This story, about how the Montana State football program has dealt with the losses of key players to the transfer portal, recently netted me a third-place award for “Best Sports Story” from the Montana Newspaper Association.

‘You’ve got to stay nimble’: How Montana State Bobcats are navigating NIL-fueled transfer era

I’m always grateful and surprised when people open up in interviews about tragic events in their lives.

Basketball became ‘sanctuary’ for Montana State’s Robert Ford III after deaths of father, brother

This is primarily a deep dive into how Montana State’s Marcus Wehr became one of the FCS’s best offensive linemen and an NFL prospect. It also provides a window into the transfer portal/NIL era of college football. Wehr had chances to leave MSU for a big paycheck, but a handful of factors led him to stay.

‘A different cat’: Montana State’s Marcus Wehr overcame doubts to become All-American

I always enjoy writing about people on the periphery of the Montana State football team, and this is one of my favorite such stories I’ve worked on.

Leo Davis has come ‘full circle’ as Montana State’s barrier-breaking color commentator

Someone told me this story “let the reader decide” how to feel about the football player who posted a racial slur, lost his scholarship and ended up at Montana State. That was 100% my goal when I wrote the story, so I hope anyone else who reads it feels the same way.

Missoula’s Zac Crews seizing second chance with Montana State Bobcats after ‘huge mistake’

I’m not sure how many people find this kind of story interesting, but I find it pretty fascinating and really enjoyed working on it.

‘No magic formula’: Big Sky teams face many challenges when forming nonconference schedules

This is one of the cooler stories I’ve ever worked on. Thanks to my then-editor, Jeff Welsch, for giving me the idea: why did Craig Kilborn, former Montana State men’s basketball player, walk away from a burgeoning late night TV career?

‘The guy who walked away’: Montana State grad Craig Kilborn enjoying life out of ESPN, late night spotlight

For the second time in my four years on the Montana State football beat, I covered an FCS championship game between MSU and North Dakota State.

My first trip to Frisco, Texas, happened in January 2022. The latest one happened last week.

Below are all of the 2024 FCS title-specific stories I published in the lead-up and in the immediate aftermath of the game.

‘One of the greats’: Well-rounded Brody Grebe prepares for final game of Montana State career

Passing improvement has lifted Tommy Mellott, Montana State Bobcats to upper echelon

Brent Vigen gets sizable raise in new contract as Montana State Bobcats head coach

Notebook: Past losses fueled Montana State Bobcats to FCS title rematch with North Dakota State

Q&A: Ryan Leaf on calling FCS title game, Montana State Bobcats connections

NFL players Daniel Hardy, Ty Okada reveling in Montana State Bobcats’ return to Frisco

Montana State Bobcats’ Tommy Mellott wins 2024 Walter Payton Award

Five things to watch: Montana State Bobcats vs. North Dakota State Bison in FCS title game

Montana State Bobcats’ historic season ends with loss to North Dakota State in FCS title game

If not now, then when for Montana State Bobcats? Maybe soon, but Bison still loom

Whenever Montana State football players enter the transfer portal, speculation runs rampant. Many fan theories are untrue, so I try to provide at least some clarity to the situation. I did that with the story below.

Four former Montana State Bobcats shed light on decisions to transfer to FBS programs

This story wouldn’t have been possible without the cooperation of the two main characters and Montana State’s sports information director, so big thanks to all three of them. It’s probably my favorite story I wrote during MSU’s 2023 football season.

‘A blessing’: Bond between Sean Chambers, Brent Vigen bolstered with Montana State Bobcats