Late Bobcats Rally Falls Short in Loss at Idaho State

Saturday, October 27

Pocatello, ID

3:30 pm

Montana State University

4-4 , 2-3

Idaho State

5-3 , 4-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Montana State

Idaho State

Travis Jonsen

Photo by: Garrett Becker

10/27/2018 7:42:00 PM | Football

Box Score

MSU comes eight yards short of tying the game late in the fourth quarter

By: Bill Lamberty

POCATELLO, Idaho – Facing a 24-7 deficit at the start of fourth quarter, and as senior defensive tackle Zach Wright said, "Staring our season in the face," Montana State nearly pulled off a comeback for the ages. But a fourth-and-23 pass from Troy Andersen to Lance McCutcheon came up two yards short and Idaho State held on for a 24-17 win over Montana State on Saturday in Holt Arena

Idaho State's Tanner Gueller threw for 218 yards and ran for another 40 to lead the Bengals, but a spirited defensive effort by the Cats in the fourth quarter gave Montana State a chance. The Cats forced two punts and two fumbles in the game's final 25 minutes, holding Idaho State scoreless after a four-yard pass from Tanner Gueller to Demonte Horton on the second drive of the second half staked ISU to the 24-7 lead.

"I thought they showed a lot of determination," said Bobcat coach Jeff Choate of his team's comeback, "a lot of grit. They played with great spirit."

The Bengals had 275 yards after their final touchdown, with no turnovers. From that point on, the Cats held ISU to 116 yards with two takeaways.

"The turnovers were big," said Bobcat quarterback Troy Andersen. "The defense gave us a chance."

On the fourth play of the fourth quarter, Damien Washington forced a Michael Dean fumble, and Brayden Konkol scooped it up and returned it to the ISU 45. Andersen scored on a 33-yard touchdown run, and MSU was within 24-14. On the next drive, Jahque Alleyne forced a Tanner Gueller fumble, and again Konkol recovered. MSU moved to the Bengals five, but had to settle for a field goal. A Bobcat stop on Idaho State's next drive set up the dramatic ending.

The first half began brilliantly for the Cats. Lined up in a heavy formation featuring Tucker Yates and three tight ends, MSU converted a fourth-and-one deep in its own end and marched down the field for a touchdown. The 75-yard drive featured five carries by Isaiah Ifanse, four by Troy Andersen, and three by Travis Jonsen, including the one-yard touchdown run.

MSU also marched on its second drive, moving from its own 17 to the Bengals 27. Andersen was sacked on a third-and-five, though, and backed up three extra yards Tristan Bailey missed a 47-yard field goal. It was only his second miss of the season, caroming off the left upright.

That seemed to spark the Bengals. Tanner Gueller completed four straight passes to breach Bobcat territory, but a pass breakup by Grant Collins and one by Munchie Filer forced ISU to attempt a field goal. Casper Sheidow's 38-yard kick was good.

After an MSU quick-kick, the Bengals marched 94 yards to take the lead. ISU converted four third downs on the possession, two of them runs by Tanner Gueller. James Madison scored from seven yards out. Idaho State wasn't finished. A failed MSU fake punt – Jered Padmos' pass glanced off Brayden Konkol's fingers on a possible touchdown pass – gave ISU the ball at the MSU 42. The Bengals scored seven plays later on a nine-yard pass, one play after the Cats appeared to have ISU stopped on a fourth-and-long. Tanner Gueller flipped the ball to Ty Flanagan while he was in the clutches of the MSU defense, and Flanagan scampered to the nine.

Montana State now stands 4-4 on the season, 2-3 in the Big Sky, while ISU is 5-3, 4-2. The Bobcats host Cal Poly on Saturday at 2 pm in Bobcat Stadium.