By Danny Waldo
While the coaching staff may be unfamiliar to Bobcat fans when they open the 2016 season on September 1st, the opponent certainly won’t be. That’s because Montana State heads to Moscow, Idaho to take on the University of Idaho Vandals, a former Big Sky opponent who will be rejoining the league in 2018. Montana State and Idaho have a deep history in terms of games played, and this year’s matchup has the added appeal of several coaches having ties to Montana and Bozeman, specifically. Longtime Bozeman High head coach Troy Purcell is in his first season on the Vandals staff as the inside linebackers coach, and former Bobcat great, Bobby Daly is in a football operations position with the Vandal program, as well. Of course UI head coach Paul Petrino is a Helena, MT native, and two of his assistants, Mike Breske and Aric Williams both spent time on the staff at the University of Montana.
But familiarity and friendships aside, the Vandals will provide a stiff challenge, and good litmus test for a vulnerable defense that suffered from big-playitis last season. UI returns four starters on the offensive line, a plethora of pass catchers, and one of the top passers in the Sun Belt, Matt Linehan, son of Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator, Scott Linehan. Linehan threw for 2,972 yards, an average of 270 per game, last season, and much of the Vandal offense relies on his arm to perform that well again. His top two receivers, Trent Cowan and Callen Hightower, both return to provide a reliable receiving group that could give the much-maligned Bobcat secondary fits. Cowan snagged 48 catches for 624 yards from his tight end spot last season, and Hightower hauled in 57 catches for 749 yards. Idaho finished 4-8 last season in the Sun Belt and have not been to the post-season since 2009, so while they return a ton of veterans, they may be the perfect opponent for Montana State to spring an upset and start the Choate era off on a high note. Kickoff for Montana State versus Idaho is set for 7:00 p.m., Thursday, September 1st in the Kibbie Dome. Log on to www.msubobcats.com for listening or viewing options. The Bobcats return home September 10th to kickoff the home portion of their 2016 schedule versus Bryant University.
Danny Waldo is a local freelance writer covering Montana State and Bozeman High athletics. •
