshman receiver Jabez Woods on a 79-yard touchdown pass. Add Taco Dowler's 5.33 catches per game, best in the Big Sky, and his 90-yard punt return, and the Bobcats pieced together a complete performance a week ago.
Vigen said each of the team's three components – offense, defense and kick teams – have come to trust and rely on each other. "Part of that is the offense can look out there and see the defense is doing everything that it can, and vice versa, and know that ultimately we'll break through," he said of overcoming slow starts. "That's the sign of a team that believes in one another, and that more than anything is what you need to have. Guys on the field are doing a good job playing their part."
Kickoff for this year's MSU Parent and Family Weekend game is 1 pm on Saturday. The game is sold out, but airs on CBS stations around Montana (as well as The Spot-MTN in Missoula), streams on ESPN+, and is broadcast on the Bobcat Radio Network and the Learfield's Varsity app.
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
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