by Danny Waldo
Deep postseason runs have become an expectation for the Montana State football team, so last season’s early exit has head coach Brent Vigen and Co. ready for a return to normalcy in 2024.
The Bobcats, the No. 6 seed in the playoffs, were bounced in the 2nd Rd. 35-34 in overtime to postseason nemesis North Dakota State to finish off a disappointing season that began with championship expectations. MSU finished the 2023 season ranked No. 9 in the Hero Sports FCS poll following a late season collapse that included a 37-7 drubbing by in-state rival Montana to conclude the regular season.
Montana State faced arguably one of the most difficult road schedules in all of the FCS in 2023, and the Bobcats struggled mightily with adversity throughout the season. A number of key players from last season return, giving Vigen an experienced group, one that he expects to improve on last season’s disappointment. “We’ve got a group that’s demonstrated a focus that we need, living in the moment, living day by day,” he said.
The rest of the Big Sky Conference recognizes the talent the ‘Cats return in 2024, and have picked MSU No. 2 in the preseason polls behind Montana. A more advantageous schedule should benefit the Bobcats as well. MSU hosts both Idaho and Montana at Bobcat Stadium after falling on the road to both in 2023. Another change this season that could benefit the ‘Cats is the expanded format of the FCS playoffs. This season, the FCS bracket will expand from eight seeded teams to 16, with matchups determined by seeds rather than regionalization like in year’s past. That most likely means MSU would not have to face teams such as NDSU, SDSU or UM until later in the playoffs. However, despite all of the changes and expectations, MSU will still have to prove it on the field if they are to nab their first national title since 1984.
The following is a preview of the 2024 squad:
Offense
Things look bright on the offensive side of the ball as MSU returns nine starters to that unit, led by senior Tommy Mellott, who returns for his third season as the starting signal caller. A deep and talented backfield and experienced line should continue the Bobcats’ dominance in the run game, and a pair of transfers in the receiving core could boost the passing game.
Mellott has already established himself as one of the most accomplished players in Bobcat history, but he’ll face a new challenge this season as the only quarterback with extensive playing time following the graduation of Sean Chambers. The Mellott/Chambers duo kept defenses on their toes for the past two seasons, and limited their opponent’s ability to key on one player. With Chambers gone, all eyes will be on Mellott, and he’ll need to prove he can handle the pressure of being “the guy.”
Fortunately, Mellott may have the deepest backfield in all of college football with a host of ball carriers returning with talent and experience, led by senior Julius Davis. Davis starred in his first season in Bozeman, leading the ‘Cats rushing attack with 739 yards and six touchdowns. Jared White was second on the team with 526 yards, and true freshman Scottre Humphrey was third with 445 yards and eight touchdowns, which led all running backs. Davis figures to be the regular starter when he returns from injury, but expect Humphrey’s workload to increase after demonstrating his knack for the endzone. Other notables, such as Adam Jones and Colson Coon could get their shot as well after strong spring performances from both.
For the better part of the 21st century, Montana State has established itself as O-Line U thanks in part to its punishing run game. That figures to be no different in 2024. Senior center Justus Perkins returns to anchor a line that features Preseason All-American candidate Marcus Wehr, as well as JT Reed and Cole Sain. Reed and Sain have previous starting experience, but missed the 2023 season due to injury. The ‘Cats will benefit greatly from their return in 2024.
The receiver group figures to be deep as well with the return of Ty McCullouch and Taco Dowler, as well as the addition of Lonyatta Alexander Jr., who missed the 2023 season due to NCAA transfer rules. McCullouch led the team in receiving with 473 yards and five touchdowns, and Dowler made one of the biggest catches of the year versus Northern Arizona to help avoid the upset. The tight end group lost seniors Treyton Pickering and Derryk Snell, but returns senior Ryan Lonergan, who played well in place of an injured Snell, as well as a group of up-and-comers ready to prove themselves.
Defense
The defensive unit returns seven starters from the 2023 squad, led by senior Brody Grebe, who was tabbed Preseason Defensive Player of the Year for the Big Sky Conference, in addition to being named to a number of Preseason All-American teams. The edge rusher from Melstone, MT will don the legacy number 41 for his final campaign in Bozeman, and looks to be even more disruptive this time around.
