2021 FCS Season Preview: Montana State Bobcats
Montana State opted out of the Spring Season and chose to only do an inter-squad spring game. Despite being out of competition for a year the Bobcats are loading up and have a host of hungry seniors ready to have a last hurrah. Between Isiah Ifanse, Lewis Kidd, Troy Andersen, and North Carolina State transfer quarterback this team has a lot of big-time playmakers to help change the outcome of the games. Can the Bobcats rally against the conference and surprise?
Schedule
Montana State
| Home | Away | Venue | Match Day | TV/Streaming | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Montana State  |  Wyoming | War Memorial Stadium (Wyoming) | Laramie, WY | - | - |
Drake  | Montana State | Bobcat Stadium | Bozeman, MT | - | - |
San Diego  | Montana State | Bobcat Stadium | Bozeman, MT | - | - |
| Montana State |  Portland State | Hillsboro Stadium | Hillsboro, OR | - | - |
Northern Colorado  | Montana State | Nottingham Field | Bozeman, MT | - | - |
Cal Poly  | Montana State | Bobcat Stadium | Bozeman, MT | - | - |
| Montana State |  Weber State | Stewart Stadium | Ogden, UT | - | - |
Idaho State  | Montana State | Bobcat Stadium | Pocatello, ID | - | - |
| Montana State |  Eastern Washington | Roos Field | Cheney, WA | - | - |
Idaho  | Montana State | Bobcat Stadium | Bozeman, MT | - | - |
| Montana State |  Montana | Washington-Grizzly Stadium | Missoula, MT | - | - |
Key Players
Isaiah Ifanse – Running Back – 5’10” 202 lbs. – Junior
Ifanse tallied 1,838 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns in just two years at Montana State (2018 & 2019). The 2019 All-American Honorable Mention running back has been a crucial piece of the rushing attack despite how many talented players run the ball from all positons for the Bobcats. Ifanse will be an integral part of this year’s success so that NC State transfer and likely starting quarterback Matthew McKay can find relief.
Troy Andersen – Linebacker – 6’4″ 235 lbs. – Senior
Andersen might be one of the most impressive athletes in Montana State history as he holds numerous season records outright, and is in the top 10 for game and career for quarterback stats. That’s right, Andersen is a multitalented ironman who has done it all in Bozeman, but this year he looks to dominate at linebacker as the Bobcats are trying to narrow down a true quarterback.
Predicted Finish
Fifth. The Bobcats will find themselves in the top half of the conference, but a rough road schedule could leave the Bobcats out of the title talks. Montana State travels to Wyoming, Weber State, Eastern Washington, and Montana for the Brawl of the Wild at the end of the season. This tough road schedule ensures that they have to be airtight at home and win games they are not favored to on the road. With Coach Choate in the wind, the Bobcats must stay vigilant to avoid being blown away from the title.
Records
Best: 10-1
Worst: 6-5
Predicted: 7-4 (5-3)
My name is Ben Schleiger and I’m your representative for the Big Sky Conference. I have done work for multiple newspapers and sports blogs including The Johnstown Breeze, The University of Northern Colorado Mirror, and Mile High Maniac. I am a proud alumnus of the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Political Science. In my free time, I like watching sports, playing video games, and trying new foods.
