BOZEMAN, Mont. (September 26, 2026) – No. 18/17 Northern Arizona battled the defending FCS National Champion to the end, but No. 1/1 Montana State came up with three key defensive stops to hold off the Lumberjacks, 28-14.
 
Montana State (5-0, 2-0 Big Sky) totaled 491 yards of offense with the bulk coming on the ground. Led by Colson Coon's 199 yards, the Bobcats ran for 287 yards as a team at an average of 8.7 per rush. As effective as the Bobcats were on offense, it was their defense that stood tall.
 
In particular, the south endzone in Bobcat Stadium was a tough one for the Lumberjacks to break through, as NAU (3-2, 1-1 Big Sky) came up empty on three drives inside the 5-yard line driving towards the Montana State student section.
 
Trailing 21-14 in the fourth quarter, NAU could not punch in the game-tying touchdown twice. After the Lumberjacks' final opportunity was halted, Patrick Duchien put the game out of reach with his second rushing touchdown of the night from 28 yards out.
 
With possession going into the final 15 minutes, NAU methodically moved the ball 59 yards on 16 plays, but the 'Jacks needed 63 yards to tie the game. Capping the drive, NAU turned the ball over on downs when Ty Pennington's attempt to Myseth Currie in the end zone fell incomplete.
 
NAU's defense returned the favor, though, and gave the Lumberjacks' offense another shot with the ball starting in Montana State territory. Facing a fourth-and-1, Ammon Allen, who recorded nine tackles in his season debut returning from injury, stuffed Coon turning possession over to the Lumberjacks at the Montana State 45-yard line.
 
The Lumberjacks received a pair of punishing Quran Gossett runs on the ensuing drive, and for the third time in the game, got inside the Bobcat 5-yard line. Yet, they suffered the same fate as twice before, with Pennington unable to connect with Currie in the end zone with 4:27 remaining. Duchien, making his first career start, followed with his 28-yard touchdown run after the two-minute warning.
 
Seeking its first win in Bozeman since 2016, NAU was shut out in the second half after going into the intermission tied at 14-14. 
 
The nation's leader in takeaways displayed its ability on Montana State's opening drive with Shoes Brinkley jarring the ball loose from Duchien and Nikhil Webb-Walker on the recovery. However, NAU could not capitalize on the turnover, and Carter Dahlke took a swing pass from Duchien 47 yards for the game's first touchdown following a Lumberjack three-and-out.
 
Buoyed by a 44-yard strike down the field to Deuce Zimmerman, NAU drove deep into Montana State territory to open the second quarter before the Lumberjacks stalled for the first time inside the Montana State 5-yard line. The Lumberjacks' defense forced a quick three-and-out though, and Pennington started the next drive with a 39-yard quarterback keeper. Two plays later, Pennington hit Currie for an 8-yard touchdown, tying the score at 7-7 with 12:59 to play in the first half.
 
After NAU was unable to convert a Brinkley interception, Montana State retook the lead with four minutes left in the second quarter on a 15-yard Duchien touchdown run.
 
The Bobcat lead did not last long as the Lumberjacks responded in a hurry with a pair of big plays to their tight ends. After Pennington hit Purdy for an 18-yard reception, with a personal foul penalty tacked on, the Lumberjack signal caller found a wide open Nassim Isaac up the seam for a 32-yard touchdown sending the teams into the locker room knotted up at 14-14.
 
After forcing a three-and-out to start the second half, NAU appeared poised to take its first lead of the game, moving into the red zone before putting the ball on the ground. An NAU fumble at the Montana State 14-yard line gave the Bobcats life, and the top team in the country took advantage of it. Jared White capped an eight-play, 86-yard drive, with a 1-yard plunge, that proved to be the game-winner with 6:36 left in the third quarter.
 
In all, NAU had four second half drives, three of which ended on downs in addition to a turnover.
 
NAU finished the night with 375 yards of offense, the most allowed by Montana State through the first month of the season, with Pennington leading the way. Pennington threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns, while running for a season-best 72 yards. Completing a season-high 26 passes, Pennington spread the ball amongst his pass catches with four receivers totaling at least four receptions.
 
Currie (six receptions for 41 yards) and Joey Stout (six receptions for 37 yards) paced the team in receptions, while Zimmerman had a team-high 61 yards.
 
Brinkley had his hand in both of NAU's two takeaways and led the Lumberjacks with 10 tackles. Webb-Walker, also making his season debut following an injury, notched a sack and a forced fumble in addition to his fumble recovery.
 
The Lumberjacks conclude their stretch of three consecutive road games next Saturday in Pocatello, Idaho, against Idaho State. Kickoff is 5 p.m. MST.
 
Stay up to date with Northern Arizona football by following the Lumberjacks on X and Instagram.