Bobcats too much for Mercyhurst

BOZEMAN — Montana State scored on seven of its nine offensive possessions and held Mercyhurst without a first down in the first quarter, closing the non-conference portion of its regular season with a 52-13 win over the Lakers in Bozeman on Saturday.

The Bobcats rolled up season highs of 52 points, 502 total yards and 246 passing yards, holding Mercyhurst to just 233 yards of total offense.  

Quarterback Tommy Mellott threw three touchdown passes for the second time in his career and running back Colson Coon gained a career-high 102 yards rushing. 

Defensive end Brody Grebe registered three sacks and forced a fumble, and safety Rylan Ortt blocked a punt. 

 “I think we continue to make progress,” Montana State coach Brent Vigen said. “We can only play the opponent that is in front of us, and I appreciate the opportunity to have this game. While it wasn’t perfect, I thought we battled through some things on offense, defense, and special teams.” 

The Bobcats marched 70 yards on the opening possession and opened the scoring on a 23 yard Myles Sansted field goal. On MSU’s second drive Scottre Humphrey scored from five yards out, and on the third drive Taco Dowler caught a 5-yard pass from Mellott for a touchdown.  

Ortt’s blocked punt came on the ensuing possession, and defensive end Zac Crews pounced on the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. And right before the half, Mellott connected on a 50-yard touchdown pass with running back Adam Jones. MSU took a 31-0 lead into the intermission. 

 After Mellott’s third scoring strike of the day, Mercyhurst’s defense got the Lakers on the board. Adonis Marshall scooped up a fumble and dashed 43 yards for a touchdown, and in the fourth quarter the offense stirred to life.  

Adam Urena connected with Joe Kerbacher on a five-yard pass. After MSU capped the scoring with a Chance Wilson 5-yard scoring run. 

Humphrey added 77 yards on 12 carries for the Cats. Mellott was 14 of 18 passing for 214 yards. 

The Bobcats raised their record to 4-0 on the season, the 10th time in program history with that fast a start, and travel to Pocatello next week for a Big Sky showdown with Idaho State this coming Saturday.  

Mercyhurst, playing out of the scholarship-limited NEC, fell to 1-3. Urena was 28 of 44 passing for 213 yards, and no interceptions.