Friday Night

[MinnesotaBobcat]

I was hoping they’d get the Friday night game. It’s the last weekend of muzzleloader season and I still need a deer. Now I don’t have to choose between heading out to the stand or watching the game!!

Are you talking Montana? If so muzzleloader season is 12/14-12/22 this year. I'm in the same boat and need the smokepole to get some meat in the freezer.

Minnesota. Ours runs from 11/30 to 12/15 this year. Just got a nice doe the other night, and I would like one more before I call it a season.

[BornBobcat2000]

Looks like they just opened up the top row of secton 119 (behind students). I'm guessing not all student tix went out so have opened up a bit of that. Just in case anyone needs more than a single or two together, get over there quick.

Last playoff night game was vs. Willam & Mary and it has a listed attendance of 14,367. That is tickets sold, I believe, and doesn't count everyone in attendance (workers, teams, etc.). It was bitter cold that night (even Cam Newton was bundled up) and I think travel was sketchy on some roads, so this game might draw more fans. I think MSU being more highly touted and hyped may add to that number also. I would guess over 16,000.

It'll be interesting to see. You have the Friday factor that may or may not affect attendance. But, you also have the number one team in the country on a 13 game winning streak. There was an opportunity for Vandal fans to get tickets to this game, unlike the first one in October. They may have a decent showing of fans. I wouldnt be surprised if it was 15K and I wouldnt be surprised if it was 20K.

I think our team feeds off the energy of a full stadium, so I hope we pack the place!! I’ve driven up from Great Falls for every home game except Mercyhurst, (was my wedding day) and I was considering staying home this weekend because the trip has gotten a little tiring… but imo this is the best team in Bobcat history, I can’t miss this!!! Regardless of the inconveniences I hope lots of people go to the game and that we’re close to a sellout, it makes a huge difference in the game!

[Pecos24]

Looks like they just opened up the top row of secton 119 (behind students). I'm guessing not all student tix went out so have opened up a bit of that. Just in case anyone needs more than a single or two together, get over there quick.

Checking this morning, there isn't a lot left except in the top half of 119. Still a lot of seats available there.

[ClowderUp]

Looks like the students are underperforming (makes sense, many finished finals early in the week). They keep releasing more seats behind them. The rest of the stadium looks very good for this point in the process. Very good.

[catfisherman]

Just counted 99 tickets left

[CodyCat]

Looks like they just opened up the top row of secton 119 (behind students). I'm guessing not all student tix went out so have opened up a bit of that. Just in case anyone needs more than a single or two together, get over there quick.

Last playoff night game was vs. Willam & Mary and it has a listed attendance of 14,367. That is tickets sold, I believe, and doesn't count everyone in attendance (workers, teams, etc.). It was bitter cold that night (even Cam Newton was bundled up) and I think travel was sketchy on some roads, so this game might draw more fans. I think MSU being more highly touted and hyped may add to that number also. I would guess over 16,000.

It'll be interesting to see. You have the Friday factor that may or may not affect attendance. But, you also have the number one team in the country on a 13 game winning streak. There was an opportunity for Vandal fans to get tickets to this game, unlike the first one in October. They may have a decent showing of fans. I wouldnt be surprised if it was 15K and I wouldnt be surprised if it was 20K.

I think our team feeds off the energy of a full stadium, so I hope we pack the place!! I’ve driven up from Great Falls for every home game except Mercyhurst, (was my wedding day) and I was considering staying home this weekend because the trip has gotten a little tiring… but imo this is the best team in Bobcat history, I can’t miss this!!! Regardless of the inconveniences I hope lots of people go to the game and that we’re close to a sellout, it makes a huge difference in the game!

I wouldnt miss the QF or SF. But, I do understand. Im getting tired of the travel and being away every weekend. But, these are the good ol days and what a great problem to have.

[CelticCat]

Not many tickets left right now.

I dont understand where the tickets come from late in the week that got released for UT Martin. But, if no more tickets are released its going to be near sell out.

