Tucker Rovig threw four touchdown passes on Saturday.
Photo by: Garrett Becker
Bobcats run past Norfolk State, 56-21
9/21/2019 4:11:00 PM | Football, General
Three different Montana State runners surpassed 100 yards and the Bobcats gained a season best 670 total yards on Saturday while beating visiting Norfolk State 56-21. The game marked the final non-conference game for the eighth-ranked Bobcats, and was their third straight win after a season-opening loss at Texas Tech.
The overnight and morning rain that soaked Bozeman prior to the game was gone by kickoff, and as the clouds lifted over the Gallatin Valley, the crowed of 17,647 got a glimpse of the season's first snow which had settled in the higher elevations.
Surprise starter Tucker Rovig sparked the Bobcats offense, throwing for 221 yards and four touchdowns. It was Rovig first start since starting two games in 2018. For the season, the Bobcats (3-1) have still not thrown an interception.
In all, eight different Bobcats ran the ball and eight different receivers made catches, including Rovig who pulled a deflected ball out of the air for a three-yard completion in the third quarter. Leading the way on the ground was Lane Sumner with a career high 113 yards and two touchdowns. Shane Perry chipped in with a career best 111 yards. Meanwhile, Logan Jones finished with 101 yards and two scores, all in the first half. Rovig's top receiver was Kevin Kassis with six catches and his first touchdown of the season, coming in the third quarter. In addition, Coy Steel caught five balls and reached the end zone in the second and third quarters, and Travis Jonsen caught five passes and scored a touchdown in the second quarter.
While Norfolk State (1-3) did gain 351 total yards, including 112 yards rushing by Kevin Johnson, Bryce Sterk sparked MSU's defense with 3.5 sacks and 10 total tackles. MSU had the ball for nearly 32 minutes and averaged almost 8.5 yards per play.
The Bobcats' offense clicked in the first half as MSU built a 28-14 halftime lead. Behind a strong run game, MSU totaled 369 yards in the first two quarters. Rovig hit his first four passes and finished the half with 146 yards.
The Spartans moved the ball well against the Bobcats, totaling 202 yards in the half, but Michael Jobman forced a fumble and Amandre Williams recovered it leading directly to Jones' second score. Rovig's 34-yard scoring pass to Steel made it 21-7 and just before the half, Rovig connected with Jonsen from 8 yards out to account for the halftime score.
The Bobcats' first score followed a faked field goal in which kicker Tristan Bailey, one of the eight Bobcat runners, scooted around the right side for a first down. Two plays later, MSU, which trailed early 7-0, tied the game as Jones raced in from the 16 yard line.
The Big Sky Conference regular season starts Sept. 28 with Northern Arizona coming to Bozeman.
The overnight and morning rain that soaked Bozeman prior to the game was gone by kickoff, and as the clouds lifted over the Gallatin Valley, the crowed of 17,647 got a glimpse of the season's first snow which had settled in the higher elevations.
Surprise starter Tucker Rovig sparked the Bobcats offense, throwing for 221 yards and four touchdowns. It was Rovig first start since starting two games in 2018. For the season, the Bobcats (3-1) have still not thrown an interception.
In all, eight different Bobcats ran the ball and eight different receivers made catches, including Rovig who pulled a deflected ball out of the air for a three-yard completion in the third quarter. Leading the way on the ground was Lane Sumner with a career high 113 yards and two touchdowns. Shane Perry chipped in with a career best 111 yards. Meanwhile, Logan Jones finished with 101 yards and two scores, all in the first half. Rovig's top receiver was Kevin Kassis with six catches and his first touchdown of the season, coming in the third quarter. In addition, Coy Steel caught five balls and reached the end zone in the second and third quarters, and Travis Jonsen caught five passes and scored a touchdown in the second quarter.
While Norfolk State (1-3) did gain 351 total yards, including 112 yards rushing by Kevin Johnson, Bryce Sterk sparked MSU's defense with 3.5 sacks and 10 total tackles. MSU had the ball for nearly 32 minutes and averaged almost 8.5 yards per play.
The Bobcats' offense clicked in the first half as MSU built a 28-14 halftime lead. Behind a strong run game, MSU totaled 369 yards in the first two quarters. Rovig hit his first four passes and finished the half with 146 yards.
The Spartans moved the ball well against the Bobcats, totaling 202 yards in the half, but Michael Jobman forced a fumble and Amandre Williams recovered it leading directly to Jones' second score. Rovig's 34-yard scoring pass to Steel made it 21-7 and just before the half, Rovig connected with Jonsen from 8 yards out to account for the halftime score.
The Bobcats' first score followed a faked field goal in which kicker Tristan Bailey, one of the eight Bobcat runners, scooted around the right side for a first down. Two plays later, MSU, which trailed early 7-0, tied the game as Jones raced in from the 16 yard line.
The Big Sky Conference regular season starts Sept. 28 with Northern Arizona coming to Bozeman.
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