Montana

Football: Montana State Recap

Published

6 months ago

August 30, 2025

After a long off-season of anticipation Football season has finally arrived! To kickoff the season the Ducks took on the Bobcats from Montana State. Montana State is an FCS powerhouse,

Oregon got the ball to start the game and Dante Moore got the call to lead the offence as many expected. The first play of the game the offensive line got a great push and Noah Whittington hit an explosive run to get the Ducks offense moving early.

The Ducks continued to pound the ball at Montana State on the ground putting the new look offensive line to the test and early on the running game was operating clinically with 5 successful runs. Jayden Limar would cap of the drive with a 16 yard rush he would bounce to the outside to get into the endzone.

Montana State’s first drive would get started at their own 21 yard line and it was time to see the much anticipated Duck defense. Montana State came out and threw the ball on their first two plays which was a surprise to me, but the Ducks were ready and were able to force a 3 and out after a big run stuff on 3rd down.

On the ensuing punt the special teams even got into the action getting a hand on the ball to partially block the kick and set-up the Ducks 2nd drive with great field position.

True freshmen Dakorien Moore got his first collegiate touch of the ball on a jet sweep and once again the Ducks offence was rolling. Dante Moore would flip a short pass to Kenyon Sadiq on the outside for what appeared to be a chain moving efficiency play, but Sadiq decided to take things into his own hands by using his strength to shed off a small Bobcat DB and sprint to the end-zone to give the Ducks a very early 14-0 lead.

The Ducks defense picked up right were they left off on their first drive as well, forcing another Montana State 3 and out.

And just like their first opportunity the punt return team could not be contained. Jeremiah Mcclellan got in to fully block the punt and set the Ducks offence up goal to go.

The Montana State defense was able to get its first stop of the game though and force Oregon to settle for a field goal attempt which Atticus Sappington was able to easily put through the uprights to extend the Ducks lead.

Emmanuel Pregnon did have a Bobcat player land on him awkwardly on the 3rd down play and needed to be evaluated in the locker room. He was walking on his own and did return to the sideline with his helmet on.

After the Bobcats were able to move the ball into Oregon territory with a couple of passes to Taco Dowler the Ducks were able to stop the Bobcats on the ground 3 straight times to make a big stop and turn the Bobcats over on downs.

Dante Moore was able to hit Malik Benson over the middle for a chunk yardage play to get the Ducks 4th drive started.

The Offence continued methodically moving the ball down the field until true freshmen Jordan Davison was called upon to convert on 4th and 1 and then punch the ball into the end zone.

The Duck defense continued to stonewall the Bobcats, forcing their 3rd 3 and out on the Bobcats 4th drive of the day.

Dante Moore would lead the Ducks on another efficient drive taking what the defense was giving him and matriculating the ball down the field. When you can get the ball to athletes like Kenyon Sadiq and Dakorien Moore that are more than happy to jump over defenders if needed usually that will lead to good things.

Noah Whittington was able to punch the ball into the Endzone to make it a 31-0 game.

The Bobcats were able to string a couple of first downs together on their 5th drive of the game, again finding ways to get the ball to Taco Dowler. With Montana State at the Oregon 23 yard line Matayo Uiagalelei stepped up to pick up his first sack of the season and get the Bobcats behind the chains.

Oregon would get the stop and force the Bobcats to settle for a Field Goal attempt which the Bobcats kicker put through the uprights to get Montana State on the board. But the Duck offence had time for it’s first one minute drill of the season.

Dante Moore operated it like an absolute pro going 4/5 on the Drive and capping it off with a passing touchdown to Malik Benson with 3 seconds left on the clock.

That would take the game into halftime with the Ducks up 38-3 and in full control of the game. Every phase of the team was operating just as you would want to start the season. Oregon wasn’t taking any deep shots in the passing game to really show off Dante Moore’s ability to hit some rail shots but I was happily impressed with his ability to operate Stein’s offence and take what the Bobcat defense was giving him. When you score a TD on 5 of the 6 first half possessions I think it is safe to say the QB is having a good day.

What really stood out to me was the depth of Oregon’s skill talent. 4 different RB’s had carries and that didn’t even include Makhi Hughes which was shocking to me. 7 different pass catchers had a reception showing that this might be the year Oregon deploys a deep rotation of receivers.

