Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information
HAVRE, Mont. – The no. 4 ranked Montana Western football team (7-1, 5-1) picked up their fourth straight win today in a convincing win over the MSU-Northern Lights (0-8, 0-6) this afternoon in Havre.
The Bulldogs saw seven different players record a touchdown, including Jake Humphrey who rushed for two touchdowns and 97 yards in the game.
John Mears went a perfect 8-8 on PATs in the game, helping him to surpass the UMW career scoring record held by Eric Zahler that was set in 2004 at 266 points. Mears now has a career total of 272 points and counting.
How It Happened
After forcing an opening three-and-out on Northern's opening drive, the Bulldogs were quick to light up the scoreboard. Humphrey would score his first of two touchdowns on the day on a 28-yard rush that was preceded by a six-play 54-yard drive down the field.
It was Humphrey once again who found the end zone shortly after the start of the high-scoring second quarter. His three-yard rush put Western up 14-0 in the first 20 seconds of the second quarter.
The Bulldog offense was electric through the second quarter, capitalizing on all three offensive drives following the opening score of the quarter. The first came on a touchdown pass from Michael Palandri to Matt Heer from ten yards out.
Quickly following the score, JK Shealey picked up a fumble that was forced by Jace Fitzgerald, giving Western favorable field position to score two plays later on a Palandri 38-yard touchdown pass to Coby Tanioka.
They would score once more before the end of the half as Palandri tossed one up to Dylan Shipley on the first play of the drive with four minutes left in the half.
Up 35-0 to start the third, the Bulldogs went to Pete Gibson to take it into the end zone next. He scored following a seven-play 72-yard drive that opened the half to push Western up 42-0.
Northern scored just before the conclusion of the third quarter to bring the score to 42-7 entering the fourth.
Following a career-first touchdown rush for Kaden Jenks, Bulldog defensive back Landon Charlton intercepted a pass from Lights quarterback Ashton Platt for a pick-six following a 21-yard return.
Up 56-7, the Lights would score once more before the conclusion of the game to finish out with Western on top 56-14.
Notables
Western had seven players record touchdowns in the game, with Charlton recording the first pick-six of the season for the Bulldogs.
Palandri went nine-for-13 and totaled 216 passing yards in the game. He would throw for three touchdowns and an interception.
Seven Bulldog rushers combined for 138 rushing yards in the game. Humphrey led the way with 97 yards.
Shipley led UMW's receiving corps, pulling in three receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown.
Keegen Muffich led the defense with three individual tackles and a total of seven in the game.
Up Next
Montana Western will return for a big Frontier Conference matchup against the no. 21 Carroll College Fighting Saints. Carroll enters the matchup as the top Frontier team riding a win over the no. 8 ranked Southern Oregon this afternoon. Carroll remains undefeated in conference play and is 7-1 on the season.
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