No. 2 Montana State goes for 12-0 record, outright Big Sky title vs. Montana

BOZEMAN — Montana State no. 2 doesn’t need outside motivation for the 123rd Brawl of the Wild on Saturday, but the effort beyond the rivalry could be historic for the team.

The Bobcats have the ability to finish the regular season 12-0 for the first time ever, win the Big Sky Conference title outright and likely lock up a top-two seed for the FCS playoffs, guaranteeing home court advantage through the semifinals.

But it all has to be earned on Saturday.

“I know this team is after more, you know, we would love nothing more than to have the conference title outright,” Montana State coach Brent Vigen said. “The seeding piece to it all is obviously crucial for us this week, and so the rivalry. This game counts as one, but it means more.”

Last year the Bobcats lost 37-7 in Missoula and this year they hope to avenge that. That has been motivation for the team for almost a year, according to defensive tackle Brody Grebe.

“Man, I think about this game, especially after last year and what happened every single day,” he said. “I walk by the podium out there (at the Bobcat Athletic Complex) and look at it and know there should be a trophy sitting there.”

Outside of the stakes and the rivalry, it will also be Senior Day as the team will honor 24 of their players who are in their final season of eligibility with the Bobcats and have made history so far this year.

“Everybody plays for each other, I feel like this is a super tight class,” Montana State safety Rylan Ortt said. “You know, I think as a senior class we took pride in trying to make this one of the best seasons ever and just going 1-0 every week and working hard and coming together to try to lead this team and do everything we can.”

“We’ve fought through everything, considering the seasons, the ups and downs, the playoffs,” Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott reflected. “You know, just going in and expecting to win every single week is tough on a program, but that’s the expectation here and that’s what we love. It’s a privilege to have.”

With the ever-changing college football landscape, this rivalry has remained intact and continues to thrive, something that Montana State values.

“It’s something I don’t take for granted,” Vigen said of the intense passion that still surrounds this rivalry. “In this day and age where so many of these intrastate, intraconference rivalries are disappearing, I see that rivalry within our roster, within our team is as alive as ever.”

Saturday’s match between no. 9 Montana and no. 2 Montana State starts at inside Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman and will be shown on CBS affiliates throughout Montana — KBZK in Bozeman, KPAX in Missoula and the Flathead Valley, KTVQ in Billings, KXLF in Butte, KRTV in Great Falls and KXLH in Helena.