No. 22 Weber State built a 10-point halftime lead, but third-ranked Montana State scored 21 unanswered points in the second half to rally for a 38-33 win over the Wildcats Saturday afternoon at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Mont.
The loss snapped Weber State's three-game winning streak and dropped the Wildcats to 5-4 overall and 4-2 in Big Sky Conference play. Montana State improved to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in conference play.
Weber State opened the scoring on its first possession, driving 77 yards in six plays before David Dellenbach connected on a 21-yard field goal with 10:25 remaining in the first quarter. Montana State responded with a 57-yard touchdown run to take a 7-3 lead with 8:01 left in the quarter.
The Wildcats answered with a 13-play, 75-yard drive that took more than five minutes off the clock. Nate Dahle connected with Ammon Munyer for a 2-yard touchdown pass with 2:47 remaining in the first quarter, giving Weber State a 10-7 lead. Montana State regained the lead early in the second quarter with a 17-play, 72-yard touchdown drive, scoring on a 2-yard touchdown pass with 9:52 remaining to go ahead 14-10.
Weber State answered immediately on the ensuing kickoff as Dyson Parker returned the kick 100 yards for a touchdown to give the Wildcats a 17-14 lead. It was the 17th 100-yard kickoff return in Weber State history and the first in three years.
After Montana State tied the game at 17-17 with a 29-yard field goal, Weber State responded with an eight-play, 78-yard touchdown drive. Seth Rigtrup broke free for a 31-yard touchdown run with 1:53 remaining in the second quarter to put Weber State back in front 24-17. Dellenbach added a 37-yard field goal with one minute remaining in the half to extend the lead to 27-17. Weber State also blocked a 37-yard field goal attempt on the final play of the half to preserve the lead.
The Bobcats began their comeback in the third quarter, scoring on a 12-yard touchdown pass with 7:07 remaining to cut the Weber State lead to 27-24. Montana State took the lead for good on the first play of the fourth quarter, scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run with 14:57 remaining to go ahead 31-27.
Montana State extended its advantage with a 27-yard touchdown run with 1:54 remaining in the fourth quarter to make it 38-27. Weber State put together one final scoring drive, going 72 yards in 12 plays, resulting in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Dahle to Robert Young with two seconds remaining. The two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the final score at 38-33.
Dahle finished 21 of 40 passing for 240 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, and he also rushed for 34 yards. Noah Kjar led the Wildcats with eight receptions for 124 yards, while Tate Kjar added five catches for 64 yards. Rigtrup led Weber State in rushing with 57 yards and a touchdown on six carries. Spencer Ferguson added 23 rushing yards before leaving the game with a knee injury.
Weber State returns home to host UC Davis on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 1 p.m. at Stewart Stadium.
