FCS Notes: Mellott's presence noted

Count South Dakota coach Bob Nielson among those impressed by All-America Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott.

“Really experienced player. Really talented player,” Nielson, who brings his 11-2 Coyotes in to face the 14-0 MSU Bobcats Saturday for an FCS semifinal game. “He’s a gifted runner and I think where he’s improved his game over the last two years is his ability to distribute the football.  

“A couple years ago I think people would have called him a running quarterback, and now he’s a quarterback that is a very talented runner.” 

Saturday’s game, which kicks off at 1:30 p.m. and will be shown on ABC, pits a team that is sixth in rushing offense and 10th in rushing defense (USD) against a squad that is No. 2 in rushing offense and No. 17 in rushing D (the Bobcats). 

Montana State’s Scottre Humphrey, whom coach Brent Vigen feels will play against USD, remains No. 9 in the FCS in rushing at 1,325 yards despite missing the Cats’ 52-19 win over Idaho last week. Adam Jones is No. 28 at 1,068 yards. 

South Dakota has Charles Pierre Jr. (1,187) and Travis Theis (1,062) sitting 18th and 29th. 

Mellott, who has thrown for 2,430 yards and run for 790, gives the Cats the plus-1 running factor that USD southpaw quarterback Aidan Bouman (minus-41 rushing yards) does not. 

“(You need) a combination of having a scheme that has to first and foremost be good against the run,” Nielson said of his defensive goals. “But you have to be careful of how many people you commit there.” 

Long Resume 

Nielson came to USD after three seasons coaching Missouri Valley Conference rival Western Illinois; he took the reins from former Griz coach Joe Glenn, who retired after four seasons (and 12 wins) at his alma mater. 

Glenn stepped away at age 66 to give USD a chance to let a younger coach take over; Nielsen, now in his ninth season in Vermillion, turned 65 in September. 

He’s 53-47 at USD, but the Coyotes have won 21 of their last 26. His coaching resume includes DII championships with Minnesota-Duluth in 2008 and 2010. 

4 out of 5 Ain’t Bad 

It’s been noted that Montana State has made the FCS semifinals four times in the last five seasons, and it’s true if you discount the truncated 2020 spring Covid-19 season, which neither UM nor Montana State participated in.  

With that out of the way, the Cats are the first Big Sky Conference to pull off such a feat.  

Montana made three straight from 1994-96, and three out of four from 2008-2011. Nevada made three out of four from 1983-86. 

That Guy is Back  

Center Justus Perkins recently returned to the field for the MSU Bobcats after a preseason injury kept him out of the first 11 games. 

That means the Cats thrived up front despite missing three stalwarts from last year — Rush Reimer (Cal) and Omar Aigbedion (Baylor) transferred out last spring — for much of 2024. 

Wehr has been listed as the backup to Darby High product Cole Sain since his return. 

“I think his positivity from a petty early stage, post-injury, was significant,” MSU coach Brent Vigen said. “Three years of starting every game. He’s come back and played now in the last three games in some fashion. I know he’s ready to go if we do need him. He was on track to break starts records, and be an all-conference, all-American type of guy.” 

Perkins, a senior out of Bozeman, had 41 starts heading into this season. The Bobcat legacy — his dad Josh played corner for the Bobcats from 1995-99 — was honorable mention all-Big Sky in 2022 and ‘23. 

QUICK KICKS: Aidan Baumann’s dad, Todd, played quarterback at St. Cloud State in Minnesota and then in the NFL for the Vikings, Saints, Rams and Jaguars. ...  Nielson’s career coaching record is 239-127-1. ... Expected high temperature Saturday in Bozeman is 49 degrees. ... USD tight end JJ Galbreath was on the AP’s FCS All-America team released Tuesday, along with Pierre Jr., defensive end Mi’Quise Grace, center Joey Lombard and safety Dennis Shorter.