Montana
Montana Grizzlies legend Mornhinweg has family connection to Bison football program
MISSOULA, Montana — Marty Mornhinweg is a Montana Grizzlies football legend, the starting quarterback for the team that won a share of the 1982 Big Sky Conference championship.
“We got the program turned,” said Mornhinweg, a four-year starter at Montana and in the Grizzly Sports Hall of Fame.
That 1982 conference title was the team’s first in more than a decade and preceded Montana’s dominance in the 1990s and into the 2000s. Washington-Grizzly Stadium opened in 1986 soon after Mornhinweg’s playing career ended.
“My teammates and I think we built that thing,” said Mornhinweg, who played for Montana from 1981-1984 when he set double-digit passing records.
Mornhinweg — who coached in the NFL for more than 20 seasons — is now a television analyst for Montana (12-1), which hosts North Dakota State (11-3) at 3:30 p.m. (CST) Saturday, Dec. 16, on ESPN2 at the aforementioned Washington-Grizzly Stadium in the NCAA Division I FCS semifinals.
“It’s going to be an epic type of game and it will likely be decided by one, two or three plays,” said Mornhinweg, who was the Detroit Lions head coach from 2001-2002.
Mornhinweg has a family connection to NDSU. His son Bobby Cade Mornhinweg is an offensive analyst for the Bison. So that will play a role in Marty’s and his wife Lindsay’s allegiance for Saturday’s showdown. Lindsay was wearing Bison apparel at their Missoula home Friday, on the eve of the game.
“Our family is connected by steel to Montana and the football program, period, but this is blood,” Marty said. “Blood crashes through the steel in this case.”
Marty and Lindsay were at NDSU’s dramatic 35-34 overtime victory against Montana State in the second round of the playoffs in Bozeman, Montana. The two were also in Fargo for NDSU’s game against Maine during the regular season at the Fargodome.
“I suspect it will be similar to the North Dakota State-Montana State game,” Marty said of the Bison-Grizzlies tilt.
Mornhinweg said the No. 2-seeded Grizzlies have created a buzz around Missoula and the region. Montana is making its first trip to the FCS semifinals since 2011. The Grizzlies’ last national championship came in 2001.
“My viewpoint is probably a lot like most people in this area, in this region,” Marty said. “Proud of the team. They’ve got talented guys, tough guys, tough-minded guys. They went through some adversity.”
Marty said the Bison and Grizzlies had similar seasons in there were points of the regular season when both programs were doubted. Montana had 28-14 road loss against Northern Arizona on Sept. 23, the fourth game of the season.
Mornhinweg said Montana head coach Bobby Hauck and his team responded to that early-season adversity, winning nine consecutive games since.
“There was a lot of negativity and I stay away from that, but I still felt it a little bit,” Mornhinweg said. “I think Bobby Hauck and that staff has done a fabulous job because after that NAU game, that team was going to go in one of two directions.”
NDSU has won seven of eight games after a 49-24 road loss against in-state rival North Dakota on Oct. 14.
“I think both of these teams are playing at their very best down the stretch here and into the playoffs,” Marty said.
Prior to the season Marty and Lindsay talked about the potential of Montana and NDSU squaring off deep in the FCS playoffs.
“Wouldn’t it be awesome if North Dakota State and Montana met for the national championship and of course they got into the same side of the bracket so here we are in the semifinals,” Marty said.
Mornhinweg said the Grizzlies started to ascend once they settled on senior Clifton McDowell as their starting QB. The 6-foot-4, 224-pound McDowell has completed 60% (122 of 205) of his passes for 1,701 yards and 12 touchdowns with three interceptions. He’s also rushed for 734 yards and nine touchdowns on 144 attempts.
“He took the bull by the horns and ran with it,” Marty said.
Mornhinweg said how each team defends the quarterback is going to be paramount Saturday afternoon. Bison starter Cam Miller leads the FCS in completion percentage, while backup QB Cole Payton has been a big-play threat in the running game.
“Montana has got to be able to tackle both of the quarterbacks because both of them are very, very good,” Marty said.
Mornhinweg said Montana has a huge advantage with the home field and a sellout crowd of 25,000 expected. The Bison are also playing a third consecutive playoff road game.
The unseeded Bison are playing in the FCS semifinals for a 12th time since 2011. They have also won nine FCS national titles in that span.
“I think North Dakota State has an advantage in past history, they’ve won nine national championships,” Marty said. “It’s a big matchup.”
Peterson covers college athletics for The Forum, including Concordia College and Minnesota State Moorhead. He also covers the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks independent baseball team and helps out with North Dakota State football coverage. Peterson has been working at the newspaper since 1996.
