BOZEMAN – Dakota Prukop ran for two scores and threw for another and Anthony Knight ran for three touchdowns leading Montana State past Central Arkansas 43-33.
The Bobcats (2-1) built a 37-13 lead on Knight’s nine-yard run late in the third quarter, but the Bears (1-2) didn’t go away easily. After a Central Arkansas touchdown, MSU kick returner Shaun Johnson retreated into the end zone after fielding the kickoff on the 4-yard line and downed it for a safety cutting the deficit to 37-27.
MSU forced a four-and-out on UCA’s ensuing possession, then got a 34-yard run by Gunnar Brekke to set up another Knight touchdown with 4:04 to play.
The Bears would score again with :35 to play to make it 43-33, but failed to convert the two-point conversion and couldn’t recover their onside kick.
“MSU was very good in the trenches,” UCA head coach Steve Campbell said. “We couldn’t get them stopped very often, but our guys battled hard to get back in it.”
Ash lauded the poise of his sophomore quarterback, who finished with 379 total yards.
“Dakota has grown up right before our eyes,” Ash said. “(UCA) threw a different look at us defensively than we expected and we had to adjust our game plan and he was able to execute it.”
Prukop finished 19 of 27 with nine completions going to Brian Flotkoetter for 132 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown in the second quarter that made it 16-0. The receptions and yards were career highs for the senior.