MSU Football looks to make homecoming crowd proud

Montana State will welcome home alumni from across the state, country and globe this Saturday when the sixth-ranked Bobcats host Sacramento State in the annual homecoming football game. The week-long tradition connects Bobcats of the past, present and future, allowing everyone to enjoy this amazing place together for a weekend. While this week will be full of all sorts of events, the highlight will be Saturday's contest against an upstart Sacramento State team.

MSU comes rolling into the game relieved with a 34-28 overtime victory against Cal Poly last Saturday in San Luis Obispo, Cali. MSU was up 28-7 at one point, before the Mustangs charged back to tie the score at 28 apiece. In overtime, senior receiver Travis Jonsen took the direct snap out of the wildcat for three consecutive plays, and scored the winning touchdown to clinch the Bobcats first win in San Luis Obispo since 1995.

While barely missing the top-25 this week, Sacramento State is having their best season in years, holding a record of 3-2. The two losses came both in impressively close ball games against FBS teams Arizona State and Fresno State. While their three victories this season were all by a margin of at least three touchdowns - including a 50-0 drubbing of Northern Colorado and a 48-27 win last week against the defending national runner-ups Eastern Washington. Sac State’s explosive offense produces 464 yards a game and averages 40.4 points a game, which is second in the conference only to Montana.

MSU Head Coach Jeff Choate predicts this game won’t be like previous matchups, saying, “This is certainly the best FCS team that we have played,” acknowledging that the Hornets have been impressive against all of their opponents thus far. He further added, “We’re going to have our hands full.” These are words not often said about a program that went 2-8 the year before.

Besides hosting the Hornets, Montana State will expect thousands of alumni to return to campus this weekend. Traditions many may recall include the lighting of the M, and the ‘GO CATS’ lighting of North and South Hedges will again take place. New events such as the block party carnival will provide fresh opportunities to take in the festivities. As any long-time Bobcat will tell you, the best way to enjoy homecoming week is to get involved as much as you can. Make sure to attend the Friday pep rally and Saturday morning parade, both downtown, and experience two of this university's finest traditions which incorporate the whole community with MSU students, faculty and alumni.

While homecoming is an especially popular time for old Bobcats to come back to town, Coach Choate emphasized, “The cool thing to me is I think at Montana State, every week is homecoming.” He’s right, Bozeman is one of those special places where every home game weekend brings together a reunion of sorts. From all over the state and beyond, fans make their way through snow, ice and hail to see their friends, family and peers in the tailgate lots of Bobcat Stadium. This weekend will be much of the same, just on a larger scale.

Bobcat nation will be in full force Saturday cheering on a team enjoying its best season start since 2012, when MSU went on to claim the Big Sky title later that year. Fans filling the stands this weekend are optimistic this year may have a similar outcome. The blue and gold will look to stay undefeated in the FCS Saturday at 2 p.m. Make sure to safely enjoy the entertaining week of festivities.