POCATELLO, Idaho – No. 3 Montana State opened Big Sky Conference play Saturday with a 37-17 win at Idaho State in the ICCU Dome.

The Bengals got the opening kickoff and just missed a chance to strike first. ISU quarterback Kobe Tracy couldn’t connect with wide receiver Ian Duarte over the middle on a deep ball. It probably would have been a touchdown when Duarte blew past MSU defensive backs Caden Dowler and Miles Jackson. Instead, the Bengals punted.

ISU got the ball back after forcing an MSU punt. DB Andrew Powdrell broke up a pass on third down to force an ISU punt. MSU WR Taco Dowler weaved his way through defenders on a 50-yard return, putting the Bobcats at the ISU 43-yard line.

MSU quarterback Tommy Mellott had two passes broken up, including a jump ball to WR Lonyatta Alexander Jr. Kicker Myles Sansted knocked in the 45-yard field goal. It is the longest made FG by the Bobcats since December 9, 2022 (50 yards made by Blake Glessner against William and Mary in the FCS Quarterfinals).

Mellott orchestrated another drive down the field, rolling out for a 23-yard pass to WR Jacob Trimble and running for a first down inside the 10. MSU capped the drive with a 7-yard rushing touchdown by Mellott, his first in three games. .

The next MSU drive was halted by a fumble by running back Adam Jones. But that was negated three plays later when MSU safety Rylan Ortt jumped a route for an interception. The Bobcats took advantage with an 18-yard rushing touchdown from RB Scottre Humphrey, with Humphrey running through defenders into the end zone. MSU led 17-0 with 4 minutes, 33 seconds left in the first half.

ISU drove to the MSU 41, but faced a fourth-and-10. Tracy – the benefactor of a free play when MSU linebacker McCade O’Reilly jumped offside – launched a deep ball 31 yards, caught by WR Jeff Weimer on the MSU 10. pass interference in the end zone by Jackson moved the ball to the 2.

After an ISU false start, WR Christian Fredericksen got the ball at the 5. A pair of timeouts followed for fourth and goal. Tracy rolled right and found WR Michael Shulikov in the back of the end zone for the TD, with Shulikov coming in with both feet.

The Bobcats defeated the Bengals (158-101) and led in possession at halftime (14:24 to 11:02). MSU led 17-7 at halftime.

Three kicks opened the second half. The Bengals offense finally got going with just over five minutes left in the third quarter. RBs Dason Brooks and Justice Jackson picked up first downs on the ground. Tracy connected with Shulikov (26 yards) and Fredericksen (15 yards) to get ISU back to the MSU 18. The Bengals settled for a FG of 33 yards to make it a one-score game.

That didn’t even take one play. Mellott faked the handoff and threw it over the defense to fullback Rohan Jones, who ran for the 70-yard touchdown. Humphrey added a 6-yard TD run on the next drive to make it 31-10 Bobcats.

On the next ISU drive, cornerback Jon Johnson – who missed the previous two games due to injury – was ejected for targeting. He will miss the first half of next week’s match.

Meanwhile, Tracy — as MSU defensive end Brody Grebe set up for a potential sack — launched a pass to Weimer for the 16-yard TD.

Humphrey scored his third TD on an 8-yard run as time expired.

It was Montana State’s first win in Pocatello since 2015.

MSU hosts Northern Colorado next Saturday.

This story will be updated.