It took 59 minutes and 50 seconds for Montana State to take its first lead against New Mexico but it counts all the same. The Bobcats climbed out of not one but two 17-point deficits to claw their way to a 35-31 win in the first FCS versus FBS game of the 2024 season. The victory ensured the FCS has won at least one game against the FBS for 47 straight seasons dating back to the NCAA Division I split in 1978.
The Bobcats dominated on the ground as expected with 362 yards led by Adam Jones‘ 167 on 17 carries and 140 from Scottre Humphrey on 19 carries with each scoring a touchdown. Tommy Mellott finished with 205 yards and 2 touchdowns through the air while adding another 30 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Mellot also had two costly fumbles that were returned for touchdowns by New Mexico. Montana State averaged 7.7 yards per carry and held the ball for 34 minutes and 40 seconds.
The Bobcats started poorly with the first drive ending in a scoop-and-score touchdown by New Mexico’s Christian Ellis. The Lobos added a field goal on their next drive followed by a turnover on downs for Montana State’s third drive. The Lobos started the second quarter with a touchdown pass for a 17-0 lead.
Montana State responded with back-to-back touchdown drives. The first one ended with Mellott completing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Rylan Schlepp while the second one saw Mellott find a wide-open Ty McCullouch from 17 yards out to cut the deficit to 17-14. New Mexico scored another TD before half giving them a 24-14 lead at the break.
The second half started in the same way as the first half: a Mellott fumble that was returned for a touchdown by New Mexico. That score put the deficit at 31-14 and New Mexico missed an opportunity to extend the lead via a missed field goal. The Bobcats responded again, this time with Mellott making a tight rope down the sideline on a 15-yard touchdown to close the gap to 31-21 early in the fourth quarter.
New Mexico missed another field goal on the ensuing drive while the Bobcats couldn’t convert a fourth and three from its own 43. After forcing a punt, the Bobcats would strike in a single play when Jones outran the entire New Mexico defense on a 93-yard touchdown run.
The Bobcats forced another stop outside the two-minute warning thanks in part to a drop by New Mexico on third down. Montana State made a methodical drive down the field as it trailed 31-28. Mellott found receiver Lonyatta Alexander three times for 47 yards while McCullouch made a clutch reception on third and six to put the Bobcats in prime scoring position. The drive was finished off by Humphrey from 4 yards out to get the final score of 35-31.
Montana State is back in action next week and has another road game against Utah Tech from the United Athletic Conference. The Bobcats will have back-to-back home games against Maine on September 7 and Mercyhurst on September 21 before beginning Big Sky action.
Photo Credit to Montana State University Athletics
