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Editor’s Note: As Montanans prepare to choose their side in the Montana-Montana State athletic rivalry, which will be renewed on the football field in Saturday’s FCS National Semifinal, Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen is looking back at the history of the game – the legendary performances, the game-changing moments, and the Hall of Famers – in her Cat-Griz Classics series.
HELENA, Mont. — “Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.”
Those seven simple words were made famous in the 1990s cult classic, The Sandlot, but the idea of the phrase lives on today. And there’s no better example in Montana than looking to the history of the Cat-Griz football rivalry.
In the 100-plus-year history of the Brawl of the Wild, dozens of players have left their mark, etching their name into the chapters of the state’s greatest rivalry.
Secretary Christi Jacobsen recalls those Legends of the Brawl in the latest edition of her Cat-Griz Classics series. (Note: Several players were previously featured for their inductions into the Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame and will not be included in this list.)
Tommy Mellott, Montana State Quarterback
Tommy Mellott enjoyed a highly decorated career as the quarterback for the Montana State Bobcats, becoming one of the most accomplished players in program history. He led MSU to two FCS National Championship Game appearances, finished with top-five all-time school marks in both passing and rushing, and landed in the Bobcat record books in wins and touchdowns before graduating. In his senior season he captured the 2024 Walter Payton Award as the nation’s top FCS offensive player along with consensus All-America and All-Big Sky Conference honors, helping the Bobcats to an undefeated regular season. Mellott’s success on and off the field also included major scholar-athlete distinctions, and he was selected in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders.
John Edwards, Montana Quarterback
John Edwards enjoyed an outstanding football career with the Montana Grizzlies, distinguished by both elite production and a winning mentality. After leading Billings West High School to its first state championship in 1997, Edwards carried that success to Montana, passing for more than 6,700 yards and totaling more than 60 scores during his career. He guided the Grizzlies to 14 consecutive wins in 2001, capped by a 13-6 victory over Furman in the national championship game.
Troy Andersen, Montana State Running Back/Quarterback/Linebacker
Troy Andersen enjoyed an exceptional and highly versatile football career at Montana State, starring at multiple positions and earning national recognition for his play and leadership. Over his career he was a Big Sky Freshman of the Year, All-America at both quarterback and linebacker, and capped it by being named the FCS ADA National Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, showcasing his impact on both sides of the ball. Andersen’s athleticism also put him high on MSU’s record lists in rushing touchdowns and yards, and he was a two-time team captain respected for his toughness and football IQ. His ability to excel in so many roles made him one of the most unique and celebrated players in Bobcat history. Andersen is currently an NFL linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons.
Chase Reynolds, Montana Running Back
Chase Reynolds enjoyed a legendary career with Montana football from 2006–2010, emerging from small-school 8-man roots in Drummond to become one of the greatest running backs in Grizzly history. He still holds school records for career rushing touchdowns (52) and total touchdowns (59) while finishing second all-time in rushing yards with 4,067, just three yards shy of the program record. Reynolds was a driving force on Grizzly teams that went 46–8 overall, won three Big Sky titles, and made back-to-back national championship game appearances, going 3–1 against Montana State during his career. A two-time Walter Payton Award finalist, two-time All-American, and multiple team MVP and positional award winner, Reynolds left his name throughout the record book and set the standard for toughness, productivity, and leadership at Montana.
Marc Mariani, Montana Receiver
Marc Mariani’s career at Montana stands as one of the most accomplished in Grizzly and Big Sky history, rising from a walk-on from Havre to an elite receiver and return specialist. He set numerous school records, including single-season receiving yards (1,479 in 2009), career receiving yards (3,018), receiving touchdowns (29), and all-purpose yards (5,441), while also establishing conference marks in punt and kick return excellence. Mariani delivered some of the most iconic plays in program history, including a 94-yard punt return that tied a Big Sky record and a 98-yard kickoff return that ignited a historic comeback in 2009. A multi-time All-American, two-time first-team All-Big Sky selection, and team MVP, Mariani capped his Grizzly career before being drafted by the Tennessee Titans and going on to earn Pro Bowl and All-Pro recognition in the NFL.
