ST. GEORGE, Utah – If there is a record for 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 talked about a lot on Saturday night.

The Bobcats held Utah Tech to no first downs for three quarters after forcing eight straight three-and-outs to win the game 31-7.

MSU led 415-41 in total yards after three quarters and held a 24-0 lead. The Bobcats would take a 31-0 lead on a short touchdown run by Tommy Mellott and after Mellott appeared to be injured on the play, the Trailblazers miraculously came out of the blocks and collected four first downs on four plays, the last of which was a touchdown run by quarterback Deacon Hill.

“It didn’t sink in for a second, I’m not going to lie,” MSU safety Rylan Ortt said of holding Utah Tech to no first downs for so long. “Probably, maybe at halftime. We were thinking about it and we were like, don’t let them get a first down, don’t let them score.”

“I think defensively, playing three quarters and not giving up a first down, that’s pretty important,” MSU head coach Brent Vigen said. “Happy to be 2-0. Happy to play in front of our fans next week.”

Mellott’s injury turned out to be cramps in both legsHis situation arose after he completed a pass to tight end Hunter Provience for a first down at the Tech one-yard line. He held the ball on a read-option play and bullied his way into the end zone, possibly causing cramps as he pushed forward. Mellott held the ball on another read-option play — a play MSU has used sparingly so far this season after relying heavily on it the past two years — in the second quarter and went 47 yards for a touchdown.

“He had cramps in both calves,” Vigen said. “Tommy stepped out and ran a couple times. I know we tried to limit him in this first part of the season, but again the (Utah Tech) defense dictated the read, so he kept the ball in his hands.”

The Bobcats have been dominant on both sides of the ball since falling behind New Mexico 17-0 in their first game. MSU has outscored opponents 984-359 in total yards and outrebounded them 66-21, with one of its three opposing touchdowns coming on a fumble return.

“I think we’re really focused on improving each week,” Ortt said. “Going 1-0 and I thought we did that the first two weeks. We’ve got to get back to work with the hopes of going 1-0 next week.”

Mellott and the passing game started slowly for the second straight week, but they got going by the meat of the game. He completed 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 native’s 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 of opportunities to get the ball downfield, especially the deep ball to Aiden (Garrigan) is the one that stands out for me and we gave up a sack in the red zone,” Vigen said.

“We came back in the second half. The plays that Rohan Jones made in the passing game were the standout for me. I think we got the ball to Taco (Dowler) a couple times and he made some plays, so I would say the passing game looked mixed, but it’s going to have to be part of our arsenal.”

Myles Sansted made his first career field goal, but it was a challenge as his first attempt was blocked and he missed the second left winger.

MSU had 335 yards on 56 attempts on the ground, after having 367 yards on the ground last week.

“I have a lot of confidence in this running back group,” freshman running back Adam Jones said. “(Running back) coach (Sam) Mix does a really good job with us. We have 5-6 guys that can be there at any given time.

“We’re all happy for each other. It’s extremely competitive and we’re competing with each other, but at the end of the day we’re just happy to get a win.”

Other dominant figures included MSU’s possession time of 44:36-15:24. Eight of 17 on third downs compared to just 1 of 11 for the Trailblazers.

Oddly enough, the Bobcats have yet to record a sack and have forced just one turnover so far this young season. The only turnover they had was on the last play of the game against New Mexico on a desperate play by the Lobos. McCade O’Reilly forced a fumble against Utah Tech, but the ball sailed out while UT retained possession.

O’Reilly led the team with just four tackles. 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 tied O’Reilly with four tackles.

The Bobcats return to Bozeman this week for their home opener against Maine in a game that doubles as the annual Gold Rush game. MSU has 10 games remaining in the regular season, six of which are at home and two open weekends in that span, meaning the team will be home for eight of the next 12 weeks.

The Gold Rush competition starts Saturday evening at 6:00 PM.