No. 3 Montana State will host Northern Colorado at home on Saturday

BOZEMAN – No. 3 Montana State returns home to host winless Northern Colorado on Saturday.

Despite the Bears' 0-5 record, the Bobcats maintain their “1-0 every day” mentality and don't look past the opponents in front of them.

“In Northern Colorado, we’re facing a team that’s struggling on a record level,” Montana State coach Brent Vigen said. “That being said, they have performed really well at times this year. You know, they took Abilene Christian, a highly ranked team, to the brink. Abilene Christian needed a last-second field goal to win the game. You” “I've played a really decent schedule so far and there have been lightning strikes.”

“They haven’t won a game in a while, but that doesn’t mean anything,” Montana State receiver Taco Dowler said. “They’re a really good team so we need to get going quickly I think.”

Northern Colorado has used five quarterbacks this season, presenting a game-planning challenge for Vigen and Co. against who they believe they will see at the helm on Saturday.

“I think we feel like there are a few people that are out there right now,” Vigen said. “So narrow it down to the guys you think are going to play and what is their mode, what is their style.”

As the team focuses on the majority of Big Sky Conference play, Montana State will rely on its experienced leadership. Since the Cats remain the only undefeated team in the Big Sky, they are prepared to give their best every Saturday.

“This team is just different,” Dowler said. “We will fight. It starts, of course, with (quarterback) Tommy (Mellott). We will fight. You follow your leaders and we have 24, 23 of them this year. We “We’ll be fine. It gave us a lot of confidence.”

“When you're a team that's at the top of the conference, you should expect the best from everyone,” Vigen said.

Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium. The game will air on CBS affiliates in Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Billings and Helena. In Missoula and the Flathead Valley, it airs on the MTN channel.