Bobcat Football Mount Rushmore(s)

[AFCAT]

In the 84 Championship game, Fellows was unblockable. One of the greatest defensive performances in MSU history. Probably the greatest. Oh hell - the greatest.

I believe the team had something like 11 sacks in that game. I wonder if that's a record.

[John K]

This is obviously a very difficult task, but my list starts with Fellows and Lulay. After that, gotta give that some more thought, although the two that come immediately to mind, even though they were before my time, are Sonny Holland and Kollar.

[John K]

Travis Lulay won a bunch of games almost single handedly. McGhee, Bradley, Mellot, Lamson never had to do that.

[TomCat88]

Travis Lulay won a bunch of games almost single handedly. McGhee, Bradley, Mellot, Lamson never had to do that.

Which ones?

The best individual effort by a quarterback for MSU was Mellott vs sdsu in 2021. He had 388 of MSU’s 409 yards.

[Prodigal Cat]

Travis Lulay won a bunch of games almost single handedly. McGhee, Bradley, Mellot, Lamson never had to do that.

In the ‘21 semifinal Tommy had THIRTY-FOUR carries for 155 yards and 2 TDS and threw for 233 yards and 2 tds. If that’s not winning a game single handedly I don’t know what is. I can find a bunch of other games to show what a horrible take this is but I think this is enough.

[catatac]

Travis Lulay won a bunch of games almost single handedly. McGhee, Bradley, Mellot, Lamson never had to do that.

In the ‘21 semifinal Tommy had THIRTY-FOUR carries for 155 yards and 2 TDS and threw for 233 yards and 2 tds. If that’s not winning a game single handedly I don’t know what is. I can find a bunch of other games to show what a horrible take this is but I think this is enough.

Totally agree, bad take. Of course there is no such thing as truly "single handedly", but I can think of some games where we would not have won this past year if we didn't have Lamson.

[AFCAT]

Travis Lulay won a bunch of games almost single handedly. McGhee, Bradley, Mellot, Lamson never had to do that.

In the ‘21 semifinal Tommy had THIRTY-FOUR carries for 155 yards and 2 TDS and threw for 233 yards and 2 tds. If that’s not winning a game single handedly I don’t know what is. I can find a bunch of other games to show what a horrible take this is but I think this is enough.

I think you could throw in a lot of Tommy games. Tommy had the ability to take over games.

[onceacat]

I think there are a few baseline standards:

1) Absolutely you need to be AT LEAST a 3 year starter. Bonus points for 4 years. Bonus points for coaching
2). Minimum 1st team All American. Bonus points for multiple and/or Payton/Buchanan award
3). Need to be all time leader (or 2-3) at your position...with a big grain of salt for players who top the leaderboard with the new rules (the extra redshirt year, extra playoff games, etc)
4) STRONG preference for winning a national championship.

Fellows is easy. Nobody at any position is close to his dominance of the sacks/TFL numbers. Has a natty. 2 time all American, one first team.

Sonny Holland. Also easy. QB of national championship team and coach of national championship team.

I'm going with Kollar over Troy, but it's really a coin flip. Kollar was just SO dominant compared to the highest level of competition even at the higher levels...and Troy was 'only' a 2nd round pick.

No way Lamson gets on the list as a one year starter over Tommy Mellott, DMac, Lulay, or Bradley. Bradley had far and away the best single season ever for a Bobcat QB (yes, better than Lamson this season), but didn't have the longevity of Lulay or McGhee. I probably slightly give Lulay the nod based on ending the streak (as equal weight to winning a natty)

It's pretty remarkable history when guys like Tommy & Troy & McGhee are on the outside looking in on that list.

[onceacat]

Travis Lulay won a bunch of games almost single handedly. McGhee, Bradley, Mellot, Lamson never had to do that.

In the ‘21 semifinal Tommy had THIRTY-FOUR carries for 155 yards and 2 TDS and threw for 233 yards and 2 tds. If that’s not winning a game single handedly I don’t know what is. I can find a bunch of other games to show what a horrible take this is but I think this is enough.

I think you could throw in a lot of Tommy games. Tommy had the ability to take over games.

This is a terrible and laughably absurd take.

Tommy's teams were all stacked. The test IMO is 'would the team have won the game if the backup was in". I think the SDSU game is the only time that applied to Tommy, and even that is a stretch. Cats were 8-2 in the regular season and went into the Brawl ranked #3. Tommy's a legend, for sure, but the Cats would have been favored to win against #7 SDSU at home with Matt McKay at QB.

