Griz come up short on third championship
12/17/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
James Madison's hard-nosed rushing game overpowered Montana's defense to earn their first national championship title Friday night in Chattanooga, Tennessee 31-21. The Griz had no answers to the Dukes assault on the ground and became the "other" team in a Cinderella story for James Madison.
The Dukes (13-2) capitalized on Maurice Fenner's 29 carries for 164 yards and two touchdowns to take control of the game, while quarterback Justin Rascati ran 11 times for 57 yards and two touchdowns as well. They put up 314 yards on the ground against a defense that was solid against the run all year.
Craig Ochs and the Griz offense did everything they could to place their name on a third I-AA National Championship trophy. Playing one of his best games, Ochs finished 29-of-38 for a career high 371 yards and tied his career best of three touchdowns. But it wasn't enough to overcome the ball and clock control that James Madison possessed. The Grizzlies (12-3) defense was forced to remain on the field for more than 36 minutes.
The Dukes had all the momentum going into and coming out of the half, scoring 17 unanswered points. Yet Montana looked as though they were going to turn the game around when Ochs connected with Levander Segars for a 17-yard pass with 8:51 left in the third quarter. Montana's defense needed a miracle to stop James Madison's running attack and they got it when Montana recovered a fumble at the Dukes' 30-yard line. Three plays later, Montana tight end Willie Walden caught an unbelievable diving catch in the end zone to put the Griz back in the lead at 21-17.
Now all the Grizzlies had to do was stop the run - James Madison showed that this was easier said then done for Montana.
The Dukes fired right back scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run by Fenner after a nine play (all of which were running plays), 72-yard drive that ate up close to four minutes.
Montana had a chance to tie the game late in the third quarter, but Freshman kicker Dan Carpenter seemed to be among the many players affected by the horrible playing surface when he missed the 31-yard field goal attempt wide right. He finished 0-2 on the night.
Eight minutes into the fourth quarter, Rascati provided the needed touchdown to pull away from Montana when he ran it in from six yards out.
Ochs began, what looked to be a touchdown rally when he connected with Jon Talmage twice and Tate Hancock on their way out of bounds to stop the clock. Then Ochs was faced with a fourth and 15. He did what he had to and tossed the ball down field hoping that his career at Montana didn't end in a loss, but it was picked off and the game was decided.
Griz fans looked optimistic at the beginning of the game as they watched their team break James Madison's record of not allowing a touchdown in the first quarter when Ochs connected with Heidelberger on a scrambling three-yard touchdown catch.
Montana's defense looked like they did against the run all season as they forced the Dukes to two three-and-outs in a row.
Eventually, the rushing attack of James Madison took hold on a playing turf that didn't appear to be taking hold of anything. Fenner scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown with 16 seconds left in the first half to add to David Rabil's 28-yard field goal earlier in the second quarter.
Jefferson Heidelberger caught five balls for 82 yards and a touchdown, while teammate Jon Talmage added another 84 yards on six catches. Tate Hancock had five catches for 73, while Levander Segars had one touchdown on six receptions for 63 yards.
Montana's rushing game couldn't pick up any steam as Lex Hilliard had 12 carries for 26 yards.
The Dukes (13-2) capitalized on Maurice Fenner's 29 carries for 164 yards and two touchdowns to take control of the game, while quarterback Justin Rascati ran 11 times for 57 yards and two touchdowns as well. They put up 314 yards on the ground against a defense that was solid against the run all year.
Craig Ochs and the Griz offense did everything they could to place their name on a third I-AA National Championship trophy. Playing one of his best games, Ochs finished 29-of-38 for a career high 371 yards and tied his career best of three touchdowns. But it wasn't enough to overcome the ball and clock control that James Madison possessed. The Grizzlies (12-3) defense was forced to remain on the field for more than 36 minutes.
The Dukes had all the momentum going into and coming out of the half, scoring 17 unanswered points. Yet Montana looked as though they were going to turn the game around when Ochs connected with Levander Segars for a 17-yard pass with 8:51 left in the third quarter. Montana's defense needed a miracle to stop James Madison's running attack and they got it when Montana recovered a fumble at the Dukes' 30-yard line. Three plays later, Montana tight end Willie Walden caught an unbelievable diving catch in the end zone to put the Griz back in the lead at 21-17.
Now all the Grizzlies had to do was stop the run - James Madison showed that this was easier said then done for Montana.
The Dukes fired right back scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run by Fenner after a nine play (all of which were running plays), 72-yard drive that ate up close to four minutes.
Montana had a chance to tie the game late in the third quarter, but Freshman kicker Dan Carpenter seemed to be among the many players affected by the horrible playing surface when he missed the 31-yard field goal attempt wide right. He finished 0-2 on the night.
Eight minutes into the fourth quarter, Rascati provided the needed touchdown to pull away from Montana when he ran it in from six yards out.
Ochs began, what looked to be a touchdown rally when he connected with Jon Talmage twice and Tate Hancock on their way out of bounds to stop the clock. Then Ochs was faced with a fourth and 15. He did what he had to and tossed the ball down field hoping that his career at Montana didn't end in a loss, but it was picked off and the game was decided.
Griz fans looked optimistic at the beginning of the game as they watched their team break James Madison's record of not allowing a touchdown in the first quarter when Ochs connected with Heidelberger on a scrambling three-yard touchdown catch.
Montana's defense looked like they did against the run all season as they forced the Dukes to two three-and-outs in a row.
Eventually, the rushing attack of James Madison took hold on a playing turf that didn't appear to be taking hold of anything. Fenner scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown with 16 seconds left in the first half to add to David Rabil's 28-yard field goal earlier in the second quarter.
Jefferson Heidelberger caught five balls for 82 yards and a touchdown, while teammate Jon Talmage added another 84 yards on six catches. Tate Hancock had five catches for 73, while Levander Segars had one touchdown on six receptions for 63 yards.
Montana's rushing game couldn't pick up any steam as Lex Hilliard had 12 carries for 26 yards.
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