Montana State University
2-0 , 1-0
Butler
1-1 , 0-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butler | 3 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 24 |
| Montana St. | 10 | 20 | 7 | 14 | 51 |
Bobcats Use Second Quarter Burst to Bury Butler
9/5/2026 11:40:00 PM | Football
MSU wins 16th straight game
"Jabez didn't get involved a whole lot last week and then didn't play much in the second half," MSU coach Brent Vigen said of his junior receiver. "To see him return that kick, I know he's been close before so to be able to finish that off is great."
Butler had tied the game at 3-3 with 11 seconds remaining in the first quarter when the Bulldogs kicked off to Woods. His return was the fourth of 100 yards in Bobcat Stadium history, and it began a run of 34 straight points that closed the competitive portion of the contest.
Woods also caught a 35-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. "You know he's got playmaking ability," Vigen said, "along with a bunch of other guys in that receiving corps. It was good to see him get those opportunities and make the best of it."
MSU forced a three-and-out on Butler's next possession. On Montana State's first drive of the second quarter, the Cats drove into Butler territory, but a fourth-down pass fell incomplete and MSU turned the ball over on downs. After another Bulldogs three-and-out, Bobcat quarterback Justin Lamson completed three straight passes to march MSU to the Butler 38, then Adam Jones carried four times to finish the drive in the end zone.
That drive gave the Cats a 16-3 lead with 4:41 to play in the first half, but Montana State wasn't finished. MSU forced the third or four straight three-and-outs, and a Taco Dowler 30-yard return gave the team the ball at the Butler 42. Taco Dowler caught a 12-yard pass and rushed for 23 yards on the ensuing drive, to set up a one-yard Lamson touchdown run.
Another long Dowler return, this one 37 yards, set up another Bobcat scoring drive. The return was costly, though, as reigning defensive MVP Caden Dowler was injured on the play. He spent the rest of the game in street clothes.
Taco Dowler caught an 11-yard pass on first down, and on the next play Lamson connected with Dane Steel on a 29-yard touchdown pass to give MSU a 30-3 lead at the intermission.
Much of the second half was about building depth, as Vigen went to his bench early. "So we got that lead, and we got a bunch of guys in the game" during the second half, Vigen said. "Ultimately, it's about how deep are we? I think that played out on the field today."
The Bobcats rushed for 166 yards, with Jones' 77 setting the pace. Lamson finished 15-for-20 passing for 239 yards and two touchdowns, while Dowler led all players with 97 receiving yards. Cole Taylor's nine tackles also led all players.
Montana State's win was its 16th straight dating to the 2025 Gold Rush loss, a school record for consecutive victories. The Cats are 2-0 on the season, and visit Mountain West foe Nevada in Reno next week. Butler is 1-1 on the season.
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
BUT 0, MSU 3
MSU - Sansted,Myles 45 yd field goal 11 plays, 72 yards, TOP 04:28
BUT 3, MSU 3
BUT - Janki,Beck 34 yd field goal 10 plays, 58 yards, TOP 05:40
BUT 3, MSU 10
MSU - Woods,Jabez 100 yd kickoff return (Sansted,Myles kick)
BUT 3, MSU 16
MSU - Jones,Adam 1 yd run (), 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:29
BUT 3, MSU 23
MSU - Lamson,Justin 1 yd run (Sansted,Myles kick), 5 plays, 42 yards, TOP 01:08
BUT 3, MSU 30
MSU - Steel,Dane 29 yd pass from Lamson,Justin (Sansted,Myles kick) 2 plays, 40 yards, TOP 00:17
BUT 3, MSU 37
MSU - Dowler,Taco 20 yd pass from Lamson,Justin (Sansted,Myles kick) 4 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:41
BUT 10, MSU 37
BUT - Munson,Nick 3 yd pass from Passini,Gabe (Janki,Beck kick) 12 plays, 65 yards, TOP 07:46
BUT 17, MSU 37
BUT - Jackson,Desmin 1 yd run (Janki,Beck kick), 2 plays, 25 yards, TOP 00:49
BUT 17, MSU 44
MSU - White,Jared 2 yd run (Sansted,Myles kick), 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:45
BUT 17, MSU 51
MSU - Woods,Jabez 35 yd pass from Duchien,Patrick (Sansted,Myles kick) 7 plays, 80 yards, TOP 03:26
BUT 24, MSU 51
BUT - Alley,Jarrin 1 yd run (Janki,Beck kick), 13 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:47
