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Finding his rolE

By Braden Shaw Chronicle Staff Writer

Cal Poly had the ball at the Montana State 8-yard line, looking to mount a fourth-quarter comeback.

During the 2019 season, the Mustangs ran the triple option in a run-heavy of fense. That meant MSU’s defense need ed “run stuffers” that could make stops sideline to sideline, linebackers coach Bobby Daly said.

One of those players was then-sopho more linebacker Callahan O’Reilly.

On first-and-goal, O’Reilly tackled Cal Poly fullback Duy Tran-Sampson at the

1-yard line. Two plays later, Tran-Samp son received the ball on third down and O’Reilly was left with a dilemma: either Tran-Sampson falls backwards to force fourth down or O’Reilly falls back and gives up a touchdown.

O’Reilly initiated the former, stopping Tran-Sampson short once again with the help of fellow linebacker Troy Andersen.

Cal Poly did score on fourth-and-goal — a 1-yard rush by quarterback Jalen Hamler — but MSU held on to win the game in overtime 34-28. O’Reilly led the team with 16 total tackles, including his lone sack of the season.

“That was just kind of the start of where he’s at today,” Daly said.

Three years later, O’Reilly is arguably an even bigger playmaker for the Bob cats. He’s a cornerstone of the MSU de fense at Will linebacker, a team captain and one of several standout Montanans on the roster — largely due to a position switch.

“We’re always talking about how great players are at their best when their best is required,” Bozeman High head coach Levi Wesche said. “And I think that de scribes him very well.”

It helps that O’Reilly has been sur

rounded by sports his entire life. Grow ing up, he played football, hockey and spent much of the year at various bas ketball tournaments. O’Reilly later joked to some of his roommates at MSU that he hadn’t explored much of the outdoors Bozeman has to offer because he spent all his weekends at the gym.

He’d also play football in the backyard and basketball in the driveway with his two brothers Payton (two years older) and McCade (three years younger). Games could get “pretty heated” be tween the siblings, O’Reilly said.

‘embraced the grind’ to become standout linebacker at MSU

Rachel Leathe/Chronicle

Bobcat linebacker Callahan O’Reilly runs the ball after intercepting it during the Gold Rush game against McNeese on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at Bobcat Stadium.

“There were definitely some fights go ing on,” O’Reilly said. “More so on the basketball court, just because my broth er (Payton) is two years older than me, he’s a lot bigger than me. So he’s shoving me around, I’m shoving my little brother around. Football, we’d get a little more even.”

His parents also both played sports at the collegiate level, with his mother, Debby, playing basketball at Arizona State and his father, Keith, playing foot ball at Carroll. Payton played football at Miami (Ohio) and McCade joined MSU in 2020.

So it was no surprise that O’Reilly went on to excel athletically, initially at the high school level. What stood out to Wesche early on was O’Reilly’s work ethic.

Bozeman was in the middle of a “great run as a program,” Wesche said, and O’Reilly likely would’ve started at quarterback earlier in his career at another school. Instead, he found another route to playing time during his junior season: tight end.

O’Reilly often lined up alongside his brother, Payton, when the Hawks were in 12 personnel — two receivers, two tight ends — which paid dividends as Bozeman went on to win the 2015 Class AA title. Wesche said O’Reilly was a difference maker with his run blocking and physicality.

Then came 2016, O’Reilly’s senior season. Wesche — who had spent the previous four seasons as Bozeman’s of fensive line coach — was promoted to head coach, and O’Reilly got the nod at quarterback.

O’Reilly took advantage. For example, in Bozeman’s second game of the sea son — a 49-45 loss to Kalispell Glacier — O’Reilly threw for 522 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. While the Hawks didn’t earn the victory, Wesche said it helped set the tone for the season.

“It was his first time being the guy and he didn’t shy away at all,” Wesche said. “He just stood up and he had one of the greatest games I’ve ever seen a quarterback have.

“I think that’s the thing that stands out the most to me was just when it finally

was his time, he was not going to let his opportunity go by the wayside.”

O’Reilly said he was thankful for the amount of freedom Wesche gave him and

Rachel Leathe/Chronicle

Montana State linebacker Callahan O’Reilly takes down UC Davis’ Ulonzo Gilliam on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at Bobcat Stadium.

the offense to make plays.

“It really allowed me to have fun and allowed our offense to have fun,” O’Reilly said. “He just did a great job of taking over our class, but then continu ing to carry on great football at Bozeman High.”

That offense included future MSU wide receivers Lance McCutcheon and Logan Kleinhans. O’Reilly said he was thankful for offensive coordinator Rob ert Boyle and offensive line coach Dan Thatcher for helping shape the offense as well.

The Bobcats entered the picture when MSU offered O’Reilly during the spring of his senior year. He didn’t end up com mitting until December — “I didn’t re ally know how to do it,” O’Reilly said with a laugh — but MSU was always his No. 1 choice.

O’Reilly said he was impressed by what MSU was building with the incom ing freshman class — which included fu ture starters Andersen, Willie Patterson, Ty Okada, Tyrel Thomas, James Camp bell, RJ Fitzgerald and McCutcheon — and also liked the idea of playing for his hometown team.

“I know a lot of people in the stands and they’re always waving to me, which is cool,” O’Reilly said. “It’s just nice to be able to play in front of people that you grew up with.”

He was originally recruited to play linebacker, but started out as the scout team quarterback in fall 2017 while redshirting. He quickly realized that wouldn’t be the quickest path to playing time, though, so he had a conversation with then-head coach Jeff Choate about switching to defense.

O’Reilly had previously played line backer from the fifth grade all the way through high school, but mainly focused on offense at Bozeman High.

“He always begged me to play more defense when he was our starting quar terback,” Wesche said, “but I always joked with him and said, ‘That’s how head coaches get fired (by allowing) their starting quarterback to play de fense.’”

There was a bit of a learning curve converting to linebacker at the college level, O’Reilly said, but he acclimated relatively quickly.

After mainly playing on special teams

during his redshirt freshman season, O’Reilly was in position to compete for a starting spot the following year. Daly — who joined MSU’s staff in 2019 — said he was giving everyone a “fair shake” with no returning starting linebackers in the room.

