Bobcats pack on points — and pink — in victory over Mercyhurst

Bobcat fans donned pink shirts this past Saturday as they watched MSU defeat the Mercyhurst Lakers 52-13 in the annual “Pack the Place in Pink” football game. 

The game has been held as an annual event to promote breast cancer awareness since its inception in 2018 and Saturday’s event provided football fans with an opportunity to support a good cause and cheer MSU on toward a dominating victory.

The Bobcat offense was on the move early and constantly threatened Mercyhurst throughout the game. Quarterback Tommy Mellot passed for 214 yards with a .777 completion percentage, and running backs Colson Coon and Scottre Humphrey rushed for 102 and 77 yards, respectively.

MSU’s explosive performance held statistical significance for a couple of Bobcats, as Mellot passed for three touchdowns for the second time of his collegiate career and Coon had his first 100-yard rushing game to go with a 50-yard TD runt.

The Bobcat defense had Mercyhurst on lockdown throughout the game, as only one of the two Laker touchdowns resulted from an offensive drive. MSU’s special teams unit also got their first touchdown of the season, after a punt was blocked by Rylan Ortt and returned by Zac Crews. Head Coach Brent Vigen was happy with the team’s performance overall. “I like where we’re at,” he said. The Bobcats move into conference play against Idaho State this coming Saturday. MSU’s victory moved them to a 4-0 record for the year, and while fans watched the team dominate on the field, they did so with a good cause at the forefront of their minds.

The “Pack the Place in Pink” football game stands for more than just showing up to a football game wearing pink shirts. It’s actually the name of a breast cancer awareness organization that is recognized throughout Montana. The nonprofit was inspired by volleyball players wearing pink shirts on the heels of MSU alum Vicki Heebner Carle’s own cancer diagnosis. It has since grown into a beacon of hope for Montanans in need — garnering official nonprofit status in 2013. 

When the MSU Bobcats partnered with Pack the Place in Pink for a football game in 2018, the annual “Pack the Place in Pink” football game as Bobcats know it today was born. “She welcomed us in and she said: Think big!” Carle said, describing a meeting with current MSU President Waded Cruzado about a potential partnership with MSU Football. 

The special merchandise sale for this annual event has become an engine for Bobcat fans to support the cause. These sales, which feature pink shirts and hats, are also a significant contributor to the ability to donate for Pack the Place in Pink. In fact, Carle explained that the organization donates roughly 95% of the money raised from merchandise sales to those in need. These processes are done entirely by volunteers to maximize the amount of money that can be given.

What “Pack the Place in Pink” has become today is tangible proof that when enough people are given a chance to help someone, they will. After all, the statewide showing of support that “Pack the Place in Pink” has become “was never the goal,” Carle explained. She simply attributed her faith in that belief to Montanans being good folk with an opportunity to do a good thing.

Carle also shared a powerful piece of advice, saying: “The thing that I always say to people, because I’ve lived this, is cancer isn’t a death sentence, it’s a life sentence.”

If you wish to support or learn more about the Pack the Place in Pink nonprofit organization, visit their website at https://packtheplaceinpink.org/.