Bad news Bears beat up by Bobcats

The MSU football team notched its first winning season under Head Coach Jeff Choate on Nov. 10 when they defeated the Northern Colorado Bears 35-7 on Senior Day. A total of 11 seniors played their final home game for the Cats before they travel to Missoula on Nov. 17 for the Brawl of the Wild. The winning season is the first for the Cats since 2014, when the Cats finished 8-5 and hosted a playoff game.

The game started out in Northern Colorado’s favor as two untimely penalties on the Bobcats granted the Bears two first downs, each occurring on a third down. The drive ended in an eight-yard touchdown run to put the Bears up 7-0 early. A three-and-out on the Cats’ first possession had fans on the edge of their seat hoping the defense could stiffen up. That wish was granted as junior safety Jahque Alleyne picked off a Bears’ pass and returned it to Northern Colorado’s seven-yard line. Four plays later, sophomore do-it-all quarterback Troy Andersen skirted around the edge of the defense for a four-yard score.

Two plays into the second quarter, Andersen doubled his passing touchdown total on the year as he connected with senior running back Logan Jones from 18 yards out to put the Cats up 14-7. A fumble inside the ten yard line put MSU in amazing field position late in the second quarter. Andersen muscled his way in from four yards to position the Cats at a healthy 21-7 lead going into the half. Both offenses stalled in the third quarter as neither team found its way to the scoreboard.

After the fourth turnover of the day by the Bears and a fumble inside the Bobcats’ red zone, MSU was ready to put the nail in the coffin. Junior wide receiver Travis Jonsen did just that, with a 4-yard rush to add to the lead. Andersen found his way to the end zone one last time to finish up the scoring for the Cats. Andersen’s three touchdowns on the ground added to his lead for rushing touchdowns in the Big Sky Conference. Andersen has amassed a staggering 16 rushing scores on the year. With 104 yards on the ground, Andersen eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards for the 2018 season. Senior defensive end Tyrone Fa’anono flexed his quickness as he accounted for one of the two interceptions in the game off a dart thrown across the center of the field.

The Cats have played themselves into a possible playoff spot with the win. The University of Montana Grizzlies stand in the way of the potential bid as both teams sit at 6-4 overall.

A hostile climate? Check. Snow possible? Check. Possible playoff spot on the line? Check. What more could a Cats fan ask for going into the annual Brawl of the Wild contest.