Venue & Kickoff
Location: Bobcat Stadium, Bozeman, Montana
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM MT / 7:00 PM CT / 8:00 PM ET
Broadcast: ESPN+ / Midco Sports 2
Capacity: 20,767
Theme: Gold Rush Game — fans encouraged to wear gold
Weather Forecast (Bozeman, MT – Kickoff)
Conditions: Mostly clear, mild
Temperature: ~72°F at kickoff, dropping into the low 60s by game’s end
Wind: Light WNW at 4–6 mph
Precipitation: <5%
Impact: Minimal; perfect conditions for both passing and rushing attacks
Injury Report
South Dakota State
No major injuries reported after Week 1 win over Sacramento State (20–3)
Montana State
No significant injuries reported after Week 1 loss at Oregon (59–13)
Team Records & Recent Form
SDSU: Defending FCS champions; QB Mark Gronowski 17/25, 211 yds, 1 TD in opener; RB Isaiah Davis 112 rush yds, 1 TD; defense held Sac State to 3 points.
MSU: QB Tommy Mellott 12/19, 148 yds, 1 TD vs. Oregon; RB Julius Davis 67 rush yds; defense allowed 608 total yds to FBS No. 7 Oregon.
Key Player Matchups
RB Isaiah Davis (SDSU) vs. LB Nolan Askelson (MSU)
Davis: 1,500+ rush yds in 2024; Askelson: Defensive captain, 9 tackles in opener.
QB Mark Gronowski (SDSU) vs. MSU Secondary
Gronowski: 65% comp. in opener; MSU allowed 4 pass TDs vs. Oregon.
QB Tommy Mellott (MSU) vs. SDSU Pass Rush
Mellott: Dual-threat; SDSU had 3 sacks vs. Sac State.
RB Julius Davis (MSU) vs. SDSU Front Seven
Davis: 5.1 YPC in opener; SDSU allowed just 2.7 YPC in Week 1.
Series History
All-Time: Montana State leads 11–7
Last Meeting: SDSU 36–10 (2023 FCS Semifinals, Brookings)
Trend: SDSU has won 5 of last 6; MSU’s last win came in 2021 FCS Semifinals (31–17, Bozeman)
Betting Trends
SDSU: 7–3 ATS in last 10; UNDER in 4 of last 6 road games
MSU: 6–4 ATS in last 10; OVER in 5 of last 7 home games
Home team has won 3 of last 4 meetings
Game Outlook
This is a national-title caliber matchup in early September. SDSU’s physical run game and disciplined defense will test Montana State’s offensive line, while the Bobcats’ home-field advantage and dual-threat QB Mellott could keep it tight into the second half. Expect a physical, playoff-style atmosphere in Bozeman.
Game Odds
South Dakota State Jackrabbits – 6.5
Montana State Bobcats 48.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025