I just noticed this too but am a little skeptical from last week when on Monday it looked like a near sell out and then Wednesday had a big ticket dump. I feel like that is going to happen again as I did not expect this few of tickets today.

I don't think unsold season tickets have been released yet.

I heard that that is what happened last week, the unsold season tickets didn't drop until later in the week.

Yes, there was a snafu in the ticketing office where they didn't release all of the unsold season tickets when they said they were going to and instead released some SRO tickets. So then later in the week the unclaimed season tickets went on sale.

[CelticCat]

I live .9 miles from my driveway to the stadium and I'm pissed about a Friday night game. It's damn hard for some of our best fans to make this happen. I'll do my best to yell my lungs out. But it's real BS to do this by the NCAA and ESPN. They both suck, IMHO. Go Cats!

This is a comment from Leon on FB responding to someone who was upset about a Friday night game.

"Een though we don’t get a choice, I disagree, not BS. It is actually an advantage to the team to play Friday night. I know the issues that it causes for some fans and even us logistically, but I do know the NCAA and ESPN love our environment during playoff night games.

That and being on ESPN (the mothership) with no other games on is a huge recruiting tool for the program.

Either way, we are excited to be in the quarterfinals and look forward to a Bobcat Stadium party Friday night!! Go Cats!!"

I was just about to post this. This will be a game with ZERO competition for eyeballs. No other FBS, no NFL, not even another FCS going on at the same time. Even the NCAA basketball schedule is pretty bland. This is on ESPN. Not plus, not 2 or the ocho, the main channel. This game will be on the primary tv at every sports bar across the country. Now let’s help our Cats show the bleep out.

I'll be interested to hear which recruits we sign specifically because our game is on Friday night and not Saturday afternoon (when there are two other nationally televised games). I'm also excited that ESPN is giving us more money for the Friday night game compared to a Saturday game.


Wait, neither of those things is going to happen? Oh well, at least they love our environment.

I actually like the Friday night game and will be there loud and proud. I just don't appreciate the gaslighting from Leon. "Sure everyone's inconvenienced but that's really a good thing."

Only game on vs other games. It is a good thing. Also Idaho had a late game and now has to play Friday while traveling, another advantage. It is inconvenient for some fans,but maybe others can now go that wouldn't on Sat.

The Idaho schedule is really the only true advantage I see but even that just means they leave Friday morning instead of Friday afternoon so not a huge deal (I think their proximity is the primary reason we got the Friday night game).

The whole "only football game on in the country" is nice but it's being oversold. What are the actual tangible benefits to this? We don't get a larger payout, we won't get any recruits we otherwise wouldn't have, we won't suddenly attract new large donors. Maybe we get a handful of new out of state students to enroll but I could care less about that in the current state of the university.

Again, I like the Friday night game but that's largely because I won't have trouble attending and don't mind driving home afterwards in the middle of the night. Just not a fan of the idea that it's actually a good thing that it'll be harder for many fans to make it, leading to a smaller crowd.

I don't like it when people complain just to complain but I also don't like it when the complaints are valid and people come along and act like they don't matter because of some shiny object.

I like your style. Every athletic department and program in the country is concerned about getting more eyeballs on their football games but you're over here saying naw, and not only naw but maybe less is even more. Bold!

[aucat]

Wow are we getting spoiled or what? Here we are 13-0 playing a wild Friday night game AT HOME IN BOBCAT STADIUM in the quarterfinals of the FCS National playoffs and somebody....anybody is complaining? Really?

[blueandgoldblitz]

I live .9 miles from my driveway to the stadium and I'm pissed about a Friday night game. It's damn hard for some of our best fans to make this happen. I'll do my best to yell my lungs out. But it's real BS to do this by the NCAA and ESPN. They both suck, IMHO. Go Cats!

This is a comment from Leon on FB responding to someone who was upset about a Friday night game.

"Een though we don’t get a choice, I disagree, not BS. It is actually an advantage to the team to play Friday night. I know the issues that it causes for some fans and even us logistically, but I do know the NCAA and ESPN love our environment during playoff night games.

