BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — Chris Murray ran for two touchdowns and Montana State defeated Portland State 30-22 on Saturday.
The Bobcats (2-3, 2-1 Big Sky Conference) scored on their first possession of the second half and the Vikings' following possession to break the game open.
Murray's second touchdown, a 5-yard run, capped a 12-play, 75-yard drive on the ground. Then PSU punter Hayden Cowden dropped the snap in the MSU end zone and Chad Kanow recovered for another MSU touchdown and a 23-7 lead.
Murray, who was only 2 of 9 passing in the windy conditions, ran for 126 yards on 18 carries and threw a key block to spring Justin Paige on a 23-yard TD run on a reverse midway through the fourth quarter to seal the win.
Josh Kraght hit Charlie Taumoepeau for a 26-yard touchdown late in the third quarter and a 24-yarder with 1:21 to play for the Vikings (0-5, 0-3). Kraght was 28 of 52 for 317 yards despite the cross wind.
Cowden was averaging just 29.0 yards per punt before his miscue in the end zone. He also had a punt blocked in the fourth quarter. MSU's Jared Padmos went with a roll punt and averaged 43.8.
