Montana State football vs. Yale how to watch, info for FCS playoffs
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The Montana State football team looks to begin another FCS postseason run as it hosts Yale in Bozeman on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Bobcat Stadium in the second round of the playoffs.
The No. 2 Bobcats (10-2) won the Big Sky Conference title and earned an opening-round bye in the playoffs, while the Ivy League champion Bulldogs (9-2) took down No. 15 Youngstown State, 43-42, in the first round last week.
The Bobcats have made the FCS playoffs 15 times overall and five times under head coach Brent Vigen, including trips to the national championship game last season and in 2021.
Here’s what to know about Montana State’s matchup with Yale, including game time and TV information.
Montana State Bobcats vs. Yale in FCS playoffs: Channel, game time
When: Saturday, Dec. 6, Noon
Where: Bozeman, Montana
TV/Streaming: ESPN+
Betting Odds (Sports Bet MT): Montana State -23.5
Montana State looking to stay hot as playoffs start
After an 0-2 start with a loss to FBS power Oregon and a double-overtime defeat to South Dakota State, the Bobcats ripped off 10 straight wins and clinched the Big Sky Conference title with a 31-28 triumph over rival University of Montana on Nov. 22.
Montana State boasts two players up for national FCS awards, as quarterback Justin Lamson was named one of 30 finalists for the Walter Payton Award (the FCS equivalent of the Heisman Trophy) and defensive back Caden Dowler is up for the Buck Buchanan Award, presented to the country’s top defender.
Lamson, a transfer from Stanford, has put together the most accurate passing season in program history so far, according to MSU Sports Information, with a completion percentage of 72.4%.
In 12 games this year, Lamson has racked up 2,345 yards and 20 touchdowns to only two interceptions. The junior was 18-of-20 passing in the regular-season finale win over the Grizzlies with two total touchdowns as he leads the nation’s ninth-best scoring offense.
He has now accounted for a rushing and passing score in seven straight games, which is a program record, per MSU.
Dowler was named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year for a Bobcat defense ranked sixth in the country at 17.2 points allowed per game. The junior safety led Montana State with four interceptions and 78 tackles.
Joining Dowler as first-team All-Big Sky selections were defensive linemen Paul Brott and Kenneth Eiden IV, as well as offensive guard Titan Fleischmann and return specialist Taco Dowler ― twin brother of Caden.
Yale made its first appearance in the FCS playoffs in program history last week as it took down Youngstown.
Running back Josh Pitsenberger was named a Walter Payton finalist and was the Ivy League offensive player of the year as he led the conference with 1,238 yards and 15 touchdowns, per Yale, ranking him ninth in the FCS overall.
Linebacker Abu Kamara is a Buck Buchanan finalist and was the league’s defensive MVP as he had 65 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions.
Wide receiver Nico Brown, offensive linemen Michael Bennett and Leo Bluhm, defensive end Ezekial Larry, linebacker Inumidun Ayo-Durojaiye and defensive back Brandon Webster were all also first-team All-Ivy League selections this season.
This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: Montana State football vs. Yale how to watch, streaming FCS playoffs
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