The Skyhawks will travel to Bozeman, Montana to face the No. 1 Montana State Bobcats on Saturday at 2 p.m.
The Bobcats, which is the strongest team the Skyhawks will face this year, use a variety of run-pass-option (RPO) plays to make the most of the talent on their roster, especially on the ground. The Bobcats boast the best rushing attack in the nation, averaging 317.9 yards per game (ypg) for the season.
This run game makes use of the rare athleticism QB Tommy Mellott possesses at the position.
Mellott averages 8.9 yards per carry (ypc) for the Bobcats with speed and vision in the designed run game while also being a dangerous scrambler when extending plays.
The Bobcats’ worst offensive production of the season came against UC Davis, in which Mellott posted his worst rushing performance of the season, only rushing for four yards. Containing Mellott is the biggest factor for the Skyhawks’ defensive success this Saturday.
This extension of plays from Mellott also proves dangerous in the Bobcats’ passing game. Mellott buys time for his receivers to get lost in coverages and finds holes in the defense for big plays.
A part of Mellott’s game that might go unnoticed but is highly important for this Skyhawk defense to focus on is that he rarely turns the ball over. Mellott threw a singular interception during the season, which took place in week four of the regular season.
This Skyhawk team has prided itself on the ability to take the ball away (12th nationally in takeaways) from opposing offenses and even put points on the board. Being able to get their hands on the ball even once could be game-changing for the Skyhawks.
Aside from Mellott, Montana State has several good running back options that can keep defenses on their toes no matter who comes in. Running backs Scottre Humphrey, Adam Jones, Colson Coon, Jared White and Julius Davis all average over five ypg on more than 40 carries this season and offer different wrinkles to an already very diverse Bobcat offense.
No matter what, the Skyhawks’ fifth-ranked (nationally) rushing defense is going to receive its biggest test of the fall 2024 season.
Through the air, Mellott’s favorite target has been TE Rohan Jones. Jones has caught eight touchdowns for the Bobcats and leads the team with 451 yards on the season.
Jones will be matched up against some of the best pass-defending linebackers in the FCS with Tevin Shipp and Chris Hunter. Both have three or more interceptions during the season and are part of an overall amazing linebacking core for the Skyhawks.
Defensively, the Bobcats are very sound tacklers and swarm to the football. They’ve shown a good ability to get to the quarterback, especially on blitzes from their linebackers, which will test Skyhawks QB Kinkead Dent’s ability to move and make plays outside of the pocket.
This game seems to be the biggest for both teams’ trenches. The Skyhawks field one of the most experienced offensive line units in the nation, while the Bobcats’ line has paved the way for the nation’s top rushing attack.
This game will be determined by who can set the physical tone at the start and really get some knockback at the line of scrimmage.
If the Skyhawks do that, fans could be in for a game. If the Bobcats do that, this game could get ugly.
UT Martin and Montana State have met just once before in their respective histories.
In 2021, the Bobcats defeated the Skyhawks 26-7 in the playoffs. The Skyhawks will look to even the series this Saturday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m.
Bobcat statistical leaders
Passing
QB Tommy Mellott- 68.7% completion percentage, 1,980 yards, 22 touchdowns, 1 interception
Rushing
RB Scottre Humphrey- 1,223 yards, 13 touchdowns, 7.4 yards per carry
RB Adam Jones- 908 yards, 9 touchdowns, 7.3 yards per carry
QB Tommy Mellott- 640 yards, 11 touchdowns, 8.9 yards per carry
Receiving
TE Rohan Jones- 451 yards, 8 touchdowns, 16.7 yards per reception
WR Ty McCullouch- 387 yards, 4 touchdowns, 12.9 yards per reception
WR Taco Dowler- 366 yards, 6 touchdowns, 15.3 yards per reception
Defense
S Rylan Ortt- 62 tackles, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
LB McCade O’Reilly- 59 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 passes defended
CB Andrew Powdrell- 33 tackles, 7 passes defended
DE Brody Grebe- 26 tackles, 5 sacks, 3 passes defended, 1 forced fumble
