Patrick Duchien
Photo by: Daryn Hendrickson
BOBCAT GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #6: Patrick Duchien Ready for Second Start
10/2/2026 7:26:00 PM | Football
Montana State settles into new normal with three offensive stars sidelined
BOZEMAN, Mont. (Oct. 2, 2026) – Montana State offensive coordinator Pete Sterbick's feelings about quarterback Patrick Duchien didn't change during the senior's starting debut against No. 18 Northern Arizona last week.
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Quite the opposite. Much of what Sterbick has come to know about Duchien was confirmed. "He must have the lowest resting heart rate on the team," MSU's second-year OC and quarterbacks coach said, "because he's the same all the time. Even during the game when he made some mistakes he didn't get too rattled."
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Duchien makes his second straight start tonight in Idaho's P1FCU Kibbie Dome, when MSU faces the Vandals at 8:30 pm MT on ESPN. He said the week just past didn't feel markedly different than the one preceding.
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"I'd say maybe a little bit," he said after throwing for 204 yards and rushing for 77 more in MSU's 28-14 win over the Lumberjacks. "After already playing a game you know what you need to do going into the next week, but it's still focus on the preparation side of things and make sure we're all fully prepared.
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Maybe a little bit, but I think the way we practice helps, too. We have a good practice plan throughout the week and that really helps. But it's hard to replicate 100 percent what a game is really like, so having a full game under your belt really helps.
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He knew a lot more coming into the week of preparation, it was a little unsure the week before, but conversely we had a short week. That escalated everything and accelerated the learning curve for the game plan, so there was an odd balance there.
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He seemed pretty much the same, but I think probably inside he was a little more comfortable, a little more confident. But honestly, that's just him. That's who he is.
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* * * * *
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Duchien starts tonight's game in the continued absence of Justin Lamson. Receiver Taco Dowler and running back Adam Jones also remain out. Receiver Parker Mady is possible to return, but his status is a game-time decision.
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* * * * * *
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Earle Solomonson led the Bobcats as head coach from 1987-91, and he continues to hold two milestones in the MSU-Idaho series. His team's win in 1990 is the most recent Bobcat win at UI, while his loss to the Vandals in 1991 is the most recent road win by either team.
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* * * * *
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Moscow is the site of Montana State's first-ever out-of-state game back in 1905, a 50-0 Vandals win at City Field. In the intervening years, the teams have met in 13 different stadiums, five different towns and three different states.
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* * * * *
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The Bobcats' two-deep receives only minor revisions before tonight's game. Reserve defensive tackles Josaiah Asuega and Hunter Sharbono are out, with Hudson Wiens and Jon Hurst-Daniels sliding into the depth chart.
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* * * * *
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While Colson Coon's breakout game a week ago – the 191 rushing yards is tied for 21st most in Bobcat history – seemed like a revelation, the only element that was truly out of place was the volume. His 11.6 yards-per-carry average was sixth-best in a single game, but in his three seasons at MSU Coon has averaged 7.0 yards per carry (131 rushes, 920 yards). That rate would be the fifth-highest in school history.
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#GoCatsGo
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Quite the opposite. Much of what Sterbick has come to know about Duchien was confirmed. "He must have the lowest resting heart rate on the team," MSU's second-year OC and quarterbacks coach said, "because he's the same all the time. Even during the game when he made some mistakes he didn't get too rattled."
Â
Duchien makes his second straight start tonight in Idaho's P1FCU Kibbie Dome, when MSU faces the Vandals at 8:30 pm MT on ESPN. He said the week just past didn't feel markedly different than the one preceding.
Â
"I'd say maybe a little bit," he said after throwing for 204 yards and rushing for 77 more in MSU's 28-14 win over the Lumberjacks. "After already playing a game you know what you need to do going into the next week, but it's still focus on the preparation side of things and make sure we're all fully prepared.
Â
Maybe a little bit, but I think the way we practice helps, too. We have a good practice plan throughout the week and that really helps. But it's hard to replicate 100 percent what a game is really like, so having a full game under your belt really helps.
Â
Â
He knew a lot more coming into the week of preparation, it was a little unsure the week before, but conversely we had a short week. That escalated everything and accelerated the learning curve for the game plan, so there was an odd balance there.
Â
He seemed pretty much the same, but I think probably inside he was a little more comfortable, a little more confident. But honestly, that's just him. That's who he is.
Â
Â
* * * * *
Â
Duchien starts tonight's game in the continued absence of Justin Lamson. Receiver Taco Dowler and running back Adam Jones also remain out. Receiver Parker Mady is possible to return, but his status is a game-time decision.
Â
* * * * * *
Â
Earle Solomonson led the Bobcats as head coach from 1987-91, and he continues to hold two milestones in the MSU-Idaho series. His team's win in 1990 is the most recent Bobcat win at UI, while his loss to the Vandals in 1991 is the most recent road win by either team.
Â
* * * * *
Â
Moscow is the site of Montana State's first-ever out-of-state game back in 1905, a 50-0 Vandals win at City Field. In the intervening years, the teams have met in 13 different stadiums, five different towns and three different states.
Â
* * * * *
Â
The Bobcats' two-deep receives only minor revisions before tonight's game. Reserve defensive tackles Josaiah Asuega and Hunter Sharbono are out, with Hudson Wiens and Jon Hurst-Daniels sliding into the depth chart.
Â
* * * * *
Â
While Colson Coon's breakout game a week ago – the 191 rushing yards is tied for 21st most in Bobcat history – seemed like a revelation, the only element that was truly out of place was the volume. His 11.6 yards-per-carry average was sixth-best in a single game, but in his three seasons at MSU Coon has averaged 7.0 yards per carry (131 rushes, 920 yards). That rate would be the fifth-highest in school history.
Â
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
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DL
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