Montana State runs over UT Martin, into FCS quarterfinals

Published Dec. 4, 2021 7:50 p.m. ET

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BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — Freshman quarterback Tommy Mellott ran for 183 yards, Isaiah Infanse added 176 yards, and Montana State dominated UT Martin on Saturday, defeating the Skyhawks 26-7 in a second-round game of the FCS playoffs.

Montana State outgained UT Martin 438 yards to 178 yards and kept the Skyhawks offense out of the end zone. The Skyhawks' only score was a 68-yard fumble return by Jay Woods.

Mellott's 1-yard run was the first score of the game and the Bobcats took a 10-7 halftime lead. His breakaway 73-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter put MSU ahead 19-7 and Infanse added a 17-yard run for the final score.

No. 8-seed Montana State (10-2) advanced to the quarterfinals against top-seed Sam Houston, which defeated Incarnate Word 49-42 on Saturday.

UT Martin's Dresser Winn completed only 13 of 27 passes for 98 yards and Peyton Logan led the Skyhawks (10-3) with 71 yards rushing.

The game featured UT Martin's stingy run defense (129 yards per game) against Montana State's potent rushing attack (219 ypg). However, the Bobcats were dominant on the ground, with 186 yards in the first half and 387 for the game.

Mellott completed 8 of 20 passes for 51 yards. Linebacker Callahan O'Reilly led the MSU defense with 10 tackles, six solo.

Montana State, playing in its third consecutive FCS playoffs, improved to 11-3 at home in the postseason.

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