Montana State edges New Hampshire

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BOZEMAN, Mont. — DeNarius McGhee ran for two touchdowns and threw for a third Saturday as Montana State overcame four turnovers and rode a missed extra point with 6 seconds remaining to a 26-25 victory over New Hampshire in the second round of the FCS playoffs.

Montana State (10-2) seemed to have the game put away when Darius Jones intercepted a Mark Becker pass at the Bobcat 3-yard line with 1:16 to play and the Bobcats leading 26-19. But a shanked punt gave the Wildcats (8-4) the ball back with 17 seconds remaining, and Becker hit Justin Mello on a 29-yard scoring pass with 6 seconds to play. Mike MacArthur hit the right upright with his extra-point attempt, sending Montana State into the quarterfinals against Sam Houston State.

McGhee’s 2-yard scoring run 25 seconds before halftime brought the Bobcats within 19-16 and his 37-yard dash in the third quarter gave Montana State the lead for good at 23-19. Jason Cunningham added a 27-yard field goal with 9:38 remaining in the game to make it 26-19.

McGhee also threw an 11-yard TD pass to Tray Robinson to bring the Bobcats within 10-9 with 5:44 to play in the second quarter. Cunningham’s extra point was blocked by Steven Thames and returned for two points by Anthony Gorrell to give New Hampshire a 12-9 lead.

McGhee threw three interceptions, including one returned 58 yards for a score by Matt Evans that put New Hampshire ahead 10-0 with 32 seconds left in the first quarter. The Wildcats’ other touchdown, an 18-yard pass from Decker to Mello with 3:04 remaining in the first half to make it 19-9, came on the first play after they recovered a fumble by Montana State punt returner Shawn Johnson.

McGhee ran for 96 yards on 12 carries and was 14 for 21 passing for 167 yards. Becker was 18 for 30 for 200 yards for New Hampshire, which was outgained 399 to 248 yards.

New Hampshire 10 9 0 6 — 25

Montana St. 0 16 7 3 — 26

First quarter

UNH—MacArthur 36 FG, 10:10.

UNH—Evans 58 interception return (MacArthur kick), :32.

Second quarter

MtSt—Cunningham 41 FG, 12:43.

MtSt—Robinson 11 pass from McGhee (kick blocked), 5:44.

UNH—Safety Gorrell, 5:44.

UNH—Mello 18 pass from Decker (MacArthur kick), 3:04.

MtSt—McGhee 2 run (Cunningham kick), :25.

Third quarter

MtSt—McGhee 37 run (Cunningham kick), 10:52.

Fourth quarter

MtSt—FG Cunningham 26, 9:38.

UNH—Mello 29 pass from Decker (kick failed), :06.

A—11,367.

TEAM STATISTICS UNH MtSt

First downs 17 21

Rushes-yards 32-48 45-232

Passing 200 167

Comp-Att-Int 18-30-1 14-21-3

Return Yards 88 (-8)

Punts-Avg. 6-29.0 2-55.0

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 2-1

Penalties-Yards 5-45 3-15

Time of Possession 27:15 32:45

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: New Hampshire, Peters 5-27, Mangieri 1-17, Decker 14-12, Setian 5-0, Steriti 7-(minus 8). Montana St., McGhee 12-96, Kirk 18-96, Robinson 11-27, Gilbert 3-10, Akpla 1-3.

PASSING: New Hampshire, Decker 18-30-1-200. Montana St., McGhee 14-21-3-167.

RECEIVING: New Hampshire, Orlando 5-62, Harris 4-56, Peters 3-13, Mello 2-47, Giansante 1-12, Chandler 1-6, Steriti 1-3, Mangieri 1-1. Montana St., Akpla 8-105, T.Bleskin 2-38, Robinson 2-15, Ellis 2-9.

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