“What I noticed real quickly go ing through spring ball was he had the toughness to play the position, he had the athleticism to play the position and he was a very smart player,” Daly said. “If you’ve got those three things, man, we can make something work.”

With so many new faces, there was a “pretty fierce battle” entering fall camp, O’Reilly said, with six players competing for two inside linebacker spots. O’Reilly didn’t land either to open the 2019 sea son.

“I just kind of told myself, ‘Control what you can control and go out there and play your best every day. Hopefully that can lead to starting later on in the season,’” O’Reilly said.

Once again, O’Reilly’s patience paid off, as by the sixth game of the season — that win over Cal Poly — he became a starter. He finished the season with a

team-high 91 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss.

“I’m pretty thankful for a lot of those older guys on the team who just kind of accepted me into that starting lineup as a young guy,” O’Reilly said. “They just were great friends of mine. I really loved that 2019 season.”

His next opportunity to build on that success was in 2021. O’Reilly was a ce mented starter by this point, having pre vious experience at Mike linebacker. He shifted over to Will when Andersen, who hadn’t played inside linebacker at that point, was named the starter at Mike.

Daly said it was helpful to have O’Reilly there to make calls for the de fense alongside Andersen.

“It’s nice to have another guy out there who understands the defense just as well as you and can make calls and really help you get lined up and communicate before the ball is ever snapped so you’re able to have success post-snap,” Daly said. “I thought those two played really well together.”

Andersen rightfully got attention

See O’REILLY

O’Reilly

for his 2021 season, being named an All-American and eventually a second round NFL Draft pick. But O’Reilly also played a key role on MSU’s defense that brought the Bobcats to the FCS title game, with 95 total tackles, two inter ceptions, three pass breakups and a forced fumble.

“There were a lot of great players on that defense and obviously playing next to Troy was awesome,” O’Reilly said. “When you have someone that fast, that smart, that good at football, it gives you a lot of confidence playing next to him.”

With about a year and a half of start ing experience at that point, O’Reilly also became more of a presence in the locker room.

Both Wesche and Daly said O’Reilly leads by example, but isn’t afraid to hold his teammates accountable. O’Reilly added that he’s made a concerted effort to earn the respect of his teammates, which led to him being voted a team captain for the 2022 season.

“I do really try my best to have a good relationship with everyone on the team,” O’Reilly said. “That’s what means a lot to me. Playing football is just kind of having that brotherhood and reaching out to everyone and making sure every one’s having a good experience here.”

Along with being a captain, O’Reilly was pivotal in MSU retooling its de fense heading into 2022. That included forming a triumvirate of O’Reilly, Dan ny Uluilakepa and Nolan Askelson at inside linebacker. O’Reilly (Will) and Uluilakepa (Mike) have started games most of the season, but all involved look at Askelson effectively as a third starter.

Earlier this season, Uluilakepa said O’Reilly has helped improve his mental ity on game day and Askelson said the three-man rotation has been crucial to help take the load off O’Reilly, who is taking about 15 fewer reps in 2022 than the previous year.

“I think those two have done a great job, and it’s fun playing alongside them,” O’Reilly said.

O’Reilly added that he “doesn’t feel

beat up at all,” which has come through in his play this season. Through nine weeks, O’Reilly led the team in total tackles (63) and interceptions (three), along with 4.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.

Daly and O’Reilly agree that having previous experience as a quarterback helps O’Reilly make plays on defense. It comes up in the film room consistently, such as when O’Reilly noticed Northern Arizona runs many of the same routes MSU’s scout team ran his freshman year.

Daly also pointed to how adept O’Reilly is in zone coverage, which in cludes reading a quarterback’s eyes and quickly entering passing windows.

That’s led to forcing timely turnovers, such as O’Reilly’s two interceptions against McNeese State, the second of which immediately followed an MSU fumble. Forcing a fumble against East ern Washington right after MSU quarterback Sean Chambers threw an end zone interception. Forcing a fumble right before halftime against Idaho State.

“There’s a lot of guys that have awe some stats,” Daly said. “But when Cal’s big plays are happening, they’re in big moments in a game.”

Against No. 5 Weber State, O’Reilly sacked quarterback Bronson Barron during the Wildcats’ final drive to force fourth down. Those are the types of moments this defense seeks each game, O’Reilly said.

“You live for drives like that where everything’s on the line,” O’Reilly said.

O’Reilly has often been the player the Bobcats have relied on to make those plays with the game on the line the past three seasons. Daly said O’Reilly emulates exactly what MSU looks for when recruiting in-state talent.

“I know he wanted to be a quarter back (in college),” Daly said, “but he embraced being a linebacker. He em braced the hard work. He embraced the grind, the blue collar mentality that we have around here, and he’s just a great person to represent our program as a team captain.”

From O’REILLY |

Rachel Leathe/Chronicle

Montana State defensive end Brody Grebe (10) and linebacker Callahan O’Reilly (47) take on a pair of Idaho State offensive linemen on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at Bobcat Stadium.

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‘Cat-Griz game A look at every

By Chronicle Staff

n 1897

Griz 18, ‘Cats 6

The series begins on Thanksgiving Day as the “Varsity” wins in Missoula.

n 1898

Griz 6, ‘Cats 0

Griz 16, ‘Cats 0

Montana earns season sweep with a pair of shutouts.

n 1899

‘Cats 38, Griz 0

‘Cats 6, Griz 0

MSC returns favor a year later and be gins six-game winning streak.

n 1900

‘Cats 12, Griz 11

A missed extra point with five minutes to go is the difference.

n 1901

‘Cats 31, Griz 0

MSC takes lead in series for first time.

n 1902

‘Cats 38, Griz 0

Will Flaherty scores four touchdowns.

n 1903

‘Cats 13, Griz 6

MSC’s win earns a tie with Montana School of Mines for state title.

n 1904

Griz 79, ‘Cats 0

Emil Adams scores four TDs for Mon tana in remarkable scoring display before forward passes were allowed. Touch downs still count for just five points and rules state teams that surrender touchdowns kick off. It’s the final game be tween the schools until 1908; MSC plays four games in ’05, but abolishes football before Griz game.

n 1908

‘Cats 0, Griz 0

‘Cats 5, Griz 0

MSC opens and ends season with games against Montana and rebounds with pair of shutouts after blowout loss.

n 1909

Griz 15, ‘Cats 0

Griz 3, ‘Cats 0

Ed Winstanley, who missed his previ ous four tries, kicks a field goal for only points in first game to help Griz earn sweep; ‘Cats don’t win again until 1929.

