Blake Hehl
Photo by: Colter Peterson
BOBCAT NOTES: MSU Rolls Up Big Offensive Numbers Against Eastern Washington
11/11/2023 8:11:00 PM | Football
Cats Head to Title Tilt Next Week
BOZEMAN, Montana – It was a senior day for the ages.
Montana State's list of graduating seniors was 11 – with one junior added – and the number who significantly impacted the Bobcats' 57-14 win over Eastern Washington in the team's final scheduled home game of 2023 was nearly as long. Quarterback Sean Chambers rushed five times for 75 yards and two touchdowns, and completed all four of his pass attempts for 119 yards and three TDs. Receiver Clevan Thomas Jr. caught a 15-yard touchdown pass, and running back Lane Sumner scored a touchdown.
The graduating defensive players had plenty of action, too. Senior defensive end Ben Seymour returned an Eagles fumble to the two-yard-line, linebacker Nolan Askelson intercepted a pass, and defensive end David Alston made a pair of tackles.
"I'm proud of those seniors," MSU head coach Brent Vigen said. "They've been through a lot. Five of them came here as freshman and were joined by six transfers, and it has been a great class."
In beating the Eagles by a larger margin that any Montana State team before it, the Cats rolled up 551 yards of total offense. MSU averaged 9.5 yards per play, largely on the power of an efficient and potent passing offense. MSU threw for 276 yards, the most this season, and 18.4 yards per completion. Somehow, the team's 7.2 yards per rush was below its season average (now 7.5). Montana State's offensive output was also limited by its defense. Seymour's scoop-and-almost-score set up a two-yard touchdown drive, and Askelson's pick set up a one-play, 51-yard drive. Ty McCullouch proved to the beneficiary of the passing pyrotechnics, catching four passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns.
Eastern Washington quarterback Kekoa Visperas completed 27 of his 36 passes for 329 yards, throwing two touchdowns with two interceptions. Efton Chism III caught nine passes for 94 yards.
The Bobcats raised their record to 8-2 overall with the win, and at 6-1 in the Big Sky play Montana next week for the Big Sky Championship. Eastern Washington is 4-6 overall, 3-4 in the Big Sky.
NOTEBOOK
* Montana State won its 26th straight home game, tied for the ninth-longest streak in FCS history.
* Saturday's crowd of 20,897 gave MSU its 20th consecutive regular season home game
* MSU's current three-game win streak against the Eagles is its longest since 1988-90
* Montana State reached eight wins for the ninth time this century
#GoCatsGo
Montana State's list of graduating seniors was 11 – with one junior added – and the number who significantly impacted the Bobcats' 57-14 win over Eastern Washington in the team's final scheduled home game of 2023 was nearly as long. Quarterback Sean Chambers rushed five times for 75 yards and two touchdowns, and completed all four of his pass attempts for 119 yards and three TDs. Receiver Clevan Thomas Jr. caught a 15-yard touchdown pass, and running back Lane Sumner scored a touchdown.
The graduating defensive players had plenty of action, too. Senior defensive end Ben Seymour returned an Eagles fumble to the two-yard-line, linebacker Nolan Askelson intercepted a pass, and defensive end David Alston made a pair of tackles.
"I'm proud of those seniors," MSU head coach Brent Vigen said. "They've been through a lot. Five of them came here as freshman and were joined by six transfers, and it has been a great class."
In beating the Eagles by a larger margin that any Montana State team before it, the Cats rolled up 551 yards of total offense. MSU averaged 9.5 yards per play, largely on the power of an efficient and potent passing offense. MSU threw for 276 yards, the most this season, and 18.4 yards per completion. Somehow, the team's 7.2 yards per rush was below its season average (now 7.5). Montana State's offensive output was also limited by its defense. Seymour's scoop-and-almost-score set up a two-yard touchdown drive, and Askelson's pick set up a one-play, 51-yard drive. Ty McCullouch proved to the beneficiary of the passing pyrotechnics, catching four passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns.
Eastern Washington quarterback Kekoa Visperas completed 27 of his 36 passes for 329 yards, throwing two touchdowns with two interceptions. Efton Chism III caught nine passes for 94 yards.
The Bobcats raised their record to 8-2 overall with the win, and at 6-1 in the Big Sky play Montana next week for the Big Sky Championship. Eastern Washington is 4-6 overall, 3-4 in the Big Sky.
NOTEBOOK
* Montana State won its 26th straight home game, tied for the ninth-longest streak in FCS history.
* Saturday's crowd of 20,897 gave MSU its 20th consecutive regular season home game
* MSU's current three-game win streak against the Eagles is its longest since 1988-90
* Montana State reached eight wins for the ninth time this century
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
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