Strong defensive line play has led to postseason success for the Bobcats in recent years, but the departure of standout defensive lineman Sebastian Valdez has left a huge hole up front for new defensive coordinator Bobby Daly to fill. Valdez left in the offseason for an opportunity with the Washington Huskies of the FBS, taking with him his five sacks and eight and a half tackles for loss. While the stats don’t seem gaudy, they reflect the opponent’s focus on limiting his abilities while creating opportunities for others. Two players who figure to up their production in Valdez’s absence are junior Paul Brott and sophomore Alec Eckert. Brott has played sparingly in his three years in Bozeman, but has shown potential as evidenced by his six tackles and one sack versus EWU last season. Brott is slated as a starter in 2024. Eckert also figures to be productive after transferring to MSU in January from Washington State. The former All-Inland Empire League First Teamer played in just one game last season for the ‘Cougs, but finished second in the state of Idaho for sacks as a senior in high school.
The middle of the Bobcat defense will be anchored by a pair of seasoned veterans in Danny Uluilakepa and McCade O’Reilly following the graduation of Nolan Askelson. O’Reilly was Askelson’s primary backup, so he has plenty of game experience, and seems poised to be the next great linebacker for the ‘Cats from the O’Reilly family, following in the footsteps of older brother, Callahan. Uluilakepa has been a productive starter for the Bobcat defense over the past two seasons when healthy, but injuries have been a problem the past two seasons, forcing Uluilakepa to miss significant time in ‘22 and ‘23. If he can remain healthy the entire season, he should be an All-Conference performer. A pair of underclassmen in sophomore Neil Daily and Bryce Grebe will serve as Uluilakepa and O’Reilly’s backups. Daily appeared in two games last season before an injury ended his year, while Grebe is a redshirt freshman who saw action in one game last season. Grebe, the younger brother of Brody, had a strong spring campaign to earn the No. 2 spot at the Will spot, and could be the next great thing to come out of Melstone, MT.
The back end of the Bobcat defense returns a number of experienced players, led by a trio of seniors in Rylan Ortt, Simeon Woodard, and Jon Johnson. Ortt was an Honorable Mention All-Big Sky pick last season, and finished second on the team in tackles with 74. He’s a versatile defender who will see time at both safety and nickel. Woodard enters his fourth season as a starter for the Bobcat defense. During his time in Bozeman, Woodard has earned the reputation of being one of the top corners in the conference. Johnson earned a starting spot after a strong initial season in Bozeman after transferring from El Camino College. Dru Polidore, Caden Dowler, and Andrew Powdrell all figure to see extensive action for the Bobcat secondary as well.
Special Teams
The Bobcat kicking game looks to be one of the top units in the Big Sky this season with the return of Brendan Hall to handle the punting and kick-off duties. Hall earned Preseason All-Big Sky and All-American honors following an impressive ‘23 campaign. Hall earned First Team All-Big Sky and Second Team All-America honors last season after averaging 46.1 yards per punt. He also proved to be a weapon on kick-offs, drilling 72 kickoffs for a touchback, which led the FCS. Casey Kautzman looks to return to form in the place-kicking game, while Taco Dowler and Marqui Johnson return to handle the punt and kick return duties.
MSU enters the season as the No. 4 team in the FCS polls and gets an early season test with a Week 0 game at FBS member New Mexico. The Bobcats have not defeated an FBS opponent since 2006 when they knocked off Colorado. The ‘Cats follow up their season-opener in Albuquerque with a trip to St. George, UT to take on Utah Tech before kicking off the home portion of their schedule with the annual Gold Rush game versus Maine on September 7th.
For the complete Bobcat schedule, log onto www.msubobcats.com.
Danny Waldo is a local freelance writer who has covered local sports for both high school and college. His work has also appeared on Bleacher Report. •
Note: Following this writing, Montana State won each of their contests with New Mexico and Utah Tech. The ‘Cats currently sit atop the FCS Power Rankings ahead of their matchup with Maine.
