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Montana State Out-Duels Sacramento State

The lead changed hands four times in the fourth quarter

By Dillon Tabish

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Dakota Prukop piled up 488 total yards and accounted for eight touchdowns — including a 4-yard scoring pass to Mitchell Herbert with 4 seconds left — and Montana State beat Sacramento State 59-56 on Saturday night.

Prukop completed 23 of 34 passes to 10 different receivers for 348 yards and five scores and added 140 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 16 carries.

“Our offense was very, very good,” said MSU head coach Rob Ash. “Our special teams was also really good. And it was a tough matchup for our defense, but they made the plays we needed them to make.”

The lead changed hands four times in the fourth quarter alone and the teams combined to score 49 points in the final 15 minutes — including 28 by Sacramento State (3-3, 0-2), a school record.

Neither team scored in the second quarter.

“He showed the poise and maturity of an older quarterback,” Ash said of Prukop. “That was a spectacular performance.”

Montana State (4-2, 2-0 Big Sky) had at least 600 total yards (619) for the second time this season (Sept. 6 vs. Black Hills State).

Gunnar Brekke rushed for five yards, but caught two passes for 59 yards and returned six kickoffs for 244 yards. Two of those set up MSU touchdowns. Herbert caught five passes, as did Mitch Griebel. Cole Moore had an interception in the end zone to close the first half, costing Sac State a field goal try.

Sacramento State’s Garrett Safron finished with 609 total yards, breaking his own school record of 596.