Utah Trips Bobcats 27-10 in Season Opener

Thursday, September 1

Salt Lake City, UT

6:00 PM

Montana State University

at UTAH

MSU defensive back James Nelson brings down a Ute

Photo by: Mackenzie Kasper

9/1/2011 10:04:00 PM | Football

Bobcats open Pac 12 foe to 292 total yards

By: Bill Lamberty

Alex Terrien knows that playing Utah to a standstill in the second half matters for nothing but pride, but he wishes it did.

“I wish we could just keep track of the second half,” the Montana State senior offensive guard said with a wistful smile. “But I know we have to count the whole game.” Counting the whole game Thursday resulted in a 27-10 Utah win in the season opener for both teams in Salt Lake City's Rice-Eccles Stadium.

After spotting the newly-minted Pac 12 member a 24-7 halftime lead, MSU out-gained Utah 139-to-119 in the second, with both teams scoring just three points. “I'm proud of the way the guys came back and played in the second half,” said Bobcat coach Rob Ash. “We gave them too many opportunities early, but I'm proud of the way they kept fighting.”

Montana State quarterback DeNarius McGhee, whose interception set up Utah's first scoring chance, echoed Ash's sentiments. “I'm proud we didn't give up, and I know this team will never quit fighting. I love the guys I play with.”

Utah's defense made the game's first big play, when Brian Blechen intercepted McGhee's second pass of the game and returned it 40 yards to the MSU eight-yard line. The Utes scored three plays later for a 7-0 lead.

After a three-and-out possession by the Bobcat offense, Utah marched 62 yards in nine plays, with Jordan Wynn completing a five-yard pass to John White for a 14-0 Ute lead. The Utes blocked Rory Perez's punt on the next possession, and converted a field goal three plays later.

White capped a 59-yard scoring drive early in the second quarter to give Utah a 24-0 lead, and the junior running back finished the first half with 53 rushing yards.

The Bobcat offense got itself on track late in the second quarter, moving 89 yards for a touchdown. McGhee and Cody Kirk connected on a 39-yard shovel pass to move the Bobcats inside the Ute 10. MSU scored on a seven-yard McGhee pass to Tanner Bleskin three plays later. McGhee finished the first half 7-for-14 passing with 81 yards, while Kirk rushed for 31 yards (on five carries) and caught two passes for 45 yards.

The teams traded field goals in the second half, with Utah's Colem Peterson nailing a 44-yarder and Jason Cunningham drilling a 37-yarder.

Bobcat receiver Elvis Akpla caught only one pass Thursday – “They double-covered him all night,” McGhee said – but it was enough to extend his consecutive game streak with at least one catch to 23 while setting up MSU's only second half points. Akpla catch was a 47-yarder from McGhee deep in Ute territory.

The tale of the tape Thursday indicates that both defenses performed well. The Bobcat offense managed 12 first downs and 258 total yards against the fast, explosive Ute defense, while MSU's defense held Utah to 292 yards and 16 first downs.

“You've got to hand it to Utah's front seven,” Ash said. “When we got a little bit of a window they closed it fast. But I thought our defense played well, too.”

Zach Minter and Brad Daly each registered sacks for the Bobcats. Jody Owens registered 12 tackles, while Clay Bignell had 10.

Montana State opens its home season, and its expanded Bobcat Stadium, next Saturday against UC Davis in non-conference action. Utah visits USC in the Utes' first Pac 12 contest.