FCS program Montana State defeats New Mexico, recovers from 17 points deficit to win 35-31

Montana State entered Saturday’s Week 0 matchup with New Mexico as a 13 1/2-point favorite, despite being an FCS program traveling to an FBS school to play. The Lobos may have beaten the spread, but the Bobcats made the bookmakers look smart by going to Albuquerque and picking up a 35-31 victory

Scottre Humphrey ran four yards for the winning score with 10 seconds left, completing an 89-yard drive in 11 plays. Tommy Mellott’s 37-yard pass to Lonyatta Alexander Jr. was the big play of the drive, moving Montana St. to the New Mexico 26-yard line.

Montana St. coach Brent Vigen earned his first win over an FBS program with Saturday’s victory. He’s in his fourth season leading the Bobcats, who went 8-4 last year and began the campaign ranked No. 4 in the FCS.

The Bobcats rallied from a 31-14 deficit in the fourth quarter to outscore the Lobos 21-0 in the final frame. But a comeback victory was within reach when Adam Jones ran 93 yards for a touchdown with 4:35 left in the game, pulling Montana State back to a 31-28 lead.

On the next possession, Montana St. forced New Mexico to punt from its own 37-yard line, setting up the chance for a tying — or winning — drive.

Mellott passed for 205 yards, completing 21 of 32 passes. But the Bobcats dominated in the running game with Jones rushing for 167 yards and a touchdown, followed by Humphrey’s 140 yards and a score.

For a coach who prides himself on toughness, that kind of defensive effort had to frustrate Bronco Mendenhall, who entered his first season at New Mexico 4-8 last year. The Lobos did score two defensive touchdowns, though, which may encourage the veteran coach.

New Mexico QB Devon Dampier threw for 173 yards and a touchdown, completing 19 of 27 passes. He also ran for 35 yards and a score. Eli Sanders led the Lobos in rushing with 87 yards, while Luke Wysong added 95 yards receiving.

Next week, Montana St. travels to Utah Tech, which was 2-9 in the United Athletic Conference last year. New Mexico travels to No. 21 Arizona for a Week 1 matchup with the Wildcats, coming off a 10-3 season.