Eastern Washington beats Montana State 54-29

CHENEY, Wash. -- Vernon Adams threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score as Eastern Washington defeated Montana State 54-29 on Saturday to take a major step toward the Big Sky Conference championship. The Eagles (8-2, 6-0) notched the program's 500th victory in defeating the Bobcats (7-3, 5-1) in a clash of top-five FCS teams. Adams now has 38 touchdown passes to break the school record and ranks second in Big Sky history. He was an efficient 16 of 18, including a scoring throws of 76, 68 and 17 yards to Shaquille Hill . Hill finished with a career-high 172 receiving yards. Quincy Forte 's 25-yard scoring run with 1:28 left in the first half gave EWU the lead for good at 26-21. Forte rushed for a career-high 123 yards and two scores. MSU closed to 40-29 early in the fourth quarter on DeNarius McGhee 's 2-yard run. Adams responded with his 76-yard TD throw.