All Eyes on the Cats: Season Kicks Off August 24 on the Road

After a disappointing second-round loss to North Dakota State University, Montana State is looking to bounce back in a big way in 2024. Despite last year’s 8-4 record, the FCS Coaches Poll still has the Cats ranked at #4 heading into this season.

The Cats’ offense ranked #3 in FCS schools last year, boasting 5664 yards on 719 plays, for an average of 7.8 yards per play. They managed to score 65 touchdowns and went 10-19 from range for a total of 479 points. They also had a top-10 offensive line, allowing only 11 sacks for a total of 70 yards (6.4 per).

2nd Team All-Big Sky QB Tommy Mellott started all nine of his games played last season, and ranked #95 in the nation in passing yards. Throwing for 1,064 yards on 73-113 passing (62.39%) with 10 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, as well as adding to the ground game with 690 yards on 85 carries with 5 touchdowns. Injuries have been a concern for Tommy in the past, only playing in 9 of the Cats’ 12 last year, and with the departure of Sean Chambers his health will be vital to the Cats’ success this season.

Montana State was the #2 rushing team in the nation last year, and with an offensive line led by Marcus Wehr and a trio of seniors, the Cats will be looking to replicate that success this year.

On 480 attempts the Cats gained 3492 yards, with Julius Davis leading the way with 718 himself. With turnover expected to thin out the line in the upcoming years, and a lack of depth, the offensive line will be the X factor for the Cats’ offense this year.

The Cats’ defense will look to make strides forward this year after ending the season with the 31st defense in the FCS, with multiple Big Sky teams ahead of them. Brody Grebe and Blake Schmidt will lead from the trenches, hoping to shorten the 4-yard average their opponents earned on the ground last year.

With the lockdown defense of Simeon Woodard in the secondary, Grebe and Schmidt will be looking to replicate their defensive performance from last year, leading them to the #1 sacking team in FCS.

Montana State kickoffs their season on August 24th in New Mexico against the Lobos, where Montana State is currently (at the time of writing) a -9 road favorite. Following that they’ll be in Utah before their first home game of the season on September 7th against Maine.

The Cats’ have a real chance to do something big this year, and show the nation that they’re still #1 in the Big Sky.