Adam Jones looks for running room on Saturday against South Dakota State.
Photo by: Brian Morse
Bobcats fall inches short to SDSU
9/6/2025 10:04:00 PM | Football, General
It came down to a couple of inches. Montana State's fourth-down attempt in the second overtime Saturday night was barely short at the 5-yard line. That left the third-ranked Bobcats with a 30-24 loss to No. 2 South Dakota State.
In front of 22,117 Gold Rush fans, MSU (0-2) scored first in overtime on Adam Jones' 2-yard run, but the second-ranked Jackrabbits answered with a scoring pass from Chase Mason to Lofton O'Groske to tie things up at 24-24.
SDSU (2-0) had the ball first in the second overtime and immediately scored on a 25-yard pass from Mason to Braydon Delahoyde. The required 2-point conversion attempt failed when MSU's Alec Eckert burst through to sack Mason, giving the Bobcats a chance at a win. But after five plays, MSU's final drive stalled at the 5-yard line.
SDSU opened the scoring in the first quarter on a 25-yard field goal by Eli Stader. The Bobcats answered in the second quarter with a 7-yard run by new quarterback Justin Lamson, a transfer from Stanford.
That score gave MSU's its first lead of the season at 7-3. Lamson finished with 18 completions in 28 attempts for 123 yards.
Mason, who completed 17 of 25 passes for 190 yards, was equally nimble on his feet. His 8-yard gain in the second quarter put SDSU ahead 10-7, but the Bobcats responded with a long drive ending at the halftime horn with a 33-yard field goal by Myles Sansted making it 10-10 at halftime.
Neither team scored in the third quarter. An 8-yard pass from Mason to O'Groske put the -Jackrabbits ahead 17-10 in the fourth quarter.
After MSU was forced to punt on its next possession, the game took an odd twist. Pinned deep in his own territory, SDSU punter Max Pelham stepped to his right to avoid Bobcats Mason Dethman and Brock Steel. While on the move, Pelham whiffed on his punt attempt and the ball bounced right to MSU's Seth Brock for a game-tying 2-yard touchdown return.
There was no more scoring until overtime. MSU hasn't been winless after two games since 2017.
O'Groske finished with 11 catches for 139 yards and the two scores. SDSU, which totaled 297 yards against a stout Bobcat defense, was led by Justin Loughridge with 83 yards on 23 carries.
Lamson led the Bobcat attack with his passing and another 96 yards on 20 carries. Julius Davis carried the ball 12 times for 76 yards. Overall, MSU gained 349 yards but lost two fumbles.
Cole Taylor led MSU's defense with 13 tackles and Kenneth Eiden added nine more.
The Bobcats are home again this week when San Diego comes to Bozeman.
In front of 22,117 Gold Rush fans, MSU (0-2) scored first in overtime on Adam Jones' 2-yard run, but the second-ranked Jackrabbits answered with a scoring pass from Chase Mason to Lofton O'Groske to tie things up at 24-24.
SDSU (2-0) had the ball first in the second overtime and immediately scored on a 25-yard pass from Mason to Braydon Delahoyde. The required 2-point conversion attempt failed when MSU's Alec Eckert burst through to sack Mason, giving the Bobcats a chance at a win. But after five plays, MSU's final drive stalled at the 5-yard line.
SDSU opened the scoring in the first quarter on a 25-yard field goal by Eli Stader. The Bobcats answered in the second quarter with a 7-yard run by new quarterback Justin Lamson, a transfer from Stanford.
That score gave MSU's its first lead of the season at 7-3. Lamson finished with 18 completions in 28 attempts for 123 yards.
Mason, who completed 17 of 25 passes for 190 yards, was equally nimble on his feet. His 8-yard gain in the second quarter put SDSU ahead 10-7, but the Bobcats responded with a long drive ending at the halftime horn with a 33-yard field goal by Myles Sansted making it 10-10 at halftime.
Neither team scored in the third quarter. An 8-yard pass from Mason to O'Groske put the -Jackrabbits ahead 17-10 in the fourth quarter.
After MSU was forced to punt on its next possession, the game took an odd twist. Pinned deep in his own territory, SDSU punter Max Pelham stepped to his right to avoid Bobcats Mason Dethman and Brock Steel. While on the move, Pelham whiffed on his punt attempt and the ball bounced right to MSU's Seth Brock for a game-tying 2-yard touchdown return.
There was no more scoring until overtime. MSU hasn't been winless after two games since 2017.
O'Groske finished with 11 catches for 139 yards and the two scores. SDSU, which totaled 297 yards against a stout Bobcat defense, was led by Justin Loughridge with 83 yards on 23 carries.
Lamson led the Bobcat attack with his passing and another 96 yards on 20 carries. Julius Davis carried the ball 12 times for 76 yards. Overall, MSU gained 349 yards but lost two fumbles.
Cole Taylor led MSU's defense with 13 tackles and Kenneth Eiden added nine more.
The Bobcats are home again this week when San Diego comes to Bozeman.
Players Mentioned
DE
/ Football
RB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DT
/ Football
RB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
K
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ FootballLeon Costello Press Conference: Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center
Thursday, July 31
A Conversation with President Dr. Waded Cruzado | Montana State Athletics
Monday, May 19
Big Cats, Little Trucks - Willie Patterson
Wednesday, May 03
Matt Houk Introductory Press Conference
Wednesday, May 03
