BOZEMAN, MONT.  - No. 22 ranked Montana State scored 30 straight points to break away from a 9-7 second-quarter lead en route to a 48-21 victory past Drake Saturday.

The Bulldogs, who fell to 1-2, gave Montana State all it could handle  coming out of the starting gate.

Drake forced Montana State into three turnovers but had to play the second half without the services of junior starting quarterback Michael Piatkowski who suffered a concussion.

Drake's defense limited Montana State to two field goals after the Bobcats had penetrated inside the red zone twice in the first half.
   
Meanwhile, Drake marched inside the Montana State 20 yardline three times in the first half, but only came away with one touchdown.

“I'm deeply disappointed,” said Drake head football coach Chris Creighton. “This was a winnable game for us.

“I'm proud of how our guys fought and played. We wanted to win the game. We didn't, but at the same time we started to play more like our potential and what we are capable of.”

Drake, which had 10 more offensive plays than Montana State (82-72) collected 286 yards total offense.

After a 32-yard field goal by Jason Cunningham gave Montana State a 6-0 lead with 8:23 left in the first quarter, Drake had a time-consuming 15-play drive marching from its own 20 yardline down to the Bobcats' three-yardline.

But the Bulldogs couldn't convert on a first and goal situation at the three-yardline when Piatkowski had a pass intercepted on second down by cornerback Arnold Briggs in the Montana State endzone.

Drake relied on a special team play to score their first touchdown.  Long snapper Stoy Hall recovered a fumble on the ensuing punt at the Montana State 41 yardline with 9:17 left in the second quarter.

The Bulldogs needed just four plays to score. Slotback Pat Cashmore got the drive started by catching a 17-yard pass from Piatkowski on first down and then rambled 12 yards for another first down.

Despite double-team coverage, freshman tight end Dan Hohenstein caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Piatkowski with 7:56 left in the second quarter, pulling Drake within 9-7.

Piatkowski substained his injury on Drake's next series after completing a 15-yard pass to Nick Rosa.

Montana State nose tackle Jason D'Alba was guilty of a roughing the passer penalty that sent Piatkowski to the sidelines.

Sophomore reserve quarterback Cody Seeger, playing his first college game, was able to march Drake to the Montana State seven yardline. But, Billy Janssen then had a 24-yard field goal sail wide left.

“We were doing just fine before Piatkowski's injury,” said Creighton. “We put Cody (Seeger) in a difficult situation, but once he settled down he played well.”

Seeger did engineer Drake to consecutive touchdowns in the third quarter.

Cashmore had a six-yard scoring burst to cap a 14-play, 76-yard scoring drive with 4:44 left.

Montana State then fumbled on its next possession with Drake recovering. Seeger then had an eight-yard touchdown run to with 3:14 remaining in the third quarter.

Piatkowski completed 11 of 19 passes for 131 yards, while Seeger passed for 94 yards.

Fifth-year Drake senior Steve Platek caught a game-high six passes for 46 yards. Hohenstein finished with five receptions for 62 yards.

Cashmore led the Bulldogs with 50 yards rushing in eight carries. Sophomore Trey Morse had 24 yards on the ground in five attempts.

Drake junior nose guard David Witkiewicz blocked two point after conversion kicks.

Junior free safety Akeem Campbell led Drake with a career-high 11 tackles, including nine solo hits. Junior cornerback Mike Lahart added nine tackles.

Janssen did average a season best 42.3 yards in six punts/

Drake will close out a three-game road swing by opening the Pioneer Football League season at Valparaiso.