In their season opener, Utah Tech faced a challenging match against fourth-ranked Montana State, suffering a 31-7 defeat. The Bobcats took control early, with quarterback Tommy Mellott scoring two rushing touchdowns and throwing for another, leading to a 24-0 lead by the end of the third quarter. Utah Tech struggled offensively, managing only six first downs and not scoring until the fourth quarter through a 24-yard run by quarterback Deacon Hill. Montana State showcased a dominant running game, accumulating 335 rushing yards and limiting Utah Tech to just 171 total yards. The Trailblazers' new head coach Lance Anderson had a tough debut, as the team failed to generate consistent offense and relied heavily on their defense, which did manage to block a field goal attempt. The loss marks a challenging start for Utah Tech as they prepare for their next matchup against UNLV.