Rapid reaction: No. 4 Montana State 55, No. 5 William & Mary 7

BOZEMAN — For the third time since 2019, Montana State has superior to the semifinal spherical of the FCS playoffs.

With a 55-7 Friday-night romp over William & Mary, the Bobcats gained their twentieth consecutive sport at dwelling and will probably be one of many final 4 groups standing after they face both South Dakota State or Holy Cross subsequent week for a berth within the title sport.

Quarterback Tommy Mellott accounted for 4 touchdowns and working again Isaiah Ifanse ran for 162 yards to grew to become the varsity’s all-time dashing chief because the Bobcats moved into the semis for the second straight season.

William & Mary’s offense, quarterbacked by Darius Wilson, was bottled up all evening. The Tribe completed with 197 complete yards and solely 9 first downs. The Tribe did not rating till late within the fourth quarter.

MSU’s particular groups additionally confirmed up, as Taco Dowler returned a punt 79 yards for a landing, Marqui Johnson had an extended kickoff return and Blake Glessner made two area objectives.

Glessner, who has been nearly automated of late, drilled a 50-yard area purpose late within the second quarter to place MSU forward 27-0. It was the longest area purpose in Bobcat playoff historical past and gave Glessner 130 factors, breaking the varsity’s single-season mark.

With the win, Montana State improved to 12-1. William & Mary completed its season with an 11-2 file.

Turning level: Punter Bryce Leighton was used twice within the first quarter after not punting on 25 consecutive drives. However a 22-yard TD run by Mellott and a 68-yard landing scamper by Ifanse ignited the offense within the first half and gave the Cats a 17-0 benefit that despatched William & Mary reeling from there.

Stat of the sport: Along with his 68-yard TD run within the second quarter, Ifanse broke the profession dashing file at Montana State. The run gave Ifanse 3,690 yards, surpassing the earlier file of three,646 yards by Ryan Johnson (1998-2002).

Ifanse will have the ability to construct on his file subsequent week — and subsequent season.

Bobcat sport balls: RB Isaiah Ifanse (offense). Ifanse was labored again into the lineup final week following an extended restoration from knee surgical procedure. He particularly regarded like his previous self towards William & Mary with 162 yards on simply 11 carries and two TDs.

DB Ty Okada (protection). Okada spearheaded the trouble of Montana State’s protection — which wasn’t on the sphere a lot — with 4 tackles (two for loss), a sack, a move breakup and a QB hurry.

PR Taco Dowler (particular groups). Dowler was certainly one of a number of gamers on MSU’s particular groups to ship. Dowler had 152 yards on seven punt returns, a mean of twenty-two yards per try, and a 78-yard rating.

What’s subsequent: Fourth-seeded Montana State will face both top-seeded South Dakota State (11-1) or No. 8 Holy Cross (12-0) within the semifinals subsequent week. SDSU and Holy Cross sq. off Saturday at 10 a.m. Mountain time on ESPN.