BOZEMAN – Everett Gilbert did a little bit of everything on Saturday.
Returning kicks, running out of the wildcat formation and catching two touchdown passes, Gilbert helped Montana State defeat Sacramento State 27-17 on Saturday.
Gilbert finished with 205 all-purpose yards, running for 31 in three attempts, catching seven passes for 90 and adding 84 in kick returns for Montana State (7-3, 5-2 Big Sky), which won its third in a row ahead of its game next week against Big Sky champion Montana.
“We knew he was a great player coming in,” Montana State coach Rob Ash said. “He’s met all our expectations. Every Sunday we sit around and try to think of ways for Everett to touch the ball.”
Gilbert returned the second-half kickoff 39 yards, and two plays later took a short pass from Cody Kempt and went 46 yards to the end zone, giving Montana State a 21-14 lead. Neither team got to the end zone the rest of the way, with the Bobcats adding a pair of Jason Cunningham field goals.
Kempt was 20 of 29 for 222 yards and ran for 47 more.
For Sacramento State (4-6, 4-4), McLeod Bethel-Thompson threw for 269 yards and a touchdown but was intercepted three times. The Hornets tied the game 1 second before halftime on an option pass from Jake Croxdale to Brian Heath, but Gilbert took the momentum away right after the break.
After getting 204 total yards in the first half, Sacramento State gained only 108 in the second half. Meanwhile, Montana State had only 147 yards in the first half but finished with 349.
“The game got away from us, especially on offense, in the fourth quarter,” Sacramento State coach Marshall Sperbeck said. “You come in at the half feeling good, but you still have to play the second half.”