Fan power prevails in Gold Rush victory over Maine

A sea of gold welcomed the Bobcats home for the annual Gold Rush football game this past Saturday, with a 41-24 victory over the Maine Black Bears. Since 2007, the Gold Rush football game has served as the team’s home opener and has remained a hallmark of school spirit for Bobcat fans and students alike.

Just like many other great traditions, participating in Gold Rush is simple: all one has to do is wear a gold-colored shirt and go to the game, showing off as much school spirit as possible. It’s spirit events like these that establish and strengthen a fanbase, reigniting passions for fans old and new.

However, the spirit that permeates the MSU campus during Gold Rush isn’t just contained to clothing — it oozes from the very core of the student body, from freshman to senior to graduate student.

 “I feel like among the school community, everyone just wants to come together and be a Bobcat and really support the team, go to the stadium, and just cheer. It’s an awesome experience for everyone and I love it,” fourth-year student Dax Donati said.

It’s clear that the students at MSU have taken up the Gold Rush tradition with gusto. Home football game days — dubbed Caturdays by the fans — are always full-day events. And no Caturday is livelier than the one on Gold Rush weekend. 

This Caturday was put out of reach early for the Black Bears, as MSU jumped to a 38-7 lead by halftime. The MSU offense was explosive, led by a strong rushing attack that accounted for 344 total yards and saw multiple players break off long runs. Quarterback Tommy Mellot was on fire to start the game, hitting on 11/14 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown. 

Maine struggled on both sides of the ball to start the game, with the Bobcat defense surrendering points on only one of the Black Bears' eight possessions in the first half. The Black Bears wouldn’t quit though, beginning the second half with a strip sack on the opening drive and a quick score on a 19-yard scamper by Maine receiver Trevin Ewing shortly thereafter.

As the second half continued, MSU was able to show off some depth and play multiple bench players, such as backup quarterbacks Chance Wilson and Jordan Reed. The Black Bears were able to build a little momentum, scoring 17 points in the second half to MSU’s 3. However, defensive back Jackson Harmon punctuated the Bobcat victory with an interception of Maine quarterback Carter Peevey with 43 seconds remaining.

It was a perfect ending for a game with so much buildup, as fans were able to cheer one last time before emptying out of Bobcat Stadium on Saturday night.

Because Gold Rush is so iconic, all Bobcat fans celebrate their beloved team differently. While some are out early in the morning showcasing their team spirit, others prepare for the event at home with the company of a few close friends. 

Donati noted that “since 8 a.m. this morning, people have been out cheering, walking down the street, just getting ready [for the game.] It’s a great day to be a Bobcat, for sure.” 

Third-year student Nathan Huntsinger described his own experience, saying that he would get with friends “three-to-four hours before. We usually leave around 30 minutes before the game and we try to stay for the whole game, but if it’s a slaughter we’ll leave when we’re up by 28 points.”

The celebration also doesn’t happen just for show. Bobcat fans continue to join in the Gold Rush tradition each year because they truly believe in the team and the community that’s been created among the fans. 

Having all of the fans at the game is a massive part of the Gold Rush tradition, if not the most important. Each year the game serves as an initiation of sorts for first time attendees, fully welcoming them into the Bobcat fandom. “My favorite part [of Gold Rush] is when the fight song comes on and half the stadium knows it by heart and the new freshmen don’t know what to say yet,” Huntsinger said.

The sense of spirit and school pride that is brought about by Gold Rush translates to the football field, as the Bobcats boast an impressive 16-1 all-time record in Gold Rush games. The Bobcats’ singular loss came against South Dakota State in the 2017 season, with a final score of 31-27. Since that loss, the team has started a new winning streak, currently sitting at 7-0 in Gold Rush games since 2018, with four of those wins coming under Head Coach Brent Vigen.  

The fans at Bobcat Stadium Saturday evening were cheering from start to finish, and the energy was certainly felt by the team that night. “It was electric,” Vigen said. “We don’t take it for granted. [The] guys feed off that energy.”

While the Bobcats and their fans certainly had a lot to celebrate after the win, Vigen provided a road map of sorts as the team heads into the upcoming bye week. “Our record is where we want it to be. Hopefully, we [will be] healthier and take a couple steps forward as we move into conference play. These are an important couple of weeks,” he said.

As MSU takes advantage of some well-earned rest before a crucial stretch of the season, they’ll also be preparing to face Mercyhurst on Sept. 21 for the “Pack the Place in Pink” game.

For now, another Gold Rush has passed and reinvigorated the MSU community for the 127th season of MSU football. 

However, Bobcat fans just like Donati and Huntsinger won’t easily forget the special feeling that Gold Rush brings. “I feel like the energy is unmatched completely. There’s so many people coming out, supporting the team by wearing gold. It’s been insane,” Donati said.

Those interested in catching the Bobcats at their next home game can find their schedule at

https://msubobcats.com/sports/football/schedule/2024.