Bobcats Outlast Eastern Washington

Saturday, September 24

Cheney, WA

2 pm MT

Montana State University

3-1 , 1-0

Eastern Washington

1-2 , 0-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Montana St.

Eastern Wash.

9/24/2022 5:46:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Two late takeaways sealed Montana State's 38-35 victory.

CHENEY, Washington – The Montana State defense came through with two late takeaways and quarterback Sean Chambers sealed the deal with two fourth-quarter rushing touchdowns to give the Bobcats a 38-35 Big Sky Conference win over Eastern Washington University at Roos Field.

The Bobcats (3-1, 1-0 Big Sky) were led by Chambers, who rushed for 178 yards and two touchdowns, plus went 6-for-12 for 69 yards, an interception and a touchdown in the air. Montana State out-gained the Eagles (1-2, 0-1 Big Sky) by a 466-349 yard margin with 355 of those yards coming on the ground.

Montana State and the Eagles traded blows in the first half. The biggest was landed by a pair of Eagles as Bobcat quarterback Tommy Mellott completed a slide after a short run, knocking him from the game. That came after EWU spent the first quarter hitting MSU's signal caller at every opportunity.

Eastern Washington started quickly, forcing a three-and-out on the game's opening possession then scoring on its third offensive play. Operating out of a wildcat formation, running back Micah Smith broke through the line and raced down the sideline untouched for a 56-yard touchdown.

The Cats answered immediately. Taking advantage of his first opportunity as MSU's featured back, Elijah Elliott carried for 12 yards then dashed 45 yards for a touchdown. That triggered a big half for the sophomore running back, as he gained 94 yards on seven carries.

The teams traded punts until Montana State forced an Eagles punt late in the first quarter. The Bobcats took the lead on RJ Fitzgerald's first career touchdown, then after an Efton Chism III score Willie Patterson caught a touchdown pass from Chambers, who rushed for 83 yards and threw for five after Mellott's injury.

The Bobcat defense asserted itself in the third quarter. MSU allowed the Eagles just one first down and 27 yards in that period. The Cats expanded their lead to 31-21 when Chambers plowed in from two yards out midway through the period.

In the fourth quarter, the Eagles rattled off 14-straight points, putting the Bobcats on their heels. On its first drive of the quarter, Eastern Washington wide receiver Freddie Roberson hauled in a Talkington pass for an 80-yard touchdown to cut the Bobcats' lead to three, 31-28. The Eagles would then engineer a seven-play, 45-yard drive to take a 35-31 lead with 9:24 to play.

Montana State marched down the field and took advantage of another big defensive pass interference play on Patterson that set up the Bobcats in the redzone. But MSU would come up empty. Facing fourth and goal from the eight yard line, Chambers threw an interception with 3:57 to play that appeared to be the dagger.

On EWU's first play of the drive, Sebastian Valdez forced a fumble that Ty Okada recovered, keeping the Bobcats' comeback hopes alive. Two plays later, Chambers' 13-yard touchdown run up the middle put Montana State back in front.

Mustering a comeback attempt, the Eagles were facing fourth and 14 from their own 31-yard-line when EWU quarterback Gunner Talkington found Nolan Ulm over the middle deep into Montana State territory. Yet Ulm couldn't secure possession as he was hit by two Bobcat defenders, and redshirt sophomore linebacker Danny Uluilakepa came up with the game-sealing interception.

The Bobcats exit their two-game road trip with a 3-1 record overall, while Eastern Washington now stands at 1-2. MSU hosts UC Davis next Saturday at 8:15 pm.