BOZEMAN, Mon. — The #2 Bobcats stuck to the ground and pound and eked out a 28-21 win over the #6 Maine Black Bears this week. Down 7-0 at the end of the first quarter, Montana State kicked things into gear and began to wear down the Maine defense with the option run. Black Bear coach Scarsden Billings spoke about the early success of his team as the game started out.

“I think the early rotation was important, keeping players fresh when on the field. Defending an option offense, the rotation also helped more guys get looks at what Montana State was doing. [Our] guys played well.”

The game looked to be close after both teams started the day with drives that ended in turnovers. When Maine came up with a fumble recovery at 1:52 left in the first the home crowd began to get restless. In fact they stayed uneasy until the beginning of the fourth when Montana State managed to force a fumble and take it to the house for a touchdown. Billings took full responsibility for the mistakes made late in the game.

“We fell away from our game plan once Montana State tied it. We went nearly all-run when we tend to balance out running and passing, and I think that was a throwing-off. It led to some bad play calls from me. The guys on the field did their jobs – I should have called a better fourth quarter. That’s on me.”

Maine drops to 6-2 and continues their quest for postseason play next week against a Rhode Island team that will be tough to scout. Scarsden isn’t looking past anyone remaining on the schedule but maintained the goal of the Black Bears is the playoffs.

“As long as we keep to our plan, I think we have as good a shot as any team. Nothing’s guaranteed, we have to play our games and perform well, but these guys have played as well as any coach could hope. It should be a great rest of the season, and I hope it continues into the playoffs, but we have to get back on track and play the rest of our games first. We certainly have the talent to play beyond Week 12; we just have to get there first.”

Montana State head coach Borgus “Borgus” Borgus openly admitted that his team had to adjust when they found themselves trailing in the second quarter.

“Well, we had one possession take place entirely in that first quarter but that didn’t deter me. I knew I had been far too predictable, but to abandon my scouting so early would have been foolish. I switched up my method to see what stuck and rolled with what did. It also helped to have a statistically significant data set from the current game so we could abandon the scouting from their last one.”

Despite the slow start Borgus was extremely pleased with the defensive squad’s effort despite the cold and the wind in Bozeman. He pointed to their touchdown as the play that turned the tide in the game.

“In the most literal of terms, [the difference was] the scoop and score. I won by 7 and that play netted me 7; it also took 0 seconds and tacked on 0 yards. The ToP is a bit misleading as I was running hurry up from the second I got down 2 scores, to the second I got a lead, with few exceptions.”

Montana State is now 7-1 on the year and eyeing the Big Sky Championship game with increasing intensity. Borgus is confident that his team has what it takes. He also expects the Bobcat’s prowess to be reflected in next week’s coaches poll when asked if his team deserves to be #1.

“I would hope so. I usually try to stay humble in these regards, but I think this game had me pull away from the pack.”

Montana State faces a Cal Poly squad that is heating up going into in Week 9 and will have to keep firing on all cylinders to avoid being upset.