That and being on ESPN (the mothership) with no other games on is a huge recruiting tool for the program.

Either way, we are excited to be in the quarterfinals and look forward to a Bobcat Stadium party Friday night!! Go Cats!!"

I was just about to post this. This will be a game with ZERO competition for eyeballs. No other FBS, no NFL, not even another FCS going on at the same time. Even the NCAA basketball schedule is pretty bland. This is on ESPN. Not plus, not 2 or the ocho, the main channel. This game will be on the primary tv at every sports bar across the country. Now let’s help our Cats show the bleep out.

I'll be interested to hear which recruits we sign specifically because our game is on Friday night and not Saturday afternoon (when there are two other nationally televised games). I'm also excited that ESPN is giving us more money for the Friday night game compared to a Saturday game.


Wait, neither of those things is going to happen? Oh well, at least they love our environment.

I actually like the Friday night game and will be there loud and proud. I just don't appreciate the gaslighting from Leon. "Sure everyone's inconvenienced but that's really a good thing."

Only game on vs other games. It is a good thing. Also Idaho had a late game and now has to play Friday while traveling, another advantage. It is inconvenient for some fans,but maybe others can now go that wouldn't on Sat.

The Idaho schedule is really the only true advantage I see but even that just means they leave Friday morning instead of Friday afternoon so not a huge deal (I think their proximity is the primary reason we got the Friday night game).

The whole "only football game on in the country" is nice but it's being oversold. What are the actual tangible benefits to this? We don't get a larger payout, we won't get any recruits we otherwise wouldn't have, we won't suddenly attract new large donors. Maybe we get a handful of new out of state students to enroll but I could care less about that in the current state of the university.

Again, I like the Friday night game but that's largely because I won't have trouble attending and don't mind driving home afterwards in the middle of the night. Just not a fan of the idea that it's actually a good thing that it'll be harder for many fans to make it, leading to a smaller crowd.

I don't like it when people complain just to complain but I also don't like it when the complaints are valid and people come along and act like they don't matter because of some shiny object.

I like your style. Every athletic department and program in the country is concerned about getting more eyeballs on their football games but you're over here saying naw, and not only naw but maybe less is even more. Bold!

We also literally had a player (I don't remember which one, but he was from out of state and I think he was a DB) say in their commitment interview that they were familiar with MSU because he had seem them on ESPN or ESPN2 or something, otherwise he probably wouldn't have given them a shot. Saying that we'll get recruits regardless is just wrong. Being on TV with the most eyeballs on us is amazing for the program. Just because some people don't like it doesn't mean that everyone feels the same way. I love it being a friday night game. It also doesn't mean it's bad for the program. You don't have to believe it, but I trust that Leon knows what he's doing and means what he says. I mean, why should we listen to one of, if not THE, best Athletic Directors we've ever had at MSU.

[HelenaCat95]

I'm not a big fan of it for me (work, travel, etc.). But it's a good thing. Not only is it good marketing for the program, it's good marketing for the university.
We'll be there - actually got 3 more tickets above our season ticket number of 6 (total of 9). It will be fun!

[coloradocat]

I live .9 miles from my driveway to the stadium and I'm pissed about a Friday night game. It's damn hard for some of our best fans to make this happen. I'll do my best to yell my lungs out. But it's real BS to do this by the NCAA and ESPN. They both suck, IMHO. Go Cats!

This is a comment from Leon on FB responding to someone who was upset about a Friday night game.

"Een though we don’t get a choice, I disagree, not BS. It is actually an advantage to the team to play Friday night. I know the issues that it causes for some fans and even us logistically, but I do know the NCAA and ESPN love our environment during playoff night games.

That and being on ESPN (the mothership) with no other games on is a huge recruiting tool for the program.

Either way, we are excited to be in the quarterfinals and look forward to a Bobcat Stadium party Friday night!! Go Cats!!"

I was just about to post this. This will be a game with ZERO competition for eyeballs. No other FBS, no NFL, not even another FCS going on at the same time. Even the NCAA basketball schedule is pretty bland. This is on ESPN. Not plus, not 2 or the ocho, the main channel. This game will be on the primary tv at every sports bar across the country. Now let’s help our Cats show the bleep out.

