BIG SANDY — Ron and Gay Pearson might not be household names, but just about everyone in Montana knows who they are.

“We’ll be walking like, say, in the store in Great Falls and somebody will call, ‘There’s the melon man!’ or the melon lady,” said Gay, co-owner of Pearson’s Big Sandy Cantaloupe.

Tim McGonigal reports – watch the video:

Montana Ag Network: Big Sandy couple has sweet success with cantaloupe farm

For more than 30 years, Pearson’s Big Sandy Cantaloupes have been a hit at grocery stores and farmers markets across Montana.

“We took them to Winifred and Big Sandy grocery first, and they just absolutely loved the cantaloupe. They couldn’t get enough of it,” Gay said.

But the work to grow the melons was painstaking.

“We hand planted them, we hand rolled the mulch. Everything was done by hand. The watering was done by hand, all of it,” Gay said.

Things got a little easier when they took advantage of a ready-made labor force.

“But, our two sons were pretty big guys. And then our third son came along and our daughter, and they all helped with it,” Gay said.

Gay grew up on this farm. She remembers a time when it almost was lost.

“One time they were going to put, the dam across down here, and I was probably three years old, and I was heartbroken because it would cover our whole area and our ranch would be gone,” Gay said.

The only thing sweeter than the fruit might be the chance to be with family.

“There’s nothing better than that. And I mean, it’s just, you know, and it’s just, actually, there’s four generations of us now that are involved in the cantaloupe. And, how often does that happen?” said Ron.

Montana might not be considered a melon growing mecca, but the Pearsons have found their piece of produce paradise thanks to fertile soil combined with excellent conditions.

“And it’s hot down here. The evenings. The nights don’t really get cold. They stay warm. So the melons just keep growing,” Gay said.

Gay Pearson said the way they water the melons also makes a difference.

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“We run through a ditch to water them. And then they go through black plastic pipes. So the water is very warm when it goes on to the plants. So they don’t have the shock of cold, you know. And I think that makes a huge difference on them,” Gay said.

The Pearsons also raise cattle and quarter horses, and they grow grain. But from the end of May until the first hard frost, it’s all about the cantaloupe, which they hand-pick starting in mid-August.

“Usually in a pickup there can be, I don’t know, 800 to 1,600 pounds. On the most given, markets that we’re leaving on Friday night, we have three pickup loads,” Gay said.

From curious deer to pesky grasshoppers to the unpredictability of mother nature, the cantaloupe business has challenges. But for the Pearsons, getting to work with family is something they not only cherish, it’s something they’d like to continue.

“I’m hoping that, one of our kids or grandkids will really get involved in this, and, just keep it going. I hope it does. You know, I’m 70, so it’s not going to last forever for me,” Ron said.

Working with family, getting recognized by just about everyone, the Pearsons are enjoying the fruits of their labor.

“You know, it seems like there’s not too many places that we don’t go that somebody doesn’t recognize us, so it’s pretty cool,” Ron Pearson said.

Ranking the top 50 quarterbacks in NFL history…

2. Joe Montana

Drafted in the third round (82nd overall) by the San Francisco 49ers in 1979 out of Notre Dame, Joe Montana didn’t start full-time until 1980 but soon epitomized clutch performance in the West Coast offense.

Over 14 seasons with the 49ers, Montana led the team to four Super Bowl victories (XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV), earning MVP in three (1981, 1984, 1989). His legendary “The Catch” to Dwight Clark in the 1981 NFC Championship propelled them to their first title.

Montana won AP MVP twice (1989, 1990), was Offensive Player of the Year in 1989 and earned eight Pro Bowl nods with three first-team All-Pro selections. He led the league in completion percentage five times (1980, 1981, 1985, 1987, 1989) and passer rating twice (1987, 1989), posting a perfect 4-0 Super Bowl record with zero interceptions and a 127.8 rating—still the highest ever.

Traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 1993 after an elbow injury sidelined him in 1991-92, Montana led them to the AFC Championship in 1993, earning another Pro Bowl before retiring in 1994.

Montana’s career totals include 40,551 passing yards and 273 touchdowns across 192 games, with a 63.2 percent completion rate. He ranks high in all-time efficiency metrics and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.

Montana’s standout attributes were his composure under pressure, earning the nickname “Joe Cool,” and his mobility to extend plays with accurate throws on the move.

While his arm strength was average and injuries cut his prime short, his risk-averse approach minimized turnovers and maximized teammates like Jerry Rice and Roger Craig.

But who ranks ahead of Montana at No. 1 all-time?

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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