Rushing Attack Carries Bobcats to Big Sky Opening Victory Over Portland State

Saturday, September 22

Portland, OR

3 pm

Montana State University

3-1 , 1-0

Portland State

1-3 , 0-1

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Montana State	6	20	17	0	43
Portland State	3	13	7	0	23

Photo by: Garrett Becker

9/22/2018 6:36:00 PM | Football

Box Score

The Montana State football team completed four consecutive touchdown drives during the first half and the Bobcat defense made crucial stops to help propel the ‘Cats to a 43-23 victory on Saturday

By: Andrew Pedersen

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Montana State football team completed four consecutive touchdown drives during the first half and the Bobcat defense made crucial stops to help propel the 'Cats to a 43-23 victory on Saturday, Sept. 22, over Portland State at Hillsboro Stadium.The win improved MSU to 3-1 overall, while the Vikings dropped to 1-3 in each teams' Big Sky Conference opener.

Following a slow start by MSU's offensive and defensive sides of the ball, both picked up their play as the first half progressed.

Portland State completed its first drive of the game with a 3-0 lead after gaining 52 yards and kicking a 44-yard field goal. MSU's offense picked up one first down on its opening drive, but the Bobcats were forced to punt.

That's when the tide turned in the contest.

Portland State's second trip upfield ended as Jahque Alleyne registered his second interception of the season and returned the pick to the PSU 20-yard line. The Bobcats' next four drives concluded in touchdown scores.

Freshman running back Isaiah Ifanse rushed for two straight short yardage touchdowns, Troy Andersen connected with Kevin Kassis on a 53-yard touchdown pass, then Andersen found the end zone on a 6-yard run as the Bobcats completed the first half up 26-16.

Montana State held control of the conference clash with its second half play by scoring the first 10 points of the third quarter.

The Bobcats completed their opening drive of the half with a 29-yard field goal. After a Portland State three-and-out, MSU responded with a 7-play, 70-yard drive. Tucker Rovig connected with Travis Jonsen on a 29-yard pass, the combination of Andersen and Ifanse rushed for 40 yards, and Tyler Natee closed out the drive by plunging into the end zone from a yard out.

Portland State answered back with another touchdown drive to cut the Bobcat lead to 13, but that's as close as the Viks would get.

Troy Andersen served as the proverbial dagger as he scampered down the left sideline for a 66-yard rushing touchdown with seconds left in the third quarter.

The Bobcat defense clamped down giving up one scoring drive in the second half and holding the Viks scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Montana State outgained Portland State by a tally of 491-425 yards. MSU's Andersen accounted for 318 all-purpose yards, with 211 coming on the ground. Andersen's rushing total was the most for the sophomore during his MSU career and was a single-game high for a Bobcat since 2011.

Rovig went 2-for-2 passing for 61 yards to contribute through the air for the Bobcats. Ifanse accounted for 100 yards rushing on 19 carries, while Natee contributed with 13 yards. Willie Patterson had a team-high 3 receptions and was followed by Kassis's two catches.

Bryce Sterk led the Bobcats defensively with 6 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks.  Tyrone Fa'anono and Tucker Yates each had five tackles, while Jacob Hadley added a sack.

Montana State returns to Bozeman for two consecutive games at Bobcat Stadium. The Bobcats host Eastern Washington next on Saturday, Sept. 29, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. MST.