CHENEY, Wash. – It wasn’t the typical football game Montana State is used to this season.

But the second-ranked Bobcats found a way Saturday at Roos Field to defeat the resilient Eastern Washington team 42-28 and improve to 9-0 overall and 5-0 in Big Sky Conference play.

The game started with Montana State looking like it was well on its way to another lopsided victory. Scottre Humphrey put the Bobcats ahead 7-0 with a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and the Bobcats got the ball right back on the ensuing kickoff. Eastern Washington return man Michael Wortham moved the ball out of the end zone, but MSU’s Max Murphy forced a fumble that Carson Williams recovered.

One play later, quarterback Tommy Mellott found a wide-open Taco Dowler for a 19-yard touchdown, and the Cats quickly led 14-0.

But the Eagles got an answer from standout receiver Efton Chism III, who made a nice adjustment on a pass from quarterback Jared Taylor to score Easter’s first touchdown. Montana State led 14-7 after the first quarter.

The second quarter brought even more fireworks. Adam Jones scored on a nifty run to cut MSU’s lead to 21-7, but Wortham responded with a 75-yard touchdown on the Eagles’ next possession. It was the first time this season that an FCS team scored two first-half touchdowns against the Bobcats.

The MSU offense took care of business on the next drive, eating up 9:33 of the game clock on a 16-play, 70-yard drive. Humphrey ended the possession with a four-yard scoring run, and the Bobcats led 28-14 at halftime.

However, Eastern Washington running back Tuna Altahir evened the score in the third quarter. He first caught a 3-yard touchdown from Taylor and then added an 11-yard TD run, tying the game at 28-28 with 1:26 left in the third.

But from then on, Mellott took control. The senior quarterback scored the Bobcats’ most explosive play moments later, breaking away for a 76-yard touchdown run that gave MSU a 35-28 lead heading into the fourth.

And in the fourth, Mellott – after his first interception of the season – made another explosive play. Facing a crucial third down with less than four minutes to play, Mellott dropped back to pass and lofted it to receiver Ty McCulluch down the left sideline. McCullouch ran under the pass and then outrun the Eastern Washington defense for a 61-yard touchdown that put the game away.

Turning point: After Mellott threw an interception, Montana State’s defense forced Eastern Washington to turn the ball over on downs four plays later. On the Bobcats’ next offensive possession, Mellott went deep to McCullouch, who showed his speed by pulling away from the defense and giving MSU a two-score cushion.

Statistics of the game: In a game where the defense gave up 28 points, Montana State’s offense had the answers, especially on the ground. The Bobcats racked up 316 rushing yards, with Mellott (125 yards on six carries) and Humphrey (110 yards on 21 carries) both breaking the century mark.

Bobcat Toys: QB Tommy Mellott (offense). When his team needed him most, Mellott made two big plays. Mellott’s 76-yard touchdown run and 61-yard touchdown pass broke open a 28-28 tie to help the Bobcats secure their ninth win of the season.

LB McCade O’Reilly (Defense). The defense struggled more than it did against an FCS team all season, but O’Reilly made his presence felt. The linebacker made six tackles, including four solo, had two tackles for loss and a sack.

FB Max Murphy (Special teams). Murphy made the hit that forced the fumble on Wortham’s kick return in the first quarter. The immediate change of possession gave the Bobcats an immediate opportunity in the red zone, and Mellott and Dowler took advantage for a touchdown.

What’s next: Montana State (9-0 overall, 5-0 Big Sky) returns to Bozeman to host Sacramento State on Nov. 9. The Bobcats have won nine of the past 11 against the Hornets, including a 42-30 victory in Sacramento last season.

Eastern Washington (2-7, 1-4), meanwhile, will look to snap its three-game losing streak in Northern Colorado next week.