Random stuff 2025

[wbtfg]

Had a funny interaction with a "surprise" fan after the game. We drove down to the game and just got back last night. On our way back, we drove thru Oklahoma and Kansas before hitting the interstate north of Denver. We stopped at a small convenience store just north of Oklahoma City and a guy saw me wearing a Bobcat sweatshirt. He was obviously a local to that area and had a real Oklahoma accent. We struck up a conversation and, after having him repeat what he said because of his accent, I found out that he and his girlfriend in Kansas are big Taco Dowler fans. Not sure how they got hooked into that fandom, but he just wanted to let me know that. Then, as I was filling my gas tank at the pump, he came out and wanted to talk about the game. He had a lot of questions about the coaching decisions that were made, none of which I could answer. He said that he didn't understand why we didn't have Taco back to return the punt at the end of the game - thinking that a punt return was our best chance to score with 10 seconds left. I again couldn't answer that, but he classified it as the stupidest call since Pete Carroll's call to throw a pass from the 1-yard line against the Patriots in the Super Bowl. In the end, I think he was more disappointed in the outcome of the game than I was! I guess maybe it shows that the Cats have made an impression further that we may realize.

If they put him back there, they kick it out of bounds. Then you are left with one of those lateral plays with a about 5 seconds, too long for a hail Mary. One extra rusher was the better option in my opinion.

Or they dance for 10 seconds and run out the back of the end zone for a safety. Taco was not getting a return as much as many people wanted.

Nobody thinks Taco was getting a return (except maybe OK guy). Having Taco field the punt (or let them kick it out of bounds or take a safety or whatever) would have given MSU one more play.

I've seen many say that having Taco back there gave us 2 chances. I disagree. There was a long shot of a blocked punt or a long shot of a hail mary and laterals (maybe). Choosing the "all out punt block" over the "hail mary and laterals" wasn't a huge difference in odds.

Right. Even if Taco had a really good return, say 20 yards, Tommy’s arm isn’t strong enough for a Hail Mary. Like you said, the odds weren’t significantly different.

Exactly.....They kicked from about the 45 yard line (if I remember correctly). I would imagine they would have punted out of bounds at roughly the 25 yard line.....maybe even deeper than that. No chance we score a 75 yard touchdown there. The only option was to go all-in on the block.

[Cataholic]

Had a funny interaction with a "surprise" fan after the game. We drove down to the game and just got back last night. On our way back, we drove thru Oklahoma and Kansas before hitting the interstate north of Denver. We stopped at a small convenience store just north of Oklahoma City and a guy saw me wearing a Bobcat sweatshirt. He was obviously a local to that area and had a real Oklahoma accent. We struck up a conversation and, after having him repeat what he said because of his accent, I found out that he and his girlfriend in Kansas are big Taco Dowler fans. Not sure how they got hooked into that fandom, but he just wanted to let me know that. Then, as I was filling my gas tank at the pump, he came out and wanted to talk about the game. He had a lot of questions about the coaching decisions that were made, none of which I could answer. He said that he didn't understand why we didn't have Taco back to return the punt at the end of the game - thinking that a punt return was our best chance to score with 10 seconds left. I again couldn't answer that, but he classified it as the stupidest call since Pete Carroll's call to throw a pass from the 1-yard line against the Patriots in the Super Bowl. In the end, I think he was more disappointed in the outcome of the game than I was! I guess maybe it shows that the Cats have made an impression further that we may realize.

If they put him back there, they kick it out of bounds. Then you are left with one of those lateral plays with a about 5 seconds, too long for a hail Mary. One extra rusher was the better option in my opinion.

Or they dance for 10 seconds and run out the back of the end zone for a safety. Taco was not getting a return as much as many people wanted.

Nobody thinks Taco was getting a return (except maybe OK guy). Having Taco field the punt (or let them kick it out of bounds or take a safety or whatever) would have given MSU one more play.

I've seen many say that having Taco back there gave us 2 chances. I disagree. There was a long shot of a blocked punt or a long shot of a hail mary and laterals (maybe). Choosing the "all out punt block" over the "hail mary and laterals" wasn't a huge difference in odds.

