BOZEMAN – Montana State’s final scrimmage of the spring – The Sonny Holland Classic – didn’t have any players jump off the page like has happened so often over the years. But that doesn’t mean the Bobcats didn’t show off any new wrinkles or that a few developments didn’t occur.
MSU lost a number of players to graduation and the transfer portal following last year’s Big Sky Conference championship season that ended with MSU’s lone loss coming in the national championship game. But a team noted for its depth and player development isn’t looking fazed by any of that attrition.
When your No. 3 running back can chalk up 100+ yards rushing against one of the best defensive lines in the country, things aren’t all bad. That was Sheridan, Wyoming’s Colson Coon’s contribution with starters Julius Davis and Adam Jones not participating.
Coon wasn’t the only Sheridan, Wyoming player to shine as Dane Steel had a solid day at wide receiver. That duo’s play was enhanced by sophomore quarterback Chance Wilson’s solid showing at quarterback, where the Bobcats appear to be working on a new phase to their passing scheme under new offensive coordinator Pete Sterbick.
Coon began seeing the field more as the season progressed in 2024 but hadn’t been featured. With the team low on running backs, Coon was the only one available for the White team and he made the most of his chances as he compiled 192 total yards of offense.
“I got beat up quite a bit, but that’s alright,” Coon, who ran for 161 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries, said. “It felt good to be back out there and running every play. Just being able to get in the flow of the game and being able to see things as the game progresses. It makes the game a lot easier instead of bouncing in and out.”
The offensive line was creating holes as well, but the defense had several moments of its own as a handful of lesser-known players stepped, including a quartet of speedy defensive backs from Texas.
Carson Williams, who got a considerable amount of time on special teams in 2024, came up with a pair of interceptions, while Brendon Ross was in on several plays and Kory Boyd popped up on a few as well. Jhase McMillan also saw action. McMillan, Ross and Boyd all ran sub-10.6 in the 100 meters in high school. Williams is considered the “slow one” of the bunch despite running near 11.0 in the 100 and 21.9 in the 200.
“QB eyes know,” Williams said in reference on a key to reading a quarterback. “Coach (Trent) Green tells us every day we have meeting, ‘watch shoulders’ and the QB’s going to tell you where the ball’s going. Every time I see a quarterback’s shoulders go hot, I just know the ball’s coming, so it was to go get it.”
Always a hot topic in spring and fall camp is the debate about who’s the fastest player on the team. Williams ended any debate on that.
“Jhase McMillan,” Williams said of his teammate, who ran 10.4 100 meters and that wasn’t even his best event. “Jhase McMillan ran No. 3 in the state (of Texas) last year in the 200.”
The no QB contact scrimmage gave the defense a slight advantage, but several players made noise led by Seth Brock a defensive end out of Eagle, Idaho. He hurried the quarterback on several occasions and had a would-be sack. The MSU defensive line is expected to be one of the best in the nation but Saturday was without senior starters Paul Brott and Alec Eckert. That made room for players like Hunter Parsons, Logan Frederickson, Talon Marsh and Hunter Sharbono to make noise.
The play of the game occurred shortly after Wilson connected with Javonte King on a 20-yard TD pass across the middle of the field. On the first play of his next possession, Wilson, appearing confident, set up his feet nicely and spotted Jacob Trimble breaking free. He may have rushed his throw a little as the ball came out wobbling and appeared to be on the verge of getting intercepted by Takhari Carr. But Trimble hung with the play and was able to wrestle the ball away from Carr to set the offense up on the 3-yard line. Two plays later Coon was on the receiving end of a second TD pass by Wilson.
Both Wilson and Patrick Duchein were connecting on quick passes across the middle throughout practice and Wilson pointed out that’s something the Bobcat’ quarterbacks are working on as a unit. Wilson finished with 15 completions on 23 passes for 156 yards with no interceptions. Duchien was 16 of 22 for 132 yards with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jared White, who ran 15 times for 70 yards.
“A big emphasis is trying to get the ball out to different areas and different angles,” Wilson said. “In the pocket nothing’s going to be perfect, so we gotta learn how to go around defenders and all that.”
Wilson led MSU on four scoring drives as the White team won the game 24-16. Coon found the end zone twice, while Jabez Woods ran the ball in once from 12 yards and finished with 33 yards on three carries.
Duchein had some tough luck as he had a would-be first down pass dropped by Taco Dowler, then a pass went off the hands of King for one of his two interceptions. His last pick followed one of his more impressive drives as he threw the ball right into the arms of Williams on the last play of the day.
Freshman River Warren had one of the best completions of the day when he found Tom Carter in heavy traffic for 18 yards. He would throw an interception on the very next play as JC transfer Bryant Meredith came down with a deflected pass to stop a promising drive.
Trimble was the top pass catcher with six for 84 yards. Dowler had 56 yards on five grabs, while Steel had 45 yards on three receptions.
Jared White ran the ball well early as MSU has numerous competitions going on along the offensive line, especially for backup spots. The Bobcats battled through several injuries on the line early in the season a year ago and didn’t miss a beat. This year’s group looks just as deep.
The Blue offensive line is basically the first unit and featured senior JT Reed at center, Dylan Rollins at left guard, Everett Carr at right guard, Titan Fleishmann at right tackle and Braden Zimmer at left tackle. Cedric Jefferson is slated to be the starting left tackle while Burke Mastel will likely start at either center or guard once each returns to the lineup.
The White offensive line featured Tommy Nilson at center, Zac Nyland at right guard, Jonathan Luhmann at left guard, Samora Ezekiel at left tackle and Dalton Noble at right tackle.
Coon started the day with the Blue team then switched to the White team at halftime. He scored touchdowns running behind both offensive lines.
“Both sides played really well,” according to Coon who split his time between the Blue and White squads. “They all were phenomenal. I think all the linemen did a good job of just doing what they’re supposed to do.”
MSU lost a pair of great linebackers to injury and graduation in Danny Uluilakepa, who was lost for the season and his career during the seventh game and McCade O’Reilly exhausted his eligibility. Neil Daily and Cole Taylor made a number of plays between them on Saturday.
The Bobcats won’t reconvene until early August as they begin to prep for the 2025 season and their season opener in Eugene, Oregon against Oregon Ducks.