Rachel Leathe/Chronicle

Bobcat fans turned out to support their team during the Gold Rush game despite temperatures reaching well into the 90s on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at Bobcat Stadium.

n 1910

Griz 0, ‘Cats 0

Griz 10, ‘Cats 0

MSC’s Donald Williams misses two field goal attempts in scoreless draw. Meeting in 1911 is called off after one of MSC’s players dies.

n 1912

Griz 7, ‘Cats 0

Griz 39, ‘Cats 3

Merritt Owsley’s 190 rushing yards stand as a series high until MSU’s Don Hass ran for 209 in ’67.

n 1913

Griz 7, ‘Cats 0

Griz 20, ‘Cats 0

Winning continues as school renames itself the State University of Montana.

n 1914

Griz 29, ‘Cats 6

Bobcats score the only points surren dered by Griz all season.

n 1916

‘Cats 6, Griz 6

Losing ways end for MSC as ‘Cats score late to earn tie.

n 1917

Griz 9, ‘Cats 7

MSC debuts in Rocky Mountain Confer ence but Griz score late for victory.

n 1919

‘Cats 6, Griz 6

Griz 24, ‘Cats 13

After World War I ends, teams play to a fourth tie.

n 1920

Griz 28, ‘Cats 0

Bernie Bierman scores four touchdowns in the first game played at Dornblaser Field in front of 3,000 fans.

n 1921

Griz 14, ‘Cats 7

Grizzlies end MSC’s five-year unbeaten

streak at Gatton Field. Steve Sullivan and Ted Plummer score for the Grizzlies. Roy McCarren reaches the end zone for MSC.

n 1922

Griz 7, ‘Cats 6

Montana wins on final play, but not without controversy. According to MSC coach Ott Romney, time had expired before Montana scored a touchdown. Each school had a timekeeper. UM’s official timekeeper said five seconds remained; MSC’s said the final play started 30 seconds too late. The referee ruled that since the gun had not been fired, the touchdown – and ensuing extra point – would stand. Romney says afterward: “In the eyes of God and in 60 minutes of play, we won that game.”

n 1923

Griz 24, ‘Cats 13

MSC scores in double figures for the first time since 1919 and finishes 5-4, but Grizzlies continue their win streak. Ted Il lman scores twice for the Griz. Floyd Romney kicks two field goals for Bobcats.

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n 1925

Griz 29, ‘Cats 7

“Wild” Bill Kelly scores four times and runs for 211 yards for the Grizzlies, who recently joined the Pacific Coast Confer ence. Both teams throw three interceptions and Montana fumbles four times.

n 1926

Griz 27, ‘Cats 0

Kelly reaches end zone three more times; Griz begin successful run in Butte. Kelly returns a punt for a touchdown and kicks three extra points.

n 1927

Griz 6, ‘Cats 0

Ott Romney’s final game as MSC coach. Clarence Coyle’s touchdown re ception is the game’s only score.

n 1928

‘Cats 0, Griz 0

First scoreless tie since 1910 as 8,000 fans attend. ‘Cats haven’t defeated Griz in 20 years, but stop Montana at 5-yard line late in first half.

n 1929

‘Cats 14, Griz 12

Twenty years of losses end when Mon tana’s final drive falls short at the Bobcat 5-yard line. Ivar Twilde and Gus Wylie combine for 71 rushing yards for MSC. Max Worthington scores both of the Bobcats’ touchdowns.

n 1930

Griz 13, ‘Cats 6

The Bobcats block three punts but Grizzlies score twice during the first half to put Montana back on the winning track.

n 1931

Griz 37, ‘Cats 6

Lowell Dailey scores four touchdowns on Halloween.

n 1932

‘Cats 19, Griz 7

Louis Edwards scores the go-ahead

touchdown in the fourth quarter, and Ray Buzzetti scores twice.

n 1933

Griz 32, ‘Cats 0

The Griz score four touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The ‘Cats don’t score again in the series until 1941.

n 1934

Griz 25, ‘Cats 0

Quarterback Hank Blastic scores two touchdowns. Griz also win cross country race held at halftime.

n 1938

Griz 13, ‘Cats 0

Two Anaconda natives, Bill Lazetich and Fred Jenkin, score for the Griz.

n 1939

Griz 6, ‘Cats 0

A record 8,500 show up at Butte High to see Montana hold the ‘Cats to 47 total yards. Evan Roberts scores lone TD. Roger Lundberg intercepts a pass and recovers a fumble.

n 1940

Griz 6, ‘Cats 0

tacks Pearl Harbor and the teams don’t play again until ‘46.

n 1946

Griz 20, ‘Cats 7

After a war which took the lives of sev eral players on both sides, Montana wins 10th straight in the series as 10,000 fans watch at Butte High. Bill Reynolds scores twice for Griz and ‘Cats are picked off four times. Future MSU athletic director Gene Bourdet throws a 33-yard touchdown pass for ‘Cats’ only score. Bobcats play later that season in Harbour Bowl.

n 1947

‘Cats 13, Griz 12

Former Grizzly halfback Barney Berger kicks decisive extra point and the ‘Cats end another long losing streak in the series’ 50th anniversary. Buck Preun inger misses his first two PATs of the sea son for Montana. Harry Perrigo and John Heine reach end zone for Montana State.

n 1948

Griz 14, ‘Cats 0

Another streak begins for the Griz zlies; John Helding runs and throws for touchdowns in front of 10,000 at Butte High.

n 1949

Griz 34, ‘Cats 12

3, 2022, at Bobcat Stadium.

n 1935

Griz 20, ‘Cats 0

Blastic reaches the end zone once and passes for another score. ‘Cats fail to make it inside Montana’s 30-yard line.

n 1936

Griz 27, ‘Cats 0

Two touchdowns from Milt Popovich on punt returns hand Griz another win.

n 1937

Griz 19, ‘Cats 0

Montana stays undefeated on season behind another two scores from Popo vich. Paul Szakash kicks two field goals and intercepts a pass.

