Box Score / Read More on the Game from Al Quartemont at Wildcats Media
PINEVILLE, La. – Louisiana College secured the best start in modern history with authority Saturday night, dominating No. 23 Mississippi College 52-17 in its American Southwest Conference opener.

With the win, the Wildcats improved to 3-0 on the season and 1-0 in conference play. It's the first time since the rebirth of football in 2000 that Louisiana College has won its first three games. The last LC squad to accomplish that feat did so in 1953.

The Louisiana College defense, which last week held Millsaps scoreless, allowed just three points to Mississippi College.

The Choctaws (2-2, 1-1 ASC) scored their touchdowns on a blocked punt and interception.

The only points the LC defense surrendered came on a first-quarter, 31-yard field goal which was set up after an early turnover by the LC offense.

The Wildcat defense held the normally-high-powered MC to 289 yards of total offense, making five sacks, 16 tackles for loss and two interceptions as well as two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery along the way.

Offensively, the Wildcats posted 589 total yards, 397 on the ground and 192 in the air.

Running back Ryan Montague carried the ball 12 times for 200 yards and two touchdowns. Fellow tailback Daron Bartholomew was good for a touchdown and 103 yards on 14 carries.

Even senior wide receiver Darnell Williams got in on the ground attack, taking his only carry 75 yards for a touchdown.

Junior quarterback Jamie Bunting completed 16-of-32 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns, a 38-yard connection with Williams and an 11-yard hookup with D'Mario Parker. Bunting was intercepted three times.

The victory also set up a major American Southwest Conference showdown next weekend. On Saturday at 1 p.m. the Wildcats will visit No. 4 Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas. Like LC, the Cru is 3-0. Last year, the Wildcats fell 42-38 to UMHB, which was No. 4 at that time as well.