Montana
Montana Lottery Lucky For Life, Big Sky Bonus results for Dec. 22, 2024
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 22, 2024, results for each game:
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 22 drawing
04-07-37-43-47, Lucky Ball: 08
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Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Dec. 22 drawing
03-12-23-27, Bonus: 06
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 9:00 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:00 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
- Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Montana Cash: 8:00 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
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Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Montana
FCS Championship Game: Montana St vs NDSU Tale of the Tape | Opta Analyst
It’s a dream matchup, with No. 1 seed Montana State considered a slight favorite over No. 2 seed North Dakota State heading into the 2024 FCS championship game. As they build off rousing semifinal-round wins, we preview what to expect when each finalist has the ball.
If it feels like Montana State and North Dakota State are standing in opposite corners staring across at each other, you have it right.
The 2024 FCS championship game is a heavyweight bout between the top two seeds from an original 24-team field that embarked on the Road to Frisco.
Come the night of the Jan. 6 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, Montana State (15-0) will have spent over two months as the FCS’ last unbeaten team. But the No. 1-seeded Bobcats’ last defeat occurred against NDSU – a 35-34 overtime thriller in the 2023 playoff second round.
The No. 2-seeded Bison (13-2) are back where most of their recent seasons have gone. They’ve already captured nine FCS championships prior to their 11th appearance in Frisco since the 2011 season – both all-time highs for the Division I subdivision.
A tale of the tape suggests a lot with this season’s FCS championship game. Maybe Michael Buffer should be brought in for pregame introductions.
When Montana State Has the Ball
Incredibly, the Bobcats have scored in 54 of their 60 quarters this season while averaging an FCS-high 41.3 points per game. They want to pound the run – plain and simple.
Coach Brent Vigen’s squad ranks No. 2 in the FCS in rushing yards per game (301.0), with their devasting attack set up by an offensive line whose five starters are all listed as being at least 6-foot-4, 300 pounds (right tackle Marcus Wehr is a two-time first-team All-American).
North Dakota State rarely surrenders 85 rushing yards to an opposing quarterback, but that’s what Tommy Mellott needs for the Bobcats to gain a third 1,000-yard rusher along with their standout running backs, the physical Scottre Humphrey (1,360 yards, 15 touchdowns) and the big-play Adam Jones (1,134, 14). Mellott has 15 career games of 100+ rushing yards, including in their last two playoff wins.
Ty McCullouch is by far Montana State’s top pass catcher over his two seasons in the program, but fellow wide receiver Taco Dowler has been the go-to target of Mellott (2,564 yards, 29 TDs to just two interceptions) during the playoffs, catching four touchdowns across the three wins.
The NDSU program has long subscribed to the concept that field goals won’t beat it, and the Bison have done well to defend their red zone, allowing touchdowns on just 57.9% of their opponents’ opportunities.
The defense, anchored by tackle Eli Mostaert, allows 119.3 rushing yards per game. The Bobcats, though, have been over 200 rushing yards in each of their playoff wins.
When North Dakota State Has the Ball
NDSU’s offense is different in coach Tim Polasek’s first season from many recent years.
Oh yes, the Bison still flex their muscle with a ground game that’s paved by a huge starting offensive line (it’s a little bigger than Montana State’s, with tackles Grey Zabel and Mason Miller as anchors).
But Bison quarterback Cam Miller, whose 44 career wins as a starter include against the Bobcats in the 2021 FCS championship game, has set career highs in most passing statistics, including completions (239), completion percentage (72.6), passing yards (3,052) and TD passes (31).
NDSU’s 225.9 overall passing yards per game mark their highest average since 2007 and are nearly 26 more per game than in any other season since then. The breakout season of wide receiver Bryce Lance (66 receptions, 964 yards, NDSU-record 16 TD catches) has contributed significantly to it happening.
Make no mistake, the Bison’s 192.7 rushing yards per game are excellent, ranking 20th out of 129 FCS teams. However, in a program that’s been ground and pound over time, it’s the lowest average since the first FCS title season in 2011.
A recent toe injury has slowed top rusher CharMar Brown (1,104 yards, 14 TDs), but Barika Kpeenu has over 1,200 yards the last two seasons and Miller’s been over 500 rushing yards in three straight seasons.
NDSU’s six turnovers are the fewest in the FCS, but Montana State’s defense is disruptive. Half of the Bobcats’ 36 sacks have come in their last five games – defensive ends Brody Grebe and Kenneth Eiden IV have a combined for 16.5 this season – and 12 different players have at least one takeaway.