Griz enter game being shut out in five of previous seven games during season, but they blank Bobcats again. Jack Swarthout is ejected for throwing a punch. Don Bryan notches lone touch down. Newell Berg intercepts a pass for ‘Cats.

n 1941

Griz 23, ‘Cats 13

Bobcats break through with first points since ’32 and lead 13-0 at one point. ‘Cats break long scoring drought vs. Griz when quarterback Jinx Anderson laterals to Bill Zupan, who passes to Anderson for a 40-yard touchdown. Jim Peterson later snatches the ball from Montana QB Eso Naranche’s hand and runs 60 yards for a touchdown. Naranche scores two times for Griz. Six weeks later, Japan at

The teams play at new Naranche Field in Butte, but the result is the same. ‘Cats pile up 180 rushing yards, but Ray Bauer catches two touchdown passes for Griz. Adam Marshall scores twice for Montana State.

n 1950

Griz 33, ‘Cats 0

The Butte years mercifully come to an end for ‘Cats, who lose 18 of the 22 games played in the Mining City. Griz score 27 first-half points on Halloween behind Tom Kingsford’s 265 passing yards.

n 1951

Griz 38, ‘Cats 0

First game in Bozeman in 28 years goes to the Griz as rain pummels Gat

Rachel Leathe/Chronicle

The Bobcats celebrate their win over McNeese in the Gold Rush game on Saturday, Sept.

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ton Field. Griz score three first-quarter touchdowns as ‘Cats finish season win less.

n 1952

Griz 35, ‘Cats 12

Montana intercepts five passes and rushes for 378 yards. Montana State quarterback Jack Moore throws two touchdowns passes.

n 1953

Griz 32, ‘Cats 13

Montana State leads 13-0 but Griz storm back by running an NCAA record 112 plays. ‘Cats rush for 203 yards. Future MSU coach and athletic director Tom Parac scores one of two touchdowns for Bobcats.

n 1954

Griz 25, ‘Cats 21

‘Cats enter game unbeaten and hold Griz under 30 points for the first time since ’48, but Montana scores on its first play from scrimmage when Mundo Campbell reaches the end zone on a 61yard run. Bobcats lead 14-6 on Frank Landon’s TD reception before Griz quickly score twice before halftime.

n 1955

Griz 19, ‘Cats 0

Bobcats complete just two passes in the mud in Bozeman and Griz quarter back Norman Kampschror tosses a pair of touchdowns.

n 1956

‘Cats 33, Griz 14

The tide begins to turn in Montana State’s favor. After winning just five times over the previous 52 years against the Griz, Bobcats begin string in which they’ll take 22 of the next 30 meetings. Don Edwards runs in scores of 7 and 1 yards in Missoula and Ron Warzeka re covers a late fumble for MSU, which goes on to win national title in Sonny Hol land’s first season as a player.

n 1957

‘Cats 22, Griz 13

Bobcats win successive meetings for

the first time since 1902-03 behind TDs from Bob Rudio and Rocco Perciavalle.

n 1958

‘Cats 20, Griz 6

Griz finish season 0-10 as Perciavalle piles up 130 yards and picks off a pass for Bobcats. Jim McLeod also reaches end zone for MSU. Bobcat fans tear down goal posts at Dornblaser Field and fights break out after the game.

n 1959

‘Cats 40, Griz 6

Bobcats total 313 yards on the ground and Griz manage just 15 rushing yards. Perciavalle and McLeod score again for MSU. McLeod returns an interception

‘Cats 10, Griz 9

Griz lead 9-0 in fourth quarter before ‘Cats come back. Phil Schneider’s field goal starts rally for Montana State. Bill Mulcahy recovers a fumble and later passes to Bill Cords for the tying score with 4:50 to play.

n 1962

Griz 36, ‘Cats 19

Terry Dillon, whose No. 22 is the first to be retired by UM, scores three touch downs to wipe out a 13-0 deficit. Bucky May hits the end zone twice for Bobcats, the second on an interception return for a 19-14 halftime lead.

n 1963

86 yards for a 14-0 lead at the half. It was the Bobcats’ longest such pick return in history until McLeod’s son, Mike, breaks it two decades later.

n 1960

Griz 10, ‘Cats 6

Montana snaps a four-game skid to Montana State with two first-half scores. Griz throw just five passes and use a 99yard scoring drive that was started when Bob O’Billovich intercepts pass on 1-yard line. ‘Cat QB Harry Lopsonzski passes to Bert Emery for team’s only points.

n 1961

n 1965

‘Cats 24, Griz 7

MSU kicker Jan Stenerud of Norway kicks a 59-yard field goal to open the scoring and later just misses from 67. Don Hass rushes for 129 yards and Jim Tuss returns a punt 80 yards for a touchdown.

n 1966

‘Cats 38, Griz 0

Grizzlies shut out for first time since ’28 and MSU earns first shutout win over UM since ’08. The Bobcats are ranked third in the nation and are headed to the Camellia Bowl once again. Six different players score as QB Dennis Erickson pi lots the victory. Hass runs for 141 yards and Gary Popiel takes a punt back 74 yards for a TD.

n 1967

‘Cats 14, Griz 8

A goal-line stand at the 1-yard line helps the Bobcats to their fifth consecu tive win in the series. Hass goes for 209 rushing yards and a touchdown. Bob Beers is in on 27 tackles for the Grizzlies.

n 1968

‘Cats 29, Griz 24

‘Cats 18, Griz 3

It’s the first Big Sky Conference meeting between the two teams. Dan Sun dling rushes for 144 yards on 20 carries to hand Griz eighth consecutive loss of season. Ken Christison scores twice for ‘Cats.

n 1964

‘Cats 30, Griz 6

QB Foy McClung scores a touchdown, kicks a field goal and adds three extra points in relief effort of starter Ray Foley. Bobcats go on to win Camellia Bowl over Sacramento State.