Right. Even if Taco had a really good return, say 20 yards, Tommy’s arm isn’t strong enough for a Hail Mary. Like you said, the odds weren’t significantly different.

Exactly.....They kicked from about the 45 yard line (if I remember correctly). I would imagine they would have punted out of bounds at roughly the 25 yard line.....maybe even deeper than that. No chance we score a 75 yard touchdown there. The only option was to go all-in on the block.

But you have to keep one guy back to make the punting team honest. With everyone rushing and no one back, they can rush the punt and just make sure it gets over the hands of the line. With one guy back, they still have to execute and make sure the punt is reasonable.

[wbtfg]

Had a funny interaction with a "surprise" fan after the game. We drove down to the game and just got back last night. On our way back, we drove thru Oklahoma and Kansas before hitting the interstate north of Denver. We stopped at a small convenience store just north of Oklahoma City and a guy saw me wearing a Bobcat sweatshirt. He was obviously a local to that area and had a real Oklahoma accent. We struck up a conversation and, after having him repeat what he said because of his accent, I found out that he and his girlfriend in Kansas are big Taco Dowler fans. Not sure how they got hooked into that fandom, but he just wanted to let me know that. Then, as I was filling my gas tank at the pump, he came out and wanted to talk about the game. He had a lot of questions about the coaching decisions that were made, none of which I could answer. He said that he didn't understand why we didn't have Taco back to return the punt at the end of the game - thinking that a punt return was our best chance to score with 10 seconds left. I again couldn't answer that, but he classified it as the stupidest call since Pete Carroll's call to throw a pass from the 1-yard line against the Patriots in the Super Bowl. In the end, I think he was more disappointed in the outcome of the game than I was! I guess maybe it shows that the Cats have made an impression further that we may realize.

If they put him back there, they kick it out of bounds. Then you are left with one of those lateral plays with a about 5 seconds, too long for a hail Mary. One extra rusher was the better option in my opinion.

Or they dance for 10 seconds and run out the back of the end zone for a safety. Taco was not getting a return as much as many people wanted.

Nobody thinks Taco was getting a return (except maybe OK guy). Having Taco field the punt (or let them kick it out of bounds or take a safety or whatever) would have given MSU one more play.

I've seen many say that having Taco back there gave us 2 chances. I disagree. There was a long shot of a blocked punt or a long shot of a hail mary and laterals (maybe). Choosing the "all out punt block" over the "hail mary and laterals" wasn't a huge difference in odds.

Right. Even if Taco had a really good return, say 20 yards, Tommy’s arm isn’t strong enough for a Hail Mary. Like you said, the odds weren’t significantly different.

Exactly.....They kicked from about the 45 yard line (if I remember correctly). I would imagine they would have punted out of bounds at roughly the 25 yard line.....maybe even deeper than that. No chance we score a 75 yard touchdown there. The only option was to go all-in on the block.

But you have to keep one guy back to make the punting team honest. With everyone rushing and no one back, they can rush the punt and just make sure it gets over the hands of the line. With one guy back, they still have to execute and make sure the punt is reasonable.

I disagree.

[cat-o-nine]

Had a funny interaction with a "surprise" fan after the game. We drove down to the game and just got back last night. On our way back, we drove thru Oklahoma and Kansas before hitting the interstate north of Denver. We stopped at a small convenience store just north of Oklahoma City and a guy saw me wearing a Bobcat sweatshirt. He was obviously a local to that area and had a real Oklahoma accent. We struck up a conversation and, after having him repeat what he said because of his accent, I found out that he and his girlfriend in Kansas are big Taco Dowler fans. Not sure how they got hooked into that fandom, but he just wanted to let me know that. Then, as I was filling my gas tank at the pump, he came out and wanted to talk about the game. He had a lot of questions about the coaching decisions that were made, none of which I could answer. He said that he didn't understand why we didn't have Taco back to return the punt at the end of the game - thinking that a punt return was our best chance to score with 10 seconds left. I again couldn't answer that, but he classified it as the stupidest call since Pete Carroll's call to throw a pass from the 1-yard line against the Patriots in the Super Bowl. In the end, I think he was more disappointed in the outcome of the game than I was! I guess maybe it shows that the Cats have made an impression further that we may realize.

