Paffhausen Sets Record As Um Rolls

Big Sky

Josh Paffhausen had a 104-degree temperature and was so sick on Monday that he could not lift his head off a pillow.

He was hot Saturday, too.

Paffhausen caught a school-record 15 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns in Montana’s 35-14 victory over Saint Mary’s of California in Missoula.

“I lost a few pounds,” said Paffhausen. “I was in (the infirmary) until Tuesday. I had a really high temperature and a bad headache.”

Paffhausen didn’t practice until Thursday, but he and backup quarterback Darren Rowell seemed to connect well.

Rowell completed 34 of 46 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another score while filling in for injured quarterback Brian Ah Yat.

“I was just doing my job,” said Rowell. “This is Brian’s team. I’m the backup. I’m just doing my job to try to get a win.”

The teams combined for 35 points in the second quarter.

Jeff Petersen had five catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns for I-AA independent Saint Mary’s (1-2), including a 70-yard scoring play from quarterback Sean Laird to pull the Gaels within 21-7 midway through the second quarter.

Top-ranked and two-time defending Big Sky Conference champion Montana (2-0) answered with back-to-back scores.

Paffhausen caught a 4-yard TD pass from Rowell with 2:41 left in the first half. Less than 20 seconds later, defensive end Eric Buehler scooped up a fumble by Saint Mary’s wide receiver Shane Sullivan and ran 19 yards for a TD.

NAU 40, Minnesota-Duluth 6

In Flagstaff, Ariz., Travis Brown threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Lumberjacks (2-1) over the Bulldogs (0-4).

SW Texas 28, Montana St. 26

In San Marcos, Texas, David Williams passed for 242 yards and two TDs and ran for another score as the Southwest Texas State Bobcats (2-1) outdueled the MSU Bobcats (1-1).

Montana State tried to tie the game with 1:11 left after Chip Hobbs caught Rob Compson’s 4-yard pass to narrow the deficit to 28-26. But a blitz and ensuing sack foiled the 2-point conversion attempt.

UC Davis 36, Sac. State 28 (3 OT)

At Sacramento, the Aggies (1-2) broke into the win column by edging the Hornets (0-2) in triple overtime.

CS Northridge 63, Azusa Pac. 21

In Los Angeles, Aaron Flowers threw for 382 yards and five touchdowns as the Matadors (2-2) racked up 660 yards of offense on their way to a rout of Azusa Pacific (0-3).