The Bobcat Nation

Okay Bobcats I’ve been patient on this but my patience has run out. Where’s the thread??? Okay, I’m into Game day and it’s time to put this up and get the juices flowing.

Here we are once again playing for the National Championship after missing out on a win last year in the Natty. Ugh… but okay, to say that we all expected to be on the verge of breaking through our 41 year drought of National Championship status after last year, is likely not something most of us had on our list.

But, here we are, and to me we feel like we’re a more complete team built to take the trophy home this time! I like our Defense, I like our Offense, I like our Special Teams play, and I really like our coaching. It feels different this year. This team has demonstrated its collective will to win ugly and win pretty. It has also shown probably it’s greatest character trait of all by responding to and 0-2 start to the season by running off 13 straight wins against all others…not the least of which multiple top ranked teams nationally including our lovely rivals from the zoo!

Illinois State will be a test for sure with its own Cinderella story written during its playoff run. But, that ends today because they are not just playing a good team in the Bobcats, they are playing a team on a destiny run. OUR NUMBER IS 41. 41st State, the 41 Bobcat Ghosts, our Legacy number for the Montana kid who represents all Montana kids on the team…and lastly as mentioned earlier it’s been 41 years since we last won the National Championship.

It’s time! As Vigen likes to remind the team before the game, “Now is the time, this is the place”! Yeah, it is…Nashville has felt us, now it’s time to stamp our tickets into College FCS Football history. Go Cats Go!

Go CATS!!!

I'm confused. It's Caturday on a Monday and I'm hoping for a good portion of Taco on a Monday.

allcat wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 05, 2026 6:32 am

I'm confused. It's Caturday on a Monday and I'm hoping for a good portion of Taco on a Monday.

It’s a crazy mixed up world
At least we get some football!

No idea how I am going to get any work done today Go Cats!

canyoncat wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 05, 2026 7:41 am

No idea how I am going to get any work done today Go Cats!

You’re working?!? I didn’t even know that was possible!

I can't believe it's finally gameday!!! After making the trip to Frisco the last two times, I am completely bummed about not being able to be in Nashville this time around. Work schedules and outrageous airfare made it too much of an obstacle this year...

But it sounds like Bobcat Nation has shown up and shown out! Please - someone yell just a lit bit louder than normal for me tonight in the stadium. I'll be doing my normal tailgate routine, just from the confines of my living room in front of the TV!

All right Bobcats - 41 years we've waited. There's magic in that number. Everything that Bobcat legends have built before has laid the foundation for this very moment. An entire Nation of Blue & Gold awaits. This IS the time; this IS the place. Go seize greatness....

BOBCAT BUILT!!! BOBCAT BUILT!!! BOBCAT BUILT!!!

Wish I could be there, but extremely proud of the Bobcats that showed up! Go Cats Go!

Go Cats! Super proud of this team regardless of the outcome tonight, not a lot of people thought they would be in this position after starting 0-2.

Camo_Cat wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 05, 2026 8:05 am

I can't believe it's finally gameday!!! After making the trip to Frisco the last two times, I am completely bummed about not being able to be in Nashville this time around. Work schedules and outrageous airfare made it too much of an obstacle this year...

Same here; sadly missing the game in person this time. That said, I will be cheering just as loudly from my living room as I might have from the stadium!

Go Cats Go!

CodyCat wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 05, 2026 7:44 am

canyoncat wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 05, 2026 7:41 am

No idea how I am going to get any work done today Go Cats!

You’re working?!? I didn’t even know that was possible!

Not much choice today. Supposed to work until 6 pm, but can underwrite loans from home the last hour

CodyCat wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 05, 2026 7:44 am

canyoncat wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 05, 2026 7:41 am

No idea how I am going to get any work done today Go Cats!

You’re working?!? I didn’t even know that was possible!

I got a co worker to cover my shift for today last night so I watch it!!!!

The wife couldnt get out of work so sadly we had to stay back and watch everyone on Facebook have a blast down there. I would say I have FOMO but I know Im missing out...sucks. I tried to go to work this morning but it was so friggin slick I turned around and went home. Luckily I can work from home if I need to. I really wont be getting anything done now haha. GO CATS!!!

I have one call out in Helena Forest Service Office. Should be home to tailgate by 1400.
BLT’s yum.

Much has gone into creating this opportunity. Now finish this!

I thought the game was on ABC? ESPN instead?

DMMDCats wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 05, 2026 10:24 am

I thought the game was on ABC? ESPN instead?

Game is on ESPN only.

They learned nothing from the Super Brawl. ABC is showing a 3 hour marathon of a generic cop drama.

DMMDCats wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 05, 2026 10:04 am

I have one call out in Helena Forest Service Office. Should be home to tailgate by 1400.
BLT’s yum.

I have a bunch of wings marinating. Should be home around at that time or maybe 1500 but will get the smoker fired up and be ready by kickoff. I have one friend coming over that knows when to talk and when to just watch. If I'm not at the game I'm usually home alone yelling at the TV at least i prefer it that way.

Camo_Cat wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 05, 2026 8:05 am

I can't believe it's finally gameday!!! After making the trip to Frisco the last two times, I am completely bummed about not being able to be in Nashville this time around. Work schedules and outrageous airfare made it too much of an obstacle this year...

But it sounds like Bobcat Nation has shown up and shown out! Please - someone yell just a lit bit louder than normal for me tonight in the stadium. I'll be doing my normal tailgate routine, just from the confines of my living room in front of the TV!

All right Bobcats - 41 years we've waited. There's magic in that number. Everything that Bobcat legends have built before has laid the foundation for this very moment. An entire Nation of Blue & Gold awaits. This IS the time; this IS the place. Go seize greatness....

BOBCAT BUILT!!! BOBCAT BUILT!!! BOBCAT BUILT!!!

We have clients in town today and tomorrow and the worst past is, the owner of this company is also a Cat grad and should have known better than booking management meetings on national title day.

That said, I hope everyone at the game has a safe and fun experience and whatever happens with the score, comports themselves well to represent our great state.

See you all in this thread when the game starts.