The Bobcat Nation

What does it take? It can't be all about the almighty dollar. There needs to be motivation beyond that. Listening to Tommy and Cam's interviews prior to the game they both referenced staying with their respective teams and the value in that, for consistency sake at the least.
Last year after the loss the Cats team rallied together and determined to take everything at a 1-0 mentality, stuck with each other, committed to each other, and the program. Sounds like NDSU took a similar path after losing the games they did by lifting each other up and determining to not lose again, and it worked.
Sports are so mental, emotional. Loving your team, trusting your coaches, and playing with pride to represent your program are keys.
How does MSU move forward promoting the culture of Montana State Football and get guys from both in state and out of state to buy in and stay committed?
This is from an article I read last night, "MTN Sports spoke with the father of running back Julius Davis who said there’s no place his son would have rather played than in the blue and gold.
“Julius got a lot of ties with NDSU with coach Tim Polasek trying to recruit him from Iowa to Wyoming,” Dornaj Davis said. “But the Bobcats got him, and there's a reason for that. Because the fans, because the environment and the whole wholesome coaches and the humblest coaches.”
Maybe that's what it takes.

I think we will be rebuilding the next several years. The future of this team doesn’t look good, especially since we just want to bring in High School players and don’t look at bringing in talent that can fill holes immediately and allow those younger players to learn and grow.

GoCats18 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 07, 2025 8:55 am

I think we will be rebuilding the next several years. The future of this team doesn’t look good, especially since we just want to bring in High School players and don’t look at bringing in talent that can fill holes immediately and allow those younger players to learn and grow.

I think the future looks just fine. Maybe we don't make the title game for the next couple years but there's a big drop off after the top 4-5 teams and a bigger drop off after the top 12 or so. I'd be surprised if we were seeded lower than 10 next year.

From the end of Vigen's postgame press conference: "We needed to learn another lesson I guess." It'll take actually learning that lesson to become champions. Last night was on the coaching staff and they need to figure it out if they ever want to end the season with a win.

GoCats18 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 07, 2025 8:55 am

I think we will be rebuilding the next several years. The future of this team doesn’t look good, especially since we just want to bring in High School players and don’t look at bringing in talent that can fill holes immediately and allow those younger players to learn and grow.

I'm not sure I agree with that. Vigen doesn't live in the portal like the guy to the west, but he's taken portal players before and will continue. But, he also believes in developing players and that's not a bad thing at all. I think there's a very good chance we'll be right in there again next year. Other teams in the Big Sky got gutted, from coaches to players, and will struggle to compete comparatively. The Cats will suffer some losses to be sure, but hopefully not too much. The benefit of so many of the 2s and 3s playing so much this season remains to be seen but really can't hurt. Alot will depend on if the next group of seniors can rally the team like this year's seniors did. If the team let's this bitter taste motivate them to get to Tennessee next year we'll be there. I believe the talent is there.

GoCats18 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 07, 2025 8:55 am

I think we will be rebuilding the next several years. The future of this team doesn’t look good, especially since we just want to bring in High School players and don’t look at bringing in talent that can fill holes immediately and allow those younger players to learn and grow.

That's an odd take. Rohan Jones, Alec Eckert, Julius Davis, Ty McCullough, Lonyatta Alexander, Sean Chambers, etc.

GoCats18 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 07, 2025 8:55 am

I think we will be rebuilding the next several years. The future of this team doesn’t look good, especially since we just want to bring in High School players and don’t look at bringing in talent that can fill holes immediately and allow those younger players to learn and grow.

I would argue that bringing players in to fill holes is a double edged sword. We experimented with Chambers and the two QB system and I'd argue that that took away from Tommy's ability to develop his passing game. There's no easy solution, but for me, it's hard to say that the approach being taken is the wrong one given the fact that so many guys saw significant playing time this year in the 2nd half of games. Playing at game speed and getting film of mistakes to correct for young guys is exactly is needed for the to improve.

GoCats18 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 07, 2025 8:55 am

I think we will be rebuilding the next several years. The future of this team doesn’t look good, especially since we just want to bring in High School players and don’t look at bringing in talent that can fill holes immediately and allow those younger players to learn and grow.

Rohan Jones. Lonyatta Alexander. Ty McCullough. Alec Eckert. Sean Chambers. Brendan Hall. Julius Davis. Dru Polidore. Clevan Thomas. David Alston.

Do you even take a few seconds to think before posting your idiocy on here?

nanacat wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 07, 2025 8:51 am

What does it take? It can't be all about the almighty dollar. There needs to be motivation beyond that. Listening to Tommy and Cam's interviews prior to the game they both referenced staying with their respective teams and the value in that, for consistency sake at the least.
Last year after the loss the Cats team rallied together and determined to take everything at a 1-0 mentality, stuck with each other, committed to each other, and the program. Sounds like NDSU took a similar path after losing the games they did by lifting each other up and determining to not lose again, and it worked.
Sports are so mental, emotional. Loving your team, trusting your coaches, and playing with pride to represent your program are keys.
How does MSU move forward promoting the culture of Montana State Football and get guys from both in state and out of state to buy in and stay committed?
This is from an article I read last night, "MTN Sports spoke with the father of running back Julius Davis who said there’s no place his son would have rather played than in the blue and gold.
“Julius got a lot of ties with NDSU with coach Tim Polasek trying to recruit him from Iowa to Wyoming,” Dornaj Davis said. “But the Bobcats got him, and there's a reason for that. Because the fans, because the environment and the whole wholesome coaches and the humblest coaches.”
Maybe that's what it takes.

