Bailey boots Montana State past Western Illinois 26-23

BOZEMAN, Mont. -- Tristan Bailey hit all four of his field goals, including a 35-yarder with 4:02 left in the game, to lift Montana State to a 26-23 victory over Western Illinois on Thursday night.

After Sam Crosa nailed a 38-yard field goal to give Western Illinois a 23-20 lead, Bailey answered with a game-tying 50-yarder with 8:26 to go and followed with his game-winner.

Bailey connected from the 47 yards as time expired in the first half to pull the Bobcats within 13-6. Troy Andersen's 14-yard scoring run capped an eight-play, 81-yard drive that saw Montana State pull even at 13 on the opening possession of the third quarter.

The Leathernecks regained the lead at 20-13 when Sean McGuire led a 10-play, 48-yard drive culminating in McGuire's 2-yard scoring strike to Steve McShane with 4:01 left in the third.

It took three plays for the Bobcats to pull even again -- on Andersen's 24-yard TD run that was set up by Kevin Kassis' 69-yard kick return.

Andersen finished with 24 carries for 145 yards. He also connected on 12 of 21 passes for 81 yards and a pick.