BOBCATS HEAD COACH JEFF CHOATE Jeff Choate College Coaching Resume Head Coach Year All Conf. HomeRoad GrassTurf Day Night 2018 8-5 5-3 6-1 2-4 0-0 8-5 7-4 1-1 2017 5-6 5-3 3-3 2-3 1-0 4-6 5-2 0-4 2016 4-7 2-6 3-3 1-4 0-0 4-7 4-4 0-3 Assistant Coach Year School Assighment Team Record/Notes 2015 Washington Special Teams/Defensive Line 2014 Washington Special Teams/Defensive Line 2013 Florida Special Teams/Outside Linebackers 2012 Washington State Defensive Run Game Coord./LBs 2011 Boise State Special Teams/Linebackers 2010 Boise State Special Teams/Linebackers 2009 Boise State Special Teams/Linebackers 2008 Boise State Special Teams/Running Backs 2007 Boise State Special Teams/Running Backs 2006 Boise State Special Teams/Running Backs 2005 Eastern Illinois Special Teams/Safeties The Bobcats 2004 Utah State Special Teams/Safeties Under Jeff Choate 2003 Utah State Special Teams/Safeties All-Time ...... 17-18 2002 Utah State Defensive Line Home ...... 12-7 2001 Utah State Graduate Assistant/Linebackers Away ...... 5-11 Post-Season ...... 0-0 vs. Ranked DI Opps ...... 3-12^ Jeff Choate Home ...... 1-6 Away ...... 2-6^ From small agriculture and logging communities in the mountains of Idaho to the vs. Top 10 Teams ...... 0-8^ bright lights of the SEC and Pac 12, Jeff Choate’s coaching career has led him from one Home ...... 0-3 corner of the nation to another. But some constants remain. Away ...... 0-5^ Th e energy is unmistakable. Th e passion is ever-present. Th ose traits, combined vs. Unranked Teams ...... 13-6 with a keen intellect, has Choate always pushing, always prodding, always moving Home ...... 8-2 Away ...... 3-4 forward. And that materialized in a Montana State football program that he’s reshaped on the fl y, forging teams built from the ground up, from the lines out, grounded in the vs. Non-Division I Opponents ...... 1-0 Home ...... 1-0 physical football and resting on the foundational principle that his players are students Away ...... 0-0 fi rst and foremost. vs. FBS Opponents ...... 0-2 Th e element setting Choate apart is a commitment to teaching and his ability to Home ...... 0-0 embrace the lessons learned at each stop in his career. From his time at the highest Away ...... 0-2 level of college football, Choate learned that building relationships, the human touch, August ...... 1-0 is what separates the good from the great. From other coaching assignments he picked September ...... 5-7 up the intricacies of coaching many diff erent positions. He also experienced football October ...... 4-7 November ...... 6-3 every region of the nation. December ...... 0-1 But he’s always found his way back to one core principle. “I’ve always considered When Scoring less than 10...... 0-1 myself a teacher fi rst,” Montana State’s third-year coach says. “It’s the cornerstone of When Scoring 10-19 pts ...... 0-12 what we do as coaches.” When Scoring 20-29 pts ...... 8-4 In three seasons at MSU, Choate’s Bobcats improved. From a 4-7 mark in 2016, When Scoring 30 or more pts ...... 8-2 when the Cats capped a two-game season-ending win streak with an emotional win in When Opp scores less than 10 ...... 2-0 Missoula, to the 5-6 mark one year later when MSU again beat its arch-rival, the pro- When Opp scores 10-19 pts ...... 2-3 gram was always moving forward. Th at was evident in 2018, when Montana State won When Opp scores 20-29 pts ...... 8-5 When Opp scores 30-more pts...... 1-12 eight games for only the 15th time in program history and made its 10th-ever playoff When MSU’s Defense scores ...... 1-0 appearance. When MSU ret. KO/Punt/PAT for Score ...... 0-0* Th e Cats returned to a ground-oriented approach – “My teams will always be *-includes safeties on snaps/blocks, fumble return for TD, def. conv. about running the ball and stopping the run,” Choate says simply – with an emphasis ^-Includes loss at #24 FBS Washington State on allowing players to use their athleticism. Th e focus on football’s fundamentals is obvious. And steady improvement is clear. Aft er dropping six straight Big Sky Confer- ence games, Choate’s teams have now won seven of the last 10, and in the three losses MSU had the opportunity to tie or take the lead in the fourth quarter of each contest. Choate became Montana State’s 32nd head football coach on December 4, 2015. An Idaho native who graduated from UM Western in 1993, his career has spanned the continent but is rooted in the Northwest. His professional life began as a coach and teacher in rural Idaho and has led him to Choate vs. Big Sky Coaches the Mountain West, Pac 12 and SEC. All All Hm Rd the while, the Big Sky Conference and his Beau Baldwin, EWU 0-1 0-1 0-0 Bruce Barnum, PSU 2-0 1-0 1-0 home region tugged. Aaron Best, EWU 0-2 0-1 0-1 Choate played football at Montana- Earnest Collins, Jr., NC 2-0 1-0 1-0 Western in Dillon, earning his a BS in Ron Gould, UCD 1-0 1-0 0-0 Secondary Education (1994). He joined Bobby Hauck, UM 1-0 0-0 1-0 Jay Hill, WSU 0-3 0-1 0-2 the Bulldogs coaching staff for the 1992- Rob Phenicie, ISU 1-1 1-0 0-1 93 season aft er an injury ended his play- Paul Petrino 1-0 1-0 0-0 ing career, and aft er graduating he became Bubba Schweigert, UND 1-1 0-1 1-0 head football and track coach at Challis Jody Sears, SAC 0-1 0-0 0-1 Jerome Souers, NAU 0-2 0-1 0-1 High School (1994-96) in Idaho. He be- Bob Stitt, UM 2-0 1-0 1-0 came an assistant football, wrestling and Tim Walsh,CP 0-0 0-0 0-0 baseball coach at Twin Falls High School Demario Warren, SUU 0-1 0-0 0-1 (1996-97) before becoming Head Football Choate vs. Big Sky Schools Coach (and eventually AD) at Post Falls Cal Poly 0-0 0-0 0-0 High School (1997-2002). E. Wash. 0-3 0-2 0-1 Choate joined his former UMW head Idaho 1-0 1-0 0-0 coach Mick Dennehy at Utah State in Idaho St. 1-1 1-0 0-1 Montana 3-0 1-0 2-0 2002 as defensive line coach, and became North Dakota 1-1 0-1 1-0 safeties and special teams coach the next NAU 0-2 0-1 0-1 season. He held the same position at Northern Colorado 2-0 1-0 1-0 Eastern Illinois in 2005 before return- Portland St. 2-0 1-0 1-0 Sac State 0-1 0-0 0-1 ing to the West as Boise State’s special Southern Utah 0-1 0-0 0-1 teams coordinator (2006-11). He coached UC Davis 1-0 1-0 0-0 running backs (2006-08) and linebackers Weber St. 0-3 0-1 0-2 (2009-11) while with BSU. Choate coached linebackers while Choate vs. All Opponents Bryant 1-0 1-0 0-0 coordinating the defensive run game at Cal Poly 1-0 1-0 0-0 Washington State in 2012, coached special Eastern Washington 0-3 0-2 0-1 teams and outside linebackers at Florida Idaho 1-1 1-0 0-1 Idaho State 1-1 1-0 0-1 in 2013, then rejoined Chris Peterson at Incarnate Word 1-0 1-0 0-0 Washington in 2014-15. Kennesaw State 0-1 0-1 0-0 While spending time with head Montana 3-0 1-0 2-0\ North Dakota 1-1 0-1 1-0 coaches such as Chris Peterson, Mike North Dakota State 0-1 0-0 0-1 Leach, Will Muschamp, Bob Spoo and Northern Arizona 0-2 0-1 0-1 his mentors Mick Dennehy and Mick Northern Colorado 2-0 1-0 1-0 Portland State 2-0 1-0 1-0 Delaney, Choate has also produced highly Sacramento State 0-1 0-0 0-1 successful players. Under his watch as South Dakota State 0-2 0-1 0-1 a position coach, fi ve players earned Southern Utah 0-1 0-0 0-1 UC Davis 1-0 1-0 0-0 All-America honrs and 16 became all- Wagner 1-0 1-0 0-0 conference selections. Choate’s teams have Washington State 0-1 0-0 0-1 participated in bowl games eight times Weber State 0-3 0-1 0-2 Western Illinois 1-0 1-0 0-0 and the FCS Playoff s once. Western Oregon 1-0 1-0 0-0 Choate and his wife Janet, originally Total (3 years) 17-18 12-7 5-11 from Dillon, have a son, Jory, a redshirt freshman in the Bobcat program in the fall of 2018, and a daughter, Jacy, a Boze- man High sophomore. Matt Miller Kane Ioane Brian Armstrong Off. Coordinator/ QBs & Receivers/ Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Run Game CoodinatorTight Ends Recruiting Coordinator 2019- Montana State ...... Def. Coordinator/S 2018- Montana State Run Game Coord/TEs 2018- Montana State ...... Off. Coord./QBs 2017-18 Washington .....Defensive Analyst/QC 2017 Montana State ...... Off. Coord./TEs 2016-17 Montana State ...... Receivers 2005-16 Montana State ...... LBs (Co-DC 2015) 2016 Montana State ...... Offensive Line 2015 Boise State ...... Off. QC/Receivers 2009-15 Rocky Mountain...... Head Coach One of the greatest players in Bobcat football 2007-08 Rocky Mountain...... Off. Coord./OL One of the most decorated athletes in the history history, Kane Ioane returns to Montana State this 2005-06 Kathleen HS (Fla.) ...... Head Coach of Boise State and the Montana prep scene, Matt season as the program’s defensive coordinator. Ioane 2003-04 Utah State ...... Offensive GA Miller’s rapid coaching ascent in both reputation and coached three players to fi ve All-America honors 2001-02 Lake Gibson HS (Fla.) . HC (‘02)/OC (‘01) achievement accelerated in 2018, his third season on during his fi rst stint as a Bobcat assistant coach, and 1999-00 Broadwater HS (Mont.)..... Off. Coord. the Bobcat staff. Transitioning from receivers coach four different Bobcats earned First Team All-Big 1998 Morgan (Utah) HS ...... Off. Coord. to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Sky honors under Ioane’s tutelage, including 2012 1996-97 Western Montana ...... Offensive Line after the seasons seventh game, Miller and the offen- Big Sky Defensive MVP Jody Owens. Ioand was sive staff sparked the Bobcats to a three-game win part of three Big Sky Championships as a four-year Brian Armstrong’s three seasons on Montana streak to close the regular season and MSU’s fi rst starting safety at MSU, and as a defensive analyst State’s coaching staff have seen the veteran of playoff appearance since 2014 and win since 2012. at Washington - where he worked with former the Treasure State football scene fi ll a number of During Miller’s time coordinating the offense, the Bobcat assistant coaches Pete Kwiatkowski and crucial roles. Coordinating the Bobcat run game Bobcats’ total yards increased by 70 yards a game Jimmy Lake - helped the Huskies to the 2017 Fiesta throughout the 2018 season, Armstrong constructed and scoring by 1.5 points per game. In addition, Bowl and 2018 Rose Bowl, and at least a share of a ground game that fi nished 18th in the FCS with Miller coordinated the program’s successful recruit- the Pac 12 North title in each season. Ioane helped 231.8 yards per game after leading the Big Sky and ing in 2018 and coached the program’s receivers lead Montana State to Big Sky Champoinships as a fi nished seventh in the FCS in rushing in 2017. He in his fi rst two campaigns at Montana State. The player in 2002, the program’s fi rst since 1984, and also coached MSU’s tight ends during the 2017-18 Helena Capital grad was Montana Gatorade Player 2003, and as an assistant coach in 2005-10-11-12. seasons. Armstrong coached the offensive line in of the Year in 2010 before a Boise State career that His 2002 team upset Montana to end a long streak in Jeff Choate’s initial season (2016), helping JP Flynn landed him Freshman All-America honors in 2011, that series, keying a stretch in which the Cats have to an All-America campaign which ended with him 2nd Team All-Mountain West in 2012, and Hawai’i won eight of the last 17 games (not counting the win signing with the San Francisco 49ers. Armstrong Bowl MVP in 2013. He was voted team captain UM was forced to vacate). Ioane has been part of served as MSU’s offensive coordinator in 2017. for the Broncos as a senior, helping lead BSU to a seven of those eight wins, and the fi nal game of his He joined the Bobcat staff after seven successful win in the Fiesta Bowl. After an injury ended his fi rst stint as a Bobcat assistant was the 2016 MSU seasons as head coach at Rocky Mountain College. NFL career he became an offensive quality control win in Washington-Grizzly Stadium. He is one of The East Helena native led RMC to the 2013 NAIA assistant at Boise State in 2015, when the Broncos two men to earn Big Sky Defensive MVP honors Playoffs, winning conference coach of the year won the Poinsettia Bowl. and coach a league MVP - Kwiatkowski is the other. honors in 2010 and ’13. He helped produce six All- Americas and 24 fi rst team all-league players in his Birth Date: May 1, 1991 Birth Date: January 23, 1982 career, which has reached to Utah and Florida before Hometown: Helena, MT Hometown: Billings, MT bringing him back to his native Montana. The 1998 Education: BA in Business, Boise State, 2014 Education: BA in Education, MSU, 2005 Western Montana graduate and former All-America Player: Four-year letterman at Boise State, Player: Four-time All-America safety at MSU, 2003 player there, Armstrong coached Bulldogs offensive 2011 Freshman All-America, 2012 2nd Team Big Sky Defensive MVP linemen in 1996-97 before a fi ve-year high school All-Mountain West, 2013 Hawai’i Bowl MVP, Family: Wife Kerri, daughter Avah. coaching career. He became a grad assistant at Utah 2009 Montana Gatorade Player of the Year State in 2003-04 before coaching at Kathleen High Team Accomplishments School in Florida in 2005-06. He became Rocky Team Accomplishments Montana State – During Ioane’s 17 seasons as Mountain’s offensive coordinator in 2007-08 before Montana State – 2018 FCS Playoffs 2nd Rd part of the Bobcat football program, the team won assuming head coach duties in 2009. Armstrong and Boise State – 2015 Poinsettia Bowl Champi- six of the program’s 15 all-time Big Sky Champion- his wife Julie have two children, Michael (14) and ons, 2014 MWC Champions, 2014 Fiesta Bowl ships... he is one of only two Big Sky Defensive Alissa (11). Champions, 2013 Hawai’i Bowl, 2012 MWC MVPs (2003) to coach a Big Sky Defensive MVP Champions, 2012 Las Vegas Bowl Champions, (Jody Owens, 2012) as primary position coach... Birth Date: September 24, 1973 2011 Las Vegas Bowl Champions, 2010 WAC Washington – The Huskies allowed the fewest Hometown: East Helena, MT Champions, 2010 Las Vegas Bowl Champions points per game and yards per game in each of Education: BS, Elementary Ed, Western Mon- Ioane’s two seasons in the program. tana, 1998; MHPER, Utah State, 2004 Individual Achievements Player: Western Montana, 1992-95: 1st team Individual Achievements Montana State – Troy Andersen set Big Sky single- All-America, 1995; All-Frontier, 1994-95; three Montana State – Ioane is one of only two Big Sky game and (227 vs. PSU) and season (1,412 in Frontier Conference Championships; UWM Ath- Defensive MVPs (2003) to coach a fellow MVP 2018) rushing records by quarterback... Andersen letics Hall of Fame inductee, 2018 (Jody Owens, 2012) as primary position coach. unanimous All-Big Sky 1st Team... WR Mitch Family: Wife Julie, son Michael, daughter Alissa Herbert 2nd Team CoSIDA Academic All-America & Washington – Worked with 2018 All-America linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven, and 2017 2nd Team FCS ADA All-Scholar Team, 2nd in MSU history in Team Accomplishments All-Pac 12 selections Keishawn Bierria and Burr- TD catches Montana State – 2018 FCS Playoffs 2nd Rd Kirven. All-Conference as Position Coach Rocky Mountain – 2013 Battlin’ Bears ad- 2018: Troy Andersen, QB (1st Team) All-Americas Coached as Position Coach vanced to NAIA Playoffs 2014-Alex Singleton, 2012-Jody Owens, 2008-Bob- Individual Achievements by Daly, 2007-Bobby Daly Montana State – OG JP Flynn earned 3rd Team All-Conference Coached as Position Coach All-America, 1st Team All-Big Sky, signed with San 2016: Mac Bignell (2nd Team) Francisco 49ers 2014: Alex Singleton (1st Team) All-Americas Coached 2012: Jody Owens (1st Team & Big Sky MVP) 2016: OG JP Flynn (3rd Team), 2015: WR 2011: Jody Owens (1st Team), Clay Bignell (2nd) Andre McCulloch; 2014: WR Andre McCulloch; 2009: Clay Bignell (2nd Team) 2013: WR Andre McCulloch, OL Sonny Ah Kui; 2008: Bobby Daly (2nd Team) 2010-QB Kasey Peters, OL Dima Vasilovskiy 2007: Bobby Daly (1st Team), Epikopo King (2nd) 2006: Epikopo King (2nd Team) All-Conference as Position Coach 2005: Epikopo King (2nd Team), Nick Marudas 24 1st Team All-Conference players; at MSU: (2nd) 2016-JP Flynn B.J. Robertson Bobby Daly DeNarius McGhee Special Teams/HS Relations Linebackers/Assistant Head Coach Running Backs 2016- Montana State .... ST Coord./HS Relations 2019- Montana State ...... Linebackers/AHC 2018- Montana State ...... Running Backs 2013-15 Montana Western ...... Head Coach 2017-18 Idaho ...... Linebackers 2017 Montana State ...... Quarterbacks 2007-12 Rocky Mountain...... Assistant Coach 2015-16 Idaho ...... Operations Director 2015-16 NC State...... Offensive GA 2006 Southern Oregon ...... Assistant Coach 2013-14 Idaho ...... Graduate Assistant 2014 Florida Atlantic ...Off. Quality Control 2001-05 Rockford .. Asst (2003-05)/GA (2001-02) 1998-00 Rapelje (Mont.) HS ...... Head Coach The same burning desire to represent the Blue and One of the most decorated and popular players in Gold that led Bobby Daly to Montana State in 2004 Bobcat history, DeNarius McGhee helped quarter- Long a fi xture on the Treasure State football scene, brought him back to MSU just shy of 15 years later back Chris Murray to 2017 Sophomore All-America BJ Robertson capped his third season at MSU as as the program’s linebackers coach and Assistant honors in his fi rst season on the Bobcat staff in 2017 another leading one of the top special teams units in Head Coach. Daly spent six seasons in progressively and mentored freshman sensation Isaiah Ifanse at the FCS. MSU fi nished 14th in the FCS in net punt- more responsible roles at Idaho, with the 2018 mark- running back in 2018, as Ifanse set the school rush- ing and 17th in punt returns in 2018 after fi nishing ing the Vandals’ return to Big Sky in football. ing record for his class. McGhee spent the 2015 and seventh in net punting and 28th in blocked puntsin ’16 seasons as a graduate assistant at North Carolina the previous season. In his fi rst campaign, 2016, Birth Date: May 18, 1986 State, where the Wolf Pack competed in bowl games MSU fi nished 15th in punt return defense and punt Hometown: Helena, MT each season, and was an offensive intern at Florida returns, 18th in net punting, and 25th in kick returns. Education: BA, Business, Montana State, Atlantic in 2014. The 2014 MSU graduate remains Robertson also serves as the liaison to Montana’s 2009 the Bobcats’ all-time wins leader as a quarterback, prep programs as Director of High School Relations, Player: A two-time All-America, earning First leading the Cats to consecutive Big Sky titles in and coordinates the program’s camps. He arrived at Team honors in 2007 and Honorable Mention 2010-12. He is MSU’s only two-time Big Sky MVP, MSU after three seasons as Montana Western’s head honors in 2008... 1st Team All-big Sky in 2007, winning the award in 2010 and ’12, was an All- coach (2013-15). Prior to that, he worked as an as- 2nd Team in 2008... fi nished his Bobcat career America in 2012, and became college football’s 14th sistant coach at Rocky Mountain (2007-12), South- with 382 career tackles, fourth in school history- player to throw for over 10,000 yards while rushing ern Oregon (2006), and Rockford (2001-05). The and his 43 tackles-for-loss was MSU’s seventh- for over 1,000. He was married in the summer of 1998 Western grad coached at Rapelje High from best mark at the conclusion of his career. 2018 to Alethia Heide. 1998-2000. His 6-5 Bulldogs squad in 2014 marked Family: ... the school’s fi rst winning season in a decade. The Birth Date: June 12, 1991 Sheridan, Mont., product who guided MSU’s Team Accomplishments Hometown: McComb, MS youthful kickers to an excellent season in 2016 has Montana State – 2006: FCS Playoffs 2nd Education: BA, Business, Montana State, coached four All-Americas and 42 all-conference Round 2014 players as a college coach. Idaho – 2016 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (61- Player: MSU’s all-time winningest QB, led Cats 50 win over CSU) to Big Sky titles and FCS Playoffs in 2010-12; Big Sky Offensive MVP 2010, ‘12; All-America, Birth Date: September 5, 1974 Individual Achievements 2012; college football’s 14th player to throw for Hometown: Sheridan, MT Idaho – 2018: RB Isaiah Ifanse set MSU freshman over 10,000 yards while rushing for over 1,000 Education: BA in Business Ed, UM Western, rushing record, 1057 yards; 2017: Tony Lashley’s Family: Wife Alethia 1998; MA in Teaching, Rockford College, 2003 6.5 solo tackles per game ranked fi fth in FBS Player: Montana Western, 1994-95 All-Americas Coached Team Accomplishments Team Accomplishments none Montana State – 2018: FCS Playoffs 2nd Rd, Montana State – 2018: FCS Playoffs 2nd Rd, 18th in FCS in rushing average All-Conference as Position Coach 14th in FCS net punting, 10th in kick return NC State – 2016 Independence Bowl, 2015 2018: Kaden Elliss (1st Team), Christian Ellis average, 17th in punt returns; 2017: 7th in FCS Belk Bowl (3rd) in net punting, 28th in blocked punts, 31st in 2017: Tony Lashley (1st Team All-Sun Belt), Individual Achievements blocked kicks; 2016: 15th in FCS in punt return Kaden Elliss (2nd), Ed Hall (Honorable Men- Montana State – 2018: RB Isaiah Ifanse set MSU defense, 15th in punt returns, 18th in net punt- tion), Leonard Hazewood (Honorable Mention) freshman rushing record, 1057 yards; 2017: Chris ing, 23rd in kick return defense, 25th in kick Murray became fi rst Bobcat and third Big Sky QB to returns rush for 1,000 yards UM Western – Compiled 17-14 record in two seasons. 2015: 7-3; 2014: 6-5, team’s fi rst win- All-Americas Coached ning season in a decade NA Individual Achievements All-Conference as Position Coach Montana State – 2018: Jered Padmos 20th in FCS 2018: RB Isaiah Ifanse (HM). in punting; 2017: Jered Padmos 15th in punting; 2016: Kevin Kassis 5th in FCS in punt return yards All-Americas Coached 2015: LB AJ Wilson; 2014: DB Jesse McCloud; 2010: QB Kasey Peters; 2003: RB Marcus Howard All-Conference as Position Coach Coached 42 players to all-conference honors. 2017: Jered Padmos, 2nd Team; 2016: Joey Michael, HM. Nate Potter Byron Hout Erik Frazier Tight Ends Defensive Line/Def. Run Game Coord. Receivers/Pass Game Coordinator 2017- Montana State ...... O-Line (‘17-18)/TE 2016- Montana State ...... Defensive Line 2019- Montana State ..WR/Pass Game Coord 2016 Foothill College...Off. Coord./Off. Line 2013-15 Boise State ...... Defensive GA 2018 Western Illinois ...... Receivers 2014-15 Washington ...... Offensive Line GA 2012 Washington State ...... Defensive GA 2017 Northwestern ...... Grad Assistant 2010-13 Foothill College...... Offensive Line 2016 Dayton ...... Receivers Former Boise State standout Byron Hout has spent 2014-15 Delaware Valley ...... WRs (QBs in ‘15) Joshua Taufalele moves to tight ends coach this sea- his three seasons as Montana State’s defensive line son while adding recruiting coordinator responsibili- coach building one of the most productive units Erik Frazier is in his fi rst season coaching Montana ties. His second season as Montana State’s offensive in the Big Sky and a leadership hub in the Bobcat State’s receivers, and also coordinates the program’s line coach, 2018, ended with his unit posting a program. Paced by tackles Tucker Yates and Zach pass game. Frazier comes to the Bobcats after one productive and well-balanced season that ended in Wright, both team captains in 2018, and end Tyrone season as receivers coach at Western Illinois. Frazier the FCS Playoffs second round. The Cats in 2018 Fa’anono, the Bobcat defensive front led the team to helped construct a balanced Leathernecks passing fi nished 18th in the FCS in rushing yards and 12th in an FCS Playoffs berth. Buck end Bryce Sterk also attack in 2018, when three WIU receivers racked fewest sacks allowed as the offense made a summer- led the Big Sky in sacks and tackles-for-loss during up at least 600 receiving yards and three logged time transition from a third-year starting quarterback the regular season. Hout guided a young defensive at least 40 catches. Senior receiver Isaiah LeSure to Troy Andersen, who hadn’t played that position line unit in his fi rst two seasons at MSU, and the (615 receiving yards) was named Second Team All- since high school. The offensive coordinator and Cats fi nished near the top in rushing defense in Missouri Valley Football Conference, while junior offensive line coach at Foothill College (California) each of those campaigns. He worked as a defensive receiver John Brunner (625 receiver yards) was in 2016, Taufalele spent the 2014 and ’15 seasons graduate assistant at Washington State in 2012 be- named to the All-MVFC Newcomer Team. Prior as the offensive line graduate assistant on the same fore accepting a similar position at BSU (2013-15). to his season at WIU, Frazier worked as a graduate Washington Huskies staff as Jeff Choate. Previously, He played in the Fiesta Bowl following the 2009 assistant at Northwestern University (2017), as he coached at Foothill from 2010-13. Taufalele season, and fi nished his Broncos career with a 50-3 receivers coach at Dayton (2016), and at Delaware played at Foothill in 2006 and ’07, helping lead the record. He was a two-year starter at BSU, landing Valley (receivers in 2014, adding quarterbacks the Owls to back-to-back 10-1 campaigns while earn- 2nd Team All-Mountain West honors in 2010 and next season). The native Philadelphian, who has ing all-league and all-state honors as a sophomore, honorable mention honors in 2011. served coaching internships with the New York before transferring to New Mexico. He started 24 Giants, Minnesota Vikings and Kansas City Chiefs straight games for the Lobos in 2008 and ’09, earn- Birth Date: September 15, 1989 of the NFL, earned Division II All-America honors ing Academic All-Mountain West honors twice. He Hometown: Couer d’Alene, ID at Kutztown University in 2011. He earned his was named New Mexico’s top offensive lineman Education: Boise State, BA in Communica- Bachelor’s in Sports Management from that school as a senior, and graduated in 2010 with a sociology tions, 2012; Boise State, ME in Early and in 2011, and his Master’s in Policy Studies from degree before earning his Master’s in Intercollegiate Special Education, 2014 Delaware Valley in 2016. Athletic Leadership: Coaching from Washington Player: Boise State letterman 2008-11,starter in 2017. He and his wife Fuatino have two sons, 2010-11; 2nd Team All-MWC, 2010; HM All- Born: June 19, 1988 Bayley and Reign. MWC, 2011; won BSU’s Hammer Award, 2011 Hometown: Philadelphia, PA Education: Master’s, Policy Studies, Delaware Hometown: San Jose, CA Team Accomplishments Valley, 2016; Bachelor’s, Sports Management, Education: Master’s, Athletic Leadership: Montana State – 2018 FCS Playoffs 2nd Rd Kutztown, 2011. Coaching, Washington, 2017; BA, Sociology, Boise State – 2015: Poinsettia Bowl; 2014: Playing Career: 2011 - NCAA Division II All- New Mexico, 2010; AA, Foothill College, 2008 Mountain West and Fiesta Bowl champions; America, 1st Team All-PSAC, 3rd Team Don Player: New Mexico – Started 24 straight 2013: Hawaii Bowl Hansen All-Region, PSAC Champions, team games in 2008-09 seasons, earning Academic captain. 2010 - 2nd Team All-PSAC, 2nd Team Individual Achievements All-Mountain West honors twice... named Daktronics All-Region, Montana State – 2018: Buck end Bryce Sterk led UNM’s top offensive lineman in 2009; Foothill Other Coaching Activities: 2019 Bill Walsh the Big Sky in sacks and tackles-for-loss in regular – Starting offensive lineman for back-to-back Minority Intern, New York Giants; 2018 Bill season 10-1 teams, earning all-state and all-league Walsh Minority Intern, Minnesota Vikings; 2017 honors as sophomore in 2007 All-Conference as Position Coach Bill Walsh Minority Intern, Kansas City Chiefs. Family: Wife Fuatino, sons Bayley and Reign Montana State – 2018: DE Tyrone Fa’anono (2nd Team), NT Tucker Yates (2nd Team) Team Accomplishments Team Accomplishments Northwestern – 2nd in Big 10 West, Music City Montana State – 2018 FCS Playoffs 2nd Rd. Bowl Champions Washington – GA for back-to-back bowl teams Kutztown – 2011 PSAC Champions

