Justin Lamson led MSU to a win over UC Davis under the lights in November
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
BOBCAT GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #14: Bobcats Set for Friday Night Lights
12/12/2025 5:54:00 PM | Football
MSU, Lumberjacks get together in Bobcat Stadium
BOZEMAN, Mont. (Dec. 12, 2025) – Befitting a small-town Midwesterner, Brent Vigen loves Friday night lights. And during his time as Montana State's head coach, it's shown.
For the fourth time in five seasons the Cats are playing on a Friday night. The last three of those – 2022, 2024 and tonight – are playoff games. Montana State beat William & Mary 55-7 in 2022 and Idaho 52-19 two years later. Those games came after a regular season game in 2021 when the Cats won a 13-7 slugfest at Weber State.
There is one glitch on MSU's Friday night playoff record. The Cats dropped a 34-16 quarterfinal showdown with Sam Houston in Bobcat Stadium in 2012.
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Stephen F. Austin quarterback Sam Vidlak is no stranger to the Bobcats. Vidlak transferred from the University of Montana to SFA after the 2023 season, and has blossomed into a star. A Walter Payton Award finalist, Vidlak throws for 103.9 yards a game while completing 67.2. percent of his passes. He triggers an offense that stands 14th in scoring in the FCS.
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While the Lumberjacks visit Bobcat Stadium for the fourth time tonight – MSU is 3-0 at home in the series, 1-2 in Nacogdoches – SFA is no stranger to playoff football in the Treasure State. Stephen F. Austin lost a semifinal game in Missoula in 1995, and a second round game in 2009.
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How impressive has Bobcat safety Caden Dowler, this year's Big Sky Defensive MVP, been with the ball in his hands? He has 230 return yards on five interceptions. By comparison, Caden's twin brother Taco 260 yards on 19 punt returns. Both are 1st Team All-Big Sky selections.
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The pivotal matchup tonight is occurs on the ground when MSU has the ball. Montana State's offense is the fourth-ranked rushing attack in the FCS, while Stephen F Austin's rush defense is third.
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Lumberjacks freshman quarterback JT Kitna is the son of former NFL quarterback Jon Kitna. Jon Kitna played college football at Central Washington, and played for CWU against the Bobcats in Reno H. Sales Stadium in 1994.
#GoCatsGo
For the fourth time in five seasons the Cats are playing on a Friday night. The last three of those – 2022, 2024 and tonight – are playoff games. Montana State beat William & Mary 55-7 in 2022 and Idaho 52-19 two years later. Those games came after a regular season game in 2021 when the Cats won a 13-7 slugfest at Weber State.
There is one glitch on MSU's Friday night playoff record. The Cats dropped a 34-16 quarterfinal showdown with Sam Houston in Bobcat Stadium in 2012.
* * * * *
Stephen F. Austin quarterback Sam Vidlak is no stranger to the Bobcats. Vidlak transferred from the University of Montana to SFA after the 2023 season, and has blossomed into a star. A Walter Payton Award finalist, Vidlak throws for 103.9 yards a game while completing 67.2. percent of his passes. He triggers an offense that stands 14th in scoring in the FCS.
* * * * *
While the Lumberjacks visit Bobcat Stadium for the fourth time tonight – MSU is 3-0 at home in the series, 1-2 in Nacogdoches – SFA is no stranger to playoff football in the Treasure State. Stephen F. Austin lost a semifinal game in Missoula in 1995, and a second round game in 2009.
* * * * *
How impressive has Bobcat safety Caden Dowler, this year's Big Sky Defensive MVP, been with the ball in his hands? He has 230 return yards on five interceptions. By comparison, Caden's twin brother Taco 260 yards on 19 punt returns. Both are 1st Team All-Big Sky selections.
* * * * *
The pivotal matchup tonight is occurs on the ground when MSU has the ball. Montana State's offense is the fourth-ranked rushing attack in the FCS, while Stephen F Austin's rush defense is third.
* * * * *
Lumberjacks freshman quarterback JT Kitna is the son of former NFL quarterback Jon Kitna. Jon Kitna played college football at Central Washington, and played for CWU against the Bobcats in Reno H. Sales Stadium in 1994.
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
DB
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