Justin Lamson returns to the MSU lineup today
Photo by: Brian Morse
BOBCAT GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #7: Personnel Shuffle Continues as Cats Welcome Back and Lose Multiple Starters
10/17/2026 3:58:00 PM | Football
Caden Dowler, Justin Lamson and Adam Jones are back, while Taki Uluilakepa and Burke Mastel are out
CHENEY, Wash. (Oct. 17, 2026) – Montana State's personnel shuffle continues in its game at Eastern Washington today.
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While the Bobcats welcome back three mainstays – quarterback Justin Lamson, running back Adam Jones and safety Caden Dowler – the team will be without two other starters. Senior safety Taki Uluilakepa and fifth-year offensive guard Burke Mastel are each sidelined today with injuries.
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In their stead, a pair of rotation regulars make their first career starts. Senior safety JJ Dolan slides into the nickel spot with Bryant Meredith at free safety, while senior Dylan Rollins opens the game at left guard.
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Senior running back Colson Coon is also unavailable today. Jared White and Cale Breslin slide up behind Jones in the two-deep.
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Today's game marks Brent Vigen's fourth visit in six seasons to Roos Field. The Bobcats won in Cheney in Vigen's first two seasons as Bobcats head coach, 2021 and 2022, and also triumphed in 2024. MSU's 42-28 win two years ago was a closely-contested deep into the fourth quarter, while the first two of those wins came by three points (23-20 in '21, 38-35 in '22).
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Eastern Washington quarterback Nate Bell's ability to impact games goes well beyond even his positional importance. He leads the Eagles in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, with three 100-yard rushing games. He's also thrown for at least 300 yards three times.
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Montana State's current five-game winning streak in this series is the program's longest. On the other hand, Eastern Washington owns four streaks of at least that many wins.
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#GoCatsGo
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While the Bobcats welcome back three mainstays – quarterback Justin Lamson, running back Adam Jones and safety Caden Dowler – the team will be without two other starters. Senior safety Taki Uluilakepa and fifth-year offensive guard Burke Mastel are each sidelined today with injuries.
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In their stead, a pair of rotation regulars make their first career starts. Senior safety JJ Dolan slides into the nickel spot with Bryant Meredith at free safety, while senior Dylan Rollins opens the game at left guard.
Â
Senior running back Colson Coon is also unavailable today. Jared White and Cale Breslin slide up behind Jones in the two-deep.
Â
* * * * *
Â
Today's game marks Brent Vigen's fourth visit in six seasons to Roos Field. The Bobcats won in Cheney in Vigen's first two seasons as Bobcats head coach, 2021 and 2022, and also triumphed in 2024. MSU's 42-28 win two years ago was a closely-contested deep into the fourth quarter, while the first two of those wins came by three points (23-20 in '21, 38-35 in '22).
Â
* * * * *
Â
Eastern Washington quarterback Nate Bell's ability to impact games goes well beyond even his positional importance. He leads the Eagles in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, with three 100-yard rushing games. He's also thrown for at least 300 yards three times.
Â
* * * * *
Â
Montana State's current five-game winning streak in this series is the program's longest. On the other hand, Eastern Washington owns four streaks of at least that many wins.
Â
#GoCatsGo
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