Defense powers Bobcats past Yale
Daily Inter Lake | Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 11 hours, 19 minutes AGO
BOZEMAN — No second half comeback for the Bulldogs this week.
Montana State intercepted Yale quarterback Dante Reno twice and turned over the Bulldogs four times en route to a 21-13 victory in the FCS playoffs second round Saturday at Bobcats Stadium.
Big Sky defensive player of the year Caden Dowler got the party started for Montana State with a first-quarter pick. The Bobcats took advantage of the short field with a 14-yard touchdown as Chris Long jumped on a Justin Lamson fumble in the end zone.
Lamson was 10 of 16 passing for 92 yards and added 56 yards on nine carries.
The Bobcats ran for 249 yards. Adam Jones led the way with 107 yards on 18 rushes and a touchdown. Julius Davis also found the end zone and added 63 yards on 12 carries.
Josh Pitsenberger highlighted the Bulldogs offense with 107 yards on the ground and 41 yards on four catches. He scored once.
Cole Taylor also nabbed an interception off of Reno, who finished 20-for-35 for 198 yards and a touchdown. Reno also fumbled on Yale’s final possession.
The Bobcats again turned the turnover into points as Julius Davis powered into the end zone from 3 yards out.
Yale responded with a 5-play, 61-yard touchdown drive capped off with Reno finding Nathan Brown for a 25-yard touchdown.
Montana State restored the two-score lead on the next possession as Jones scampered in from 33 yards away.
Reno’s second interception looked to put the Bobcats into the driver's seat, but after a Lamson fumble and a 6-yard Pitsenberger touchdown run, Yale was back within 21-13.
A 3-and-out gave the Bulldogs a chance to tie — a week ago, Yale overcame a 42-14 deficit to win 43-42 over Youngstown State — needing to go 75 yards with one minute to go. Montana State shut that down as Zac Crews jumped on a fumble from Brown on fourth-and-25 and sealed the Bobcats victory.
After the game, Davis and Montana State coach Brent Vigen were seen getting into an argument on the field as Davis shoved Vigen and Long.
The Bobcats now advance to a quarterfinal date with Stephen F. Austin, who downed Abilene Christian 41-34 Saturday. The Lumberjacks are led by Montana transfer Sam Vidlak at quarterback. The day and kickoff time have not been announced at this time.