Meanwhile the defense had an excellent first half as well forcing a 3 and out on 3 of the 5 first half drives and keeping Montana State out of the end-zone

Montana State got the ball to start the 2nd half and put a nice drive together into Oregon territory. Once again thanks to Taco Dowler who at this point in the game was giving me some Cooper Kupp vibes. Once again though the Ducks defense would hold and force Montana State to kick a 41 yard field goal to make it a 38-6 game.

Montana State had forced Oregon into a 3rd and long looking to force their first punt of the day. But as Jake Butt eluded to on the broadcast Dante Moore was able to get the Bobcat defense to show their hand, promptly make a check, and then find a wide-open Jay Harris out of the backfield to move the Ducks into the red zone. The very next play Gary Bryant Jr. would break a tackle on a screen pass and trot into the end-zone for Oregon’s 6th TD of the game.

After Montana State picked up a first down Oregon had forced them into a 3rd and long where they were attempting to set-up a screen. A mis-communication happened though and Lamson was forced to hang on to the ball and Matayo was able to pick up his second sack of the game.

The Ducks 2nd drive of the half saw Austin Novosad get into the game to get some valuable reps in case he is needed to be called upon at some point this season. And after his first pass slipped out of his hand he was able to hit a deep shot down the sideline to Kyler Kasper to set up first and goal. Jordan Davison was able to to punch it in on the next play for his 2nd TD of the game.

That essentially ended the 3rd quarter and the Big Ten Network gave us our first glimpse of Shout for the 2025 season. Duck fans are in mid-season form.

Now it was time for some young players to get in on defense and freshmen Nasir Wyatt was able to pick up his first career sack to end the Bobcats ensuing drive.

Luke Moga entered the game at QB on the next drive. He immediately showed off his patented speed with a read option keep for 28 yards. The Ducks continued picking up big chunks on the ground with younger Running Backs Da’Jaun Riggs and Dierre Hill. The Ducks did get stopped at the 1 yard line though to force a 4th and goal. Goalline specialist Jordan Davison came into the game to pick up his 3rd TD of the game for the Hat Trick.

With Oregon playing a full set of back-ups and developmental players on defense Montana State was able to march the field and score there first and only TD of the game.

Oregon would run out the clock on the ensuing possession and the first football game of the season would come to a close Oregon 59 Montana State 13

Overall it was about as great of a performance by the Ducks that fans could ask for, all phases of the team had a great day. Even though the competition will get stiffer Montana State still offered a good test for the opener and I still fully expect them to be a contender at the FCS level. Additionally not everyone in the B1G has been able to comfortably take care of weaker competition in week 1

Here are the final efficiency, and explosive rate differentials by half

1st Half

Success Rate +28% Oregon

Explosive Rate +6% Oregon

2nd Half

Success Rate +22% Oregon

Explosive Rate +17% Oregon

And the final Yards Per Play Differntial for the game +3.70 Oregon

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Evacuation orders issued as 5,000-acre wildfire burns near Roundup, Montana

Published

12 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Evacuation orders issued as 5,000-acre wildfire burns near Roundup, Montana

ROUNDUP, Mont. —
The Rehder Creek Fire is burning 16 miles southeast of Roundup has grown to about 5,000 acres, prompting evacuation orders for residents in the Bruner Mountain Area/Subdivision.

The fire started Feb. 26, the cause is unknown and containment was at 0%.

Evacuation orders are in effect for all residents in the Bruner Mountain Area/Subdivision. The Musselshell County Sheriff’s Office is coordinating the evacuation orders, and 911 reverse calls have been sent out to advise people in the area.

A shelter is opening at the Roundup Community Center. Residents were told to contact Musselshell County DES for further information.

Firefighter and public safety remain the top priority. The public is asked to avoid the Fattig Creek and Rehder Road area so emergency personnel can safely and effectively perform their work.

Fire resources assigned to the incident include 40 total personnel, 11 engines, one Type 2 helicopter, three tenders and two dozers.

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Montana

February 26 recap: Missoula and Western Montana news you may have missed today

Published

1 day ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

February 26 recap: Missoula and Western Montana news you may have missed today

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Escobar, Jayapal, Members of Congress Call on Camp East Montana to be Shut Down – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal

Published

2 days ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Escobar, Jayapal, Members of Congress Call on Camp East Montana to be Shut Down – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) – joined by Representative Pramila Jayapal, the Ranking Member of the Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee, and 22 other Members of Congress – sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons calling for the immediate closure of Camp East Montana in El Paso. They cite urgent humanitarian concerns following multiple deaths in custody, documented unsafe conditions, and serious deficiencies in medical care.

