Montana State University’s Bobcat football program has officially commenced its 2025 fall camp, embarking on a new season with the lingering motivation of their recent FCS national championship game defeat.
Defensive tackle Paul Brott, a key figure in the Montana State football defense, candidly shared that the loss to North Dakota State remains a driving force for the team. Offensive lineman Titan Fleischmann underscored the significance of early season matchups, including the FBS Oregon opener and the Gold Rush game against South Dakota State, emphasizing the substantial effort required before these pivotal contests.
Fleischmann reiterated the team’s short-term focus for the upcoming month, highlighting the immediate priority of flawless execution during drills, such as inside and outside zone runs. Brott echoed this sentiment, stressing the defensive unit’s commitment to matching that intensity and precision from the outset of Bobcats fall camp.
Head coach Brent Vigen expressed enthusiasm for the challenge of balancing established talent with emerging prospects during FCS College Football training. He finds reassurance in the return of seasoned offensive and defensive linemen, along with dynamic skill players like wide receiver Taco Dowler and running backs Adam Jones and Julius Davis, setting a strong foundation for the 2025 College Football season.
A significant focus of camp revolves around the highly anticipated quarterback competition among Justin Lamson, Chance Wilson, and Patrick Duchien, as they strive to fill the considerable void left by Walter Payton Award winner Tommy Mellott. Furthermore, the team is actively developing new leaders to compensate for the departure of over 20 seniors, a testament to the program’s consistent ability to regenerate talent, as seen after the successful 2021 class.
Running back Adam Jones and defensive tackle Paul Brott have both garnered significant preseason recognition, with Jones named to a national player of the year watch list and Brott to the Buck Buchanan Award watch list. Despite these accolades, both players maintain a grounded perspective, attributing individual success to team effort and emphasizing the need to consistently perform beyond preseason hype in the competitive Big Sky Conference.
Beyond the immediate focus on fall camp, Montana State has finalized its 2026 non-conference slate, adding Butler and Central Connecticut to its schedule. Athletic Director Leon Costello highlighted the strategic importance of these additions, particularly in bolstering the team’s profile for potential FCS playoff consideration and ensuring a beneficial number of home games.
Costello also commented on ongoing discussions within the Big Sky Conference regarding a potential shift to nine conference games starting in 2026, aligning with the FCS move to a 12-game regular season. He expressed strong support for this change, viewing it as a logical evolution that benefits regional matchups and streamlines future scheduling challenges for teams like the Bobcats.
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