The Bobcats improved to 4-3 on the season and 3-1 in the Big Sky Conference while winning their third consecutive game. The Hornets, who had their two game winning streak snapped, fell to 2-4 overall and 2-2 in league play.

Trailing 21-0 at the half, Sacramento State began its comeback behind its special teams. Sophomore Cyrus Mulitalo deflected Tyler Bolton’s punt to give the Hornets the ball at the MSU 32-yard line. The Sacramento State offense stalled during the drive but Juan Gamboa nailed a career-best 47-yard field goal to make the score, 21-3, with 11:30 remaining in the third quarter.

The Hornet defense stopped Montana State on the ensuing drive and Chris Hurts blocked the punt which was recovered by Mike Brannon and returned to the 3-yard line. Two plays later, quarterback Marcel Marquez connected with fullback Ryan Hastie for a 3-yard pass for the touchdown.

The score stayed 21-10 until late in the fourth quarter. Facing 2nd-and-16 from its own 15-yard line, Montana State elected to pass. On the play, Jack Rolovich’s screen attempt was deflected by defensive end James Henderson. The junior pulled the ball in and stumbled to the 3-yard line setting up Rainbow Mauga’s fourth touchdown of the season. Marquez then connected with Billy White for the two-point conversion to make the score, 21-18, with 3:39 showing.

Sacramento State opted to kick deep and the defense backed MSU to 8-yard line with a sack from Dallas Mauga. On 3rd-and-14, Rolovich rolled to his left and found Donnell Wheaton for a 52-yard connection beyond midfield to seal the game.

The Bobcats took control of the game in the opening quarter. Montana State intercepted Marquez on his first two pass attempts leading to an 11-yard touchdown run from Aaron Mason midway through the first quarter. MSU added to its lead on the next drive with a 69-yard touchdown pass from Rolovich to Wheaton.

Montana State’s final points came with 7:23 remaining in the first half on a 39-yard touchdown from Rolovich to Michael Jefferson.

The Bobcats dominated the game statistically, outgaining Sacramento State, 414-117. MSU had 22 first downs compared to just five from the Hornets and outpassed Sacramento State, 302-76.

Rolovich ended the day 16-of-34 for 302 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Marquez was 10-of-18 for 76 yards, a touchdown and three picks.

Seth McDaniels led a Hornet rushing attack which featured seven ball carriers. The sophomore carried nine times for 27 yards. Billy White was the team’s leading receiver with 38 yards on three grabs.

Defensively, Cyrus Mulitalo recorded a game-high 12 tackles. The team’s leading tackler on the season, Mulitalo had seven solos, including one for loss, and a pass break up. Senior Tyson Butler added 11 and Dallas Mauga had a career high nine stops, including 4.5 for loss. Junior Brent Webber kept his streak alive with an interception in the first half. Webber has now intercepted five passes this season — all of which have come in the last four games.

Bobby Daly led MSU with 10 tackles.

Sacramento State will next travel to Flagstaff, Ariz., to take on Northern Arizona on Oct. 21. The game against the Lumberjacks will kick off at 3:05 PDT.

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