With 17 new starters and an opponent Oregon final performed within the Forties, Geese head coach Dan Lanning is embracing the novelty issue across the opening sport of the 2025 season on Saturday in Eugene.
The final time he ready for a sport, Lanning and the Geese had been undefeated and ranked No. 1 within the Faculty Soccer Playoff, headed to the Rose Bowl to face Large Ten rival Ohio State.
After a 20-point blowout to the eventual champions and immense roster turnover, Lanning and the Geese are pining for an additional shot on the playoff.
“I believe no matter outcome or whoever we’re on Saturday, I hope it is not remotely near who we develop into, proper?” Lanning stated Monday. “And also you all the time discuss changing into, you recognize, the most effective model of yourselves. And I believe we’re an extended methods away from what we may develop into, however I believe this could be a great start line to evaluate precisely the place we’re at.
It will not be a straightforward begin for No. 7 Oregon.
The Geese open the season Saturday in opposition to Montana State — ranked No. 2 in the newest AFCA FCS coach’s ballot — whereas making an attempt to reset their very own identification.
The Geese had been an offensive powerhouse in 2024 scoring a minimum of 30 factors in all however three video games. They completed thirteenth within the FBS in passing offense, and twenty second complete offense with Heisman Trophy finalist Dillon Gabriel at quarterback.
Lanning nonetheless has but to formally title his beginning quarterback for Saturday, however all indicators are pointing towards Dante Moore.
A switch from UCLA, Moore hasn’t began a sport since his true freshman season. In 14 profession video games Moore has 1,659 yards with 11 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.
Lanning and Moore can be eager to increase their nation-leading non-conference house successful streak, however can have to take action in opposition to a stout Montana State workforce.
“I believe there’s quite a lot of respect for this workforce that we’re about to play,” Lanning stated. “There’s some unknowns concerning the opponent, as a result of it’s sport one, they usually have some adjustments identical to we’ve. So are you able to just be sure you have sound guidelines once more to your gamers and allow them to execute at a very excessive stage.”
Whereas Oregon was on a dominant run final season, the Bobcats had been on an equally explosive tear on the decrease tier of school soccer.
Montana State is coming off of a 15-1 season which led to a heartbreaking three-point loss within the FCS nationwide championship sport. The Bobcats had simply three video games determined by fewer than 14 factors, and wish to proceed that dominance.
Fifth-year Montana State head coach Brent Vigen stays targeted on a ground-and-pound offense. The Bobcats led the FCS in speeding offense in 2024, ending with almost 1,200 yards greater than the following closest workforce.
Vigen has a robust operating again room, headlined by 1,000-yard rusher Adam Jones and a smash-mouth beginning quarterback.
Vigen deploys Stanford switch Justin Lamson, a run-first quarterback with extra profession speeding makes an attempt than passing, because the Bobcats’ beginning QB on Saturday.
“From the time (Lamson) acquired right here late spring his work ethic has been his largest precedence,” Vigen stated Monday. “When you may have that and you do not assume something in our tradition you are going to slot in simply high-quality.”
Lamson began a sport in opposition to Oregon in 2023, a 42-6 Geese win. He was 11-for-20 passing for 106 yards and had 22 rush makes an attempt for 32 yards.
Jones is one among 30 gamers on the Walter Payton Award watchlist, an honor given to the highest FCS offensive participant every season.
He was the 2024 Large Sky Freshman of the Yr and 2025 Preseason Large Sky MVP honors, and gained 1,172 yards on the bottom final season.
These groups final performed in 1947.
–Subject Degree Media
