College Sports

Montana State defeats UC Davis 27-13

Posted November 12, 2016 6:00 am

By TOM STUBER

In this photo provided by Montana State University, Montana State running back Chad Newell runs the ball in for a touchdown against UC Davis during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, in Bozeman, Mont. (Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez/Montana State University via AP) The Associated Press

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - Chad Newell ran for 132 yards and a touchdown to lead Montana State to a 27-13 win Saturday over UC Davis to get the Bobcats their first Big Sky Conference win of the season.

Newell darted in from 10 yards out to tie the game with four minutes to go in the half. Moments later, the Bobcats (3-7, 1-6) scored again after Kevin Kassis took the ball on a reverse and threw to Cam Sutton for a 23-yard score to put MSU up 17-10.

Freshman quarterback Chris Murray scampered 22 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown to put MSU up by the final margin. The score was set up by a Mac Bignell forced fumble and recovery. It was MSU's first takeaway since it played Sacramento State on Oct. 1.

UC Davis (2-8, 1-6) drove inside the MSU 10 on the Aggies' final drive, but turned the ball over on downs.

The Bobcats held the Mustangs to 19 yards in the third quarter.

Both kickers connected on a pair of field goals with Matt Blair hitting from 32 and 48 yards for UC Davis and Gabe Peppenger converting from 39 and 27 yards for MSU.

TAKEAWAYS

Montana State: Quarterback Chris Murray ran for 98 yards, breaking the school record for rushing yardage by a freshman. Newell cracked the 2,000-yard rushing plateau for his career.

UC Davis: Joshua Kelley ran for a career-high 91 yards with 90 of those coming in the first half. The Mustangs are 0-6 on the road this season.

NEXT UP

Montana State: The Bobcats travel to Missoula to take on Montana next week. The Grizzlies suffered a 28-25 setback Saturday at Northern Colorado and have lost three of their last four games.

UC Davis: The Mustangs take on rival Sacramento State in their season finale.

In this photo provided by Montana State University, Montana State quarterback Chris Murray runs the ball against UC Davis defensive lineman Mitch Casas during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, in Bozeman, Mont. (Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez/Montana State University via AP) The Associated Press

In this photo provided by Montana State University, UC Davis tight end Chris Martin catches a pass against Montana State during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, in Bozeman, Mont. (Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez/Montana State University via AP) The Associated Press

In this photo provided by Montana State University, UC Davis quarterback Derek Baljeu hands off the ball to running back Brandon Jamison against Montana State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, in Bozeman, Mont. (Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez/Montana State University via AP) The Associated Press

In this photo provided by Montana State University, Montana State linebacker Mac Bignell attempts to make the tackle on UC Davis wide receiver Matt Blair during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, in Bozeman, Mont. (Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez/Montana State University via AP) The Associated Press

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