BOBCAT GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #10: Fleischmann Brothers Retrace Roots in Today's Showdown at Idaho State

POCATELLO, Idaho (Nov. 7, 2026) – A pair of Bobcats return to their hometown today when All-America offensive tackle Titan Fleischmann and tight end Bruin Fleischmann visit Holt Arena.

Titan Fleischmann said that while growing up the idea of playing in Idaho State's venerable home venue was "a big deal," and he'll make his final scheduled appearance here today. His father Ryan, a legendary high school football coach in Pocatello, played for the Bengals, and his mother Meg played hoops at ISU.

But Titan found his way to Bozeman due in large part to a former MSU safety who played his last football for the Bobcats during the Big Sky Championship season of 2010. Craney had played for Ryan at Century High School, which led to a road trip to Bozeman for a football game.

"I remember watching the Bobcats play and buying a hat that day," Titan said. "And my dad told me, 'Maybe you'll play for the Bobcats one day.'"

Titan Fleischmann is one of the most decorated offensive linemen in Montana State history, a First Team All-America and First Team CSC Academic All-America in 2025. He is on track for similar honors this season, and was recently named a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete and finalist for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy, known as the 'Academic Heisman.'

During the decision-making process, Titan Fleischmann found that it wasn't much of a process. The T-chart with pros and cons was heavily tilted toward MSU.

That precipitated a campus visit during the summer of 2020, but a face-to-face visit wasn't allowed at the time. "We were going to go back to Pocatello but I made my dad drive us back into Bozeman so I FaceTimed Coach Army (MSU offensive line coach Brian Armstrong). We got there and I waved at him through the office window. That's when I committed (to play for the Cats)."

Bruin Fleischmann went a different direction, graduating from the U. S. Air Force Academy last spring before joining the Bobcats this season. His role elevates today with the absence of tight end Carter Curnow (injury).

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Curnow isn't the only injury facing the Cats today. Defensive tackle Zack Black has suffered an injury, and Hunter Sharbono makes his first start. John Hurst-Daniels moves into the two-deep.

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Receiver Carter Dahlke already owns MSU's freshman receiving yards record with 655, and is six away from Everett Gilbert's career mark of 46 catches by a freshman. Dahlke has 40.

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Montana State coach Brent Vigen carries 69 wins as the Bobcats head coach into today's game. The school record is 70 wins, held by Rob Ash.

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Today's game is Montana State's 25th in Holt Arena, the Bobcats' second-most in a road venue. The Cats are 14-10 in Holt.

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This afternoon's game pits No. 3 Montana State against 22nd-ranked Idaho State, the second time these teams have met with both in the national polls. The previous such showdown was in 2005. That game resulted in a 30-28 win by the Cats in Bozeman.

#GoCatsGo

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Players Mentioned

Zack Black

Carter Curnow

Carter Dahlke

Bruin Fleischmann

Titan Fleischmann

John Hurst-Daniels

Hunter Sharbono

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