The FCS’ No. 1 team will be without two of its top offensive weapons tonight, Skyline Sports confirmed Saturday afternoon via multiple sources.
Justin Lamson, preseason All-Big Sky Conference selection at quarterback and MVP of last year’s FCS title game, will miss tonight’s start against Northern Arizona due to a leg injury suffered last week against Central Connecticut State.
Taco Dowler, a second-team All-Big Sky wide receiver last season who was also a star during Montana State’s run to the FCS championship, will also miss tonight’s nationally televised game against the No. 18 Lumberjacks due to an undisclosed injury.
Patrick Duchien Jr. will make his first career start as quarterback for the Bobcats.
Duchien appeared in three games this season and completed 10 of 12 passes for 140 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The Florence, Montana, product also rushed for 15 yards and a touchdown. His 83.3 percent completion rate leads the Bobcats this season among quarterbacks with at least one attempt. When Lamson was out last week, Duchien came in and scored a rushing touchdown on his very first touch of the game.
Duchien has already demonstrated his big-play abilities this season. Against Butler, he entered late and connected with Jabez Woods on a 35-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of Montana State’s 51-24 victory.
Dowler has 23 catches for 218 yards so far this year and is also averaging over 20 yards per punt return, the best average in the country. With Dowler sidelined, Dane Steel, Jabez Woods and Jordan Reed should be among Duchien’s top targets.
Steel enters tonight’s game in the midst of an outstanding junior season. He has 17 catches for 326 yards and four receiving touchdowns.
Woods has already established himself as one of Montana State’s most explosive playmakers. Against Butler, the junior returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown — the Bobcats’ first kickoff return touchdown since 2022 — before catching a 35-yard touchdown from Duchien later in the game.
Reed, a 6-foot-6, 228-pound fifth-year senior and former quarterback, gives Duchien a massive target on the outside.
Montana State enters tonight’s game 4-0 and ranked #1 in the FCS. The Bobcats have won 18 straight games since last season’s national championship.
The timing of Lamson & Dowler’s recoveries is undetermined. This story will be updated.
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