Bobcats Confront Familiar Foe at Alex Spanos Stadium Today
In a highly anticipated matchup, the Montana State Bobcats face Cal Poly at Alex Spanos Stadium today. The Bobcats are familiar with their opponent, particularly their head coach, Paul Wulff, who has a long history with the program.
Familiar Opponent on the Sidelines
Paul Wulff has faced Montana State from the sidelines of three different programs throughout his coaching career. He was the head coach at Eastern Washington when he first competed against the Bobcats from 2000 to 2007. Wulff later took the helm at Washington State, where he faced Montana State again in 2010.
Before the 2023 season, Wulff was promoted to head coach at Cal Poly following Beau Baldwin’s exit. Under his leadership, Montana State previously defeated Cal Poly 53-19 in Bozeman.
Current Team Updates
- The Bobcats have maintained their roster with no recent personnel changes ahead of the game.
- Safety Taki Uliulakepa is still unavailable for this matchup.
Impressive Performance Metrics
Quarterback Justin Lamson has been a standout this season, ranking second in the FCS with a completion percentage of .735. Additionally, Montana State’s team completion percentage of .726 is also second nationwide.
Notably, Montana State’s defense has been formidable, allowing just 34 points across the last five games. This positions them 13th in the FCS for scoring defense, permitting an average of 17.6 points per game. They rank 16th nationally, allowing 311.4 yards per game.
California Connections
The Bobcats feature eight players from California, seven of whom will be active for today’s game. These players include:
- Takhari Carr
- Justin Lamson
- Bryant Meredith
- Jordan Reed
- JT Reed
- Cedric Jefferson
- Hunter Provience
Freshman receiver Nick Seymour will miss today’s matchup due to injury.
Historical Context at Alex Spanos Stadium
The Bobcats have had success at Alex Spanos Stadium, winning four games there historically. They have claimed victory in their last two contests, including a dominant 72-28 performance in 2022, where they set a school rushing record. In 2019, a thrilling overtime win concluded with a walk-off touchdown by Travis Jonsen.
Key Players to Watch
Cal Poly’s receiver Michael Briscoe has made a significant impact this season, with seven touchdown catches, ranking fourth in the FCS. Meanwhile, the Bobcats have allowed nine touchdown passes so far this year, indicating some vulnerabilities in their secondary.
As the Bobcats prepare for this familiar foe, all eyes will be on the performance of both teams in what promises to be an exciting clash at Alex Spanos Stadium.
