What Is 2014 Montana State Bobcats football

Overview

The 2014 Montana State Bobcats football team represented Montana State University during the 2014 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing in the Big Sky Conference, the team was led by head coach Jeff Choate in his first full year as head coach after taking over midway through the previous season.

The Bobcats showed improvement in certain areas compared to prior years, particularly on defense, but ultimately fell short of postseason qualification. Despite a competitive schedule and several close games, the team ended the season with a losing record in conference play, which prevented a playoff berth.

• Record: The team finished with a 6–5 overall record and a 4–4 mark in Big Sky Conference play.
• Head Coach:Jeff Choate served as head coach, implementing a more aggressive defensive scheme in his first full season.
• Home Stadium: The Bobcats played their home games at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana, which has a capacity of 17,757.
• Key Player: Quarterback Brody Grebe started multiple games, throwing for 1,387 yards and 8 touchdowns during the season.
Defensive Focus: The team emphasized defense, ranking in the top half of the Big Sky in fewest points allowed per game, averaging 23.1.

Season Performance

The 2014 campaign featured a mix of promising wins and narrow losses, with several games decided by one possession. The Bobcats opened the season with a win over Western Illinois but struggled in conference matchups against top-tier teams like Eastern Washington and North Dakota State.

• September 6, 2014: Montana State defeated Western Illinois 31–10 in Week 1, showing early offensive momentum.
• October 4, 2014: A 38–31 overtime loss to Eastern Washington proved pivotal, as EWU went on to win the Big Sky.
• October 25, 2014: The Bobcats beat Portland State 34–11, one of their most dominant conference performances.
• November 15, 2014: A 35–17 loss to Montana in the Brawl of the Wild sealed their playoff exclusion.
• Defensive Standouts: Linebacker Nate Edwards recorded 108 tackles, leading the team and ranking among FCS leaders.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2014 Bobcats compared to prior and subsequent seasons in key statistical categories:

The 2014 season mirrored the team’s performance in surrounding years, with consistent mid-tier results but no breakthrough into the FCS playoffs. While offensive production remained relatively stable, the lack of depth in key games and inconsistent quarterback play hindered progress. The Bobcats remained competitive but failed to secure the necessary wins to elevate their standing.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season was a transitional year that highlighted both the potential and limitations of Montana State’s program under new leadership. It underscored the challenges of rebuilding a consistent winner in a competitive FCS conference.

• The season demonstrated Jeff Choate’s early impact, with defensive improvements seen across multiple units.
• It marked the continued development of Brody Grebe, who would go on to start more games in subsequent seasons.
• The narrow losses emphasized the need for greater depth and experience in high-pressure situations.
• Attendance at Bobcat Stadium remained strong, reflecting ongoing fan support despite playoff absence.
• The team’s performance influenced future recruiting strategies, focusing on defensive athletes and offensive consistency.
• This season laid groundwork for later improvements, culminating in playoff appearances in the late 2010s.

While not a standout year in wins and losses, the 2014 Montana State Bobcats season was a building block in the program’s longer-term trajectory, setting the stage for future competitiveness in the Big Sky Conference.