Profile of Montana State president

I wrote a long profile of Montana State president Waded Cruzado last month, focusing on her impact on MSU athletics. This was one of the most interesting, enjoyable stories I’ve worked on during my time on the MSU beat.

‘You cannot feign passion’: Montana State president Waded Cruzado has played crucial role in athletic success

Montana State football transfer coverage

Like many college football programs, Montana State has been affected by the (relatively) new transfer portal. I’ve written so many stories about players transferring to and from MSU, many of which are short news items, but I’ve also been able to interview some of those players and/or people surrounding them. Below are the stories stemming from those conversations.

Q&A: Sean Chambers discusses Montana State commitment, ‘snakebit’ Wyoming career

‘Everything checked out’: Air Force transfer Dru Polidore found good fit at Montana State

Montana State offers opportunities to transfer receiver Ravi Alston

Former Montana State QB Matthew McKay transfers to Elon

Q&A: Casey Bauman reflects on Montana State career after entering transfer portal

Q&A: Montana State lineman TJ Session explains why he entered transfer portal

Former Montana State receiver Charles Brown transfers to Bobcats of Texas State

Former Montana State kicker Luke Pawlak commits to Toledo

Montana State running back Isaiah Ifanse enters transfer portal

Montana State NFL Draft coverage

My coverage of Troy Andersen’s NFL Draft outlook began in December with the first article linked below. It was clear back then that Andersen, one of the best football players in Montana State history, would be drafted in April, so I asked a couple draft analysts about him.

As you can see below, my coverage of his path to the NFL was just getting started. Andersen was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the 58th overall pick, the second-highest draft pick in MSU history.

Andersen’s teammate Daniel Hardy was also drafted, in the seventh round by the Los Angeles Rams. He was gracious enough to talk to me shortly after he was selected.

‘He checks boxes’: NFL future for Montana State’s Troy Andersen is not if but where

Montana State’s Troy Andersen accepts Senior Bowl invitation

Montana State’s Troy Andersen caps impressive week with solid Senior Bowl performance

Montana State’s Troy Andersen invited to NFL Scouting Combine

Q&A: Senior Bowl’s Jim Nagy discusses ‘off the charts’ performance from Montana State’s Troy Andersen

Montana State’s Troy Andersen shows off elite speed at NFL combine

Troy Andersen uses Montana State’s Pro Day to once again showcase NFL ability

Montana State’s Troy Andersen selected by Atlanta Falcons in second round of NFL Draft

‘He’s a rare athlete’: Montana State’s Troy Andersen draws praise from Atlanta Falcons coach, GM

Q&A: For Montana State’s Daniel Hardy, being drafted by Los Angeles Rams ‘still doesn’t feel real’

Story on firing of broadcaster

A Montana State play-by-play broadcaster was fired after comparing the Portland State women’s basketball team to anifa and the South Side of Chicago. I was the first reporter to publish a story about the incident and the only one to provide many of the main details and comments from the people/organizations involved. I also clipped videos of the broadcaster’s on-air remarks. My article was cited in several outlets, including The Oregonian in a column by John Canzano.

Montana State broadcaster Mark Martello fired after comments about Chicago, antifa during women’s basketball game

Coverage of Montana State quarterback’s injury

Coming off Montana State’s loss in the FCS title game, everyone interested in the program wanted to know how severe the ankle injury was for MSU star quarterback Tommy Mellott. I provided some clarity.

Sources: Montana State QB Tommy Mellott to undergo ankle surgery

Sources: Montana State QB Tommy Mellott on optimistic path to recovery from surgery

UPDATE: I wrote about Mellott’s return from injury at the start of spring camp.

Story on Montana State NIL opportunities

This was both a fun story to work on and, I believe, an informative look at college sports’ new name, image and likeness rules from a local perspective.

NIL opportunities have been a ‘touchdown’ for Montana State athletes like Troy Andersen

UPDATE: I wrote about MSU’s NIL collective during the 2022 season:

Montana State supporters form NIL collective

Bobcat Collective signs 80 Montana State football players to NIL contracts

Montana State coaching change coverage

The Montana State football program lost its defensive coordinator, tight ends coach and assistant defensive line coach after the 2021 season. I didn’t break the DC news but confirmed it with a source. I broke the news of the assistant DL coach leaving, as well as the hiring of the new tight ends coach. I broke the TEs coaching hire on Twitter, hours before MSU made it official.