Cats Get Ground Game Going, Grind Out Homecoming Win Against Idaho

Saturday, October 13

BOZEMAN

2 pm

Montana State University

3-2 , 1-1

Idaho (HOMECOMING)

2-3 , 1-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Idaho

Montana State

Photo by: Garrett Becker

Cats Get Ground Game Going, Grind Out Homecoming Win Against Idaho

10/13/2018 8:27:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Troy Andersen leads the way with 159 rushing yards

By: Bill Lamberty

BOZEMAN, Montana - On a day that dawned with a blizzard, a lightning strike made the difference.

That strike came in the form it often does for Montana State. Sophomore quarterback Troy Andersen galloped 60 yards for the decisive touchdown late in the third quarter to lead Montana State to a 24-23 win against Idaho in its first appearance in Bozeman since 1995. Andersen rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns and freshman running back Isaiah Ifanse added 53 to pace the Bobcat offense.

"I'm really proud of the way our guys fought and I'm proud of how they adjusted in the second half offensively," MSU coach Jeff Choate said, "taking advantage of some things. We got into some good run game stuff. It was a good hard-fought win."

With the Bobcats trailing 17-7 midway through the third quarter, the team's ground game kicked into gear. But it was aided by a pass. On the second play of the drive Andersen found McCutcheon for six yards and a first down, then an eight-yard Andersen run set up second-and-two.

He dropped back and lofted a ball into the wind that was held up, and McCutcheon tracked the ball, adjusted his route, and made the catch at the Vandals two. Ifanse bulled in on the next play.

"The whole game we were trying to capitalize on shot plays," McCutcheon said. "I just wanted to be a Frisbee-catching dog and go up and make the play."

Idaho drove 28 yards on its next possession, but on fourth-and-six Tyrone Fa'anono batted down Mason Petrino's pass and the Cats took over at its own 40.

Then Andersen did his thing. Dropping to pass, he found a lane and took off. "I ran a shallow route," McCutcheon said, "and when I saw him get through the line I knew there was no one that was going to catch him."

That score gave MSU its first lead of the day at 21-17. After the teams exchanged punts, the Vandals took over at their own 16. After an incomplete pass and a Tyrone Fa'anono run stuff, Petrino threw a pass that was intercepted by Jahque Alleyne. Three plays later, Tristan Bailey nailed a 42-yard field to push the lead to 24-17.

The stage was set for a wild ending. The Vandals marched the length of the field, and David Ungerer turned a broken trick play into a nine-yard touchdown scramble. The ensuing extra point, though, sailed over the top of the left goal post, which by rule made it no good. The on-side kick rolled out of bounds, and since Idaho had used its allotment of time outs Andersen's first down clinched the victory.

Idaho used a fast start to establish the statistical dominance that would carry through the afternoon, scoring touchdowns on two of its first five possessions. Petrino's precise passing - he finished 21-for-35 for 162 yards with one interception - complemented a productive Vandals ground game. Idaho rushed for 185 yards, led by Isaiah Saunders' 82 yards and two touchdowns.

The Bobcats followed a familiar formula, staying patient with the run game through the first half before turning things up in the second half. MSU rushed for 107 yards before halftime, averaging 6.3 yards per carry, but gained 118 yards on the ground, 8.4 per attempt, in the second half. Montana State's defense also rose to the occasion, getting the game's only turnover, breaking up six passes, and logging six tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Montana State raises its record to 4-2 with the win, and stand 2-1 in Big Sky play. Idaho is now 2-3, 1-2 in the league. MSU heads to Ogden next Saturday to play Weber State at 4 pm. The Vandals host Southern Utah.