Zach’s Running Blog: Lobos vs. Montana State

by Zach

We are about 20 minutes away from the start of the Bronco Mendenhall Era of Lobo Football. The Lobos (0-0) will kick off their 2024 Season during Week 0 against the most talented FCS program they have faced in Top 5 Montana State. The Lobos will look to make a statement as they enter the game as 13.5-point underdogs. I will be updating this during the game, with thoughts and observations that come up.

The Lobos won the toss and will get the ball to start the game.

  • The Lobos will start their first drive of the season at the 25. Luke Wysong with a 14-yard pick-up to start the game. Lobos will have a 3rd and 7 at their 42. Montana State with a DPI on the 3rd downplay, which sets up the Lobos at +43. Looked close to another DPI on another 3rd and 7, but no call, leading to a punt that took a Montana State bounce into the End Zone.
  • Montana State starts their day on offense on the 20. A couple of nice running plays by Montana State have them at the 50 with a fresh set of downs. Lobos with a massive play as Jayden Wilson forces a fumble on a sack, scoped up by Christian Ellis for a TOUCHDOWN. 10:34 1Q: Lobos 7 Montana State 0
  • It’s been a while since the Lobos have had excitement around a game. What a start for the Bronco Mendenhall Era.
  • Montana State will start their second drive at 30. Montana State is able to break a run for a 23-yard run, to set them up at the Lobos 47. The Lobos defense gets the stop on a 3rd and 10. Montana State punts and pins the Lobos at the 5-yard line. 8:02 1Q: Lobos 7 Montana State 0.
  • Lobos are able to move the ball with the help of another DPI by Montana State. Wysong with a huge catch to set up the Lobos at the +27. Lobos will have a 3rd and 11 at the +28. Lobos are unable to keep the drive alive, but Drzewiecki makes the 45-yard Field Goal to make it 10-0 Lobos. 4:49 1Q: Lobos 10 Montana State 0.
  • Montana State is able to drive down the field with a big run and a 15-yard penalty on UNM. Montana State will be going for it on 4th and 8. Lobos get the stop on 4th and 8, and will take over at the 32. 2:08 1Q: Lobos 10 Montana State 0.
  • Sanders with a nice cut on a run for a 13-yard gain and a Lobo first down. A couple of dimes by Dampier including a nice gain by Wysong. End of 1Q: Lobos 10 Montana State 0. Lobos will have the ball at the +25 with a 1st and 10. TOUCHDOWN Lobos!!! Dampier finds Bruckler for the TD to make it 17-0 Lobos. 13:45 2Q: Lobos 17 Montana State 0.
  • Montana State has been able to break for a couple of nice runs, to set themselves up inside the 20. Montana State with a TD pass to make it 17-7 Lobos. 10:36 2Q: Lobos 17 Montana State 7. 
  • Lobos will start their next drive at the 25. Nothing doing for the Lobos on the drive, they will punt. Montana State will take over at the 24. 9:20 2Q: Lobos 17 Montana State 7. 
  • An important couple of plays coming up in this game. Montana State is starting to get their running game moving. Great play call and drive by Montana State. 4:37 2Q: Lobos 17 Montana State 14.
  • Lobos needs to do something with this drive. Montana State will receive the 2H kickoff and have their offense rolling at the moment. A couple of nice first-down runs by Sanders. The Lobos will have the ball at the +40 with under 3 minutes to go in the half. Lobos will have the ball at the 30 with 1:58 remaining in the half, after the first 2-minute warning on US soil for NCAA Football. What a FAKE by Dampier to create an open field for a TOUCHDOWN. 1:33 2Q: Lobos 24 Montana State 14.
  • Huge stop for the Lobos. They will get the ball back with less than a minute to do something before halftime. Lobos will sit on the ball and we will head to halftime.
  • Halftime: Lobos 24 Montana State 14. Montana State will receive the 2H kickoff.
  • Montana State will start the 3Q at the 18.
  • After a long review, the Lobos score their second TD on a fumble recovery for a TD. 13:03 3Q: Lobos 31 Montana State 14.
  • Montana State has responded with a good start to the drive after the second defensive TD for the Lobos. The Lobos today with the 2 defensive TDs has tied the total from the last 52 games. Montana State will go for it on 4th and 1 from the 25. Lobos get the stop on 3rd and 4th down and will take over at the 25. 8:11 3Q: Lobos 31 Montana State 14.
  • Dampier starts the drive with an 11-yard run. Sanders breaks on for 36 yards to set the Lobos up inside the 25. 4:54 3Q: Lobos 31 Montana State 14. Lobos miss a 35-yard FG. 4:09 3Q: Lobos 31 Montana State 14. 
  • Announced Attendance today: 17,314.
  • Montana State will start their drive at the 20. The wind just went crazy in the stadium. Great pass a catch by Montana State has them at the 20. End of 3Q: Lobos 31 Montana State 14. Montana State is able to correct a broken play and find the End Zone. 13:39 4Q: Lobos 31 Montana State 21.
  • Lobos will start their drive on the 25. Lobos moved the ball 30 yards on a DPI on Montana State and a personal foul was added on. Lobos are at the +25. 10:20 4Q: Lobos 31 Montana State 21. Lobos use their second TO of the half and will have a 3rd and 4 from the 23. I would expect 2 plays to gain those 4 yards with this wind. Lobos miss the FG attempt.
  • Lobos are able to get stops on 3rd and 4th down and will take over at the +43. 6:15 4Q: Lobos 31 Montana State 21. 
  • That hurts. Lobos could have broken for a Touchdown there, but they aren’t able to catch the pass. Lobos punt and Montana State takes over at the 7.
  • Montana State breaks one for 93 yards for a rushing TD. 4:35 4Q: Lobos 31 Montana State 28.
  • Lobos will start this drive from the 25. Lobos need a couple of first downs, and they could possibly ice the game with Montana State only having 2 TOs remaining. Lobos have a 3rd and 6 with 2:15 remaining.
  • 1:59 4Q: Lobos 31 Montana State 28. Montana State will have the ball at the 11 with just 1 TO remaining.
  • Montana State takes the lead with 10 seconds left. :10 4Q: Montana State 35 Lobos 31. 
  • Lobos will have the ball at the 25.
  • This loss stings, not because they lost, but how they lost.
  • Final: Montana State 35 Lobos 31. The Lobos fall to 0-1 on the young season and will head to Arizona to face a few familiar faces on Saturday. The Lobos will be paid 900k for the game against Arizona.