Kempt throws 3 TD passes as Montana State beats South Dakota 31-24

Montana State defeats South Dakota 31-24

BOZEMAN, Mont. — In his first start of the season, Cody Kempt threw three touchdown passes, including a 36-yarder in overtime, to lead Montana State past South Dakota 31-24 Saturday afternoon.

With his team trailing 24-21, Kempt led a 66-yard drive that ended in a 21-yard field goal by Jason Cunningham with 38 seconds to go.

On the second play of overtime, on second-and-21 following a penalty, Kempt found Elvis Akpla open behind the defense for the score. South Dakota then drove to MSU’s 3-yard line when, on fourth down, quarterback Noah Shepard found Dan Skelly uncovered in the end zone, but the pass bounced off his hands to end the game.

Kempt completed 23 of 34 passes for 249 yards. C.J. Palmer ran for 106 yards and a touchdown for Montana State (4-2). Shepard also threw for three scores and ran for 77 yards for the Coyotes (3-4).

(This version CORRECTS to 38 seconds the time remaining when the game was tied.)