UMW Sports Press Release
DILLON, Mont. — The Montana Western football team (8-1, 6-1) took it to the No. 12 Carroll College Saints (7-2, 5-2) in a 38-17 victory that saw three Bulldog record over 100 receiving yards and rake in four interceptions for the UMW defense.
How It Happened
The Saints started the game with a seven-minute drive, but came away pointless as Aiden Prado blocked a field goal attempt from Spencer Berger.
With the Bulldogs going three and out on their only possession of the quarter, the Saints would chew up the remaining time of the first quarter.
Carroll's Jake Prka hit a receiver for a touchdown just one minute into the second quarter, taking a 7-0 lead.
The two teams traded possessions before Michael Palandri would hit Dylan Shipley in stride for a 46-yard touchdown pass with 8:29 left in the first half.
Knotted at seven, Carroll hit once again after an eight play, 46-yard drive resulting in a touchdown pass to Carroll's Carson Ochoa.
In just one-minute, Bulldog quarterback Palandri led the Bulldogs with six pass completions for a total of 77 yards to tie the game at 14 with the first of three touchdowns to Jon Kirkley.
The final score for Carroll came on a 32-yard field goal that was set up by a 57-yard return from Ryan Rickman. Carroll would take a 17-14 lead into the half.
The Bulldogs started the second half with a bang, driving down to score on a 12-play and 74-yard drive. The drive was capped with a touchdown rush from Palandri. The UMW defense followed the touchdown an impressive three and out.
On Carroll's next drive, the defense continued to show their strength as Kohl Hogan and Kameron Rauser snagged a tackle for loss that set up a pass play on third down. AJ Ulrichs recorded his first career interception that gave the Bulldog offense the ball back.
Palandri hit Kirkley again, this time for a 38-yard touchdown pass to go up 28-17 with 2:26 left in the third.
Reese Artz and Kenai Liua each recorded sacks for a combined loss of 10 yards to end the quarter. On fourth down, special teams came up big again when Jaden Amasiu blocked a punt from Berger.
Palandri and Humphrey combined to put the Bulldogs on the Carroll nine-yard line, setting up a John Mears field goal to put the Bulldogs up 31-17.
The Bulldog defense continued to smother the Carroll offense as Artz picked up his second sack of the game and Keegan Muffich recorded his first interception of the game.
Following an unsuccessful drive for the Bulldog offense, the Bulldog defense made yet another big play as Rauser picked off Prka and ran it back for 53 yards.
The Bulldog offense capitalized on the short field as Palandri found Kirkley for the final touchdown.
With 1:39 on the clock, Carroll's last-ditch effort was spoiled by Muffich's second interception of the game.
Notables
UMW's offense totaled 471 yards of offense with three receivers surpassing 100 receiving yards in the game.
Michael Palandri threw for a career 388 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown.
The Bulldog defense held strong in the second half and held the Saints scoreless as they raked in four interceptions for a total of 53 return yards.
Muffich had a career high of two interceptions in the game with a team high eight tackles.
Artz had 2.5 tackles for loss, including two sacks, in the Bulldog defense's total of seven TFLs.
Shipley led the way with 138 receiving yards. Eli Nourse followed with 123 yards. Kirkley had 122 yards with three touchdowns.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will close the regular season with a home contest against the Eastern Oregon Mounties (2-7, 2-5) next Saturday Nov. 11 at 1pm.