It's playoff season in Bozeman

Bobcat Football advanced to the FCS Quarterfinals with a 26-7 victory over UT-Martin on Saturday, Dec. 4. In 2019, the Cats’ most recent season of playoff competition prior to 2021, MSU reached the semifinals before falling to North Dakota State, which went on to win the national championship.

The Cats broke a scoreless tie early in the second quarter as freshman quarterback Tommy Mellott punched through the Skyhawk defense for a 1-yard rushing touchdown. The Cats added to their lead just a few minutes later as freshman kicker Blake Glessner split the uprights for a 35-yard field goal. As the game neared halftime, the Cats looked ready to pad their lead further, but UT Martin’s defense forced a fumble and returned it 68 yards for a touchdown, cutting the Cats’ lead to three as the teams retreated to their respective locker rooms.

After the half, both squads found it tough to generate offense in the incredibly windy conditions inside Bobcat stadium. Gusts over 30 mph made each quarterback’s role much more difficult and made the rushing component of each offense even more crucial. The Cats added another field goal midway through the third quarter, but still held just a six point lead going into the final quarter.

Finally, Mellot’s highly-touted running ability burst onto the scene as the Cats’ quarterback sprinted for a 73-yard score in the first minute of the fourth quarter. The Cats controlled the game throughout the final quarter, and junior running back Isaiah Ifanse cemented the victory with a 17-yard rushing touchdown with just over five minutes remaining.

The Cats’ rushing offense was outstanding on Saturday, gaining 387 yards and accounting for all three of MSU’s touchdowns. “We were able to rush the football today, on an incredibly windy day,” MSU Head Coach Brent Vigen said. Vigen was also impressed by his team’s ability to contain the Skyhawk offense, especially on the ground. “For the most part, we stopped them from rushing it,” Vigen said. “We really made their quarterbacks uncomfortable.” UT-Martin’s passing game accounted for just 112 yards, no touchdowns and an interception on Saturday, a testament to the Cats’ defensive effort.

Saturday’s game was the first this season without quarterback Matthew McKay on the field. McKay recently entered the transfer portal and has been removed from the MSU roster. “We made a change that we thought was better for our team,” Vigen said, referring to the decision to start Mellott at quarterback during the team’s weekly preparations. “We had an individual that made a change that was best for him. We wish him well and that’s all I’m gonna say about Matt McKay.”

MSU’s win on Saturday advanced the team to the FCS quarterfinals, where they will face top-ranked Sam Houston State. The Bearkats are undefeated this season and beat Incarnate Word 49-42 to advance to the quarterfinals. The Cats will travel to Huntsville, Texas for the matchup this Saturday, kicking off at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+.

“It was apparent from back in February when I got here that [the players] were all about getting to December and seeing what we could do,”  Vigen said. “And here we are.”