Montana State University
5-0 , 1-0
Idaho State
2-3 , 0-1
Bobcats Pull Away from Idaho State Late for 37-17 Win
9/28/2024 8:51:00 PM | Football
Montana State extends season-opening streak of scoring at least 30 points to five games, remains unbeaten
POCATELLO, Idaho – Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott connected with tight end Rohan Jones on a 70-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to give the Bobcats a 24-10 lead and MSU finished a 37-17 win at Idaho State on Saturday.
The longest completion of Mellott's Bobcat career and Jones' longest catch answered an Idaho State field goal that trimmed the lead to one score. "That was a big play to re-establish the lead," said MSU coach Brent Vigen.
Montana State rushed for 268 yards and extended their season-opening streak of scoring at least 30 points to five games, the second-longest stretch to begin a campaign in school history (after 2015). The Cats gained 410 total yards to Idaho State's 276.
After the long completion from Mellott to Jones Humphrey ended another scoring drive with a six-yard run. The Bengals scored with just under five minutes remaining, and Humphrey crossed the goal line for the third time as time expired.
Montana State dominated much of the first half, but big plays on conversion downs by the Bengals compounded by Bobcat mistakes kept the Bengals within 17-7 at the intermission. Montana State out-gained the Bengals 158-101 in the first two quarters, but the Bengals extended their last drive of the half with two fourth-down conversions and benefited from a pair of Bobcat penalties. Kobe Tracy found Michael Shulikov on the back line of the end zone on fourth-and-goal from the Bobcat five with six seconds left for Idaho State's only first half score.
After the teams exchanged punts to open the game, Montana State's Myles Sansted nailed a 45-yard field goal to break the ice. The Cats drove 74 yards on their next possession, with Tommy Mellott scoring from seven yards out. That was MSU's 13th drive of at least 70 yards in the season's first four-and-a-half games.
The teams then exchanged turnovers. Adam Jones fumbled at the Bengals 41 to give Idaho State its best field position of the day, but Rylan Ortt intercepted a pass three plays later to set up another Bobcat touchdown. This time, Humphrey battered his way across the goal line to give the Cats a 17-0 lead.
Humphrey finished the first half with 72 yards on 13 carries, and Mellott completed six of his nine passes for 34 yards. Taco Dowler returned four punts for 66 yards, including a 50-yarder.
#GoCatsGo
Team Stats
MSU 3, ISU 0
MSU - Sansted,Myles 44 yd field goal 7 plays, 16 yards, TOP 02:52
MSU 10, ISU 0
MSU - Mellott,Tommy 7 yd run (Sansted,Myles kick), 9 plays, 74 yards, TOP 00:04
MSU 17, ISU 0
MSU - Humphrey,Scottre 18 yd run (Sansted,Myles kick), 4 plays, 49 yards, TOP 01:56
MSU 17, ISU 7
ISU - Shulikov,Michael 5 yd pass from Tracy,Kobe (Panikowski,Gabe kick) 14 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:27
MSU 17, ISU 10
ISU - Panikowski,Gabe 33 yd field goal 12 plays, 77 yards, TOP 05:05
MSU 24, ISU 10
MSU - Jones,Rohan 70 yd pass from Mellott,Tommy (Sansted,Myles kick) 1 plays, 70 yards, TOP 00:09
MSU 31, ISU 10
MSU - Humphrey,Scottre 6 yd run (Sansted,Myles kick), 8 plays, 74 yards, TOP 04:08
MSU 31, ISU 17
ISU - Weimer,Jeff 16 yd pass from Tracy,Kobe (Panikowski,Gabe kick) 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:00
MSU 37, ISU 17
MSU - Humphrey,Scottre 8 yd run (), 9 plays, 44 yards, TOP 04:57
