Isaiah Ifanse saw his first action of the season on Saturday against Weber State.
Photo by: Garrett Becker
Bobcats advance in home playoff win
12/3/2022 4:27:00 PM | Football, General
Chambers, Mellott, Ifanse spark MSU
Sean Chambers accounted for three touchdowns and Isaiah Ifanse saw his first action of the season as Montana State rolled over Weber State in the second round of the FCS playoffs on Saturday, 33-25.
The game was a rematch of the regular season Bobcat victory over the Wildcats, a 43-38 win on Oct. 22, also in Bozeman. This time, the Bobcats gained 554 total yards with 388 coming on the ground. The MSU output brings the season rushing total to 3,971 yards which is a new team record.
On a cold day with the surrounding area under piles of snow from a Friday storm, 16,397 fans watched the Bobcats got on the scoreboard on a 2-yard run by Chambers, making it 7-3 in the first quarter. It was a chilly 24 degrees with clear skies as Chambers scored his 18th rushing touchdown this season. Before the first half ended, Blake Glessner kicked three field goals to give MSU a 19-10 advantage.
Glessner opened the third quarter with his fourth field goal. Then, with Chambers under center and Derryk Snell in the backfield, Chambers connected with a streaking Snell down the left sideline for a 28-yard touchdown as the third quarter ended 26-10. The Bobcats added a final score in the fourth quarter when quarterback Tommy Mellott handed the ball to wide receiver Clevan Thomas who pitched it back to Chambers who found Willie Patterson for a 47 yard touchdown, giving MSU a FCS-best 19 straight home victories.
Mellott led MSU with 167 yards rushing, giving him 1,020 on the season. He also completed 13 of 19 passes for 91 yards. Ifanse, who was injured in last season's national championship game in Frisco, Texas, carried 10 times for 91 yards in his season debut. Chambers finished with 92 yards on the ground while completing both of his pass attempts for 75 yards. Patterson, Taco Dowler and Elijah Elliott all collected three receptions with Patterson getting a team-high 53 yards.
A couple of late scores by Weber State made the final score look close, but the Bobcats defense held the Wildcats to just 317 total yards and fewer than 22 minutes of possession. Ty Okada sparked the MSU defense with six tackles, including two quarterback sacks in the first half and Danny Uliulakepa hauled in an interception as MSU did not turn the ball over. Uliulakepa, Simeon Woodard and James Campbell were all in five tackles each.
The fourth-seeded Bobcats are home again this weekend against William & Mary on Friday night or Saturday in a quarterfinal matchup.
The game was a rematch of the regular season Bobcat victory over the Wildcats, a 43-38 win on Oct. 22, also in Bozeman. This time, the Bobcats gained 554 total yards with 388 coming on the ground. The MSU output brings the season rushing total to 3,971 yards which is a new team record.
On a cold day with the surrounding area under piles of snow from a Friday storm, 16,397 fans watched the Bobcats got on the scoreboard on a 2-yard run by Chambers, making it 7-3 in the first quarter. It was a chilly 24 degrees with clear skies as Chambers scored his 18th rushing touchdown this season. Before the first half ended, Blake Glessner kicked three field goals to give MSU a 19-10 advantage.
Glessner opened the third quarter with his fourth field goal. Then, with Chambers under center and Derryk Snell in the backfield, Chambers connected with a streaking Snell down the left sideline for a 28-yard touchdown as the third quarter ended 26-10. The Bobcats added a final score in the fourth quarter when quarterback Tommy Mellott handed the ball to wide receiver Clevan Thomas who pitched it back to Chambers who found Willie Patterson for a 47 yard touchdown, giving MSU a FCS-best 19 straight home victories.
Mellott led MSU with 167 yards rushing, giving him 1,020 on the season. He also completed 13 of 19 passes for 91 yards. Ifanse, who was injured in last season's national championship game in Frisco, Texas, carried 10 times for 91 yards in his season debut. Chambers finished with 92 yards on the ground while completing both of his pass attempts for 75 yards. Patterson, Taco Dowler and Elijah Elliott all collected three receptions with Patterson getting a team-high 53 yards.
A couple of late scores by Weber State made the final score look close, but the Bobcats defense held the Wildcats to just 317 total yards and fewer than 22 minutes of possession. Ty Okada sparked the MSU defense with six tackles, including two quarterback sacks in the first half and Danny Uliulakepa hauled in an interception as MSU did not turn the ball over. Uliulakepa, Simeon Woodard and James Campbell were all in five tackles each.
The fourth-seeded Bobcats are home again this weekend against William & Mary on Friday night or Saturday in a quarterfinal matchup.
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