Bobcats score 20 points in the final nine minutes and win when Paul Schafer scores with 12 seconds left. Schafer car ries the ball 58 times, including the last six plays of the winning 67-yard drive. Brothers Doug (Griz) and Ron (‘Cats) Bain catch touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. Schafer piles up 234 rush ing yards to help MSU back from a 24-9 fourth-quarter hole.

n 1969

Griz 7, ‘Cats 6

Grizzlies win Big Sky when MSU’s Frank Kalfoss misses a 42-yard field goal attempt with 25 seconds left. ‘Cats have chance to go ahead early in the fourth quarter, but Gary Hughes fumbles at the 2-yard line and the ball goes out of the end zone, handing the ball back to the Griz. n 1970

Griz 35, ‘Cats 0

Rachel Leathe/Chronicle

Bobcat fans turned out to support their team during the Gold Rush game despite temperatures reaching well into the 90s on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at Bobcat Stadium.

Montana leads just 7-0 at the half but piles it on thereafter to win its 19th con secutive regular season game. Griz go 10-0 for the regular season, then lose in Camellia Bowl. MSU gains just four first downs.

n 1971

Griz 30, ‘Cats 0

In the final ‘Cat-Griz game at Gatton Field, UM totals 420 rushing yards. Steve Caputo becomes Montana’s first 1,000yard rusher with 108 yards. It could have been more lopsided if not for Monte Bos ton’s interception in the end zone for the Bobcats. Sonny Holland falls to UM in his first year as coach, but doesn’t lose to them again.

n 1972

‘Cats 21, Griz 3

Sam McCullum, a future NFL player, catches a pair of touchdown passes from Zoonie McLean. Bill Kollar keys the de fense, which allows just Bob Turnquist’s 42-yard field goal in the second quarter.

n 1973

‘Cats 33, Griz 7

The Bobcats play Griz at Sales Stadium for the first time as more than 12,000 attend and see the home team score 20 points in the final quarter. Reserve QB Mike Holder replaces injured Mike Dun bar and runs for 144 yards. The ‘Cats score on their first play of the game when Dunbar throws 76-yard pass to Don Bagley. Pat Bolton breaks Jan Stenerud’s record for points in a season.

n 1974

‘Cats 43, Griz 29

Steve Kracher runs for 163 yards as Bobcats set a record for points in the se ries. MSU has 387 rushing yards. Greg Anderson of the Griz returns a punt 72 yards and the second-half kickoff 95 yards, both for touchdowns.

n 1975

‘Cats 20, Griz 3

Kracher runs for 165 yards in the 75th meeting. Holder throws two second-half touchdowns in front of 14,223 fans in Bozeman, the largest crowd to attend a sporting event in Montana.

n 1976

‘Cats 21, Griz 12

Paul Dennehy, who sat out most of the first half, throws a touchdown pass in the third quarter to give the Bobcats a 7-6 lead. Dennehy also rushes in for two scores as the ‘Cats are on their way to the Division II national championship.

n 1977

‘Cats 24, Griz 19

Sonny Holland finishes 6-1 against the Griz as a coach after going 4-0 as a play er. MSU leads 17-0 on a Delmar Jones touchdown early in the fourth quarter. The Griz go ahead with three touchdowns before Ron Muri’s interception sets up Dennehy’s winning score. Jones gains 187 yards on the ground.

n 1978

Griz 24, ‘Cats 8

Montana wins its first home game of the season, defeating a Bobcat team that is ranked No. 4 in the country. In Sonny Lubick’s first appearance in the series, MSU scores only on Scott Hoard’s touch down in the third quarter.

n 1979

‘Cats 38, Griz 21

Missoula’s Mike Doerfler runs for 167

yards and three touchdowns for ‘Cats, who win Big Sky title. Stu Dodds recov ers a fumble to set up a TD and later in tercepts a pass that leads to MSU’s final score.

n 1980

‘Cats 24, Griz 7

Tony Boddie runs for 134 yards and two touchdowns for a 17-0 lead. Britt Freeman also reaches end zone on long pass from Barry Sullivan.

n 1981

Griz 27, ‘Cats 17

blocked punt in the end zone for Bobcats, who enter the game with an 0-8 record. More than 15,000 watch at Sales Stadi um as ‘Cats coach Dave Arnold lights victory cigar, the first he’s smoked since his daughter was born eight years prior. “I got sick then,” he says. “I’ll probably get sick this time too. But I really don’t care.”

n 1984

‘Cats 34, Griz 24

En route to a national championship, which comes five weeks later, Bobcats trail 24-12 at halftime in Missoula. David Pandt, however, rushes for 118 of his 140 yards in the second half and a Mark Fel lows-led defense blanks the Griz after the intermission. Fellows has three sacks and an interception and Joe Bignell makes school-record 13 receptions.

n 1985

‘Cats 41, Griz 18

MSU enters on five-game losing streak, including a 50-9 loss at Idaho State the prior week, but Jesse Jones runs for 136 yards. Bobcats finish 2-9. “The Streak” begins the following year.

n 1986

Griz 59, ‘Cats 28

With new coach Don Read, Griz open Washington-Grizzly Stadium and roll to 31-0 halftime lead. Shaun Shahan re places Kelly Bradley at quarterback and throws touchdowns passes to Pat Berg man and Kelly Davis in final quarter. ‘Cats don’t beat Griz again until 2002.

Boddie’s touchdown hands Bobcats the lead early in the first Halloween meeting since ’13. Mike Hagen, however, scores three touchdowns later in the first half to put Montana ahead for good.

n 1982

Griz 45, ‘Cats 14

Marty Mornhinweg tosses four touch down passes for UM, which piles up 527 yards. Si Timberman and Dale Halgren score for MSU.

n 1983

‘Cats 28, Griz 8

MSU’s only win of the season comes against the Griz. Tyler Winter recovers a

n 1987

Griz 55, ‘Cats 7

UM blocks four punts, a Division I-AA record, key Griz victory in front of record crowd of 17,027 at Sales Stadium. Bob cats cross midfield just once in first half. John Tetreault’s 41-yard run is MSU’s only score.

n 1988

Griz 17, ‘Cats 3

Tim Hauck blocks his fourth punt of the season and Dwayne Hans picks it up and runs for a touchdown. ‘Cats manage just 81 yards. Anders Larsson’s field goal represents only points for MSU.

