UNC Stun Bobcats in Greeley
10/27/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Zak Bigelow made a 37-yard field goal with four seconds remaining to give Northern Colorado a 16-13 win over Montana State on Saturday, the Bears' first league win as a Big Sky Conference member.
"We fought so hard to get back in it," said MSU coach Rob Ash, "to survive so many mistakes then lose it this way is heartbreaking. Northern Colorado played well throughout the day, and did a good job on that last drive."
Bigelow's kick capped a wild finish to a game in which Montana State committed innumerable mistakes, yet nearly managed to salvage. Trailing 13-6 after a 30-yard Bigelow field goal with 5:07 to play, the Bobcats drove to the Bear 16-yard line. On fourth-and-six, Bobcat quarterback Jack Rolovich Bears defensive back Quincy Wofford intercepted his second pass of the game.
The Bobcat defense, which allowed UNC just 316 total yards, forced a three-and-out possession, then Jesse Anderson blocked the punt to set the MSU offense up for business at the UNC 32. Montana State's offense moved the ball all day, finishing with 422 total yards, but struggled in the red zone. On this drive, Rolovich connected with Demetrius Crawford on a short shovel pass with 1:11 to play, and Eric Fisher's PAT tied the score at 13.
Montana State's final and fatal mistake came on the ensuing kickoff. After Fisher kicked near the sideline inside the five, Cory Fauver returned against Montana State's aggressive pursuit to the Bobcat 46. On first down, Dom Breazeale found Ryan Chesla on a wheel route down the MSU sideline for 26 yards to set up Bigelow's winning field goal.
After Northern Colorado broke on top with a 25-yard field goal - the team hadn't converted a three-pointer all season prior to Saturday's game - to take a 3-0 lead, Montana State responded. Isaiah Taito capped a 72-yard touchdown drive with a one-yard run, but Fisher hooked the extra point and MSU led 6-3. Northern Colorado reclaimed the lead with an eight-yard pass from Breazeale to Clint Wright early in the third quarter, and that score held until Bigelow's second field goal.
Montana State's loss, crippling to the team's Big Sky title hopes, overshadowed the best afternoon of Rolovich's career. The senior threw for 346 yards on 28-for-47 passing, and suffered from several dropped balls. He threw three interceptions, though, which, paired with MSU's two lost fumbles, gave the team a season-high five turnovers. MSU also suffered a season high 10 penalties.
Brezeale also had an outstanding afternoon, throwing for 266 yards. UNC's Tyrone Wilson rushed for 67 yards, as well. Bobby Daly had 16 tackles, two for a loss, for the Bobcats.
"We fought so hard to get back in it," said MSU coach Rob Ash, "to survive so many mistakes then lose it this way is heartbreaking. Northern Colorado played well throughout the day, and did a good job on that last drive."
Bigelow's kick capped a wild finish to a game in which Montana State committed innumerable mistakes, yet nearly managed to salvage. Trailing 13-6 after a 30-yard Bigelow field goal with 5:07 to play, the Bobcats drove to the Bear 16-yard line. On fourth-and-six, Bobcat quarterback Jack Rolovich Bears defensive back Quincy Wofford intercepted his second pass of the game.
The Bobcat defense, which allowed UNC just 316 total yards, forced a three-and-out possession, then Jesse Anderson blocked the punt to set the MSU offense up for business at the UNC 32. Montana State's offense moved the ball all day, finishing with 422 total yards, but struggled in the red zone. On this drive, Rolovich connected with Demetrius Crawford on a short shovel pass with 1:11 to play, and Eric Fisher's PAT tied the score at 13.
Montana State's final and fatal mistake came on the ensuing kickoff. After Fisher kicked near the sideline inside the five, Cory Fauver returned against Montana State's aggressive pursuit to the Bobcat 46. On first down, Dom Breazeale found Ryan Chesla on a wheel route down the MSU sideline for 26 yards to set up Bigelow's winning field goal.
After Northern Colorado broke on top with a 25-yard field goal - the team hadn't converted a three-pointer all season prior to Saturday's game - to take a 3-0 lead, Montana State responded. Isaiah Taito capped a 72-yard touchdown drive with a one-yard run, but Fisher hooked the extra point and MSU led 6-3. Northern Colorado reclaimed the lead with an eight-yard pass from Breazeale to Clint Wright early in the third quarter, and that score held until Bigelow's second field goal.
Montana State's loss, crippling to the team's Big Sky title hopes, overshadowed the best afternoon of Rolovich's career. The senior threw for 346 yards on 28-for-47 passing, and suffered from several dropped balls. He threw three interceptions, though, which, paired with MSU's two lost fumbles, gave the team a season-high five turnovers. MSU also suffered a season high 10 penalties.
Brezeale also had an outstanding afternoon, throwing for 266 yards. UNC's Tyrone Wilson rushed for 67 yards, as well. Bobby Daly had 16 tackles, two for a loss, for the Bobcats.
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