Tanner Bleskin, Montana State Receiver
Tanner Bleskin enjoyed an outstanding career at Montana State, establishing himself as one of the most productive and dependable receivers in program history. After emerging with 30 catches in 2011, he earned second-team All-Big Sky honors in 2012 (66 receptions, 928 yards, 4 touchdowns) and capped his senior season with 64 receptions for 969 yards and three touchdowns, finishing as a two-time all-conference selection. Bleskin set Montana State records for career receptions (193) and receiving yards (2,816) while helping the Bobcats win at least a share of Big Sky titles in 2010, 2011, and 2012. He also excelled off the field, earning CSC Academic All-America honors and exemplifying the student-athlete ideal.
Kroy Bierman, Montana Defensive Line
Kroy Biermann enjoyed a dominant career at Montana, developing into one of the most feared defensive players in Big Sky history. After modest beginnings as a freshman, he steadily improved, recording 76 tackles, 14 for loss, and 11 sacks as a junior in 2006, earning First Team All-Big Sky honors. His senior season in 2007 was historic, as he captured Big Sky Defensive MVP and the Buck Buchanan Award with 15 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles. Biermann finished his career with 33 sacks, fourth all-time in conference history, 192 total tackles, and 10 forced fumbles, cementing his legacy as one of Montana’s greatest defenders. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the NFL Draft.
Dane Fletcher, Montana State Defensive Line
Dane Fletcher had a standout career at Montana State, emerging from a special teams contributor as a freshman in 2006 to one of the most dominant defensive players in Bobcat history. As a starting defensive lineman, he led the Big Sky in tackles-for-loss multiple seasons, earning First Team All-America honors and becoming Montana State’s third Big Sky Defensive MVP of the decade. Fletcher’s senior season featured 17 tackles-for-loss—the most in the conference and second in the FCS—and 6.5 sacks despite playing only nine games, along with multiple blocked kicks. Known for his relentless work ethic and game-changing plays, he ranks among MSU’s all-time leaders in tackles-for-loss. After college, Fletcher played in the NFL with the New England Patriots, including a Super Bowl XLVI appearance, before retiring and returning to Bozeman to run his training facility, The Pitt.
Brad Daly, Montana State Defensive Line
Brad Daly enjoyed a remarkable career at Montana State, becoming one of the most feared defensive players in program history. His standout 2013 season, highlighted by 14 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss, earned him the Buck Buchanan Award as the nation’s top FCS defensive player, Big Sky MVP honors, and First Team All-America recognition. Daly finished his career with 34 sacks, which ranked fourth in school history, and joined his father J. and brother Bobby as MSU All-Americans and team captains. Daly’s relentless pursuit and consistent play cemented his legacy as one of Montana State’s all-time defensive stars.
Caleb Schreibeis, Montana State Defensive Line
A late bloomer, Caleb Schreibeis became one of the premier defensive stars in the Big Sky Conference. After showing significant promise as a junior with seven sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 64 total tackles, he exploded in his senior season, leading the conference with 12.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss while topping the nation with eight forced fumbles. His dominant play helped Montana State capture a share of its third consecutive Big Sky Championship and secure a third straight playoff appearance. For his exceptional performance, Schreibeis earned All-Big Sky First Team honors and was awarded the prestigious Buck Buchanan Award as the nation’s top FCS defensive player.
Jordan Tripp, Montana Linebacker
Jordan Tripp had an outstanding career with the Montana Grizzlies, standing out as a rare four-year starter and five-time letterman. He finished his career fourth in school history with 335 tackles and set a school record with 10 fumble recoveries, starting 38 of 53 games, including 24 consecutive starts during his junior and senior seasons. As a senior, Tripp recorded 100 tackles, tied for the team lead with three interceptions, and earned first-team All-Big Sky and All-America honors for the second consecutive year. He also served as co-captain on defense, won the Pat Norwood Award for Most Inspirational Player, and was a two-time finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, finishing 10th in voting both seasons.
