Montana
No. 3 Montana State looks to continue momentum of 7-0 start at Portland State on Saturday
PORTLAND, Ore. — No. 3 Montana State currently sits at 7-0 for the first time since 1978. The Bobcats (3-0 Big Sky)are coming off a 38-7 win over then-No. 7 Idaho and now look to continue that momentum at Portland State (1-5, 1-2) on Saturday.
Montana State’s defense has continued to dominate despite losing three starters to season-ending injuries, and didn’t allow a score until the final minute of the game against Idaho.
“We’ve gotten more creative on third down,” Montana State coach Brent Vigen said regarding how the defense has improved since last season. “We’ve been able to present different looks to leverage our strengths week in and week out.
“And, I think beyond that, going back to January, making the change that we did, returning four coaches, adding Jody (Owens), I think it’s been a very galvanized group since then.”
Vigen was referring to the staffing changes made on the defense in promoting both linebackers coach Bobby Daly and defensive lineman coach Shawn Howe to co-defensive coordinators.
The defense will have to be on point again Saturday, as the Bobcats face veteran Portland State quarterback Dante Chachere, who’s coming off a game in which he both passed and rushed for 200-plus yards in a win over Idaho State last week.
That performance garnered him the Big Sky Conference and FCS national player of the week accolades.
“Once he gets lose, he might be going the distance, and he did that a couple times on Saturday,” Vigen said about the threat Chachere presents to opposing defenses. “You know, we’ve got to be really disciplined, and you’ve got to be able to stay in coverage because he does … he’s going to make throws scramble-wise too, which doesn’t just turn into runs.”
Montana State QB Tommy Mellott is also coming off a stellar performance in the Bobcats’ win over Idaho. He totaled 261 yards and four touchdowns, running for two of those on his own.
“That’s what you obviously hope and expect out of a fourth-year guy like Tommy,” Vigen said about how Mellott took control of last week’s game. “You know, I think the beautiful thing is he keeps taking on these challenges, continues to play better, and I’m thankful he’s our quarterback, because if he’s not the best one in the country, he’s right up there.”
The game kicks off at 2 p.m. Mountain time Saturday on the MTN channel.
BOZEMAN — Montana State will begin spring football practices March 24.
The reigning national champion Bobcats will hold 12 practices, two scrimmages and the Sonny Holland Spring Classic over the course of five weeks. The Sonny Holland Spring Classic is scheduled for Saturday, April 25.
Also on the schedule is the MSU Pro Day, which will be held April 2.
In addition to releasing the spring practice schedule, Montana State confirmed the addition of Nolan Askelson to the coaching staff. Askelson, a Billings Senior High School alum, will be an assistant defensive line coach for Bobby Daly, who is returning as Montana State’s defensive coordinator after spending last season at UTEP.
Askelson was a standout linebacker for the Bobcats, capping his MSU career with first-team All-Big Sky Conference honors in 2023. He played in four games as a true freshman in 2018 before becoming a regular rotation player in 2019. An injury shortened his 2021 season, but he played 11 games in 2022 and finished with 64 tackles.
As a senior in 2023, Askelson wore Montana State’s legacy No. 41 jersey and led the team with 84 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss and two sacks.
In high school, he was a two-time all-state selection for Senior and helped the Broncs win Class AA state championships in 2016 and 2017.
Montana State spring football schedule
Tuesday, March 24 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.
Thursday, March 26 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.
Friday, March 27 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.
Monday, March 30 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.
Wednesday, April 1 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.
Thursday, April 2 — Pro Day (no practice)
Friday, April 3 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.
Saturday, April 4 — Practice, 10:05 a.m.
Tuesday, April 7 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.
Friday, April 10 — Closed scrimmage, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 14 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.
Thursday, April 16 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.
Saturday, April 18 — Closed scrimmage, 10:05 a.m.
Tuesday, April 21 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.
Thursday, April 23 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.
Saturday, April 25 — Sonny Holland Spring Classic, 1 p.m.
Although newly minted GOP candidates for the U.S. House and U.S. Senate have garnered heavyweight endorsements, the Montana Republican Party said Thursday it won’t throw its support behind any candidates for federal office in the primary.
“The Montana Republican Party (MTGOP) stands behind its deep bench of qualified candidates seeking to represent Montanans and supports a competitive primary process to let voters pick their preferred candidates,” the Montana GOP said in a news release Thursday.
Monday, U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke announced he was retiring due to health concerns once his term ends, and he immediately tapped talk-show host Aaron Flint as his preferred successor in Congress.
Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen and Flathead County Republican Central Committee Chairperson Al Olszewski also filed for the U.S. House as Republicans, as did Ray Curtis of Bonner.
Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines withdrew, and in a statement the same night, announced an endorsement of former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, who had filed the same day.
In the Senate, Lee Calhoun and Charles Walking Child also filed to run in the Republican primary.
Endorsements for Flint and Alme cascaded. U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed both candidates, and U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy and Gov. Greg Gianforte threw their weight behind Flint and Alme.
Late on Wednesday, the Montana GOP did not immediately have comment on the news Daines, Montana’s senior U.S. senator, had resigned, but Thursday, the party thanked Zinke and Daines for their service.
A news release said the party would not endorse any candidates in the federal primary and would leave the job in the hands of voters.
“The party hopes every candidate will make their case to the public, contrasting their Republican policies and principles with those of Democrats — as well as phony ‘Independents,’” the news release said.
Former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar announced a run for the U.S. Senate as an independent this week.
A tension within the Republican party has emerged in recent years between hardline conservatives and more moderate members, and some legislative primaries illustrate the split.
This week, the state GOP said the number of primaries for state legislative seats shows a high interest from Montanans who want to serve the state and pass Republican policy, and the MTGOP “is glad to see so many Republicans being called to public service.”
In a brief call, MTGOP spokesperson Ethan Holmes said the party had not ruled out endorsements in legislative primaries.
In the news release, however, the MTGOP offered its view of the larger political debate.
“Montana voters know that beyond the primaries, there is a clear choice between Republican and Democratic governance; one path leads to lower taxes, less crime and stronger families, and the other leads to higher taxes, more crime, and social decay,” MTGOP Chairperson Art Wittich said in a statement.
The news release also said the state GOP is working “tirelessly to deliver a Bright Red Future” at both the state and federal level and looks forward to help candidates whom voters select win in November.
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