Again, don't take this wrong: But thats the only game that comes anywhere close to being in that category...and it's probably just flat out not true.

Tommy also missed significant time over his career and had Sean Chambers to back him up. Someone can look it up, but I think the Cats record with Chambers as the starter was pretty dang good.

Lulay had dozens of games in his career where he pulled out miracle wins through individual heroics.

[Prodigal Cat]

Travis Lulay won a bunch of games almost single handedly. McGhee, Bradley, Mellot, Lamson never had to do that.

In the ‘21 semifinal Tommy had THIRTY-FOUR carries for 155 yards and 2 TDS and threw for 233 yards and 2 tds. If that’s not winning a game single handedly I don’t know what is. I can find a bunch of other games to show what a horrible take this is but I think this is enough.

I think you could throw in a lot of Tommy games. Tommy had the ability to take over games.

This is a terrible and laughably absurd take.

Tommy's teams were all stacked. The test IMO is 'would the team have won the game if the backup was in". I think the SDSU game is the only time that applied to Tommy, and even that is a stretch. Cats were 8-2 in the regular season and went into the Brawl ranked #3. Tommy's a legend, for sure, but the Cats would have been favored to win against #7 SDSU at home with Matt McKay at QB.

Again, don't take this wrong: But thats the only game that comes anywhere close to being in that category...and it's probably just flat out not true.

Tommy also missed significant time over his career and had Sean Chambers to back him up. Someone can look it up, but I think the Cats record with Chambers as the starter was pretty dang good.

Lulay had dozens of games in his career where he pulled out miracle wins through individual heroics.

In ‘24 EWU tied the game very late in the 3rd qtr 28-28. The very next possession on the first play Tommy rips off a 75 yard TD run. Then a little back a forth in the fourth when he scrambles and hits McCullouch for 61 yard TD. EWU had tied it up and had all the momentum but Tommy took over and won it. Doubtful McKay wins that game. Your take is the bad one here.

[AFCAT]

Travis Lulay won a bunch of games almost single handedly. McGhee, Bradley, Mellot, Lamson never had to do that.

In the ‘21 semifinal Tommy had THIRTY-FOUR carries for 155 yards and 2 TDS and threw for 233 yards and 2 tds. If that’s not winning a game single handedly I don’t know what is. I can find a bunch of other games to show what a horrible take this is but I think this is enough.

I think you could throw in a lot of Tommy games. Tommy had the ability to take over games.

This is a terrible and laughably absurd take.

Tommy's teams were all stacked. The test IMO is 'would the team have won the game if the backup was in". I think the SDSU game is the only time that applied to Tommy, and even that is a stretch. Cats were 8-2 in the regular season and went into the Brawl ranked #3. Tommy's a legend, for sure, but the Cats would have been favored to win against #7 SDSU at home with Matt McKay at QB.

Again, don't take this wrong: But thats the only game that comes anywhere close to being in that category...and it's probably just flat out not true.

Tommy also missed significant time over his career and had Sean Chambers to back him up. Someone can look it up, but I think the Cats record with Chambers as the starter was pretty dang good.

Lulay had dozens of games in his career where he pulled out miracle wins through individual heroics.

I doubt McKay would have led the Cats to victory against SDSU. He was a mess at the end of the season and was benched for a reason. Name me an MSU back-up that could win a game at QB in 2024. Tommy was the only guy at QB. Chambers was on the sidelines as a coach.

The throw from Tommy to Taco to win miraculously at NAU. The Sam Houston game in 2021, threw, ran, and caught TDs in that game. The first Idaho game and even the second one in the playoffs in 2024 when Tommy took over and changed the game. The South Dakota game in 2024 and his run to put it away. I could go on.

Dozens!? Travis was 25 and 17 as a starter for MSU. So, you're saying almost every game Travis QBd was miracle a win through his heroics?

[onceacat]

Travis Lulay won a bunch of games almost single handedly. McGhee, Bradley, Mellot, Lamson never had to do that.

In the ‘21 semifinal Tommy had THIRTY-FOUR carries for 155 yards and 2 TDS and threw for 233 yards and 2 tds. If that’s not winning a game single handedly I don’t know what is. I can find a bunch of other games to show what a horrible take this is but I think this is enough.

I think you could throw in a lot of Tommy games. Tommy had the ability to take over games.

This is a terrible and laughably absurd take.

