Montana State proved too much for North Dakota to handle in a Big Sky Conference matchup as the Bobcats beat up on the Fighting Hawks, 49-21.

The Bobcats (1-2, 1-0) rushed for 341 yards and racked up a total of 515 total yards of offense.

Montana St. running back Troy Andersen rushed for 131 yards on 22 carries and 2 touchdowns and quarterback Chris Murray had 132 yards on the ground with a touchdown score of his own, while also throwing for 3 touchdowns and 174 yards on 15 of 19 passing.

The Fighting Hawks offense struggled as they were held to 255 yards of total offense with their rushing attack only finishing with 102 yards on the ground.

Midway through the second quarter, UND (1-3, 0-1) found themselves down 21-0 after Murray found Wilson Brott on a 12-yard pass. The lone first half touchdown for the Fighting Hawks came from the defensive side when Jake Disterhaupt returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown. The Bobcats held a 28-10 lead at the half.

In the third quarter, a 44-yard field goal from Reid Taubenheim would make it 28-13 before Murray hit Kevin Kassis on a 44-yard touchdown to make it 35-13. The highlight of the second half for the Fighting Hawks came on a 34-yard touchdown run from Brady Oliveira to cut the lead to 35-21.

However, UND would get no closer. Montana St. added two fourth quarter touchdowns to finish of the scoring.

Keaton Studsrud had 147 yards passing on 15 of 27 passing with an interception for the Fighting Hawks.

The Bobcats were 12 of 16 on 3rd down as UND's defense couldn't come up with key stops throughout the game.

UND will travel to play the UC Davis Aggies next Saturday at 8 p.m.

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