Skip To Main Content

Montana Western, University of

Official Athletics Site of the Montana Western Bulldogs
Bulldog Football Dominates MSU-Northern 52-0 Saturday Afternoon

Bulldog Football Dominates MSU-Northern 52-0 Saturday Afternoon

September 6, 2025
DILLON, Mont. – The Montana Western football team (1-1) blanked MSU-Northern (0-2) 52-0 at Bulldog Stadium Saturday afternoon. UMW racked up 521 yards of total offense while allowing MSUN just 112.
 
"It was important for us to play well today after a sub-par performance up in Butte against a really good football team," Head Coach Ryan Nourse said. "We were highly motivated to make the necessary improvements and we made a lot of them. I was really pleased with the jump that we made this week and just coming back out and playing our style of football. We were really attacking from the get go and aggressive and confident. So, I am really proud of the coaches and players for coming out and doing that like we needed to."
 
The Bulldogs were exceptional in the pass game once again, earning 425 yards (9.7 yards/attempt), four 21 passing first downs, and four touchdowns. Their run game improved from week one with 96 net rushing yards and three touchdowns. UMW converted on 7-9 redzone chances, 11-17 third downs, and 1-2 fourth downs.
 
Senior QB Michael Palandri was responsible for six of Western's seven touchdowns in the contest, throwing for all four passing TDs and running two in himself. He totaled 386 yards and went 28-34 (.823 %) in the contest.
 
Reserve quarterback Kaden LaPlaunt also played some valuable minutes against the Lights. He went 6-10 for 46 yards passing while also scoring the Bulldogs seventh TD on a four-yard quarterback keeper.
 
Jonathan Kirkley had seven receptions for 111 yards and one touchdown to lead UMW's receiving efforts. Eli Nourse (103 yards, one touchdown), Seth Shook (87 yards, one touchdown) and Landon Charlton (one touchdown) also got in on the action.
 
Charlton was Montana Western's leading rusher in the game, running for 52 yards with a long of 18. Gavin Vetter also hit double figures in rush yards with 20.
 
Maclain Burckley went 7-7 in PATs while added a 37 yard field goal.
 
The Bulldogs were a force on defense from the first kick, allowing the visitors 85 rush yards and just 27 pass yards. They held them to eight first downs and forced eight punt and three fumbles. Montana Western also tallied a whopping eight sacks, totaling 60 yards lost for the Lights.
 
Tyler Walker powered the defense with 10 total tackles (including a team-best five solo tackles) and registered 5.0 tackles-for-loss for 32 yards (3.5 sacks - 24 yards).
 
Reece Stanish earned six total tackles including three solo whole Connor Dunlea, Kale VanCampen, and Liam Rowe put up four tackles each. 15 other Bulldogs recorded at least one tackle in the contest.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
The Bulldogs are back in action in two weeks when they travel to Billings, Mont., to take on Rocky Mountain Saturday (9/20). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. MT.
 
For complete coverage of UMW Football, be sure to follow us on social media at @umwbulldogfootball (Instagram), @UMWFootball (X), and @UMW Bulldog Football (Facebook) or visit our official website at UMWBulldogs.com.

#GOBULLDOGS!
 
Print Friendly Version

Related