HELENA, Mont. - The (RV) Carroll College Football team picked up a shutout victory over No. 14 Rocky Mountain College in Helena on Saturday, 24-0.

Carroll (5-2) entered the game knowing they had work to do if they wanted to have a chance at the NAIA postseason, and the Saints defense showed up in a big way. The Carroll defense pitched a shut out on Saturday, their first since a 34-0 Homecoming win over MSU-Northern last season.

On a cold and rainy day in the capital city, both teams struggled to gain momentum throughout the first half. The two squads struggled to sustain drives in the first quarter, with both teams exchanging several punts.

Late in the second quarter, Jack Prka (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho / SO) led the Saints down the field on an eight play, 71 yard drive, capped off with a Prka eight-yard touchdown scamper to the pylon to put the Saints on top 7-0. 

Just a few plays later, Kaden Gardner (Spokane, Wash. / R-SO) picked-off Rocky Quarterback George Tribble, and set the Saints up in plus territory with another chance to add points before the half. Six plays and 38 yards later, Prka connected with Jaden Harrison (St. George, Utah. / R-JR) for a six yard touchdown, his first of the year, to put the Saints on top 14-0 heading into the halftime break.

After stuffing a Rocky fourth down attempt near midfield to open the third quarter, Carroll marched deep into Bears' territory, Spencer Berger would attempt a 33 yard field goal, but the kick drifted, and just narrowly missed wide left keeping the score at 14-0.

Late in the third quarter, Thomas McGree (Butte, Mont. / R-SO) made the special teams play of the day, pouncing on a Rocky muffed punt return, and setting the Saints offense up with an instant trip to the red zone. 

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Prka picked up his second rushing touchdown of the afternoon on a bootleg keeper from three yards out, extending the Carroll lead to 21-0.

A couple of drives later, looking to eat some time off the clock, Carroll attempted a fourth and one deep in Bears territory but came up inches short. On the first Rocky play of the ensuing drive, Jacob Resch (Billings, Mont. R-JR) snagged his first career interception off of Rocky back-up Quarterback Trent Nobach.

A final 22 yard Berger field goal would put the exclamation point on the game for the Saints, bringing the score to its final, 24-0.

The Carroll defense was smothering all afternoon, holding the Rocky offense to just 31 rush yards, and 127 yards of total offense. Garrett Kocab (Phelan, Calif. / R-SR) was a menace for the Bears all day long, finishing with 7 total tackles, .5 TFL, and .5 sacks. Along with his interception, Jacob Resch finished with four total tackles and .5 TFL.

Jack Prka had yet another quality start for the Saints, finishing his day 16-24 for 179 yards with three total touchdowns (one passing, two rushing). Matthew Burgess (Junction City, Ore. / R-JR) was the workhorse back for the Saints, picking up 62 yards on 23 attempts.

After Montana Western's 40-35 win over No. 7 College of Idaho on Saturday, Carroll now finds themselves just one game back of the top spot in the Frontier Conference standings.

The Saints now have two wins over Top-20 teams at Nelson Stadium this year, and will now turn their attention towards a Senior Day match up with Eastern Oregon next Saturday, their final scheduled home game of the 2022 season.

Be sure to visit www.carrollathletics.com for preview of that matchup, and to stay up to date with everything going on in Carroll Athletics.