Montana State routs Utah Tech 54-0

ST. GEORGE, Utah -- — Justin Lamson threw for 260 yards and accounted for three touchdowns to lead Montana State's 54-0 rout over Utah Tech on Saturday night in the season and Big Sky Conference openers for both teams. Dane Steel caught eight passes for 174 yards for the Bobcats, including a 55-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Colter Petre blocked a punt, and Xavier Ahrens returned the ball 16 yards for a touchdown to stretch the Bobcats' lead to 17-0 early in the second quarter. Adam Jones added a 2-yard touchdown run, and Myles Sansted kicked a 33-yard field goal for a 26-0 halftime lead. In the third quarter, Lamson threw a 3-yard TD pass to Rylan Schlepp and ran for a 6-yard touchdown to make it 40-0. Brendon Ross' 28-yard pick-6 capped the scoring early in the fourth. Montana State ended last season on a 14-game win streak that included a 35-34 overtime win against Illinois State in the Football Championship Subdivision title game. The Bobcats, ranked first in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 poll, have also won 17 consecutive conference games. Utah Tech made its Big Sky Conference debut after playing three seasons in the United Athletic Conference. CJ Tiller and Bronson Barben combined for 19-of-33 passing for 169 yards for the Trailblazers. Barben threw two interceptions. Up next Montana State: hosts Butler on Saturday. Utah Tech: at No. 14 BYU on Saturday. —- Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP’s full college football coverage here