No. 3 Montana State scored 21 unanswered points in the second half to overcome a 10-point halftime deficit and defeat No. 22 Weber State 38-33 at Bobcat Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. The Bobcats' victory, which snapped Weber State's three-game winning streak, was fueled by a powerful rushing performance and defensive takeaways.
Wildcats Lead at Halftime
The Wildcats entered the intermission with a 27-17 advantage, bolstered by a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown by Dyson Parker. Weber State's offense was highlighted by Nate Dahle, who completed 21 of 40 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns, and Seth Rigtrup, who contributed a 31-yard touchdown run. However, the Bobcats' defense managed to limit Weber State to just six points in the final two quarters.
Bobcats Second Half Surge
Montana State's comeback was ignited by a critical turnover when Zac Crews recovered a fumble from Weber State quarterback Nate Dahle near midfield. This turnover led to a 12-yard touchdown pass from Justin Lamson to Jordan Reed, cutting the deficit to 27-24. The Bobcats took the lead for good on the first play of the fourth quarter when Rocky Lencioni ran for a 1-yard touchdown.
Ground Game Dominance
The Bobcats' offense was powered by significant rushing totals, finishing with 278 yards on the ground. Jared White gained 125 yards and scored a touchdown, while Adam Jones added 115 rushing yards and a touchdown. Justin Lamson, who finished with 232 passing yards and two touchdown passes, also contributed to the scoring effort. Montana State's offense finished with 510 total yards and 31 first downs.
Final Scoring Exchange
Weber State managed a final scoring drive late in the game, as Dahle connected with Robert Young for an 11-yard touchdown with only two seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. However, the two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the Wildcats with the 33-38 loss. The game was played in sunny conditions with a temperature of 32 degrees and an attendance of 22,167.
Looking Ahead
With the win, Montana State improved to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in Big Sky Conference play. The Bobcats are scheduled to host Cal Poly next Saturday, Oct. 31, at 1 p.m. Weber State, now 5-4 overall and 4-2 in the conference, will host No. 3 Montana State's opponent, UC Davis, on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 1 p.m. at Stewart Stadium.
Game Impact
The victory for Montana State ends Weber State's momentum and highlights the Bobcats' ability to control the game through the second half. The Bobcats' defense also played a pivotal role by forcing two turnovers, including a key fumble recovery by Mason Jeppsen.
