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OGDEN - Weber State posted a season-high in total yards but it wasn't enough as fifth ranked Montana State handed the Wildcats a 34-16 loss Saturday afternoon at Stewart Stadium.
The Wildcats totaled 497 yards of offense in the game, compared to 479 for Montana State. WSU had 218 on the ground and 309 yards passing, also a season-high. Weber State did have two fumbles and one interception, while the Bobcats had no turnovers.
Montana State started the game with a 35-yard pass from DeNarius McGhee to Jon Ellis to give the Bobcats a 6-0 lead. Shaun McClain then hit a career-long 50-yard field goal to cut the lead to 6-3. It was McClain's first field goal of the season and was the first 50-yard field goal by a Wildcat since 2005.
The Wildcats took the lead late in the first quarter as Bo Bolen capped a 80-yard drive with a 19-yard touchdown run to put the ‘Cats on top 10-6.
WSU's season-long struggles continued in the second quarter as the Bobcats outscored the ‘Cats 13-0 to take a 19-10 lead at halftime.
Weber State scored on a one-yard touchdown run by Austin Chipoletti late in the third quarter. However the extra point was blocked and was returned all the way by Steven Bethley for two points for Montana State to give the Bobcats a 21-16 lead.
WSU was driving into Montana State territory to start the fourth quarter when Josh Booker fumbled the at the MSU 22-yard line. Four plays later Shawn Johnson score on nine-yard touchdown run and the Bobcats led 28-16.
They closed the game with a 26-yard touchdown pass from McGhee to Ellis with 5:44 to play in the fourth quarter.
Individually freshman quarterback Austin Chipoletti posted the best day of his career, finishing the day 26-38 passing for 309 yards with one interception. He also rushed the ball for 10 yards, including his first career rushing touchdown.
"There was a lot of growth for us today," said WSU head coach Jody Sears. "There are no moral victories and I told our team that. We have to keep pressing on. We did a lot of good things and there are a lot of things we can gain confidence from tonight."
Erik Walker had nine catches for 106 yards. Cameron Livingston had five catches for 81 yards. On the ground junior Bo Bolen had 20 carries for a season-high 124 yards and one touchdown.
Defensively, senior Anthony Morales returned after missing the last two games with injuries and led the Wildcats with a game-high 13 tackles. He also moved into eighth place on the WSU career tackles list.
"There was a lot of growth for us today," said WSU head coach Jody Sears. "There are no moral victories and I told our team that. We have to keep pressing on. We did a lot of good things and there are a lot of things we can gain confidence from tonight."
Montana State's McGhee threw for 313 yards and three touchdowns. That figure put him over the 10,000-yard passing mark, making him the 11th player in college football history to pass for 10,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards.
Montana State has now won eight straight games in Ogden and improves to 5-2 overall and 3-0 in conference play, and remains tied for first in the league standings.
The loss is the seventh-straight for the Wildcats who drop to 1-7 overall and 0-4 in Big Sky play. The ‘Cats have a bye next week before returning to action Nov. 2 at Portland State. WSU's next home game is set for Nov. 9 against Southern Utah.
