Bobcats run over Toreros, 41-7

BOZEMAN — At some point during Montana State’s 41-7 home win over San Diego on Saturday, Brent Vigen said his fifth Bobcat team earned a battlefield promotion.

“Three games into this season,” Vigen said, “We’re not a young team anymore.” 

Montana State scored on six of its first eight possessions while limiting a Toreros squad that upended then-No. 20 Southern Utah a week ago to one fourth-quarter TD and 209 total yards.  

Justin Lamson threw for three touchdowns and ran 24 yards for another. Julius Davis powered to 83 yards on just eight carries, with one score. 

Taco Dowler’s 116 receiving yards marked a career high, and his twin brother Caden registered his first career sack. 

MSU marched 74 yards in seven plays to score on an initial possession — Taco Dowler hauling in a 45-yard pass from Lamson — for the first time this season.  The Cats never looked back. 

Dowler’s 21-yard punt return in the second quarter set up Lamson’s 17-yard pass to Adam Jones for a touchdown, making it 17-0. The gap grew to 24-0 when Lamson dashed 24 yards for the TD with 22 left in the first half. 

Lamson was 5-for-5 passing on MSU’s opening drive of the third quarter, for 66 yards. Dowler turned a pass in the flat into a 16-yard touchdown. Montana State (1-2) piled up 516 yards with 28 first downs. Ten Bobcats caught at least one pass. 

An 8-yard Dom Nankill TD to Josh Heverly ended the Bobcats’ bid for their first shutout in 28 games. 

The Toreros of the non-scholarship Pioneer League fell to 1-2.  

Myles Sansted kicked two field goals. 

The Cats host Mercyhurst next Saturday in Bobcat Stadium.