Tommy's teams were all stacked. The test IMO is 'would the team have won the game if the backup was in". I think the SDSU game is the only time that applied to Tommy, and even that is a stretch. Cats were 8-2 in the regular season and went into the Brawl ranked #3. Tommy's a legend, for sure, but the Cats would have been favored to win against #7 SDSU at home with Matt McKay at QB.

Again, don't take this wrong: But thats the only game that comes anywhere close to being in that category...and it's probably just flat out not true.

Tommy also missed significant time over his career and had Sean Chambers to back him up. Someone can look it up, but I think the Cats record with Chambers as the starter was pretty dang good.

Lulay had dozens of games in his career where he pulled out miracle wins through individual heroics.

I doubt McKay would have led the Cats to victory against SDSU. He was a mess at the end of the season and was benched for a reason. Name me an MSU back-up that could win a game at QB in 2024. Tommy was the only guy at QB. Chambers was on the sidelines as a coach.

The throw from Tommy to Taco to win miraculously at NAU. The Sam Houston game in 2021, threw, ran, and caught TDs in that game. The first Idaho game and even the second one in the playoffs in 2024 when Tommy took over and changed the game. The South Dakota game in 2024 and his run to put it away. I could go on.

In all seriousness, you or I could have played QB behind the 2024 O-Line and led the Cats to 10+ wins.

The two Idaho game were lopsided blowouts by the Cats with a total score of 90-26. You could have been the QB on those teams and still have had the backups in for the 4th quarter. Thank you for proving my point.

You are confusing two different things: Mellots ability to absolutely dominate the competition (which was real) and the Cats NEED to have him under center.

The Cats could have put Tyler Bruggeman under center this year and gone 13-3.

Thats a big difference from when Lulay was playing & FCS was a lot more competitive.

[AFCAT]

Travis Lulay won a bunch of games almost single handedly. McGhee, Bradley, Mellot, Lamson never had to do that.

In the ‘21 semifinal Tommy had THIRTY-FOUR carries for 155 yards and 2 TDS and threw for 233 yards and 2 tds. If that’s not winning a game single handedly I don’t know what is. I can find a bunch of other games to show what a horrible take this is but I think this is enough.

I think you could throw in a lot of Tommy games. Tommy had the ability to take over games.

This is a terrible and laughably absurd take.

Tommy's teams were all stacked. The test IMO is 'would the team have won the game if the backup was in". I think the SDSU game is the only time that applied to Tommy, and even that is a stretch. Cats were 8-2 in the regular season and went into the Brawl ranked #3. Tommy's a legend, for sure, but the Cats would have been favored to win against #7 SDSU at home with Matt McKay at QB.

Again, don't take this wrong: But thats the only game that comes anywhere close to being in that category...and it's probably just flat out not true.

Tommy also missed significant time over his career and had Sean Chambers to back him up. Someone can look it up, but I think the Cats record with Chambers as the starter was pretty dang good.

Lulay had dozens of games in his career where he pulled out miracle wins through individual heroics.

I doubt McKay would have led the Cats to victory against SDSU. He was a mess at the end of the season and was benched for a reason. Name me an MSU back-up that could win a game at QB in 2024. Tommy was the only guy at QB. Chambers was on the sidelines as a coach.

The throw from Tommy to Taco to win miraculously at NAU. The Sam Houston game in 2021, threw, ran, and caught TDs in that game. The first Idaho game and even the second one in the playoffs in 2024 when Tommy took over and changed the game. The South Dakota game in 2024 and his run to put it away. I could go on.

In all seriousness, you or I could have played QB behind the 2024 O-Line and led the Cats to 10+ wins.

The two Idaho game were lopsided blowouts by the Cats with a total score of 90-26. You could have been the QB on those teams and still have had the backups in for the 4th quarter. Thank you for proving my point.

You are confusing two different things: Mellots ability to absolutely dominate the competition (which was real) and the Cats NEED to have him under center.

The Cats could have put Tyler Bruggeman under center this year and gone 13-3.

Thats a big difference from when Lulay was playing & FCS was a lot more competitive.

Those Idaho games were blow outs because of Tommy. He blew them open. Tommy ranks third in rushing yardage all time as a QB and he did it in basically three years. He has more rushing TDs, by far, and only three fewer passing TDs than Lulay, not to mention the number of wins all-time, winning percentage, Completion percentage, and play off wins. Lulay didn't lead his teams very far into the playoffs or have a remarkable regular season winning percentage.

