What Is 2017 Montana State Bobcats football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Montana State Bobcats football team represented Montana State University in the NCAA Division I FCS football season. They finished with a 6–5 overall record and placed fourth in the Big Sky Conference with a 4–4 conference record. Head coach Jeff Choate led the team in his first season.

Key Facts

2017 record: 6–5 overall, 4–4 in Big Sky Conference
Head coach Jeff Choate in his first season
Played home games at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana
Fourth-place finish in the Big Sky Conference standings
Did not qualify for the FCS playoffs

Overview

The 2017 Montana State Bobcats football team competed in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Big Sky Conference. Representing Montana State University, the team was led by first-year head coach Jeff Choate, who took over after the departure of previous coach Travis DeCuire. The season marked a rebuilding phase for the program as it adjusted to new leadership and strategies.

The Bobcats played their home games at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana, a venue known for its passionate fan base and high-altitude conditions. While the team showed improvement in several areas, they ultimately missed the FCS playoffs. Despite the non-playoff finish, the season laid the groundwork for future competitiveness under Choate’s guidance.

Overall record: The Bobcats finished the season with a 6–5 win-loss record, marking a modest improvement in a transitional year under new leadership.
Conference performance: In Big Sky play, they went 4–4, placing them in a tie for fourth place and just outside the playoff qualification threshold.
Head coach:Jeff Choate began his tenure in 2017 after serving as defensive coordinator at Texas, bringing a renewed focus on defense and discipline.
Home stadium:Bobcat Stadium, with a capacity of approximately 17,700, hosted all home games and provided a challenging environment for visiting teams.
Playoff outcome: The team did not qualify for the FCS playoffs, ending their season after the regular schedule concluded in November.

How It Works

The 2017 season operated within the structure of NCAA Division I FCS football, governed by conference scheduling, rankings, and playoff eligibility rules. Each team plays a 11- or 12-game regular season, with automatic playoff berths awarded to conference champions and select at-large teams based on rankings.

Regular season: The Bobcats played 11 games, including six conference matchups and five non-conference contests against teams like North Dakota and Northern Colorado.
Scoring offense: Montana State averaged 23.8 points per game, ranking in the lower half of the Big Sky, highlighting room for offensive improvement.
Defensive effort: The defense allowed 25.6 points per game, a slight improvement over previous years but still inconsistent against top-tier conference opponents.
Key player: Quarterback Taylor Hearn started most games, throwing for 1,813 yards and 11 touchdowns, anchoring the team’s offensive efforts.
Rivalry game: The annual Brawl of the Wild against Montana ended in a 29–25 loss, a close contest that had playoff implications for both teams.
Recruiting impact: Choate’s first recruiting class included 22 signees, many of whom contributed immediately, signaling a shift in program culture.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2017 Montana State Bobcats with other top Big Sky teams that season, highlighting key performance metrics.

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Points For	Points Against
Montana State	6–5	4–4	262	282
Montana	7–4	5–3	278	220
North Dakota State	11–1	7–1	377	175
Eastern Washington	7–4	5–3	313	279
UC Davis	5–6	3–5	224	288

The Bobcats ranked in the middle of the Big Sky standings, outperforming lower-tier teams but falling short against powerhouses like North Dakota State. Their point differential of –20 reflected a competitive but inconsistent season. While Montana and Eastern Washington advanced further in the postseason, Montana State’s 2017 campaign served as a foundation for future growth.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was pivotal for the Montana State football program, setting the tone for a new coaching era and influencing recruiting, player development, and team culture. Though not a playoff year, it provided valuable experience and data for future strategic planning.

Program transition: The shift from DeCuire to Choate marked a new leadership model emphasizing accountability and defensive intensity.
Player development: Young quarterbacks and defensive backs gained critical experience, many becoming starters in subsequent seasons.
Recruiting momentum: Choate’s connections and modern approach helped attract higher-caliber recruits from across the western U.S.
Stadium attendance: Average home attendance remained strong at over 14,000 per game, reflecting continued fan support.
Conference competitiveness: Finishing fourth showed the team could compete, but also revealed gaps needing attention before playoff contention.
Long-term impact: The 2017 season laid the groundwork for future success, including deeper playoff runs in later years.

Ultimately, the 2017 Montana State Bobcats season was a transitional chapter that emphasized rebuilding and rebranding. While wins were limited, the foundation established that year contributed to the program’s resurgence in the early 2020s.