Opponent Preview - Montana State Bobcats (9/17)

Montana State Bobcats

• Head Coach: Brent Vigen (2nd Season)
• 2021 Record: 12-3 (7-1 in Big Sky)
• Last Meeting: N/A (First Meeting)
• Key Returners: QB - Tommy Mellot, RB - Isaiah Ifanse & LB - Callahan O’Reilly
• FCS National Championship vs North Dakota State: L 38-10

What to Know:

While Montana State is a FCS team, they should not be taken lightly coming off a FCS National Championship game appearance. Oregon State is better than in years past and this should still be a victory you can pencil in on the schedule though. The Bobcats head coach is Brent Vigen who was born and raised to be a head coach in the Montana region, he previously spent a bunch of years with North Dakota State and also Wyoming football.

Montana State is going to try and run the ball against the Beavers. Isaiah Ifanse is in the discussion for greatest Bobcat running back of all time. As a junior, Isaiah Ifanse ran for 1,623 yards and 10 touchdowns, but he’s been sidelined to start the season as his knee recovery is taking longer than expected. Lane Sumner will likely get the bulk of the carries against Oregon State. The Beavers will also have to worry about mobile quarterback Tommy Mellott. Mellott was primarily used as a rusher during his freshman season, but developed into the Bobcats quarterback of the future and started all of the Bobcats playoff games. An unfortunate ankle injury in the championship game required surgery this offseason though.

On the other side of the ball. Callahan O’Reilly will make a bunch of tackles in the middle of the field and the Bobcats have a very talented/experienced secondary. Ty Okada is the top tackler of the secondary and former Beav Jeffery Manning Jr. will be looking to have a big game against his former team.

The Beavers will likely have a significant advantage at the line of scrimmage though. The reason Montana State excelled last season was due to their offensive and defensive lines and they lost a lot of production. Six starters are gone between the offensive and defensive line. Including three FCS All-American’s.

Montana State still has championship expectations lead by their returning skill position players and experienced secondary. This should be a fun game to watch and hopefully Beaver nation fills up Providence Park on September 17th.

Player To Watch

Tommy Mellott - Quarterback

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

With the Bobcats workhouse running back likely out vs Oregon State; Tommy Mellott will take on more offensively.

Prediction

Oregon State wins it 41-19.

Game Info

• Date: Saturday, September 17th
• Time: 5:00 PM
• Location: Providence Park (Portland, Oregon)

2022 Opponent Previews

• Oregon Ducks (Game 12)
• Arizona State (Game 11)
• Cal Golden Bears (Game 10)
• Washington Huskies (Game 9)
• Colorado Buffaloes (Game 8)
• Washington State (Game 7)
• Stanford Cardinal (Game 6)
• Utah Utes (Game 5)
• USC Trojans (Game 4)
• Montana State Bobcats (Game 3)
• Fresno State Bulldogs (Game 2)
• Boise State Broncos (Game 1)