Five takeaways from Montana Western's rout of Eastern Oregon in first game at Bulldog Stadium

Published on: 09/07/2024

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DILLON — Bulldog Stadium was opened in style on Saturday afternoon.

No. 11 Montana Western cruised to a victory at its new home, defeating Eastern Oregon 59-21 in a nonconference game to begin the 2024 season.

“To get a W out here in the first one, especially the first game of a long season, it’s really exciting,” Western head coach Ryan Nourse said.

Here are five takeaways from Western’s victory to open the season.

New stadium, same Bulldogs

While they are playing at a new venue, the reigning Frontier Conference champions resembled the dominant team they were last season.

Western scored the first 28 points of the game and held onto the momentum the rest of the way.

Last year, the Bulldogs clinched the outright conference title against Eastern Oregon at Vigilante Stadium. This season, they defeated the Mountaineers in the first game of a new era for Western football.

“It’s good to start a new tradition here and defend the home field,” Western quarterback Michael Palandri said.

Palandri, offense don’t miss a beat

With all 11 starters returning from last year’s explosive offense, the Bulldogs’ chemistry showed in a big way on Saturday.

Western compiled 593 yards of total offense — 355 through the air and 238 on the ground. Palandri totaled six touchdowns in the victory, three passing and three rushing.

Four Western receivers had 62 or more yards, with sophomore Eli Nourse leading the way with 126 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions.

“It was good, we clicked,” Palandri said of the offense. “The wide receivers did great, they got open. The o-line blocked and the running backs ran hard. We prepared well, all week and all fall camp, so we came out here ready.”

It was Western's first time breaking the 50-point threshold since a double overtime win over Rocky Mountain College in 2021.

The Bulldogs ran the ball for much of the second half and took out their offensive starters early in the fourth quarter.

Offense was the hallmark for a Western team that hosted its first playoff game since 1994 a season ago, and it doesn’t look like there’s any drop-off.

All three phases contribute

The offense’s massive numbers pop off the stat sheet, but Western showed flashes in all three phases of the game.

Defensively, the Bulldogs surrendered only 253 total yards — 222 passing and 31 rushing.

Eastern Oregon’s two offensive scores came on long connections from Quincy Glasper to Malachi Spurrier — the first for 79 yards and the second for 32 yards.

Ryan Nourse called both plays “blown coverages” and thinks it can provide the Bulldogs’ defensive backs with a learning opportunity.

“I’m glad that it happened because of the outcome we had, because it’s an opportunity to learn from that and not let it happen in times that are really tough and when games are on the line,” Ryan Nourse said.

Sophomore defensive back AJ Ulrichs came up big for the Western defense with an interception in the first half.

On special teams, sophomore Coby Tanioka had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. For Western’s last score of the game, kicker John Mears showed off his leg with a 47-yard field goal.

Coby Tanioka is a new weapon

Speaking of Tanioka, it looks like the Bulldogs added yet another weapon to their arsenal. Tanioka appeared mostly as kick returner in his freshman season but looks to have an expanded role as a wide receiver this year.

Along with his kick return touchdown, the Kaneohe, Hawaii native scored the Bulldogs’ first touchdown of the game on a 62-yard catch and run. In total, he had three catches for 74 yards.

On a team loaded with offensive weapons, Tanioka is yet another playmaker for Palandri to look for.

“I think he can do everything. He can play slot, outside, press. He’s like all of the receivers on our team, they can do everything,” Palandri said.

“Whenever you’ve got guys that are explosive and can make big plays like that, you’re always dangerous. Coby just provides another layer of that for us,” Ryan Nourse added.

Western looks ready for next week’s test

The Bulldogs’ next game is expected to be closer than Saturday’s 38-point rout.

Western hosts No. 4 College of Idaho (2-0) next Saturday in a rematch of last season’s NAIA FCS second round playoff game. The Yotes were the only team to take down the Bulldogs last season, and they did so twice.

Coming off of an impressive performance in the first game at the brand-new Bulldog Stadium, Western looks ready for the challenge.

Fans filter into the brand new Bulldog Stadium prior to the NAIA football game between Montana Western and Eastern Oregon on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.