DILLON - The Montana Western Bulldogs (3-1, 2-1) used a strong first half and held on down the stretch to defeat MSU-Northern (0-3, 0-3) in front of a homecoming crowd. 

Senior wide receiver Nate Simkins tied a school record with three touchdown catches, all in the first half, to help the Bulldogs build a 28-0 halftime lead. Colten McPhee carried the ball 28 times for 160 yards and a score as the Bulldogs rushed for 216 total yards and looked to roll past the Lights on a blustery afternoon at Vigilante Field. 

However, second-half turnovers allowed Northern to cut the lead to 28-14. Jon Jund then found Jamison Hermanson who made a circus like catch along the sidelines and broke a couple of tackles for a 69 yard score to quickly answer the Lights rally.

Jund finished 14 of 30 for 196 yards four touchdowns and three interceptions. 

The Lights then went on a long drive capped off by Izayah Boss' five yard score, his second of the game to stay alive.

Boss finished with 122 yards on 22 carries for the Lights.

Montana Western answered with an seven play 75 yard drive that ended with a 17 yard score by senior Sean Cooney to put the game out of reach. 

The Bulldogs defense had three sacks, eight tackles for loss and forced four Northern turnovers. Joe Caicedo had a game-high 12 tackles. Kyle Schulte and Tanner Harrell each had nine tackles apiece. Dylan Pope had six tackles, a forced fumble and an interception. 

The Bulldogs will make the short trip up I-15 to face rival Montana Tech on Sept. 25. Kick-off from the mining city is set for 1 p.m.

Notes:

• Simkins tied the school record for the fourth time in his career. 
• Cooney scored his first career touchdown.
• UMW has forced four or more turnovers in back-to-back games.

 

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