Caden Dowler
BOBCAT GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #1: Cats Open Title Defense without Talon Marsh, Parker Mady
8/29/2026 6:52:00 PM | Football
Montana State opens season as reigning national champs for first time since 1985
ST. GEORGE, Utah (August 29, 2026) – From Tony Storti's return to the Gatton Field sidelines in 1956 to the remarkable run to the 1984 title, Montana State won three national championships in 28 years.
It took 41 years to get back to the perch, but the 2025 Bobcats became the first Big Sky member to win three national titles when MSU beat Illinois State 35-34 in overtime. The Bobcats won two of the previous three season openers coming off a title defense. The team beat South Dakota State 33-14 in Brookings on Sept. 15, 1957, on its way to a 8-2 season.
After the 1976 national title, The Cats topped North Dakota 21-7 on Sept. 10, 1977 in Reno H. Sales Stadium. Ironically, the 1957 season was Tony Storti's final campaign leading Montana State, while 1977 was Sonny Holland's last time leading his alma mater.
The Cats dropped a 46-28 stunner at Portland State to open the 1985 season. Things seemed fixed a week later when MSU hammered Eastern Oregon 86-0, but plagued by injuries limped to a 2-9 finish.
MARSH TO MISS OPENER: Senior defensive tackle Talon Marsh and sophomore receiver will miss today's season opener against Utah Tech, dealing with an injuries. Sophomore Josaiah Asuega is expected to start at nose tackle.
THE PICK PAIR: Two Bobcat defensive backs each have interceptions against Utah Tech during their careers. Caden Dowler and Takhari Carr each intercepted a pass in the 2023 Gold Rush game in Bozeman.
FIRST-TIMERS: Montana State's 2026 roster features 28 newcomers. That breaks down to four transfers and 24 freshmen. Of the four transfers, two (Gianni Edwards and Bruin Fleischmann) are with the team in St. George.
By contrast, the Trailblazers' 2026 roster features 58 newcomers.
The freshmen on this week's travel squad: DB Elias Bonner, WR Carter Dahlke, DB Jasiah Denmark, DB Eberhardt Grabow, DB Brian Harris, WR Breck Reed, DB Kayden Steptoe, OL Gavin Wilkins.
THE ROY BOYS: Montana State punter Colby Frokjer sees a couple of familiar faces on the Utah Tech sideline tonight. Frokjer and Utah Tech's starting center Cade Draper, both gradutes Roy (Utah) High School, have been friends since grade school and teammates since high school. Draper earned Utah 5A Offensive Lineman of the Year, region offensive line MVP and first team Utah 5A all-state honors as a senior in 2024. Frokjer also previously played with Trailblazers freshman receiver Zay Draper.
FIRST PLAYS: Here is a look at Montana State's first offensive plays of each of Brent Vigen's five seasons…
2025 at Oregon – 1st Quarter (11:52) – Justin Lamson three-yard pass to Taco Dowler (drive resulted in punt)
2024 at New Mexico – 1st quarter (13:18) – Scottre Humphrey two-yard rush (fumble)
2023 vs. Utah Tech – 1st quarter (15:00) – Lane Sumner 10-yard rush (turnover on downs)
2022 vs. McNeese – 1st quarter (13:05) – Tommy Mellott rush for no gain (punt)
2021 at Wyoming – 1st quarter (15:00) – Matthew McKay pass incomplete (punt)
HIGH HEAT: The projected game-time temperature tonight is 97 degrees. That would be the second-highest temperature at kickoff in school history…
Temp – Date – Opponent (Site)
98 – 9/3/22 McNeese (Bozeman)
98 – 9/7/13 at SMU (Dallas)
96 – 8/31/19 at Texas Tech (Lubbock)
96 – 9/9/89 at Sam Houston (Huntsville)
96 – 9/21/74 at Fresno State (Fresno)
93 – 8/31/24 at Utah Tech (St. George)
92 – 9/25/99 at Sac State (Sacramento)
91 – 10/4/14 at Sac State (Sacramento)
91 – 9/3/05 at Oklahoma State (Stillwater)
90 – 9/11/76 at North Dakota (Grand Forks)
90 – 8/24/24 at New Mexico (Albuquerque)
#GoCatsGo
It took 41 years to get back to the perch, but the 2025 Bobcats became the first Big Sky member to win three national titles when MSU beat Illinois State 35-34 in overtime. The Bobcats won two of the previous three season openers coming off a title defense. The team beat South Dakota State 33-14 in Brookings on Sept. 15, 1957, on its way to a 8-2 season.
