Brian Morse
football
Scottre Humphreys four-yard touchdown run with ten seconds left completes a furious 21-point comeback in Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Scott Humphrey’s A four-yard touchdown run in the final moments helped Montana State to a 35-31 victory in its season opener over New Mexico on Saturday at University Stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Humphrey’s goal capped an 89-yard run that began with the Cats trailing by three points and 1:59 remaining. Tommy Mellott orchestrated an 11-play drive that culminated in Humphreys’ game-winning goal with ten seconds left.
After trailing 31-14, Montana State scored the game’s final 21 points in the fourth quarter to secure its first win over an FBS opponent since 2006.
Humphrey finished the game with 140 rushing yards on 19 carries, a career high. Adam Jones to lead a Bobcats attack that totaled 362 yards that day.
Jones finished his day with 167 yards on 17 carries, with the majority of that total coming from a thrilling 93-yard touchdown run down the left sideline with 4:35 left in the fourth quarter.
The second-longest offensive run in Montana State history put the Lobos ahead 31-28 with 4:35 left, giving the Cats’ defense a chance to make a stop and give the ball back to Mellott.
In the fourth quarter alone, Montana State outscored New Mexico 220-42, with three of the Cats’ final four drives reaching the end zone.
New Mexico’s offensive balance was the key element of the first half. The Lobos ran for 73 yards before halftime but managed 153 yards through the air. But it was the Lobos’ defense that struck first, as Jayden Wilson took the ball from Tommy Mellott on a pass play. Christian Ellis returned the ball 41 yards for a touchdown less than five minutes into the game. After forcing a Bobcats punt on the next possession, UNM ran 67 yards and Luke Drzewiecki made a 41-yard field goal.
The Bobcats reached the 50 on their next possession for their third straight drive, but an incomplete pass by Mellott on fourth down gave New Mexico possession. The Lobos marched 68 yards, and when Devon Dampier found Trace Bruckler, the home team led 17-0.
Montana State’s offense came to life early in the second quarter. Scott Humphreywho gained 114 yards before halftime, broke through the Lobos defense and gained 34, 5 and 16 yards and Adam Jones won six. Mellott scored Ryan Koenig for a gain of nine to UNM’s five, and on first-and-goal Mellott found Rylan Schlepp for the Bozeman Gallatin graduate’s third career catch and second touchdown. After a three-and-out, Mellott capped a 76-yard drive with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Ty McCullouch.
However, it was the Lobos who finished the half strong. UNM followed MSU’s second score with a 75-yard run capped by a 24-yard touchdown run by Dampier. Despite the 10-point deficit, MSU outgained the Lobos 240 to 226 in the first two quarters.
