MSU offensive line coach Matt Smith
Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services
CATS IN CAMP DAY #8: Bobcats Run Two-Point Conversion Challenge
8/7/2026 4:11:00 PM | Football
MSU also works on red zone and short-yardage plays
After a year unlike any other in Montana State football history, the Bobcats prepare for the 2026 season beginning with the first preseason practice on July 30 and culminating with the season opener at Utah Tech on August 29.
THE STRAIGHT SKINNY: The Bobcats returned to the grass practice fields on Lincoln Street on Friday, conducting a full pad practice covering two hours.
"The back and forth in pads was really good today," said Bobcats head coach Brent Vigen. "We had our first red zone, goal line, situational back-and-forth, and that's tremendous work because winning in the red zone, whether it's offense or defense, is a big key to us winning games. It was another great day of work, but we have many things to improve on. I think that's the message each and every day."
Vigen said that with more than one-third of the team's preseason camp practices in the books, like likes the progress. "We're past a week now, and I like our continued progression. It'll be great to see how we bounce back from a back-to-back, full-padded Friday and Saturday."
TWO AT A TIME: The Bobcats concluded Thursday's practice with a segment of two-point conversions. The reason, MSU head coach Brent Vigen said, is simple.
"Because you can get yourself in a two-point contest, essentially," he said referencing NCAA football's overtime structure. "We do a lot of work on those (plays). We haven't gotten ourselves (that deep into an overtime period), but we've been close."
Current NCAA football overtime rules call for one period with both teams getting the ball at the 25 and touchdowns resulting in either PAT or two-point conversion, then another set of plays from the 25 with a mandatory two-point conversion after touchdowns, and from that point on a series of two-point conversion plays until the game is decided. "Ultimately, if you get in that position you hope you have some experience to isolate those plays, each one for themselves, and so any time we're in full pads we're going to finish with two point plays," Vigen said.
While the segment is competitive, Vigen said that is organic. "It's not necessarily about keeping score," he said, "it's about being in those situations to defend that play and to execute that play on offense."
Vigen said the Bobcats build an inventory of plays throughout fall camp, and from that point plays are enhanced, added or deleted based on results. "I think it depends on what you ultimately put on film," he said. "Offensively, what do you do inside the five, you build off some things but when you have an inventory of two-point plays in fall camp you prioritize how you want to use them. And when you use them, they disappear."
ONE QUICK QUOTE: "That's kind of our thing, and it's kind of what happened last year. I tell them the best ability is availability, so if I'm limited to one position and I'm not the starter I have to wait for that guy to go down. So that's versus (being able to) play left and right tackle, I can play left guard and left tackle, I can do multiple things."
-MSU offensive line coach Matt Smith on his unit's positional versatility
COMING UP: MSU closes its first full week of preseason camp on Saturday at 9:25 am, when the team practices for the eighth time. The session, in full pads, takes place at the grass intramural fields on Lincoln Street.
#GoCatsGo
THE STRAIGHT SKINNY: The Bobcats returned to the grass practice fields on Lincoln Street on Friday, conducting a full pad practice covering two hours.
"The back and forth in pads was really good today," said Bobcats head coach Brent Vigen. "We had our first red zone, goal line, situational back-and-forth, and that's tremendous work because winning in the red zone, whether it's offense or defense, is a big key to us winning games. It was another great day of work, but we have many things to improve on. I think that's the message each and every day."
Vigen said that with more than one-third of the team's preseason camp practices in the books, like likes the progress. "We're past a week now, and I like our continued progression. It'll be great to see how we bounce back from a back-to-back, full-padded Friday and Saturday."
TWO AT A TIME: The Bobcats concluded Thursday's practice with a segment of two-point conversions. The reason, MSU head coach Brent Vigen said, is simple.
"Because you can get yourself in a two-point contest, essentially," he said referencing NCAA football's overtime structure. "We do a lot of work on those (plays). We haven't gotten ourselves (that deep into an overtime period), but we've been close."
Current NCAA football overtime rules call for one period with both teams getting the ball at the 25 and touchdowns resulting in either PAT or two-point conversion, then another set of plays from the 25 with a mandatory two-point conversion after touchdowns, and from that point on a series of two-point conversion plays until the game is decided. "Ultimately, if you get in that position you hope you have some experience to isolate those plays, each one for themselves, and so any time we're in full pads we're going to finish with two point plays," Vigen said.
While the segment is competitive, Vigen said that is organic. "It's not necessarily about keeping score," he said, "it's about being in those situations to defend that play and to execute that play on offense."
Vigen said the Bobcats build an inventory of plays throughout fall camp, and from that point plays are enhanced, added or deleted based on results. "I think it depends on what you ultimately put on film," he said. "Offensively, what do you do inside the five, you build off some things but when you have an inventory of two-point plays in fall camp you prioritize how you want to use them. And when you use them, they disappear."
ONE QUICK QUOTE: "That's kind of our thing, and it's kind of what happened last year. I tell them the best ability is availability, so if I'm limited to one position and I'm not the starter I have to wait for that guy to go down. So that's versus (being able to) play left and right tackle, I can play left guard and left tackle, I can do multiple things."
-MSU offensive line coach Matt Smith on his unit's positional versatility
COMING UP: MSU closes its first full week of preseason camp on Saturday at 9:25 am, when the team practices for the eighth time. The session, in full pads, takes place at the grass intramural fields on Lincoln Street.
#GoCatsGo
Thursday, July 31
Monday, May 19
Wednesday, May 03
Wednesday, May 03