After the 1976 national title, The Cats topped North Dakota 21-7 on Sept. 10, 1977 in Reno H. Sales Stadium. Ironically, the 1957 season was Tony Storti's final campaign leading Montana State, while 1977 was Sonny Holland's last time leading his alma mater.
The Cats dropped a 46-28 stunner at Portland State to open the 1985 season. Things seemed fixed a week later when MSU hammered Eastern Oregon 86-0, but plagued by injuries limped to a 2-9 finish.
MARSH TO MISS OPENER: Senior defensive tackle Talon Marsh and sophomore receiver will miss today's season opener against Utah Tech, dealing with an injuries. Sophomore Josaiah Asuega is expected to start at nose tackle.
THE PICK PAIR: Two Bobcat defensive backs each have interceptions against Utah Tech during their careers. Caden Dowler and Takhari Carr each intercepted a pass in the 2023 Gold Rush game in Bozeman.
FIRST-TIMERS: Montana State's 2026 roster features 28 newcomers. That breaks down to four transfers and 24 freshmen. Of the four transfers, two (Gianni Edwards and Bruin Fleischmann) are with the team in St. George.
By contrast, the Trailblazers' 2026 roster features 58 newcomers.
The freshmen on this week's travel squad: DB Elias Bonner, WR Carter Dahlke, DB Jasiah Denmark, DB Eberhardt Grabow, DB Brian Harris, WR Breck Reed, DB Kayden Steptoe, OL Gavin Wilkins.
THE ROY BOYS: Montana State punter Colby Frokjer sees a couple of familiar faces on the Utah Tech sideline tonight. Frokjer and Utah Tech's starting center Cade Draper, both gradutes Roy (Utah) High School, have been friends since grade school and teammates since high school. Draper earned Utah 5A Offensive Lineman of the Year, region offensive line MVP and first team Utah 5A all-state honors as a senior in 2024. Frokjer also previously played with Trailblazers freshman receiver Zay Draper.
FIRST PLAYS: Here is a look at Montana State's first offensive plays of each of Brent Vigen's five seasons…
2025 at Oregon – 1st Quarter (11:52) – Justin Lamson three-yard pass to Taco Dowler (drive resulted in punt)
2024 at New Mexico – 1st quarter (13:18) – Scottre Humphrey two-yard rush (fumble)
2023 vs. Utah Tech – 1st quarter (15:00) – Lane Sumner 10-yard rush (turnover on downs)
2022 vs. McNeese – 1st quarter (13:05) – Tommy Mellott rush for no gain (punt)
2021 at Wyoming – 1st quarter (15:00) – Matthew McKay pass incomplete (punt)
HIGH HEAT: The projected game-time temperature tonight is 97 degrees. That would be the second-highest temperature at kickoff in school history…
Temp – Date – Opponent (Site)
98 – 9/3/22 McNeese (Bozeman)
98 – 9/7/13 at SMU (Dallas)
96 – 8/31/19 at Texas Tech (Lubbock)
96 – 9/9/89 at Sam Houston (Huntsville)
96 – 9/21/74 at Fresno State (Fresno)
93 – 8/31/24 at Utah Tech (St. George)
92 – 9/25/99 at Sac State (Sacramento)
91 – 10/4/14 at Sac State (Sacramento)
91 – 9/3/05 at Oklahoma State (Stillwater)
90 – 9/11/76 at North Dakota (Grand Forks)
90 – 8/24/24 at New Mexico (Albuquerque)
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
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