Julius Davis
Photo by: Brian Morse
BOBCAT GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #7: Jumpin' Julius Davis Sticks the Landing
10/11/2025 12:17:00 PM | Football
Montana State welcomes three players back from injury vs. Idaho State
BOZEMAN, Mont. (Oct. 11, 2025) – Experience breeds trust, and trust breeds freedom. At a key moment in Montana State's 34-10 win at No. 13 Northern Arizona last week, that freedom played an important role.
Facing third-and-long from the MSU 21, junior receiver Taco Dowler – who had tied the game with a 90-yard punt return for a touchdown moments earlier, made a subtle adjustment with freshman receiver Jabez Woods. "He told me to switch positions with him," Woods said.
Aligned in Dowler's position with the knowledge that the defense would probably shade toward the more experienced preseason All-Big Sky pass-catcher, Woods broke open over the middle, caught a pass from Justin Lamson in stride, and streaked down the field for the touchdown.
"I didn't know that was going to get out there," Dowler said with a smile of Woods' disclosure "That concept, with four verticals, you throw the ball based on where one of the safeties is and I kind of figured they might follow me."
"I think more than anything it's a lot of trust in Taco understanding what the defense is trying to do," said MSU receivers coach Sam Mix. "Jabez is really playing true slot right now, and playing really well, so just keeping both those guys in position to make plays (is important)."
The resulting touchdown, which opened the floodgates for the Bobcat offense, helped trigger the team's first win over a ranked opponent in 2025.
* * * * *
Reinforcements continue returning this week, with linebacker Neil Daily playing for the first time since the season opener. A pair of tight ends left last week's game early, but Rylan Schlepp is scheduled to start today and Hunter Provience is expected to be available.
* * * * *
Jumpin' Julius Davis' airborne exploits have been on display in the Blue and Gold for three seasons now, but hurdling an NAU defender near the five yard line in the Walkup Skydome last Saturday and rolling into the end zone held a special place in Bobcat coach Brent Vigen's heart. He shared a big hug with Davis on his way off the field.
"He landed the hurdle," Vigen said, "that was part of it. The hurdle while running the football is not the best thing going, it's a ball security issue. Rarely do you land the hurdle and finish it, but he was able to find his way into the end zone."
But Vigen's respect for Davis extends far beyond one dramatic touchdown run. "I appreciate Julius and his ability to hang in there," Vigen said, lauding his running back's ability to fight through adversity.
* * * * *
The most stark matchup in Bobcat Stadium today is the Idaho State's prolific offense and MSU's staunch defense. The Bengals score 38.5 points a game, second in the FCS, Montana State is 11th in the FCS in scoring defense (18.2).
#GoCatsGo
Facing third-and-long from the MSU 21, junior receiver Taco Dowler – who had tied the game with a 90-yard punt return for a touchdown moments earlier, made a subtle adjustment with freshman receiver Jabez Woods. "He told me to switch positions with him," Woods said.
Aligned in Dowler's position with the knowledge that the defense would probably shade toward the more experienced preseason All-Big Sky pass-catcher, Woods broke open over the middle, caught a pass from Justin Lamson in stride, and streaked down the field for the touchdown.
"I didn't know that was going to get out there," Dowler said with a smile of Woods' disclosure "That concept, with four verticals, you throw the ball based on where one of the safeties is and I kind of figured they might follow me."
"I think more than anything it's a lot of trust in Taco understanding what the defense is trying to do," said MSU receivers coach Sam Mix. "Jabez is really playing true slot right now, and playing really well, so just keeping both those guys in position to make plays (is important)."
The resulting touchdown, which opened the floodgates for the Bobcat offense, helped trigger the team's first win over a ranked opponent in 2025.
* * * * *
Reinforcements continue returning this week, with linebacker Neil Daily playing for the first time since the season opener. A pair of tight ends left last week's game early, but Rylan Schlepp is scheduled to start today and Hunter Provience is expected to be available.
* * * * *
Jumpin' Julius Davis' airborne exploits have been on display in the Blue and Gold for three seasons now, but hurdling an NAU defender near the five yard line in the Walkup Skydome last Saturday and rolling into the end zone held a special place in Bobcat coach Brent Vigen's heart. He shared a big hug with Davis on his way off the field.
"He landed the hurdle," Vigen said, "that was part of it. The hurdle while running the football is not the best thing going, it's a ball security issue. Rarely do you land the hurdle and finish it, but he was able to find his way into the end zone."
But Vigen's respect for Davis extends far beyond one dramatic touchdown run. "I appreciate Julius and his ability to hang in there," Vigen said, lauding his running back's ability to fight through adversity.
* * * * *
The most stark matchup in Bobcat Stadium today is the Idaho State's prolific offense and MSU's staunch defense. The Bengals score 38.5 points a game, second in the FCS, Montana State is 11th in the FCS in scoring defense (18.2).
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
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