Montana State University
4-2 , 2-0
NORTHERN ARIZONA (HOMECOMING)
3-2 , 1-1
Bobcats dominate Lumberjacks
10/5/2013 5:42:00 PM | Football, General
No. 8 MSU cruises to 36-7 win
In front of a record crowd of 21,027, the eighth-ranked Bobcats dominated both sides of the ball, gaining 363 yards to 232 for No. 15 NAU. In the process, the Bobcats held the always dangerous Zach Bauman to just 26 yards on nine carries. The win leaves MSU in first place in the Big Sky Conference at 2-0 (4-2 overall) while NAU slips to 1-1 (3-2 overall).
Under sunny skies and a backdrop of snow-draped mountains, MSU's Cody Kirk bulldozed for 156 yards and yet another touchdown, the 40th of his career and 11th of the season. Shawn Johnson and DeNarius McGhee also found the end zone as the Bobcats totaled 276 yards on the ground.
While MSU's passing game wasn't clicking as well as the running game, senior wide receiver Tanner Bleskin managed to haul in a fourth quarter pass from his younger brother Jake, giving him an alltime Bobcat record of 170 career catches. He was already the leader in receiving yards.
The Lumberjacks' lone score came on Austin Hasquest's 37-yard interception return. That play didn't faze MSU's Johnson who returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards to account for the day's final touchdown. Johnson complemented Kirk with 92 rushing yards.
MSU enjoyed a 16-0 halftime lead mainly thanks to field goals of 40, 28 and 45 yards by Rory Perez.
The Lumberjacks, who a week ago thumped Montana 34-16, never got going on offense. They failed to convert a third down in the first half, which led to seven punts by Wilder. Overall, NAU was just three of 15 on third down conversions. MSU had 21 first downs to just 11 for NAU. Lumberjack quarterback Kyren Poe threw for 168 yards, but NAU was held to just 76 yards on the ground.
Montana State now has a bye before heading to Weber State on Oct. 19. Northern Arizona travels to Sacramento State next week.
Team Stats
NAU 0, MSU 7
MSU - Shawn Johnson 27 yd run (Rory Perez kick), 6 plays, 51 yards, TOP 2:42
NAU 0, MSU 10
MSU - Rory Perez 40 yd field goal 12 plays, 71 yards, TOP 4:45
NAU 0, MSU 13
MSU - Rory Perez 28 yd field goal 9 plays, 59 yards, TOP 3:43
NAU 0, MSU 16
MSU - Rory Perez 45 yd field goal 6 plays, 20 yards, TOP 1:45
NAU 0, MSU 22
MSU - DeNarius McGhee 9 yd run (Mitch Griebel rushfailed), 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 4:37
NAU 0, MSU 29
MSU - Cody Kirk 12 yd run (Rory Perez kick), 4 plays, 33 yards, TOP 1:34
NAU 7, MSU 29
NAU - Austin Hasquet 37 yd interception (Andy Wilder kick)
NAU 7, MSU 36
MSU - Shawn Johnson 100 yd kickoff return (Rory Perez kick)