I'll be interested to hear which recruits we sign specifically because our game is on Friday night and not Saturday afternoon (when there are two other nationally televised games). I'm also excited that ESPN is giving us more money for the Friday night game compared to a Saturday game.


Wait, neither of those things is going to happen? Oh well, at least they love our environment.

I actually like the Friday night game and will be there loud and proud. I just don't appreciate the gaslighting from Leon. "Sure everyone's inconvenienced but that's really a good thing."

Only game on vs other games. It is a good thing. Also Idaho had a late game and now has to play Friday while traveling, another advantage. It is inconvenient for some fans,but maybe others can now go that wouldn't on Sat.

The Idaho schedule is really the only true advantage I see but even that just means they leave Friday morning instead of Friday afternoon so not a huge deal (I think their proximity is the primary reason we got the Friday night game).

The whole "only football game on in the country" is nice but it's being oversold. What are the actual tangible benefits to this? We don't get a larger payout, we won't get any recruits we otherwise wouldn't have, we won't suddenly attract new large donors. Maybe we get a handful of new out of state students to enroll but I could care less about that in the current state of the university.

Again, I like the Friday night game but that's largely because I won't have trouble attending and don't mind driving home afterwards in the middle of the night. Just not a fan of the idea that it's actually a good thing that it'll be harder for many fans to make it, leading to a smaller crowd.

I don't like it when people complain just to complain but I also don't like it when the complaints are valid and people come along and act like they don't matter because of some shiny object.

I like your style. Every athletic department and program in the country is concerned about getting more eyeballs on their football games but you're over here saying naw, and not only naw but maybe less is even more. Bold!

Yes, that's exactly what I said.

I know anything more nuanced than " yay national tv!" is hard for some people to understand but how about this: just because there are upsides that we all appreciate doesn't mean they are as large as we may imagine and that there are no downsides to the fanbase.

I live two states away and have season tickets. I'm the opposite of less is more.

[Bobcat Sig]

Wow are we getting spoiled or what? Here we are 13-0 playing a wild Friday night game AT HOME IN BOBCAT STADIUM in the quarterfinals of the FCS National playoffs and somebody....anybody is complaining? Really?

Someone gets it.

I'm 750 miles away. That's a looong way to travel and I'm considiering because I recognize this exceptinoal era of Bobcat Football. And while this may irk my fellow Cat fans; I find it a little lame that people are complaining about a Friday night game. From my cheap seats; this is as good as it gets. And if you live in state and can make the drive; do it!! Why even complain about it.

We are exceptionally fortunate right now and we all should recognize that and embrace it.

[tetoncat]

I live .9 miles from my driveway to the stadium and I'm pissed about a Friday night game. It's damn hard for some of our best fans to make this happen. I'll do my best to yell my lungs out. But it's real BS to do this by the NCAA and ESPN. They both suck, IMHO. Go Cats!

This is a comment from Leon on FB responding to someone who was upset about a Friday night game.

"Een though we don’t get a choice, I disagree, not BS. It is actually an advantage to the team to play Friday night. I know the issues that it causes for some fans and even us logistically, but I do know the NCAA and ESPN love our environment during playoff night games.

That and being on ESPN (the mothership) with no other games on is a huge recruiting tool for the program.

Either way, we are excited to be in the quarterfinals and look forward to a Bobcat Stadium party Friday night!! Go Cats!!"

I was just about to post this. This will be a game with ZERO competition for eyeballs. No other FBS, no NFL, not even another FCS going on at the same time. Even the NCAA basketball schedule is pretty bland. This is on ESPN. Not plus, not 2 or the ocho, the main channel. This game will be on the primary tv at every sports bar across the country. Now let’s help our Cats show the bleep out.

I'll be interested to hear which recruits we sign specifically because our game is on Friday night and not Saturday afternoon (when there are two other nationally televised games). I'm also excited that ESPN is giving us more money for the Friday night game compared to a Saturday game.


