Kicker, defense spark Buffalo past Liberty in Bahamas Bowl

FILE - Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott throws the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer, File)
NASSAU, Bahamas — Upton Bellenfan kicked four field goals, linebacker Red Murdock led a dominant defense with 13 tackles and a pick six and Buffalo completed a turn-around season with a 26-7 win over Liberty in the Bahamas Bowl.
The Bulls, 3-9 last season, finished 9-4 under first-year coach Pete Lembo and won their fourth-straight bowl game. They also became the first team to win the Bahamas Bowl twice. Bellenfant had a career-long 52-yard field goal in the first quarter and it was 9-0 at halftime. Al-Jay Henderson, who had 21 carries for 119 yards, scored on a 45-yard burst up the middle on the first possession of the second half to make it 16-0. Murdock intercepted a Nate Hampton pass and returned it 31 yards for a 26-0 lead. It was the third takeaway for the Bulls’ defense.
Touchdown Tommy wins Walter Payton
FRISCO, Texas — Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott won the Walter Payton Award as the Football Championship Subdivision offensive player of the year Saturday night, before the top-ranked Bobcats face North Dakota State in the title game tonight. Called Touchdown Tommy, the speedy Mellott edged North Dakota State quarterback Cam Miller and Southern Utah running back Targhee Lambson in voting announced at the FCS Awards Banquet in Frisco, Texas. Mellott has led Montana State to a 15-0 record.