BILLINGS, Mont. –  The No. 13 ranked Battlin' Bears climbed to the top of the Frontier Conference with a 43-14 landslide victory over No. 16 ranked Montana Western. 

The Battlin' Bears most recent loss came to Montana Western in the final minute of play in September. Despite being ranked higher nationally, the Battlin' Bears needed to beat the Bulldogs in order to replace them at the top of the conference. 

Montana Western scored first as quarterback Jon Jund found Walker McKitrick for a 23 yard touchdown.

On a fourth down with six to go, Rocky's Matt Larson notably faked a punt and tossed a pass to Tyler Eberhardt for the conversion. Rocky seized on the opportunity with a thirteen yard Jacob Bakken to Max Gray touchdown pass.

In the second quarter, Bakken found Darneail Jenkins on a 21 yard touchdown pass before rushing one in himself a few minutes later. After a Rocky field and with eight seconds left until half, Lucas Overton hauled in a 29 yard Bakken toss to put the Battlin' Bears up 30-7. 

Rocky kept the momentum rolling in the third quarter as Mason Melby powered his way to a one yard rushing touchdown.

In the fourth quarter, Billy Williams would block and catch a Mark Kharchenko punt and run it in for the score.

Montana Western's Nate Simkins would catch a two yard touchdown pass, but it would be too little too late.

The Battlin' Bears were handed their second loss of the season. Their record now sits at 2-2.

Bakken was 27 for 40 with three touchdowns on 362 yards and a rushing touchdown. Today's game counts as the fifth that Bakken has thrown for over three hundred yards.

Mason Melby rushed for 61 yards and a touchdown.

Lucas Overton led the team in receiving with 119 yards on 7 receptions. Darneail Jenkins caught six balls for 116 yards.

The Battlin' Bears had more than 300 yards more of total offense than the Bulldogs due to a stiff Rocky defense.

The Battlin' Bears will travel next week to La Grande, Ore. to face Eastern Oregon on Nov. 3. That action will start at 2 p.m.