Dowler sets record as Cats surge past Jacks

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — On a spectacularly sunny day outside, lightning struck inside the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff on Saturday afternoon.

With No. 5 Montana State trailing 7-0 midway through the second quarter, Northern Arizona’s Ben D’Aquila punted and MSU’s Taco Dowler moved to his right, found a wall of blockers and went down the sideline 90 yards for the longest punt return in Bobcats history

“I like the ball in my hands,” Dowler said simply after his team’s 34-10 win over 13th-ranked NAU.

“I think that was (the game’s key turning point),” said Bobcat coach Brent Vigen. “You have to credit the defense for getting the stop to force the punt, and then the big pass play came after that, but the return was a big play.”

Dowler’s return sparked a string of touchdowns on three straight possessions for the Bobcats, who led 20-7 at halftime. Coming out of halftime, Rocky Lencioni caught a 3-yard pop pass from Justin Lamson to make it 27-7. 

Lamson engineered another efficient offensive effort for the Cats. He was 13 of 19 passing for 213 yards and two touchdowns, and MSU rushed for 196 yards while averaging 6.1 yards a carry.

Seth Cromwell scored from 2 yards as NAU, converting a fourth down and a third down, drove to a 7-0 lead.

Dowler’s touchdown tied it 7-all with 7:40 left in the second quarter; Sean Hill had held the school record, an 86-yarder against Idaho State, since 1991.

An NAU punt set the Cats up at their own 25. On third-and-14, Lamson launched a bomb to Jabez Woods, who dashed 79 yards for the TD. On MSU’s final drive of the half, Julius Davis hurdled an NAU defender on his way to a 13-yard touchdown.

Ty Pennington was 28-of-47 passing for 210 yards with an interception for No. 13 Northern Arizona (4-2, 1-1). Seth Cromwell had a 2-yard touchdown run.