Late field goal lifts Montana State over N Colorado 27-24

Oct 21, 2017, 11:21 pm

GREELEY, Colo. -- Gabe Peppenger hit a 27-yard field goal as time expired and Montana State edged Northern Colorado 27-24 on Saturday.

The kick culminated a 13-play, 73-yard drive which drained the final 2 minutes, 42 seconds.

Tied at 24 late in the game, UNC mustered a long drive but eschewed a 34-yard field goal attempt and went for it on fourth down at the MSU 17. Patrick Stephens' pass fell incomplete and the Bears turned it over on downs.

The Bobcats (3-4, 3-2 Big Sky Conference) rallied from a 21-7 halftime deficit and made it a four-point game in the fourth quarter following Troy Anderson's 15-yard touchdown run. On its next possession, a 10-play, 94-yard drive resulted in Chris Murray's 4-yard scoring run and a 24-21 lead.

Hakeem Deggs returned the ensuing kickoff 56 yards to the MSU 9, but a personal foul knocked the Bears back to the 26. Montana State held its ground though, and UNC settled for Colin Root's 34-yard field goal to tie it at 24.

MSU's Murray finished 20 of 35 for 222 yards with a touchdown pass and two interceptions. He also rushed 26 times for 150 yards with a score.

Conor Regan went 13 of 29 for 218 yards with two TDs for UNC. He connected with Frank Stephens in the first quarter on an 80-yard catch-and-run for the first score of the game, then hooked up with Theron Verna just before halftime to give the Bears (3-3, 2-2) a two-touchdown lead at intermission.

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