Individual Achievements All-Americas Coached Montana State – MSU’s 2018 O-line led the Big Delaware Valley – 2014: Rasheed Bailey (1st Sky in fewest sacks allowed Team All-America, Maxwell Award winner). All-Conference as Position Coach All-Conference as Position Coach 2018: Mitch Brott, OT (2nd Team) Western Illinois – 2018: WR Isaiah LeSure (2nd), WR John Brunner (MVFC All-Newcomer Team). Delaware Valley – 2014: WR Rasheed Bailey (1st). 2015: WR Tyle Bing (2nd). Kyle Risinger Hayden Schuh Garrett Becker Cornerbacks Director of Player Personnel and Director of Video Services 2019- Montana State ...... Cornerbacks Special Teams/Defensive Quality 2009- Montana State ...... Video Services 2017-18 Montana State ...... Safeties Control 2016 Montana State ...... Defensive Intern Garrett Becker begins his 16th season in the Bobcat 2019- Montana State ...... Intern 2015 Indiana State ...... Defensive GA Football program as a videographer and photog- 2017-18 California ...... Graduate Assistant rapher, overseeing a Creative Services team that In his three seasons as Montana State’s assistant sec- continues to set the pace in the league in video Hayden Schuh joins the Bobcat staff as the Director ondary coach responsible for safeties, Kyle Risinger and photography as a social media and recruiting of Player Personnel and Special Teams/Defense has coached several productive and well-decorated platform, and his staff’s brilliant work has drawn Quality Control for the 2019 season. He comes to players. Bryson McCabe earned Third Team All-Big nationwide attention. He began as a student in 2004, MSU after working as a defensive graduate assistant Sky honors in 2017 and safeties Brayden Konkol earning his degree from MSU in 2009, and rising at the California in 2017-18, where he worked with and Jahque Alleyne each earned All-Big Sky Honor- to his current role as Creative Services Director former Bobcat assistant coach Gerald Alexander. able Mention honors in 2018. Risinger worked as in 2015. The Darby native coordinates all internal Schuh played football at Washington from 2014-17, a Bobcat defensive intern in 2016 after one season video for the football program, as well as overseeing serving as a team captain and earning Pac-12 All- as a graduate assistant at Indiana State in 2015. He the production of photography and videography by Academic honors in 2016. He was the Husky Excel- fi nished an outstanding career at St. Cloud State in his assistant Jack Murrey and a team of interns for lence 12th Man Award winner in 2016, earning the 2014, where he was an All-Northern Sun Honor- use by each of MSU’s sports. Becker has been part Brian Stapp Special Teams Scout of the Year Award able Mention selection as a senior. Risinger logged of four Big Sky Championship squads. Becker and in 2014. He previously volunteered on church mis- 200 total tackles in his three-year career at SCSU, his wife Heidi have a son, JP. sions in Mexico, interned at a law fi rm in Seattle, nabbed eight interceptions, and his 15 career pass WA, and earned Boy Scouts of America’s highest breakups remains among the top 10 marks in Hus- rank, Eagle Scout. kies history. An outstanding athlete from originally from Minnetonka, Minn., Risinger played basketball at Minnesota-Crookston in 2009-10. Samantha Holt Offensive Intern Birth Date: June 20, 1990 Austin Ybarra 2017- Montana State ...... Intern Hometown: Minnetonka, MN Defensive Analyst Education: BA, St. Cloud State, 2015 Sam Holt begins her second season with the Bobcat 2019- Montana State ...... Intern Player: All-NSIC as a senior in 2014 football program in 2019. In her role as Administra- 2018 Idaho ...... Intern tive Associate she helps coordinate the program’s 2015-17 Helena Capital HS ....Assistant Coach Team Accomplishments Quarterback Club and recruiting efforts, in addition Montana State – 2018 FCS Playoffs 2nd Rd to other assignments. Holt came to MSU from Austin Ybarra, who played football at Carroll Col- the University of Southern California, where she Individual Achievements lege, begins his fi rst season as an analyst with the worked as a Talent Acquisition Assistant in 2017-18. Montana State – S Jahque Alleyne led Big Sky with Bobcat program with responsibilities for outside She previously worked with the Kansas City Chiefs fi ve interceptions in 2018 linebackers. He comes to MSU after a season in a as an operations and training camp intern (Febru- similar role at Idaho, where he worked with current All-Conference as Position Coach ary to August, 2017), as a recruiting intern at Boise Bobcat linebackers coach Bobby Daly. At UI he Montana State – 2018: S Jahque Alleyne (HM), State (2015-16), and as a research teaching assistant worked with First Team All-Big Sky linebacker S Brayden Konkol (HM); 2017: S Bryson McCabe for the Idaho Stampede and Steelheads (Spring, Kaden Elliss and third team selection Christian (3rd) 2016). Holt graduated from Boise State with a BA in Elliss. The Fullerton, California product played at Communications in 2016. Santa Ana College in 2012 and at Carroll the next two seasons. He was part of the Saints’ 2014 Fron- tier Conference title team, then coached at Helena Jonathan Amosa Capital from 2015-17. Defensive Intern 2019- Montana State ...... Intern 2018 MSU-Northern ...... Running Backs Cole Moore Jonathan Amosa joins the Bobcat staff as an intern Operations Director for the 2019 season. He coached running backs at MSU-Northern in 2018, also aiding in recruiting 2017- Montana State ...... Operations Dir. and strength and conditioning. A former Wash- 2016 Montana State ...... Admin. Assoc. ington Huskies walk-on, he worked his way into 2015 Washington ...... Intern a full scholarship in his third season and became the team’s starting fullback for the 2011 and 2012 Former Bobcat team captain Cole Moore completes campaigns, earning Honorable Mention All-Pac his fourth season on the Bobcat staff in 2019, rising 12 academic honors as a senior. Amosa was UW’s to the role of Operations Director. As an adminis- Offi ce of Minority Affairs and Diversity Scholar that trative aid for the Cats in 2016 and ’17 he helped season. He spent training camp time with the Green spearhead the program’s innovative and successful Bay Packers (2013) and Seattle Seahawks (2016). recruiting efforts. Moore served as Jeff Choate’s in- tern at Washington in 2015 after a tremendous career as a Bobcat linebacker (2010-14). The Whitehouse Station, NJ, native was honorable mention All-Big Sky as a junior and Third Team as a senior.

Born: August 22, 1988 in Armonk, NY Education: MSU, BA in Business, 2014 Hometown: Whitehouse Station, NJ Playing Career: All-Big Sky and team captain, 2014; FCS ADA All-Academic, 2014 Career and Game-by-Game ISU * 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 CP * 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Stats of Key Bobcats UNC * 2 0 0 0 1/47 0 0 0 0 0 UM * 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UIW * 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1/0 1 0 46 Sal Aguilar, LB NDSU * 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6-0, 201, So, 1V, Santa Ana, CA (Mater Dei) Montana State (2019) Enters the fall as a reserve linebacker. (2018) Played in each game on special teams... logged tackles 15 Troy Andersen, LB/RB against Wagner, Cal Poly and UIW. (2017) Redshirted at MSU. 6-4, 233, Jr, 2V, Dillon, MT (Beaverhead) High School Earned First Team All-Trinity League honors at Montana State (2019) Enters the fall as MSU’s projected Mater Dei in the fall of 2016, logging 7.5 sacks... was Mater starter at the Sam linebacker position... named Preseason All-Big Dei’s Defensive MVP. Sky at fullback, and FCS Walter Payton Watch List as Athlete. Academics and Personal Majors in business management... (2018) MSU’s fi rst First Team All-Big Sky quarterback since born Salvador Aguilar in Santa Ana, CA... the son of Salvador DeNarius McGhee in 2012... Third Team All-America as an Aguilar and Sarah Winchester Taylor. All-Purpose selection for STATS... also named Sophomore All-America by Hero Sports, and FCS Sophomore of the Year G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK 2018 13 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 by that organization... started at QB in 11 of MSU’s 13 games...

2018 Season Stats rushed for at least 100 yards a school-record nine times, 94 in WIU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 one other... 64-for-111 passing (.576) for 717 yards with two SDSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TDs, one INT in the last fi ve games... his 21 rushing TDs is the WAG 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 MSU single-season record... has scored at least one toucheown EWU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 in 11 straight games, a school record... broke a bone in his hand UI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 during the opener, and played a limited role on defense and at ISU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 running back in the next two... his 211 rushing yards against CP 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UNC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Portland State was second-most ever by a Big Sky QB... threw UM 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 for 107 yards and caught a 32-yard pass at a key moment of that UIW 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 game, as well... 102 rushing yards and a TD against Weber State, NDSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 the most by any FCS player against WSU this season.... threw for 173 yards on 16-for-28 passing against ISU... MSU’s Sonny Holland Offensive MVP. (2017) Big Sky Freshman of the Year, 5 Jahque Alleyne, S MSU’s second in a row.. started games at both running back and 6-1, 187, Sr, 1V, Virginia Beach, VA (Virginia Tech/Ocean Lakes) linebacker... believed to be MSU’s fi rst true freshman to start Montana State (2019) Begins his second season as the starting his fi rst game at running back since at least 1990... the quickest Rover. (2018) Honorable Mention All-Big Sky... team-high fi ve Bobcat freshman to ever rush for 100 yards in a game... gained interceptions in his 11 games, and his rate of 0.45 per game led 515 yards on the ground, third-best on the team and third-most the Big Sky Conference... 38 tackles, three pass breakups, two all-time among MSU freshmen... nine total tackles, one for a fumbles forced, one recovered... forced one fumble and recov- loss... scored two rushing touchdowns against Montana, fi ve on ered another in the playoff win over Incarnate Word... named the season. MSU’s top defensive newcomer. High School Helped lead Beaverhead to Class A title games as Virginia Tech (2015) Played in 12 games as a freshman, includ- a junior and senior, winning the 2016 championship... Class A ing 75 plays on special teams and four as a free safety... four All-State quarterback as a junior and senior... All-USA Mon- tackles, including his fi rst at Purdue... solo tackle vs. Tulsa in the tana First Team Safety and Defensive Player of the Year... Great Independence Bowl. (2016) Played in four games, getting his Falls Tribune Super-State 2015 and 2016... Southwest Class A only tackle against Virginia. Offensive MVP the past two seasons... threw for 1,403 yards last High School Ranked as the 19th-best player in Virginia by The fall, rushing for 877 and accounting for 30 total touchdowns... Roanoke Times... listed as the No. 23 safety in the nation and 71 tackles with three interceptions and two fumbles recovered... 14th-ranked prospect in Virginia by Rivals, and as the No. 67 competed for the track and fi eld and basketball teams. safety nationally and 32nd in his state by 247 Sports... fi rst team Academics and Personal Maintained a 4.0 grade point average choice as a utility player in All-Coastal Conference, and second throughout his high school career, earning Academic All-State team at receiver... 62 tackles and seven picks as a junior. honors all four years... Class Valedictorian... an ag business Academics and Personal Born in 1997 in Brooklyn, New major... the son of Scott and Nicole Andersen... his father played York... one of six children of Carlo Davis and Ebony Theodis. basketball at Eastern Oregon, while sister Holly ran track for the Cats... played for Rick Nordahl at Beaverhead High. G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK 2018 11 23 15 0 0 5/102 3 0 1/0 2 0 G Ru Yds TD L C-A-I Yds TD L UT-AT 2018 Season Stats 2018 13 206 1412 21 71 115-208-7 1195 3 71 2-1 (1 TL&S) WIU * 0 1 0 0 1/28 0 0 0 0 0 2017 11 90 515 5 59 0-0-0 0 0 0 7-2 (1 TL&S) SDSU Did not play Total 24 296 1927 26 71 115-208-7 1195 3 71 9-3 (2 TL&S) WAG Did not play PSU * 1 1 0 0 1/27 1 0 0 0 0 EWU * 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UI * 2 0 0 0 1/0 0 0 0 0 0 WSU * 2 2 0 0 1/0 1 0 0 0 0 2018 St Ru Yds TD L C-A-I Yds TD L 55 Tua Areta, OL WIU * 24 145 2 26 12-21-1 82 0 17 0-0 SDSU 2 3 0 2 0 1-0 (1 TL&S) 6-3, 375 Fr, HS, Kent, WA (Meridian) WAG 3 64 1 57 0 0-0 PSU * 22 211 2 66 7-14-0 107 1 53 0-0 Montana State (2019) Begins his Bobcat career in competition EWU * 23 94 2 25 12-19-2 156 0 50 1-1 for playing time as a freshman. UI * 14 159 2 60 11-21-0 91 0 37 0-0 WSU * 11 102 1 71 9-22-2 53 0 12 0-0 High School Second Team All-North Puget Sound League... four- ISU * 19 106 1 33 16-28-1 173 0 43 0-0 CP * 7 104 2 51 7-10-0 54 0 15 0-0 year varsity athlete in track as well as football. UNC * 13 104 3 36 7-12-0 34 1 18 0-0 Academics and Personal A mechanical engineering major. UM * 23 107 3 20 15-24-0 158 0 45 0-0 UIW * 21 84 1 20 12-19-0 174 1 39 0-0 NDSU * 24 129 1 51 7-18-1 124 0 71 0-0 2017 St Ru Yds TD L Rec Yds TD UT AT 34 Nolan Askelson, LB WaSt * 9 33 0 14 1 0 0 0 0 SDSU 2 5 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 6-1, 222, Fr, Billings, MT (Senior) UND 22 131 2 27 2 -1 0 0 0 WSU 6 13 0 11 1 3 0 0 0 Montana State (2019) Enters his second season as a redshirt PSU 8 85 0 59 0 0 0 1 1 freshman linebacker... claimed the starting Mike linebacker spot EWU 7 26 0 12 1 -2 0 2 0 UNC 11 75 1 21 1 2 0 2 0 late in fall camp. (2018) Played in four games, and retains his ISU 7 57 0 14 1 43 1 1 0 freshman eligibility status entering his second season... came up KSU 6 19 0 18 0 0 0 with an enormous blocked punt against Incarnate Word... named NAU * 2 7 0 4 0 0 0 3 0 (1 Sack) UM 10 64 2 19 0 0 0 0 0 MSU’s Defensive Scout of the Year... three tackles vs. NDSU. High School Two-time fi rst team all-state linebacker at Bill- 25 Keaton Anderson, DB ings Senior, where the Broncs won a pair of state titles during his career... Class AA Defensive MVP in 2017... also all-state at 6-0, 181, So, 1V, Billings, MT (Senior) quarterback as a senior and running back as a junior... standout Montana State (2019) Tabbed for a key role on kick teams, American Legion baseball player. and as a reserve safety. (2018) Played in 11 games... emerged as Academics and Personal Engineering major... National Honor one of the team’s top kick teams players... logged tackles against Sicety member at Billings Senior, where he fi nished with a 3.7 Wagner and Weber State... two tackles against ISU. (2017) Red- grade point average... born Nolan Stone Askelson in 2000 in shirt at MSU. Spokane, Washington... one of two children of Ron and Rosanne High School Helped Senior to its fi rst Class AA state title in Askelson... prep teammates included MSU’s Keaton Anderson more than 30 years as a senior, with the Broncs fi nishing 13-0... and Montana Tech’s Jake Orvis.

First Team Class AA All-State as a safety in 2015 and 2016, G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK earning Defensive MVP honors last fall... picked off six passes, 2018 4 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 returning two for touchdowns, as a senior... two-time state 2018 S UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK runner-up in the long jump and high jump for the Billings Senior WIU Did not play track squad... two-time honor roll student. SDSU Did not play WAG Did not play Academics and Personal Enrolled in MSU’s University Stud- PSU Did not play EWU Did not play ies program... born Keaton Don Anderson in Billings... one of UI Did not play two children, including twin sister Mariah, of Gary and Stepha- WSU Did not play ISU Did not play nie Anderson... his grandfather Skip Anderson played football at CP Did not play Colorado State. UNC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UM 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK UIW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2018 11 4 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 NDSU 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2018 S UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK WIU Did not play SDSU Did not play WAG 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 23 Tristan Bailey, K PSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6-1, 210, Sr, 1V, Colorado Springs, CO (Coffeyville JC/Wyo/Rampart) EWU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Montana State (2019) Begins 2019 as MSU’s incumbent kicker. WSU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ISU 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (2018) MSU’s kicker throughout the season... STATS FCS and CP 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 ROOT Big Sky kick teams Player of the Week for his effort in the UNC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UM 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 opener... 4-for-4 on fi eld goals, including a 50-yarder which was UIW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 the longest ever by a Bobcat in his debut... scored 14 of MSU’s 26 NDSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 points... made his fi rst eight fi eld goals this season, but has missed three of his last four. Coffeyville Finished his sophomore season with nine straight fi eld goals converted and 10-of-his-last-11... 11-for-17 on the sea- son to earn all-conference fi rst team honors... resumed his athletic career at Coffeyville after a year away from football at Colorado State. Wyoming Finished his only season with the Cowboys, 2015, 14 Ruben Beltran, QB 2-for-8 on fi eld goals and 28-for-31 on PATs. 6-0, 180, Fr, RS, Peoria, AZ (Centennial) High School Earned all-state second team honors as a senior at Montana State (2019) Enters his redshirt freshman season third Rampart High School after fi nishing 10-for-12 on fi eld goal tries on the quarterback depth chart. (2018) Redshirted. with a 78% touchback rate... earned Specialist MVP honors in High School Earned all-state and all-conference honors twice at his league... Colorado Springs Gazette 1st Team All-State, and Centennial... attended Verrado high School as a frosh. Academic Honorable Mention. Academics and Personal Enrolled in University Studies... one Academics and Personal Studies business at MSU... an Aca- of fi ve children of Ruben and Corina Beltran... born in 1999 in demic All-State Honorable Mention choice at Rampart as a Phoenix. senior... born Tristan Tyler Bailey in 1996 in Phoenix, Arizona... one of two children of Shelley and Gary Bailey... his father played soccer at Regis University, his brother Colton played baseball at Hastings College, and grandfather Lynne Brown played hoops at 50 Chase Benson, DL Oklahoma State. 6-4, 280, Jr, 2V, Helena, MT (Helena)

G FG L PAT 1-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50+ Montana State (2019) Enters his junior campaign in MSU’s ro- 2018 13 14-19 50 40-44 1-1 6-6 4-4 2-7 1-1 tation at nose tackle. (2018) Played in all 13 games... 22 tackles 2018 Season Stats on the season... logged four tackles in fi rst career start vs. WIU... WIU 4-4 50 2-2 three tackles off the bench at SDSU... one tackle each vs. Wag- SDSU 0-0 - 1-2 WAG 2-2 37 4-5 ner, PSU... his initial strike on MSU’s goal-line stand at Montana PSU 1-1 29 4-5 helped the Cats preserve their third straight Cat-Griz win. (2017) EWU 1-2 31 2-2 Played in all 11 games, logging recording 12 tackles, including UI 1-1 42 3-3 WSU 1-1 27 3-3 eight solos, two for a loss, and 1.5 sacks... hurried the quarter- ISU 1-3 20 2-2 back twice... fi rst career sack came in debut at Washington State. CP 0-1 - 7-7 UNC 0-0 - 5-5 (2016) Redshirted. UM 0-0 - 3-3 UIW 2-3 35 3-3 High School Selected for the Montana Shrine Game... an All- NDSU 1-1 24 1-1 USA Montana First Team choice, logging six sacks in seven games with 22 quarterback hurries... earned 2014 and 2015 Great Falls Tribune Superstate honors. 73 Ryan Barkley, OL Academics and Personal An exercise science major... born 6-5, 285, Fr, RS, Durango, CO (Durango) Chase Michael Benson in Helena... one of three children of Dave Montana State (2019) A young offensive lineman who enters the and Brandi Benson. ball second at left tackle. (2018) Redshirted. G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK High School Named Max Prep All-State Second Team... lettered 2018 13 12 10 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 in football, leading his team to the state quarterfi nals, and lacrosse 2017 10 8 4 2/-6 1.5/6 0 0 2 0 0 0 at Durango High. 2018 Season Stats WIU * 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Academics and Personal An animal science major. SDSU 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WAG 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PSU 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 EWU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 Casey Bauman, QB UI 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6-6, 233, Fr, RS, Somas, WA (Nooksack Valley) WSU 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ISU 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Montana State (2019) Enters 2019 as the team’s starting quarter- CP 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 back. (2018) Saw his only game action against Cal Poly, when he UNC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UM 0 1 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 marched the Cats into fi eld goal range at the end of the fi rst half... UIW 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 completed his only pass for four yards. NDSU 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2017 St UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF Bk Sf High School Threw for 2,914 yards with 27 touchdowns and WaSt 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 three interception as a senior at Nooksack Valley, scoring 15 SDSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 touchdowns on the ground, as well... fi nished his career with UND 0 2 0.5 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WSU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7,437 career passing yards and 65 scoring strikes, with 26 rushing PSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 touchdowns... broke all of his school’s passing records... two-time EWU 2 1 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UNC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 fi rst team all-conference. ISU 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 KSU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Academics and Personal A business major... born Casey Burnell NAU 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 Bauman in 2000 in Bellingham, Washington... the oldest of Kelli UM 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 and Lonnie Bauman’s four children... his mother was a four-year member of Washington State’s crew squad... has worked construc- tion and bucking hay in summers. 10 Tylor Bohannon, CB 4 James Campbell, WR 6-1, 165, Fr, HS, Sacramento, CA (Grant) 6-1, 176, So, 1V, Palatka, FL (Palatka) Montana State (2019) Set to begin his Bobcat career as a Montana State (2019) A reserve receiver who made important reserve defensive back. special teams contributions a season ago. (2018) Overcame High School Two-time all-conference performer as a receiver injuries to become a dynamic kick teams player before an injury and defensive back at Grant. ended his season after six games... had six tackles, best on the team to that point and still second-best among special teams Academics and Personal Enrolled in kinesiology. players... rushed once against Eastern Washington. High School First team all-state and two-time all-county selec- tion... Putnam County Offensive Player of the Year as a senior, when he threw for 1,275 yards and ran for 620 more... 25 total 63 Mitch Brott, OT touchdowns... three-year honor student who was also a two-time 6-6, 300, Sr, 3V, Billings, MT (West) team captain. Montana State (2019) Enters his senior season with 35 straight Academics and Personal An engineering major... born James starts on the MSU offensive line... Preseason All-Big Sky... 3rd Campbell in Palatka, FL... one of six children of James and Lisa Team STATS FCS Preseason All-America. (2018) Earned 2nd Campbell, and LeNora Campbell. Team All-Big Sky for anchoring the offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the Big Sky while producing 18 100-yard rushing games... has started 35 straight games at tackle... blocked his fi rst fi eld goal and caught his fi rst pass vs. UNC... named 32 Jory Choate, LB MSU’s Offensive Lineman of the Year. (2017) Started all 11 6-2, 202, Fr, RS, Bozeman, MT (Bozeman) games at right tackle. (2016) Freshman All-America... enjoyed Montana State (2019) Enters the fall in competition for playing an exceptional freshman season, starting seven games at right time at inside linebacker... expected to contribute on kick teams. tackle and four games at left. (2015) Redshirted at MSU. (2018) Redshirted at MSU... a productive fall landed him the High School First Team all-conference and second team all- Young Gun Award for hard work, productivity. state... chosen for Montana Shrine Game. High School Class AA First Team All-State defensive end as a Academics and Personal Construction engineering technology senior... led the state in sacks (11) and tackles-for-loss in 2017... major... one of three children of Curt and Gina Brott... father logged 70 solo tackles with 43 assists as a senior. played basketball at MSU Billings, grandfather Richard Brott Academics and Personal Enrolled in University Studies... played hoops at Denver... brother Wilson is a Bobcat tight end. born Jory Jeffery Choate in Couer d’Alene, Idaho, in 2000... one of two children of Jeff and Janet Choate... has worked paint- ing houses in Bozeman during summer months... his father Jeff played football at Western Montana College. 98 Ethan Bullock, TE 6-5, 240, Fr, HS, Big Timber, MT (Sweet Grass) Montana State (2019) Begins his Bobcat career as a tight end. 43 Walker Cozzie, LB 6-0, 212, Sr, 3V, Helena, MT (Capital) High School Helped lead the Herders to conference titles in bas- ketball as a junior and football as a senior... a three-year starter and Montana State (2019) Considered an important piece of the two-time all-league and all-state selection at defensive end, and a MSU linebacker corps... can play Will and Mike. (2018) Started two-time all-league offensive lineman... also earned all-conference the fi rst three games, played in all 13... logged nine tackles, one honors as a junior in hoops. for a loss, in his fi rst career start vs. WIU... led the team with fi ve tackles against Wagner... played in all 11 games. (2017) Reserve Academics and Personal A biological sciences major. linebacker who saw considerable action on kick teams while tak- ing regular turns at the Mike linebacker spot... multiple tackles in four games. (2016) Played in six games, primarily on special teams... registered one tackle and one recovered fumble.. (2015) 38 Brian Campbell, S Redshirted at MSU. 6-2, 212, Jr, 1V, Covington, W (Kentwood) High School First team all-conference and all-state special Montana State (2019) Enters the fall as a reserve safety and teams player... fi rst team all-conference and second team all-state special teams linchpin. (2018) Saw action in three games, linebacker... four-time academic all-state. primarily on kick teams... recorded tackles against SDSU and Academics and Personal Majors in exercise science... born Wagner. (2017) Reserve safety. (2016) Redshirted. Walker Jaysen Cozzie in Helena... one of two children of Brad High School Threw for 956 yards and nine touchdowns as a and Kristen Cozzie... his father played football at Carroll... junior at Kentwood. worked for Dick Anderson Construction in the summer months. Academics and Personal Enrolled in mechanical engineering... G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK S completed an internship at Boeing in Seattle in summer, 2019. 2018 13 13 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2017 9 10 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2016 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2018 Season Stats High School Earned 2017 All-Area honors in the Tri-Cities, WIU * 6 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SDSU * 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 helping lead Connell to the state playoffs as a senior... recorded WAG 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 sacks and scored a pair of touchdowns as a senior... nomi- PSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 EWU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 nated to USA Today All-State team... all-state in the shot put and UI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 wrestling. WSU 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ISU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Academics and Personal Enrolled in University Studies... the CP 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 grandson of Lewis and Jeanie Holesbergen. UNC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UM 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UIW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NDSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 82 Mark Estes, WR 2017 Season Stats WaSt 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6-1, 180, Fr, RS, Kalispell, MT (Glacier) SDSU 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UND 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Montana State (2019) A strong summer and preseason camp WSU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 pushes him into position for playing time. (2018) Redshirted. PSU 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 EWU 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 High School An all-state choice at Drummond in 2015 and at UNC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Glacier High (second team) in 2017... also a state track and fi eld ISU 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 KSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 champion at Drummond... earned all-conference kudos at both NAU 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 schools. UM 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2016 UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK S Academics and Personal Enrolled in University Studies... born UI Did not play Mark Charles Estes in 1999 in Kalispell... one of two children BU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 of Robert Estes and his wife Debbi, and Staci Martin and her WOU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 UND 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 husband Kenny... his father played football at Tulsa and for the SAC Did not play Dallas Cowboys, and his brother Cade played at UM Western... a NAU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 cousin Joel Estes played football at Oklahoma. EWU Did not play SUU Did not play UCD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UM Did not play 99 Marcus Ferriter, DE 6-4, 262, Sr, 3V, Butte, MT (Central) Montana State (2019) Enters the fall in the rotation at defen- 48 Ryan Davis, TE sive tackle... has also played end, and could play any position 6-3, 250, Jr, 2V, Billings, MT (Skyview) along the front. (2018) Played in all 13 games... single tackles Montana State (2019) Begins the season as Montana State’s against SDSU, PSU, and two vs. EWU. (2017) Reserve defen- starting tight end. (2018) Saw tight ends action late in the sea- sive end... forced a KSU fumble... two tackles in Cat-Griz game son... no catches. (2017) Activated for the fi nal six games... saw (2016) Played in all 11 games, starting the fi rst seven... logged times on kick teams, logging two tackles, both against UM. 19 tackles, including four for a loss and one sack... his sack High School Class AA First Team All-State linebacker and Sec- came against Sacramento State... recovered a Western Oregon ond Team tight end at Skyview as a senior... chosen the Falcons’ fumble... season-high six tackles at Sac State.. (2015) Redshirted Most Inspirational as a junior and senior... helped lead the Sky- at MSU. view basketball team to a state title in 2016... two-time Honor High School Earned First Team all-Class A honors for Butte Roll selection... a Blackfeet Nation Descendent and Lower Brule Central as a senior in 2014... started 40 straight games in high Sioux Tribal Member, and also belongs to the Crazy Dog War- school... older brother Marcus was a thrower for the MSU track rior Society. and fi eld squad. Academics and Personal A mechanical engineering major... the Academics and Personal An electrical engineering major... son of Doug and Debbie Davis... both parents and three brothers born Marcus Patrick Ferriter in Gillette, Wyoming... one of three are MSU graduates, and his brother Leo was a three-year starting children of Dan and Leann Ferriter...his brother Sean starred for offensive lineman for the Bobcats (2008-11)... brother Matt also the Bobcat track squad as a thrower. played football for the Cats, and Steven played hoops at MSU. G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK S 2018 13 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2017 11 3 7 0.5 0.5 0 1 0 1 1 0 0

