ST. GEORGE, Utah – If a record exists for the most three-and-outs to start a game, it’s certainly hard to find. Yet Montana State’s defense played a game that will be oft-referenced for just that here on Saturday night.
The Bobcats held Utah Tech to no first downs for three quarters after forcing eight straight three-and-outs to start the game in a 31-7 win.
MSU had a 415-41 edge in total yards after three quarters and held a 24-0 lead. The Bobcats would go up 31-0 on a Tommy Mellott short touchdown run and after Mellott appeared injured on the play, the Trailblazers amazingly came out and collected four first downs on four plays with the last being a touchdown run by quarterback Deacon Hill.
“It didn’t hit me for a while, I’m not gonna lie,” MSU safety Rylan Ortt said of holding Utah Tech to no first downs as long as it did. “Probably, maybe halftime. We thought about it and we were like don’t let them get a first down, don’t let them score.”
“I think defensively to go three quarters and not give up a first down, that’s pretty significant,” MSU head coach Brent Vigen said. “Happy to be 2-0. Happy to be going to play in front of our fans next week.”
Mellott’s injury turned out to be cramps in both legs. His situation occurred after he completed a pass to tight end Hunter Provience for a first down to the Tech one-yard line. He held onto the ball on a read-option play and bulled his way into the end zone possibly sparking the cramps as he thrust himself forward. Mellott kept the ball on another read-option – a play that MSU has used sparingly so far this season after relying on it heavily the past two years – in the second quarter and went 47 yards for a touchdown.
“He was cramped in both calves,” Vigen said. “Tommy got out and ran a couple times. I know we tried to limit him for this first stretch of the season, but again the (Utah Tech) defense was dictating the read so he kept the ball in his hands.”
The Bobcats have been dominant on both sides of the ball since trailing New Mexico 17-0 in their first game. MSU has outgained its opponents 984-359 in total yards and outscored them 66-21 with one of the three opponent touchdowns coming on a fumble return.
“I think we’re really focused on improving every week,” Ortt said. “Going 1-0 and I thought we’ve done that the first two weeks. We need to go back to work with hopes of going 1-0 next week.”
Mellott and the passing game started slow for the second straight week but they got going through the meat of the game. He finished 14 of 21 for 152 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. He also ran for 71 yards and a pair of scores.
The Butte natives favorite target was Maine transfer Rohan Jones who caught four passes for 66 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown.
“I think the disappointing thing in the first half was we missed a couple opportunities to get the ball downfield in particular the deep ball to Aiden (Garrigan) is the one that stands out to me and we gave up a sack in the red zone,” Vigen said.
“We bounced back in the second half. The plays Rohan Jones made in the passing game were what stand out the most to me. I think we got the ball to Taco (Dowler) a couple of times and he made some plays, so I’d say a mixed bag is how the passing game looked but its going to need to be part of our arsenal.”
Myles Sansted made the first field goal of his career but it was a bit of a journey as his first attempt was blocked and he missed the second wide left.
MSU gained 335 yards on 56 carries on the ground after gaining 367 yards rushing last week.
“I’m extremely confident in this running back group,” freshman tailback Adam Jones said. “(Running back) coach (Sam) Mix does a really good job with us. We have 5-6 guys that can be out there at any given time.
“We’re all happy for each other. It’s extremely competitive and we compete with each other but at the end of the day we’re just happy to get a win.”
Other dominant numbers included MSU’s time of possession edge of 44:36-15:24. Eight of 17 on third downs to just 1 of 11 for the Trailblazers.
Oddly, the Bobcats have yet to record a sack and have forced just one turnover so far in the young season. The one turnover they got was the last play of the New Mexico game on a desperation play by the Lobos. McCade O’Reilly forced a fumble against Utah Tech but the ball sailed out of bounds as UT retained possession.
O’Reilly tied for the team lead in tackles with just four. Two of those were for losses, but they were the only TFLs the Bobcats had in the game. Alex Eckert, Brody Grebe and Ortt all had quarterback hurries and freshman Bryce Grebe had two pass breakups and matched O’Reilly with four tackles.
The Bobcats return to Bozeman for their home opener against Maine this week in a tilt that is also the annual Gold Rush game. MSU has 10 games remaining in the regular season with six of those at home and two open weekends during that stretch, which means the team will be home for eight of the next 12 weeks.
The Gold Rush game is set to kickoff at 6:00 Saturday evening.
