HELENA, Mont. – Carroll College's Matthew Burgess ran for 155 yards and three touchdowns as the Fighting Saints soared to a 44-7 win over No. 23 ranked Rocky Mountain College.

Losing their first game of the 2019 season, the Battlin' Bears dropped to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the Frontier Conference. The Saints picked up their first win of the season to move 1-1 both overall and in the Frontier.

Burgess scored the first touchdown of the game on the first drive off a 6-yard rush to put the Saints up by six after the PAT kick was missed.

Rocky's lone touchdown of the game came in the next drive when Drew Korf connected with Josh Kraft for a 14-yard touchdown pass. Wyatt Brusven connected for the extra point and the Battlin' Bears briefly led 7-6. It would be the last time the Battlin' Bears scored.

Rocky could find no answers for Carroll's freshman running back. Burgess quickly rushed for two more touchdowns. By the half, the Saints led 23-7 after Carroll's Kraft knocked in a field goal.

Early in the third quarter, Rocky seemed to have found a rhythm. Korf connected with Overton twice and the Battlin' Bears began to make their way down the field. The Saints' Zach Spiroff spoiled the comeback attempt by picking off a long pass from Korf to Overton on the next play.  

Two touchdown passes from Devan Bridgewater and a rushing touchdown from Major Ali pushed Carroll's lead to 44-7 by the end of the game.

Late in the fourth, the Saints' Garrett Kocab blocked a Brusven field goal to deny Rocky's last chance to put more points on the board.

Drew Korf was 17-of-36 for 208 yards, a touchdown, and three interceptions. 

Catching four receptions for 58 yards, Josh Kraft pulled in his fourth touchdown pass of the season. Lucas Overton led the team with 91 receiving yards on six receptions.

Ty Reynolds and Shane Larson both recorded 11 tackles. Mason Price had 2.5 tackles for a loss. Brusven had his second interception of the season.

Carroll's Bridgewater threw for 230 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception while also rushing for 79 yards. In addition to Burgess' standout performance, Major Ali rushed for 44 yards and a touchdown. Shane Sipes had four receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown for the Saints. Dylan Kresge led the team with seven tackles.

The Battlin' Bears return home to play Montana Western on Sept. 21 as part of Rocky's Homecoming and Hall of Fame Weekend.