BOZEMAN, Mont. – Western Oregon stood toe-to-toe in the first quarter with host Montana State, but offensive struggles and five turnovers ultimately hurt the Wolves in a 55-0 loss in front of 17,577 at Bobcat Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
 
Western Oregon (1-2) forced Montana State into a three-and-out on the opening drive, but could not sustain their opening nine-play drive that pushed the Wolves into MSU territory. The teams traded punts over the next four series before Keon Stephens blocked a late first quarter punt from Nathan Osborn. The Bobcats (2-1) recovered on the WOU 3. Credit goes to the Wolves defense after holding MSU to a 32-yard field goal at the end of the quarter.
 
Montana State seized the game's momentum scoring 31 points in the second quarter sparked by successive touchdown runs from freshman quarterback Chris Murray (3, 6). Two drives later, a three-play drive beginning at midfield ended on a 13-yard TD pass from Tyler Bruggman. Bruggman would throw from another score on the next possession while Devon Tandberg booted a 37-yard field goal with the wind to make the halftime score 34-0.
 
The Wolves had the ball for over 28 minutes in the game but had plights converting on third down against the Bobcat defense. WOU was 4-of-17 for the game on third down. Western Oregon had 190 yards of total offense in the game. Running back Steven Long had 49 yards on nine carries to lead the running attack. Wesley Gray was the featured receiver, making seven catches for 36 yards. Keoni Piceno had 25 yards on five catches while Paul Revis and Long each made two catches. Phillip Fenumiai started at quarterback and went 9-for-16 passing for 46 yards. Fenumiai split time with Nick Duckworth, who finished 10-for-17 passing for 46 yards. Redshirt freshman Ty Currie played in the fourth quarter and completed his first collegiate pass to Gary for eight yards.
 
Tyler Johnson and Tafatolu Tafai paced the Wolves with six tackles each. Bo Highburger finished the game with five stops while Malik Abdul-Haqq, Nathan Jones and Jacob Kantola each had four tackles.
 
The Wolves remain on the road next week, in returning to Great Northwest Athletic Conference play at Humboldt State on Sept. 17 at 6 p.m.