2018 Season Stats 56 Seer Deines, DL WIU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6-3, 260, Fr, RS, Connell, WA (Connell) SDSU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WAG 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Montana State (2019) A young interior lineman who could PSU 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 EWU 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 compete for playing time this season. (2018) Played in a pair of UI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 early-season games at defensive tackle... logged a tackle against WSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Portland State. ISU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 CP 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UNC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UM 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UIW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NDSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2017 Season Stats Academics A mechanical engineering major... born Kyle James WaSt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SDSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Finch in Dillon... one of two children of Nate and Kim Finch, UND 0 1 0.5 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Dillon-area ranchers... his father played football at Montana, an WSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 uncle Aaron played at CSU, and a cousin, Christopher Finch, PSU 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 EWU 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 played hockey at Amherst. UNC 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK S ISU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2018 13 2 3 0.5 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 KSU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 NAU 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2018 St UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK S UM 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WIU 0 1 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SDSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WAG 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Greg Filer III, CB EWU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6-0, 157, Sr, 1V, Compton, CA (Compton College) UI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ISU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Montana State (2019) An injury in fall camp has knocked him CP 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 out of the starting lineup for the time being. (2018) Honorable UNC 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mention All-Big Sky... started the last eight games... 10 tackles UM 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UIW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 in the Montana and Incarnate Word games combined... leads the NDSU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 team with eight pass breakups... one tackle in debut vs. WIU... fi rst career start came against EWU, when he made six tackles, including one for a loss... also picked off a pass and broke up 42 R.J. Fitzgerald, FB another... his second interception of the season, which came 5-10, 225, So, 1V, Dillon, MT (Beaverhead Co.) against Weber, was MSU’s fi rst pick-six of the season... tipped a Northern Colorado pass that was intercepted by his roommate Montana State (2019) Returns to his role in the Bobcat offense Jahque Alleyne. as the fullback. (2018) Logged one-half tackle on kick teams vs. WIU... played in fi rst four games, missed the last nine with Compton College Unanimous All-American Metro League 1st injury. (2017) Played in six games as special teams ace... also Team and All-California Region IV 1st team choice... picked off saw time at fullback, carrying one time for one yard. fi ve passes at Compton, with 39 tackles and a forced fumble. High School Helped lead Beaverhead County to Class A State High School Graduated from Paramount High in 2015, play- Championships in 2014 and 2016... two-time First Team Class ing there as a senior (2014)... also played at Long Beach Jordan A All-State linebacker, fi rst team all-conference at fullback... (2012-13) and Compton High (2011). Southern A Defensive MVP as a senior, when he registered 106 Academics and Personal Enrolled in University Studies... both tackles to go along with 700 rushing yards... 2015 all-state catch- Gregory Filer III in 1997 in Compton, California... one of six er for the Dillon Cubs American Legion baseball team... helped children of Gregory Filer Jr. and Dana Mitchell... his brother the Beaverhead basketball team to 2016 state title... Academic John Ross III played at the University of Washington and is with All-State four times. the Cincinnati Bengals. Academics Enrolled in University Studies... born Robert Jon G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK S Fitzgerand in Dillon... one of four children of Greg and Keeley 2018 13 32 8 1 0 2/27 8 0 0 0 0 0 Fitzgerald... his father and uncle (John Fitzgerald) played foot- 2018 St UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK S ball at Montana... his grandfather Jon Konen played football at WIU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SDSU 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Western Montana. WAG 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 G Ru Yds TD L UT AT PSU 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2018 5 0 0 0 0 1 1 EWU * 5 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 UI * 6 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2018 Season Stats WSU * 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 WIU 0 0 0 0 0 1 ISU * 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 SDSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 CP * 2 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 WAG 0 0 0 0 1 0 UNC * 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 UM * 4 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 EWU Did not play UIW * 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UI Did not play NDSU * 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WSU Did not play ISU Did not play CP Did not play UNC Did not play 53 Kyle Finch, DL UM Did not play UIW Did not play 6-4, 238, Jr, 2V, Dillon, MT (Beaverhead Co.) NDSU Did not play Montana State (2019) Moves to the Buck position, and enters the season as second on the depth chart. (2018) Played in all 12 games... one assisted tackle, behind the line, in opener... single 33 Blake Flovin, LB tackles against EWU, ISU, UNC. (2017) Played in six games as 6-1, 227, Jr, JC, Sunnyvale, CA (Foothills JC/Holy Cross/Mitty) reserve lineman and long snapper. (2016) Redshirted at MSU. Montana State (2019) Enters the fall in competition for playing High School Chosen for the 2015 Shrine Game... helped Dillon time at the Mike linebacker position... had a strong spring. to state Class A titles in 2013 and ‘14, and a runner-up fi nish in 2015... logged 99 tackles... a team captain who was conference defensive MVP. Foothill (2018) First Team All-California Community College 40 Logan Gilliard, TE defensive selection... team captain. (2017) First Team All-North- 6-3, 205, Fr, HS, Bigfork, MT (Bigfork) ern California Football Conference... league defensive player of Montana State (2019) A versatile athlete... begins his Bobcat the year. career at tight end. Holy Cross Redshirted in 2016. High School Earned All-Class B and all-conference honors as an High School Team captain as a junior and senior at Archbishop offensive lineman in 2018. Mitty... earned 2015 Western Catholic Athletic League First Team Academics and Personal Studies biological engineering. honors as a senior, when he was also named his team’s top defen- sive player... Western Catholic Athletic League second team selec- tion as a running back... rushed for fi ve touchdowns and over 300 rushing yards as a running back... 102 solo tackles at linebacker. 17 Tadan Gilman, LB Academics and Personal A business major. 6-0, 220, So, 1V, Kalispell, MT (Glacier) Montana State (2019) xxxx. (2018) Played in all 13 games on kick teams. (2017) Redshirted at MSU. 89 Jack Galt, LB/FB High School Selected for the 2017 Mon-Dak and Montana 6-0, 210, Fr, HS, White Sulphur Springs, MT (White Sulphur Springs) Shrine games... USA Today All-Montana 2nd Team in 2015 and 1st Team in 2016... Great Falls Tribune SuperState as a senior... Montana State (2019) A versatile athlete who could play on Academic All-State in 2014-15-16... team captain as a senior... either side of the ball. his team fi nished second in the state in 2016 and won the 2014 High School Helped lead White Sulphur Springs to a league title state title... earned all-state honors at quarterback (1st team) as a junior... logged 33.5 tackles as a senior... played defensive end and punter (2nd team) in 2016... named his team’s Alpha Male and tight end. Award... also all-state in basketball. Academics and Personal Majors in agriculture. Academics Majors in exercise science. Personal The son of Mark and Tiffany Gilman... his father played football at Nebraska, grandfather Thomas Gilman played at North Dakota, and uncle Wade Rademacher starred for the 12 Ty’Rhae Gibson, CB Bobcats in the ‘90s... former prep teammates include MSU’s 6-0, 166, So, 1V, Lawndale, CA (Paramount) Josh Hill and Patrick O’Connell of Mary. Montana State (2019) E. (2018) Played in three games at cor- G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK S ner and on kick teams. (2017) Redshirted at MSU. 2018 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 High School A starting receiver and defensive back at Para- 2018 St UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK S WIU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 mount High School... previously started at both positions for SDSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Inglewood High School. WAG 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Academics and Personal Enrolled in University Studies... EWU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 born Ty”Rhae Ke’Shonne Gibson in 1999 in Los Angeles... one UI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 of fi ve children of Keisha and Nate Gibson... his twin brother ISU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ty’Rese also plays for the Cats. CP 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UNC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK S UM 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2018 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UIW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NDSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2018 St UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK S WIU Did not play SDSU Did not play WAG Did not play PSU Did not play 9 Jacob Hadley, TE EWU Did not play 6-6, 230, Jr, 1V, Billings, MT (Central) UI Did not play WSU Did not play Montana State (2019) Moves to tight end this season and en- ISU Did not play CP Did not play ters as second on the depth chart. (2018) Missed two mid-season UNC 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 games... saw extensive action as Sam linebacker and on kick UM 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 teams... three tackles vs. WIU in fi rst game since 2015... logged UIW 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NDSU 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 his fi rst career sack at PSU, one TFL against Eastern. (2017) In- jured during the Sonny Holland Spring Scrimmage... transitioned to from safety linebacker in the off-season. (2016) Redshirted at MSU. High School 2015 Montana Shrine Game selection... chosen for the 2015 First Team All-USA Montana... four interceptions as a corner... also played receiver. Academics Enrolled in University Studies. G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK S 2018 13 4 1 0.5 0.5 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 Personal Born Jacob Leary Hadley in Billings... one of four 2018 St UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK S children of Justin and Brook Hadley... uncles John Hadley WIU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Dickinson State) and Joe Hadley (Carroll) played college foot- SDSU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WAG 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ball... has worked as an electrician’s aid in the summer. PSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK S EWU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2018 10 7 9 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2018 St UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK S ISU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WIU * 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 CP 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SDSU * 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UNC 2 1 0.5 0.5 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 WAG * 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UM 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PSU * 3 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UIW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 EWU 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NDSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UI 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ISU Did not play CP Did not play UNC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 79 Jack Harlow, OL UM 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6-2, 290, Fr, HS, San Juan Capistrano, CA (J Serra) UIW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NDSU 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Montana State (2019) Enters the fall as a reserve lineman... likely headed for a redshirt season. High School Earned First Team All-Trinity, All-Orange County, 84 Peyton Hanser, WR and All-SoCal honors as a senior. 6-4, 207, So, Billings, MT (Central) Academics and Personal Enrolled in business. Montana State (2019) A strong spring and summer has vaulted him into a spot in the rotation at the X receiver. (2018) Reserve receiver. (2017) Redshirted. 7 JoJo Henderson, S High School Team captain as a senior at Billings Central, 6-3, 208, Sr, 2V, Salt Lake City, UT (Snow College/Olympus) where he was a First Team Class A All-State and two-time First Montana State (2019) A veteran defensive back who begins Team All-Conference choice... four-year starter on the basketball the season behind Brayden Konkol at free safety. (2018) Three team, helping lead his team to the state title game as a junior... tackles and a pass breakup in opener... career-high six tackles four-time Academic All-State. at SDSU... three tackles, one PB vs. Wagner... started against Academics and Personal An exercise science major... three- Idaho, Weber... multiple tackles in the last six games. (2017) time academic all-state selection at Billings Central... cell Starting safety in fi rst four games, injured vs. Weber... returned biology and neuroscience major... Born Peyton Matthew Hanser for season’s fi nal two games. in Billings... one of three children of Scott and Janelle Hanser... Snow Recorded 54 tackles (34 solo) in eight games as a fresh- brother Dylan played football at Washington State, and father man at Snow College in 2016... broke up 10 passes. Scott was a standout on back-to-back WAC Championship teams Lamar Redshirted in 2015. at Wyoming... sister Austin played hoops at MSU Billings... mother was a Wyoming cheerleader... prep teammates include High School Played for the North squad in the Blue-Grey All- MSU’s Jacob Hadley and Jet Campbell of Montana Tech and America Bowl in Tampa in 2015... two-time all-region choice Josh Kraft of Carroll. who was team MVP as a junior and senior... helped lead Olym- pus to 10-2 record and regional co-championship as a junior in 2013, when the team advanced to the state semifi nals... rushed 44 Daniel Hardy, LB for 965 yards as a running back at Olympus High as a senior in 6-3, 223, Jr, 1V, Beaverton, OR (Siskiyous/Valley Catholic) 2015... scored 11 touchdowns, seven on the ground... logged 116 tackles, three for a loss, that season after getting 58 the year be- Montana State (2019) A strong summer has pushed Daniel fore... intercepted 22one pass as a senior, four as a junior... also Hardy into the second spot at Sam linebacker behind Troy An- lettered in basketball and track and fi eld. dersen. (2018) Played in all 13 games, primarily on kick teams but with increasing responsibilities in scrimmage situations... Academics and Personal A business major... born Joseph Mi- single tackles against SDSU, Wagner... fi rst TFL came against chael Henderson in Detroit... one of six children of Joe Hender- UNC. son and Carol Cannon-Henderson... his father was a star running back at Iowa State and enjoyed a seven-year NFL career... his Siskiyous Registered 66 tackles, 12.5 for a loss, and nine sacks step-mother Carol was a nationally-recognized gymnast... played as a freshman in 2017... forced three fumbles, recovered one. at Lamar with Brendan Longley and at Snow with Garret Boles, High School Starred in football and basketball at Valley Catho- both now with the Denver Broncos... has worked as a personal lic... all-state receiver and linebacker as a senior... played in Or- trainer, the occupation of his father and step-mother. egon Athletic Coaches Association’s All-Star basketabll series. G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK S Academics and Personal Enrolled in business with a marketing 2018 13 16 12 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 emphasis... born in 1998 in Portland... one of eight children of 2017 5 7 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Wilbert and Ali Hardy. 2018 Season Stats 2017 Season Stats WIU 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 WaSt * 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SDSU * 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 SDSU 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WAG * 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 UND * 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WSU * 5 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 EWU 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PSU * 4 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UI * 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 EWU * 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WSU * 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UNC * 2 3 0.5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ISU 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ISU Did not play CP 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 KSU 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UNC 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NAU * 1 2 0.5 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 UM 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UM * 2 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 UIW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NDSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2016 Season Stats UI * 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2017 Season UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK BRY * 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WaSt * 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WOU * 1 0 0 0 1/4 0 0 0 0 0 SDSU * 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UND * 8 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 UND 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SAC * 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WSU * 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NAU * 5 1 2/2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PSU Did not play WEB * 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 EWU Did not play EWU * 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UNC Did not play SUU * 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ISU Did not play UCD * 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 KSU Did not play UM * 3 5 1/2 0 1/10 0 0 0 1 0 NAU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UM 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2 DeMareus Hosey, RB 58 Josh Hill, LB 6-0, 190, Fr, HS, Justin TX (Northwest) 5-11, 210, Sr, 3V, Kalispell, MT (Glacier) Montana State (2019) A dynamic young running back who Montana State (2019) Regained his starting job at the Will enters fall camp with the opportunity to compete for playing linebacker spot after a healthy fall camp. (2018) Season debut time immediately. came in the fi nale... fi ve tackles and an interception in play- High School Rushed for 1,933 yards (288 carries) with 26 touch- off loss at NDSU... missed the fi rst 12 games with an injury. downs as a senior, 1,460 yards (214 carries) with 15 touchdowns (2017) Finished fourth on the team in tackles... season-high as a junior... was named Dallas-Fort Worth Player of the Week eight against Weber State. (2016) Started all 11 games for the early in the season this year and twice as a junior... Texas AP Cats, capping a sensational freshman campaign with Big Sky Second Team... Class 6-5A 1st Team All-District as a junior and Defensive Player of the Week honors in the season fi nale against senior... 2018 District MVP and all-state selection. Montana... logged eight tackles against UM, one for a loss, with a forced fumble and an interception... fi nished the season with 54 Academics and Personal A business major. tackles, fourth on the team... also picked off a Western Oregon pass. (2015) Redshirted at MSU... voted the team’s top defensive scout as a redshirt freshman in 2015. High School Helped lead Glacier’s 13-0 state championship 22 Isaiah Ifanse, RB team, earning Class AA Defensive MVP honors... fi rst team all- 5-10, 202, So, 1V, Bellevue, WA (Bellevue) state as a junior and senior, earning Great Falls Tribune Super Montana State (2019) Begins the year as MSU’s starting tail- State honors as a senior... Mon-Dak All-Star and Montana Shrine back. (2018) Honorable Mentiona All-Big Sky, and Hero Sports Game choice. Freshman All-America Honorable Mention... the only game he Academics and Personal An earth sciences major... born Josh didn’t start, Idaho, was a formation situation... 139 rushing yards Hill in Tucscon, Arizona... one of three children of Carey Lyn vs. UIW was MSU playoff record... 1,025 yards makes him the and the late John Hill. only Bobcat freshman in history to gain more than 1,000 yards in a season... joined Troy Andersen as fi rst true freshman running G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK S 2018 1 2 3 0 0 1/0 0 0 0 0 0 0 backs to start their Bobcat debuts since 1956... became only 2017 9 39 30 2.5/3 0 0 5 2 0 1 0 0 the second Bobcat freshman to rush for over 100 yards as early 2016 11 33 21 3/4 0 2/14 1 0 0 1 0 0 as his third game with 146 yards vs. Wagner...became the fi rst 2018 Season Stats Bobcat freshman to gain 100 rushing yards twice in his fi rst four WIU Did not play SDSU Did not play games, and the second to rush for 100+ in consecutive games, by WAG Did not play gaining exactly 100 against Portland State... after missing prac- PSU Did not play EWU Did not play tice all week against Idaho, rushed 13 times for 53 yards and a UI Did not play TD against the Vandals... burst out for an MSU freshman record WSU Did not play 227 yards against Cal Poly. ISU Did not play CP Did not play High School Named Washington’s Gatorade Player of the Year UNC Did not play UM Did not play in 2017, also landing all-league and all-state honors at Bellevue UIW Did not play High... played on three conference title teams and rushed for NDSU * 2 3 0 0 1/0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,468 yards and 44 touchdowns at Bellevue. Academics and Personal Enrolled in University Studies... born 45 Alex Johnson, LB Isaiah Tanimola Ifanse in Olympia, Washington, in 2000... one 6-3, 191, Fr, HS, Helena, MT (Helena) of four children of Jennifer and Joe Ifanse... has offi ciated fl ag Montana State (2019) An athletic linebacker... begins his ca- football games in summer months. reer with the possibility of working his way into the rotation on G Ru Yds TD L Re Yds TD 2018 13 196 1025 7 74 8 92 1 defense or kick teams.

2018 Season Stats High School A two-time fi rst team all-state and all-conference WIU * 5 11 0 4 0 0 0 choice at Helena High... also a three-year starter for the Bengals in SDSU * 3 4 0 4 0 0 0 basketball... a seven-time academic all-state choice, and National WAG * 23 146 1 73 5 72 1 PSU * 19 100 2 16 0 0 0 Honor Society member. EWU * 8 31 0 13 2 15 0 UI 13 53 1 9 0 0 0 Academics and Personal Enrolled in University Studies. WSU * 11 21 0 16 0 0 0 ISU * 19 120 0 41 0 0 0 CP * 22 227 3 74 0 0 0 UNC * 16 67 0 12 1 5 0 UM * 15 63 0 9 0 0 0 UIW * 29 139 0 18 0 0 0 28 Logan Jones, RB NDSU * 13 43 0 9 0 0 0 5-7, 186, Sr, 3V, Kalispell, MT (Glacier) Montana State (2019) His best off-season has Logan Jones oc- cupying a key role... second on the depth chart at running back, 91 Michael Jobman, LB and tabbed as the team’s primary kick returner. (2018) Made his 6-5, 241, Jr, 2V, Huntley Project, MT (Huntley Project) 2018 debut with a pair of carries at Idaho State... made one of Montana State (2019) Begins the fall as the second Will line- the big plays of the Cat-Griz game, scampering in from 13 yards backer... has played all three linebacker positions. (2018) Started out for the winning touchdown with 2:19 to play... rushed for seven games, taking over Will linebacker duties in the last fi ve 47 yards in that game, and caught a key 23-yard pass... seven games... fi ve tackles, one-half behind the line, in starting debut carries for 34 yards against Cal Poly, four for 36 against UNC... at Mike vs. Western Illinois... fi ve more tackles at SDSU... six caught two passes against Cal Poly and three against UNC, tackles, half-TFL at Weber... seven tackles, one TFL, vs. ISU... including one TD catch in each game. (2017) Played in all 11 career-high nine tackles vs. Cal Poly. (2017) Started the last four games, starting fi ve... MSU’s Ken Amato Kick Teams MVP... games at Buck... fi ve tackles against Idaho State, a season high. rushed for 106 yards, scoring a touchdown at North Dakota... (2016) Redshirted. season-high 31 yards at UNC... caught a 22-yard pass against High School A 2015 Great Falls Tribune Superstate Team Kennesaw. (2016) Played in seven games, rushing six times for choice... selected for 2016 Montana Shrine Game... rushed for 39 yards and catching one pass against Sacramento State for 65 over 1,000 yards as a running back... logged 51 solo tackles, yards... his 10 kickoff returns and 251 return yards were each seven for a loss, as a linebacker. team highs. (2015) Played in all 11 games. Academics and Personal An ag business major... born Michael High School A Great Falls Tribune Superstate selection in both Scott Jobman in Scottsbluff, Nebraska... one of two children 2013 and 2014... chosen for the Badlands Bowl and the Montana of Randall and Christy Jobman... his father played football at Shrine Game... fi rst team all-state selection. Nebraska, his mother basketball at Nebraska Wesleyan. Academics and Personal A construction engineering technol- ogy major... born G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK 2018 13 G Ru Yds TD Rec Yds TD KR Yds TD 2017 11 10 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2018 4 21 120 1 6 62 2 3 127 0 2018 Season Stats 2017 9 25 96 1 3 19 0 4 67 0 WIU * 2 3 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2016 7 6 39 1 1 65 0 10 251 0 SDSU * 4 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2015 9 2 12 0 0 0 0 11 280 1 WAG 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2018 Season Stats PSU 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WIU Did not play EWU 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SDSU Did not play UI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WAG Did not play WSU 2 4 0.5 0.5 0 1 0 0 0 0 PSU Did not play ISU * 4 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 EWU Did not play CP * 5 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 UI Did not play UNC * 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 WSU Did not play UM * 2 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ISU 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UIW * 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 CP 7 34 0 2 19 1 1 35 0 NDSU UNC 4 36 0 3 20 1 1 19 0 2017 Season UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK UM 8 47 1 1 23 0 1 73 0 WaSt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UIW Did not play SDSU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NDSU Did not play UND 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WSU 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PSU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 EWU 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UNC 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ISU * 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 KSU * 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NAU * 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UM * 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2017 Season Stats 2018 Season Stats WaSt * 1 -1 0 0 0 0 1 16 0 WIU * 4 17 0 0-1-0 0 0 0 4 17 0 SDSU * 7 27 0 0 -5 0 0 0 0 SDSU * 5 5 0 0-0-0 0 0 0 3 9 0 UND * 4 12 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 WAG Did not play WSU * 0 0 0 1 -3 0 1 20 0 PSU 1 29 0 0-0-0 0 0 0 1 29 0 PSU * 1 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 EWU * 1 50 0 0-0-0 0 0 0 1 50 0 EWU 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 15 0 UI * 1 13 0 1-1-0 2 0 2 2 6 0 UNC 8 31 0 1 5 0 1 15 0 WSU * 7 45 1 0-0-0 0 0 0 1 12 0 ISU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ISU * 5 28 1 0-0-0 0 0 0 2 11 0 KSU 4 15 0 1 22 0 0 0 0 CP * 5 32 1 2-2-0 19 1 17 0 0 0 NAU 0 0 0 1 -10 0 0 0 0 UNC * 6 49 1 1-1-0 12 0 12 0 0 0 UM 3 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UM * 1 1 0 0-0-0 0 0 0 11 101 0 UIW * 5 26 1 1-1-0 10 0 10 2 76 1 2016 Season Stats NDSU * 1 0 0 0-0-0 0 0 0 1 8 0 UI Did not play BRY 0 0 0 0 0 0 WOU 5 33 1 0 0 0 UND 0 0 0 0 0 0 SAC 1 6 0 1 65 0 #54 Chad Kanow, LB NAU 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 61 0 6-4, 224, So, 1V, Temecula, CA (Great Oak) WEB 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 48 0 EWU 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 142 0 Montana State (2019) Begins the season as a reserve lineback- SUU Did not play UCD Did not play er. (2018) Played in four mid-season games in a season truncated UM Did not play on the front and back ends by injury... made season debut with 2015 Season Stats two tackles vs. PSU... four tackles against EWU... career-high FLC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 eight tackles against Weber State. (2017) Led the Bobcats in EWU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 CP 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 special teams tackles with six, four solos, including one inside NAU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 the 20-yard line... forced one fumble, and recovered one on kick SAC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 179 1 teams... also played as a reserve linebacker. ETSU 2 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 High School First team all-league selection and defensive UND 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 26 0 SUU 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 75 0 player of the year as a senior, serving as a team captain in 2016... ISU Did not play logged 113 tackles, fi ve sacks and three forced fumbles for Great UM Did not play Oak. Academics and Personal Enrolled in University Studies... the 10 Travis Jonsen, QB son of Steve and Carynn Kanow... played for Robbie Robinson 6-4, 209, Sr, 1V, Fullerton, CA (Riverside CC/Oregon/Servite) at Great Oak.

