Montana State University
6-0 , 2-0
Northern Colorado
0-6 , 0-2
Big Plays Lead Bobcats to Homecoming Win Over Northern Colorado
10/5/2024 10:21:00 PM | Football
Cats use Ty McCullouch's arm to strike early
"I looked at Taco when it was called," Montana State's senior receiver said, "and I said, 'I'm sweating.'" The play that made McCullouch's nerves twitch was a reverse pass that he was to throw to Taco Dowler.
"We just put it in this week," McCullouch said. "We practiced it twice. We didn't think it would get called." But Bobcat offensive coordinator Tyler Walker did call it, on second-and-seven early in the second quarter from the Bears 34. McCullouch found Dowler on a 34-yard touchdown pass that gave Montana State a 21-0 lead in a game it won 55-17 over Northern Colorado in Bozeman in front of 22,007 on Saturday.
The pass was the first in McCullouch's career. "College, high school, anything," he said. It led to a 102-yard afternoon for Taco Dowler, a career best for him. And it was part of a 278-yard passing game for the Cats, the most since the team threw for 295 against Morehead State early in the 2022 season. The team's 510 yards marked its fourth over the half-century mark this season.
After forcing a UNC three-and-out on the game's first possession, MSU struck quick. Scottre Humphrey's 43-yard run set up the Cats at the Bears 20, and five plays later Tommy Mellott found tight end Ryan Lonergan wide open in the end zone for a nine-yard score.
The Cats were back in business after a after another three-and-out. Taking over at the MSU 49, Mellott engineered a nine-place, 51-yard drive that ended when he connected with Rohan Jones on a three-yard touchdown pass.
MSU allowed only one Northern Colorado first down in the first quarter, and held the Bears to no points and 124 yards in the first half. By the time UNC scored late in the third quarter MSU held a 34-0 lead. Northern Colorado finished with 362 yards.
Montana State raised its record to 6-0 overall, 2-0 in the Big Sky, with the win. Northern Colorado's 17th consecutive loss overall leaves the Bears at 0-6 this season 0-2 in the league. MSU hosts nationally-ranked Idaho next Saturday at 8:15 pm.
#GoCatsGo
Team Stats
UNC 0, MSU 6
MSU - Lonergan,Ryan 9 yd pass from Mellott,Tommy () 5 plays, 63 yards, TOP 03:16
UNC 0, MSU 13
MSU - Jones,Rohan 6 yd pass from Mellott,Tommy (Sansted,Myles kick) 9 plays, 51 yards, TOP 05:30
UNC 0, MSU 20
MSU - Dowler,Taco 34 yd pass from McCullouch,Ty (Sansted,Myles kick) 2 plays, 37 yards, TOP 00:46
UNC 0, MSU 27
MSU - Mellott,Tommy 13 yd run (Sansted,Myles kick), 5 plays, 35 yards, TOP 02:45
UNC 0, MSU 34
MSU - McCullouch,Ty 50 yd pass from Mellott,Tommy (Sansted,Myles kick) 5 plays, 61 yards, TOP 02:37
UNC 7, MSU 34
UNC - Cheeks,Carver 14 yd pass from Meis,Caden (Green,Hunter kick) 4 plays, 58 yards, TOP 01:26
UNC 7, MSU 41
MSU - Dowler,Taco 72 yd pass from Mellott,Tommy (Sansted,Myles kick) 2 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:47
UNC 14, MSU 41
UNC - Munroe,Brayden 28 yd pass from Keone,Kia'i (Green,Hunter kick) 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:51
UNC 14, MSU 48
MSU - Humphrey,Scottre 17 yd run (Sansted,Myles kick), 3 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:39
UNC 17, MSU 48
UNC - Green,Hunter 29 yd field goal 5 plays, 29 yards, TOP 01:24
UNC 17, MSU 55
MSU - Wilson,Chance 5 yd run (Sansted,Myles kick), 17 plays, 75 yards, TOP 09:20
