Cats fall in the Brawl, look ahead to the playoffs

Bobcat football fell to the Griz, 29-10, in the Brawl of the Wild on Saturday, Nov. 20, the final game of the regular season. Montana scored the first points on the second play of the game, scorching the Cats defense for a 74-yard touchdown. The Cats responded with a field goal about ten minutes later, but the Griz refused to slow the pace. Three unanswered field goals gave Montana a 16-3 lead at halftime. From there, the Griz defense took care of business. The Cats struggled to advance the ball in the second half, and a fumble late in the third quarter resulted in a defensive touchdown for the Griz. MSU finally found the end zone on a two yard pass from quarterback Matthew McKay, but with only 48 seconds left on the clock and a nineteen-point deficit, it was too little too late.

Despite a gut-wrenching loss in Missoula, the Cats’ regular season was remarkably successful. A week one loss to FBS Wyoming fired the Bobcats up, and the Cats began stacking up wins. Going into Saturday’s game in Missoula, the Cats had won nine straight games and held the number three spot in the FCS national rankings. Losing to the Griz was not the fairytale ending to the season the Cats hoped for, but their body of work this season was still enough to earn the respect of the FCS Playoff selection committee.

The Cats were selected as the eighth-seed for the FCS national championship tournament, earning a first-round bye. In 2019, the Cats reached the FCS semifinals before losing 42-14 to North Dakota State. The Cats are ranked higher this season and are true contenders for a national championship. Although unlikely, a Brawl of the Wild rematch is possible for the championship this season.

Though Bobcat Nation is certainly feeling blue after this Saturday, the Cats now have the opportunity to right the ship and win a national title in the process. The first round of the FCS playoffs will take place Saturday, Nov. 27, and the Cats will get some much-needed rest while they wait to see who their quarterfinal opponent will be. On Saturday, Dec. 4, MSU will return to the turf in Bozeman for the quarterfinals against the winner of the game between Missouri State and UT Martin. Missouri State is ranked 12th in the nation going into the playoffs and holds an 8-3 record, including impressive wins over South Dakota and Southern Illinois. UT Martin also had a strong season, going 9-2 and earning a 16th overall ranking. Either way, the Cats will have their hands full.