Montana State (2019) Elected team captain... begins the fall G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK as the starting X receiver. (2018) A versatile offensive player, 2018 4 11 8 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2017 8 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 lining up at receiver and quarterback... fi nished among the 2018 Season Stats top three Bobcats in passes, catches, and rushes... 11 catches WIU Did not play for 101 yards receiving against the Grizzlies, including a key SDSU Did not play fourth-quarter catch to set up the score that drew MSU withing WAG Did not play PSU * 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 25-22 on the way to the Bobcat win... 26 yards rushing with a EWU * 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 touchdown, 76 yards receiving with a touchdown, and 10 yards UI * 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WSU * 4 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 passing vs. UIW in the playoff win. ISU Did not play CP Did not play Riverside Threw for 372 yards and four touchdowns on 26-for- UNC Did not play 48 passing at Riverside College in 2018... rushed for 425 yards UM Did not play UIW Did not play and three touchdowns on 38 carries. NDSU Did not play

Oregon (2015) Began classes in the spring after graduating 2017 S UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK from high school early and showed well in UO’s spring game... WaSt Did not play SDSU Did not play an early-season injury forced an early end to his season. (2016) UND 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Redshirted. (2017) Competed in the spring before leaving the WSU 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 program. PSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 EWU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 High School Third-ranked dual-threat quarterback in the coun- UNC Did not play ISU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 try, and 10th overall prospect in California and 49th nationally KSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 by Rivals.com at Servite High School in Anaheim, California... NAU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 threw for 3,361 yards and 26 touchdowns while rushing for UM 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,133 yards and 26 scores at Servite. Academics and Personel A liberal studies major. G Ru Yds TD C-A-I Yds TD L Rec Yds TD 2018 12 36 199 5 5-6-0 43 1 17 28 319 1 85 Kevin Kassis, WR 36 Quincy Kent-Schneider, TE 6-0, 202, Sr, 3V, El Dorado, CA (Oak Ridge) 6-2, 220, Fr, RS, Chanhassan, MN (Chanhassan) Montana State (2019) Second-year team captain... . (2018) Montana State (2019) Enters the season as a reserve tight end... Elected team captain... led MSU with 55 catches, 663 receiving moved from linebacker during fall camp. (2018) Redshirted. yards and three of the team’s eight TD catches... team-high fi ve High School Logged 48 total tackles with two forced fumbles, catches for 33 yards in opener vs. WIU... 69-yard kick return in on interceptions and four pass breakups in 2017. that game was MSU’s longest since 2015... also returned a punt for 32 yards... nine catches, 126 yards and two TDs against Wag- Academics and Personal A marketing major. ner, his second career 100-yard game... 53-yard TD catch against PSU was second-longest of career... fi ve carries for 58 yards combined in last two games. (2017) Started last seven games... 88 Jarrett Kessler, TE 21 catches, 270 yards, two touchdown catches, all second on the 6-4, 220, So, JC, Kalispell, MT (Diablo Valley JC/Glacier) team... fi ve catches for 48 yards at UNC... rushed eight times for Montana State (2019) A reserve tight end. (2018) Redshirted. 65 yards, including a 22-yarder against Portland State. (2016) His 514 all-purpose yards was 10th-most in history by a Bob- Diablo Valley Logged 17 tackles as a Diablo Valley linebacker cat freshman... caught nine passes for 152 yards, including 103 in 2017. yards against UND... his 100-yard receiving game was the fi rst High School Played offensive and defensive line as a senior at by a Bobcat freshman since Tanner Bleskin in 2010... returned Glacier in 2016. a punt 47 yards against Weber, and a kick 41 yards against Sac Academics and Personal A fi nance major... his father Mark is State. an assistant football coach at Glacier High and played at Sonoma High School Enjoyed a 1,000-yard receiving season with 10 State, while his mother Jennifer is a counselor at Glacier. touchdowns as a senior... fi rst team all-league and all-metro. Academics and Personal A business major... born Kevin Jacob Kassis in El Dorado Hills, California... one of three children of 76 Lewis Kidd, OG Steve and Gina Kassis... former prep teammate Ian Book plays 6-6, 312, Jr, 2V, Fridley, MN (Totino-Grace) football at Notre Dame. Montana State (2019) A third-year starting guard. (2018) Started all 13 games at right guard... named Hero Sports Sopho- G Ru Yds TD Rec Yds TD KR Yds TD PR Yds TD 2018 13 12 98 0 55 663 3 8 191 0 10 105 0 more All-America Honorable Mention... also played right tackle. 2017 11 7 65 0 21 280 2 0 0 0 10 40 0 (2017) Played in 11 games, starting last fi ve at guard. (2016) 2016 10 1 4 0 9 152 0 10 205 0 12 153 0 Totals 34 20 167 0 85 1,095 5 18 396 0 32 298 0 Redshirted.

2018 Season Stats High School Earned second team all-state honors in Minnesota WIU * 0 0 0 5 33 0 3 116 0 2 36 0 as a senior... named his conference’s most valuable offensive SDSU * 0 0 0 3 74 0 4 47 0 0 0 0 WAG * 0 0 0 9 126 2 0 0 0 1 39 0 lineman as a senior... also competed in basketball and track. PSU * 0 0 0 2 57 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 EWU * 0 0 0 2 24 0 1 28 0 2 22 0 Academics and Personal Enrolled in University Studies... a UI * 0 0 0 3 22 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 two-year honor roll selection in high school, when he also com- WSU * 0 0 0 4 27 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 ISU * 0 0 0 7 83 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 peted in his school’s anti-bullying organization... born Tyrone CP * 1 33 0 6 33 0 0 0 0 1 -5 0 Lewis Kidd in Minneapolis... one of four children of Tyrone and UNC * 4 25 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 2 15 0 SueAnne Kidd... his brother Joey played football at Saint John’s UM * 0 0 0 2 24 0 0 0 0 1 -2 0 UIW * 5 36 0 7 65 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Minnesota). NDSU * 1 2 0 4 93 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2017 Season Stats WaSt 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 SDSU 1 5 0 4 40 0 0 0 0 1 -1 0 18 Elijah King, DB UND * 0 0 0 2 47 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5-10, 170, Fr, HS, Elk Grove CA (Consumnes Oaks) WSU * 1 5 0 2 -1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 PSU * 1 22 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Montana State (2019) Enters the fall as a reserve defensive EWU * 1 1 0 2 40 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UNC * 0 0 0 5 48 0 0 0 0 3 13 0 back with the opportunity to compete for playing time. ISU * 0 0 0 1 21 0 0 0 0 2 17 0 High School Logged 107 tackles as a senior at Consumnes KSU * 0 0 0 1 15 0 0 0 0 1 -1 0 NAU * 0 0 0 2 50 1 0 0 0 1 12 0 Prep... also caught 33 passes for 583 yards and six TD catches in UM * 3 27 0 2 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2018... 1st team all-metro, all-purpose player of the year, fi rst team 2016 Season Stats all-league, Optimist All-Star Game selection. UI Did not play BRY 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 31 0 1 6 0 Academics and Personal Enrolled in University Studies. WOU 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 27 0 UND 0 0 0 4 103 0 2 33 0 2 4 0 SAC 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 63 0 1 0 0 NAU 0 0 0 1 20 0 3 65 0 1 17 0 WEB 0 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 1 47 0 EWU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SUU 0 0 0 1 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UCD 0 0 0 2 18 0 0 0 0 1 25 0 UM 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 13 0 2 27 0 83 Logan Kleinhans, WR and season-high 16 against UM... picked off passes at UND and 6-1, 202, Fr, RS, Bozeman, MT (Bozeman) NAU. (2016) Played in 10 games, starting the fi nal two games against UC Davis and Montana... logged six tackles, including Montana State (2019) Begins the season as a reserve receiver. one for a loss, in the season fi nale against the Grizzlies... seven (2018) Redshirted. tackles, one for a loss, at Southern Utah. (2015) Redshirted at High School Caught 48 passes for 748 yards with fi ve touch- MSU. downs as a senior at Bozeman High... earned fi rst team all-state High School A versatile athlete who starred at defensive back honors that season... also caught 30 balls for 559 yards and seven and as a dual-threat quarterback... 2014 Great Falls Tribune touchdowns as a junior. Super State safety, registering 135 tackles, including 20 for loss, Academics and Personal Enrolled in University Studies. with four sacks, fi ve interceptions, and two fumble recover- ies... Central A Offensive MVP with 2,361 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns while throwing for 2,184 yards and 22 touchdowns. Academics and Personal A construction engineering technol- 68 Hudson Klundt, OL ogy major... born Brayden Lambeau Konkol in Bozeman... one 6-3, 300, Fr, HS, Twin Falls, ID (Twin Falls) of four children of Josh and Stacy Konkol... his father played Montana State (2019) Begins his Bobcat career as a reserve two years of football at MSU... former prep teammates include offensive lineman... could compete for playing time at guard this current Bobcat teammate Derek Marks and Virginia Tech wres- fall. tler Jarret Degan.

High School First Team All-State Class 4A and all-conference as G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK 2018 13 58 35 4/11 1/2 2/12 4 1 3/28 1 0 an offensive lineman as a senior in 2018... Second Team All-State 2017 11 56 27 0.5 0.5 2/23 3 2 0 0 0 as a junior... his father Travis played football at UM Western... 2016 10 14 6 2/14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 former prep teammate Kole Bailey plays football at Boise State... 2018 Season Stats also earned all-league honors in basketball, and played baseball. WIU * 7 2 1 1 1/12 1 1 0 0 0 SDSU * 3 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Academics and Personal A pre-med major. WAG * 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PSU * 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 EWU * 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UI * 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WSU * 6 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ISU * 5 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 19 John Knight, QB CP * 7 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6-1, 186, Fr, HS, Colville, WA (Colville) UNC * 5 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 UM * 4 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Montana State (2019) Enters the fall as a reserve quarterback. UIW * 4 1 1 0 1 0 0 1/19 1 0 NDSU * 5 5 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

High School Posted a brilliant and diverse prep career at 2017 Season Stats Colville High... led his school to its fi rst state football title in WaSt * 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2018, earning Cascadia Preps State Offensive MVP honors... SDSU * 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UND * 6 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 threw for 1,835 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior, 4,299 WSU * 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 yards and 42 scoring strikes in his three-year varsity career with PSU * 6 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 EWU * 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 a completion rate of 54.4%... also won a pair of state wrestling UNC * 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 championships. ISU * 6 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 KSU * 9 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Academics and Personal A wildlife habitat management major. NAU * 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 UM * 9 7 0.5 0.5 0 1 1 0 0 0

2016 Season Stats UI Did not play 41 Braydon Konkol, S BRY 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6-2, 215, Sr, 3V, Belgrade, MT (Belgrade) WOU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UND 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Montana State (2019) Preseason All-Big Sky and Preseason SAC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NAU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Third Team All-America... enters the fall as starting safety. WEB 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (2018) Honorable Mention All-Big Sky.. led the team with 93 EWU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SUU 4 3 1/9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 total tackles, starting all 13 games... split time between safety UCD * 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 and linebacker... had a game for the ages vs. UIW, getting a UM * 4 2 1/5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TFL, forcing a fumble, recovering another, and intercepting a pass... all three of the turnovers terminated UIW possessions in the fourth quarter... team-high nine tackles in his return to safety, with a sack and a hurry against WIU... also picked off one pass and broke up another... seven tackles vs. SDSU... started at linebacker against Idaho, logging fi ve tackles, one for a loss... 13 tackles as LB at Weber State... 14 tackles against Cal Poly. (2017) Started all 11 games at Will... MSU’s Rob Higgs Tough- ness Award winner for playing through injuries during the sea- son... 12 tackles against Kennesaw State, 11 at Washington State, 87 Ryan Lonergan, TE Academics An English major... born Derek Lee Marks in Boze- 6-4, 220, Fr, HS, Bozeman, MT (Bozeman) man... one of three children of Dan and Tammy Marks... his brother Dillon has worked in MSU’s Athletic Equipment and Montana State (2019) Enters fall camp in the mix for playing Marketing operations... his grandfather, the late Harry Hunts- time at tight end. inger, played football for the Bobcats and was a long-time coach High School Two-time First Team All-State choice at tight end, in Montana and legendary Bozeman-area businessman, played and second team as a defensive end... caught 64 passes for 1,121 football for the Cats... his uncle Trenton Huntsinger and aunt yards as a senior, scoring 12 touchdowns... also logged 12.5 Hillary Huntsinger competed in track and fi eld at Idaho State... sacks... a two-year basketball starter, earning fi rst team all-state as has worked as a cabinet-maker. a junior... team captain as a senior. G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK Academics and Personal A business major. 2018 12 21 9 5.0 2.5 0 3 1 1 1 0 2017 9 23 20 8.5 4 0 0 1 1 0 0 2016 10 6 7 2.5 0.5 0 3 0 0 0 0

2018 Season Stats WIU 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 30 Logan MacDonald, LS SDSU 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6-1, 210, So, 1V, Moraga, CA (Campolindo) WAG 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PSU 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 EWU 1 1 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Montana State (2019) Begins the season as MSU’s snapper on UI 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 punts and placements. (2018) Served as MSU’s long snapper in WSU 0 3 0.5 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 all 13 games... hit his location on 95% of his 62 snaps. (2017) ISU 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 CP 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Redshirted. UNC 1 1 0.5 0.5 0 1 1 0 0 0 UM 1 1 0.5 0.5 0 1 0 1 0 0 High School Played on Campolindo’s 2014, ‘15 and ‘16 confer- UIW 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 ence title teams. NDSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Academics Industrial systems management engineering major. 2017 Season Stats WaSt 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Personal Born Logan Cole MacDonald in Lafayette, Califor- SDSU * 4 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 UND * 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 nia... one of three children of Robert and Michelle MacDonald... WSU * 3 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 has worked ouring concrete in the summer months. PSU * 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 EWU * 3 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 UNC * 1 4 1.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ISU * 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 KSU * 6 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 49 Caleb Mancini, K NAU * 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6-1, 172, Fr, HS, San Marcos, CA (San Marcos) UM * 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Montana State (2019) Enters the season 2016 Season Stats UI Did not play High School Converted 17 of his 25 fi eld goal attempts at San BRY 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 WOU 1 1 1/6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Marcos High, with a long kick of 47 yards as a junior... made 85 UND 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 of his 92 PATs... he also averaged 43.1 yards per punt and 55.7 SAC 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NAU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 yards per kickoff. WEB 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Academics and Personal A fi nance major. EWU 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 SUU 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UCD * 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 UM * 1 2 1.5/8 0.5/2 0 0 0 0 0 0 95 Derek Marks, DL 6-2, 259, Sr, 3V, Belgrade, MT (Belgrade) 6 Tyrone Marshall, WR Montana State (2019) Elected team captain... enters the fall as 6-1, 180, Jr, JC, Harbor City, CA (Riverside CC/Narbonne) the starting defensive tackle. (2018) Played in all 13 games as reserve defensive end... in on at least one tackle-for-loss in six Montana State (2019) Enters the fall with the opportunity to of the last seven regular season games... recovered the fumble earn playing time as a receiver. that clinched the Cat-Griz win... forced a UIW fumble... three Riverside CC Caught 45 passes for 707 yards and seven touch- tackles in fi ve different games. (2017) Helped anchor MSU’s downs as a sophomore in 2018... caught nine passes for 145 line as a versatile performer, playing inside and out... logged yards with two touchdowns in 2017... also averaged 20.6 yards sacks in three straight early-season games. (2016) After missing per kickoff return as a sophomore. opener as possible redshirt he played in the season’s fi nal 10... High School Caught 40 passes for 647 yards with 13 touch- started the fi nal two games, each Bobcat wins... recorded at least downs in 15 games as a senior at Narbonne... 23 catches the one tackle in eight of his 10 games... logged 1.5 tackles for loss, season before as a junior, with 414 yards and six touchdowns. including a sack, at Montana... hurried the quarterback twice against UC Davis. Academics and Personal Enrolled in University Studies. High School Named 2015 Central A Defensive Player of the Year... selected for Montana Shrine Game 19 Jaharie Martin, FB for Levi Wesche at Bozeman High... has worked at Justus 5-11, 237, Fr, HS, Lakeland, FL (Lakeland) Downtown in Bozeman for former Bobcat Josh Perkins, a local businessman. Montana State (2019) Moved from linebacker to running back during fall camp... enters the fall in competition for time as the G Re Yds TD L short yardage back. 2018 12 15 197 1 47 2017 10 3 128 1 64

High School Played defensive end at Lake Gibson in 2016 and 2018 Season Stats ‘17... played inside linebacker at Lakeland in 2018.... MVP of a WIU 0 0 0 0 state championship team... Polk County Defensive Player of the SDSU 2 9 1 5 WAG * 1 47 0 47 Year... 130 tackles, four blocked punts. PSU * 0 0 0 0 EWU 1 11 0 11 Academics and Personal A Health/Physical Education major. UI * 5 63 0 37 WSU * 1 0 0 0 ISU 2 33 0 21 CP 0 0 0 0 UNC 1 14 0 0 UM * 1 10 0 10 16 Luke May, S UIW * 1 10 0 10 5-11, 205, Jr, 2V, Whitefi sh, MT (Minnesota/Whitefi sh) NDSU * 0 0 0 0 2017 Rec Yds TD Montana State (2019) Enters the fall as a reserve safety and WaSt 0 0 0 kick teams contributor. (2018) Played in all 13 games... played SDSU 1 59 0 primarily on kick teams. (2017) Transferred to MSU in the sum- UND 0 0 0 WSU 1 64 1 mer from Minnesota, where he competed as a javelin thrower for PSU 0 0 0 the Gophers... eleigible immediately, and will compete for time EWU 0 0 0 UNC 0 0 0 at quarterback. ISU 0 0 0 KSU 0 0 0 Minnesota Competed in track and fi eld at Minnesota in 2016. NAU 0 0 0 High School Team captain at CMR as a senior, when he earned UM 1 5 0 First Team All-State and All-Conference honors as both an of- fensive and defensive lineman… Grat Falls Tribune Superstate choice chosen for the Mon-Dak and Montana Shrine games. 1 Jamahd Monroe, WR Academics Enrolled in University Studies... earned Academic 6-2, 21, Fr, HS, San Diego, CA (Lincoln) All-Big 10 honors. Montana State (2019) Enters the season as a reserve receiver... Personal Born Luke Eric May in Mesa, Arizona... one of two logged a strong preseason camp. children of Eric and Amy May... his grandfather Buck played High School Caught 63 passes for 1,366 yards as a senior at football for the Bobcats, and was a long-time Whitefi sh busi- Lincoln High... scored 13 touchdowns... caught 19 passes for 460 nessman... family friend Murray Craven played for the Philadel- yards as a junior for 460 yards and six touchdowns. phia Flyers. Academics and Personal Majors in kinesiology.

86 Lance McCutcheon, WR 6-3, 195, Jr, 2V, Bozeman, MT (Bozeman) 14 Ty Okada, DB Montana State (2019) Enters the fall in the rotation at the Z re- 5-11, 183, So, 1V, Woodbury, MN (East Ridge) ceiver spot. (2018) Played in all 13 games, starting seven at both Montana State (2019) Begins the season as the backup Rover X and Z... two catches, including a fi ve-yard TD, vs. SDSU... and a a candidate at nickel back. (2018) Played on special teams caught a 47-yarder, his longest of 2018, against Wagner... career- in 11 games... led the Bobcats with eight special teams tackles... high fi ve catches against Idaho. WSU-One catch for no gain. injured during EWU game, missed Idaho/Weber games... one (2017) Caught three passes for 128 yards and a touchdown... of MSU’s top special teams performer... saw action as MSU’s caught a 59-yarder against South Dakota State and a 64-yard nickel back in the two playoff games. (2017) Redshirted... won TD pass against Weber State... also caught a fi ve-yard against MSU’s Young Gun Award. Montana... played in all 11. High School A standout athlete at East Ridge High, where he High School Helped lead Bozeman High to the 2015 Class AA was District Offensive Player of the Year as a senior quarter- State Championship... team captain as a senior, when he earned back... also all-conference in baseball and wrestling. First Team Class AA All-State honors at receiver and corner- back... fi rst team all-conference at both positions, as well. caught Academics A business major. 40 passes for 780 yards as a senior, with 12 touchdowns and 10 Personal Born Tyler Chrstian Okada in Woodbury, Minnesota... interceptions, including a pick-six... two-time Academic All- one of two children of Chris and Michelle Okada... his father, State... lettered in track and fi eld and basketball. Chris, was a Mankato State swimmer, and former teammate Academics Enrolled in University Studies. Grant Ryers plays football at Minnesota. G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK Personal The son of Katie Brooks and Mike Figgins... played 2018 11 11 2 1/4 0 0 0 0 1/0 0 0 2018 Season Stats WIU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 64 Ethan Ormes, OL SDSU 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6-4, 307, Fr, RS, Gilford, NH (Gilford) WAG 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Montana State (2019) Enters the fall as a reserve offensive EWU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 lineman. (2018) Redshirted. UI Did not play-injured WSU Did not play-injured High School Played only two games of his senior season in ISU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 CP 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2017 due to an injury. UNC 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UM 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Academics and Personal An engineering major. UIW * 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1/0 0 0 NDSU 1 1 1/4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

26 Rylan Ortt, DB 35 Joe Olson, RB 6-1, 195, Fr, HS, Missoula, MT (Sentinel) 6-0, 195, Fr, HS, Bozeman, MT (Bozeman) Montana State (2019) Joins the Bobcats as a safety. Montana State (2019) Tabbed for a likely redshirt season by an off-season injury. High School Threw for 2,098 yards at Sentinel as a senior in 2018... rushed for 750 yards and 14 touchdowns... High School Rushed for over 900 yards in six games before an injury ended his 2018 season... a two-year starter for the Hawks, h Academics and Personal Finanacial engineering major. earned second team all-state and all-conference as a junior... also earned all-state honors in track and fi eld as a junior. Academics and Personal A business major. 39 Cole Oster, RB 6-1, 211, Fr, HS, Castle Rock, CO (Castle Rock) Montana State (2019) An athletic player who enters fall camp 47 Callahan O’Reilly, LB in competition for playing time at running back.. enters the fall 6-2, 228, So, 1V, Bozeman, MT (Bozeman) as a reserve in competition for playing time. Montana State (2018) Played in all 13 games on kick teams... High School Two-time all-conference choice at Castle View has also seen time as a reserve linebacker. (2017) Redshirted... High School... played safety and running back in high school, Top Offensive Scout. rushing for 238 yards and fi ve touchdowns in a 36-35 early-season win over Wasatch Valley from Utah... registered 64 tackles with High School Second Team All-Class AA and First Team All- six sacks and an interception last fall... his father Charles played Conference quarterback for the Bozeman Hawks in 2016... football at Augustana University... a National Honor Society mem- threw for 3,178 yards, rushed for 379, and accounted for 39 ber who earned Academic All-State honors. total touchdowns... played on Bozeman’s 2015 state title team, which fi nished 13-1... three-time academic all-state and two-time Academics and Personal A business major. basketball letterwinner. Academics A fi nancial engineering major. Personal One of four children of Keith and Debby O’Reilly... 40 Jered Padmos, P/K played for Levi Wesche at Bozeman High.... born Callahan Peter 6-2, 204, Sr, 3V, Boulder, MT (Jefferson County) O’Reilly in Bozeman... his mother played basketball at Arizona Montana State (2019) Begins his fourth season as Montana State, his father played football at Carroll, and his brother Payton State’s punter. (2018) Named CoSIDA Academic All-America plays football at Miami (Ohio)... uncle Shane Collins played Region 7... Big Sky Special Teams Player of the week after the football for the Redskins and at Arizona State, and cousin Grant Grizzly game, in which he pinned UM inside its own fi ve three Collins is a Bobcat teammate... former Bozeman High team- times... 25th in the FCS, 6th in the Big Sky, with 41.9 yards-per- mates include Balue Chapman and Will Martel of MSU, and punt... only 19 of his 57 punts have been returned... has pinned North Dakota State baseball standout Bennett Hostetler. the opponent inside the 20 19 times and boomed 13 of at least 50 G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK 2018 10 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 yards. (2017) Second Team All-Big Sky, averaging 42.5 yards per punt with only one touchback... MSU’s Jan Stenerud Kick 2018 St UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK WIU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Teams MVP... nailed the opponent inside the 20 16 times, with SDSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 fi ve kicks of 50 yards or longer and a 70-yarder... ISU’s average WAG 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 starting fi eld position after punts was its own 12. (2016) Won EWU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 MSU’s punting job in the preseason and started all 11 games in UI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WSU 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 that role... averaged 39.7 yards per punt with a long of 76 yards ISU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 vs. Western Oregon... only two touchbacks with 10 pinned inside CP 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 the 20-yard line on 58 punts... forced 18 fair catches and fi ve UNC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UM 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 boots longer than 50... rushed once for nine yards against Bry- UIW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ant... completed his only pass attempt of the year, a 17-yarder against NAU. High School Chosen as a 2015 Great Falls Tribune Superstate Patterson in Tackoa... one of fi ve children of Pat and Lisa Pat- selection... averaged 37.8 yards per punt... hit three fi eld goals of terson... his father played football at Central Washington, and 40 yards or longer... registered 40 touchdobaks on 61 kickoffs... cousin Stevie Jonatell played football at Wake Forest and West- set school records for longest fi eld goal, most PATs in a season ern Kentucky, and with the Seahawks... former prep teammate and career, most fi eld goals in a season and career, and career Dakota Smith plays football at Linfi eld... has worked as a referee points... three-time all-conference kicker, two-time all-confer- for youth sports in summer months. ence punter, all-conference defensive back, and all-state in track. Academics and Personal An elementary education major... academic all-state in high school.. born Jered Skyler Padmos 65 Justus Perkins, OL in Helena... one of three children of Robert and Mary Gayle 5-11, 257, Fr, HS, Bozeman, MT (Bozeman) Padmos... has assisted with the Montana City youth summer Montana State (2019) Enters the fall as a developmental of- programs in the past. fensive lineman.

