In the first-ever meeting between the Butler Bulldogs and Montana State Bobcats, the defending FCS national champion used size and speed to its advantage, as the ‘Cats shook off a shaky start to race past the Bulldogs 51-24.
The Bobcats struck first on a 45-yard field goal from fifth-year senior kicker Myles Sansted before the Dawgs evened the score on their next drive with a 34-yard field goal from junior kicker Beck Janki — a score that was set up by a 27-yard completion from junior quarterback Gabe Passini to junior wide receiver Chet Yardley and a 26-yard reception by senior wide receiver Nick Munson.
However, the strong start from the Dawgs was undone on the ensuing kickoff, as junior wide receiver Jabez Woods found a hole in the kickoff coverage and returned it 100 yards for the touchdown to put the Bobcats in front 10-3, a lead they would continue to increase throughout the remainder of the first half.
First, Bobcat senior running back Adam Jones would score a touchdown from one yard out to put Montana State up 16-3. Then, fifth-year senior quarterback Justin Lamson would call his own number and run into the endzone from one yard out to give the Bobcats a 20-point lead. In the final minute of the first half, the Bobcats advantage grew to 27 following a 29-yard touchdown reception by junior wide receiver Dane Steel.
The second half started with the Bobcats leaning on their superstar wide receiver: fifth-year senior Taco Dowler. He had three receptions for 74 yards on the first drive of the second half for Montana State — including a 20-yard touchdown to give the ‘Cats a 34-point lead.
However, the Bulldogs responded with two touchdowns of their own in the third quarter. The first touchdown came on a three-yard touchdown pass from Passini to Munson. The second touchdown drive for the Dawgs in the second half was set up from an interception by sophomore cornerback Tristan Johnson. Butler paid off the takeaway, as graduate running back Desmin Jackson ran up the middle from one yard out to cut the Bulldog deficit to 20 going into the final quarter of play.
In the fourth quarter, the Bobcats would extend their lead to 27 again when fifth-year senior running back Jared White scampered into the end zone on a two-yard carry. Following a turnover on downs for the Bulldogs, Woods would score for the second time — this time on a 35-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Patrick Duchien.
On the Dawgs’ final drive of the game, junior quarterback Jarrin Alley engineered a 75-yard drive — capped off with a one-yard touchdown run of his own to make the score 51-24 in favor of the Bobcats.
With the victory, the Bobcats improve to 2-0 in their 2026 campaign. After dropping to 1-1 on the season, the Dawgs will return home and gear up to take on Franklin College at 6 p.m. on Sept. 12.