Cats pluck Cardinals in return to playoffs

Only a week after the Cats pulled off one of the most exciting comebacks in Cat-Griz history, the MSU football team was back home for their first playoff game since 2014. Their opponent, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Cardinals, traveled from San Antonio, Texas for their program’s first playoff appearance. In the end, MSU delivered with an impressive 35-14 victory.

The game started with a tough three-and-out for the Cats’ offense, but the special teams quickly set the tone just three plays later. Freshman linebacker Nolan Askelson powered through the line on a UIW punt attempt to get his hand on the ball. With the ball floating in the air, sophomore receiver Lance McCutcheon snagged it and ran it in for a touchdown to grab an early 7-0 lead. The Cardinals responded quickly on their ensuing drive with a five-yard touchdown to tie the score at seven.

After an intentional grounding call in the end zone against UIW gave the Cats a 9-7 advantage, MSU never relinquished their lead. The Cats added a field goal before sophomore quarterback Troy Andersen found his way in the end zone to take an 18-7 lead into the half. Andersen’s touchdown run tied the record for most rushing touchdowns in a single season in program history. With only one half standing in the way of their first playoff win since 2012, the Cats were chomping at the bit to earn the victory.

A first-drive touchdown by the Cardinals is not what Cats’ fans wanted to see as the second half started. Fortunately for the Cats, these were the last points the Cardinals scored as MSU put up 17-points in the second half to grab the victory, 35-14. Andersen completed an incredible touchdown pass to junior receiver Travis Jonsen to cap the scoring for the Cats. A stout defensive outing by the Bobcats was on display as they forced four turnovers in the game — three fumbles and one interception.

Freshman running back Isaiah Ifanse joined his backfield counterpart, Andersen, in the record books as he broke the single -season freshman rushing record with a dominant 141 total rushing yards in the contest. In addition, Andersen’s 84 yards on the ground also pushed him into the top spot for rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season.

After their first playoff win in six years, the Bobcats will travel to Fargo, North Dakota Saturday, Dec. 1 to face the top-ranked North Dakota State University Bison. Kickoff is set for 1p.m. Mountain time.