Montana State University
7-3 , 4-2
Northern Colorado
2-8 , 2-4
Bobcats Run to Victory
11/9/2019 6:43:00 PM | Football
The Bobcats rushed for 451 yards, the third-highest total in MSU history and the most in the history of UNC’s Nottingham Field. Logan Jones gained 122 yards, receiver Tyrone Marshall rushed for 64, and Davine Tullis had 63 yards.
"We talked all week about softening the edges," said MSU running back Lane Sumner, who rushed for 72 yards. "That helped get downhill and crease them."
The Bobcats rushed for 451 yards, the third-highest total in MSU history and the most in the history of UNC's Nottingham Field. Logan Jones gained 122 yards, receiver Tyrone Marshall rushed for 64, and Davine Tullis had 63 yards.
"This team has been playing very stingy run defense tackle-to-tackle," said MSU head coach Jeff Choate. "No matter who they've played, whoever has tried to run right at them hasn't been that effective. We knew coming in, that's what we do. The plan was to soften the edges and counter punch as the game went."
MSU's first series attacked UNC's perimeter. Jones gained 17 yards outside, Marshall gained 39 yards on a sweep, and Willie Patterson scampered for 10 on an end-around. The Cats capped the scoring drive when linebacker Troy Andersen, lined up at quarterback, tossed the ball to defensive tackle Jason Scrempos, lined up at tight end, for a touchdown pass.
"The defensive linemen slide down (into the middle of the line)," Sumner said. Those plays force them to defend outside (the tackle box)."
In all, about half of MSU's 22 first half runs aimed at the edges of the UNC defense. The counter-punch, as Choate called it, came soon after halftime. Logan Jones tore off a 57-yard run to open the third quarter "right in the middle," Sumner said, crediting the early commitment to running outside. Jones ran for five more, and after an incomplete pass barged into the end zone. That play gave the Cats an insurmountable 31-7 lead.
Northern Colorado's only first-half score came on a pick-six. Late in the first quarter, a Tucker Rovig pass was intercepted by Brooks Talkington and returned 10 yards for a touchdown.
The whole while, Montana State's defense was brilliant. UNC rushed for just 44 yards on the afternoon, and through three quarters had gained just 202 total yards.
Linebacker Josh Hill led MSU with 10 tackles, two for a loss. Troy Andersen and Bryce Sterk each logged sacks.
Montana State raised its record to 7-3 overall, 4-2 in the Big Sky, and faces a crucial tilt at UC Davis next Saturday. UNC is 2-8, 2-4.
Team Stats
MSU 7, NC 0
MSU - SCREMPOS, Jason 2 yd pass from ANDERSEN, Troy (BAILEY, Tristan kick) 6 plays, 76 yards, TOP 2:25
MSU 7, NC 7
NC - Brooks Talkingt 10 yd interception (Collin Root kick)
MSU 14, NC 7
MSU - SNELL, Derryk 8 yd pass from ROVIG, Tucker (BAILEY, Tristan kick) 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:04
MSU 17, NC 7
MSU - BAILEY, Tristan 44 yd field goal 8 plays, 38 yards, TOP 4:35
MSU 24, NC 7
MSU - ANDERSEN, Troy 11 yd run (BAILEY, Tristan kick), 3 plays, 42 yards, TOP 1:04
MSU 31, NC 7
MSU - JONES, Logan 1 yd run (BAILEY, Tristan kick), 4 plays, 75 yards, TOP 1:28
MSU 38, NC 7
MSU - O'REILLY, C. 73 yd run (BAILEY, Tristan kick), 4 plays, 79 yards, TOP 1:25
MSU 45, NC 7
MSU - SUMNER, Lane 16 yd run (BAILEY, Tristan kick), 12 plays, 73 yards, TOP 5:49
MSU 45, NC 14
NC - Noah Sol 8 yd pass from Jacob Knipp (Patrick Nassiat kick) 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:44
