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In this photo provided by Montana State University, Montana State running back Chad Newell runs the ball against UC Davis defensive back Charles Hays during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, in Bozeman.
BOZEMAN (AP) — The Bobcats are on the board.
Chad Newell ran for 132 yards and a touchdown to lead Montana State to a 27-13 win Saturday over UC Davis to get the Bobcats their first Big Sky Conference win of the season.
Newell darted in from 10 yards out to tie the game with four minutes to go in the half. Moments later, the Bobcats (3-7, 1-6) scored again after Kevin Kassis took the ball on a reverse and threw to Cam Sutton for a 23-yard score to put MSU up 17-10.
Montana State played turnover-free football for just the second time this season, snapping a six-game conference losing streak in the process.
"Eliminating turnovers allows you to compete," said Newell, who played in his last game at Bobcat Stadium. "Chris (Murray), I saw him grow up today. When he picked up the first down on that last drive it was a big-boy play.
Murray, a freshman quarterback, scampered 22 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown to put MSU up by the final margin. The score was set up by a Mac Bignell forced fumble and recovery. It was Montana State's first takeaway since it played Sacramento State Oct. 1.
UC Davis (2-8, 1-6) drove inside the MSU 10, but turned the ball over on downs.
"The offense did a good job of holding onto the ball," Bignell said. "Last week we slipped up, so we had to buckle down and get to work."
The Bobcats held the Aggies to 19 yards in the third quarter.
Both kickers connected on a pair of field goals with Matt Blair hitting from 32 and 48 yards for UC Davis and Gabe Peppenger converting from 39 and 27 yards for the Bobcats.
Northern Colorado 28, Griz 25
GREELEY, Colo. (AP) — Kyle Sloter threw two touchdowns, the last a 5-yarder to Theron Verna with 3:35 to play, as Northern Colorado beat Montana 28-25 on Saturday, likely dashing the Griz’ hopes of reaching the FCS playoffs.
The win is the first ever for Northern Colorado against Montana since the Bears joined the Big Sky Conference in 2006. Montana had won 13 straight against Northern Colorado in a series that dates to 1976.
Both teams are 6-4, but the Griz slipped to 3-4 in conference play, and failed to win a road game in the Big Sky.
Sloter engineered the game-winning drive in 9-plays over 75 yards. Montana's final drive ended when the Grizzlies turned the ball over on downs at their own 35.
Chad Chalich put Montana ahead 25-21 with 7:18 to play when he ran in from 2-yards out to end an 8-play, 50-yard drive. Chalich threw for 172 yards and had 76 yards rushing. Joey Counts ran for 72 yards and scored twice for the Griz, while the No. 18 Griz were without starting QB Brady Gustafson for a second straight game.
Darius Graham ran for 130 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown for Northern Colorado.
Montana and Montana State will now prepare for the 116th Brawl of the Wild, which will take place this Saturday in Missoula.
"This isn't how you want to go out as a senior. ... It's probably our last game (next week)," said defensive end Ryan Johnson, looking forward to the showdown with Montana State. "We've got to leave everything out there and make sure we keep that trophy in Missoula."
Note: Havre Daily News sports editor George Ferguson contriubted to this story.
Cat-Griz Week is Here!
Be sure to check out the Havre Daily News for extensive coverage of the 116th Brawl of the Wild, starting this Wednesday. The HDN will have full preview coverage, including our annual Cat-Griz Game Day on Friday, as well as live coverage of the game, and a wrapup in Monday's sports section.
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