The Bobcats had a lot to celebrate during Saturday's 61-7 win over Cal Poly.
Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services
10/31/2026 4:15:00 PM | Football, General
Justin Lamson accounted for five scores, all in the first half, as Montana State rolled past Cal Poly in Big Sky Conference football action on Saturday, 61-7.
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From the game's first play the Bobcats were in control as freshman Carter Dahlke got a key block from Brendon Ross and took the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. Third-ranked MSU was never challenged the rest of the way.
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Moments after Caden Dowler got his first interception of the 2026 season thanks to Blaine Downing's pressure on the Cal Poly quarterback, Lamson patiently sat back in the pocket before tucking the ball under his arm and scrambling 20 yards for a touchdown.
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On MSU's next possession, Lamson had plenty of time as he hit Dahlke in stride for a 48-yard score. Dahlke was Lamson's favorite target collecting six passes for 103 yards. Then as time in the first quarter was running out, Lamson connected with Luvens Valcin for a 2-yard score. MSU (8-1, 5-1) led 27-0 after one quarter, totaling the fifth most opening-stanza points in team history.
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The Bobcats opened the second quarter with a 1-yard plunge by Lamson sneaking into the end zone behind center Aiden Kaplan to make the score 34-0. Dowler, who missed several games earlier in the season with an injury, came up with his second interception as defensive ends Zac Crews and Seth Brock pressured the Cal Poly quarterback. Lamson accounted for his fifth touchdown in the first half with a 5-yard scoring pass to Dane Steel.
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In front of 21,897 fans, MSU closed out the first half with a 1-yard score by Adam Jones, giving the senior from Missoula 40 touchdowns for his career.
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Cal Poly (4-6, 3-4) scored its lone touchdown on a 28-yard pass from backup quarterback Bo Kelly to Tayvion McCoy to make the score 48-7.
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Colson Coon found the end zone for MSU on a 9-yard dash behind blocks from Burke Mastel and Braden Zimmer to make the score 55-7. MSU came up with its third interception, this time Brock Steel grabbing a pass tipped by Jake Vigen which led to a Patrick Duchien to Jordan Reed 26-yard touchdown pass and accounted for the final score. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter.
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In addition to his three touchdown passes, Lamson hit on 15 of 19 passes for 177 yards and MSU outgained the Mustangs 518-258. Ten different Bobcats ran the ball for a total of 285 yards. Jared White's 69 yards led the team's ground game.
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Brock Steel posted a team-high five tackles to MSU which travels to Idaho State this week. The Bobcats' next home game is Nov. 21 when Montana comes to Bozeman for the final regular season contest for both teams.
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From the game's first play the Bobcats were in control as freshman Carter Dahlke got a key block from Brendon Ross and took the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. Third-ranked MSU was never challenged the rest of the way.
Â
Moments after Caden Dowler got his first interception of the 2026 season thanks to Blaine Downing's pressure on the Cal Poly quarterback, Lamson patiently sat back in the pocket before tucking the ball under his arm and scrambling 20 yards for a touchdown.
Â
On MSU's next possession, Lamson had plenty of time as he hit Dahlke in stride for a 48-yard score. Dahlke was Lamson's favorite target collecting six passes for 103 yards. Then as time in the first quarter was running out, Lamson connected with Luvens Valcin for a 2-yard score. MSU (8-1, 5-1) led 27-0 after one quarter, totaling the fifth most opening-stanza points in team history.
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The Bobcats opened the second quarter with a 1-yard plunge by Lamson sneaking into the end zone behind center Aiden Kaplan to make the score 34-0. Dowler, who missed several games earlier in the season with an injury, came up with his second interception as defensive ends Zac Crews and Seth Brock pressured the Cal Poly quarterback. Lamson accounted for his fifth touchdown in the first half with a 5-yard scoring pass to Dane Steel.
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In front of 21,897 fans, MSU closed out the first half with a 1-yard score by Adam Jones, giving the senior from Missoula 40 touchdowns for his career.
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Cal Poly (4-6, 3-4) scored its lone touchdown on a 28-yard pass from backup quarterback Bo Kelly to Tayvion McCoy to make the score 48-7.
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Colson Coon found the end zone for MSU on a 9-yard dash behind blocks from Burke Mastel and Braden Zimmer to make the score 55-7. MSU came up with its third interception, this time Brock Steel grabbing a pass tipped by Jake Vigen which led to a Patrick Duchien to Jordan Reed 26-yard touchdown pass and accounted for the final score. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter.
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In addition to his three touchdown passes, Lamson hit on 15 of 19 passes for 177 yards and MSU outgained the Mustangs 518-258. Ten different Bobcats ran the ball for a total of 285 yards. Jared White's 69 yards led the team's ground game.
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Brock Steel posted a team-high five tackles to MSU which travels to Idaho State this week. The Bobcats' next home game is Nov. 21 when Montana comes to Bozeman for the final regular season contest for both teams.
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