Box Score DILLON, Mont. – The Eastern Oregon University football team suffered their second straight defeat as the Mountaineers fell to the Montana Western Bulldogs, 34-28, on Saturday afternoon. The Mountaineers gave up 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to fall by six.
Zach Bartlow led the Mountaineers as he went 22-for-30 for 251 yards and one touchdown.
Jace Billingsley led the Mountaineers on the ground with 81 yards on seven carries.
Justin Hernandez led the receiving core with 111 yards on seven receptions.
The Mountaineers jumped out to a 7-0 lead after Bartlow led the Mountaineers on an 11 play, 60 yard drive. AJ Prom capped off the drive with a three yard touchdown run.
The Bulldogs responded later in the first quarter as Connor Greth made a 38 yard field goal. Montana Western took the lead in the second quarter. Tyler Hulse found Beau Brekke for a 40 yard touchdown putting the Bulldogs ahead, 10-7.
The Mountaineers responded and regained the lead midway through the second quarter. Bartlow guided the Mountaineers down the field on a 13 play, 84 yard drive. Bartlow gave EOU the lead as he recorded his second rushing touchdown of the game, this time from one yard out, to put the Mountaineers on top, 14-10.
The lead did not last long for EOU as the Bulldogs responded quickly. Sam Rutherford scored from two yards out putting Montana Western back on top, 17-14.
Right before halftime, the Mountaineers went 75 yards to regain the lead. Bartlow found Hernandez for a 46 yard touchdown reception, giving EOU a 21-17 lead at halftime.
Eastern Oregon extended their lead early in the third quarter. Billingsley took a hand-off from Bartlow and went 72 yards to score, extending the Mountaineers lead to 28-17. However, this would be the last points the Mountaineers would score on the afternoon.
After the touchdown by Billingsley, the Bulldogs scored 17 unanswered points. Montana Western started their rally off with a 32 yard field goal from Greth, putting the score to 28-20. Hulse followed with his second touchdown pass of the game. Hulse found George Sherwood for a 32 yard touchdown. Montana Western would go for a two point conversion but it was unsuccessful and EOU held a two point lead, 28-26.
The Bulldogs bounced back late in the fourth quarter to regain the lead. Rutherford scored his second touchdown of the game from two yards out, putting the Bulldogs on top. Montana Western went for the two point conversion and was successful, giving the Bulldogs a 34-28 lead.
The Mountaineers had no response and fell to the Bulldogs, 34-28.
Eastern Oregon returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 25 when they host Montana State- Northern. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
