MSU bested by SDSU Jackrabbits — but not without a fight

On game day, the energy of the stadium radiated; it could be felt from the parking lot. Every seat was filled and spectators — dressed in blue and gold —  buzzed with excitement to be back in Bobcat Stadium. Even the smoky heat of last Saturday afternoon could not keep fans from experiencing the first home football game of the season — the 18th annual Gold Rush. 

In front of 22,117 fans, MSU battled the 2025 Missouri Valley Football Conference’s second-ranked team, the South Dakota State University (SDSU) Jackrabbits. After an intensely close game, SDSU — the only team to tarnish the Bobcats’ previous streak of 10 consecutive Gold Rush victories after a 31-27 loss in 2017 — once again put a mark on MSU’s Gold Rush record, pulling out a win in double overtime with a final score of 30-24. 

Gold Rush started as a T-shirt marketing campaign in 2007, but has since grown into one of MSU’s most recognizable annual events, according to the MSU athletics website. The first home game kicks off MSU’s ‘Caturdays,’ a nickname for the Saturdays featuring home football games during the season.

“School can be stressful — even the first couple of weeks —and I think Gold Rush is your time to finally enjoy college,” freshman biochemistry student Kimber Andres said. 

This year, golden shirts and Bobcat gear filled the stadium and spilled into the surrounding parking lots. Nearly everyone — from future Bobcats to alumni — was covered head to toe in blue and gold, with some people even sporting MSU-themed body paint. 

“The school spirit is thrilling, and everyone just wants to have a good time,” pre-nursing student Ellen Barrett said. “The community is crazy.”

Many alumni continue the tradition by traveling from all across Montana to attend every Gold Rush game. “Our entrance with the horses is second to none,” said Ken Inabnit, a retired military pilot and MSU alum. Inabnit said he has not missed a Gold Rush game since the tradition began. 

Even while the game was going on, tailgaters watched from the backs of their trucks and enjoyed the excitement from afar. Tailgating spots are coveted, and people start pregaming hours before the game — some, like Inabnit, arriving as early as 9 a.m. 

“My favorite part of Gold Rush is the tailgates — being at the tailgates is different than any other game,” sophomore civil engineering student Quaid Ash said. “Everyone is excited to be there; all the tailgates are packed with people and music.” 

The Bobcats fought hard throughout the game, and after their loss last week to the University of Oregon, it was clear they wanted to come out on top.

At the end of the first quarter, the ‘Cats were down by three after a field goal from SDSU. Despite MSU’s slow start, the energy in the stadium was electric and there was not a quiet fan in the bleachers. In the second quarter, quarterback Justin Lamson made a scramble on third down to gain eight yards, which led to his touchdown in the next play. 

“Looking at rushing numbers, [Lamson] scrambling around was probably our best offense,” Head Coach Brent Vigen said in the post-game conference. “That's an element of the passing game when they cover and they drop out, but ultimately, from just a pure efficiency [standpoint] in our consistency in the passing game, it wasn't good enough tonight.”

In the fourth quarter, a fumbled recovery of a botched punt led to a touchdown by redshirt freshman defensive end Seth Brock, giving the Bobcats a seven-point lead. 

As the game stayed close throughout the fourth quarter — and eventually slid into overtime as the scores tied up — the crowd only got louder.

In overtime, the Bobcats won the coin toss and started on offense. Dane Steel — a redshirt freshman and first-time starter who replaced injured wide receiver Chris Long — made a fast catch to gain a first down. Running back Adam Jones then rushed up the middle two yards, securing the touchdown. The Jackrabbits retaliated with a scoring pass to tie the game back up at 24-24. 

During the nail-biting double overtime, SDSU started on offense and immediately scored a touchdown with a 25-yard pass. MSU gained possession again but failed to convert on fourth and one. The game ended with a final score of 30-24, with the Jackrabbits besting the Bobcats once again. 

“Well, all you can do is go back to work,” Vigen said. “I know there's another opportunity next week. I said early in the week that this wasn't going to make us or break us, but it was an important game to gauge where we're at. I thought we played really hard, but when it comes down to just pure level of execution, it wasn't good enough to win.” 

While this was a tough loss for the Bobcats, fans made sure the Gold Rush energy never slowed down. The Bobcats play at home again next week against the University of San Diego Toreros, this time with a theme aimed at breast cancer awareness — Pack the Place in Pink.

For more information on game scheduling, visit https://msubobcats.com/sports/football.