BOBCAT FOOTBALL GAME DAY NOTEBOOK #1: Cats Face Oregon with Shuffled Offensive Line

BOZEMAN, Mont. (August 30, 2025) – Montana State opens the 2025 season because it did 2024 – in opposition to an FBS opponent with a reshuffled offensive line.

An damage to beginning heart Burke Mastel initiated the change this season, with veteran guard JT Reed shifting inside to heart and All-America sort out Titan Fleischmann sliding to protect. Braden Zimmer makes his Bobcat beginning debut at left sort out, with Cedric Jefferson shifting to proper sort out. Everett Carr additionally makes his beginning debut at left guard.

The Cats went by an identical shuffle a season in the past when Justus Perkins was injured late in fall camp, facilitating Cole Sain’s transfer to heart. Mastel, who had secured a beginning guard spot, missed the primary three video games with an damage, which moved Marcus Wehr to protect and Jefferson into the beginning 5.

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While at present’s sport marks MSU’s first in Autzen Stadium, it’s the staff’s second sport at Oregon. The first, in 1947, featured present Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Norm Van Brocklin main the Ducks to a fourth-quarter comeback. Bobcat legend Gene Bourdet was arguably the star of the afternoon, throwing for 147 yards, however the Ducks rushed for 229 yards. The go-ahead rating within the fourth quarter adopted a fumbled Bobcat kickoff.

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Montana State defensive finish Kenneth Eiden IV, elected a staff captain throughout preseason camp, appears to be like to proceed his sizzling streak as a cross rusher. He registered no less than a half-sack in MSU’s final seven video games of 2024, together with 4.5 within the playoffs.

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In the 2024 season opener at New Mexico, Adam Jones rushed for 167 yards and a landing. His 93-yard landing run triggered the Bobcats’ fourth-quarter comeback. Montana State rushed for 362 yards in opposition to the Lobos.

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Montana State’s 2025 offense appears destined for extra stability than a season in the past. The 2024 Bobcats gained over 400 yards in 13 of the 16 video games, changing into solely the second Division I staff on report with three 1,000 yard rushers and the one FCS staff in 2024 to attain no less than 30 factors in each sport.

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All eyes will likely be on Montana State’s two new specialists in Autzen Stadium at present. Punter/kickoff specialist Colby Frokjer and lengthy snapper Brody Johnson make their Bobcat debuts as true freshmen.

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