G Pu Yds Avg L TB FC 50+ I20 High School Earned First Team All-State honors as a senior of- 2018 12 66 2488 42.2 66 2 6 14 20 fensive lineman at Bozeman High... also all-conference. 2017 9 39 1659 42.5 70 1 3 6 16 2016 11 58 2302 39.7 76 2 18 5 10 Academics and Personal Enrolled in marketing... his father 2018 G Pu Yds Avg L TB FC 50+ I20 Josh played cornerback for the Bobcats from 1995-99. WIU 6 225 37.5 54 0 0 1 2 SDSU 9 376 41.8 57 0 1 3 1 WAG 6 265 44.2 53 1 0 1 3 PSU 2 74 37.0 42 1 0 0 1 EWU 4 142 35.5 38 0 0 0 0 29 Shane Perry, RB UI 6 230 38.3 48 0 0 0 1 5-10, 190, So, Sq, Danville, CA (Monte Vista) WSU 7 351 50.1 60 0 0 1 2 ISU 2 81 41.0 46 0 0 0 Montana State (2019) Enters the fall in competition for playing CP 4 162 40.5 50 0 1 2 time at running back. (2018) Made his Bobcat debut in the play- UNC 4 181 45.2 58 0 1 2 UM 7 300 42.9 66 0 1 2 4 off game against Incarnate Word... left the game with an injury UIW 2 100 50.0 60 0 0 1 1 after his fi rst carry, which went for eight yards. 2017 Season Stats High School Starred at Monte Vista High, where he gained WaSt Did not play SDSU Did not play 2,117 yards rushing over three seasons... gained 1,657 yards with UND 3 122 40.7 46 0 0 0 0 20 touchdowns as a senior in 2016... caught 23 passes for 271 WSU 4 142 35.5 44 0 0 0 0 PSU 5 217 43.4 59 1 0 1 2 yards that season... rushed for 389 yards and nine touchdowns as EWU 2 62 31.0 36 0 0 0 0 a junior in 2015. UNC 5 221 44.2 56 0 1 1 ISU 5 260 52.0 70 0 1 2 4 Academics and Personal A business major. KSU 4 163 40.8 53 0 0 1 3 NAU 4 178 44.5 49 0 0 0 2 UM 7 294 42.0 51 0 0 1 4 2016 Season Stats 80 Treyton Pickering, TE UI 5 191 38.2 42 0 0 0 0 6-4, 240, Fr, RS, Sunburst, MT (Sunburst) BRY 5 209 41.8 44 0 4 0 3 WOU 8 326 40.8 76 1 2 1 4 Montana State (2019) Begins the fall in competition for start- UND 3 143 47.7 52 0 1 1 0 SAC 8 272 34.0 37 0 3 0 0 ing honors at tight end. (2018) Redshirted with an injury. NAU 6 240 40.0 54 0 2 1 1 WEB 4 156 39.0 48 0 3 0 0 High School Earned Class C 6-Man 1st Team All-State honors, EWU 4 183 45.8 52 1 2 1 1 and was named Great Falls Tribune Superstate... 2017 Class C SUU 5 201 40.2 49 0 0 0 0 UCD 4 160 40.0 47 0 0 0 0 All-State in basketball... MVP of the Montana Shrine Game... UM 6 221 36.8 50 0 1 1 1 also chosen for Mon-Dak and Six-Man All-Star games. Academics and Personal A construction engineering technol- ogy major. 11 Willie Patterson, WR 5-9, 165, So, 1V, Tacoma, WA (Franklin Pierce) Montana State (2019) Enters the fall as MSU’s starting slot re- 62 Dylan Porter, OL ceiver. (2018) Injured during the season’s seventh game... caught 6-5, 305, So, Tr, Elmira, OR (Nevada/Elmira) 19 passes for 204 yards, both third-best on the team... caught fi ve Montana State (2019) Transferred from Nevada... enters pre- passes against Wagner and Eastern Washington. (2017) Red- season camp in competition for playing time at right guard. shirted. Nevada (2018) Played in one game (vs. Portland State)... mem- High School First Team All-State as an all-purpose back at ber of the Arizona Bowl squad. (2017) Redshirted with an injury. Franklin Pierce... two-time 2A SPSL League MVP after lead- ing the state in all-purpose yards as a senior... three-time team High School First team all-league on the offensive and defen- captain... Defensive MVP for his school’s basketball team, and sive lines at senior at Elmira... was also second team all-league competed in track... voted Tacoma Athlete of the Year. on the O-line twice and on the defensive line once... was a national qualifi er in freestyle/Greco Roman wrestling... was El- Academics and Personal A marketing major... honor roll and mira’s Individual Athlete of the Year in 2017, and was named a Deal’s List as a senior at Franklin Pierce... born William Benton Community Hero of Veneta... member of Key Club, Tolderance lins... his father played football at MSU in the late ‘90s... played and Diversity Club, and Chamber Choir. high school football with MSU’s Colin Hammock... was class Academics and Personal One of four children of Kimberly Lil- Valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA at Missoula Sentinel, also serving lie and Larry Porter... a mechanical engineering major. as Student Body Vice President... National Honor Society mem- ber... earned MUS Scholarship... an Eagle Scout.

8 Level Price Jr., CB 5-8, 178, Fr, RS, Los Angeles, CA (St. John Bosco) 12 Tucker Rovig, QB 6-5, 217, So, 1V, Meridian, ID (Mountain View) Montana State (2019) A strong fall camp boosts him into sec- ond on the depth chart at right corner. (2018) Redshirted. Montana State (2018) A promising freshman season was derailed after week fi ve when he was injured during practice and High School Two-year starter at St. John Bosco, where he lost for the season... threw for 584 yards in fi ve games on 42-for- played on a state title team... broke up eight passes as a senior. 68 (.618) passing with four touchdowns and two interceptions... Academics and Personal Enrolled in business... born in 2000 made his Bobcat debut by throwing for 164 yards at nationally- in Long Beach, CA... the only child of Level Sr. and Yashika ranked South Dakota State (2017) Redshirted. Price... high school teammates include Cal’s Trevean Beck and High School Led Mountain View to 2016 Idaho 5A State Bryce Turner, and MSU’s Tyrel Thomas. Championship... two-time First Team All-State... threw for 5,459 yards and 69 touchdowns in his career, compiling a 22-3 record as starting quarterback... three-time Academic All-Conference 59 Zach Redd, OL and three-time qualifi er for the Idaho 5A State Track Champion- 6-1, 285, So, 1V, Meridian, ID (Rocky Mountain) ships... set nine school records. Montana State (2019) Begins the fall as MSU’s starting center. Academics and Personal Studies kinesiology... born Tucker (2018) Started the season’s fi nal fi ve games, playing in all 13. Dean Rovig in Boise... one of three children of Kelby and Jenna (2017) Redshirted. Rovig... played for Judd Benedick at Mountain View... a cousin, High School Two-year offensive line starter who helped lead Isaiah Wright, plays basketball at Utah... a former prep teammate Rocky Mountain to 2015 Idaho Class 5A State Championship... of Idaho State’s Trey Ball. First Team 5A All-State as a junior and senior, when his teams compiled a 20-4 record. Academics and Personal A business management major... the 93 Kyle Rygg, DL son of Steve and Joan Redd... played for Scott Criner at Rocky 6-5, 268, So, Sq, Eugene, OR (Sheldon) Mountain High. Montana State (2018) S (2017) Redshirted. High School Registered 70 tackles and nine sacks as a senior, helping lead Sheldon to a 10-2 record... First Team All-League 57 Tyson Regimbal, DL and Second Team All-State as a senior... also competed in bas- 6-3, 248, Jr, JC, Gresham, OR (Coll. of Siskiyous/Centennial) ketball and track and fi eld. Montana State (2019) Adds depth on the defensive line. Academics and Personal Born in Kyle Rygg in Eugene, Or- Siskiyous Played with current MSU linebacker Daniel Hardy egon... one of two children of Jerry and Nicole Rygg... former in 2017... logged 40 tackles, seven for a loss, with three sacks prep teammate of Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert... played in 2018, when he earned all-conference honors... also forced a for Lane Johnson at Sheldon. fumble... nine tackles, one sack, in 2017. High School Prepped at Centennial High in Gresham, Oregon. 70 Holden Sampson, OL Academics and Personal A sociology major. 6-2, 265, Fr, HS, Helena, MT (Helena) Montana State (2019) Begins his fi rst season as a Bobcat in competition for playing time as a reserve offensive lineman. 74 Byron Rollins, DL High School First Team All-Class AA offensive lineman... second team 6-3, 252, Fr, RS, Missoula, MT (Sentinel) all-state as a junior... the cousin of Bobcat All-America Shaun Sampson. Montana State (2019) Returned (2018) Returned from a church Academics and Personal An elementary education major. mission over the summer... signed with MSU in February, 2015, as one of that class’ earliest commitments. High School A three-year starter at Sentinel, earning all-confer- ence and all-state honors as a senior... chosen for the MonDak and Montana Shrine all-star games. Academics and Personal Enrolled in exercise science and His- panic Studies... one of four children of Josh and Stephanie Rol- 92 Blake Schmidt, DL Academics and Personal Born Jacob Ross Sessions in Col- 6-2, 270, Fr, HS, San Diego, CA (Monte Vista) strip... one of three children of Wes and Jody Sessions. Montana State (2019) A promising defensive line prospect. High School Helped lead Monte Vista to the Grossmont Valley 17 Jaden Smith, WR title as a senior, and to the 2017 San Diego D3 CIF crown as a 6-5, 195, Fr, HS, Kennedale, TX (Kennedale) junior... a team captain who was Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a senior... All-CIF and fi rst team all-league as a senior. Montana State (2019) In competition for playing time at receiver. Academics and Personal A mechanical engineering major. High School Played on a Kennedale team that won 2016, 2017 and 2018 District titles... the 2017 team played in the state cham- pionship game... earned First Team All-District honors in 2017 and 2018... a basketball standout who was 2017 District 6th Man 97 Jason Scrempos, DL of the Year and District Defensive Player of the Year in 2018. 6-6, 299, Gr, TR, Milpitas, CA (Washintgton/Milpitas) Academics and Personal Enrolled in University Studies. Montana State (2019) Begins the fall in competition for start- ing honors as an interior defensive lineman... comes to MSU as a grad transfer. Washington (2018) Played in three games... logged one tackle 45 Derryk Snell, FB in the win over BYU, and also played against North Dakota 6-2, 245, Fr, RS, Anchorage, AK (Chugiak) and Oregon State without stats. (2017) Played against Montana, Fresno State, Washington State. (2016) Played against Idaho and Montana State (2018) S Arizona State. (2015) Redshirted. High School Starred at Casper Kelly Walsh, where he rushed High School MaxPreps All-Northern California fi rst team hon- for 1,571 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior... posted four of ors as a defensive lineman... fi rst team All-Bay Area selection by the top fi ve rushing performances in Class 4A last season, topped HS Sports Daily... 2014 DeAnza Division Defensive Lineman by 332 yards of the Year in 2014... second team All-Metro by San Francisco Academics and Personal A business major. Chronicle... helped lead his team to a 12-1 record, DeAnza League title, and a berth in the CIF Central Coast Section playoffs... 55 tackles and led his team in sacks... 99 tackles with 3 Coy Steel, WR 12 sacks as a junior, when Milpitas fi nished 11-2 with a Central 5-8, 177, So, 1V, Sheridan, WY (Sheridan) Coast Section title... 83 tackles and 10 sacks as a sophomore, earning fi rst team all-league honors... also starred in basketball Montana State (2018) Has played in all 12 games... caught his and track and fi eld. fi rst pass against UIW in the playoff win. (2017) Redshirted. Academics and Personal Enrolled as a grad student in Ameri- High School A three-time all-conference and two-time all-state can Studies... graduated from Washington last spring. selection at Sheridan High who was Wyoming’s 2016 Gatorade Player of the Year... played on a pair of state championship teams... also starred in basketball and baseball. 72 TJ Session, OL Academics and Personal A civil engineering major... born Coy 6-4, 288, Fr, HS, Menifee, CA (Vista Murrieta) Michael Steel in Laramie, Wyoming... one of four children of Amy Steel and Dan Godwin. Montana State (2019) Begins his fi rst fall camp at MSU in G Rec Yds TD competition for playing time 2018 13 1 10 0

High School Helped lead his team to an 8-3 record and South- 2018 Season Stats west League title as a senior in his fi rst full campaign on the of- WIU 0 0 0 fensive line... Vista Murietta’s offense produced 3,000 total yards SDSU 0 0 0 WAG 0 0 0 and 35 touchdowns... earned 1st team all-league, 1st team all-area, PSU 0 0 0 and Division I All-CIF honors. EWU 0 0 0 UI 0 0 0 Academics and Personal A health enhancement major. WSU 0 0 0 ISU 0 0 0 CP 0 0 0 UNC 0 0 0 UM 0 0 0 UIW 1 10 0 61 Jake Sessions, OL NDSU 0 0 0 6-5, 305, Jr, 1V, Colstrip, MT (Colstrip) Montana State (2018) S (2017) Reserve offensive lineman. (2016) Redshirted. High School A 2015 Great Falls Tribune Superstate selection... selected for the Montana Shrine Game... three-year starter at Colstrip... standout wrestler. 2018 Season Stats 37 Bryce Sterk, DE WIU 0 0 0 6-5, 261, Sr, 1V, Lynden, WA (Washington/Lynden) SDSU Did not play WAG 2 2 0 2 Montana State (2018) Led the Big Sky with 17.0 tackles-for- PSU Did not play loss and was second in sacks (8.5), although leading in each EWU Did not play UI * 1 2 0 2 1 0 0 category throughout the regular season was only good enough WSU Did not play for 2nd Team All-Big Sky... logged eight tackles, four for a loss, ISU Did not play CP Did not play in his Bobcat debut agaisnt Western Illinois, with his two sacks UNC Did not play effectively sealing MSU’s win... two tackles-for-loss vs. Wag- UM Did not play ner... 2.5 TFL, two sacks, at Portland State... seven tackles, three UIW Did not play NDSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 for a loss, with two sacks against the Grizzlies. Washington (2017) No game action. (2016) Played in a win over Rutgers, registering two tackles and a fumble recovery... 18 Blake Thelen, QB also played against Idaho. (2015) Redshirted... won the team’s 6-2, 197, Fr, HS, Great Falls, MT (Great Falls) Ultimate Dirt Dawg Award for his weight room work. Montana State (2019) Begins his Bobcat career as a develop- High School Earned Northwest Conference 2A/3A MVP honors mental quarterback. as a senior in 2014... unanimous all-state and all-conference fi rst team on both lines as a senior, when he earned Bellingham High School One of the most productive players in Montana in Herald All-Whatcom County Player of the Year... PrepStar 2018, throwing for 3,005 yards with 28 TD passes and eight rush- All-Region... helped his team to a 32-game win streak from ing scores... his father Terry Thelen played for the Cats in the mid- his sophomore through senior seasons, when Lynden played in 1980s before fi nishing at Carroll College... Second Team All-State four straight state title games while winnign the Washington 2A quarterback and First Team All-State punter as a senior... chosen crown three times (2011-13)... logged 147 tackles with 10 sacks for the Badlands Bowl. as a senior... 14th-rated prospect in Washington and No. 126 Academics and Personal A business major. defensive end in the nation per ESPN... track and fi eld standout, starring in the sprints and throws. Academics and Personal Enrolled in University Studies. G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK 2 Tyrel Thomas, DB 2018 13 39 22 17/58 8.5/40 0 2 2 0 0 0 5-8, 168, Jr, 2V, 1V, Compton, CA (St. John Bosco) 2018 St UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK WIU * 8 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 Montana State (2018) Missed four games with injury... second SDSU * 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 on the team with six pass breakups... six tackles, most among WAG * 3 0 1 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 DBs, in the season opener...logged multiple tackles in each PSU * 5 1 2.5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 EWU * 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 game he’s played in... four pass breakups, two against Wagner... UI * 5 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 missed Cal Poly, UNC games with injury. (2017) Started three WSU * 2 6 1.5 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 ISU * 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 games at corner... recorded three pass breakups against Montana, CP * 3 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 including one on the game’s fi nal play that became a signature UNC * 3 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 UM * 4 3 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 moment. UIW * 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 High School Helped lead St. John Bosco to the 2016 CIF state NDSU * 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 title, when it fi nished as the nation’s second-ranked team... regis- tered 92 tackles, six interceptions, two touchdowns, a sack and a forced fumble as a senior... Second Team All-Trinity League. 24 Lane Sumner, RB 5-8, 192, Fr, RS, Huntley, MT (Huntley Project) Academics and Personal A business management major... the son of Durel and Keisha Thomas... played for Jason Negro at St. Montana State (2018) Played in four games. John Bosco.

High School Two-time all-state running back who rushed for G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK 1,592 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior at Huntley Project in 2018 9 25 8 0 0 0 6 1 0 1 0 2017 7 5 6 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 2017... gained 994 yards on 125 carries with 13 touchdowns as a junior... caught 16 passes for 228 yards as a senior, 16 for 318 as 2018 St UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK WIU * 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 a junior... two-time state 100m champion for the Red Devils. SDSU * 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 WAG * 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 Academics and Personal Graduated fi rst in his class at Huntley PSU * 3 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 Project... a National Honor Society member who participated in EWU * 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UI * 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 FCCLA and BPA... born in 1999 in Billings... one of two chil- WSU * 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 dren of Brent and Jennifer Sumner. ISU * 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 CP Did not play G Ru Yds TD L Re Yd TD UNC Did not play 2018 3 3 4 0 2 1 0 0 UM * 4 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 UIW Did not play NDSU Did not play 2017 G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK WaSt 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 51 Taylor Tuiasosopo, OL SDSU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6-4, 316, Jr, 2V, Lancaster, CA (Paraclete) UND * 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WSU * 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Montana State (2018) Played in all 13 games, starting eight at PSU Did not play right guard. (2017) Played in all 11 games, starting eight. (2016) EWU Did not play UNC Did not play Redshirted. ISU * 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 KSU High School Chosen for 2015 Polynesian All-American NAU Did not play Game... First Team All-State, First Team All-CIF selection UM 0 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 Academics A business major. Personal Born Taylor Pio-Cyrus Tuiasosopo in Carson, Cali- 16 Tanner Trafton, WR fornia... one of fi ve children of Titus and Cheannie Tuiasosopo... 6-5, 193,, Fr, HS, Lewistown, MT (Fergus) former prep teammate Melquise Stovall plays at Cal, and friend Todd Davis plays for the Denver Broncos. Montana State (2019) Begins his career as a reserve receiver. High School First Team All-Class A and All-Central A choice as a senior... logged 564 receiving yards with four touchdowns in 20 Davine Tullis, WR 2018... Academic All-State as a senior, and selected for the Bad- 6-1, 190, Jr, RS, Seattle, WA (Hawai’i/Ballard) lands Bowl... also a fi rst team all-state selection in basketball, and set a school record for career rebounds during his junior season. Montana State (2018) Reserve receiver... transferred to MSU from Hawai’i in the summer. Academics and Personal A pre-med major. Hawai’i (2017) Appeared in fi ve games on kick teams and as a reserve receiver... recorded his only catch in the home opener against Western Carolina. (2016) Played in 12 games on kick 13 Karl Tucker II, WR teams, with four tackles... his fi rst career tackle came in the over- 6-1, 215, Sr, 3V, Great Falls, MT (CM Russell) time win at Air Force, when he logged two. Montana State (2018) Has carried seven times on the season, High School Played quarterback at Ballard High, leading team including an important 11-yard gain against the Grizzlies... had to 8-3 record in 2015 as a senior... threw for 1,751 yards and 15 single carries in seven different games. (2017) Played in eight touchdowns that season, rushing for 965 yards and nine scores... games, logging three tackles on kick teams. (2016) Played in all 2015 Metro 3A Offensive Player of the Year in Seattle... played 11 games, primarily on special teams... compiled no statistics. at Bishop Blanchette High in Seattle 2012-14. High School Selected for the 2014 and 2015 Great Falls Academics and Personal Enrolled in business... one of fi ve Tribune Superstate Team... selected for Montana Shrine Bowl... children of Daymon Tullis and Tanita Terry... an uncle, Gavin caught 73 passes for 1,066 yards as a senior... 130 career catches Robertson, played football at Hawai’i. is a school record... also an all-state basketball player at CMR. Academics and Personal An exercise science major. .. born Karl S. Tucker II in England... one of four children of Karl and 71 Jack Vering, OL Andrea Tucker... former prep teammates include MSU’s Dylan 6-6, 235, Fr, HS, Boise, ID (Capital) Mahoney and Andrew Grinde of Yale. Montana State (2019) Begins his Bobcat career as a develop- mental offensive lineman. G Ru Yds TD L Rec Yds TD 2018 13 7 20 0 11 6 27 0 High School A two-time all-conference selection at Capital. 2017 4 1 1 0 1 1 1 0

2018 Season Stats Academics and Personal Enrolled in University Studies. WIU 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 SDSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WAG 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PSU 1 2 0 2 0 0 0 27 Damien Washington, CB EWU 1 -1 0 0 0 0 0 UI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5-11, 190, Sr, 3V, Covina, CA (Charter Oak) WSU 0 0 0 0 2 10 0 ISU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Montana State (2018) Played in all 13 games, starting six, at CP 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 cornerback... four tackles as starting corner in opener. (2017) UNC 1 2 0 2 0 0 0 Played in nine games at corner, starting twice... logged 17 UM 1 11 0 0 0 0 0 UIW 1 5 0 5 1 4 0 tackles... forced a Washington State fumble, and recovered one NDSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 against South Dakota State. (2016) Played in the season’s fi nal 2017 Season Stats 10 games, primarily as the nickel... season-high four tackles WaSt 0 0 0 against Eastern Washington, three more at Montana... broke up SDSU 0 0 0 UND 0 0 0 two Sac State passes, and one each in three other games. WSU 0 0 0 PSU Did not play High School A First Team All-Hacienda League in 2015. EWU 0 0 0 UNC 0 0 0 Academics A marketing major. ISU 0 0 0 KSU 0 0 0 Personal One of four children of Darrel Washington and Sharon NAU 0 0 0 Washington... born in Pomona, California... a former prep team- UM 0 0 0 mate of MSU’s Khari Garcia. G UT AT TL S Int PB H FR FF BK 96 Amandre Williams, Buck 2018 11 10 3 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 6-2, 235, Jr, Tr, Maple Valley, WA (Washington/Tahoma) 2017 8 8 9 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2016 10 9 3 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 Montana State (2019) Enters the season in competition for 2018 Season Stats playing time at defensive end and on kick teams. (2018) Red- WIU * 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SDSU * 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 shirted. WAG * 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 High School Earned all-conference honors as a junior and EWU 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 senior, and all-state kudos as a senior at Missoula Big Sky... also UI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 earned track all-league honors three times. WSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ISU 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Academics and Personal Enrolled in University Studies... one CP 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UNC * 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 of two children of Andy and Heather Wilcox... born in 2000 in UM 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Missoula. UIW * 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 NDSU * 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

2017 Season Stats WaSt * 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 66 Connor Wood, OL SDSU * 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 6-5, 302, So, 1V, Meridian, ID (Rocky Mountain) UND 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WSU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Montana State (2018) Started nine games... named First Team PSU * 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 EWU * 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Freshman All-America by Hero Sports. (2017) Redshirted. UNC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ISU Did not play High School Helped lead Mountain View to 2015 Idaho Class KSU Did not play 5A State Championship... an offensive lineman who scored two NAU 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 UM 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 touchdowns as a senior... Second Team All-SIC selection who was chosen for the East-West All-Star game. 2016 Season Stats UI Did not play Academics and Personal A fi nance major... an honor roll BRY 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 WOU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 student at Rocky Mountain... born Connor Jace Wood in Boise... UND 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 one of two children of Darih J. and Jaylene Wood. SAC 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 NAU 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WEB 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 EWU 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 SUU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 94 Travis Yates, DT UCD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6-2, 269, So, Sq, Placentia, CA (Orange Lutheran) UM 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Montana State (2018) Saw action as a reserve defensive line- man... played in the playoff loss at NDSU. (2017) Redshirted... 90 Marcus Wehr, DL injured much of the season. 6-2, 220, Fr, HS, Billings, MT (Central) High School Logged 101 tackles with six sacks and four forced Montana State (2019) S fumbles in his career at Orange Lutheran... ranked as a three-star High School First team Class A All-State choice as a senior., recruit and the top defensive lineman in southern California, and when he helped lead Billings Central to the Class A state title.. the 96th-rated strong side defensive end in the nation. also earned all-state honors as a junior... Second Team All-USA Academics and Personal A business major... born Travis Reid Montana in 2017... chosen for the Badlands Bowl in the summer Yates... one of fi ve children of Shane and Karon Yates... his of 2019.. all-conference in the shot put as a junior. father and brother Timothy each served two combat tours in Iraq Academics and Personal A business major. and Afghanistan, and Timothy is a Purple Heart recipient.