This marks the fourth letter Congresswoman Escobar has sent to DHS and ICE leadership. The previous three letters have gone unanswered.

The letter can be found in its entirety below and here.

“Secretary Noem and Acting Director Lyons:

We are urgently calling on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS or the Department) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to shut down Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas.

Camp East Montana has been operational for six months, and at least three people have died at the site since December 2025: Francisco Gaspar-Andres, Geraldo Lunas Campos, and Victor Manuel Diaz. The El Paso County Medical Examiner has officially ruled Lunas Campos’ death a homicide, citing “asphyxia due to neck and torso compression.”

Camp East Montana was constructed in a matter of weeks and opened before construction was complete and it does not have enough federal staff on-site to provide adequate oversight. Over the last several months, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, in whose district this facility is located, has sent multiple letters to DHS and ICE regarding concerns about the conditions at Camp East Montana, and has received no responses.

According to detainees, there have been constant and consistent problems at the facility since it opened, beginning with the facility’s poor construction and poor ambient temperature control. Upon opening, the drinking water at Camp East Montana tasted foul and made some detainees sick. Detainees continue to be served inadequate meals, including food that is rotten or frozen; last fall, the facility was also consistently failing to make dietary accommodations for detainees. Detainees have shared that they have sporadic access to outside spaces and recreational areas, and that their dormitory pods are cleaned only once every eight days, despite pods housing up to 72 people at a time. Laundry services are not consistent, and people are washing their clothes in the facility showers. Additionally, the facility experiences flooding and sewage backups when it rains, leading to stagnant water.

One of the biggest concerns with the Camp East Montana facility is the inadequate medical care being provided to detainees. Our offices have heard that only the most ill detainees are referred to the medical unit and that there are inconsistencies as to how soon after arriving detainees are able to undergo initial medical screenings. Detainees with chronic health issues who rely on regimented medications for their health have had difficulty accessing necessary medications, including blood pressure medication and insulin.

At least one of the deaths that occurred in ICE custody, the death of Francisco Gaspar-Andres, appears to partially be the result of poor medical care by staff at the facility. According to ICE’s own account, Gaspar-Andres sought medical attention from facility staff for increasingly serious symptoms, but was only transferred to an area hospital once his condition had severely deteriorated.

In addition to our concerns about poor medical care, we are also aware that detainees have experienced irregular access to their legal counsel, including instances of detainees having only two minutes allotted per phone call every 8 days, which is contrary to ICE’s Detention Standards on access to counsel, and that the belatedly created law library lacks adequate resources for the amount of people currently held at the facility. In January 2026, ICE announced the on-site death of Geraldo Lunas Campos “after experiencing medical distress.” ICE opened an investigation into the death, but did not provide a cause of death. However, The Washington Post later reported that another man detained at Camp East Montana had witnessed guards choking Lunas Campos when he refused to enter a segregated housing unit. Weeks later, the El Paso County Medical Examiner ruled that Lunas Campos had experienced “asphyxia due to neck and torso compression” and ruled his death a homicide.

Lunas Campos is the first detainee to die at Camp East Montana as a result of a use-of-force incident, but we are strongly concerned that he will not be the last if ICE is allowed to continue operating Camp East Montana.

ICE was given $45 billion in taxpayer dollars in the reconciliation bill, $1.2 billion of which were awarded to Acquisition Logistics, LLC, a company with no previous experience managing immigration detention facilities, to build and oversee Camp East Montana. However, in the wake of three deaths in custody so far, continued concerns about conditions at the facility, and ICE’s apparent disinterest in responding to oversight letters from Congress, we do not believe Camp East Montana is being run professionally or responsibly.

Camp East Montana must be shut down. For the safety of everyone at the facility, for an end to abuses to detainees, and for fiscal responsibility to the American people, the site cannot continue to operate. We are calling on DHS and ICE to move to immediately close operations at Camp East Montana.

We look forward to hearing from the Department promptly on this matter.

The other co-signers include Representatives Yassamin Ansari, Nanette Barragán, Yvette Clarke, Lloyd Doggett, Maxwell Frost, Jesús “Chuy” García, Sylvia Garcia, Daniel Goldman, Jimmy Gomez, Henry Johnson, Stephen Lynch, Seth Moulton, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Delia Ramirez, Andrea Salinas, Janice Schakowsky, Darren Soto, Rashida Tlaib, Paul Tonko, Lauren Underwood, Gabe Vasquez, and Nydia Velázquez.

Issues: Immigration

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