Saturday, December 20
BOZEMAN
2 pm
Montana State University
vs
Montana
Kenneth Eiden IV (No. 11)
GAME #15: Montana State Hosts Arch-Rivals in Biggest Cat-Griz Game of them All
12/19/2025 10:13:00 AM | Football
MSU, UM meet with spot in FCS Championship on the line
BOZEMAN, Mont. (Dec. 18, 2025) – Amidst the swirling storm of hype and anticipation, Montana State football coach Brent Vigen spent the week leading to his team's FCS Semifinal showdown against in-state rival Montana creating the same kind of environment his team has operated in for the previous 14 games.
"How we've approached every opponent is that every game is meaningful," MSU's fifth-year head coach said in the days before his fourth semifinal contest leading the Bobcats. "Every opponent is meaningful. Every opportunity to play this game is meaningful. So you don't all of a sudden have to say, 'OK guys, now it's time to get up because we're playing Montana, or we're playing the semifinals regardless of who we play.'"
Vigen said his message to the Cats is simple. "Here's another opportunity," he said. "We've earned another opportunity for this team to play a football game."
The Bobcats (12-2, second-seeded in the FCS Playoffs) meet the Grizzlies (13-1 and the third seed) for the 125th time, but this game is like none in the history of a series that began in 1897. It's the first time the ancient rivals meet in the post-season, and a spot in the FCS Championship is at stake.
Saturday's game is MSU's seventh semifinal appearance, and the team carries a 4-2 record in such games into the weekend. The Cats are 3-0 in Bobcat Stadium in the semis.
Adding another wrinkle, this showdown is the third in the last four seasons pitting Montana State against an opponent it played during the regular season. MSU won the regular season game and the playoff game the first two times this scenario unfolded. Montana State edged the Grizzlies 31-28 in Missoula in November.
Vigen knows that the previous meeting matters little on Saturday. "The only thing that win did for us is to get us a home game in this one," he said.
The Bobcats benefited from big plays in the November win. Caden Dowler's pick-six, Zac Crews' blocked field goal – likely the biggest blocked kick for MSU in the series since Joey Thomas' in the team's memorable 2002 win – and Justin Lamson set a school record by completing 18 of his 20 passes.
But Vigen comes back to the importance of focusing on the team's core principles. "This is how our process has worked all season," he said. "We are chasing a higher level of play, but not because of who we're playing or what's at stake. After this long run, we can look back and say that this is what we've done since we started practicing in August."
Saturday's crucial matchups ring familiar. Montana's explosive offense scores the third-most points (42.3) and compiles the fourth-most yards (464.9) in the FCS, and the Grizzlies have scored 102 points in their two playoff games. Montana State's defense allows the sixth-fewest points (17.6) and 11th-fewest yards (317.3) nationally, and in the November showdown held UM to 28 points and 364 total yards.
Lamson's brilliance led the way for MSU in the first meeting. He threw for 176 yards and a touchdown without turning the ball over, but crucially ran for 80 yards and a touchdown. Julius Davis rambled for 106 yards, while Dane Steel caught four passes for 54 yards.
Turnovers loom large over Montana State's late-season surge. After the team's first three games, when the Cats lost their first two then beat San Diego, MSU stook -1 in turnover margin. The team is +17 in the most recent 11 games, including +5 in the playoffs and +8 in the most recent four games, all against nationally-ranked opponents.
"Taking the ball away at this time of year," Vigen said, "and not turning it over is probably the most important comparison stat." MSU has scored 122 points on possessions after its 26 takeaways this season, while allowing just 14 points on possessions following its 10 turnovers.
Kickoff for possibly the most anticipated Cat-Griz game is 2 pm in Bobcat Stadium on Saturday. The game airs nationally on ABC-TV, and is broadcast around Montana on the Bobcat Radio Network and on the internet on Learfield's Varsity app.
#GoCatsGo
"How we've approached every opponent is that every game is meaningful," MSU's fifth-year head coach said in the days before his fourth semifinal contest leading the Bobcats. "Every opponent is meaningful. Every opportunity to play this game is meaningful. So you don't all of a sudden have to say, 'OK guys, now it's time to get up because we're playing Montana, or we're playing the semifinals regardless of who we play.'"
Vigen said his message to the Cats is simple. "Here's another opportunity," he said. "We've earned another opportunity for this team to play a football game."
The Bobcats (12-2, second-seeded in the FCS Playoffs) meet the Grizzlies (13-1 and the third seed) for the 125th time, but this game is like none in the history of a series that began in 1897. It's the first time the ancient rivals meet in the post-season, and a spot in the FCS Championship is at stake.
Saturday's game is MSU's seventh semifinal appearance, and the team carries a 4-2 record in such games into the weekend. The Cats are 3-0 in Bobcat Stadium in the semis.
Adding another wrinkle, this showdown is the third in the last four seasons pitting Montana State against an opponent it played during the regular season. MSU won the regular season game and the playoff game the first two times this scenario unfolded. Montana State edged the Grizzlies 31-28 in Missoula in November.
Vigen knows that the previous meeting matters little on Saturday. "The only thing that win did for us is to get us a home game in this one," he said.
The Bobcats benefited from big plays in the November win. Caden Dowler's pick-six, Zac Crews' blocked field goal – likely the biggest blocked kick for MSU in the series since Joey Thomas' in the team's memorable 2002 win – and Justin Lamson set a school record by completing 18 of his 20 passes.
But Vigen comes back to the importance of focusing on the team's core principles. "This is how our process has worked all season," he said. "We are chasing a higher level of play, but not because of who we're playing or what's at stake. After this long run, we can look back and say that this is what we've done since we started practicing in August."
Saturday's crucial matchups ring familiar. Montana's explosive offense scores the third-most points (42.3) and compiles the fourth-most yards (464.9) in the FCS, and the Grizzlies have scored 102 points in their two playoff games. Montana State's defense allows the sixth-fewest points (17.6) and 11th-fewest yards (317.3) nationally, and in the November showdown held UM to 28 points and 364 total yards.
Lamson's brilliance led the way for MSU in the first meeting. He threw for 176 yards and a touchdown without turning the ball over, but crucially ran for 80 yards and a touchdown. Julius Davis rambled for 106 yards, while Dane Steel caught four passes for 54 yards.
Turnovers loom large over Montana State's late-season surge. After the team's first three games, when the Cats lost their first two then beat San Diego, MSU stook -1 in turnover margin. The team is +17 in the most recent 11 games, including +5 in the playoffs and +8 in the most recent four games, all against nationally-ranked opponents.
"Taking the ball away at this time of year," Vigen said, "and not turning it over is probably the most important comparison stat." MSU has scored 122 points on possessions after its 26 takeaways this season, while allowing just 14 points on possessions following its 10 turnovers.
Kickoff for possibly the most anticipated Cat-Griz game is 2 pm in Bobcat Stadium on Saturday. The game airs nationally on ABC-TV, and is broadcast around Montana on the Bobcat Radio Network and on the internet on Learfield's Varsity app.
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
WR
/ 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
