Montana State survived a triple-overtime thriller against Idaho State on Saturday, capturing a 28-26 victory at the ICCU Dome in Pocatello after wideout Dane Steel threw a two-point conversion pass to tight end Rylan Schlepp.
The win kept the No. 3-ranked Bobcats in contention for the conference title at 6-1 in league play and 9-1 overall. No. 22 Idaho State dropped to 6-4 overall and 3-4 in the conference after playing in the first ranked matchup between the two programs since 2005.
FOR THE WIN IN 3️⃣ OT 🤩#FCS x 🎥 ESPN+ / @MSUBobcats_FB pic.twitter.com/DGG8xpvfFj
Neither team scored a touchdown in the first two overtime periods, trading field goals by rule before forcing the game-deciding two-point attempts. Idaho State opened the third overtime with a shovel pass to Simeon Brown that was stopped by MSU safety Caden Dowler and others.
Following an Idaho State timeout, Justin Lamson received the snap, rolled toward the left, and handed the ball off to Steel, who was motioning in the opposite direction. Steel threw to a wide-open Schlepp in the end zone to secure the victory.
The defensive struggle saw Idaho State build a 20-13 lead late in the third quarter following a tumbling touchdown run by Carson Sudbury and a 34-yard field goal by Mason Lindberg. Montana State responded during the fourth quarter when Lamson connected with tight end Rocky Lencioni on a vital 20-yard touchdown pass on fourth down to bring the score level.
Lamson absorbed heavy contact throughout the evening from a physical Idaho State defense, taking nine quarterback hits, two sacks, and losing his helmet on one run which left a cut above his right eye. He finished 22-of-37 passing for 209 yards and a touchdown while adding 46 rushing yards on 13 attempts.
Defensive end Zac Crews generated key pressure on Idaho State quarterback Jordan Cook late in regulation and into overtime to help stall drives. The victory marked Montana State’s first overtime contest since last season’s FCS national title game win over Illinois state, and the three overtime periods were the most played by an MSU team since the 1994 season.
Montana State coach Brent Vigen earned his 70th victory at Montana State, tying Rob Ash for the most coaching wins in Bozeman. Vigen holds a 43-4 record in Big Sky games during his sixth season.
Montana State travels to Greeley, Colo., next Saturday to face Northern Colorado at Nottingham Field in the second-to-last game of the regular season.
