UMW Sports Press Release
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The No. 15 ranked Montana Western football team traveled to first time
opponent and new Frontier Conference member Arizona Christian University (2-6, 1-5) and
escaped with a 34-30 victory over the Firestorm.
How It Happened
The UMW defense got the Bulldogs off on the right foot, forcing a turnover on downs at the
ACU 48-yard line. Bulldog kicker John Mears topped his previous career mark of a 47-yard field goal when he hit a 50-yarder on the Bulldog’s opening drive of the game.
The Firestorm answered with a methodical 17 play and 75-yard drive that ran off more than
seven minutes on the clock. The drive was capped off by a field goal from Adam Klumpp.
The Bulldogs closed out the quarter with a 53-yard completion from Michael Palandri to Dylan
Shipley that set the Bulldogs up on the ACU 10-yard line. On second and goal, Palandri hit Eli
Nourse for an eight-yard touchdown pass giving UMW a 10-3 lead.
ACU answered by going on a tear down the field, scoring quickly on a 31-yard touchdown pass to Chase Tompkins from Tyler Duncan.
UMW went on to keep the ball in their hands for more than eight minutes, scoring on another
Mears field goal that placed the Bulldogs up 13-10 heading into the half.
The Bulldogs opened up the second half with a three minute, seven play scoring drive that saw Palandri take it to the house on a 12-yard touchdown rush.
A pair of drives from the two teams burned over three minutes off the clock before ACU scored on a quick two-minute march down the field to close the gap to 20-17 heading into the final quarter of the game.
Again, Montana Western found the end zone. This time on a rush from DJ Kirven that capped
off a six minute, 11 play drive.
ACU made the most of their following drive as Duncan threw for a pair of 33-yard completions
to Tompkins. Duncan would then finish out the drive with a five-yard touchdown rush, bringing
the score back within three at 27-24.
Montana Western wasted no time at all when just three plays later, Palandri would throw a 64-
yard pass to Isaiah Thomas for another UMW touchdown.
Though the Firestorm were able to score once more, the Bulldogs were able to hang on and close out the game on top by a score of 34-30.
Notables
• The Bulldog offense totaled a combined 454 yards of offense with 188 rushing yards.
Palandri threw for 266 yards with two touchdowns and rushed for 65 yards and another
touchdown.
• Bulldog kicker John Mears topped his previous career mark of a 47-yard field goal with a
50-yarder this evening. He was a perfect 4-4 on PATs and 2-2 on field goals.
• Pete Gibson led UMW rushers with 68 yards rushing.
• Nourse led the Bulldog receiving corps with 101 receiving yards and a touchdown.
• Brady Mounts led the Bulldog defense with nine tackles, six of which were unassisted.
Up Next
The Bulldogs return home next week and will host the MSU-Northern Lights (1-6, 0-5) on
Saturday Oct. 29 with a 1p.m. kickoff.
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