Saturday, September 19
BOZEMAN
1:00 pm
Montana State University
vs
Central Connecticut State
Adam Jones
Photo by: Brian Morse
GAME #4: Bobcats Host Central Connecticut State on Saturday at Afternoon
9/18/2026 3:07:00 PM | Football
MSU looks for 18th consecutive win
BOZEMAN, Mont. (Sept. 16, 2026) – Montana State has found itself in a succession of unusual circumstances during the first month of the 2026 football season, playing late-night road games and a later-than-usual Gold Rush contest against a first-time opponent. Last week, the Cats squared off against a former MSU head coach.
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But the plot takes another twist on Saturday.
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"We're excited to play at home, and we're excited to play a one o'clock game," Montana State coach Brent Vigen said in advance of his team's Saturday showdown against Central Connecticut State in Bobcat Stadium. For the first time this season, MSU plays a full game in sunlight.
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"We look forward to it," he said, but he makes clear that his strongest yearning is something much more fundamental. "This team continues to grow each week. We certainly did that on Saturday night. We need to continue that going forward."
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Last Saturday provided the Bobcats an opportunity, and the team responded in full measure by beating NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) foe Nevada, 20-7. "That was a really important, big win," he said. "You don't know how any of these games are going to go so I think there was a lot of growth, but I think there's still a tremendous opportunity for us to improve."
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Vigen called the victory a complete team win. "We were able to pick ourselves up over and over again," he said. "The offense set the tone with the early score, and the defense found a way to pick the operation up over and over again."
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In Central Connecticut State, MSU opposes a team that lost its opener at nationally-ranked FCS foe South Dakota and last week dropped an encounter at FBS Toledo. Still, the Blue Devils' pedigree is strong.
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"This is a team that has been in the playoffs the last couple of years, we definitely recognize that," Vigen said. "They've played two challenging games, two challenging trips, hopefully that will play to our benefit. But this is a team that's capable. You don't go to the playoffs in consecutive years as a program without being a (good) program within its region, within its league."
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In the two losses CCSU has been outscored 122-30, with opponents gaining 581.5 yards per game to the Blue Devils' 194.5. Brett Griffis (13 carries for 74 yards), Davon Smith Jr. (15 carries for 57 yards) and Isaac Stopke (14 carries for 46 yards) have combined for 42 of the program's 57 rushes and 177 of CCSU's 209 yards on the ground.
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Conner Kenyon has completed 51.5 percent of his passes for 121 yards. Michael Trovarelli and Damani Williams each have five catches.
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Deonte Douglas leads the team with 13 tackles, while Eric Jackson and Jacob Staton have 10 each. Mel Jacobs has the team's only interception, while Jaden Langford's fumble recovery accounts for the team's other takeaway.
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"They have a pretty active front," Vigen said. "They're not, size-wise, what we've seen to this point, but they're twitchy. That's a fancy (coaches use) for guys that have some real ability and some snap to them. They've been taxed these first two games, they've maybe been on the field more than they'd like, but their front seven really catches my eye."
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Montana State counters with an offense that has shown effectiveness on multiple fronts. In its three games this season, all wins, MSU rushes for 152.3 yards per game while throwing for 272.7. The Bobcats have turned the ball over only once while taking it away six times. That includes five interceptions, sixth-most in the FCS.
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Vigen said he expects CCSU's best shot on Saturday. "They're going to do everything they can to right the ship," he said. "They've been a winning program, they've been a playoff program."
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Saturday's game airs on The Spot-MTN (local affiliates listed here).
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#GoCatsGo
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But the plot takes another twist on Saturday.
Â
"We're excited to play at home, and we're excited to play a one o'clock game," Montana State coach Brent Vigen said in advance of his team's Saturday showdown against Central Connecticut State in Bobcat Stadium. For the first time this season, MSU plays a full game in sunlight.
Â
"We look forward to it," he said, but he makes clear that his strongest yearning is something much more fundamental. "This team continues to grow each week. We certainly did that on Saturday night. We need to continue that going forward."
Â
Last Saturday provided the Bobcats an opportunity, and the team responded in full measure by beating NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) foe Nevada, 20-7. "That was a really important, big win," he said. "You don't know how any of these games are going to go so I think there was a lot of growth, but I think there's still a tremendous opportunity for us to improve."
Â
Vigen called the victory a complete team win. "We were able to pick ourselves up over and over again," he said. "The offense set the tone with the early score, and the defense found a way to pick the operation up over and over again."
Â
In Central Connecticut State, MSU opposes a team that lost its opener at nationally-ranked FCS foe South Dakota and last week dropped an encounter at FBS Toledo. Still, the Blue Devils' pedigree is strong.
Â
"This is a team that has been in the playoffs the last couple of years, we definitely recognize that," Vigen said. "They've played two challenging games, two challenging trips, hopefully that will play to our benefit. But this is a team that's capable. You don't go to the playoffs in consecutive years as a program without being a (good) program within its region, within its league."
Â
In the two losses CCSU has been outscored 122-30, with opponents gaining 581.5 yards per game to the Blue Devils' 194.5. Brett Griffis (13 carries for 74 yards), Davon Smith Jr. (15 carries for 57 yards) and Isaac Stopke (14 carries for 46 yards) have combined for 42 of the program's 57 rushes and 177 of CCSU's 209 yards on the ground.
Â
Conner Kenyon has completed 51.5 percent of his passes for 121 yards. Michael Trovarelli and Damani Williams each have five catches.
Â
Deonte Douglas leads the team with 13 tackles, while Eric Jackson and Jacob Staton have 10 each. Mel Jacobs has the team's only interception, while Jaden Langford's fumble recovery accounts for the team's other takeaway.
Â
"They have a pretty active front," Vigen said. "They're not, size-wise, what we've seen to this point, but they're twitchy. That's a fancy (coaches use) for guys that have some real ability and some snap to them. They've been taxed these first two games, they've maybe been on the field more than they'd like, but their front seven really catches my eye."
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Montana State counters with an offense that has shown effectiveness on multiple fronts. In its three games this season, all wins, MSU rushes for 152.3 yards per game while throwing for 272.7. The Bobcats have turned the ball over only once while taking it away six times. That includes five interceptions, sixth-most in the FCS.
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Vigen said he expects CCSU's best shot on Saturday. "They're going to do everything they can to right the ship," he said. "They've been a winning program, they've been a playoff program."
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Saturday's game airs on The Spot-MTN (local affiliates listed here).
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#GoCatsGo
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