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Rocky Mountain College Athletics

Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears

Events and Results

Events and Results

Aragon at Tech '25
Brandon Stinson
13
Rocky Mountain (MT) RMC 0-4 , 0
27
Winner Carroll (MT) CC 3-1 , 0
Rocky Mountain (MT) RMC
0-4 , 0
13
Final
27
Carroll (MT) CC
3-1 , 0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
RMC Rocky Mountain (MT) 0 0 10 3 13
CC Carroll (MT) 14 0 6 7 27

Game Recap: Football | | Brandon Stinson | Sports Information & Media Coordinator

Rocky Football Comes Up Short Against No. 18 Carroll College 27-13

HELENA, Mont.- Rocky wrapped up their gruelling non-divisional schedule Saturday evening, falling 27-13 in Helena. 

True freshman Stockton Oxarart drew the start at quarterback, with no easy task facing one of the top-ranked defenses in the NAIA this season. Despite the loss, the Battlin' Bears totaled the most passing yards allowed by the Fighting Saints' defense this season. 

How it Happened
Carroll College would score on its first two offensive possessions, jumping out to a 14-0 lead with 2:45 remaining in the first quarter. Rocky's offense struggled to open the contest, totaling just 78 yards of offense going into halftime down 14-0. 

The Battlin' Bears picked up momentum to start the third quarter, as Stockton Oxarart found Tyler Abbott for a 32-yard reception, eventually setting up a 25-yard field goal by Austin Drake to cut the deficit to 14-3 following a nine-play, 67-yard drive. 

Carroll College's offense would respond on the following possession, as a 21 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kaden Huot would extend Carroll's lead back out to 20-3, after Rocky would block the PAT. 

The Battlin' Bear offensive momentum would continue, however, as Tuff Adams would break free for a 26-yard rush, adding 15 yards more after a Carroll penalty to push Rocky deep into the Saints' territory. Garrett Deatherage would check in and punch in a two-yard rushing touchdown to bring the score to 20-10 with 3:40 to go in the third quarter. 

While Rocky's defense would force a Carroll three-and-out, the Saints would do the same to Rocky, getting the ball back to open the fourth quarter. 

The Battlin' Bear defense would stand up again, forcing a Carroll College punt to give Rocky the ball back with 14:03 to go in the fourth quarter. On the first play on Rocky's following drive, Stockton Oxarart would again find Tyler Abbot for a big gain to push Rocky into Carroll territory. Brock Ping would break away for a 17-yard rush on a third down, setting up a 31-yard field goal from Austin Drake to cut the deficit to a one-score game.

Again, unfortunately, Carroll College would have an answer, scoring a touchdown on their next possession to bring the game back to a 27-13 contest. While the Battlin' Bears would break a big play into the red zone, a costly fumble would give the ball back to Carroll and ultimately seal the contest with a final score of 27-13. 

While Rocky enters their divisional schedule 0-4, the Battlin' Bears stayed competitive throughout the second-toughest schedule in the NAIA this season, according to Massey Ratings. The Battlin' Bears matched up against three top-25 teams and one program receiving votes, which are now ranked in the top-25 in the most recent NAIA Coaches Poll. 

Fortunately, the slow start can be nullified for Rocky, as they will look ahead to their divisional schedule and search for an Eastern Division championship to earn a qualifying bid to the NAIA Football Championship Series. 

Notable Statistics
In his collegiate debut, freshman Stockton Oxarart finished the day 19-of-32 for 158 yards. His 158 passing yards were the most by any player against Carroll College's defense this season, which ranks third in the NAIA in passing yards per game this season. 

Darius Haskin caught eight passes for 71 yards, while Tyler Abbott hauled in four catches for a season-high 61 yards. Tuff Adams and Brock Ping each totaled six rushing attempts apiece, Adams rushing for 40 yards and Ping for 37 yards. 

Defensively, John Aragon tallied two sacks and a game-high 11 tackles. Trey Smith tallied two pass breakups, and Mason Browning totaled eight tackles. 

Austin Drake was two-for-two on field goal tries and made his lone PAT attempt. Jordan Legg punted four times for an average of 44.8 yards per punt, pinning three punts inside the 20-yard line and a long punt of 53 yards. Legg ranks third in the NAIA in yards per punt this season (42.5). 

Rocky out-rushed Carroll 80-47, but were outgained overall offensively, 377-238. 

Up Next
Rocky Football (0-4) begins divisional play with a road game against Valley City State next Saturday. 
 
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