I really enjoyed working on this story, and not just because I got to talk to former Oregon coach Joe Moorhead.
After uneven debut, Montana State OC Taylor Housewright is equipped for strong season
22 Sunday Jan 2023
Posted in Billings Gazette/406mtsports.com
I really enjoyed working on this story, and not just because I got to talk to former Oregon coach Joe Moorhead.
After uneven debut, Montana State OC Taylor Housewright is equipped for strong season
09 Monday May 2022
Posted in Billings Gazette/406mtsports.com
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.
09 Monday May 2022
Posted in Billings Gazette/406mtsports.com, Breaking news
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
09 Monday May 2022
Posted in Billings Gazette/406mtsports.com, Breaking news
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
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’
04 Friday Feb 2022
Posted in Billings Gazette/406mtsports.com, Breaking news
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.
04 Friday Feb 2022
Posted in Billings Gazette/406mtsports.com, Breaking news
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.
04 Friday Feb 2022
Posted in Billings Gazette/406mtsports.com
You’d think the biggest Montana sporting event of the year would be easy to watch, but that wasn’t the case in 2021. I explained why.
DISH users forced to find other ways to watch Brawl of the Wild
04 Friday Feb 2022
Posted in Billings Gazette/406mtsports.com
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
04 Friday Feb 2022
Posted in Billings Gazette/406mtsports.com
This was probably the toughest, most emotional story I worked on during my first year covering Montana State. I’m always impressed and grateful when people I cover open up to me like this.
04 Friday Feb 2022
Posted in Billings Gazette/406mtsports.com, Breaking news
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.