Saturday, October 31
BOZEMAN
1:00 pm
Montana State University
vs
Cal Poly
Adam Jones scores against Weber State
Photo by: Colter Peterson
10/31/2026 6:30:00 AM | Football
Montana State battles resurgent Mustangs
BOZEMAN, Mont. (Oct. 28, 2026) – Third-ranked Montana State returns to Bobcat Stadium on Saturday, hosting Cal Poly at 1 pm.
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The annual Ag/Military Appreciation Game wraps up a two-game homestand for the Bobcats (7-1 overall, 4-1 Big Sky), which began with last Saturday's 38-33 win against Weber State. MSU head coach Brent Vigen said the Mustangs (4-5, 3-3) pose a challenge.
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"Cal Poly is an improved team, for sure," he said. "Coach (Tim) Skipper has a great track record over his career. What he's brought is apparent, and (there's been) a little bit of a shift in culture. They've found ways to win a few, they've been in some tight matchups, and they've lost a few. They appear to be down some guys, and we have to expect they'll be back."
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Mustangs running back Jaden Green is among the top ball carriers in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), but he did not play in last week's loss to Utah Tech. Green is sixth in the FCS in rushing yards per carry (6.04) and seventh in yards per game (111.8). Anthony Grigsby Jr.'s 17 touchdown passes is 13th nationally, and Taylor McCoy's 83.2 receiving yards per game is 15th.
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"The quarterback, Grigsby, is the one who makes it go for them," Vigen said. "He's a dynamic athlete and a good passer. Green as a running back is certainly one of the most dangerous guys in the league, he didn't play last week so we'll see what happens there. McCoy is one of the more explosive pass receivers in the league, too, so they have some real explosive qualities on offense. But when they've had success they've been able to run the football."
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Grigsby, Vigen said, is a multi-dimensional talent. "He's a lot. He's a lot to defend. He's got all the ability, a really quick release, really good arm talent, the ability to extend plays, the ability to be used in the quarterback run game."
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Cal Poly's defense exceptionally well at times, even without star linebacker Mikey D'Amato, who is out for the season. The Mustangs allowed 28 or less in three of the five most recent games, but surrendered 42 and 43 in the other two. "Defensively you see a team that when they're on, they're on," Vigen said. "They have a good front, defensive ends that are racking up sacks and linebackers that are racking up tackles. When they've had success they've been able to shut run games down."
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Vigen said Montana State's plan on both sides of the ball remains unchanged. "The key in this game, as it always is, is to establish the run game on our side and do everything we can to slow them down."
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Both teams have fought a wave of injuries. Vigen said that potential Cal Poly injuries have no affect on MSU's preparation. "Whether they have all their guys or not, and we're getting to the point in the season when that's not always going to be the case, we have to anticipate they'll have some of those guys back."
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Saturday's game airs around Montana on The Spot-MTN, called by Ben Creighton, Ty Gregorak and Toni Wetmore. The game also airs on the Bobcat Radio Network, with Keaton Gillogly, Leo Davis and Dan Davies calling the action.
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#GoCatsGo
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The annual Ag/Military Appreciation Game wraps up a two-game homestand for the Bobcats (7-1 overall, 4-1 Big Sky), which began with last Saturday's 38-33 win against Weber State. MSU head coach Brent Vigen said the Mustangs (4-5, 3-3) pose a challenge.
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"Cal Poly is an improved team, for sure," he said. "Coach (Tim) Skipper has a great track record over his career. What he's brought is apparent, and (there's been) a little bit of a shift in culture. They've found ways to win a few, they've been in some tight matchups, and they've lost a few. They appear to be down some guys, and we have to expect they'll be back."
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Mustangs running back Jaden Green is among the top ball carriers in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), but he did not play in last week's loss to Utah Tech. Green is sixth in the FCS in rushing yards per carry (6.04) and seventh in yards per game (111.8). Anthony Grigsby Jr.'s 17 touchdown passes is 13th nationally, and Taylor McCoy's 83.2 receiving yards per game is 15th.
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"The quarterback, Grigsby, is the one who makes it go for them," Vigen said. "He's a dynamic athlete and a good passer. Green as a running back is certainly one of the most dangerous guys in the league, he didn't play last week so we'll see what happens there. McCoy is one of the more explosive pass receivers in the league, too, so they have some real explosive qualities on offense. But when they've had success they've been able to run the football."
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Grigsby, Vigen said, is a multi-dimensional talent. "He's a lot. He's a lot to defend. He's got all the ability, a really quick release, really good arm talent, the ability to extend plays, the ability to be used in the quarterback run game."
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Cal Poly's defense exceptionally well at times, even without star linebacker Mikey D'Amato, who is out for the season. The Mustangs allowed 28 or less in three of the five most recent games, but surrendered 42 and 43 in the other two. "Defensively you see a team that when they're on, they're on," Vigen said. "They have a good front, defensive ends that are racking up sacks and linebackers that are racking up tackles. When they've had success they've been able to shut run games down."
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Vigen said Montana State's plan on both sides of the ball remains unchanged. "The key in this game, as it always is, is to establish the run game on our side and do everything we can to slow them down."
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Both teams have fought a wave of injuries. Vigen said that potential Cal Poly injuries have no affect on MSU's preparation. "Whether they have all their guys or not, and we're getting to the point in the season when that's not always going to be the case, we have to anticipate they'll have some of those guys back."
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Saturday's game airs around Montana on The Spot-MTN, called by Ben Creighton, Ty Gregorak and Toni Wetmore. The game also airs on the Bobcat Radio Network, with Keaton Gillogly, Leo Davis and Dan Davies calling the action.
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#GoCatsGo
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