BOZEMAN – Tyler Bruggman threw three touchdown passes, backup quarterback Chris Murray rushed for three more scores and Montana State shut out Division II member Western Oregon 55-0 on Saturday.
Murray opened the second quarter with a pair of touchdowns, then Bruggman threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to John D’Agostino and a 30-yarder to Justin Paige. MSU scored 31 points in the second quarter and led 34-0 at halftime.
Bruggman finished with 211 yards. Murray ran for touchdowns from 3, 6, and 18 yards and Logan Jones scored on a 9-yard run.
MSU (2-1) collected five turnovers and is now plus-11 in turnover margin. John Walker had his third interception of the year for the Bobcats. Josh Hill grabbed an interception and Jessie Clark forced a fumble that was recovered by Marcus Ferriter.
Steven Long rushed for 49 yards for the Wolves (1-2), who gained 190 yards.
THE TAKEAWAY
MONTANA STATE: The Bobcats had their best offensive performance of the young season. The Bobcats scored just 44 points in their first two games combined after averaging more than 40 points per game last season. It was the first shutout for MSU since it beat Colorado-Mesa 26-0 on Sept. 14, 2013.
WESTERN OREGON: The Wolves were shut out for the first time since losing to Big Sky member Portland State 31-0 last season. The Wolves beat the Big Sky’s Sacramento State 38-30 in week one.
UP NEXT
MONTANA STATE: Hosts North Dakota in the first conference game for both schools. North Dakota won a 40-34 thriller from Montana State last season in Grand Forks for its first win over the Bobcats since joining the Big Sky Conference in 2012.
WESTERN OREGON: Travels next week to face Humboldt State. It’s the Wolves third road game of the year.