If they put him back there, they kick it out of bounds. Then you are left with one of those lateral plays with a about 5 seconds, too long for a hail Mary. One extra rusher was the better option in my opinion.

Or they dance for 10 seconds and run out the back of the end zone for a safety. Taco was not getting a return as much as many people wanted.

Nobody thinks Taco was getting a return (except maybe OK guy). Having Taco field the punt (or let them kick it out of bounds or take a safety or whatever) would have given MSU one more play.

I've seen many say that having Taco back there gave us 2 chances. I disagree. There was a long shot of a blocked punt or a long shot of a hail mary and laterals (maybe). Choosing the "all out punt block" over the "hail mary and laterals" wasn't a huge difference in odds.

Right. Even if Taco had a really good return, say 20 yards, Tommy’s arm isn’t strong enough for a Hail Mary. Like you said, the odds weren’t significantly different.

Exactly.....They kicked from about the 45 yard line (if I remember correctly). I would imagine they would have punted out of bounds at roughly the 25 yard line.....maybe even deeper than that. No chance we score a 75 yard touchdown there. The only option was to go all-in on the block.

But you have to keep one guy back to make the punting team honest. With everyone rushing and no one back, they can rush the punt and just make sure it gets over the hands of the line. With one guy back, they still have to execute and make sure the punt is reasonable.

I disagree.

Okay, so do you guys think I should drive back down to that convenience store in Oklahoma and try to find that random fan who started all this discussion and tell him how we feel about his opinion? I'm kicking myself now for not getting his name and phone number so I could have saved the trip.

[Cataholic]

Had a funny interaction with a "surprise" fan after the game. We drove down to the game and just got back last night. On our way back, we drove thru Oklahoma and Kansas before hitting the interstate north of Denver. We stopped at a small convenience store just north of Oklahoma City and a guy saw me wearing a Bobcat sweatshirt. He was obviously a local to that area and had a real Oklahoma accent. We struck up a conversation and, after having him repeat what he said because of his accent, I found out that he and his girlfriend in Kansas are big Taco Dowler fans. Not sure how they got hooked into that fandom, but he just wanted to let me know that. Then, as I was filling my gas tank at the pump, he came out and wanted to talk about the game. He had a lot of questions about the coaching decisions that were made, none of which I could answer. He said that he didn't understand why we didn't have Taco back to return the punt at the end of the game - thinking that a punt return was our best chance to score with 10 seconds left. I again couldn't answer that, but he classified it as the stupidest call since Pete Carroll's call to throw a pass from the 1-yard line against the Patriots in the Super Bowl. In the end, I think he was more disappointed in the outcome of the game than I was! I guess maybe it shows that the Cats have made an impression further that we may realize.

If they put him back there, they kick it out of bounds. Then you are left with one of those lateral plays with a about 5 seconds, too long for a hail Mary. One extra rusher was the better option in my opinion.

Or they dance for 10 seconds and run out the back of the end zone for a safety. Taco was not getting a return as much as many people wanted.

Nobody thinks Taco was getting a return (except maybe OK guy). Having Taco field the punt (or let them kick it out of bounds or take a safety or whatever) would have given MSU one more play.

I've seen many say that having Taco back there gave us 2 chances. I disagree. There was a long shot of a blocked punt or a long shot of a hail mary and laterals (maybe). Choosing the "all out punt block" over the "hail mary and laterals" wasn't a huge difference in odds.

Right. Even if Taco had a really good return, say 20 yards, Tommy’s arm isn’t strong enough for a Hail Mary. Like you said, the odds weren’t significantly different.

Exactly.....They kicked from about the 45 yard line (if I remember correctly). I would imagine they would have punted out of bounds at roughly the 25 yard line.....maybe even deeper than that. No chance we score a 75 yard touchdown there. The only option was to go all-in on the block.

But you have to keep one guy back to make the punting team honest. With everyone rushing and no one back, they can rush the punt and just make sure it gets over the hands of the line. With one guy back, they still have to execute and make sure the punt is reasonable.

I disagree.

