2022 Cat-Griz Kickoff: Bobcats reloading for another run

It's going to be hard to top the 2021 Montana State football season. After all, the Bobcats went on a run to their first FCS championship game in 37 years. But, as fun as that season turned out to be, MSU just might have a team to match or better it this fall.

With second-year head coach Brent Vigen back at the helm, the Cats, who finished second in the Big Sky and faced North Dakota State in the national championship game back in January, are poised for an exciting season as the Cats enter the fall ranked No. 4 in the FCS Preseason Poll, and excitement at an all-time high.

"You want high expectations," Vigen said at this year's Big Sky kickoff. "So if you get everyone's best shot, understand that's very well going to happen. We've got to be prepared each week, no matter who we play, to give our best shot back."

The Cats will certainly give as good as they get this year.

And it will start with sophomore sensation Tommy Mellott, who went from receiver and special teams guru halfway through 2021 to a quarterback who led the Bobcats on an incredible playoff run. Mellow is now a year older and ready to really lead the Cats.

"It was a huge jump last year as I progressed from (special teams) and the wide receiver role and wildcat quarterback and playing quarterback, ultimately, at the end of the year," Mellott said to 406 Sports. "I've accepted the role and I'm excited for it. I've really developed, I believe, and I think I have a lot of guys behind me that support me."

Mellott has quite the supporting cast, including Isaiah Ifanse, who when healthy is one of the best running backs in the country. The Cats also added San Diego State running back Kaegun Williams, while backup quarterback Sean Chambers is a transfer from Wyoming. At receiver, MSU must replace star Lance McCutcheon, but Willie Patterson and returning starting tight end Deryk Snell should provide excellent targets in MSU's dynamic and potent offense.

Of course, the big question in Bozeman might just be, what will the defense look like now that once in a lifetime star Troy Andersen is gone to the NFL? The answer could be that the Bobcats will be just fine on that side of the ball. Possessing one of the best defenses in the FCS a year ago, the Cats will lean on Ty Okada and Jeffrey Manning at safety, linebacker Callahan O'Reilly and budding star DE Brody Grebe. Starting tackle Sebastian Valdez also returns while corners Simeon Woodward and James Campbell are also back.

But, while the Cats should be plenty talented and deep, while maybe a bit young, too, the question will be, can they possibly follow up the magical run from 2021? The answer will lie in how they handle the rugged Big Sky Conference.

MSU opens the season with a home game against McNeese State, a former FCS powerhouse, and also has a road trip to Pac 12 stalwart Oregon State. Then, the work really begins as the Cats chase a coveted outright Big Sky championship.

Conference play starts with MSU visiting arch rival Eastern Washington for the second-straight year, with that game on Sept. 24. The Cats then play an ESPNU night game at Bobcat Stadium against nationally-ranked UC Davis on Oct. 1 followed by home title against Idaho State Oct. 8. A road game at Northern Colorado Oct. 15 is followed up by a list from Weber State Oct. 22 before the bye week. The Cats then emerge from the bye with road games at Northern Arizona Nov. 5 and Cal Poly Nov. 12 before they come home to host the Montana Grizzlies in the 121st Brawl of the Wild Nov. 19 in Bozeman. The Cats lost their four-game winning streak at Montana last November, and, if they succeed in starting a new one, it might just be for the Big Sky title and a top seed in the FCS playoffs.

The Cats will begin that quest Saturday when they host McNeese in their Gold Rush Game, which kicks off at 6 p.m. in Bozeman.

Montana State Bobcats

2021: 12-3, 7-1, 2nd in Big Sky, lost to NDSU in FCS championship

Head Coach: Brent Vigen (2nd Season)

Stadium: Bobcat Stadium

2022 Schedule

9/3 vs McNeese State, 6 p.m., SWX

9/10 vs Morehead State, 1:30 p.m., SWX

9/17 at Oregon State, 6 pm., Pac12

9/24 at E. Washington, 2 p.m., ESPN+

10/1 vs UC Davis, 8 p.m., ESPNU

10/8 vs Idaho State, 2 p.m., MTN

10/15 at N. Colorado, 1 p.m., MTN

10/22 s Weber State, 1 p.m., MTN

11/5 at Northern Arizona, 2 p.m., MTN

11/12 at Cal Poly, 6 p.m., MTN

11/19 vs Montana, 12 p.m., MTN