Running back Colson Cook led all Bobcat runners with 71 yards against Mercyhurst.
Photo by: Brian Morse
Bobcats gain shutout over Mercyhurst
9/20/2025 4:19:00 PM | Football
Montana State dominated in the first half and hung on in the second half to defeat Mercyhurst 17-0 on Saturday afternoon in Bozeman.
The Bobcats won their second game of the season after an 0-2 start by putting together an impressive opening half when they totaled 261 yards to just 115 for Mercyhurst from Erie, Pa. The game was MSU's final tuneup before Big Sky Conference action begins this week.
On its opening drive, MSU went the length of the field, scoring on a Julius Davis 3-yard bash up the middle behind a key block by offensive lineman Burke Mastel who was making his first start of the season. MSU's longest play of the day, a 45-yard sprint by Colson Coon, set up Davis' score.
On an unseasonably warm day, Bobcat quarterback Justin Lamson completed his first five pass attempts and MSU got a 22-yard field goal from Myles Sansted early in the second quarter making it 10-0. Just before halftime, Adam Jones powered into the endzone behind lineman Everett Carr. MSU never really threatened in the second half.
Meanwhile Mercyhurst was unable to find the endzone despite coming close a couple of times. The Lakers (1-3) had their best chance of scoring in the fourth quarter but a first and goal turned into a fourth and 42 after a pair of penalties and a sack by Zac Crews.
Fourth-ranked MSU also turned back a threat by Mercyhurst when Carson Williams tipped a pass that Ryan Krahe intercepted to end another scoring attempt. Earlier, Takhari Carr recovered a fumble to stop yet another Laker drive. MSU managed to hold on for its first shutout since beating Weber State 40-0 in 2023.
MSU's defense was led by Caden Dowler with nine tackles and Cole Taylor with six. Alec Eckert also recorded a sack in front of 21,317 MSU Bobcat fans.
Leading the Bobcat rushing attack was Coon who gained 71 yards on just five carries. In the second half, MSU totaled just 93 total yards and six first downs. Their leading receivers were Taco Dowler and Jones with three catches each. Overall, Lamson completed 12 of 17 passes for 121 yards. Converting nine of 11 third downs helped the Bobcat effort.
Mercyhurst was sparked by 5-foot-9, 175 pound lefthanded quarterback Adam Urena who completed 23 of 35 passes for 206 yards. But the Lakers only managed 58 yards on the ground, although they did possess the ball for 31:26 minutes to under 28:34 for the Bobcats.
MSU opens Big Sky play this week when Eastern Washington comes to Bozeman. Mercyhurst goes to second-ranked South Dakota State.
The Bobcats won their second game of the season after an 0-2 start by putting together an impressive opening half when they totaled 261 yards to just 115 for Mercyhurst from Erie, Pa. The game was MSU's final tuneup before Big Sky Conference action begins this week.
On its opening drive, MSU went the length of the field, scoring on a Julius Davis 3-yard bash up the middle behind a key block by offensive lineman Burke Mastel who was making his first start of the season. MSU's longest play of the day, a 45-yard sprint by Colson Coon, set up Davis' score.
On an unseasonably warm day, Bobcat quarterback Justin Lamson completed his first five pass attempts and MSU got a 22-yard field goal from Myles Sansted early in the second quarter making it 10-0. Just before halftime, Adam Jones powered into the endzone behind lineman Everett Carr. MSU never really threatened in the second half.
Meanwhile Mercyhurst was unable to find the endzone despite coming close a couple of times. The Lakers (1-3) had their best chance of scoring in the fourth quarter but a first and goal turned into a fourth and 42 after a pair of penalties and a sack by Zac Crews.
Fourth-ranked MSU also turned back a threat by Mercyhurst when Carson Williams tipped a pass that Ryan Krahe intercepted to end another scoring attempt. Earlier, Takhari Carr recovered a fumble to stop yet another Laker drive. MSU managed to hold on for its first shutout since beating Weber State 40-0 in 2023.
MSU's defense was led by Caden Dowler with nine tackles and Cole Taylor with six. Alec Eckert also recorded a sack in front of 21,317 MSU Bobcat fans.
Leading the Bobcat rushing attack was Coon who gained 71 yards on just five carries. In the second half, MSU totaled just 93 total yards and six first downs. Their leading receivers were Taco Dowler and Jones with three catches each. Overall, Lamson completed 12 of 17 passes for 121 yards. Converting nine of 11 third downs helped the Bobcat effort.
Mercyhurst was sparked by 5-foot-9, 175 pound lefthanded quarterback Adam Urena who completed 23 of 35 passes for 206 yards. But the Lakers only managed 58 yards on the ground, although they did possess the ball for 31:26 minutes to under 28:34 for the Bobcats.
MSU opens Big Sky play this week when Eastern Washington comes to Bozeman. Mercyhurst goes to second-ranked South Dakota State.
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