Saturday, November 11
BOZEMAN
1 pm
Montana State University
vs
Eastern Washington
Senior Ben Seymour (middle) leads a strong Bobcat defense against Eastern Washington on Senior Day this weekend
Photo by: Daryn Hendrickson
GAME #10: Bobcats Host Eastern Washington and Eagles' Four-Game Bobcat Stadium Win Streak on Senior Day
11/9/2023 2:28:00 PM | Football
Montana State puts 25-game home winning streak on the line
BOZEMAN, Montana – Something has to give Saturday when an Eastern Washington team with four straight wins in Bobcat Stadium visits Montana State, which has won 25 straight home games.
The Eagles have won two of three, but third-year Bobcat coach Brent Vigen says that's not what has his team's attention. "When you have an opponent that's taken you to the brink the year before, or in this case two close games (the last two years), it grabs the (players) attention," he said. "Our eyes are open against this opponent and it becomes a lot less about looking at their current record and more about knowing how tough they've played us."
For the record, Eastern Washington's is 4-5 overall and 3-3 in Big Sky play. The Cats (7-2 overall, 5-1 in the league), locked in a three-way tie for first place in the Big Sky, look to stay in the hunt for an FCS Playoff berth and national seeding.
Vigen knows the task is tall. "Eastern Washington is coming here off a big victory (48-13) where they scored a lot of points in the first half against Cal Poly," he said. "They've been a team that's been able to score with everybody they've played and I'm sure gave everybody fits with their ability to compete with them. As Eastern Washington typically is, they're explosive on offense. They've averaging about 33 points a game, that certainly stands out."
Eastern's 33.2 points per game is third in the Big Sky, and the Eagles' high-flying offense runs into a Bobcat defense that stands second in the Big Sky, surrendering 19.6 points per game. EWU quarterback Kekoa Visperas leads the Big Sky with 2,142 passing yards, and receiver Efton Chism III is third in the loop with 735 receiving yards.
Defensive end Da'Marcus Johnson paces a strong Eastern pass rush. He has reached the opposing quarterback 3.5 times this season, while Brock Harrison has 3.0. "Defensively they've certainly played well at times," Vigen said. "They start eight seniors, and I think that's the one thing you look at is they have a lot of experience on that side of rhe ball. They get after the passer at times, they pressure a little more than I seem remember the last couple of years.
Montana State's offense continues to lead the Big Sky in scoring at 42.3 points a game, second-best in the FCS. A strong ground game powers the Bobcat offense, accounting for 305.1 yards a game. Running backs Julius Davis (74.1 yards per game) and Jared White (56.2) lead the way, and the team's quarterbacks Tommy Mellott and Sean Chambers combine for around 100 yards a game.
Saturday's game, which kicks off at 1 pm, closes the regular season portion of Montana State's home schedule. The team plays at Montana on November 18. MSU honors 12 seniors Saturday, an important group who owns one of the top winning percentages over four seasons in program history. David Alston, Nolan Askelson, Sean Chambers, Blake Hehl, Treyton Pickering, Level Price Jr., Holden Sampson, Ben Seymour, Derryk Snell, Lane Sumner, Clevan Thomas, and Tayvian Williams.
"One more regular season home game and that gives us the chance to honor our seniors," Vigen said. "I always look forward to that opportunity because they've meant so much to this program. They're not all guys that have been here for all three of our years, necessarily, but in some form they've each meant a lot to this program. It's a really resilient group, those six-year guys that came in back in '18, all that they've been through and persevered. They will continue to leave a lasting impression on this program."
The game airs on the MTN sports channel over-the-air (check local listings) around Montana, on DIRECTV, and streams on ESPN+. The Bobcat Radio Network also calls the action around Montana on the Bobcat Radio Network.
#GoCatsGo
The Eagles have won two of three, but third-year Bobcat coach Brent Vigen says that's not what has his team's attention. "When you have an opponent that's taken you to the brink the year before, or in this case two close games (the last two years), it grabs the (players) attention," he said. "Our eyes are open against this opponent and it becomes a lot less about looking at their current record and more about knowing how tough they've played us."
For the record, Eastern Washington's is 4-5 overall and 3-3 in Big Sky play. The Cats (7-2 overall, 5-1 in the league), locked in a three-way tie for first place in the Big Sky, look to stay in the hunt for an FCS Playoff berth and national seeding.
Vigen knows the task is tall. "Eastern Washington is coming here off a big victory (48-13) where they scored a lot of points in the first half against Cal Poly," he said. "They've been a team that's been able to score with everybody they've played and I'm sure gave everybody fits with their ability to compete with them. As Eastern Washington typically is, they're explosive on offense. They've averaging about 33 points a game, that certainly stands out."
Eastern's 33.2 points per game is third in the Big Sky, and the Eagles' high-flying offense runs into a Bobcat defense that stands second in the Big Sky, surrendering 19.6 points per game. EWU quarterback Kekoa Visperas leads the Big Sky with 2,142 passing yards, and receiver Efton Chism III is third in the loop with 735 receiving yards.
Defensive end Da'Marcus Johnson paces a strong Eastern pass rush. He has reached the opposing quarterback 3.5 times this season, while Brock Harrison has 3.0. "Defensively they've certainly played well at times," Vigen said. "They start eight seniors, and I think that's the one thing you look at is they have a lot of experience on that side of rhe ball. They get after the passer at times, they pressure a little more than I seem remember the last couple of years.
Montana State's offense continues to lead the Big Sky in scoring at 42.3 points a game, second-best in the FCS. A strong ground game powers the Bobcat offense, accounting for 305.1 yards a game. Running backs Julius Davis (74.1 yards per game) and Jared White (56.2) lead the way, and the team's quarterbacks Tommy Mellott and Sean Chambers combine for around 100 yards a game.
Saturday's game, which kicks off at 1 pm, closes the regular season portion of Montana State's home schedule. The team plays at Montana on November 18. MSU honors 12 seniors Saturday, an important group who owns one of the top winning percentages over four seasons in program history. David Alston, Nolan Askelson, Sean Chambers, Blake Hehl, Treyton Pickering, Level Price Jr., Holden Sampson, Ben Seymour, Derryk Snell, Lane Sumner, Clevan Thomas, and Tayvian Williams.
"One more regular season home game and that gives us the chance to honor our seniors," Vigen said. "I always look forward to that opportunity because they've meant so much to this program. They're not all guys that have been here for all three of our years, necessarily, but in some form they've each meant a lot to this program. It's a really resilient group, those six-year guys that came in back in '18, all that they've been through and persevered. They will continue to leave a lasting impression on this program."
The game airs on the MTN sports channel over-the-air (check local listings) around Montana, on DIRECTV, and streams on ESPN+. The Bobcat Radio Network also calls the action around Montana on the Bobcat Radio Network.
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
DE
/ Football
LB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
DT
/ Football
QB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
CB
/ Football
Ol
/ Football
DE
/ Football
TE
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballLeon Costello Press Conference: Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center
Thursday, July 31
A Conversation with President Dr. Waded Cruzado | Montana State Athletics
Monday, May 19
Big Cats, Little Trucks - Willie Patterson
Wednesday, May 03
Matt Houk Introductory Press Conference
Wednesday, May 03