God I hope Julius comes back for one more year, and if he does can stay healthy. One thing he brings is attitude and enthusiasm, and I think against some of these stouter defenses he would have been extremely useful.

What MSU needs is to get a commanding win against a DSU whether it’s a DSU in a down year or not, they need one.

That’s of course not the only thing, the list can go on, but it starts with the culture first and foremost. I thin we are there with that, hell at least with the players, maybe this group of seniors taught our coaching staff something, and maybe a few exit interviews will teach them to believe in what they were preaching. Another thing that would be nice, is if the Big Sky conference aside from the Montana schools and usually one more, could step up (doubtful I know) however, being more battle tested would be extremely beneficial.

With a lot of the recruiting talent from the 2024 class and the incoming class, we are in a great place to go on a run, hell may even have some more balanced talent. There will not be another Tommy, however, one thing Vigen has been proven at is QB’s. Now that Tommy is gone, initially a Choate recruit, let’s see what Vigen can muster up. I think we will be pleasantly surprised.

I like to think everyone needs at least a healthy and fun conspiracy theory here and there, mine is that damn Eastern Washington is to blame for Big Sky teams not being well versed with playing big boy football until just recently.

GoCats18 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 07, 2025 8:55 am

I think we will be rebuilding the next several years. The future of this team doesn’t look good, especially since we just want to bring in High School players and don’t look at bringing in talent that can fill holes immediately and allow those younger players to learn and grow.

You’re trying to stir the pot again aren’t you?

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 07, 2025 9:33 am

GoCats18 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 07, 2025 8:55 am

I think we will be rebuilding the next several years. The future of this team doesn’t look good, especially since we just want to bring in High School players and don’t look at bringing in talent that can fill holes immediately and allow those younger players to learn and grow.

Rohan Jones. Lonyatta Alexander. Ty McCullough. Alec Eckert. Sean Chambers. Brendan Hall. Julius Davis. Dru Polidore. Clevan Thomas. David Alston.

Do you even take a few seconds to think before posting your idiocy on here?

Reading the names you posted, and watching the grabs Lance was making, really made me miss having McCutcheon. We really haven’t had that 50/50 receiver since him.

Well, if you think that any one of the QB’s on our current team will lead us to the semifinals or beyond, you’re insane. Our O-line and D-line last night looked mediocre at best. Tommy created most of the yards we gained by scrambling or taking off running. No pressure on Cam Miller whatsoever. You think our 2-3 deeps will do any better next season, that’s laughable.

SparkCat wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 07, 2025 9:48 am

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 07, 2025 9:33 am

GoCats18 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 07, 2025 8:55 am

I think we will be rebuilding the next several years. The future of this team doesn’t look good, especially since we just want to bring in High School players and don’t look at bringing in talent that can fill holes immediately and allow those younger players to learn and grow.

Rohan Jones. Lonyatta Alexander. Ty McCullough. Alec Eckert. Sean Chambers. Brendan Hall. Julius Davis. Dru Polidore. Clevan Thomas. David Alston.

Do you even take a few seconds to think before posting your idiocy on here?

Reading the names you posted, and watching the grabs Lance was making, really made me miss having McCutcheon. We really haven’t had that 50/50 receiver since him.

A lot of good youth on the roster still overall.
But yes we need to prioritize WR (and some other obvious positions). We haven't really had elite level WR play since Lance.
Hopefully we can get some guys to step up develop but we will probably be looking at the portal for one or two. Without Tommy, we are going to need to start having a consistently threatening pass game to complement the RBs.

GoCats18 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 07, 2025 8:55 am

I think we will be rebuilding the next several years. The future of this team doesn’t look good, especially since we just want to bring in High School players and don’t look at bringing in talent that can fill holes immediately and allow those younger players to learn and grow.

I think this team is set up to make another deep run next year…..provided we don’t lose a ton of talent to the portal.NDSU loses one more senior starter than we do, and they’ll be just fine too. Of the four semifinalists this year, the one that is probably headed for a bit of a rebuild is SDSU, and that’s because their former coach gutted the program on the
way out. Idaho got gutted too, and UC Davis lost a lot of good seniors as well. Who do you have in mind that will be better than the 4 semifinalists this season?

I’ll miss our seniors, but I think there is a ton of young talent on defense (Daly, Taki U, Bryce G, C Dowler and I think ZacCrews is going to be a beast next year with Eiden looking good going into his senior year). On offense we have a deep line, great running backs and receivers. This team is probably already a quarter finalist if they just run the ball next year. There are some interesting young QB’s on the roster, and I would imagine there a lot of portal qb’s who wouldn’t mind landing in Bozeman.

