The #2 Jackrabbits (1-0) are coming off a big victory over Big Sky contender Sacramento State and now head west to take on the #3 Montana State Bobcats (0-1), also of the Big Sky. MSU is coming off of a tough loss to Oregon (who is a top-5 program in the FBS). Montana State is similar to SDSU in the fact that they are replacing a legendary quarterback and starters across the field on both sides of the ball. This will be a fun game to truly see where both programs are at this season. It is Montana State’s home opener and their annual “Gold Rush Game” which means it will be a raucous atmosphere. The Jacks will have to weather the emotional surge from the crowd.
*Please note, the Montana State athletics webpage is broken for 2024 stats and the individual player “Career Stats” appears to be broken or at least incomplete as well for some players.
Offense
The 2025 Bobcat offense will be different than what we saw from MSU over the last handful of years. Tommy Mellot presented so many issues as a true dual threat option with 4.3 speed. They also appear committed to just one quarterback this season. However, they do return the best duo of FCS tailbacks and some talented pass catchers. In week one they were held to just 244 total yards but did manage 198 through the air. They also didn’t commit any turnovers.
The new QB is #8 Justin Lamson (6-2, 220) who transferred in from Sanford. Over the past two seasons for the Cardinals, he appeared in 23 games and made 4 starts. In that time he completed 46% of his passes, for 804 yards, 4 TDs, and 2 INTs. He also rushed for 428 yards (2.28 ypc), and had 13 total TDs. In week 1 vs Oregon, Lamson was 23 for 31 passing for 198 yards. He had 11 “carries” for -1 yards and his long run was 8 yards. I honestly am not sure what to expect from Lamson this week. I think having a strong running game will be huge for him as it may open up opportunities in play action to get over the top of the defense.
As I said earlier, this may be the best one, two punch of running backs in the FCS. #23 Adam Jones (6-1, 200) and #32 Julius Davis (5-10, 210) are a deadly duo. Jones rushed for 1,172 yards (6.4 ypc) and 14 TDs in 2024 while adding 21 receptions for 214 yards and 1 TD. Against Oregon he struggle to find much daylight and had 9 carries for 15 yards and 1 TD which came in the fourth quarter. Davis battled injuries the past two seasons for MSU but when healthy, he looks terrific. Last season he played in just 4 games, logging 40 carries for 227 yards and 3 TDs. Against Oregon he had just 5 carries for 16 yards. Another option in the backfield is #3 Jared White (5-10, 205). He entered the transfer portal in January but ultimately decided to remain in Bozeman. He has 871 career rushing yards but did not have any carries against Oregon. I’ve been unable to find if he is injured or just not utilized in week one. #28 Colson Coon (5-11, 195) is another option in the backfield and he had 63 carries for 376 yards (5.9 ypc) and 3 TDs last season. He also did not register any carries against Oregon.
At wide receiver the Bobcats return the electric #14 Taco Dowler (5-9, 170). Dowler has been a great punt and kick returner for the past few years but is now the #1 option for MSU in the passing game. Last year he had 38 receptions for 597 yards and 11 TDs. Against Oregon he had 12 receptions for 107 yards with a long of 24 yards. The other starting receivers are #9 Ryan King (6-4, 210) and #1 Chris Long (6-0, 170). King had 15 receptions for 162 yards last season. Long transfers in from Rutgers where he started 7 games last fall. He totaled 11 receptions for 163 yards and a TD. He also played more in 2022 and had 15 rec for 200 yards and a TD. Against Oregon, King did not have any receptions but Long had 2 for 27 yards. The tight ends are #88 Rylan Schlepp (6-4, 240), #86 Hunter Provience (6-5, 250), and #89 Rocky Lencioni (6-3, 245). Schlepp had 8 receptions for 129 yards and 2 TDs while Provience had 8 for 118 and 1 TD in 2024. In week one Lencioni was the leader in this group with 4 receptions for 39 yards.
The offensive line has been hit with injuries to start this season. The Bobcats are missing Justus Perkins and played against Oregon without starting center #64 Burke Mastel (6-4, 305, RSo). It was reported that Mastel will be available for our matchup. Mastel started 13 games at RG in 2024. Against Oregon they went:
LT: Braden Zimmer (6-6, 285, RFr)
LG: Everett Carr (6-4, 305, RSo)
C: JT Reed (6-3, 290, Sr): Battled injuries the past two years but was 3rd Team All Big Sky in 2022.
RG: Titan Fleischmann (6-4, 300, RJr): Started every game at RT in 2024
RT: Cedric Jefferson (6-5, 310, RSo): Started first 3 games of the season at LT before being injured.
Defense
The Bobcat defense has a solid front four but is younger on the backend. This group certainly struggled against Oregon but that is to be expected. The Ducks ran for 273 yards and passed for 273 yards. The highlights from the game show Oregon scoring on simply quick hitting passing plays that allowed their players to simply out-muscle the young defensive backs. However, I have a feeling this group will group up quickly and match the quality that their defensive line has. The Bobcat’s base defense is a 4-2-5 and they ask their nickelback to do a lot of work.
