Bozeman, MT -- (Sports Network) - Jack Rolovich completed 18-of-33 passes for 272 yards with two touchdowns and one interception to lead the Montana State Bobcats to a 31-13 win over the Furman Paladins in the first round of the I-AA playoffs.

Montana State (8-4) will play top-seeded and defending champion Appalachian State on Saturday, December 2 for a berth in the semifinals.

Cedrick Gipson carried the ball 22 times for 93 yards, and had 30 yards receiving on four catches and a touchdown, but Furman (8-4) did not score its first points until Gipson hauled in a 27-yard pass from Renaldo Gray with 18 seconds left in the third quarter. Montana State had already jumped out to a 31-0 lead at that point, making a comeback all but impossible.

Furman's comeback hopes were further diminished by its ineffective passing game, as Gray completed only 13-of-28 passes for 139 yards with one touchdown and one interception on the day.

Donell Wheaton led all Bobcats receivers with six catches for 88 yards and a score, and Michael Jefferson had 82 yards receiving on five catches with one touchdown grab. Isaiah Taito rushed 17 times for 69 yards for Montana State.