60 Rylan Wilcox, OL 6 Eric Zambrano, DB 6-4, 215, Fr, RS, Missoula, MT (Big Sky) 6-1, 190, Fr, HS, Upland, CA (Upland) Montana State (2019) Enters the season in competition for Montana State (2019) Begins his fi rst season as a reserve playing time at defensive end and on kick teams. (2018) Red- defensive back. shirted. High School Logged 86 total tackles as a senior, with three High School Earned all-conference honors as a junior and interceptions and nine pass breakups at Upland... earned fi rst senior, and all-state kudos as a senior at Missoula Big Sky... also team all-league, 2nd team all-area, and 1st Team All-CIF honors... earned track all-league honors three times. intercepted four passes as a senior, returning two for touchdowns... also attended Summit High School (2015-17). Academics and Personal Enrolled in University Studies... one of two children of Andy and Heather Wilcox... born in 2000 in Academics and Personal Enrolled in University Studies. Missoula. could not participate in any team activity until this summer. JAHQUE ALLEYNE/MUNCHIE FILER Filer arrived to the Montana State campus from Compton, California UNDER ONE ROOF: ADDITION OF TRANSFERS on June 25. Alleyne picked him up from the airport. They lived together ALLEYNE, FILER PAYING BIG DIVIDENDS temporarily at the Stadium View apartments before getting an off-cam- pus residence. Since this summer, the pair has learned just how different FOR BOBCAT SECONDARY they are from one another. “We are from completely different backgrounds,” Filer said. “It’s by COLTER NUANEZ, Skyline Sports been regular, really. I’m the type of person that stays to myself. I don’t Oct 26, 2018 have enemies, I’m not antisocial but that’s just my personality. I don’t BOZEMAN — Kyle Risinger has a “pick board” hanging in his offi ce speak unless I’m spoken to unless the situation I’m in, I have to speak. in the corner of Brick Breedin Fieldhouse where Montana State football He’s kind of like that, too. That’s what made me be like, ‘I’ll get an coaches and players call home for the better part of each calendar year. apartment with you’ because I noticed that about him the fi rst couple of Every time a Bobcat snares an interception, that Bobcat gets to put his weeks I was here. He minds his own business and I mind my own busi- name on the board. ness. Right now, 100 percent of the names that belong to MSU defensive “At the end of the day, when we go home, we don’t really talk but backs on that board live under the same roof. when we do, it’s about what’s important. It’s always the topic of what “There’s six interceptions in that household alone, those two guys,” we are going to do while we are here. We only have two years here. We Montana State cornerbacks coach Mark Orphey said. “They’ve both will never forget what we came here for. We are in the same boat, the been a great addition, especially to our young guys coming up. They are same situation. We feed off each other.” two guys these young guys look up to even though they’ve only been The smooth, self-assured Alleyne carries himself with an outward here a short time.” confi dence that has helped him rise to a leadership role on the Bobcat The two guys who’s names are on the board in Risinger’s offi ce are defense despite only being a part of the team since June. Filer carries one of Risinger’s safeties and one of Orphey’s cornerbacks, a pair of himself with an inward confi dence that is not as apparent right away but off-season additions that are paying big dividends so far this season for reveals itself when talking to the thoughtful new addition. the Bobcats. “Both of those guys are older, mature, roommates,” Choate said. “It’s Jahque Alleyne, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound junior free safety who trans- funny because I think they talk to each other more here than they do at ferred to Montana State from Virginia Tech, leads the Big Sky Confer- home. They kind of have separate worlds there. They are older guys, ence with four interceptions, exactly half of MSU’s total for the season. they know why they are here. They want to get a degree, they want to Gregory “Munchie” Filer III, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound cornerback who play football, they want to be good teammates.” transferred to Montana State from Compton College, has two intercep- Virginia Beach is part of a stretch of small cities of Hampton Roads, tions so far this season, including one he returned 27 yards for a touch- often referred to as “America’s fi rst region.” Dozens of professional down against Weber State last week. athletes hail from the area, including legends like fearsome New York “If you get a turnover or an interception, the guys are the ones that Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, NFL career sacks record holder come in to my offi ce and put their name up,” said Risinger, MSU’s Bruce Smith and former No. 1 overall draft picks like quarterback Mi- second-year safeties coach. “It’s gotten to the point where it’s like, ‘Hey chael Vick, point guard Allen Iverson and center Alonzo Mourning all Coach Kyle, I’m going to be up on that board this week.’ come from the area. “Turnovers are contagious. Now that we have guys in our room with Moving to Montana in the middle of the winter was a shock in itself a few, you hear guys saying, ‘I’ve gotta get mine.’” for Alleyne. He made friends with a few MSU defensive backs but Montana State has eight interceptions this season after totaling 15 being disconnected from the team for the fi rst six months he lived in in Jeff Choate’s fi rst two seasons as head coach, including just fi ve last Bozeman did not make the transition any easier. Now that he’s a part of season. Alleyne and Filer have all six picks by Bobcat defensive backs, the team, he is adjusting to life in the Gallatin Valley. although linebacker Brayden Konkol made his interception as a safety “Comfort level is pretty good, I don’t feel uncomfortable, I like it out in MSU’s season-opening 26-23 win over Western Illinois. Buck end here,” Alleyne said. “I like the scenery, the mountains but I am ready to Dante Sparaco had an interception on a tipped pass against Weber State go back to Virginia, though. It’s about that time. It’s almost been a year. last week. But I’m just taking it day by day. “We pride ourselves on being the best secondary in the country,” said “There was times when I didn’t even know if I was going to play Alleyne, who will be part of an MSU secondary that will try to slow football anymore. There were nights when I felt like I didn’t want to down Idaho State’s prolifi c passing offense on Saturday. “We meet early play football anymore. Now that I’m fi nally here, I’m glad it all worked in the mornings just to get some extra work in by ourselves, no coaches. out and paid off.” In practice, we hold each other accountable. We watch pro football Alleyne was a three-star recruit in 2015 coming out of Ocean Lakes teams, how they run their defense, try to base our style of play off of High in Virginia Beach, a heralded, fertile and infamous recruiting them.” ground that has produced some of the country’s most heralded and The addition of a pair of transfers has helped infuse the Bobcat troubled athletes. He explored playing offense in college after playing defense with two talented players who have set the interception pace. wide receiver almost exclusively as a senior in high school. “They fi t in extremely well,” Choate said. “With transfers, that’s the “If you look at his high school tape playing receiver, he was actually one thing you are concerned about is how does it affect the chemistry a better receiver that he is a DB,” said Orphey, who fi rst saw Alleyne of the room. I really think these two young men enhance the chemistry when he was a graduate assistant at South Carolina and helped recruit of the room and are bought in to what we are doing here. And they are Alleyne to MSU. “The way he attacks the ball, you see why he was a making plays.” great receiver. He’s always around the ball no matter where he is. On the surface, the duo appears to have a fair amount in common. As a true freshman at VA Tech in 2015, Alleyne played in all 12 Both are talented defensive backs that came to Montana State as trans- games. In 2016, he sat out the fi rst four games of the season due to fers, each in search of a fresh start. suspension according to a report by Virginia Tech Insider. In January of Alleyne, a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia moved to Montana in 2017, he left one of the renowned and consistent defensive powerhouses January after his time at Virginia Tech had run its course following the in the FBS. retirement of legendary head coach Frank Beamer. Alleyne went to Alleyne fi nished the semester in the spring of 2017 at Virginia Tech school at Gallatin College to straighten out his eligibility, meaning he before enrolling in a junior college. After Orphey contacted him, in order to regain his eligibility, he moved across the country to Southwest Montana. after securing his fi rst interception, he has shown both a nose for the Before he could join the Bobcats, he had to get his eligibility in order football and an added swagger to MSU’s back end. so he moved into an apartment, got a job and enrolled at Gallatin Valley “He’s very smart and a lot of times, he’s a very instinctual football College. He received no sort of fi nancial assistance from the football player,” Risinger said. “He’s one of those guys who know exactly where program, did not participate in spring football and could not be around he’s supposed to be, sees it so well and it’s natural. He’s fl uid. You can the team in any competitive form. tell watching him play he sees it well. He’s always had that in him. The “I think he really appreciates this second chance,” Choate said. skill set of being quick twitch, being one of our fastest guys, he has had “You see that a lot of times when kids have to work really hard to give the physical ability and now he understand our scheme and he has that themselves an opportunity to be in the football fi eld again. I think he’s natural ball-hawk mentality and now he’s showing up.” enjoying it and has embraced that role in that room. I think there’s still a Filer began fall camp as a No. 2 cornerback behind returners junior ceiling for him. He’s certainly playing well. But that’s what’s cool about Damien Washington and sophomores Tyrel Thomas and Jalen Cole. it. He has a lot more growth to have at that position.” He’s risen to the starting spot opposite Thomas because of his dedica- During his two seasons playing in the ACC, Alleyne said it was a tion to learning the Bobcat defensive scheme, honing his ability to play little easier to decipher between the contenders and pretenders. He said both boundary and fi eld cornerback. he and his teammates knew who the top teams were, setting up “colli- Choate said when Filer fi rst started competing for a spot, the coaches sion courses”. That unpredictable nature of the Big Sky has taken some told him to play “Cat defense”. In other words, “you guard that Cat getting used to. right there.” That helped Filer’s stoke his internal fi re. Once he masted “It’s interesting,” Alleyne said with a laugh. “I wouldn’t say it’s the scheme, he began to emerge as a star in the Bobcat secondary. harder but it’s a lot more challenging that I expected. I didn’t really “I defi nitely thrive off competition,” Filer said. “No disrespect to think I was going to come in here and it would be a breeze but it’s defi - nobody. But I feel like if I was standing next to Deion Sanders, I’m nitely a lot more challenging. The Big Sky Conference is a battlefi eld. the best. When competition comes about, it’s real and there’s really no You defi nitely don’t know who is going to win. I’ve seen some teams pressure. I’ve been dealing with pressure for too long. It’s really regular beat some other teams and it was shocking.” to me. I don’t care who step into the room. I feed off my own energy, The stories of the streets of Compton have assumed a unique place in really. My motivation is what I went through and what I want to get. No American lore mostly because of to the tales told by iconic West Coast disrespect but my biggest competition is myself.” rappers who helped bring hip hop into the mainstream in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Filer bounced around high schools growing up in Southern Califor- nia, making stops at Compton High, Long Beach Jordan and Paramount. By the time the scrappy cornerback graduated, he did not hold a single TROY ANDERSEN Division I offer. MONTANA STATE’S TROY ANDERSEN: Most Filer refused to let his dream of playing college football at the highest level die, instead enrolling at Compton Community College. Versatile in FCS? After gray shirting and playing in fi ve games in 2016, the man they call “Munchie” fi nally had his breakthrough season. Last fall, Filer snared by CRAIG HALEY, STATS fi ve interceptions, leading to a parade of suitors. August 26, 2019 Montana State came to the table fi rst in November. With Orphey STATS — An opposing coach was being interviewed before his team serving as his prime recruiter, Filer gave his commitment to Montana played Montana State early last season when he halted the line of ques- State in January, choosing the Bobcats over offers from Portland State, tioning to ask one of his own: Idaho State, Central Arkansas and Southeast Louisiana. “Am I losing my mind or was No. 15 a linebacker last year when we “Paying school was never an option, honestly,” Filer said then. “Me played Montana State?” coming out of high school having no offers was for sure motivation to No need to be confused, coach, Troy Andersen has left many oppo- go harder at the next level to get offers. nents feeling out of sorts. “I’m not going to sit here and make a scene and make it seem like The two-way standout may be the most-versatile player in FCS col- Compton is a bad place. That’s my home. I didn’t have it easy but it lege football. If the Bobcats build on last year’s banner season, Ander- wasn’t hard. Did I go through it, did me and my family go through it sen will play one of the bigger parts - on both sides of the ball. coming up? Of course but I’m not going to sit here and complain and In short, Andersen was a quarterback and safety in high school and make it sound like a sob story. But coming from where I come from, is entered Montana State with the idea of playing linebacker or safety; that motivation? Hell yeah, no doubt. That’s why I do what I do.” switched to running back as a true freshman and carried the ball on the Filer said acclimating to life in Bozeman “was really rough” at fi rst. Bobcats’ fi rst play of the 2017 season, later made starts at linebacker But he’s settling in and is thriving from a football experience with much and kept playing both ways before earning the Big Sky Freshman of the more structure than he ever experienced at Compton College. Year award; and became the starting quarterback as a sophomore when “At fi rst, it was rough, defi nitely rough,” Filer said. “I only say that the team had a need at the position, set the conference’s single-season because this is my fi rst time away from home and I’m on my own. It’s record for rushing yards by a signal caller (1,412) and the school mark rough having to adapt but I’ve adapted very well. I like the city of Boze- for rushing touchdown record (21) all the while helping the Bobcats man, it’s cool. The coaches make me feel comfortable and not only the qualify for the FCS playoffs for the fi rst time since 2014. coaches but everybody that is here around this facility. They just made “It’s been a little bit of a whirlwind,” Andersen said, “but it’s fun.” me feel wanted. I didn’t hate it at fi rst, it was just hard.” The plan for Andersen is changed again for his junior season. Last “It’s been about learning the system and learning to be on my own. year’s co-choice for Big Sky fi rst-team quarterback is switching back to It’s about stepping up to the plate. Your best teacher is your own experi- starting outside linebacker, beginning with Saturday’s season opener at ence. It took me just experiencing the little things about playing Divi- Texas Tech. sion I that come with it and taking it all in and growing from it.” Make no mistake, however, the Bobcats also will continue to take Right before fall camp commenced, the returning MSU defensive advantage of Andersen’s offensive skills. Redshirt freshman Casey backs kept telling Orphey that Alleyne was a ball hawk. During fall Baumann is the new starting quarterback, but Andersen will get carries camp, Choate immediately recognized Alleyne’s leadership and play in the backfi eld, either in a Wildcat shotgun formation or as a fullback/ making abilities. running back, catch the ball as a wide receiver or tight end, even go Despite tweaking a pre existing knee injury against Western Illinois back to passing, which wasn’t his strength as a sophomore although he improved throughout the season. He still felt nervous. He went into a meeting with his coaches know- “I really do enjoy defense,” said Andersen, who at 6-foot-3, 233 ing he would fi nd out if he was going to make his dream come true or pounds, looks the part at linebacker. “It’s a little more free over there, begin another season on the sideline. you get to read and react. You’re the one doing the hitting, so you’re not Bauman heard good news. The redshirt freshman developed quickly taking those blindside shots as an offensive player. I think I’m really enough, gained chemistry with his teammates rapidly enough and going to enjoy playing linebacker this year.” played well enough to claim the spot at the top of MSU’s depth chart. It wasn’t easy to pinpoint Andersen for preseason honors. He was a He feels different now being in the spot he worked for. But he wants fullback on the Big Sky fi rst team and positioned as an “athlete” on the to make everything as normal as he can. He’s remained as motivated as STATS FCS Preseason All-America First Team and the Walter Payton he was when he was in a quarterback battle. He wants to keep doing all Award Watch List. Quite simply, he belonged somewhere because his he can. impact feels like everywhere. “It just means there’s more work to be done,” Bauman said. “We “I don’t want to put Troy in a box,” Bobcats fourth-year Jeff Choate have a lot of games this year, and I’m setting the expectations high. I’m explained last year. “He’s an exceptional young man and a unique foot- excited.” ball player. I don’t want to create artifi cial limits.” Coming from Sumas, Washington, Bauman was most surprised by Andersen’s instinctive style leads to his playmaking. When he the speed of college football when he began his career at MSU. Every- suffered a broken hand in last year’s season opener, he took off from body was faster and stronger. playing quarterback the next two games, but went back to linebacker He still wanted to compete as a true freshman. He committed himself and running back. He had a sack in a handful of defensive plays against to making his dream a reality. He was in the running to be MSU’s start- South Dakota State and a week later broke off a 57-yard touchdown run ing QB at the start of fall camp but eventually lost out to Troy Andersen, against Wagner. an all-American who’s back at linebacker. When the conference schedule began a week later against Portland Still, he prepared like the starter. When Tucker Rovig’s 2018 season State, Andersen was back behind center. He posted the program’s big- was fi nished due to injury, Bauman was elevated to Andersen’s backup. gest rushing performance in seven years (211 yards) while producing That little experience boosted Bauman. As he sat out, he felt more 318 total yards and three touchdowns. comfortable reading defenses, going through progressions and quickly “I think it’s that desire to not let your brothers down, your teammates deciding where to throw the ball. down, the guy standing next to you,” Andersen said. “We just have so “A year really helps,” Bauman said. “Last fall camp was drinking out much trust in each other that you don’t want to let them down. It’s not of a fi re hose type of thing. A year really helps just watching and study- about the individual, it’s kind of about the team.” ing, and I think I’ve come a long ways.” Andersen said he didn’t feel overly confi dent when he was named the MSU head coach Jeff Choate immediately appreciated Bauman’s starting quarterback last year, but he likes how he grew as a team leader. practice habits and how he’s developed bonds with his fellow Bobcats, When the ball in his hands, it often takes more than one defender to including his receivers. bring him down. It sets a tone. Keep up with the Bobcats with the Blue and Gold blog on Facebook! He’s spent the preseason getting reacclimated to linebacker, and “I think he put those pennies in the bank this summer to try to gain Anderson likes to think his style is “fast and physical, smart. I’m still the trust of his teammates,” Choate said. “A year ago, he was leaving trying to get the feel for kind of reading the offensive line and what of- home for the fi rst time. … He’s become a little bit more of his own man, fenses are trying to do to us. I hope that will come with some time. I just and I think we’ll continue to see that progression.” try to pay attention in meetings and learn as much as I can every day. I After Bauman was named the starter, Choate noted the calming think it’s going pretty good.” infl uence it instilled in the rest of the team. And Bauman’s approach Montana State will be pretty good as well. Last season was high- didn’t change. Choate said Bauman operated the offense well during the lighted by a third straight win over archrival Montana followed by a team’s second scrimmage. He gained valuable experience in a variety of playoff triumph over UIW. The Bobcats were ousted in the second situations including on third and fourth downs. round by eventual national champion North Dakota State, ending an 8-5 Since the beginning of fall camp, Choate stressed the importance of campaign. Bauman’s decision making if he were to earn the starting spot. The of- “When you play the best, you kind of get a feel for how they are,” fense needs to be effi cient, Choate said, and that starts with Bauman. Andersen said. “After last year, we just realized we have to really get “We think Casey can get the job done. He can lead us to a lot of wins after it and kind of change how we do things if we want to compete this year,” MSU wide receiver and team captain Kevin Kassis said. with the best. We’ve had a really good offseason and I think we’re ready “We’re excited to move forward with Casey. I think he’s going to be to take the next step.” great.” Not surprisingly, Andersen harbors NFL dreams, and he appears MSU’s game at Texas Tech on Aug. 31 is less than two weeks away. to be best suited for playing defense at the next level. An agricultural Though it may be the toughest opponent the Bobcats see all season, business major, he also would like to one day run the family cattle ranch Bauman’s eager for it. in Dillon - less than a two hour’s drive from Montana State’s Bozeman He’s trying to maintain normalcy. Having prepared like was the campus. starter for a full year, watching fi lm and practicing for an opponent feels For now, he’s happy to roam like a wild horse with the Bobcats. the same. He expects jitters. It’s his fi rst career start in front of thousands against a Big 12 team after all. Everything will be different. But Bau- man will treat this game preparation like any other. CASEY BAUMAN “I just want to give myself and our team the best chance to win,” MSU’s BAUMAN GAINING POISE BEFORE Bauman said. “I’m going to go out there and do everything I can.” FIRST CAREER START by COLTON POOL, Bozeman Chronicle August 22, 2019 BOZEMAN, Montana — Casey Bauman did all he could. He played his best throughout fall camp. He gave himself the best chance possible of becoming Montana State’s starting quarterback. added his career trajectory after graduation depends on his health and MITCH BROTT desire to continue his career. And Brott’s considered his next step as ‘OLD’ BROTT SUPPLIES STABLE FORCE FOR well. BOBCATS But fi rst, he wants to make it through his senior year. Brott gained up to 10 pounds and is now at 6-foot-6, 300 pounds. He worked on speed by COLTON POOL, Bozeman Chronicle drills in the offseason and is focused on preventing injuries to take care August 19, 2019 of his “old” body. Despite all the wear and tear, he’s eager for another season. BOZEMAN — Mitch Brott lumbers around Dyche Field. As the rest of “It feels like I got hit by a truck,” Brott said. “But it’s what I love Montana State practices, the preseason all-American left tackle takes doing.” the day off. He’s not injured though. His 35 straight career starts have simply worn on him. So while he’s participated in team drills, he’s allowed to take a few practices off. Everything is physically a little bit more dif- MITCH BROTT, VETERAN OFFENSIVE LINE fi cult after fi ve years in the program. READY TO AGAIN SHOULDER THE LOAD FOR Were MSU players excited to begin fall camp? Perhaps. But not MONTANA STATE Brott. “I’m 22,” he said, straight-faced. “I’m old.” by GREG RACHAC, 406mtsports.com While he might’ve been a little more energetic, Brott refl ected back Aug 5, 2019 on his fi rst day of fall camp as a freshman out of Billings West. He had no idea what he was in for. Now, having endured all those collisions in BOZEMAN — The left tackle position has been a treasure trove of tal- all those starts, Brott’s confi dence is elevated. His standout play, like the ent through the years at Montana State. team’s scrimmage on Saturday, is almost like muscle memory. From Jason Westbrock to Brent Swaggert, to Lou Saucedo to Mike The continuity of the offensive line may be key for the Bobcats this Person, and to Conrad Burbank and John Weidenaar, six different MSU fall. Five linemen with starting experience return, and three of those left tackles have been named to All-Big Sky Conference and/or All- have started for multiple years. America teams in the past 25 seasons. Their chemistry together is almost like muscle memory too. And Last week, current left tackle Mitch Brott (a second-team all-confer- MSU head coach Jeff Choate called Brott, a senior captain, a consistent ence pick in 2018) was named to the STATS preseason FCS All-Ameri- anchor. ca third team, which came on the heels of his selection to the preseason Even at his age, he demands attention from opposing defensive lines. All-Big Sky list earlier in July. “He’s a very physical player,” Choate said. “He’s got kind of a nasty Brott, a senior from Billings West, is in his second season at left streak. I think what I’m hoping is that trickles down to some of the tackle after playing right tackle his fi rst two years. He has already made younger offensive linemen. Very accountable young man. Does his job. 35 career starts. Takes care of his business. And then he’s not afraid to call other guys The 6-foot-6, 290-pound Brott is ready to be the linchpin of MSU’s out and hold them to that standard.” line, a veteran group that lost one starter from last year’s team (center Brott’s been held out of fall camp practices which emphasize funda- Alex Neale) and boasts six guys with signifi cant experience. mentals, in part because of Brott’s hip injury history, in part to provide “It just shows that I have the chance to be a really good offensive younger linemen a chance at left tackle and in part because he’s shown lineman in this league,” Brott said, refl ecting on his preseason acco- on game fi lm his technique is exemplary. Choate called Brott one of the lades. “It kind of gives you extra confi dence and it almost makes you best linemen in the conference. work harder, knowing you have a chance to get some accolades at the “It’s fall camp. It’s a grind,” Brott said. “It’s literally work from 9 end of the year.” a.m. to 9 p.m. everyday. You just try to grind through it.” He added: “Someone just needs to step up and take charge of this When he’s not on the fi eld, his absence is obvious. At left tackle, group, and I feel confi dent doing that.” Brott will be in charge of protecting redshirt freshman Casey Bauman’s It’s easier with quality depth. Junior left guard Taylor Tuiasosopo (6- blindside from the Big Sky’s best pass rushers. But he also takes on 4, 329), junior right guard Lewis Kidd (6-7, 319) and sophomore right the responsibilities of communicating with the younger offensive line, tackle Connor Wood (6-5, 302) all join Brott as returning starters. reading opposing defenses and relaying any necessary changes to pass Sophomore Zach Redd (6-0, 285) is in the running to take over the protection or run-blocking schemes. center position, and junior guard Jake Sessions (6-5, 295) will likely MSU’s other linemen have to make up for that when Brott’s not have an increased role in 2019. Sophomore guard Dylan Porter (6-5, around. 