It is just a matter of opinion. All of the options had a very low chance for success.

[CodyCat]

Its probably been posted in one of the 25 active NIL/Portal/Coaches/FTB/FTG/etc threads. But, Tommy posted a video on his instagram where it looks like he has hired an NFL training company to work with.

[AFCAT]

SInce it's part one of the silly season in Bobcat athletics, I thought I'd change things up a bit. I collect a lot of different Bobcat related items. I won't go into what is in my entire collection, but I thought I'd share one of the oldest pieces. I picked this photo up last summer. There was no date on the old photo, but I looked through some Montana State yearbooks and found out the photo is from 1906/07. I lucked out a bit dating the photo because that was the first Montana State yearbook. If the photo had been taken even a year earlier, I wouldn't have been able to date it. Anyway, there aren't any names associated with the photo and I can't look at individual photos in the yearbook to identify the players because not everyone had a photo taken that year. I have found some old newspaper clippings that list a couple of the players but it would be very difficult to figure out who is who in the photo. Yes, I've already contacted Bill Lamberty and he doesn't know either. Anyway, enjoy a piece of MSU history, even if it's not football related.

[technoCat]

That's so cool!!

[kwcat]

SInce it's part one of the silly season in Bobcat athletics, I thought I'd change things up a bit. I collect a lot of different Bobcat related items. I won't go into what is in my entire collection, but I thought I'd share one of the oldest pieces. I picked this photo up last summer. There was no date on the old photo, but I looked through some Montana State yearbooks and found out the photo is from 1906/07. I lucked out a bit dating the photo because that was the first Montana State yearbook. If the photo had been taken even a year earlier, I wouldn't have been able to date it. Anyway, there aren't any names associated with the photo and I can't look at individual photos in the yearbook to identify the players because not everyone had a photo taken that year. I have found some old newspaper clippings that list a couple of the players but it would be very difficult to figure out who is who in the photo. Yes, I've already contacted Bill Lamberty and he doesn't know either. Anyway, enjoy a piece of MSU history, even if it's not football related.

Was that picture or a copy of it posted at one time at Bettys at the Korner Kafe?
Trying to remember where I have seen it to come up with names

[AFCAT]

SInce it's part one of the silly season in Bobcat athletics, I thought I'd change things up a bit. I collect a lot of different Bobcat related items. I won't go into what is in my entire collection, but I thought I'd share one of the oldest pieces. I picked this photo up last summer. There was no date on the old photo, but I looked through some Montana State yearbooks and found out the photo is from 1906/07. I lucked out a bit dating the photo because that was the first Montana State yearbook. If the photo had been taken even a year earlier, I wouldn't have been able to date it. Anyway, there aren't any names associated with the photo and I can't look at individual photos in the yearbook to identify the players because not everyone had a photo taken that year. I have found some old newspaper clippings that list a couple of the players but it would be very difficult to figure out who is who in the photo. Yes, I've already contacted Bill Lamberty and he doesn't know either. Anyway, enjoy a piece of MSU history, even if it's not football related.

Was that picture or a copy of it posted at one time at Bettys at the Korner Kafe?
Trying to remember where I have seen it to come up with names

I have no idea. I bought the photo online and can't remember where it was found, but it wasn't in Montana. There is a guy on X or Facebook that has a bunch of old Montana related baseball photos and he took a screen capture of this one to put on his site, but I have the actual photo. I guess I beat him out for it.

[coachouert]

Bill Foley write up on Tommy and trashcan-gate. Well done in my opinion.

https://buttecast.com/2025/01/14/you-be ... ZonX-YDbsg

[77matman]

Nice article Bill. Bizons came out of the wood work after the trashcan gate. Who would have thought they were such big crybabies.

[liqud360]

SInce it's part one of the silly season in Bobcat athletics, I thought I'd change things up a bit. I collect a lot of different Bobcat related items. I won't go into what is in my entire collection, but I thought I'd share one of the oldest pieces. I picked this photo up last summer. There was no date on the old photo, but I looked through some Montana State yearbooks and found out the photo is from 1906/07. I lucked out a bit dating the photo because that was the first Montana State yearbook. If the photo had been taken even a year earlier, I wouldn't have been able to date it. Anyway, there aren't any names associated with the photo and I can't look at individual photos in the yearbook to identify the players because not everyone had a photo taken that year. I have found some old newspaper clippings that list a couple of the players but it would be very difficult to figure out who is who in the photo. Yes, I've already contacted Bill Lamberty and he doesn't know either. Anyway, enjoy a piece of MSU history, even if it's not football related.