The defensive line is anchored by nose tackle #41 Paul Brott (6-3, 300). It feels like Brott has been plugging the middle for a long time. Last season he racked up 49 total tackles, 6 TFL, 3 sacks, and 2 QB hits. He’s a dominant player in the middle! He is also wearing #41 this season instead of #96 as he was recognized by head coach Brett Vigen as being a great representative of the program and a Montana native. This is a really cool annual thing for the Bobcats. Next to him is #98 Alec Eckert (6-2, 285) who saw action in all 16 games last season and had 28 stops of his own. #99 Talon Marsh (6-1, 280) also saw action in 2024 and had 7 tackles, 2 TFL and a sack. #50 Zack Black (6-4, 275) has struggled to stay healthy but is a quality big man. He had 10 tackles last season.
At end, #11 Kenneth Eiden IV (6-1, 250) has seemingly been applying pressure for years. Last season he led the team with 9 sacks and also had 32 total tackles, 1 PBU, and 5 QBH. Opposite him is #45 Hunter Parsons (6-3, 240). Parsons had 19 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack, and 2 QBH in 2024. #36 Zac Crews also saw extensive action last season and had 25 tackles, 4.5 TFL, and 2.5 sacks. Crews forced a fumble against Oregon. #58 Dominic Solano (6-4, 250) had 16 tackles, 3.5 TFL and a sack last season. Again, this group is really experienced. The #605 Hogs will need to be ready from the start.
The starting linebackers are #10 Bryce Grebe (6-0, 235) at Will and #19 Neil Daily (6-3, 230) at Mike. Daily is the leading returning tackler for the Bobcats but unfortunately he injured his right elbow early in the contest against Oregon but did not return. He was seen with some sort of wrap on the elbow during the game. In 2024 he had 51 total tackles, 6.5 TFL, and 3 sacks. Grebe had 43 tackles, 2.4 TFL, 3 PBUs and 1 forced fumble. When Daily went out, #34 Cole Taylor (6-3, 230) steppe in. He had 10 tackles in 2024 and against Oregon had 5 stops. #42 Ryan Krahe (6-2, 230) provides depth after mainly playing on special teams in previous seasons and had 13 stops last season.
The safety room is also a room with some turmoil. Starting free safety #2 Taki Uluilakepa (6-0, 180, RSo) left the game with a right ankle injury and was seen on the sideline with crutches. In 2024 he had 19 tackles. Starting opposite him is Taco’s brother, #5 Caden Dowler (6-0, 205, RJr). He played in just 6 games in 2024 and had 12 stops. Against Oregon he lead the team with 10 tackles including 7 solo. #29 JJ Dolan (6-0, 185, RSo) stepped in for Uluilakepa and had a pair of tackles. #24 Colter Petre (6-1, 205, RFr) also saw some action and had a pair of tackles. In 2024 he had 12 total.
The cornerback room is really young and has limited experience. I mentioned previously that the Bobcats ask their nickel back to really handle alot. The guy for that job this season is #7 Tayden Gray (6-0, 185, RSo) and he had 19 total tackles, 2.5 TFL, and 1 sack in 2024. Last week he had 5 total tackles. #1 Jhase McMillan (5-9, 170RFr) returns after appearing in 7 games last season and recording 11 tackles. He had 8 tackles, including 5 solos against Oregon. Opposite him is redshirt freshman #9 Seth Johnson (5-10, 180, RFr). He did not see any action last year. #0 Takhari Carr (6-0, 180, RSo) played in 9 games last season and had 7 stops. He had 4 tackles against Oregon. #8 Carson Williams (5-11, 170, RFr) made 3 solo stops last week against Oregon.
Special Teams
The Bobcat’s always have special teams and dangerous returners. This year the punt returns are again being handled by #14 Taco Dowler. Dowler was a 2024 All-American and 2025 Pre-Season All-American on multiple lists as a return specialist. He did not have any opportunities in the Oregon game but in his career he has 64 punt returns for 909 yards (14 yard avg) and 3 TDs.
The kick returners are #10 Jabez Woods (5-11, 178, RFr) and #23 Adam Jones. Woods had 2 returns for a 23 yard average. Jones returned 4 kicks in 2024 and had a 24.5 yard average.
The placekicker, #39 Myles Sansted, is actually from Alexandria, MN. In 2024 he made 15 of 19 kicks and 83 0f 85 extra points. Against Oregon he made a pair of 42 yard field goals. #30 Colby Frokjer is a true freshman and is handling both the kickoffs and the punts. As a punter he averaged 38 yards on four attempts and had a long of 58 yards and 1 touchback. On his kickoffs, he averaged 59.5 yards on four kicks and Oregon averaged just 22.75 yards on their returns.
Prediction
This will be a good game and I think we get a better sense of who these teams are. Montana State and SDSU have been two of the top programs in the FCS for the last half dozen years. It is weird with both teams experiencing so much turnover over the past year to really feel confident about what we know about either team. Again, this is the Goldrush Game and the Jacks must meet the Bobcat energy and manage the crowd noise. I liked what I saw out of the Jacks in week one and I think they play even better this week.
Jackrabbits 24- Bobcats 10
Go Jacks!
Matt
