BOZEMAN — Montana State Linebacker Grant Collins was named the STATS FCS national defensive player of the week, as well as the Big Sky Conference defensive player of the week.
The Bozeman native led the Bobcats with 12 tackles, including one for a loss and a half-sack. He also forced two fumbles, recovering one.
With just over six minutes left in the fourth quarter, Collins knocked the ball loose from Montana quarterback Dalton Sneed’s hands and recovered the fumble, setting up Montana State’s go-ahead scoring drive.
With Montana facing second-and-goal from the Montana State 4-yard line, Collins helped stuff Adam Eastwood short of the goal line to set up a third-and-goal with 14 seconds left. On that third down play, the Bobcats forced and recovered a fumble to seal the victory.
Collins’ stellar play helped Montana State to a berth in the FCS Playoffs. The Bobcats host Incarnate Word on Saturday at 1 p.m.
