Patrick Duchien
Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services
BOBCAT GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #5: Cats Field Different Look Due to Injuries
9/26/2026 7:30:00 PM | Football
MSU welcomes 2008 Homecoming King Eric Fisher to the 2026 festivities
BOZEMAN, Mont. (Sept. 26, 2026) – Montana State's offense debuts a new look on Saturday, when a quarterback other than Justin Lamson takes the first snap of a game for the Cats.
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Lamson and receiver Taco Dowler are both injured and will miss MSU's Homecoming game on Saturday. Senior Patrick Duchien starts at quarterback for MSU, while freshman Carter Dahlke starts at receiver and punt returner. It is the starting debut for both.
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In addition, running back Adam Jones is probable for the game, but may not start. If he doesn't, senior Colson Coon makes his first start.
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The Bobcats also debut a new uniform under the bright lights of ESPN2 on Saturday. The team will sport togs from UnderArmour's Championship Collection, a tribute to the Bobcats' 2025 FCS Championship. Embossed, platinum numbers adorn the traditional navy jerseys, with a gold cat head logo on the helmets for the first time.
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When Duchien receives MSU's first offensive snap, he'll join an impressive list of Treasure State natives to start at quarterback for the Bobcats in the last decade. Troy Andersen of Dillon started for most of the 2018 season, while Butte's Tommy Mellott took over during the playoff run in 2021 and started when healthy throughout remainder of his career (through the 2024 season).
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The most recent quarterback other than Lamson, Mellott and Sean Chambers to start at MSU was Matthew McKay at the close of the 2021 regular season.
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* * * * *
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Today's flag handoff will bring back memories for Montana State grads of a certain generation. Eric Fisher, originally from Billings West but a Gallatin Valley educator for the last decade-and-a-half, will hand the flag of the great state of Montana to Bozeman's Rocky Lencioni before MSU's 2026 Homecoming. But Fisher had a far different role 18 years ago.
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In 2008, Fisher was Montana State's punter, an all-conference caliber player who was among the league's leaders in his specialty for three seasons. But he was also that year's Homecoming King at MSU, and made a memorable walk at halftime to receive that honor.
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The only disappointment from that day? "It would have been more fun if we would have won the game," Fisher said after the Bobcats lost to Weber State.
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* * * * *
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The Bobcats own a 60-29-3 record on Homecoming, with five straight wins. The Cats have met Northern Arizona eight times for MSU's Homecoming game, with a 5-3 record to show for it.
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Montana State's 1990 Homecoming game against Northern Arizona was one of the wildest in program history. Playing through heavy snow early in the game, the Cats roared to a 70-37 win behind a 358-yard passing day from Joe Volek.
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#GoCatsGo
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Lamson and receiver Taco Dowler are both injured and will miss MSU's Homecoming game on Saturday. Senior Patrick Duchien starts at quarterback for MSU, while freshman Carter Dahlke starts at receiver and punt returner. It is the starting debut for both.
Â
In addition, running back Adam Jones is probable for the game, but may not start. If he doesn't, senior Colson Coon makes his first start.
Â
* * * * *
Â
The Bobcats also debut a new uniform under the bright lights of ESPN2 on Saturday. The team will sport togs from UnderArmour's Championship Collection, a tribute to the Bobcats' 2025 FCS Championship. Embossed, platinum numbers adorn the traditional navy jerseys, with a gold cat head logo on the helmets for the first time.
Â
* * * * *
Â
When Duchien receives MSU's first offensive snap, he'll join an impressive list of Treasure State natives to start at quarterback for the Bobcats in the last decade. Troy Andersen of Dillon started for most of the 2018 season, while Butte's Tommy Mellott took over during the playoff run in 2021 and started when healthy throughout remainder of his career (through the 2024 season).
Â
The most recent quarterback other than Lamson, Mellott and Sean Chambers to start at MSU was Matthew McKay at the close of the 2021 regular season.
Â
* * * * *
Â
Today's flag handoff will bring back memories for Montana State grads of a certain generation. Eric Fisher, originally from Billings West but a Gallatin Valley educator for the last decade-and-a-half, will hand the flag of the great state of Montana to Bozeman's Rocky Lencioni before MSU's 2026 Homecoming. But Fisher had a far different role 18 years ago.
Â
In 2008, Fisher was Montana State's punter, an all-conference caliber player who was among the league's leaders in his specialty for three seasons. But he was also that year's Homecoming King at MSU, and made a memorable walk at halftime to receive that honor.
Â
The only disappointment from that day? "It would have been more fun if we would have won the game," Fisher said after the Bobcats lost to Weber State.
Â
* * * * *
Â
The Bobcats own a 60-29-3 record on Homecoming, with five straight wins. The Cats have met Northern Arizona eight times for MSU's Homecoming game, with a 5-3 record to show for it.
Â
Montana State's 1990 Homecoming game against Northern Arizona was one of the wildest in program history. Playing through heavy snow early in the game, the Cats roared to a 70-37 win behind a 358-yard passing day from Joe Volek.
Â
#GoCatsGo
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