Second Half Effort Leads to Bobcats’ Big Sky Opening Victory Over Vikings

Saturday, September 25

Portland, OR

3:05 p.m. MT

Montana State University

3-1 , 1-0

Portland State

1-3 , 0-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Montana State

Portland State

Photo by: Garrett Becker

Second Half Effort Leads to Bobcats’ Big Sky Opening Victory Over Vikings

9/25/2021 6:58:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Montana State football dialed in during the second half of its Big Sky Conference opener and closed out a 30-17 road victory over the Portland State Vikings on Saturday

By: Andrew Pedersen

PORTLAND, Ore. – Montana State football dialed in during the second half of its Big Sky Conference opener and closed out a 30-17 road victory over the Portland State Vikings on Saturday, Sept. 25, at Hillsboro Stadium.

The Vikings kept the Bobcats at bay early as PSU jumped out to a 10-3 lead after the first quarter. PSU totaled 163 yards passing in the opening 15 minutes of the contest, while MSU was held to just 85 total yards.

A Simeon Woodard interception slowed down the Viks on a second quarter drive and three first-half field goals by Blake Glessner kept the Bobcats within striking distance as they trailed 10-9 at halftime.

MSU was forced to punt following its first drive of the third quarter, but a Bryce Leighton punt pinned Portland State at its own 8. After a three-and-out, MSU's Coy Steel returned the Viks' resulting punt 45 yards into the red zone. Isaiah Ifanse found the end zone for the Bobcats for the first time to give MSU a lead with 9:08 remaining in the 3rd quarter.

Portland State responded with a 10-play, 75-yard drive as the Viks regained the advantage, 17-16. However, the Bobcats went ahead for good on the ensuing drive. Montana State went 75 yards over the course of eight plays, with 53 yards coming through the air to Lance McCutcheon, which included a 20-yard touchdown pass from Matthew McKay to put the 'Cats up by six points again.

The Vikings drove into Bobcat territory heading into the fourth quarter. On 3rd and long, PSU quarterback Davis Alexander avoided a Daniel Hardy sack, but was stripped of the ball by Brody Grebe. The fumble was recovered by Chase Benson and MSU took over on its own 30.

Montana State put the game out of reach on its next drive. The Bobcats marched down the field and finished off a six-play drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass from McKay to Jaharie Martin. Portland State's next offensive possession saw the Vikings make it into the MSU red zone but the home side was halted near pay dirt. Troy Andersen and Daniel Hardy combined on a 3rd down sack on the 10-yard line, then Amandre Williams finished off a PSU comeback attempt with a 4th down sack.

The 'Cats used 10 consecutive plays to run out 6:30 of time on the game clock and ended the matchup in the victory formation.

Montana State eventually outgained Portland State 479-351 in total yards, which included a 133-26 edge in the fourth quarter.

The Bobcat defense held the Vikings to just seven points in the second half. Andersen and Hardy each led MSU with seven tackles apiece, with Hardy registering 3.5 tackles for loss. Callahan O'Reilly had six tackles while Benson finished with two quarterback hurries.

MSU's offense was highlighted by a 30-carry, 217-yard game by Ifanse on the ground. McCutcheon hauled in a team-high eight receptions and had 161 yards receiving. McKay finished the contest 14-for-21 passing and 225 yards through the air.

Montana State returns home to Bozeman for its next two games. Bobcat Stadium plays host to MSU and Northern Colorado at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2, and the Homecoming contest between the 'Cats and Cal Poly at 2 p.m. on Oct. 9.