Lulay also didn't win dozens of games through his heroics, considering that he won 25 total games as a starter. Tommy won that many in two of his three years as a starter.

What QB on the Bobcat roster in 2024 could have won 10 games other than Tommy?

[John K]

I think there are a few baseline standards:

1) Absolutely you need to be AT LEAST a 3 year starter. Bonus points for 4 years. Bonus points for coaching
2). Minimum 1st team All American. Bonus points for multiple and/or Payton/Buchanan award
3). Need to be all time leader (or 2-3) at your position...with a big grain of salt for players who top the leaderboard with the new rules (the extra redshirt year, extra playoff games, etc)
4) STRONG preference for winning a national championship.

Fellows is easy. Nobody at any position is close to his dominance of the sacks/TFL numbers. Has a natty. 2 time all American, one first team.

Sonny Holland. Also easy. QB of national championship team and coach of national championship team.

I'm going with Kollar over Troy, but it's really a coin flip. Kollar was just SO dominant compared to the highest level of competition even at the higher levels...and Troy was 'only' a 2nd round pick.

No way Lamson gets on the list as a one year starter over Tommy Mellott, DMac, Lulay, or Bradley. Bradley had far and away the best single season ever for a Bobcat QB (yes, better than Lamson this season), but didn't have the longevity of Lulay or McGhee. I probably slightly give Lulay the nod based on ending the streak (as equal weight to winning a natty)

It's pretty remarkable history when guys like Tommy & Troy & McGhee are on the outside looking in on that list.

I agree with most of what you said, except for Bradley having "far and away the best single season ever for a Bobcat QB". I know he threw for a bunch of yards and TD, and won a Natty, but he also threw a ton of INT (20 in 14 games, I believe). Tommy and Lamson threw fewer than 10 picks combined the last two seasons, in 32 games. Now granted, we put the ball in the air a lot in 1984. Bradley probably averaged somewhere in the range of 40-50 pass attempts per game, which is about double what we averaged the last two years, so his passing stats are gonna be a bit skewed, compared to the other QB's that are part of this discussion. He also wasn't much of a running threat, and all four of the others were very effective weapons with their feet, to varying degrees. So I'm not sure I'd even say he had the best single season ever, but I certainly wouldn't say it was "far and away" the best.

[TomCat88]

McGhee is easily the best quarterback. MSU was instantly better the day he took over. And got worse when he left. They went from a .500 team to three straight titles and playoffs to just one playoff appearance over the next five years. His senior year was stunted by injuries. Best statistically and eye test. Completely commanded the huddle. His performance vs UNH in the playoffs in 2011 after bad start ranks up there in the best single game at MSU.

I’d rank Lamson second right now despite only one season. If he has another year like 2025, I’ll probably move him to the top.

[PortlandCat90]

Fellows, Kollar, Mellott - let's start building the monument with this in mind.

If Lamson does anything near that again this year, add him. If not, Ifanse.

Holland has the ultimate statue - he is above the rest and should be excluded from the monument.

This would be a fun poll to set up by somebody smarter than me.

[84CatGrad]

Tommy and Troy absolutely have to be on my Rushmore. Both Montana boys. Both played all four years. After that it gets real tough.

[91catAlum]

I think there are a few baseline standards:

1) Absolutely you need to be AT LEAST a 3 year starter. Bonus points for 4 years. Bonus points for coaching.

So if Lamson wins another natty next season, he's not making your list??
Sorry but that's insane. If Lamson is here 2 years and wins 2 national championships, give him a frickin statue.

[wbtfg]

I reject the premise of this question. We've had so many great players over the years, it's impossible to narrow down to the 4 best.

When the real Mt Rushmore was designed, I think we had only had about 30 presidents up to that point, and most of them weren't very good. Who else would even be in the running to be a top 4 president at that time? James Madison maybe? US Grant?

You have to give me at least 10...maybe even 20 spots.


Side note: I think halls of fame should include a "Golden Ring" (or something like that) to differentiate between hall of famers, and truly transcendent individuals.

[TomCat88]

I reject the premise of this question. We've had so many great players over the years, it's impossible to narrow down to the 4 best.

When the real Mt Rushmore was designed, I think we had only had about 30 presidents up to that point, and most of them weren't very good. Who else would even be in the running to be a top 4 president at that time? James Madison maybe? US Grant?

You have to give me at least 10...maybe even 20 spots.


Side note: I think halls of fame should include a "Golden Ring" (or something like that) to differentiate between hall of famers, and truly transcendent individuals.

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