Nourse Sets Touchdown Record as Montana Western Wins Season Opener

HAVRE, Mont. — Senior wide receiver Eli Nourse caught a program-record five touchdown passes as Montana Western opened its 2026 football season with a 49-35 road victory over MSU-Northern on Saturday.

Nourse broke his own school record for touchdown receptions in a single game. He finished with nine catches for 170 yards, including a 63-yard reception.

“We played a great first half,” head coach Ryan Nourse said. “We hit on all cylinders and executed really well in all facets and put up 44 points.”

The Bulldogs built a commanding 44-7 halftime advantage before the Lights rallied in the second half.

Kaden LaPlaunt completed 15 of 21 passes for 272 yards and five touchdowns. Sam Wulff added 72 yards and one touchdown on 5-of-10 passing, while Michael Martin completed three of four attempts for 45 yards.

Seth Shook caught five passes for 100 yards and a touchdown. Jakob Humphrey led the rushing attack with 108 yards on 19 carries, while Aidan Lammers gained 91 yards on six attempts.

Montana Western finished with 618 yards of offense, including 389 through the air and 229 on the ground. The Bulldogs recorded 27 first downs and scored on all four trips inside the red zone.

Bulldogs dominate first half

LaPlaunt connected with Nourse for a 21-yard touchdown with just under 10 minutes remaining in the opening quarter. The defense then recorded a safety to give Western a 9-0 lead.

Shook caught a 44-yard touchdown pass from LaPlaunt with seven minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Nourse took over in the second period, catching four more touchdown passes — three from LaPlaunt and one from Wulff. His fifth touchdown reception came just before halftime and sent the Bulldogs into the locker room with a 44-7 advantage.

MSU-Northern began its comeback with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Malakhi Statler to Isaiah Woodley in the third quarter. Trevin Thorpe answered with a 40-yard field goal for Western.

The Bulldogs scored their final points on their second safety of the game early in the fourth quarter. MSU-Northern added three late touchdowns, but Western held on for the 49-35 victory.

Defensive and special-teams leaders

Connor Dunlea, Romeo Simpson and Bryson LeCoure led Montana Western with four tackles each. Tyler Schoen recorded two tackles for loss, both sacks, for a combined loss of 10 yards.

Bodie Smith and Tyson Hirrlinger combined for three pass breakups. Andrew Wagner added a quarterback hurry.

Maclain Burckley converted all six of his extra-point attempts and averaged 40.3 yards per punt, including a 60-yard kick.

For MSU-Northern, Statler passed for 362 yards and three touchdowns. Woodley caught eight passes for 232 yards and three scores.

Montana Western returns to Dillon for its home opener against rival Montana Tech on Saturday, Sept. 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.