Bozeman, Mont. – Montana State turned two interceptions into scores Saturday, including a career-long 47-yard field goal by Jeff Hastings, and held on for a 13-10 victory over an emotional Northern Colorado team.
Montana State (7-3, 6-1 Big Sky) won its sixth straight game while Northern Colorado (1-8, 0-6) lost its sixth in a row as the team mourned Thursday’s death of former running back Adam Matthews, 25.
Asa Matthews, a junior linebacker for the Bears, said his brother would have wanted him to play.
MSU freshman Kevin Retoriano intercepted Dominic Breazeale in the second quarter and returned the ball 32 yards to the UNC 7.
Evin Groves, starting in his first game since injuring his knee during practice after the season opener, ran 7 yards for a touchdown to put MSU up 10-0 with 6:22 left in the half. He finished with 120 yards rushing on 31 carries. UNC answered with a 48-yard field goal by David Dyches with 57 seconds left in the half to pull within 10-3.
In the third quarter, Kory Austin intercepted UNC backup T.J. Swanson and returned the ball 33 yards. MSU’s ensuing drive ended with the 47-yard field goal by Hastings with 3:04 left in the third, giving the Bobcats a 13-3 lead.
Northern Colorado, still seeking its first league win, made it interesting late. Aaron Henderson intercepted a Jack Rolovich pass in the end zone – a pass Bobcats fans felt should have been ruled a TD to Michael Jefferson.
The Bears’ final drive covered 80 yards in seven plays, culminating with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Swanson to Robert Long with 3:07 remaining. UNC attempted an onside kick, but MSU recovered and was able to run out the clock.
Rolovich, in his fourth start, completed 15-of-28 passes for 133 yards, including seven passes for 61 yards to Josh Lewis.
Swanson completed 9-of-17 passes for 115 yards, including eight passes for 53 yards to Patrick Ealy, who also rushed seven times for 64 yards.
