The Oregon Ducks kick off the 2025 college football season this Saturday with a game against the Montana State Bobcats at Autzen Stadium. While many Oregon fans will brush this off as a Week 1 matchup against an FCS school, I would caution you against that.
While Montana State may not compete in the FBS alongside programs like Oregon and 135 others, that doesn’t mean they aren’t talented and capable of giving the Ducks a test. According to Bill Connelly’s SP+ rankings on ESPN, which combine all FBS and FCS teams into one massive scale, Montana State would be the 80th-best team in the nation. Comparatively, the Oregon State Beavers are No. 75, and the Stanford Cardinal are No. 84.
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You also don’t have to think far into the past to remember a time when an FCS school tested the Ducks. In Week 1 of the 2024 season, Oregon beat the Idaho Vandals by a score of 21-14.
With all of that being said, it’s smart not to look past your opponent, especially in Week 1 with so much new on the Oregon roster. In order to give proper attention, here’s a look at five Bobcats whom the Ducks should pay attention to this weekend.
QB Justin Lamson
Former Stanford Cardinal quarterback Justin Lamson transferred to Montana State this offseason and won the starting job, where he now looks to fill the shoes of Tommy Mellott, the Bobcats’ first-ever Walter Payton Award winner. Lamson played in 24 games with the Cardinal over the past two years, completing just 62-of-135 passes for 804 yards, 4 TDs, and 4 INTs. He is also a mobile quarterback, rushing for 428 yards and 13 TDs during his time in Palo Alto.
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The Ducks have experience against Lamson, having played him in 2023 when hosting the Cardinal. In that game, Lamson completed 11-of-20 passes for 106 yards and added 32 rushing yards on 22 attempts.
RB Adam Jones
Adam Jones is coming off a career year in 2024 as the RB2 at Montana State, where he rushed for 1,152 yards and 14 TDs, while also adding 234 yards and 1 TD receiving as well. Jones is receiving the preseason accolades as well, being named the preseason Big Sky MVP, a preseason All-American, and a preseason All-Big Sky player.
WR Taco Dowler
Taco Dowler is one of the top wide receivers in all of the FCS, putting up 11 touchdowns with 597 yards on 38 catches a year ago. He is also a dynamic punt returner, being named a Preseason All-American and a Preseason All-Big Sky player at receiver.
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DL Paul Brott
Paul Brott is one of the leaders of Montana State’s defense, coming into the year as a 2nd Team All-American and All-Big Sky player in the preseason. Last season, he earned All-Big Sky honors and was fourth on the team with 49 tackles and six tackles for loss.
DL Kenneth Eiden IV
Kenneth Eiden IV is another Preseason All-American and All-Big Sky player for Montana State after emerging as one of the best defensive players on the roster a year ago, racking up 10.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Five Montana State players who Oregon Duck fans should know in Week 1