And Then There’s the FCS National Awards
Montana State and North Dakota State also will see a lot of each other at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet – two nights before the FCS championship game.
Vigen will receive the Eddie Robinson Award as the FCS coach of the year and Brown will receive the Jerry Rice Award as the FCS freshman player of the year (Jones was second in the voting). Additionally, the Walter Payton Award for FCS offensive player of the year is down to Mellott, Miller and Southern Utah running back Targhee Lambson.
Top Photo: Montana State vs. NDSU in 2023 FCS playoffs. (Garrett Becker/MSU Athletics)
Follow all of our FCS football coverage, including on X, Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.
Montana
Montana State’s Touchdown Tommy Leads Wyoming Supporting Cast Into FCS Title Game
BOZEMAN, Mont. — With eight and a half minutes left in the second quarter, Tommy Mellott — aka Touchdown Tommy, aka The Boy From Butte — ran a quarterback draw straight up the middle, dodging several South Dakota defensive players.
Just a few yards from the end zone, Touchdown Tommy elevated like a Marvel superhero and dove for the goal line. A South Dakota defender upended his legs, flipping Mellott, who landed on the turf just shy of scoring.
On the next play, Mellot handed off to Scottre Humphrey for the go-ahead score Saturday in the FCS semifinals at Bobcat Stadium, putting the home team up 21-14. The Cats never looked back as they punished the Coyotes with physical play on defense and magical moves by Mr. Mellott.
Mellott went on to lead the undefeated Bobcats to a 15th straight victory 31-17 over South Dakota and a trip to the FCS national championship game Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas.
Four MSU teammates with Wyoming roots will be with Mellott playing for the title.
Meanwhile on the South Dakota sideline, Garrett Coon of Sheridan wore shorts and a sweatshirt during the unseasonably warm game. He didn’t dress out in Bozeman, but his brother Colson on the opposite MSU sideline did.
Along with Coon, Montana State boasts three other players who played high school football in Wyoming.
These supporting cast members in the Tommy Mellott show include Dane and Brock Steel, also both from Sheridan, and Jake Vigen, son of MSU Head Coach Brent Vigen, who spent seven years as an assistant coach at the University of Wyoming in Laramie.
Looks Like An Average Guy
Mellott stands a modest 6 feet tall, weighs 208 pounds and looks like the living cliché of the nice boy next door.
But on the field, the pride of Butte High School is a cold-blooded offensive assassin.
Now preparing for the final game of his college career, Mellott continues to rack up the accolades.
He was named Big Sky Conference Offensive MVP and a top three finalist for the Walter Payton Award. Coming into the game against South Dakota, Mellott led the nation in points responsible for (246) and passing efficiency (183.21).
Mellott has thrown 259 passes, completing 182 for 2,430 yards and 28 touchdowns on just two interceptions. Mellott also has rushed for 790 yards with 14 rushing touchdowns. His 8.6 yards per carry would lead the nation if he qualified for that NCAA stat, according to the American Football Coaches Association.
He squats as much as an offensive tackle and can outrun some FCS receivers. He’s well-known around Montana, but one of the most under-the-radar football talents now catching the attention of NFL scouts.
“Tommy Mellott, a dual-threat quarterback from Montana State, has emerged as an intriguing prospect for the NFL Draft,” reports nfldraftbuzz.com. “He ranks seventh in Montana State history with 2,474 career rushing yards and is tied for third with 29 rushing touchdowns. His passing ability has also improved, accumulating 3,241 career passing yards, good for 10th in school history. In 2023, Mellott was named Second Team All-Big Sky and won the FedEx Ground Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award, showcasing his academic prowess as a financial engineering major.
“In the 2021 playoffs, he became the first player to catch, throw, and rush for a touchdown in the first 16 minutes of a game against Sam Houston State.”
Mellott’s size could limit his opportunities as an NFL QB, but he might turn heads as a Wes Welker- or Julian Edelman-style slot receiver at the next level.
On To Frisco
The Bobcats will carry a lot of emotion into the national championship game vs. North Dakota State in Frisco, Texas.
Coach Vigen played for the Bison, then started his coaching career in Fargo. North Dakota State is also Montana State’s biggest rival after the Grizzlies at the University of Montana.
That’s because the Bison have trampled the Bobcats five times, ending their seasons and leaving hoofprints all over their game plans for a national championship.
But now a former Bison is leading the Cats as Montana State, powered by Mellott, competes for its first title since 1984.
David Madison can be reached at david@cowboystatedaily.com.
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