295), a transfer from Nevada, may also provide reinforcement. “I’m kind of looked at as a leader of that group, so I have to make “I think that top six, barring injury, is going to be pretty solidifi ed,” sure everything clicks right for everybody,” Brott said. “It’s an honor, coach Jeff Choate said. “And now it’s who’s that seven (and) eight go- but still, everybody has to work together. It doesn’t matter what position ing to be?” you are. If one person messes up, everybody else fails.” Last year the offensive line helped pave the way to an average of Sophomore tackle Connor Wood and junior guard Lewis Kidd will 231.8 rushing yards per game in MSU’s downhill ground attack. Troy likely start on the right side of the line with sophomore Zach Redd at Andersen rushed for 1,412 yards and 21 touchdowns as the quarterback, center and either Jake Sessions or Taylor Tuiasosopo at left guard. But while freshman Isaiah Ifanse also eclipsed 1,000 yards. no matter who Brott is next to, he stressed the importance of the offense The Bobcats gave up the fewest quarterback sacks in the Big Sky last operating in sync this season. year, and produced 18 100-yard rushers. Keep up with the Bobcats with the Blue and Gold blog on Facebook! There’s more where that came from, but Choate and position coach That experience makes MSU offensive coordinator Matt Miller’s job Brian Armstrong nevertheless have experimented at times with the easier, especially with a quarterback who will make his fi rst career start confi guration of the line early in fall camp, giving reps, for instance, to at Texas Tech on Aug. 31. Miller won’t have to worry much about the Tuiasosopo at center. blocking up front, he said. It’s being done in an effort to maximize the aforementioned depth. “It’s big time to have some guys come back who have played some Choate said Tuiasosopo “has a high football intellect, and you can football for us,” Miller said. “Those guys are so locked in.” never have enough guys at center. I think (Redd) is very capable at cen- Choate said Brott is “on the radar” of some professional teams but ter but he’s our smallest offensive lineman. That doesn’t mean he can’t do it — Shaun Sampson had a heck of a career here doing it. Under offensive coordinator Matt Miller, the tight ends fi gure to play “The thing that we’ve got to do is make sure we can hold up with the a prominent if not more versatile role. Davis, who is listed at 6-foot-3 interior. Is he our best match? Maybe Zach’s really killing it at guard. Is and 250 pounds, played mostly defense in high school but is now being that our best spot for him? Then that slides (Tuiasosopo) in. The objec- called on to raise his game in all facets as he continues to make the tive is to get our best fi ve guys on the fi eld.” transition from high school standout to Division I contributor. Choate has also alluded to the possibility of the MSU going unbal- “The playbook. I’d never heard of one of those,” Davis said when anced and using six linemen in certain situations — particularly in a asked about his biggest adjustment. “Playing at Skyview up on the hill, short-yardage or a goal-line capacity — to make up for the graduation you just line up and the technique was kick the guy’s butt in front of of a guy like Curtis Amos, who was the team’s best blocking tight end. you. That’s where Sessions, among others, may come in. The Colstrip “It was pretty simple, pretty cut and dried. I never really played much product, Choate says, has morphed into a more productive lineman. offense at Skyview. That was a pretty big transition.” “Now that he’s a little bit more mature and has had a chance to grow Hadley’s story is somewhat similar in that the tight end spot is new to into the program, he’s really developed into a pretty good leader for us him, though he did excel as a wideout while at Billings Central. It’s his and is a guy that has a lot of positive energy,” Choate said. fourth position as a member of the Bobcats after playing safety, then the “He’s put the weight on that we’ve asked him to, he’s smart, he can ‘Buck’ edge defender position and later outside linebacker. play both guard and tackle for us, and so that’s a huge asset.” It’s a move that was facilitated to take advantage of his 6-6, For an offense with the makeup of MSU’s — a physical running 230-pound frame and create favorable matchups. Hadley also hopes to style — the offensive line, which has beefed up through the offseason, stay healthy for a full season, something that’s eluded him thus far. will again shoulder a huge load. “This will be it,” Hadley said with a laugh. “I sure hope so.” And it’s a group that’s remains in sync. “I’m long, I can stretch the fi eld quite a bit, I can go up and make “We’ve done a great job of continuing to form a bond,” Kidd said. catches … I think there’s a lot of possibilities,” he added. “We don’t need to over-communicate. We don’t need to say a whole lot Choate concurred, saying, “Jacob’s a guy that I think has some really to each other. We see everything through one set of eyes instead of fi ve good ball skills and can be a matchup problem for people.” sets of eyes. There’s a plenty of intrigue surrounding Lonergan (6-4, 220), who “This group has done a great job of maintaining and keeping on starred at Bozeman High School and has been one of the team’s best weight, and continuing to build muscle and lose fat. We’re going to be looking true freshmen in camp. Will he contribute right away? big and athletic. That’s kind of the overall feel.” Lonergan’s size and athleticism are his best attributes, and head coach Jeff Choate noted his potential when he signed with the Bobcats in December, calling Lonergan the best prospect of any in-state recruit from the 2019 class. “To me, he’s a Mountain West guy,” Choate said. “I think guys RYAN DAVIS missed on him because of his skill set and his size potential. He doesn’t RYAN DAVIS, JACOB HADLEY AMONG RE- look like a freshman running around out there. He looks more like a TOOLED YET UNPROVEN TIGHT END GROUP sophomore-type of kid. Kind of what I thought we’d get out of him.” With the departure of assistant Josh Taufalele, MSU’s tight ends are headed up by a new position coach, Nate Potter. by GREG RACHAC, 406mtsports.com Potter was an All-American offensive lineman at Boise State in 2011, August 19, 2019 and went on to play two seasons in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals. BOZEMAN — BOZEMAN — Junior tight end Ryan Davis is the latest Potter came to MSU in the offseason from the College of Idaho, where in a line of siblings to matriculate from Billings Skyview High School he served as offensive line coach. to Montana State. Notable on that list is older brother Leo, who was a “He’s just a really smart guy,” Choate said of Potter. “Simplicity is standout right tackle as the Bobcats became playoff regulars in the early the ultimate in terms of your ability to compartmentalize things, and I part of this decade under previous coach Rob Ash. think he’s got an ability to do that that’s very natural. He’s got a very But Ryan Davis is carving out his own path with the Bobcats, and calm demeanor, too.” now has an important role as part of a reworked tight end group looking MSU’s tight ends haven’t provided a dynamic pass-catching threat to help diversify Montana State’s offense. since Beau Sandland had a team-high nine touchdown receptions in Davis, coming off a strong spring, was listed No. 1 at tight end on 2015, but the coaches are optimistic. MSU’s summer depth chart and has been competing in fall camp with “It’s going to be fun to see how that thing comes together,” Choate the likes of junior Jacob Hadley, true freshman Ryan Lonergan, redshirt said. freshmen Derryk Snell and Treyton Pickering, sophomore Jarrett Kes- sler and others. It’s a group that’s under a relatively bright spotlight following the graduations of three seniors from last year’s team: Connor Sullivan, ISAIAH IFANSE Curtis Amos and Wilson Brott. That trio, Amos in particular, thrived IFANSE HOPING TO LIVE UP TO THE HYPE especially as blockers as the offense churned up yards on the ground. Blocking is an unknown commodity for the current group — as is WITH EXPANDING SKILLSET pass-catching — but Choate indicated that the offense can get creative in certain situations by using an unbalanced line, or by bringing in de- by COLTON POOL, Bozeman Chronicle fensive players like Derek Marks or Amandre Williams or Bryce Sterk August 21, 2019 to clear holes. BOZEMAN — Isaiah Ifanse needed to keep up. If nothing else, Davis and Co. hope to continue the legacy established Last year as a freshman, he was adjusting to the speed of the college by Sullivan, Amos and Brott. game while learning a new playbook. Outside of football, the Montana “They set the core values. They set the standard. It’s only right to State running back learned to balance his time, keeping up with home- follow that,” said Davis, who could also potentially line up as a full- work while traveling for games. back. “The big thing that we learned was how things are done here at In between hours of classes and team activities, Ifanse found hours to Montana State, what it means to play for Montana State, what it means himself to relax. to put on that blue and gold, and what it means to be a tight end here.” But he remained patient, just like his running style. Everything began to slow down, and the Bobcats grew to depend on him as a crucial part practice workload over the course of the past couple weeks. The of their running attack. He broke the program’s freshman single-season weather in these parts hasn’t allowed for much. rushing record with 1,025 yards while scoring eight touchdowns. The Bobcats have gotten on the fi eld twice this week for what Choate When MSU head coach Jeff Choate was asked if his depth chart at said amounted to their fi rst “offi cial” practices of spring drills. running back was clarifi ed after the team’s fi rst scrimmage on Aug. 10, “There’s days where the fi eld’s clear but it’s an ice skating rink,” he quickly replied. Choate said Thursday during a press conference at Brick Breeden Field- “I think Isaiah is good,” Choate said. house. “We can’t go out there and risk our kids’ safety and health over a The 5-foot-10, 202-pound bruiser from Bellevue, Washington, is still spring ball practice. hoping to expand his role. But he doesn’t feel any pressure now. He “At the end of this thing, what we want to do, our No. 1 objective trusts his offensive line and has proven to himself he can perform like needs to be to come out of this healthy. We’ve had some really tough one of the best running backs in the Big Sky. things happen to us in these not-meaningful practices in spring ball, and “I think he’s a really instinctual, excellent football player as a run- we want to make sure that all our guys that start spring ball fi nish spring ning back,” Choate said. ball.” Ifanse feels more comfortable compared to this time last year. In the If the Bobcats don’t conduct all of their 15 allotted practices, so be fi rst two weeks of his career, he rushed for 16 yards on nine carries. it. But they at least want to work on fundamentals, get some live work He wasn’t satisfi ed. He began to watch fi lm more closely to under- in, evaluate younger players, develop depth and set the stage for growth stand the habits of his opponents. coming off last year’s 8-5 playoff season. The third game of the season against Wagner was his turning point. One player looking to build from a stellar campaign is running back He broke out for 146 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown. Isaiah Ifanse, whose bruising style helped him break records as a true Choate uses Ifanse as an example for how to earn playing time fast. freshman. After carrying the ball 196 times, Ifanse grasped the importance of In 13 games a year ago, Ifanse rushed for 1,025 yards and seven recovery. He watched older players like wide receiver Kevin Kas- touchdowns while averaging 5.2 yards per carry in the Bobcats’ down- sis spend extra time with the team’s trainers and wanted to follow the hill rushing attack. Ifanse’s yardage total established a new Montana example. Now, even after taking on that work a season ago, he feels half State mark for a freshman. as sore as he did in his freshman campaign. In a 49-42 victory over Cal Poly on Nov. 3, Ifanse rushed for a 227 “I know more what to expect than I did last year,” Ifanse said. “Be- yards, a Bobcat freshman record, and three touchdowns. cause last year I didn’t really know much coming in.” Ifanse, from Wing-T oriented Bellevue High School in suburban Now Ifanse wants to continue his improvement. While he’s a depend- Seattle, exceeded his own expectations last year but fi gures he can have able and willing blocker, Choate said, Ifanse’s weakness is catching another huge season as a sophomore in 2019. passes out of the backfi eld. “I had no idea coming in. I had nothing to expect,” he said Thursday. So Ifanse caught countless balls on a jug machine during the summer. “I feel like as long as the offensive line is still creating holes and still “Everyone can expand their role in our room,” MSU running backs doing what they usually do, then yeah, I can.” coach DeNarius McGhee said. “It just depends on their productivity.” For as good as Ifanse was, Choate conveyed his belief that Ifanse was Keep up with the Bobcats with the Blue and Gold blog on Facebook! overshadowed by the performance of Troy Andersen, who broke the Big If Ifanse learns to become a dependable pass catcher, McGhee said, Sky Conference record for rushing yards by a quarterback (1,412) and his presence in the game won’t necessarily tell teams whether the Bob- set single-season school records for rushing touchdowns (21) and 100- cats intend to run or pass. yard rushing games (nine). “He caught a lot of balls over the summer, and I think that has been Ifanse, whose interview Thursday was his fi rst as a member of the the difference in him making plays on the perimeter, catching the ball,” Bobcats, seems soft-spoken and uncomfortable talking about his own McGhee said. “So I think the hard work is what’s helped him make him exploits, but Choate gave the impression of Ifanse as someone who is a more consistent catcher.” motivated to be great. His role as a runner likely won’t change. During a fall practice, “He’s a unique and special player,” Choate said. “Clearly Troy is Ifanse showed patience as he glided through a hole on the line and an exceptional player and did some amazing things for us, but they’ve popped out the other end. Simply, Choate said to himself, “woah.” been playing football here for 120-some years, and (Ifanse) rushed for Choate, who’s coached running backs previously in his career, more yards as a true freshman than anybody else. Ever. That’s a pretty doesn’t want to over coach an instinctive runner like Ifanse. exceptional season. “You can’t really coach that,” Choate said. “He’s a team guy and he’ll do whatever you ask, which is one of the Ifanse is confi dent now. Even as a deep group of other backs push things I love about Isaiah, but he’s also a guy who is really driven. You him for playing time and despite the pressure he feels to follow up his ask him and it’s like, ‘No, I want to own every record.’ And he’s poised freshman season, Ifanse believes his team should expect “another good to do that. He’s at the right place. We rushed the ball 533 times last year” from him. year.” But Choate doesn’t want to put additional pressure on Ifanse and Ifanse runs like a bull, and it often took two and three defenders isn’t demanding another 1,000 yards. to bring him down last season. He proved early (and often) to be too “Do I think he’s capable of it?” Choate said. “Certainly I think he’s strong and too powerful for simple arm tackles. capable of it.” He craves contact. Ifanse said MSU running backs coach DeNarius McGhee “always tells all the running backs that we’re not going to run out of bounds. MONTANA STATE RB ISAIAH IFANSE HUNGRY We’re going to play with a physical style and wear down the defense.” “I don’t think his style is going to change,” offensive lineman Lewis FOR MORE AFTER RECORD-SETTING FRESH- Kidd said of Ifanse. “He’s not going to avoid anybody. He’s going to MAN SEASON create contact and try to go through it. As an O-lineman that’s what you love to see, a guy who is really going to try break through tackles and by GREG RACHAC, 406mtsports.com fi nish runs.” April 2, 2019 Whether that results in another 1,000-yard season and, eventually, more records is yet to be discovered. But with Andersen moving to BOZEMAN — Welcome to winter football. linebacker — though he’ll always have a role on offense, Choate says That’s how Montana State coach Jeff Choate described his team’s — Ifanse is now the Bobcats’ featured player in the backfi eld. “Just keep pounding the ball. Just keep going to our DNA plays,” and redshirt at the same time. Ifanse said of Montana State’s ground game. “The offensive line gave The rule is especially helpful for freshmen, Jones added, since they me confi dence throughout the whole year last year. I want to do well for can gain experience and not lose a year of eligibility. them and they want to do well for me.” “I’m extremely thankful. I feel as though I’m blessed in a sense,” Jones said. “I’ve had some ups and downs I feel like, and I fi nally got a nice little second wind. That rule has been huge.” This spring, Jones has only practiced four times due to a class con- LOGAN JONES fl ict. But the extra year has allowed him to ease his course load, which JONES RELISHING EXTRA SEASON AT MSU means he can dedicate more time for football this upcoming summer and fall. FOLLOWING REDSHIRT YEAR In years past, Jones felt practices were a grind and he’d just “punch the clock.” But as he prepared for what he assumed would be his fi nal by PAUL SCHWEDELSON, Bozeman Chronicle season last year, he grew nostalgic. April 6, 2019 “I wasn’t ready to be done, and I love the game. It’s just this spring BOZEMAN — During the fi nal game of what Logan Jones originally ball, it’s just different,” Jones said. “... Now, this is it. This is truly my thought would be his fi nal regular season, quarterback Troy Andersen last spring ball. I feel like I can go out there with a clear mind and just pitched him the ball and Jones scampered ahead. enjoy it and be happy to be out there, just take it all in.” He crossed the goal line after running 13 yards and put Montana State ahead for the fi rst time against Montana. The game-winning touchdown’s place in Bobcats history was solidifi ed by the following goal-line stand that propelled MSU to the playoffs. KEVIN KASSIS Jones, a senior last season, spent his entire career trying to reach the VETERAN KASSIS PROVIDES BOBCATS RELI- postseason. The Bobcats fi nally achieved that. The running back played ABLE SLOT TARGET in the regular season’s fi nal four games and contributed when he had the chance. But as MSU entered the playoffs for the fi rst time since 2014, the by COLTON POOL, Bozeman Chronicle August 17, 2019 coaching staff decided to hold Jones out of the games he looked forward to as motivation. BOZEMAN — Welcome to winter football. “The team did great. Just playoffs in general, that’s the whole goal, That’s how Montana State coach Jeff Choate described his team’s right? For the regular season, it’s to make it there and we did. Man, it practice workload over the course of the past couple weeks. The was just really cool,” Jones said. “But at the same time, it was a little weather in these parts hasn’t allowed for much. bittersweet because I would’ve loved to be out there.” The Bobcats have gotten on the fi eld twice this week for what Choate Jones missed the fi rst seven games of the regular season with an said amounted to their fi rst “offi cial” practices of spring drills. injury, and due to an NCAA rule change, he could still play in the fi nal “There’s days where the fi eld’s clear but it’s an ice skating rink,” four while retaining his redshirt status. So even in a year in which Jones Choate said Thursday during a press conference at Brick Breeden Field- scored perhaps MSU’s most infl uential touchdown, he didn’t use any house. “We can’t go out there and risk our kids’ safety and health over a eligibility. spring ball practice. That opened up the opportunity for Jones to return as a redshirt “At the end of this thing, what we want to do, our No. 1 objective senior in 2019. He fl ashed what he could do with that chance by rushing needs to be to come out of this healthy. We’ve had some really tough for 30 yards on three carries, including a 25-yard run, in Saturday’s things happen to us in these not-meaningful practices in spring ball, and Sonny Holland Classic spring scrimmage at Bobcat Stadium. we want to make sure that all our guys that start spring ball fi nish spring “When he had that long run, I just saw it spark the whole sideline,” ball.” senior wide receiver Travis Jonsen said. “We were all like, ‘Who’s that If the Bobcats don’t conduct all of their 15 allotted practices, so be out there?’ And it was Logan. He defi nitely brings a lot of energy to the it. But they at least want to work on fundamentals, get some live work team, and I can’t wait to see what he does this year.” in, evaluate younger players, develop depth and set the stage for growth Jones, a Kalispell native, said he would’ve done whatever head coach coming off last year’s 8-5 playoff season. Jeff Choate and his staff requested. If they wanted him to play against One player looking to build from a stellar campaign is running back Incarnate Word and North Dakota State in the FCS playoffs, Jones Isaiah Ifanse, whose bruising style helped him break records as a true would have enjoyed ending his career with the classmates he planned to freshman. exit with. In 13 games a year ago, Ifanse rushed for 1,025 yards and seven But Jones said he suffered a “pretty signifi cant” ankle sprain against touchdowns while averaging 5.2 yards per carry in the Bobcats’ down- the Grizzlies and needed to wear a boot early in the week leading up to hill rushing attack. Ifanse’s yardage total established a new Montana the fi rst round. So he was also willing to sit out and trade two playoff State mark for a freshman. games for an extra year, one that begins with expectations of another In a 49-42 victory over Cal Poly on Nov. 3, Ifanse rushed for a 227 postseason run. yards, a Bobcat freshman record, and three touchdowns. When the decision was made for Jones to skip the playoffs, there Ifanse, from Wing-T oriented Bellevue High School in suburban wasn’t much of a conversation. The team didn’t plan to play him more Seattle, exceeded his own expectations last year but fi gures he can have than four times. Jones understood. another huge season as a sophomore in 2019. “I think he really appreciated that we were willing to do that,” Choate “I had no idea coming in. I had nothing to expect,” he said Thursday. said. “... It probably would have been better for us to play Logan. But “I feel like as long as the offensive line is still creating holes and still we were able to make that decision, stick to that decision and now we doing what they usually do, then yeah, I can.” got him for (12 games) and hopefully a few more instead of just having For as good as Ifanse was, Choate conveyed his belief that Ifanse was him for those two down the stretch.” overshadowed by the performance of Troy Andersen, who broke the Big Jones is also appreciative of the redshirt rule that was in place for the Sky Conference record for rushing yards by a quarterback (1,412) and fi rst time last season. Prior to 2018, a player’s redshirt status evaporated set single-season school records for rushing touchdowns (21) and 100- as soon as he appeared in a game. By changing that restriction to four yard rushing games (nine). games, those in situations similar to Jones can both produce on the fi eld Ifanse, whose interview Thursday was his fi rst as a member of the Bobcats, seems soft-spoken and uncomfortable talking about his own “I think with all that depth it creates a lot of competition. Our whole exploits, but Choate gave the impression of Ifanse as someone who is unit is just getting better from that.” motivated to be great. Alleyne’s fi ve interceptions led the way for a secondary that picked “He’s a unique and special player,” Choate said. “Clearly Troy is off nine passes in 2018 and led a surge of takeaways that helped MSU an exceptional player and did some amazing things for us, but they’ve fi nish plus-10 in turnover margin, which tied for the top spot in the been playing football here for 120-some years, and (Ifanse) rushed for league. more yards as a true freshman than anybody else. Ever. That’s a pretty Konkol said he and Alleyne are meshing as well as ever in the back exceptional season. end. “He’s a team guy and he’ll do whatever you ask, which is one of the “It’s way better,” said Konkol, who has changed his jersey number things I love about Isaiah, but he’s also a guy who is really driven. You from 18 to 41. “We’re closer off the fi eld. We got to know each other ask him and it’s like, ‘No, I want to own every record.’ And he’s poised better. We’re better friends, better teammates, more comfortable playing to do that. He’s at the right place. We rushed the ball 533 times last with each other. year.” “We know how we’re going to play a certain coverage and when Ifanse runs like a bull, and it often took two and three defenders we’re going to disguise and things like that. It’ll be really fun.” to bring him down last season. He proved early (and often) to be too Alleyne was a welcome addition from his previous football stop at strong and too powerful for simple arm tackles. Virginia Tech. As was cornerback Greg Filer (6-0, 170), who transferred He craves contact. in from Compton College in California before last season and inter- Ifanse said MSU running backs coach DeNarius McGhee “always cepted two passes, one of which he took back for a touchdown against tells all the running backs that we’re not going to run out of bounds. Weber State. We’re going to play with a physical style and wear down the defense.” Creating turnovers, Konkol said, helps create victories. “I don’t think his style is going to change,” offensive lineman Lewis “That’s just something that the coaches really emphasize,” Konkol Kidd said of Ifanse. “He’s not going to avoid anybody. He’s going to said. “The team that takes the ball away more usually ends up winning create contact and try to go through it. As an O-lineman that’s what you the game. It’s something that we really harp on around here, and hope- love to see, a guy who is really going to try break through tackles and fully it will allow us to win a lot of games.” fi nish runs.” Interceptions also come from the defense’s ability to pressure the Whether that results in another 1,000-yard season and, eventually, pocket. With pass rushers Bryce Sterk and Amandre Williams coming more records is yet to be discovered. But with Andersen moving to at quarterbacks from opposite sides of the line, MSU hopes to be able to linebacker — though he’ll always have a role on offense, Choate says improve on last year’s total of 23 quarterback sacks and also force more — Ifanse is now the Bobcats’ featured player in the backfi eld. errant throws. “Just keep pounding the ball. Just keep going to our DNA plays,” Filer, like Konkol, was named to the 2019 preseason All-Big Sky Ifanse said of Montana State’s ground game. “The offensive line gave team. He and fellow corners Damien Washington (5-11, 190) and Tyrel me confi dence throughout the whole year last year. I want to do well for Thomas (5-8, 165) have shown the ability to compete and excel in man- them and they want to do well for me.” to-man coverage, which the Bobcats hope to play even more of this season. “I really like how the cornerbacks are playing right now as far as their mentality,” fi rst-year defensive coordinator Kane Ioane said. “We BRAYDEN KONKOL/ really like to play tight coverage, and to play tight coverage you have to have corners that really embrace that mentality, and I think our guys JAHQUE ALLEYNE have really done that.” SAFETY DUO OF BRAYDEN KONKOL, JAHQUE Ioane and head coach Jeff Choate have both at times mentioned the strong performance of redshirt freshman cornerback Level Price (5-8, ALLEYNE COMMAND EAGER MONTANA 175), who could play an important role. Safeties JoJo Henderson (6-3, STATE SECONDARY 200) and Ty Okada (5-11, 175) have also showed their mettle in fall camp. by GREG RACHAC, 406mtsports.com Okada is a player that could factor into MSU’s nickel package, along August 14, 2019 with Thomas and Price. Henderson, who is entering his third season with the Bobcats, is more than just a backup. BOZEMAN — At 6-foot-2 and nearly 220 pounds, Montana State free It remains to be seen how much the secondary will miss Jalen Cole, safety Brayden Konkol looks as physically imposing as he ever has. one of its better cover corners. Cole is expected to sit out the entire sea- Konkol is coming off a season in which he led the Bobcats with 93 son due to a head/neck injury he sustained toward the end of last season. total tackles. He also intercepted two passes, forced a fumble and recov- Ioane was a four-time All-America safety at Montana State from ered three others. At the end of the year Konkol was named honorable 2000-03. In his new dual role as defensive coordinator and safeties mention All-Big Sky Conference. coach, Ioane believes this unit can be more effective than last season Meanwhile, strong safety Jahque Alleyne (6-1, 185) played an impor- when it helped limit opponents to just 13 touchdown passes, tied for the tant role in his fi rst season with the Bobcats, fi nishing with 38 tackles, fewest in the Big Sky. a conference-best fi ve interceptions, eight pass breakups, two forced As for defensive takeaways, they represent one of the most impor- fumbles and a fumble recovery. He, too, was named honorable mention tant statistics in football. Can the Bobcats continue a positive trend that all-conference. began in the second half of last season? It’s clear that Konkol and Alleyne make up one of the best returning “It always starts up front. We’ve got to stop the run, and we’ve got a safety tandems in the Big Sky, and they are the key to MSU’s fortunes good front in that regard, but you can’t be a good defense if your sec- in the defensive backfi eld. But it doesn’t end there. ondary doesn’t play well and doesn’t get the ball when the opportunity Konkol, a Belgrade product in his fi fth year at MSU, envisions big comes,” Ioane said. things from the entire group. “We want to be an aggressive, ball-hawking unit in the back end. “This is the best secondary I’ve been a part of since I’ve been here. Every single day our objective is to score and get the ball back, and I You can tell,” Konkol said during the Bobcats’ ongoing fall camp. think our guys have really caught on to that and they’re hungry for that. “We’re deep. We have eight, nine, 10 guys that I think coaches are “You can see them attack in the football when the ball is in the air. comfortable playing. That’s our mentality. If the ball is in the air, it’s ours.” “Derek has just been a workman guy his whole career. He’s been DEREK MARKS a guy who’s been in the weight room, he’s put the work in in the fi lm BELGRADE’S MARKS RELIED ON FILM room,” Ioane said. “He’s a technician.” STUDY TO MOVE POSITIONS FOR BOBCATS Marks claimed he doesn’t embrace the new, less fl ashy position be- cause the coaches asked him to. At defensive tackle, he’s one of the fi rst people to affect every play because he’s lined up so close to the ball. He by COLTON POOL, Bozeman Chronicle April 20, 2019 treasures that. Armed with all this knowledge, Marks feels ready. BOZEMAN — Derek Marks didn’t work this summer so he had time to “Everybody wants to be good on game days, but not a lot of people work. want to put in the work when it’s not exciting to do that,” Marks said. The Montana State senior skipped out on a summer job, leaving him “That’s something I really try to pride myself on.” plenty of time to prepare for his fi nal college season. His offseason felt drastically different. He was sliding over from defensive end to tackle, only a slight difference. But he had time to lift weights, recover and watch fi lm so he was ready. ZACH REDD Marks, a Belgrade native and MSU team captain, took on a less glamorous position. But he prepared more diligently than ever. BOBCAT 0-LINE STILL BUILDING WITH RE- MSU defensive coordinator Kane Ioane believes Marks, at 6-foot-2, TURNING EXPERIENCE 259 pounds, could play at any position along MSU’s defensive line. But at tackle, Ioane expects Marks to be “extremely productive.” by COLTON POOL, Bozeman Chronicle “Every year I fi nd I have a new ceiling, a new level I can take this April 9, 2019 thing,” Marks said. “I still don’t think I’m there yet.” BOZEMAN — Zach Redd can feel the difference from this time last During spring practices, Marks played at tackle when the team year. brought on another defensive back in nickel packages. He began to Redd, who’s deaf in one ear, struggled to snap the ball on time during think the move might be permanent in all situations. spring football last year. But this year, having started games at guard The Bobcats were forced to reshuffl e their defensive front follow- last season, Redd feels confi dent. He isn’t worried he’ll miss a snap ing the graduation of Tyrone Fa’anono, Zach Wright and Tucker Yates. count — his quarterbacks are hounded to be much louder now. And When they added Washington transfer Amandre Williams, placed him at having started last season, he feels like he’s adjusted to the speed of the buck and moved Bryce Sterk to end, Marks found his place at tackle. game and is trusted by his teammates. “I think it just fi t well,” Marks said. “I was all for it. I loved it.” Guard was fun while it lasted when he was a redshirt freshman. Now Marks spent player-run summer practices mentally training for the moved back to center, that trust between Redd and his teammates will new position. He was grateful for those months he spent readying him- be key. self, even though the change isn’t drastic because the responsibilities Redd playing at center is the only shift for Montana State’s offensive and alignment are only slightly different. line coming off of last year during which the Bobcats were third in the He maximized the spare time by watching “a lot” of fi lm. Big Sky in rushing offense and tied for the fewest sacks allowed. He’s watched tape with MSU defensive line greats Caleb Schrei- And with a new quarterback for the Bobcats in 2019, solidarity up beis and Zach Minter and tried to learn how they succeeded. Marks front could be pivotal. especially studied Aaron Donald, the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive “Just knowing you have that trust makes you that much more tackle who came close to breaking the NFL’s single-season sacks record comfortable on the fi eld,” Redd said. “I think we’ve built a really good in 2018. Marks wanted to know how to impact a game in the same way bond. … That’s a fundamental of an O-line is you have to have trust Donald does, something rarely seen from that position. so that’s something I think we’ve polished, and I think everyone trusts Marks admitted he is “a little