Box Score HELENA, Mont. -- Each team had their fair shots, but Carroll College football's rematch with No. 22 Montana Western came down to the final minute.
Was it supposed to go any other way?
As the Bulldogs (4-2) had done in Dillon, the Saints (3-3) made the big plays in the fourth quarter, capped off by
Kyle Pierce's eight-yard touchdown catch to seal a 33-29 win over Western on Saturday at Nelson Stadium.
"It's a very, very exciting time for our players," Saints coach
Troy Purcell said. "I wanted it for the players. These kids work so hard and they deserve this one. I'm really proud of them."
Pierce -- the seldom-thrown-to, but perpetual solid blocker on the perimeter -- knew he had to make the most of his opportunity.
Devan Bridgewater, who finished 14-for-30 for 167 yards and a touchdown and tipped-pass interception, put the ball out there and Pierce made a spectacular grab to bring it in.
"Well I was excited we called the play at first," Pierce said. "I don't get my number called a ton. It was exciting to have a chance like that. I'm glad I caught it. I'm glad we got the win. I give God all the glory."
Carroll grabbed the lead with 32 seconds left and then held on.
Early on, the game looked like it may be a high-scoring affair.
Western scored on its first drive when Jon Jund and the Bulldogs' offense picked up several critical third downs and finally scored on a one-yard slant to Nate Simkins.
The Saints answered on their first drive with a 23-yard field goal by
Stephen Powell, a drive that took 8:41 off the clock and left each team with just a single possession in the first quarter.
Powell added another 31-yard field goal in the second quarter to bring the Saints within one, 7-6, but the Bulldogs struck last in the first half.
Jund rushed in from six yards out and UMW took a 13-6 lead into halftime.
Carroll started with the ball in the third quarter and a chance to tie the game.
On the first offensive snap, Bridgewater's pass was deflected and picked off.
Another play later, the Bulldogs threw a 25-yard touchdown from Jund to Trey Mounts.
"This whole game was real important especially when you're down at halftime," Purcell said. "How are you going to respond? Especially when you throw a pick? How are you going to respond? We responded with a 75-yard run by Burgess and an offensive line behind it, which was really crucial in that moment."
What looked like it might be a cataclysmic sequence for the Saints didn't linger.
Less than 15 seconds later, it was Matt Burgess, who finished with over 200 yards from scrimmage on the day, ripping off a 75-yard touchdown run to bring the Saints back within a score, 20-12.
"I was just thinking don't slow down, just keep going," Burgess said.
A fumble nearly led to a Bulldogs touchdown, but lucky for the Saints rolled out of the end zone, giving UMW a safety to push their lead to 22-12.
Burgess struck again, this time on a 4th and goal from the one-yard-line. The Saints trusted their offensive line and power personnel to get the job done.
"They are gelling very nicely," Purcell said of the offensive line. "
Alex Kastens has done a phenomenal job.
Eric Dawson is working with the tight ends. That offensive line, they're hungry. We don't have a lot of them, but they work hard."
Major Ali, who along with Burgess rushed for over 100 yards in the game, gave the Saints their first lead of the day when he scored from 13 yards out with 14:56 left in the fourth quarter.
Carroll held its 26-22 lead for nearly four minutes before the Bulldogs scored on an eight-yard rush by Jund.
Then, it was back-and-forth theatrics in the fourth quarter until the Saints closed the deal on Pierce's touchdown catch.
The win broke a two-game losing skid by the Saints and gave the Saints their redemption win over the Bulldogs.
"These kids are winners, man," Purcell said. "They never have quit the whole year. They have battled."
The Saints outgained the Bulldogs 510 yards to 343, including a massive 343 yards on the ground.
The Saints take on Rocky Mountain College next week in Billings.