Rachel Leathe/Chronicle

Bobcat running back Lane Sumner tries to hold off McNeese State’s Richard Akers during the Gold Rush game on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at Bobcat Stadium.

n 1989

Griz 17, ‘Cats 2

On a day that includes thunder, light ning, wind and hail, Bobcats lead 2-0 heading into final quarter. UM quarter back Grady Bennett, a former Bobcat, scores the go-ahead touchdown.

n 1990

Griz 35, ‘Cats 18

Bobcats score first touchdowns since ’87 as Si Ryan ties game late in first half. Kevin Morris’ interception return for a touchdown highlights second half for Griz.

n 1991

Griz 16, ‘Cats 9

Bobcats have chance to tie game late in first half, but an extra-point attempt is blocked by Chuck Mason. ‘Cats drive to UM 6 in third quarter but throw an interception.

n 1992

Griz 29, ‘Cats 17

Griz lead 22-0 in first quarter behind Brad Lebo, who connects on 13 of his first 14 passes. Bozeman’s Chad Mayer, a freshman, leads MSU on two scoring drives in final quarter.

n 1993

Griz 42, ‘Cats 30

Dave Dickenson throws three TD passes and runs for a fourth. UM leads 28-3 in second quarter, but an 88-yard kickoff return by Sean Hill helps make it 35-24 in third.

n 1994

Griz 55, ‘Cats 20

Dickenson has ankle injury so Griz zlies turn to Bert Wilberger, who throws for 386 yards and three scores. Wilberger also rushes for two touchdowns on a day UM totals 613 yards. Eric Hopkins has 149 receiving yards and a touchdown for ‘Cats.

n 1995

Griz 42, ‘Cats 33

Grizzlies later win first national title,

but trail 25-20 in fourth quarter. Dickenson throws three late touchdown passes, including one to Mike Erhardt for a 42-25 lead. Rob Compson responds with a TD pass, but is intercepted with 3:19 left.

n 1996

Griz 35, ‘Cats 14

UM reaches 11-0 for the first time be hind Joe Douglass, who has 205 receiv ing yards. Griz record nine sacks.

n 1997

Griz 27, ‘Cats 25

The streak hits 12 in stunning fashion. Eric Kinnaman scores go-ahead touchdown for Bobcats with 22 seconds to go,

Griz 49, ‘Cats 3

Drew Miller throws for 305 yards and four touchdowns. It’s the last game for head coaches Cliff Hysell (‘Cats) and Mick Dennehy (Griz) and one of the series’ most lopsided. Yohance Humphery sets UM season record for rushing and Jeremy Watkins goes over 1,000-yard mark for receiving.

n 2000

Griz 28, ‘Cats 3

In the 100th edition, John Edwards hits Jimmy Farris for a 91-yard touch down, the longest in the series. Nate Cook’s field goal is only scoring for ‘Cats, who finish winless in Mike Kramer’s first season as head coach.

Travis Lulay, who was 2 years old the last time the ‘Cats beat the Griz, helps Bobcats finally snap “The Streak” at 16 games. The true freshman’s 53-yard scor ing pass to Junior Adams lifts MSU to 10-0 lead in third quarter on cold, windy day in Missoula. UM cuts lead to three points in fourth but can’t get past mid field the rest of the game. Bobcat safety Kane Ioane is more than relieved: “Just being able to go home now and not have to listen to everybody saying, ‘When are you going to beat the Griz?’ It’s a huge monkey off our backs.”

n 2003

‘Cats 27, Griz 20

Corey Smith returns opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown as Bobcats win again, this time in Bozeman. Ken neth Qualls picks off Griz QB Craig Ochs and returns it 54 yards for a 13-10 lead at the half. MSU clinches win when Adam Cordeiro and Clive Lowe sack Ochs on fourth down with 2:09 left.

n 2004

Griz 38, ‘Cats 22

Lulay throws touchdown pass, while in punt formation, to Rick Gatewood to make it 7-7, but Jefferson Heidelberger’s 131 receiving yards and two touchdowns lead Griz. Gatewood sets series record with 235 receiving yards.

n 2005

‘Cats 16, Griz 6

but comes up short on two-point conver sion try. The ensuing kickoff goes out of bounds, setting up the Griz at their own 35. Brian Ah Yat hooks up with Justin Olsen at the Bobcat 19. After three time outs with four seconds left, Kris Heppner takes the field and kicks a 37-yard field goal as time expires to break MSU’s heart in Bozeman.

n 1998

Griz 28, ‘Cats 21

Ah Yat throws to Dallas Neil for win ning score with 5:21 to play. Ah Yat throws four scoring passes.

n 1999

n 2001

Griz 38, ‘Cats 27

Ryan Johnson gives MSU early leads of 7-0 and 14-7 with touchdown runs of 3 and 6 yards. Nate Cook ties it at 17 with a field goal, but Humphery throws a pair of scoring passes in the third quarter for a 31-17 advantage. ‘Cats get within a touchdown when Tyler Thomas hits Aaron Ware for a touchdown on fourthand-goal. It’s 31-27 after another Cook field goal, but Griz QB John Edwards seals UM win on a bootleg.

n 2002

‘Cats 10, Griz 7

Lulay cements legacy with his third win over Grizzlies in four years, and Evin Groves runs for 143 yards. Jeff Hastings kicks three field goals as MSU reaches red zone four times in first half but only manages 16 points. At final whistle, fans storm muddy Bobcat Stadium field and tear down goal posts, the last time that tradition is carried out; school installs collapsible uprights the following year.

n 2006

Griz 13, ‘Cats 7

In one of the most physical games in series history, MSU receiver Michael Jefferson has his helmet knocked off after a hit in the middle of the field. ‘Cats nearly pull off comeback when Andre Fuller picks off Josh Swogger at UM 40 with four minutes to go, but the drive ends

