Montana Western Bulldogs Rain on Dickinson State‘s Homecoming Parade, Advance in NAIA Playoffs
The Montana Western Bulldogs put on a dominant second-half performance, splashing their way through a chilly November afternoon in Dillon to defeat the Dickinson State Blue Hawks 41-14 in the second round of the NAIA Football Championship Series. The victory marks the Bulldogs’ first playoff win since 1994 and sets up a quarterfinal matchup against No. 6 Morningside, the defending national champions.
Carrying the Flame of Momentum
Following their crushing loss to the College of Idaho last year, Bulldog head coach Ryan Nourse preached the mantra of “not letting history repeat itself.” The Bulldogs, fueled by a resounding desire to vanquish their playoff demons, answered the call with an intense commitment to the game plan.
“We were disappointed last year; we felt that we blew a wonderful opportunity,” Nourse said. “This group did a great job of not letting it happen again. They respected the opponent and came out with a victory and an incredible second-half performance.”
The Bulldogs’ relentless defense held the Blue Hawks relatively in check during the first half, stifling their running game. With the run game neutralized, Dickinson State struggled to gain consistent momentum. Though the Bulldogs’ own offense sputtered against a stout Blue Hawk defense, they managed to secure a 10-0 lead entering halftime thanks to a 34-yard field goal from John Mears and a 2-yard touchdown pass from redshirt junior quarterback Michael Palandri to Eli Nourse.
## Second-Half Explosion
After the break, Palandri and the Bulldogs’ passing game found its rhythm. Midway through the third quarter, Palandri connected with Coby Tanioka on a 34-yard touchdown strike, extending the lead to 17-0.
Dickinson State answered with a 5-yard scoring pass from Will Madler to CJ Stinson, but Montana Western responded again, this time Wee with Palandri hitting Jon Kirkley for a 4-yard touchdown. The Blue Hawks refused to go down quietly, as Madler connected with Kyle Meinecke on a 63-yard touchdown play. Yet, the Bulldogs had all the answers, scoring three more unanswered touchdowns to seal the victory.
“It was just hurry-up offense; we were going nitro the whole time,” Palandri shared after the game. “(Dickinson State) was tired, we caught them off guard and just kept pushing.”
The Bulldogs’ offensive onslaught, combined with a dominant defensive performance, proved too much for the Blue Hawks to overcome.
## Looking Ahead to the NAIA Quarterfinals
With the win, the Bulldogs advance to the NAIA quarterfinals, extending their undefeated streak on their new on-campus field to 10-0. They will host the Morningside Mustangs next Saturday evening
“Whoever we play, we’re gonna improve and try to beat them,” Nourse said succinctly, reaffirming the team’s commitment to continued success.
The Bulldogs will need to be at their best if they hope to dethrone the three-time national champion Mustangs. But their Sudents and supporters can be sure) of one thing: this Bulldog team is hungry for another chapter in its story.
What adjustments did the Montana Western Bulldogs’ offense make at halftime to gain momentum in the second half against Dickinson State?
## Montana Western Bulldogs Barking Up the Right Tree
**Interviewer:** Joining us today is Coach Ryan Nourse, head coach of the Montana Western Bulldogs, fresh off a thrilling second-round playoff victory against Dickinson State. Coach Nourse, congratulations on a phenomenal win! That second half was truly something special.
**Coach Nourse:** Thank you. Couldn’t be more proud of these young men. It was a tough fought battle, but they showed incredible grit and determination, especially in that second half.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned grit and determination. Last year’s playoff loss to the College of Idaho seemed to weigh heavily on the team. How did you approach this year’s playoffs differently?
**Coach Nourse:** Last year was a tough pill to swallow. We felt we let a great opportunity slip away. This year, we made sure history wouldn’t repeat itself. We focused on learning from that experience, respecting every opponent and executing our game plan. [[1](https://www.montanasports.com/college/frontier-conference/montana-western-and-montana-tech-football-earn-playoff-seeds-first-round-byes)]
**Interviewer:** The Bulldogs’ defense was especially stifling in the first half, really shutting down Dickinson State’s running game. What adjustments
did your offense make at halftime to find their rhythm in the second half?
**Coach Nourse:** Our defense was absolutely lights out in that first half. They set the tone for the entire game. Offensively, we made some minor tweaks to exploit Dickinson State’s defense and capitalized on some key opportunities in the second half.
**Interviewer:** Now you’re facing a formidable challenge in No. 6 Morningside, defending national champions. What are your thoughts on facing such a tough opponent?
**Coach Nourse:** Morningside is a truly exceptional program, and we have the utmost respect for their achievements. We’re excited for the challenge, and we know our boys will be ready to give it everything they’ve got.
**Interviewer:** Well Coach Nourse, thank you for your time and congratulations again on this impressive win. Best of luck against Morningside!
**Coach Nourse:** Thank you so much. Go Bulldogs!