Cat-Griz Report: Cats kick Bears in the final seconds

The Montana State Bobcats were on the ropes Saturday in Greely, Colorado. But it was Chris Murray and Gabe Peppenger who ended up delivering the knockout punch.

Peppenger hit a 27-yard field goal as time expired and Montana State edged Northern Colorado 27-24 at Knottingham Field

The kick culminated a 13-play, 73-yard drive which drained the final 2 minutes, 42 seconds.

"For some reason I did not feel nervous," Peppenger said. "I think it's because I felt that the team believed in me and had my back. ... I was able to perform."

Tied at 24 late in the game, UNC mustered a long drive but eschewed a 34-yard field goal attempt and went for it on fourth down at the MSU 17. Patrick Stephens' pass fell incomplete and the Bears turned it over on downs.

The Bobcats (3-4, 3-2 Big Sky Conference) rallied from a 21-7 halftime deficit and made it a four-point game in the fourth quarter following Troy Anderson's 15-yard touchdown run. On its next possession, a 10-play, 94-yard drive resulted in Chris Murray's 4-yard scoring run and a 24-21 lead.

Hakeem Deggs returned the ensuing kickoff 56 yards to the MSU 9, but a personal foul knocked the Bears back to the 26. Montana State held its ground though, and UNC settled for Colin Root's 34-yard field goal to tie it at 24.

MSU's Murray finished 20 of 35 for 222 yards with a touchdown pass and two interceptions. He also rushed 26 times for 150 yards with a score.

The Bobcats fell behind early on as Northern Colorado moved the ball well, scoring once in the first quarter and twice in the second. The Bears went up 21-7 on backup quarterback Connor Ragan's touchdown pass two plays after Murray threw his first interception. Trae Riek also scored in the second stanza for the Bears.

But MSU dominated the time of possession, and every other stat in the second half, to rally for the win.

"Last week I was really angry because I felt like we didn't come out with an appropriate level of urgency in that Eastern (Washington) game and dug ourselves a bit of a hole in that game, too. I took a little bit of a different approach (to my intermission comments this time). I said, 'Hey fellas, listen: We just need to take one play at a time. We don't need to eat this apple in one bite.' (I told them) this is an opportunity to swell up ... and go win a game," said MSU head coach Jeff Choate. "Our guys believed in that, I guess, and they went out and played really well in the second half."

The Bobcats return home to host Idaho State this Saturday. Montana, which had its bye this past week, is on the road for a showdown with Weber State Saturday afternoon.