Was that picture or a copy of it posted at one time at Bettys at the Korner Kafe?
Trying to remember where I have seen it to come up with names

I have no idea. I bought the photo online and can't remember where it was found, but it wasn't in Montana. There is a guy on X or Facebook that has a bunch of old Montana related baseball photos and he took a screen capture of this one to put on his site, but I have the actual photo. I guess I beat him out for it.

Love the Popped collars! This summer, when my wife complains about me popping my polo shirt collar, I will just tell her its a very classic look.

[RUACAT]

SInce it's part one of the silly season in Bobcat athletics, I thought I'd change things up a bit. I collect a lot of different Bobcat related items. I won't go into what is in my entire collection, but I thought I'd share one of the oldest pieces. I picked this photo up last summer. There was no date on the old photo, but I looked through some Montana State yearbooks and found out the photo is from 1906/07. I lucked out a bit dating the photo because that was the first Montana State yearbook. If the photo had been taken even a year earlier, I wouldn't have been able to date it. Anyway, there aren't any names associated with the photo and I can't look at individual photos in the yearbook to identify the players because not everyone had a photo taken that year. I have found some old newspaper clippings that list a couple of the players but it would be very difficult to figure out who is who in the photo. Yes, I've already contacted Bill Lamberty and he doesn't know either. Anyway, enjoy a piece of MSU history, even if it's not football related.

I’m sure you’ve already ran across some of these but I did find a photo of the 1903-1904 baseball team that included a few names. https://arc.lib.montana.edu/msu-photos/item.php?id=1429
Also found a photo on eBay of the 1906 football team with names and a photo of the 05-06 football team on the MSU archives. I would assume at least a few of the athletes back then played both sports?

https://arc.lib.montana.edu/msu-photos/item/1412
https://www.ebay.com/itm/145902182828

[AFCAT]

SInce it's part one of the silly season in Bobcat athletics, I thought I'd change things up a bit. I collect a lot of different Bobcat related items. I won't go into what is in my entire collection, but I thought I'd share one of the oldest pieces. I picked this photo up last summer. There was no date on the old photo, but I looked through some Montana State yearbooks and found out the photo is from 1906/07. I lucked out a bit dating the photo because that was the first Montana State yearbook. If the photo had been taken even a year earlier, I wouldn't have been able to date it. Anyway, there aren't any names associated with the photo and I can't look at individual photos in the yearbook to identify the players because not everyone had a photo taken that year. I have found some old newspaper clippings that list a couple of the players but it would be very difficult to figure out who is who in the photo. Yes, I've already contacted Bill Lamberty and he doesn't know either. Anyway, enjoy a piece of MSU history, even if it's not football related.

I’m sure you’ve already ran across some of these but I did find a photo of the 1903-1904 baseball team that included a few names. https://arc.lib.montana.edu/msu-photos/item.php?id=1429
Also found a photo on eBay of the 1906 football team with names and a photo of the 05-06 football team on the MSU archives. I would assume at least a few of the athletes back then played both sports?

https://arc.lib.montana.edu/msu-photos/item/1412
https://www.ebay.com/itm/145902182828

Those are great. I have seen some of them and am very familiar with some of the names. Oh, be wary of those Ebay clippings. They are just that, clippings out of a book or pamphlet, and not really photos. Great research resource though. A lot of those guys may have got good NIL deals after the football season and been gone by baseball season.

[AFCAT]

[Hawks86]

Denarius McGhee is now the WRs / Pass Game Coordinator at Utah State.

[AFCAT]

I can't remember seeing it posted or haven't seen this posted, but Freddie Banks is now at Wake Forest.

[AFCAT]

Bobcats are moving to the PAC 12!!!!

[BelligerentBobcat]

What a ****** conference.