BOZEMAN — At the end of practice, the Montana State football team will usually line up for a two-minute drill to simulate high-leverage situations. Several Bobcats like to joke about why they run those after taxing practices. But when MSU executes like it did against FBS New Mexico on Saturday — getting the ball with under two minutes to play, converting two third downs and scoring the game-winning touchdown with 10 seconds left — it’s easy to understand why the Bobcats run that drill.
“When you're in that situation, you're not panicked,” wide receiver Ty McCullouch said Monday, adding, “It felt like we had all the time in the world. We executed on pretty much every play and it felt really good." While it wasn’t a perfect showing for the offense — featuring two strip sacks returned for TDs — the Bobcats executed when it mattered most , scoring three TDs in the fourth quarter after being down 17.
The first came on a 15-yard rush by quarterback Tommy Mellott. It was a high snap hauled in by Mellott who, instead of giving it to running back Adam Jones, had Jones block the edge rusher. Mellott then snuck down the sideline for the score.
Saturday’s game featured few opportunities for Mellott to use his speed, with only 30 yards on nine carries. With a 12-game season, MSU head coach Brent Vigen said the Bobcats are going to be “more selective” when running with Mellott in 2024. “Even his touchdown run, it really should have been Adam running it,” Vigen.