Montana State University
6-2 , 4-0
WEBER STATE (PARENT & FAMILY WEEKEND/ CAP ON CANCER)
0-7 , 0-3
Bobcats Top Weber, Remain Tied for First
10/18/2014 7:15:00 PM | Football
Balanced effort leads MSU to win in lone October home game
The Montana State defense was under the gun in the fourth quarter on Saturday when freshman defensive end Tyrone Fa'anono burst through the Weber State offensive front, recording his first career sack and forcing his first career fumble.
Whew. On a warm, clear day, the Bobcats 10-point lead would hold up after teammate Odin Coe recovered the loose ball with just under 2 minutes to play, preserving the hosts' 23-13 win, their fourth in a row.
In front of 19,677, the ninth-ranked Bobcats held on to their share of first place in the Big Sky Conference, sitting at 4-0 (6-2 overall). The loss dropped WSU to 0-3 and 0-7.
After a two-game swing through central California where they totaled 136 points and 1,356 yards, the Bobcats returned to earth, scoring their fewest points since falling 37-10 at Arkansas State in the season opener. While the offense struggled to put points on the board, the defense made sure Weber State's upset hopes fell short.
Coe and company held WSU to just 29 yards on the ground. The Wildcats' leading rusher was punter Blake O'Neill who picked up 23 yards on a fake punt in the first quarter. A year ago in Odgen, Utah, Bo Bolen rushed for 120 yards, this time he totaled just 13, but he did score WSU's lone touchdown on a 1-yard burst in the fourth quarter. Wildcat kicker Josh Kealamakia added field goals of 32 and 26 yards.
Alex Singleton sparked the Bobcat defense, collecting 11 solo tackles and picking off a WSU pass. Coe entered the game with 3.5 sacks, he's got six now to complement his fumble recovery. Additionally, Coe, a junior from Camas, Wash., was never far from the Weber State quarterback, getting credit for two hurries that led to incompletions.
Weber State's two quarterbacks kept the game close. Starter Billy Green, a sophomore transfer from BYU, threw for 205 yards, while fellow sophomore Jadrian Clark added 142 more, all coming in the fourth quarter. Together, they found senior receiver Shaydon Kehano 11 times for 120 yards.
It was Luke Daly's 25-yard field goal with 2:11 left to play that gave MSU its final points and clinched the victory. But the play that broke the game open for MSU was Shawn Johnson's 63-yard touchdown dash down the right sideline after taking a pitchout from quarterback Dakota Prukop. The senior running back finished with 153 yards on just 14 totes.
In a game that featured running back by committee, fellow speedsters Chad Newell and Gunnar Brekke also reached the end zone. Newell's 1-yard plow in the first quarter erased Weber State's 3-0 edge, the only lead the Wildcats have had in the opening stanza this season. It was Newell's first score of the season and was part of his season-best 62 yards. Prukop gained 60 on the ground and Brekke totaled 31. His 5-yard touchdown came after Singleton's interception and capped an 11-play, 78-yard drive. Through the air, Prukop completed 11 of 18 passes for 160 yards.
Newell also shined on special teams. Leading 20-13, MSU was forced to punt. Weber State's Kehano was unable to handle the bouncing football and Newell swooped in to recover the loose ball which set up Daly's clinching field goal.
The Bobcats have a bye this coming week before traveling to Cal Poly on Nov. 1. Weber State plays host to Portland State this week.
Team Stats
WSU 3, MSU 0
WSU - Josh Kealamakia 32 yd field goal 12 plays, 62 yards, TOP 5:52
WSU 3, MSU 7
MSU - Chad Newell 1 yd run (Luke Daly kick), 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 4:09
WSU 3, MSU 14
MSU - Shawn Johnson 63 yd run (Luke Daly kick), 3 plays, 75 yards, TOP 1:03
WSU 3, MSU 20
MSU - Gunnar Brekke 5 yd run (Luke Daly kickfailed), 11 plays, 78 yards, TOP 4:52
WSU 6, MSU 20
WSU - Josh Kealamakia 26 yd field goal 8 plays, 66 yards, TOP 1:52
WSU 13, MSU 20
WSU - Bo Bolen 1 yd run (Josh Kealamakia kick), 6 plays, 61 yards, TOP 2:52
WSU 13, MSU 23
MSU - Luke Daly 25 yd field goal 4 plays, 5 yards, TOP 0:43