Rachel Leathe/Chronicle

Bobcat fans turned out to support their team during the Gold Rush game despite temperatures reaching well into the 90s on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at Bobcat Stadium.

on downs at the 25. Bobcats surprisingly make playoffs with 7-4 record and host first postseason game in 22 years, where they defeat Furman 31-13.

n 2007

Griz 41, ‘Cats 20

In MSU coach Rob Ash’s first game vs. Grizzlies, UM finishes 11-0 season behind Lex Hilliard’s 181 yards and three touchdowns. Demetrius Crawford rushes for 115 yards and two scores and Jack Rolovich amasses 240 yards through the air.

n 2008

Griz 35, ‘Cats 3

UM ignites crowd by taking field with yellow helmets for the first time since 1995 and force five MSU turnovers. Crawford breaks off 84-yard run on sec ond play of game, but ‘Cats are held on downs. Griz take lead for good when Marc Mariani returns punt 75 yards for a score.

n 2009

Griz 33, ‘Cats 19

Each team scores a safety and Griz fin ish 11-0 again. UM leads 9-5 at halftime, then scores quickly to make it 26-5. Joe Schreibeis scores first collegiate touch down for Bobcats.

n 2010

‘Cats 21, Griz 16

Orenzo Davis runs for 140 yards and the Grizzlies fumble twice inside MSU’s 5-yard line in the second half as the Bob cats win at Washington-Grizzly Stadium for just the second time. Just two points are scored in the second half as wind and snow pound the field. The Bobcats wanted to wear gold jerseys, but UM said no. After Michael Rider’s game-clinching interception, the uniforms came out as MSU celebrated winning the Big Sky ti tle. “Gold is for champions,” head coach Rob Ash says.

n 2011

Griz 36, ’Cats 10

In its first game ranked No. 1 in the country as a Division I team, Montana State is held to 79 rushing yards while Montana rushes for 309. The two teams

share the Big Sky Conference title as a result.

n 2012

’Cats 16, Griz 7

Montana State falls behind 7-3 in the first quarter but responds with 13 straight points to seal the win. DeNarius McGhee passes to Kruiz Siewing for Siewing’s first touchdown reception in the rivalry game. MSU clinched a share of its third consecutive Big Sky title.

n 2015

Griz 54, ’Cats 35

In the final game under Rob Ash, Mon tana State allows UM quarterback Brady Gustafson to complete 23 of 39 passes for 353 yards and four touchdowns. Bob cats quarterback Dakota Prukop passes for three touchdowns and rushes for one.

n 2016

’Cats 24, Griz 17

Montana State rushes on 62 of 72 of

n 2018

’Cats 29, Griz 25

In one of the wildest games between these bitter rivals, Montana State over comes a 22-0 deficit and storms ahead 29-25 with two minutes left. Montana answers by driving to the MSU 1-yard line with 14 seconds left, but a fumble at the goal line is recovered by the Bobcats and saves the game. The MSU triumph immediately became known as “The Mir acle in Missoula.”

n 2019

‘Cats 48, Griz 14

Montana State racks up its most points ever in the rivalry thanks in large part to 382 rushing yards at Bobcat Sta dium. The Griz are held scoreless in the second half. ‘Cats score six times on the ground: once each from Kevin Kassis, Logan Jones and Tyrone Marshall and three times from Isaiah Ifanse. Marcus Knight scores twice for the Griz. Jeff Choate, the “Griz Slayer,” finishes 4-0 against Montana. “It’s all about settling it between the white lines,” Choate says. “Like I told our guys, you want to win this thing, you’ve got to control the four corners between the white lines. After that, you can control the four corners of this state.” The teams do not play again until 2021 because of the COVID-19 pan demic.

n 2021

Griz

n 2013

Griz 28, ’Cats 14

Montana outscores Montana State 21-7 after halftime. In the final game of McGhee’s career, the quarterback throws for 160 yards and rushes for 57.

n 2014

Griz 34, ’Cats 7

Jake Bleskin throws five interceptions, and Montana State commits seven turn overs overall. MSU head coach Rob Ash calls that the story of the game. The Bobcats don’t score until less than six min utes remain, when Chad Newell rushes for a 1-yard touchdown.

fensive plays in the first rivalry game under first-year head coach Jeff Choate. Quarterback Chris Murray completes only two passes while rushing for two touchdowns. MSU takes a 24-7 lead and holds on to win.

n 2017

’Cats 31, Griz 23

Troy Andersen rushes for two touch downs to go along with Chris Murray and Nick LaSane each running for a score. Freshman cornerback Tyrel Thom as breaks up a pass in the closing seconds to seal the victory.

29, ‘Cats 10

Montana quarterback Cam Humphrey connects with receiver Junior Bergen on the second play of the game for a 74yard catch-and-run touchdown. The Griz also receive five field goals from Kevin Macias and a 56-yard fumble return for a touchdown from Justin Ford following a fake field goal attempt by the ‘Cats in the third quarter. MSU’s Blake Glessner kicks a field goal in the first quarter and Nate Stewart catches a touchdown pass from Matthew McKay in the fourth for MSU’s only scoring in head coach Brent Vigen’s rivalry debut. The next week, McKay announces his intent to transfer and freshman quarterback Tommy Mellott helps lead the ‘Cats through the FCS playoffs and to their first championship game appearance since 1984.

Rachel Leathe/Chronicle

The Bobcats celebrate quarterback Sean Chambers’ touchdown during the Gold Rush game on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at Bobcat Stadium.

Montana StaTe

Montana to win fourth straight in rivalry Pummels

By Paul Schwedelson Chronicle Staff Writer

As soon as last week’s game against UC Davis ended, Brayden Konkol entered Montana State’s locker room and let the world know he’d been looking forward to the upcoming week for 358 days.

The senior safety’s tweet kicked off a week in which the Bobcats spent preparing more effectively for Mon tana than the Grizzlies did for MSU. As soon as last week’s victory concluded, Konkol knew his team would be the one hoisting the Great Divide Trophy and parading it around for

the fourth straight year.

In 2015, Konkol watched the Bob cats lose to UM at their home field. He told his fellow redshirts like offensive lineman Mitch Brott, linebacker Walker Cozzie and defensive line man Marcus Ferriter, all Montana natives who all played Saturday, that they would never lose to UM, the team he referred to as “Missoula.”

