So far in 2024, Montana State’s starting defense has faced 11 different quarterbacks and just one has had more than a modicum of success against the Bobcats. Interestingly, that one quarterback has a few similarities with this week’s opposing signal-caller.
New Mexico’s Devon Dampier, a speedy/shifty runner, started out hot against MSU in Albuquerque in the season opener for both teams. He had a stretch where he completed 13 of 14 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 34 yards on three carries and a score with most of that coming over the last part of the first half.
Like Dampier, Portland State’s Dante Chachere is a dual-threat player that can heat up in a hurry. Last week, Chachere’s full arsenal was on display at Idaho State where he blistered the Bengals with a rare 200 yards rushing, 200 yards passing game, joining just two other Big Sky quarterbacks (Montana’s Dalton Snead and MSU’s Sean Chambers) to do so. Chachere’s effort earned him National Player of the Week honors.
Chachere finished with 202 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 13 carries, while hitting on just 12 of 26 passes but getting three more scores and 216 yards without throwing an interception. His scoring runs came from 63, 8 and 52 yards out, while his passing touchdowns were of 31, 50 and 21 yards. The 21-yarder was the game-winner but it came with 11:34 to play in a game that finished 42-38 in PSU’s favor as the Viking’ defense battened down the hatches.
“First off kudos to the staff,” PSU’s colorful head coach Bruce Barnum said. “I thought they had (Idaho State’s) defense dialed up and he executed. When it broke down, he started running and when he runs I think he can run past anybody in the Big Sky. He kinda floats. It’s fun to watch him when he’s healthy.”
A year ago in Bozeman, Chachere, ala Dampier, had a first half that had MSU’s coaches and its sold-out stadium’s fans full attention. He galloped for touchdown runs of 31 and 19 yards to send his Vikings into the locker room down just 17-14. PSU was coming into the game off a pair of wins and Chachere’s play made the local citizenry nervous.
Chachere was 5 for 6 passing for 50 yards to start the game, but began to struggle after throwing an interception and finished the half in a 1 for 7 slump, throwing another pick as the half came to a close. MSU regrouped in the locker room and built a 38-14 lead before PSU scored a harmless touchdown to end the game.
This may pose a dilemma for MSU. The Bobcats have seen three players on the defensive side of the ball go out with season-ending injuries over the past three weeks. Defensive tackle Blake Schmidt was lost versus Idaho State, safety Caden Dowler against Northern Colorado, and perhaps most significantly Danny Uluilekepa, a three-year starter at linebacker, went down in the Idaho game.
PSU has the best offense MSU has faced this year since playing at New Mexico. The offensive weapons PSU has combined with this being the first game Uluilakepa has sat out could reveal an issue for MSU depending on how well senior linebacker McCade O’Reilly fills the role of getting players lined up pre-snap.
With the likes of Chachere, who had a good game last year in Bozeman when MSU’s defense was at the top of its game, and Quincy Craig, who can run and catch passes, this may be a big test in that regard.
If MSU struggles in that area, it’ll likely affect how it will perform on the defensive line and secondary.
Chachere ran for 83 yards and two TDs in Bozeman last season. He did most of his damage in the first half. He got picked off just before the end of the first half and that seemed to rattle him a bit. Before that he had drives of 65 (touchdown), 30 (turnover on downs), and 75 (touchdown) yards. His interception came after he moved the ball 24 yards. MSU only forced two 3-and-outs in the game.
Barnum singled out two defensive players for MSU and one of them was O’Reilly (Brody Grebe was the other), who is having a great season. That comment tells you how far along O’Reilly has come.
O’Reilly is coming into the pre-snap role cold. He did that when Uluilakepa was out after a targeting call early this year and last week vs. Idaho after Uluilakepa’s injury. He also most likely took that role whenever Uluilakepa was getting a breather.
So far in 2024, Chachere is 84 for 144 passing for 1,143 yards, nine touchdowns and just three interceptions. He’s rushed for 443 yards on 77 carries with a league-high for quarterbacks eight touchdowns.
Portland State’s dynamics offense doesn’t stop with Chachere as running backs Quincy Craig (57 carries for 259 yards and one TD) and Delon Thomspon (64-301-1) are capable of hurting opposing defenses with their elusive running styles.
Receiver Eric Denham (16 catches for 328 yards and three TDs) caught two of Chachere’s touchdown passes against Idaho State, including the game winner. Brandon Alvarez (19-262-4) creates a solid pass catching combo.
“We’re still making mistakes out there,” Barnum said. “Once we get them playing, push that effort to the tilt, stop the loafs, I like what I’m seeing. We’re young. We got a bunch of freshman and sophomores. My trick will be trying to keep them here.”
Defensively, PSU is trying to quit riding the rollercoaster of success and failure.
“We’re working on some basic, fundamental stuff all week,” Barnum said. “You watch my team we’re not consistent (on defense), but that last drive though, we looked like Montana State. There’s times in that game though, we don’t (look like the Bobcats). So we need to get more consistent so we can hang with the Bobcats.”
Barnum is impressed with Montana State as well listing off numerous attributes the Bobcats possess that make them one of the top teams in the nation. He has a special affection for the offensive line.
“That offensive front,” Barnum said. “Those five guys up front, they’re dudes. They’re playing well and they understand what they’re being asked to do. They want to run the football but they’ll probably get in here and chuck it 50 times just to even out their stats.
“They’re a physical, well-coached football team. They don’t make mistakes, and they play their asses off. Constantly moving, you got 11 hats to the ball on defense, you got offense escorting the guy and helping him off the ground. They’re playing with confidence and they’re talented, that’s dangerous.”
The Vikings host the Bobcats Saturday at 2:00 at Hillsboro Stadium in the Portland suburb of Hillsboro, Oregon.
