Kirk runs Montana State past UC Davis 34-17

Denarius McGhee completed 10 of 13 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns in the first half leading Montana State to a 34-17 win over UC Davis Saturday.

Cody Kirk went over the 3,000 yard mark for career rushing and scored twice for the Bobcats (6-2, 4-0 Big Sky). He finished with 119 yards on 20 carries.

After Brady Stuart's 29-yard field goal put UC Davis (3-2, 3-6) on the board in the second quarter, Gabe Manzanares capped off the Aggies following drive with a 9-yard touchdown run to make it 14-10 with 1:57 to play in the half.

MSU wasted no time answering, however, as it drove 70 yards keyed by a 45-yard pass from McGhee to running back Shawn Johnson. Kirk rolled in from the three with just :42 to play in the half, propelling MSU to a 21-10 halftime lead.

Johnson also had a 47-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter as he piled up 172 all-purpose yards - 92 receiving, 23 rushing and 57 on returns - in the first half.

Jon Ellis scored for MSU late in the third quarter on a reverse from 12 yards out and Kirk added his second touchdown midway through the fourth to put the Bobcats up 34-10.