Konkol’s proclamation became re ality. For the first time since 197277, the Bobcats have beaten the Grizzlies four straight years. The seniors cemented their legacy.

“I said last night, this doesn’t have

to be close,” Konkol recalled. “We just got to play a good game and it ain’t going to be close.”

No. 8-ranked MSU (9-3, 6-2 Big Sky) bludgeoned No. 3 Montana (93, 6-2) from the start and dominated in a 48-14 win Saturday at Bobcat Stadium in front of 20,827 fans. The Bobcats exhibited the style head coach Jeff Choate planned for when he took over four years ago and in herited this year’s class that’s now seniors. He described the group as survivors.

Now it’s immortal.

UM entered the matchup averag

ing 37.9 points per game and never scored less than 22 against an FCS opponent. Instead, the Bobcats were the ones scintillating. MSU scored 24 points in the first 19 minutes, 6 seconds of game time. Though UM teased a comeback at various points, it never came to fruition. In the Grizzlies’ way stood a pressurizing defense that sacked quarterback Dal ton Sneed six times, an offense that ran the ball at will and a team that refused to let up.

A year removed from overcoming a 22-point hole and winning by forc ing a last-second fumble, the Bobcats didn’t waste any time taking com

Rachel Leathe/Chronicle

Montana State celebrates its fourth consecutive win over Montana on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, at Bobcat Stadium.

mand. They forced a fumble on the first play and scored on their open ing five drives. The 34-point margin of victory was MSU’s largest since 1966. The Bobcats’ 382 rushing yards and 48 points were the most in a single game in 119 clashes with their nemesis.

“You want to win this thing, you’ve got to control the four corners be tween the white lines,” Choate said. “After that, you can control the four corners of this state.”

The win set the Bobcats up to earn a first-round bye in the FCS playoffs, a goal since last year ended. MSU had to play on the road against eventual national champion North Dakota State a year ago. Everyone in the program understood in order to lengthen their campaign in 2019, they had to take care of business dur ing the regular season.

But postseason implications were to be reserved for Sunday when the Bobcats will learn their next path. Saturday was to be remembered for the seniors who never lost to the Grizzlies.

“I don’t know what’s better, beat ing them four years in a row,” senior defensive lineman Derek Marks said, “or knowing there’s seniors on that team who have never beaten Mon tana State.”

Since UM led 22-0 in the 2018 matchup, the Bobcats have outscored the Grizzlies 77-17 in the series.

Last year was either unforgettable or impossible to forget, depending on perspective.

This year was about legacies. It was about rising to the occasion once a year four straight times. It was about proving people wrong, earning respect and putting a histor ic stamp on a college football career.

MSU elevated to the standard set the past three seasons, lived in the present and established how players will be remembered into the future. The same way those teams from the 1970s are remembered, more than 40 years down the line people might refer back to the stretch of 2016-19 as one of the Bobcats’ most fruitful. Not because of anything other than

going undefeated against the Grizzlies.

Choate called it a “forever game” with lifelong answers to be deter mined to the question everyone al ways asks: How many times did you beat Montana?

The Bobcats proved they would do anything it takes. This senior class doesn’t know any different, whether it’s running the ball on 62 of 72 plays, relying on a freshman cornerback to break up a last-second pass or need ing an epic goal-line stand to pull off a miracle.

Saturday was the next chapter, and it wasn’t even close.

On UM’s first offensive play, se nior safety Jahque Alleyne smashed

into Samori Toure and jarred the ball loose. Marks jumped onto it and gave MSU possession. Bobcats pointed forward to the end zone, signaling a first down and their destination five plays later when Kevin Kassis won a race to the pylon. The hit by Alleyne immediately set the tone.

Then Logan Jones, who scored the winning touchdown last year, scam pered into the end zone from 18 yards away. Per usual, based on the past four years, the Bobcats pum meled the Grizzlies in the trenches.

When Tyrone Marshall burst to the edge and scored from 29 yards out, the lead increased to 24. UM players stood motionless on the sideline.

All they could do was watch.

“Today we got our tail kicked,” Montana head coach Bobby Hauck said.

Earlier this season, MSU rattled off five straight wins. Back-to-back losses nearly derailed the campaign. But the Bobcats turned back on course, going undefeated in Novem ber for the second straight year and improving to 11-3 in the month un der Choate.

Throughout the game, Brott sensed the Grizzlies wearing down. Then midway through the third quarter, he knew they were bro ken. MSU closed the game with 17 straight points.

“It’s one of the best feelings ever,” Brott said, “to move somebody from point A to point B against their will.”

When the third quarter ended, the Bobcat Stadium crowd roared. MSU led 34-14. The Bobcats have used “Win Big” as a mantra this season, and that was exactly what they did in their biggest game.

With 12 minutes left, Ifanse scored from 3 yards out. Teammates waved their arms up and down in front of the student section. Brott stood with his arms stretched wide and basked in the cheers.

“That’s soul-taking stuff right there,” Konkol said in a nod to how Choate wants to win games.

The Grizzlies punted after three plays on its next two possessions and turned the ball over on downs after that.

It took only 11 minutes to take a 17-0 lead. Quarterback Tucker Rovig completed a 41-yard pass to Kassis to set up a Tristan Bailey field goal.

Shortly after, Konkol intercepted a pass and Bobcat fans’ rallying cry “Mony Mony” pounded through the speakers. They sang along and bounced up and down. Players danced with them. Ten minutes re mained but the party was on, and just beginning, before the field was stormed and downtown bars flocked.

“There’s no words for that,” Brott said.

That was what dominance looks like, sounds like and feels like.

Rachel Leathe/Chronicle

Montana State running back Isaiah Ifanse runs in for a touchdown against Montana on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, at Bobcat Stadium.

Rachel Leathe/Chronicle

Montana State wide receiver Tyrone Marshall celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Montana on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, at Bobcat Stadium.

HEALING WITH HEART IN THE HEART OF MONTANA.

Bozeman Health is the proud health care provider for Bobcat Student-Athletes. Go Cats!