FULL HIGHLIGHTS: Montana State dominates on the ground in a 40-17 win over McNeese State in their home opener

BOZEMAN — Coming into Montana State’s house opner in opposition to McNeese State, a significant query mark was how the visiting Cowboys would match-up on the highway in opposition to the FCS Nationwide championship runner-ups.

The strain gave the impression to be on the Bobcats and early on, the strain created some cracks with penalties early on that negated a 57-yard landing run from junior Lane Sumner, a roughing the passer on third down that result in a landing in a while within the drive and a delay of recreation that stalled a superb offensive push within the second quarter.

Nevertheless, the Bobcats settled in as the sport progressed.

6’3 junior Sean Chambers was the primary look on the aim line all recreation lengthy and on the primary play to start out the second quarter bought the scoring going with a three-yard keeper to go up 7-0.

McNeese State remained unfazed following it up with a 75-yard landing run from working again D’Angelo Durham. Two scoring performs in 14 seconds between each groups makes it 14-0 with 14:46 left within the first half.

PHOTOS: NO. 4 MONTANA STATE OVERPOWERS MCNEESE STATE IN OPENER

The working recreation proved to be the Bobcats biggest asset between Mellott and Chambers in a two quarterback assault together with junior Lane Sumner who off an harm final season, hit the bottom working.

A 40-yard rush from Sumner set the Bobcats offense up properly after the loopy scoring sequence to start out the second quarter. Nevertheless, a pricey delay of recreation penalty would stall the drive on the 15-yard line after a move interference from the Cowboys. The Cats would accept a discipline aim from Blake Glessner to make it 10-7.

With 6:44 left within the half the protection appeared to carry their very own on the three-yard-line forcing a fumble and recovering the ball ultimately zone however referees mentioned the quarterback Knox Kadum was down on contact. A Cowboy discipline aim nods it up 10-10.

The turning level for the Cats appeared to propel them the remainder of the sport. Beneath a minute left within the half, sophomore quarterback Tommy Mellott and senior Willie Patterson join from 17-yards out in what was a spectacular catch on the precise sideline. Cats would carry the lead and momentum into the half 17-10.

Within the first possession of the second half, Glessner added a cushion to their seven level lead with a 41-yard discipline aim to make it 20-10.

The protection got here to play as nicely forcing a turnover on downs on the next drive from with a move deflection from Ty Okada. Even after a Sumner fumble for a turnover, the Bobcat’s senior chief at linebacker Callahan O’Reilly learn the flat move from Kadum to intercept the ball for what gave the impression to be a home name. It was known as again on a blocking penalty. O’Reilly completed the sport with two interceptions.

Whatever the penalty, the turnover resulted in factors with Chambers scoring his second landing of the sport on a four-yard rating with 6:39 left within the third.

Regardless of 359 complete speeding yards throughout the multi-faceted run recreation, MSU’s receivers have been very a lot a giant a part of the offense.

With 1:37 left within the third quarter, Mellott related with Ravi Alston on an distinctive 8-yard landing seize to increase the lead 33-10.

McNeese State would strike yet another time with a 66-yard landing move from Kadum to Josh Matthews however Mellott in a position to nab a 17-yard run for a landing to seal the deal 40-17 in a giant week one win on Gold Rush.

Sumner got here up large with 24 carries for 176 yards whereas Mellott and Chambers mixed for 3 touchdowns on the bottom with Mellott including two landing passes on 10 completions totaling 163 yards via the air.

Montana State’s subsequent check is at house subsequent Saturday in opposition to Morehead State.