Western Illinois Leathernecks @ Montana State Bobcats
Bailey boots Montana State past Western Illinois 26-23
BOZEMAN, Mont. -- Tristan Bailey hit all four of his field goals, including a 35-yarder with 4:02 left in the game, to lift Montana State to a 26-23 victory over Western Illinois on Thursday night.
After Sam Crosa nailed a 38-yard field goal to give Western Illinois a 23-20 lead, Bailey answered with a game-tying 50-yarder with 8:26 to go and followed with his game-winner.
Bailey connected from the 47 yards as time expired in the first half to pull the Bobcats within 13-6. Troy Andersen's 14-yard scoring run capped an eight-play, 81-yard drive that saw Montana State pull even at 13 on the opening possession of the third quarter.
The Leathernecks regained the lead at 20-13 when Sean McGuire led a 10-play, 48-yard drive culminating in McGuire's 2-yard scoring strike to Steve McShane with 4:01 left in the third.
It took three plays for the Bobcats to pull even again -- on Andersen's 24-yard TD run that was set up by Kevin Kassis' 69-yard kick return.
Andersen finished with 24 carries for 145 yards. He also connected on 12 of 21 passes for 81 yards and a pick.
Game Information
Bozeman, MT
2025 Standings
| OVC-Big South AssociationOVC-Big South Association | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Tech | 8-0 | 11-2 |
| UT Martin | 6-2 | 6-6 |
| Gardner-Webb | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| Lindenwood | 5-3 | 6-6 |
| Charleston Southern | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| Southeast Missouri State | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Western Illinois | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Eastern Illinois | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Tennessee State | 0-8 | 2-10 |
| Big Sky ConferenceBig Sky Conference | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Montana State | 8-0 | 14-2 |
| Montana | 7-1 | 13-2 |
| UC Davis | 6-2 | 9-4 |
| Sacramento State | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| Idaho State | 5-3 | 6-6 |
| Northern Arizona | 4-4 | 7-5 |
| Eastern Washington | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| Northern Colorado | 2-6 | 4-8 |
| Cal Poly | 2-6 | 4-8 |
| Idaho | 2-6 | 4-8 |
| Weber State | 2-6 | 4-8 |
| Portland State | 1-7 | 1-11 |
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