Bobby Daly, Montana State Linebacker
Bobby Daly enjoyed an exceptional career at Montana State, emerging as one of the most dominant linebackers in program history after a breakout freshman season during the Bobcats’ 2005 Big Sky championship run. A former defensive end at Helena Capital, Daly quickly became a tackling machine, leading the conference with 121 tackles in 2006 and following it with an even stronger 2007 campaign in which he led the Big Sky and ranked fourth nationally with 136 tackles. He earned First Team All-Big Sky and All-America honors in 2007, consistently posting double-digit tackle performances while anchoring the Bobcat defense. Despite injuries as a senior, Daly finished his career as a two-time All-American, a second-generation team captain, and the fourth-leading tackler in Montana State history, cementing his legacy as one of the program’s all-time greats.
Colt Anderson, Montana Defensive Back
Colt Anderson enjoyed a standout career at Montana from 2006–2008, emerging as one of the Grizzlies’ premier defensive leaders and a model walk-on success story. A two-time All-American and three-time First Team All-Big Sky selection, Anderson helped lead Montana to a 37-5 record during his career, including a run to the 2008 national championship game. Known for his physicality and consistency, he recorded 313 career tackles, ranking among the top 10 in program history. Anderson earned multiple team honors, including the Steve Carlson MVP, Tony Barbour Award, and Golden Helmet Award. Anderson also excelled academically, earning Academic All-Big Sky honors in 2008. Following his collegiate career, he played nine seasons in the NFL and transitioned into the coaching ranks.
Vince Huntsberger, Montana Defensive Back
Vince Huntsberger enjoyed a legendary career with the Montana Grizzlies, establishing himself as one of the most dominant defensive players in program history. A durable and consistent leader, he started 55 consecutive games and finished as Montana’s all-time leading tackler with 469 career stops, helping the Griz win four Big Sky titles and the 2001 Division I-AA National Championship, earning MVP honors in the title game. Huntsberger was a two-time Big Sky Defensive MVP, an eight-time All-American, and the 2001 Buck Buchanan Award runner-up, and he even received a Heisman vote for his remarkable impact on the field. Beyond football, he excelled academically, earning a 3.87 GPA in biology/pre-med, three Academic All-America selections, and recognition as a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy. His combination of athletic excellence, leadership, and academic achievement cemented Huntsberger as one of the greatest Grizzlies of all time.
Shann Schillinger, Montana Defensive Back
Shann Schillinger was a standout defensive player for the Montana Grizzlies, known for his ball‑hawking ability and consistent production from the secondary. Over his career he appeared in 57 games, finishing in the top 20 in school history with 257 career tackles and 10 interceptions. Schillinger was a key contributor on Griz defenses that reached the FCS National Championship game and earned first‑team All‑Big Sky honors in 2009, while also being recognized with team awards for his leadership and effort. His combination of durability, tackling, and turnover production made him one of the more versatile and impactful defensive backs in Montana’s recent history.
Kane Ioane, Montana State Defensive Back
Kane Ioane enjoyed a legendary career at Montana State, earning recognition as one of the greatest defensive players in Big Sky history. Ioane would become the first and only Bobcat to be named All-American four times. He helped transform the program from an 0‑11 team during his freshman season into back-to-back Big Sky champions in 2002 and 2003, ending a 16-year losing streak to Montana along the way. Ioane finished his career with 471 tackles, second all-time in Big Sky history, along with 10 interceptions and five fumble recoveries, earning league Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior. His leadership, playmaking ability, and consistency made him the cornerstone of Montana State’s defense, and one of the Bobcats’ favorite sons.