Quite honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if there was a rematch of this year’s game in Nashville next season. Once again…..the outlook could change based on what happens with the portal, but there is a current roster in the country that I would take over ours right now.

MinnesotaBobcat wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 07, 2025 10:13 am

GoCats18 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 07, 2025 8:55 am

I think we will be rebuilding the next several years. The future of this team doesn’t look good, especially since we just want to bring in High School players and don’t look at bringing in talent that can fill holes immediately and allow those younger players to learn and grow.

I think this team is set up to make another deep run next year…..provided we don’t lose a ton of talent to the portal.NDSU loses one more senior starter than we do, and they’ll be just fine too. Of the four semifinalists this year, the one that is probably headed for a bit of a rebuild is SDSU, and that’s because their former coach gutted the program on the
way out. Idaho got gutted too, and UC Davis lost a lot of good seniors as well. Who do you have in mind that will be better than the 4 semifinalists this season?

I’ll miss our seniors, but I think there is a ton of young talent on defense (Daly, Taki U, Bryce G, C Dowler and I think ZacCrews is going to be a beast next year with Eiden looking good going into his senior year). On offense we have a deep line, great running backs and receivers. This team is probably already a quarter finalist if they just run the ball next year. There are some interesting young QB’s on the roster, and I would imagine there a lot of portal qb’s who wouldn’t mind landing in Bozeman.

Quite honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if there was a rematch of this year’s game in Nashville next season. Once again…..the outlook could change based on what happens with the portal, but there is a current roster in the country that I would take over ours right now.

Absolutely! I just think the experience the whole team got during the season, game time experience, can't be overstated. Hopefully we keep most if not all. Unlikely but one can hope. Replacing Walker and Johnson will be key.

Aside from Oregon, the schedule is pretty favorable. I would expect a 10-2 record.

MSU graduates a lot but returns a lot. Off the top of my head:
OL - Titan, Mastel, Jefferson, Rollins, Moore, Carr, Ezekial.
DL - Eiden, Brott, Eckert, Crews, Solano, Sharbono, Black, Marsh
LB - Grebe, Daily, Taylor
N - Gray, Dowler
S - Polidore, Taki, Dowler, Pottenger, Steel
CB - Powdrell, Carr, McMillan
RB - Jones, Humphrey, Davis, Coon, ULH, White
WR - Taco, King, Alexander, Trimble
TE - Jones, Schlepp, Provience
QB - Wilson
Plus lot of players that fans haven’t seen yet.

I would not be surprised if River grabs the QB1 spot.

Impressive player on film.

Chance has a high ceiling too though, and from what I can gather, the team likes him a lot.

The MSU Bobcats are an elite program. They will continue to be.

TomCat88 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 07, 2025 12:13 pm

Aside from Oregon, the schedule is pretty favorable. I would expect a 10-2 record.

MSU graduates a lot but returns a lot. Off the top of my head:
OL - Titan, Mastel, Jefferson, Rollins, Moore, Carr, Ezekial.
DL - Eiden, Brott, Eckert, Crews, Solano, Sharbono, Black, Marsh
LB - Grebe, Daily, Taylor
N - Gray, Dowler
S - Polidore, Taki, Dowler, Pottenger, Steel
CB - Powdrell, Carr, McMillan
RB - Jones, Humphrey, Davis, Coon, ULH, White
WR - Taco, King, Alexander, Trimble
TE - Jones, Schlepp, Provience
QB - Wilson
Plus lot of players that fans haven’t seen yet.

Cole Sain, JT Reed, and Jon Johnson are also eligible to return in 2025 after the Diego Pavia lawsuit and subsequent NCAA ruling on JC eligibility.

MSU01 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 07, 2025 12:42 pm

TomCat88 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 07, 2025 12:13 pm

Aside from Oregon, the schedule is pretty favorable. I would expect a 10-2 record.

MSU graduates a lot but returns a lot. Off the top of my head:
OL - Titan, Mastel, Jefferson, Rollins, Moore, Carr, Ezekial.
DL - Eiden, Brott, Eckert, Crews, Solano, Sharbono, Black, Marsh
LB - Grebe, Daily, Taylor
N - Gray, Dowler
S - Polidore, Taki, Dowler, Pottenger, Steel
CB - Powdrell, Carr, McMillan
RB - Jones, Humphrey, Davis, Coon, ULH, White
WR - Taco, King, Alexander, Trimble
TE - Jones, Schlepp, Provience
QB - Wilson
Plus lot of players that fans haven’t seen yet.

Cole Sain, JT Reed, and Jon Johnson are also eligible to return in 2025 after the Diego Pavia lawsuit and subsequent NCAA ruling on JC eligibility.

Cool!

GoCats18 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 07, 2025 8:55 am

I think we will be rebuilding the next several years. The future of this team doesn’t look good, especially since we just want to bring in High School players and don’t look at bringing in talent that can fill holes immediately and allow those younger players to learn and grow.

Would you just change teams! You are a terrible fan.