Wait, neither of those things is going to happen? Oh well, at least they love our environment.

I actually like the Friday night game and will be there loud and proud. I just don't appreciate the gaslighting from Leon. "Sure everyone's inconvenienced but that's really a good thing."

Only game on vs other games. It is a good thing. Also Idaho had a late game and now has to play Friday while traveling, another advantage. It is inconvenient for some fans,but maybe others can now go that wouldn't on Sat.

The Idaho schedule is really the only true advantage I see but even that just means they leave Friday morning instead of Friday afternoon so not a huge deal (I think their proximity is the primary reason we got the Friday night game).

The whole "only football game on in the country" is nice but it's being oversold. What are the actual tangible benefits to this? We don't get a larger payout, we won't get any recruits we otherwise wouldn't have, we won't suddenly attract new large donors. Maybe we get a handful of new out of state students to enroll but I could care less about that in the current state of the university.

Again, I like the Friday night game but that's largely because I won't have trouble attending and don't mind driving home afterwards in the middle of the night. Just not a fan of the idea that it's actually a good thing that it'll be harder for many fans to make it, leading to a smaller crowd.

I don't like it when people complain just to complain but I also don't like it when the complaints are valid and people come along and act like they don't matter because of some shiny object.

I like your style. Every athletic department and program in the country is concerned about getting more eyeballs on their football games but you're over here saying naw, and not only naw but maybe less is even more. Bold!

Yes, that's exactly what I said.

I know anything more nuanced than " yay national tv!" is hard for some people to understand but how about this: just because there are upsides that we all appreciate doesn't mean they are as large as we may imagine and that there are no downsides to the fanbase.

I live two states away and have season tickets. I'm the opposite of less is more.

Not sure I've seen a response that says there are no negative impacts. Most have acknowledged those, acknowledged benefits, and accepted we make the most of it.

[cats2506]

Alright, yes a Friday night game is an inconvenience, we drive 2 1/2 hours to get to Bozeman. But we damn sure are not going to miss the game and have a room in Livingston so we don't have to drive home in the middle of the night.

Being on the flagship ESPN channel is a big boost for program recognition around the country no doubt, especially since we are the only game on at all.

[cowgirlcat]

Personally this works out perfect for me. I was worried we would have to pick between high school basketball or going to the football game. Now I can do it all!! The game timing worked out perfect last weekend for me to see my daughter’s game and go to the football game. So I’m happy about Friday night!

[Pecos24]

Is it Friday yet?

[RUACAT]

Is it Friday yet?

This has already been the longest workweek for a short-turnaround game. We are bringing 6 from Helena. LFG!

[ClowderUp]

Who are the ESPN announcers this time?

[rfischer94]

Looks like they just opened up the top row of secton 119 (behind students). I'm guessing not all student tix went out so have opened up a bit of that. Just in case anyone needs more than a single or two together, get over there quick.

Last playoff night game was vs. Willam & Mary and it has a listed attendance of 14,367. That is tickets sold, I believe, and doesn't count everyone in attendance (workers, teams, etc.). It was bitter cold that night (even Cam Newton was bundled up) and I think travel was sketchy on some roads, so this game might draw more fans. I think MSU being more highly touted and hyped may add to that number also. I would guess over 16,000.

It'll be interesting to see. You have the Friday factor that may or may not affect attendance. But, you also have the number one team in the country on a 13 game winning streak. There was an opportunity for Vandal fans to get tickets to this game, unlike the first one in October. They may have a decent showing of fans. I wouldnt be surprised if it was 15K and I wouldnt be surprised if it was 20K.

I think our team feeds off the energy of a full stadium, so I hope we pack the place!! I’ve driven up from Great Falls for every home game except Mercyhurst, (was my wedding day) and I was considering staying home this weekend because the trip has gotten a little tiring… but imo this is the best team in Bobcat history, I can’t miss this!!! Regardless of the inconveniences I hope lots of people go to the game and that we’re close to a sellout, it makes a huge difference in the game!

Congratulations on your recent nuptials!