Strong start propels Montana State Bobcats to Gold Rush win over Maine

BOZEMAN — The Montana State football team opened its home slate with a dominant 41-24 win over Maine in the annual Gold Rush game Saturday at Bobcat Stadium. After a Maine punt, it took just two offensive plays for the Bobcats to find the end zone. Running back Scottre Humphrey found a hole and broke away for a 79-yard touchdown.

On the next drive, fellow RB Adam Jones gained 23 yards on a screen, then ran for a 40-yard TD. Montana State running back Adam Jones points to the crowd as he scores a touchdown against Maine during the Gold Rush game Saturday at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman. The Black Bears finally crossed the 50-yard line on their third drive, but were forced to punt again after a tipped pass by MSU defensive end Brody Grebe.



Defensive back Taki Uluilakepa blocked the ensuing punt as well, which was recovered by wide receiver Garrett Walchli at the Maine 22-yard line. Quarterback Tommy Mellott got it down to the 4 on keeper to the left. He capped off the short drive with a 4-yard TD pass to tight end Ryan Lonergan.

Maine QB Carter Peevy missed WR Montigo Moss deep on what would’ve likely been a TD. Moss beat DB Andrew Powdrell but the pass went off his left hand. DE Hunter Parsons sacked Peevy on the following play to force another punt.

Mellott made quick work down the field again, finding fullback Rohan Jones for 15 yards, WR Taco Dowler for 10 yards and WR Lonyatta Alexander Jr. for another 22 yards. After a couple runs from Mellott and Jones, Humphrey punched it in for a 6-yard TD.

The Bobcats led 28-0 four seconds into the second quarter. Uluilakepa stopped Maine’s Nick Laughlin on third down to force the fifth punt by the Black Bears. Maine started the game 1 for 6 on third downs and were 2 for 9 at halftime.

MSU took advantage again with a 19-yard TD run by Jones. Maine finally woke up on its sixth drive of the game. Peevy found Moss for 31 yards and TE Mason Gilbert for 25 yards.

The Black Bears also converted a fourth and 3 on a Peevy scramble. Maine capped off the 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive with a 5-yard TD pass to Moss. After the teams traded punts, MSU ended the first half with a 24-yard FG by Myles Sansted to go up 38-7 into the break.

The Bobcats posted 372 yards of total offense (232 rushing yards) at halftime. Jordan Reed replaced Mellott at QB coming out of halftime. Humphrey continued his strong performance with a 23-yard rush.

Maine linebacker Kesean Dyson forced a strip sack, recovered by defensive lineman Izaiah Henderson at the MSU 38. The Black Bears capitalized with a 19-yard TD run by WR Trevin Ewing. Peevy pitched to Ewing on a reverse, and the wideout had room on the edge for the score.

Later in the third quarter, MSU got back into the red zone thanks to a 27-yard run by RB Jared White. Sansted added a 31-yard FG to end the drive. RB Tavion Banks rushed for 21 yards and Peevy found Laughlin for another 21 yards to bring the Black Bears to the MSU 17.

TE Declan McKevitt scored on a 25-yard TD pass from Peevy. Chance Wilson came in at QB for MSU on the next drive. He scrambled to his right and found TE Rylan Schlepp for 34 yards.

The drive later stalled out and the Bobcats punted. Maine added a 25-yard FG on the following drive. MSU has a bye next week, followed by a home game against Mercyhurst on Sept.

21. The Montana State football team walks the "Cat Prowl" before the Bobcats' Gold Rush game against Maine on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Bozeman.

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