bit obsessive” in his study. each other to do their jobs.” “There’s a lot of details on playing defensive line that I don’t think Redd said the starting O-linemen when the Bobcats play at Texas a lot of people see,” Marks said. “I think a lot of people see just getting Tech in next season’s opener will likely be left tackle and team captain off the ball and running into the guy across from you. But there’s a lot Mitch Brott, Taylor Tuiasosopo at left guard though he missed spring more that goes into it than that.” ball due to an elbow injury, Redd, Lewis Kidd at right guard and Con- The shift over meant Marks would be taking on more double teams nor Wood at right tackle. All of them started games last season with on run plays. So he tried to learn how to take on those blocks to clear the only loss to graduation being Alex Neale at center, which prompted lanes for his linebackers. MSU defensive line coach Byron Hout said Redd’s move. that concept wasn’t too diffi cult for Marks to grasp. But that group didn’t appear as experienced when MSU’s front seven Keep up with the Bobcats with the Blue and Gold blog on Facebook! dominated during the Sonny Holland Classic on Saturday at Bobcat Sta- “He’s been able to train his eyes and his footwork and technique dium. MSU’s quarterbacks rarely had time to pass, and running backs where he can be a little bit undersized guy in there,” Hout said. “If you sparsely ran for longer than a few yards. can play with great technique and pad level, and he’s got such good But Bobcats head coach Jeff Choate isn’t worried. While he admitted quickness off the ball, then it’s going to cause a lot of problems for the line struggled with basic calls, they ran the same few plays so the of- guards in our league.” fense was predictable. And having to face MSU’s front seven on Satur- Marks observed minute details in his study like the indication of day and throughout practices, Choate said, will only force the offensive a running back’s alignment or the type of pass protections he’ll play line to improve. against. At end, he mostly faced offensive tackles while rushing the “I think that chemistry is obviously a huge thing,” MSU running passer. Now at D-tackle, he knows to watch out for the center in case back Logan Jones said. “If you want to be a winning team, you have to he’s double teamed or if he can just make a move on a guard. have that chemistry. If you have good chemistry, you’ll go out and play At end, he mostly could only rush the outside lanes, which makes for each other and that’s part of our culture is to love each other.” countermoves simple for blockers. Now, he can shoot the inside or out- The line did show moments of promise on Saturday. Isaiah Ifanse side gaps and use either side to force linemen to guess where he’s going. punched in a 1-yard touchdown on a fourth down after the offense For MSU’s season opener, he observed Texas Tech’s guards to know pushed the defensive line off the line of scrimmage, prompting Wood to how they punch their hands out when they block, how they set up in emerge from the pile and pump his fi st. Later in the game, Ifanse hesi- pass protection and how they move their feet. tated at the line on a rush attempt, but the Bobcats blocked well enough to give Ifanse time until he fi nally found a hole and rushed for 6 yards. diving into it a lot more.” “I think our offensive line is defi nitely headed in the right direction,” The quarterback competition, as of now, comprises Rovig, redshirt Bobcats wide receiver Travis Jonsen said “I saw good things all of freshmen Casey Bauman and Ruben Beltran, and junior-to-be Chris spring ball, but I think this upcoming summer, as a whole unit, even as a Murray, who was academically disqualifi ed last year but is practicing defense, we have to come together.” with the team on weekends while working to shore up his eligibility. And Redd said Brian Armstrong, who went from MSU’s offensive Murray is the wild card in all this. If he’s good to go in the fall, Mur- coordinator to just the tight ends coach and now is the Bobcats offensive ray will bring two years of starting experience back to the team, not to line coach, has helped the linemen develop chemistry. Armstrong hasn’t mention 4,359 yards of offense and 43 total career touchdowns. coached the O-line much differently, Redd said, and most of them were And Andersen, as coach Jeff Choate has said, will always have some recruited by Armstrong so they trust him already. kind of role in the offense. So even with a new coach, trust won’t be the issue for MSU’s offen- Unsurprisingly, Rovig anticipates the competition will carry into fall sive line. camp. “Our team is starting to get older and more experienced,” Redd said. “It’s honestly been really fun,” Rovig said. “The thing that’s really “Everyone’s played so they all have the trust in each other and experi- cool about it, I thought last year I had a really good friendship and rela- ence so I think everything is jelling really well together.” tionship with all the guys that were in it and this year it’s even better. “Everyone in the QB room wants to see the other guy succeed. So we’re all pushing each other, and if we ever see anything that can be fi xed or altered, we’ll speak up. But it’s a really healthy competition.” TUCKER ROVIG Inclement weather has wreaked havoc on Montana State’s spring WITH ANOTHER CHANCE AT QB JOB, MON- schedule — at least early — and Choate said he and his offensive staff haven’t been able to truly evaluate the quarterbacks. TANA STATE’S TUCKER ROVIG TAKES STOCK Choate said the competition is open and that no leader has emerged, IN SPRING PREPARATION though he’s appreciated Rovig’s resolve after what was a convoluted 2018 season. by GREG RACHAC, 406mtsports.com “When you talk about the decision to put Troy in that role a year ago, April 2, 2019 that had so much more to do with how his teammates felt about him than it did his ability to throw the football,” Choate said. “It was about BOZEMAN — By his own admission, Tucker Rovig let a big opportu- when he walked in the huddle, who were they going to trust? That kind nity slip through his grasp last year. of intangible quality that quarterbacks, if they have it, you’re going to With the chance to gain a leg up in Montana State’s quarterback com- win with them. That’s what I’m looking for. petition, Rovig instead struggled during the spring, lost his confi dence “Troy was going to play a bunch and he was going to take snaps at and ended up in a backup role as the Bobcats went with the avant-garde quarterback, but I think we were ready to have Tucker do some more yet multitalented Troy Andersen under center. traditional-type quarterback stuff on a more consistent basis, and unfor- A year older and wiser — and with Andersen projected to play tunately he had an injury. more regularly at linebacker this season — Rovig has a repeat shot at “I think (Rovig’s) hungry. He defi nitely prepares well and is a guy becoming MSU’s starter, and he’s taking a businesslike approach as the that provides good leadership and is getting more comfortable in that Bobcats continue to work through spring drills. role.” “You just have to stay positive. It’s never as good as you think it is and it’s never as bad as you think it is,” Rovig said during a recent in- terview with 406mtsports.com. “I defi nitely feel like I’m having a better spring than last year. I’m just looking to continue to improve. JASON SCREMPOS “Honestly, for me, the approach is kind of piggybacking off what happened in the fall. I had a lot of confi dence in myself last fall, and I’m SCREMPOS COULD MAKE IMMEDIATE IM- just trying to keep that confi dence throughout spring ball and carry that PACT WITH BOBCATS into next season.” While Andersen was limited due to a hand injury, Rovig made two by COLTON POOL, Bozeman Chronicle starts last season with varying results: A 42-14 loss at FCS power South August 3, 2019 Dakota State on Sept. 8 in which he threw for 164 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions; and a 47-24 victory over Wagner the following BOZEMAN — Jason Scrempos knew what he wanted. week in which he had 310 yards and three TDs with no picks. The defensive nose tackle grew up in Milpitas, California, in the San But the Bobcats went back with Andersen at QB in a Week 4 win at Jose area. The fi rst college to recruit him, offer him and that he visited Portland State and Rovig was eventually lost for the year in October was Washington. But he didn’t make the impact he desired with the when he tore a ligament in his left foot during practice and underwent Huskies, so he transferred to Montana State. season-ending surgery. Scrempos had never been to Bozeman. On his drive from Seattle, You may have seen Rovig warming up before games despite the he had only a vague idea of what it all would be like. Still, he knew injury, darting around on his knee scooter, throwing to receivers. Mean- coaches and players who thrived at MSU. And that’s what he wanted, a while it was Andersen, on the strength of 1,412 rushing yards and 24 place to thrive. total touchdowns, who went on to guide MSU to its fi rst playoff berth in Scrempos, a graduate student, has shown in the fi rst two days of fall four years. camp he can make an immediate impact on the Bobcats’ defensive line, As spring ball grinds on, the 6-foot-5, 205-pound Rovig, a redshirt a position previously in need of depth. sophomore in 2019, says he’s back to health and has been a full partici- “I just wanted to be a part of a winning team instead of that guy pant in all football activities. that is on the side,” Scrempos said. “I wanted to be a part of a winning “I’m back, I feel 100 percent, but the foot’s still lingering every once culture and make a difference. I didn’t think I was going to get that op- in a while,” said Rovig, who hails from Meridian, Idaho. “One of the portunity at Washington my fi nal year, so I thought this was going to be main things I’m trying to focus on is just trying to get my feet faster. a great chance.” Just having quicker feet. That will help me throw the ball. At 6-foot-6, 299 pounds, he towers over everyone on the team. Dur- “Quicker feet, confi dence, understanding the playbook and really ing one-on-one sessions, his shoulder went over a teammate’s helmet as he cruised by him. In drills emphasizing low position, he rarely was lower than anyone. The Bobcats return all but one key offensive line contributor, and But that didn’t matter. He was so big and strong he moved 260-pound Sessions has ascended into the top tier of players in the position group linemen off the line quickly. And for his size, Scrempos shuffl ed his feet as he’s rotated in and out of practicing among the starters through two as rapidly as anyone else on the defensive line. practices. He’s joined the starters at left guard this week, and his ability Bobcats head coach Jeff Choate immediately recognized that to play both guard and tackle provides more chances to crack the lineup. “twitch” having coached Washington’s defensive line in Scrempos’ fi rst As he battles for a starting spot, Sessions is far from the player he was a season there in 2015. few years ago. Scrempos was attracted to the Bobcats because of his comfort level Instead of wondering when he’ll reach starting status, it’s now within with the program. He knew Choate and MSU defensive coordinator reach. Instead of looking up to older players, he’s one others now look Kane Ioane, who was a Huskies quality control analyst until this season. up to. Instead of dreading extra workouts, he’s learned to love them. Bryce Sterk, another Huskies transfer who made an immediate impact “He’s just changed how he approaches everything,” MSU head coach in his fi rst season at MSU with a Big Sky second-best 8.5 sacks last Jeff Choate said. “Guys come into college, and they got distractions. ... season, was Scrempos’ roommate at Washington their fi rst season in Now that he’s a little bit more mature and has had a chance to grow into college. He had already played alongside Amandre Williams, who will the program, he’s really developed into a pretty good leader for us.” also play in his fi rst season with the Bobcats but appeared ready to make Early in Sessions’ career, Yates forced him to tag along for workouts an immediate impact at buck during spring practices. on their own. During the break between semesters, they lifted every day MSU’s and Washington’s defensive schemes are also similar, thus together in the Colstrip High School weight room. Though the regimen Scrempos feels he can pick concepts up quickly. For the Bobcats, they was tough — Sessions called Yates “a workhorse” — he began to em- graduated stalwarts Tucker Yates, Tyrone Fa’anono and Zach Wright, brace it. He experienced a crucial turning point in his career that keyed who were each all-conference at some point in their careers. And after his development. North Dakota State commonly pushed the Bobcats off the line with After Yates fi nished his senior season in December, Sessions realized ease during MSU’s second-round playoff exit, Choate was happy to say he was older than most of his teammates. His role changed from an Scrempos and defensive lineman Chase Benson, who’s now about 285 up-and-comer adjusting to college football to a veteran competing for a pounds, provide MSU size at the position. starting spot. As others shifted their perspective of him, Sessions shifted Scrempos has played with the starters during fall camp, something he his too. didn’t do often with the Huskies. He played in eight games last season “I’m not nervous or scared anymore,” Sessions said. but recorded only one tackle. In his college career, he’s backed up NFL The 6-foot-5, 295-pound Sessions added run blocking is his strength fi rst-round draft picks Danny Shelton and Vita Vea as well as Greg as he likes to hit opponents. Gaines (fourth round) and Elijah Qualls (sixth round). Now at MSU, Keep up with the Bobcats with the Blue and Gold blog on Facebook! though, he can shine. By playing both guard and tackle, he has a better grasp on the offense “If he’s as physical as he is big, I’m really excited for him,” Sterk overall and what his teammates who line up next to him are assigned to said. “When I saw him, I thought that would be immediate depth at that do. So as he’s developed on the physical side by learning from Yates, position, which is good. … The defensive line has defi nitely embraced he’s developed mentally too. him.” The second turning point came this spring as former offensive Defensive lineman Derek Marks, his wife, Williams and his girl- coordinator Brian Armstrong returned to coaching the offensive line. friend drove to Seattle and met Scrempos for dinner in May. Marks, Armstrong worked with the position group in 2016, Sessions’ fi rst year a team captain, said Scrempos was relatable and fi t in with the team in the program. immediately. “I feel like he kind of gave me a chance. He’s helped me along (and) He also fi gures Scrempos’ play will stand out just as fast. develop as a player. This last spring, it started to kind of click a little “He’s bought into what Montana State is about and into the pro- more too,” Sessions said. “It was kind of that second step, it was like gram,” Marks said. “He wants to be here. He wants to compete. He ‘OK, I think I can defi nitely do this.’” wants to win with us.” When Sessions’ performance in the weight room improved, he wasn’t sure it would translate onto the fi eld. Then he started playing better and better during the spring. He went from playing well one day and wondering if he was lucky to building a self-belief he could match his JAKE SESSIONS best teammates. Those positive days turned into weeks, and the doubt SESSIONS EMERGING IN THE MONTANA Sessions once possessed slipped away. “Sessions has always been a big body. Good teammate — great STATE OFFENSIVE LINE MIX teammate. Everyone loves Sessions,” offensive guard Lewis Kidd said. “He’s always had a good attitude, and now he’s fi nally getting his shot, by PAUL SCHWEDELSON, Bozeman Chronicle putting in the stuff that he needs to on fi lm.” August 3, 2019 As fall camp continues, Sessions understands he still has more to accomplish. He wants to improve his technique, continue studying the BOZEMAN — Jake Sessions looks back on the past three seasons, and playbook and steadily progress. That’s what’s already worked thus far. it all feels like a blur. “I’m defi nitely not there yet. There’s a lot of good players on the As he maneuvers his fourth fall camp as a redshirt junior, he’s fi nally O-line, and we’ll see how it all shakes out at the end of fall camp,” Ses- in the mix for playing time along the offensive line. And it’s a position sions said. “It feels good just to be a part of it, (to) be competing for a he wasn’t sure he was ever going to be in. spot.” Coming from Colstrip, he initially faced what he said “every fresh- man goes through.” He wasn’t familiar with his new teammates, didn’t know the playbook and questioned whether he could realistically com- pete for playing time. But then defensive lineman Tucker Yates, an older Montana State player from Colstrip, mentored Sessions and helped him through those challenging days early in Sessions’ career. “He just taught me that regardless of where you come from or what you come in with,” Sessions said, “you can work your way into some- thing.” Stadium, where the Bobcats will be under the gun against what fi gures DAMIEN WASHINGTON to be a fast and furious Red Raiders offense. Washington and the rest of MR. RELIABLE: Veteran CB Damien Washington MSU’s defensive backfi eld will have their hands full. Hungry for ‘Last Shot’ with Montana State In their previous stop together at Utah State, Texas Tech head coach Matt Wells and offensive coordinator David Yost were the architects of one of the nation’s best offenses, one that frequently produced 50-point by GREAG RACHAC, 406mtsports.com games and 500-yard outings. August 27, 2019 It’s diffi cult to know for sure how it will all mesh for Wells and Yost BOZEMAN — BOZEMAN — It was late in a game at Sacramento in their fi rst game at a new program and with different personnel, but State on Oct. 1, 2016, and Montana State cornerback Damien Washing- the Bobcats are anticipating a balanced, big-play attack. ton was in position to make a game-saving play. “They pose a big challenge. A very up-tempo offense. The receivers The Bobcats were clinging to a four-point lead, trying to hang on for are very athletic, long, quick, fast. Quarterback has a very good arm. their fi rst Big Sky Conference victory under new head coach Jeff Cho- O-line is good,” Washington said. “They just have a very solid team and ate. they’re going to do well in their conference. On fi rst down at midfi eld, Sac State quarterback Nate Kettering- “It’s a big challenge for us, but it gives us a chance to show up and ham fl ung a pass toward the far sideline, where Washington, then a see what kind of team we are. To really show up and go out there and true freshman, was waiting. But a would-be interception slipped right earn our respect, play our hearts out and see what happens at the end of through Washington’s hands and an opportunity was lost. the day.” Six plays later the Hornets scored the go-ahead touchdown with just 15 seconds left. Final score: Sacramento State 41, Montana State 38. “It would have sealed the game right there,” Washington recalled during a recent interview. “That’s the play I look back on to this day. It doesn’t leave my mind. I won’t forget that one. “That was a big one for me. That one hurt.” AMANDRE WILLIAMS Now a senior, Washington is set to begin his fi nal season when the WASHINGTON TRANSFER’S VERSATILITY Bobcats play FBS Texas Tech on Saturday in Lubbock, Texas. He’s come a long way from that night in Sacramento, having built a reputa- WELCOME ADDITION TO BOBCATS tion as one of the team’s most steady and reliable defensive players. Washington enters his senior year still in search of his fi rst intercep- by COLTON POOL, Bozeman Chronicle tion but has otherwise been solid in coverage with nine career pass April 5, 2019 breakups. He takes pride in being in the right spots and the right time. BOZEMAN — Amandre Williams knew it would be cold if he moved “You can count on him to do his job,” senior safety Brayden Konkol to Bozeman. He grew up in Washington, has family in Wyoming and said. “You know he’s not going to blow a coverage or miss a workout or had driven through Montana before he even took his visit to Montana miss a meeting. He’s just a good dude and he does his job.” State in November. As an elder statesman among the cornerback group — which will That was before temperatures reached below zero this winter. By (primarily) be made up of junior Tyrel Thomas, sophomore Ty’Rhae then, Williams had already committed to transfer to the Bobcats from Gibson and redshirt freshman Level Price against Texas Tech — Wash- the University of Washington. ington relies on his football intelligence to make up for whatever limita- “But no regrets,” Williams said with a laugh. “Defi nitely no regrets.” tions he may have. Williams already feels he’s made the right choice in transferring to Konkol says Washington could play safety if he had to, simply be- MSU, and he could be yet another defensive weapon for the Bobcats. cause he understands the position and the scheme so well. Though he’s still learning the defensive schemes, the Sonny Holland Choate, now in his fourth year, admits that Washington might never Classic at 2 p.m. Saturday at Bobcat Stadium could offer a glimpse into be the kind of man-to-man corner you can leave on an island, but his how Williams will fi t in at MSU with a new defensive coordinator and ability to disguise coverage and read the quarterback are his best traits. multiple standout defensive linemen graduated. “That’s been his strength as a player, his football intelligence,” Cho- “Amandre can do a lot of things. He can play box linebacker, he can ate said. “He’s got a lot of moxie, a lot of savvy.” play on the edge,” Bobcats head coach Jeff Choate said. “He’s just a tre- Washington’s journey to MSU is unique because he had verbally mendous football player, and I think he maybe got lost in the shuffl e a committed to the team during his senior season at Charter Oak High little bit at UW because he was a jack of all trades but master of none.” School in Covina, California, while Rob Ash was still the Bobcats’ head No matter where Williams plays, he may not play the same position coach. Washington’s primary recruiter at the time was assistant coach through an entire game. Michael Pitre. At 6-foot-3, 248 pounds, MSU fi rst listed him as an outside line- When Choate was named Ash’s successor in December of 2015, backer, a position he played with the Huskies. But Williams has been Washington remained faithful to MSU. Part of it had to do with the fact working with the defensive linemen and position coach Byron Hout. that Pitre was retained on Choate’s fi rst staff as running backs coach, He feels most comfortable at defensive end where he was an all-league but part of it also had to do with a sense of loyalty. selection at Tahoma High out of Maple Valley, Washington. While he “I just stuck with it. I’m kind of a commitment guy,” he said. “I’m played less defensive line with the Huskies, coaches told Williams that’s not one of those guys who says I’ll do something and then not do it. I where he would play most with the Bobcats. trusted my gut. It worked out great for me.” “He’s versatile for sure,” MSU linebacker Michael Jobman said. “I The Bobcats have been blessed with Washington’s ability to lead by think he can play at a lot of positions and is defi nitely a very good addi- example — and with one of the most infectious smiles on the team — tion to the team. We’re very excited to have him.” ever since. Williams also threw for 3,235 yards and 29 touchdowns at quarter- Time has fl own by for Washington, and he carries a sense of urgency back as a senior in high school and played tight end before shifting to for his fi nal season at MSU. QB. Choate said Williams could play a role in MSU’s special teams and “Last year I felt like I had a really solid year, started a lot of games offense, and either tight end or fullback would be the most likely spots and played a lot of football,” he said. “This year is my last shot. I’m for him to do so considering his size and athleticism. ready to just give it all I’ve got for my last go-round.” “We got some stuff in the works,” Williams said with a smile. “We’re It begins Saturday against the Big 12’s Texas Tech at Jones AT&T just trying different things, just seeing how they fi t. I would like to be on the fi eld as much as possible. I just love football. I just want to play.” “They’re different players. Amandre is probably more versatile than After redshirting in 2016, Williams totaled 13 tackles the following Bryce,” explained Choate, who is entering his fourth season as coach at two seasons. When asked about Williams’ departure, Washington head MSU. “I think Bryce can do some things; he’s a very good pass-rusher coach Chris Petersen, who Choate worked under at both UW and Boise on the edge. He was a very timely player for us. State, said “some guys need more playing time than they’re getting.” “He will be pushed — all the time — by Amandre. Amandre can do Williams said “a bunch of little factors” led to his transfer from a lot of things. He’s just a tremendous football player. I think he maybe Washington. One of those was the graduation of his older brother, De- got lost in the shuffl e a little bit at (Washington) because he was one of Shon, who played tight end for the Huskies. these guys who’s a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none. And when Williams considered MSU because Choate had recruited him out we were talking about him coming here, I’m like, ‘OK, this is what of high school before leaving his position coaching linebackers at UW we’re going to let you do. Let’s go do it.’ to take over at MSU. Williams still wanted to play for Choate and he “Now, (he’s) going to do this, this and this for us maybe in the kick- “liked everything about” the Bobcats when he further considered com- ing game or other places. You’ll see, he will have a role in our offense. ing to Bozeman. Amandre will. And so I think it will be fun to watch him. Clearly, if he “Everybody accepted me right away,” Williams said. “I felt wel- has the type of impact that Bryce did a year ago, we should be better on come.” third down.” When Williams fi rst considered transferring, he contacted MSU buck MSU ranked fourth in the Big Sky in total defense last year but Bryce Sterk, who Williams had played with at Washington. In his fi rst struggled to get off the fi eld consistently on third down as opponents season with the Bobcats after transferring, Sterk recorded the second- moved the chains nearly 42 percent of the time in those situations. most sacks and tackles for loss in the Big Sky. “Everything’s very detailed,” Williams said. “The coaches are very But Choate said Williams is more versatile than Sterk and may also detailed in what they do and the players love to play football. It’s cool push Sterk for playing time at buck. At defensive end, Williams’ pass to be around, and it’s going really well right now.” rushing could better help the Bobcats lower opponents’ 41.8 percent Choate originally recruited Williams to Washington when Choate conversion rate on third down from a season ago which ranked 10th in was an assistant coach there in 2015. Coming out of Tahoma High the conference. School south of Seattle in Maple Valley, Washington, Williams was a bit Williams said he still has to attain a better grasp of MSU’s defensive of an anomaly. schemes, comparing it to being a freshman again. But that shouldn’t be He was an all-league quarterback, throwing for more than 3,200 too diffi cult considering Choate and new defensive coordinator Kane yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior, but he also starred on the defen- Ioane, who took his job after being a defensive quality control analyst sive line, and the Huskies had him positioned as a defensive end/line- at Washington, both are implementing elements they learned with the backer hybrid. Huskies which Williams should be familiar with. Williams made seven tackles in seven games as a sophomore last “It’s a learning period and an acclimation period,” Williams said. year, and saw some snaps as a redshirt freshman in 2017. But as time “I’m just continuing to learn the defense and getting to know the guys wore on Williams began to look at other options. and coaches, but it’s going really well so far.” “The three years I was at Washington, I loved my teammates and I had a good time. It was just time for me to move on,” he said. “It just wasn’t the right fi t anymore.” MONTANA STATE HOPES LIGHTNING “There were different factors,” Williams said. “Obviously everybody wants to play as much as they can, but that can’t be the only factor. STRIKES TWICE WITH NEWEST WASHING- There were other things that went into it. A lot of little things. TON TRANSFER AMANDRE WILLIAMS “I committed to Washington to play for coach Choate and I’ve known him for a long time. And he was the reason why I wanted to by COLTON POOL, Bozeman Chronicle come play here. We have a good relationship and that relationship is March 30, 2019 going to continue to build, but he’s a great guy and I love the dude and I love playing for him.” BOZEMAN — Amandre Williams joined the Montana State football Williams describes himself as a physical player with a high football program for one reason: To make plays on defense. IQ who pays close attention to the technical aspects of his game. A junior transfer from the University of Washington, Williams says And he says he’s familiar with the defense the Bobcats are imple- he’s still in learning mode as MSU continues to pick its way through menting because it’s virtually the same as what they’ve done in recent spring football drills and fi ne-tune its schemes under new defensive years at Washington, which is where Ioane spent the past two seasons as coordinator Kane Ioane. a quality control analyst for coach Chris Petersen. But the 6-foot-2, 225-pound edge defender has his goals in place, Ioane, a former standout athlete at Billings Skyview and a member of which includes helping the Bobcats rise to another level on the defen- the Montana State hall of fame from his days as an All-America safety, sive side of the ball. is putting his own stamp on that blueprint as the Bobcats look to grow “That’s why I wanted to come here, to get after the quarterback,” from an eight-win playoff season in 2018. Williams said during a recent interview. “He’s taking it by storm right now,” Williams said of Ioane. “We “It’s not really my thought process to go out and say I want this many had a good relationship at Washington, so I did know him there. He’s a sacks or this many tackles for loss. I just want to put my team in the best calm, collected guy, so it’s a little different, that coaching style. But he possible position to win games. That’s what I’m going to do. I’m going has high standards for the defense. to do my job. Of course I would love to have success, but individual “I’m excited to play for him and the guys are excited to play for him. success isn’t as important to me as team success.” He’s very detailed like every coach is here.” Williams, who will wear jersey No. 89, is following in the footsteps Williams added: “Expectations raise every year, especially when you of another Washington transfer, Bobcats rush end Bryce Sterk. make the playoffs. Every year you want to build from the season before, Sterk dropped down to Montana State before last season and proved and I know coming in here that their standards are set pretty high right to be a terror as a rush end, racking up 8½ sacks and 17 tackles for loss, now. We’re going to go out and meet those standards.” both of which ranked second in the Big Sky Conference. And he unmis- takably made key plays at key moments. Bobcats coach Jeff Choate has high hopes for Williams, just as he did for Sterk, who will be a senior in 2019. Can lightning strike twice?