Tommy Mellott's stifling defense leads Montana State to a 38-7 victory over Idaho

BOZEMAN – Montana State passed its biggest FCS test of the season with flying colors in front of a loud home crowd and a national television audience.

The third-ranked Bobcats defeated No. 7 Idaho 38-7 in a Big Sky After Dark special at Bobcat Stadium on Saturday. The game was broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

PHOTOS: NO. 3 MONTANA STATE BLASTS NO. 7 IDAHO 38-7

Montana State's potent rushing attack was again dominant – even against the Big Sky's top-ranked rushing defense – rushing for 192 yards in the first half alone as the Bobcats built a 24-0 lead. Quarterback Tommy Mellott had 104 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the first half and started the scoring with a 65-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

Mellott, whose improvement as a passer this season has opened up Montana State's offense, also threw a perfectly placed touchdown pass to Taco Dowler. Dowler caught the pass brilliantly down the right sideline and slid into the end zone to give the Bobcats a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.

Mellott's second rushing touchdown – a 7-yarder with 1:44 left in the first half – extended the Bobcats' lead to 21-0.

On Idaho's ensuing possession, MSU linebacker Danny Uluilakepa intercepted a pass from Jack Wagner and returned the ball deep into Idaho territory. Myles Sansted kicked a 34-yard field goal as time expired to end the first half with a 24-0 Cats lead.

The Vandals had just 72 yards of offense (13 rushing yards on 13 carries) and four first downs in the first half, while the Bobcats had 271 yards of offense, including 192 yards on the ground.

The second half brought more of the same as the Bobcats scored on the first possession of the third quarter with an 11-yard Mellot pass to Rohan Jones. Adam Jones added a 4-yard TD run in the fourth quarter that made the score 38-0 with 12:44 to play.

Idaho finally managed to avoid the shutout with 43 seconds left. Wagner connected with Deshaun Buchanan for a 9-yard touchdown pass.

In addition to Mellott's effective day on the ground, running back Scottre Humphrey had 124 yards on 19 carries for the Bobcats. MSU finished the game with 485 yards of total offense, including 360 on the ground.

Slim Kimmel / MTN Sports

Idaho had just 267 total yards, with both Wagner and Nick Josifek taking snaps at quarterback. Wagner had 11 of 23 passes for 134 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while Josifek had 5 of 8 passes for 42 yards.

Montana State is 7-0 for the fifth time in program history and first since 1978.

Turning point: The floodgates opened after Mellott's long touchdown run, which broke into a scoreless tie less than 10 minutes into the game. The game began with the expected physical defensive battle, with neither offense finding much purchase in their opening attack. But after Montana State forced a three-pointer on Idaho's second possession, the Bobcats' offense needed just three plays to find the end zone and begin the rout.

Statistics of the game: Idaho entered the game with the Big Sky's best rushing defense, allowing just 93.3 yards per game and 2.8 yards per carry. But the Bobcats ran for 361 yards at 6.7 yards per carry, surpassing their Big Sky leader's 299.7 rushing yards per game.

While the ground play took up a lot of yards, Montana State controlled time of possession, holding the ball 37:43, compared to just 22:17 for Idaho. In the Vandals' win last season, Idaho had the ball for more than 41 minutes.

Bobcat toy balls: QB Tommy Mellott (Attack). In an outstanding senior season, Mellott was once again the architect of a dangerous MSU offense. Butte finished 11 of 15 passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns to go, with 140 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries.

S Dru Polidore (defense). In his first game of the season, Polidore immediately made his presence felt. On an Idaho possession in the first quarter, Polidore made two straight tackles, including one where he came out of the secondary to stop a run for no gain. He finished the game with a team-high five total tackles and a pass breakup, while Montana State's defense limited the Vandals to just 176 yards passing.

Slim Kimmel / MTN Sports

What's next?: Montana State (7-0 overall, 3-0 Big Sky) plays one more game at Portland State (1-5, 1-2) before an open week on the Big Sky Conference schedule. The Bobcats have won four games in a row and ten of the last eleven in the direct series with the Vikings. Montana State and Portland State meet in Portland, Oregon on October 19th at 2 p.m. Mountain Time.

Idaho (4-3, 1-2), meanwhile, is back home next week to face Cal Poly (2-4, 1-2).