BOZEMAN – Sometimes when you win big, you still lose.
That was the case for No. 21 Montana State, which drubbed an extremely young East Tennessee State, 63-7, but allowed 376 yards – second most this season for ETSU – and 15 plays of 10 yards or more to the Buccaneers.
“There are two or three concepts that offenses are running against us that are more successful than I’d like to see, but generally I’m happy with how we played,” MSU head coach Rob Ash said following his team’s fourth win this season.
The winless Buccaneers (0-7), who have just 14 non-freshmen on their roster, consistently created holes for their backs to run through. Tony Drew had 77 yards on just eight carries and Jajuan Stinson collect 49 on nine totes as MSU got out of position often.
“This game was really just all about us,” Ash said. “It’s still about getting in the right place (defensively) and just becoming a better team at the end of the week.”
Despite all that the Bobcats had their moments, especially Jessie Clark, who was making his first start at defensive end. The junior college transfer had a sack and another tackle for loss on an option play, but perhaps more importantly he had three quarterback hurries. MSU forced four turnovers and totaled four sacks among its 10 tackles for loss.
“Coach Ash always says to pay attention to detail and get the little things right,” Clark said. “I got down a couple times out there, but (senior defensive tackle) Nate (Bignell) and (senior defensive tackle) (Taylor) Sheridan picked me up.”
Sophomore outside linebacker Mac Bignell was stellar again with a game-high 10 tackles, including three for losses and a fumble recovery. The former walk-on from Drummond now has 68 tackles and 10 tackles for loss in his first year as a starter.
Montana State junior quarterback Dakota Prukop completed 15-of-21 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns before vacating early in the third quarter with MSU up 42-0. Senior Jake Bleskin took over and led MSU to a pair of scores before sophomore Jayshawn Gates ran a kickoff back 97 yards for the final touchdown. Junior captain tailback Chad Newell scored three touchdowns before giving way to reserves early in the third quarter.
“We know how to bounce back and keep fighting,” Newell said. “Our backs are against the wall. That’s just straight up the way it is.”
Reserve sophomore running back Nick LaSane looked strong in place of junior Gunnar Brekke, who’s out with a concussion. LaSane led all MSU rushers with 56 yards and a touchdown on eight rushes. Freshman Noah James, a walk-on from Kalispell, scored his first career touchdown and added 37 yards on six carries. Redshirt freshman Tavon Dodd also scored his first touchdown.
The long ball connection between Prukop and speedy sophomore Justin Paige continued as Paige hauled in a 41-yard TD pass in the first quarter and a 51-yard reception later. Junior Will Krolick took in a 46-yard bomb from Bleskin. Paige now has eight catches for 377 yards (47.1 yards per catch) and four touchdowns. Every one of his receptions has gone for at least 41 yards.
“This is the best football team we’ve played,” ETSU head coach Carl Torbush said. “A top 10, top 20 FCS program year-in, year-out. If we’re going to do what we want to do as a program, this is the type of people we need to beat. I think we know where we are. We’ve got a long way to go.”
The story, however, was MSU’s defense, which is desperately seeking to find its way. The Bobcats entered the game allowing 41 points and 530 yards per game to Division I opponents. The struggles seemed to not go away on Saturday.
“We moved the ball pretty good at times,” Torbush, who saw his team throw for 206 yards, rush for 170 and average 4.9 per play, said. “We still have to get it in the end zone. I don’t care who it is, you have to score more than seven points.”
Montana State plays at the University of North Dakota next week. UND fell 42-16 to No. 19 Montana in Missoula on Saturday.
Photos by Brooks Nuanez. All Rights Reserved.