Brian Morse

Adam Jones

Football
31-08-2024 23:18:00 hrs

Bobcats allow just 41 yards in first three quarters, but rush for 335 yards in 31-7 win over Trailblazers

SAINT GEORGE, Utah – Montana State’s defense held off Utah Tech for three quarters, leading the Bobcats to a 31-7 victory over the Trailblazers in St. George on Saturday.

The Cats held Utah Tech to just 41 yards of offense through the first three quarters, with the Trailblazers not moving the ball until the game was out of reach. Montana State’s defense didn’t allow a first down until the fourth quarter.

A week after Montana State put up 362 rushing yards at FBS New Mexico, it added 335 rushing yards on Friday.

Montana State took a 14-0 lead into the locker room at halftime, but the stats showed a whole other level of dominance. The Bobcats outgained Utah Tech 272 yards to 38, rushed for 230 yards to UTU’s 29, and held Tech without a first down while reaching the line-to-gain 15 times on offense.

Scot Humphrey gained 91 rushing yards in the first half, Tommy Mellott70, and Adam Jones 43 before the break. Mellott threw for 42 yards on 7-for-13 passing.

However, the match remained uncertain after 30 minutes of play. After the teams had exchanged points twice, Taco Dowler returned one 53 yards to the UTU eight. Three plays later, with 2:35 left in the opening quarter, Adam Jones fired the ball in from one yard out to open the scoring.

On Montana State’s next drive, Mellott sprinted 47 yards for a touchdown to extend the lead to 14-0. The Bobcats mounted two more long drives in the first half, but the first resulted in a blocked field goal and the second in a missed field goal. Those weren’t the only mistakes in the first two periods, however. The Cats were penalized five times for 40 yards.

The Bobcats extended their record to 2-0 on the season, both games away. Montana State hosts Maine for Gold Rush on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium.

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