BOZEMAN, MT (KELO) — The USD football team saw their historic 2024 season come to a close Saturday, with a 31-17 loss to #1 Montana State.
The Coyotes finish the season with an 11-3 overall record, having reached the FCS Semifinals for the first time in program history.
Montana State will play for the FCS National Championship on Monday, January 6 against NDSU. The game will be at 6 p.m. in Frisco, Texas.
THE GAME
Montana State and USD each opened the game with a statement drive. The Bobcats went six plays and took just three minutes to score. Tommy Mellot threw a 34 yard strike to Taco Dowler.
The Coyotes answered with a nice drive. Aidan Bouman completed a couple passes to move the chains and then Travis Theis ripped off a 55 yard touchdown run.
The game was tied at seven.
After the two teams exchanged punts, Montana State went back to work. Mellot ran in a five yard score, to take a 14-7 lead.
Like they did in the first quarter, USD responded lighting fast, scoring on just three plays, thanks to a 45 yard touchdown run by Charles Pierre Jr.
However, Montana State controlled the final 14 minutes of the first half. A touchdown run and a field goal gave them a 24-14 halftime lead.
USD got the ball to start the third quarter, but was unable to capitalize.
Montana State put together one of their more key drives of the season. They went 80 yards in five plays and three minutes. Mellot ran in another score and the Bobcats built a 31-14 lead.
USD could only muster a Will Leyland field goal in the third, heading to the fourth quarter down 31-17.
The fourth quarter saw USD have some chances to cut into the lead. Early in the frame, they drove deep into Bobcat territory, but a bad snap put them behind the chains. A few plays later, they turned the ball over on downs.
The Coyotes got the ball back midway through the fourth and once again, began a nice drive. However, they found themselves in a tough spot in the redzone. They were unable to capitalize on fourth down again, turning the ball back over to Montana State.
USD made one last stop, getting the ball back with 1:49 to play in the game, but down two scores and with no timeouts.
The Coyotes pulled out a trick play, trying to use the hook-and-ladder, but the ball was fumbled and recovered by Montana State.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
The Bobcats and Bison will meet again for the National Championship. The two met in 2021, with NDSU winning 38-10.
Montana State hasn’t won a title since 1984, which was their only national championship.
