Saturday, August 29
St. George, UT
8:00 pm MT
Montana State University
at
Utah Tech
Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services
Bobcats Toss Shutout at Utah Tech in Season Opener
8/29/2026 11:57:00 PM | Football
ST. GEORGE, Utah (Aug. 29, 2026) – Montana State turned in big plays in every phase, romping to a 54-0 season-opening win over Utah Tech in St. George, Utah on Saturday.
The Bobcats returned a blocked punt and interception for touchdowns, and benefited from balance in the ground game, efficient passing by Justin Lamson and a career day by junior receiver Dane Steel.
Montana State's 54 point marked the most by any Bobcat team when opening a season on the road. It was the team's fourth-most points in any season opener (after 63 vs. Utah Tech in 2023 and 59 against both Fort Lewis in 2010 and Adams State in 2008.
Montana State rushed for 140 yards and threw for 307, gaining 24 first downs. Justin Lamson was 22-30-0 through the air for 260 yards and two scoring strikes, while Patrick Duchien was 5-5-0 for 47 yards and a touchdown. Dane Steel caught eight passes for 174 yards and a touchdown. "I never had that many yards in a game even in high school," Steel said.
"I think people will soon start talking about Dane as one of the best receivers in our league," said MSU head coach Brent Vigen. "If they aren't already."
The first half was dominated by the MSU defense and punctuated by big offensive and special teams plays. Utah Tech gained just 85 yards in the first half, with four first downs. The Cats also blocked a punt for a touchdown, Taco Dowler returned a pair of punts for 51 total yards, and Myles Sansted nailed a pair of field goals.
Neither team scored on their first possession. Tayden Gray intercepted a Bronson Barben pass to give the Bobcats the game's first turnover, but MSU was stopped on fourth-and-three on the ensuing possession. The Cats forced a three-and-out on UT's second drive, then Dane Steel scored on a weaving 50-yard touchdown from Lamson to give the Cats a 7-0 lead. Sansted's 47-yard field goal ended the first quarter with the Cats on top 10-0.
Montana State changed the game on the Trailblazers' first second quarter drive. Colter Petre blocked a punt and Xavier Ahrens returned it 16 yards for a touchdown.
The Bobcats returned a blocked punt and interception for touchdowns, and benefited from balance in the ground game, efficient passing by Justin Lamson and a career day by junior receiver Dane Steel.
Montana State's 54 point marked the most by any Bobcat team when opening a season on the road. It was the team's fourth-most points in any season opener (after 63 vs. Utah Tech in 2023 and 59 against both Fort Lewis in 2010 and Adams State in 2008.
Montana State rushed for 140 yards and threw for 307, gaining 24 first downs. Justin Lamson was 22-30-0 through the air for 260 yards and two scoring strikes, while Patrick Duchien was 5-5-0 for 47 yards and a touchdown. Dane Steel caught eight passes for 174 yards and a touchdown. "I never had that many yards in a game even in high school," Steel said.
"I think people will soon start talking about Dane as one of the best receivers in our league," said MSU head coach Brent Vigen. "If they aren't already."
The first half was dominated by the MSU defense and punctuated by big offensive and special teams plays. Utah Tech gained just 85 yards in the first half, with four first downs. The Cats also blocked a punt for a touchdown, Taco Dowler returned a pair of punts for 51 total yards, and Myles Sansted nailed a pair of field goals.
Neither team scored on their first possession. Tayden Gray intercepted a Bronson Barben pass to give the Bobcats the game's first turnover, but MSU was stopped on fourth-and-three on the ensuing possession. The Cats forced a three-and-out on UT's second drive, then Dane Steel scored on a weaving 50-yard touchdown from Lamson to give the Cats a 7-0 lead. Sansted's 47-yard field goal ended the first quarter with the Cats on top 10-0.
Montana State changed the game on the Trailblazers' first second quarter drive. Colter Petre blocked a punt and Xavier Ahrens returned it 16 yards for a touchdown.
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