GAME #4: Mercyhurst Visits Bobcat Stadium for Second Straight Season on Saturday

Saturday, September 20

BOZEMAN

1 pm

Montana State University

Mercyhurst

Carson Williams

Photo by: Dean Hendrickson

GAME #4: Mercyhurst Visits Bobcat Stadium for Second Straight Season on Saturday

9/19/2025 9:33:00 AM | Football

MSU Game Notes Mercyhurst Game Notes MSU vs. Mercyhurst Flip Card DIGITAL PROGRAM: Montana State vs. Mercyhurst

Cats, Lakers kick off at 1 pm

By: Bill Lamberty

BOZEMAN, Mont. (Sept. 17, 2025) – A year ago, Mercyhurst arrived in Bozeman as "a relative unknown," in the words of Montana State head coach Brent Vigen. On Saturday, the Bobcats face a known commodity.

"When they showed up (in 2024) I think we felt there was definitely talent on that team, and I think they've continued to take strides there," Vigen said. "This is just their second year in the FCS. They've played two FCS teams in Youngstown and Sacramento State relatively tough. They held a lead into this second half against Sac State before that kind of got away from them."

Unlike 2024, when the game was scheduled in the early summer to replace a late cancellation on the Bobcats' schedule, the 2025 tilt has been on the books for several years. As a developing FCS program in the Northeast Conference (NEC) the Lakers bring an experienced squad to Bobcat Stadium for Saturday's 1 pm kickoff. "They have a lot of the same components as last year," Vigen said. "(MU has) the same head coach (Ryan Riemedio), he calls the defense, same offensive coordinator, same quarterback."

That quarterback, Adam Urena, threw for 213 yards on 28-for-44 passing against the Bobcats a year ago, but he was playing catch-up most of the day. MSU scored the game's first 38 points, with Tommy Mellott throwing for 214 yards and three touchdowns, while Colson Coon rushed for 102 yards.

Vigen said that Mercyhurst's improvement accentuates its inevitable familiarity with Bobcat Stadium this year. "It's a group that continues to get better as far as how they're playing on the field and how they look," he said. "They're certainly going to be familiar with making the trip out here and playing in our stadium," he said. "So I'm excited for them to get out here and excited for their opportunity that our guys will have."

The Lakers opened the season with a 24-15 loss at Youngstown State, then beat New Haven 48-14 at home. Last week, Mercyhurst traveled across the country for a showdown with Sacramento State. The Hornets rallied for 49-28 win. After this week's game in Bobcat Stadium, MU travels to South Dakota State to make it three straight road games against nationally-ranked FCS squads.

Combining Mercyhurst's 2025 games with the contest in Bozeman a year ago provides a basis of understanding, Vigen said. "You can look back at last year's game and because of the continuity on the coaching staff use that as a resource," he said. "I think you can clearly see that they're a program that's getting better, no doubt about that. I think the fact that we played them, they've had these games (this year), our level of respect for what they're becoming has to be there."

Saturday's game showcases two hot, efficient quarterbacks. While Montana State's Justin Lamson leads the FCS in completion percentage at 75.3% and throws for 204.7 yards per game, Urena completes 67.2 percent of his passes for Mercyhurst, averaging 313.3 yards per game.

"They've thrown the ball for a pretty good clip so far," Vigen said, lauding both ends of the team's passing game. "I think their skill (positions) who they're throwing the ball to are good players. The quarterback is crafty, crafty and athletic, a tough player."

Vigen said that Mercyhurst's defensive improvement was apparent as soon as he turned on tape of the Lakers. "I think they just they just look better, for one," he said. "I know that they're a team that throws a lot at you, different fronts, different pressures, different coverages, so our ability to be able to be on the same page and communicate some of the things that haven't been maybe awesome these first couple games, we're going to have to be on our toes."

Montana State looks to ride the momentum created with last week's 41-7 win over San Diego, the team's first victory of the season after losses to nationally-ranked Oregon (No. 7 FBS) and South Dakota State (second-ranked FCS). Kickoff is at 1 pm, airs on CBS in Bozeman and Butte and The Spot-MTN throughout Montana, and is broadcast on the Bobcat Radio Network and the Varsity app.

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