Cat-Griz Report: Bobcats can't hold off Big Sky power Weber State

OGDEN, Utah - Montana State held a lead through 30 minutes, but Weber State scored 17 consecutive points during the second half to pick up a 34-24 Big Sky Conference football victory over the Bobcats on Saturday at Stewart Stadium.

The first half was defense-oriented, with the teams combining for just 217 yards and 11 first downs.

Montana State's Troy Andersen landed the stanza's first big play, a career-long 71-yard touchdown dash that gave MSU a 17-7 lead with 6:43 remaining before halftime. That touchdown, and the 73-yard Weber State drive just before the intermission, were the only two scores of the first half not directly related to turnovers. MSU scored after interceptions by Jahque Alleyne (Travis Jonsen 7-yard run) and Dante Sparaco (a 27-yard Tristan Bailey field goal). Weber State's first score, an 8-yard run by Kaden Jenks, came after a Jordan Preator interception.

The Bobcats entered halftime with a 17-14 advantage.

Weber State (5-2, 3-1) came out of the break with an 11-play drive that ended with a 37-yard field goal and tied the game up at 17.

MSU (4-3, 2-2) re-gained the lead behind a defensive play. Greg Filer III stepped in front of a Weber State pass and returned it to the end zone for a 27-yard pick-six to give the Bobcats a 24-17 edge with 6:17 remaining in the third quarter.

The Wildcats would respond. Weber State used consecutive drives, that spanned 67 and 64 yards, that resulted in Wildcat touchdowns. Weber State extended its lead to 34-24 with a 22-yard field goal at the 3:27 mark in the fourth quarter.

Andersen rushed for 102 yards on 11 carries to pace the Bobcats on the ground. He was followed by Jonsen who picked up 45 yards. Kevin Kassis had a team-high 4 receptions.

The Bobcat defense was led by Brayden Konkol's 13-tackle output. Grant Collins racked up 11 tackles and Tucker Yates registered 10. Bryce Sterk had a team-high 1.5 tackles for loss.

"What I told them is that I'm disappointed in the outcome but I'm not disappointed in anybody in this room," MSU head coach Jeff Choate said. "I felt like those guys fought hard. There's a lot of guys in that room that are finishers and competitors and they want to win, and we'll find a way to do that."

Montana State returns to action next Saturday when the Bobcats travel to Pocatello to face Idaho State. The Bobcats and Bengals kick-off at Holt Arena at 3:30 p.m.

The Montana Grizzlies were idle Saturday, but return to Big Sky Conference play to host nationally-ranked UC Davis this Saturday. Kickoff Saturday is set for 2 p.m. in Washington-Grizzly Stadium. UM has just two home games left.