Bulldogs Dominate MSU-Northern in 52-0 Blowout (Photo Gallery)

DILLON, Mont. — The Montana Western football team returned to victory Saturday afternoon with a commanding 52-0 win over MSU-Northern at Bulldog Stadium. The Bulldogs showcased a potent offense and stifling defense, racking up 521 yards of total offense while holding the Lights to just 112 yards.

Head Coach Ryan Nourse expressed pride in his team's performance, especially following a tough loss in their previous game. "It was important for us to play well today after a sub-par performance up in Butte against a really good football team," Nourse said. "We were highly motivated to make the necessary improvements, and I was really pleased with the jump that we made this week. Coming out and playing our style of football—aggressive and confident—made all the difference."

Montana Western's passing attack was particularly impressive, amassing 425 yards with an average of 9.7 yards per attempt. They converted on four passing touchdowns, earning four first downs via the air. The Bulldogs also improved their ground game, rushing for 96 yards and three touchdowns.

Senior quarterback Michael Palandri was a standout, accounting for six of Western’s seven touchdowns—throwing for four and rushing for two. He completed 28 of 34 pass attempts for 386 yards, showcasing his efficiency and leadership on the field. Backup quarterback Kaden LaPlaunt also made an impact, going 6-10 passing for 46 yards and rushing for the Bulldogs' final touchdown on a four-yard keeper.

Receivers Jonathan Kirkley and Eli Nourse led the aerial attack, catching 111 and 103 yards respectively, with each hauling in a touchdown. Seth Shook and Landon Charlton also made significant contributions, with Charlton adding a rushing touchdown.

On the ground, Charlton led the rushing effort with 52 yards, while Gavin Vetter contributed 20 yards for Michigan Western. The Bulldogs also excelled with their special teams, as Maclain Burckley went 7-7 on PATs and added a 37-yard field goal.

Defensively, Montana Western was relentless from the start. They held MSU-Northern to only 85 rushing yards and 27 passing yards, allowing a total of just eight first downs. The Bulldogs forced three fumbles, pinned the Lights with eight punts, and recorded an astonishing eight sacks, resulting in 60 yards lost for the visitors.

Tyler Walker spearheaded the defensive effort, totaling 10 tackles—including five solo stops—and recording 5.0 tackles-for-loss for 32 yards, including 3.5 sacks. Reece Stanish and Connor Dunlea contributed six and four tackles respectively, with numerous other Bulldogs also making key plays.

Looking Ahead

The Bulldogs will hit the road in two weeks to face Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mont., on Saturday, September 20, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. MT. Montana Western aims to continue its winning streak and build on this dominant performance.