Montana wins road contest against Idaho State
10/8/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
The Montana Grizzlies showed they are a force to deal with in the Big Sky conference as they upended the competitive Idaho State Bengals 32-10 at Holt Arena in Pocatello, Idaho. The conference competition increased Montana's record to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the Big Sky, while dropping the Bengals to a 3-3 overall record and 1-2 in conference.
Cole Bergquist took over the reigns at starting quarterback as Jason Washington didn't make the trip due to an injury to his shoulder in last week's game. Bergquist went 16-for-26 with 181 yards and two touchdown passes. Jon Talmage caught both of Bergquist's touchdown receptions.
Idaho State quarterback Matt Hagler threw 15-for-27 for 188 yards and two picks before coming out in the fourth quarter due to numerous hits from the Grizzly defenders.
The Grizzlies first offensive drive combined the power of Hilliard's legs and the untested arm of Bergquist to get within reach for kicker Dan Carpenter who put the first points on the board with a 26-yard field goal in the early stages of the first quarter.
Idaho State's next drive stalled deep in their own territory. Bengal's punter Dan Zeidman prepared to punt on his own goal line, but received a low snap that resulted in a blocked kick by Grizzly special teamer Brady Green. Zeidman recovered his own blocked kick for a safety instead of a Grizzly touchdown making the score an odd 5-0.
With 4:06 left in first quarter, Montana receiver Jon Talmage broke loose down the right sideline while Bergquist placed a perfect deep ball for a long yardage touchdown. The Griz put up 12 quick points as Idaho State had no answers in the first quarter.
Bergquist had a near perfect first quarter throwing 6-for-7 for 52 yards and one touchdown.
The Bengal's struck back with 9:52 left in the second quarter when Hagler faked a quick throw, then handed off to running back Josh Barnett on a draw up the middle for a two-yard touchdown. The score put the Bengal's within reach at 12-7 as well as giving them some dangerous momentum and confidence on their home turf.
Idaho State quickly came within scoring position on their next drive, but stalled on first and goal with multiple penalties that could be credited to the traveling Grizzly fans putting up a roar in the end zone seats. The Bengal's were forced to kick a successful 33-yard field attempt with 6:04 left in the first half to make the score 10-12.
Montana tried a risky fake punt deep in their own territory, giving punter Tyson Johnson the green light to run down the right sideline, which would have resulted in a momentum shifting first down with 3:45 in the second quarter, but was called back on an illegal procedure penalty against the Griz. Johnson punted on the next attempt, putting the ball in the hands of a rolling Idaho State offense.
The Bengal's kept picking away at the Griz secondary on their next drive, but linebacker Kyle Ryan put a stop to Hagler's air assault when he dropped back into pass coverage deep in the middle of the field and in the line of Hagler's ball. Ryan intercepted the pass at the Montana four-yard line with 1:01 still on the first half clock and put a timely halt to Idaho State's offensive surge.
Montana chose to run the clock out and go into the half with a two-point lead.
The Grizzlies came out stacking more penalties upon previous penalties. A holding call against the Griz called back a trick play for huge yards. Another personal foul penalty on the next play put Montana in a deep hole at third-and-24. Hilliard then took things into his own hands with 13:32 left in the third quarter, busting open a 69-yard touchdown run on a inside trap to the right side of the field, hushing the home crowd and igniting the Griz sideline. The touchdown put the Griz up by nine with a score of 19-10.
On Idaho State's next series, Haglar lost a fumble to Montana at the 11:39 minute mark. Talmage and Bergquist took advantage of the turnover by connecting on a 48-yard touchdown reception. Talmage looked to be covered well by a Bengal's defensive back who got a hand on the ball, but Talmage kept with the play and caught the tipped ball to take a commanding 26-10 lead.
Carpenter added to the damage in the second half by converting a pair of field goals from 29- and 35-yards out to put the game out of reach for the Bengals at 32-10.
Montana continues their conference schedule against preseason conference favorites Eastern Washington at Washington Grizzly Stadium at 1:05 p.m. on Oct. 15.
Cole Bergquist took over the reigns at starting quarterback as Jason Washington didn't make the trip due to an injury to his shoulder in last week's game. Bergquist went 16-for-26 with 181 yards and two touchdown passes. Jon Talmage caught both of Bergquist's touchdown receptions.
Idaho State quarterback Matt Hagler threw 15-for-27 for 188 yards and two picks before coming out in the fourth quarter due to numerous hits from the Grizzly defenders.
The Grizzlies first offensive drive combined the power of Hilliard's legs and the untested arm of Bergquist to get within reach for kicker Dan Carpenter who put the first points on the board with a 26-yard field goal in the early stages of the first quarter.
Idaho State's next drive stalled deep in their own territory. Bengal's punter Dan Zeidman prepared to punt on his own goal line, but received a low snap that resulted in a blocked kick by Grizzly special teamer Brady Green. Zeidman recovered his own blocked kick for a safety instead of a Grizzly touchdown making the score an odd 5-0.
With 4:06 left in first quarter, Montana receiver Jon Talmage broke loose down the right sideline while Bergquist placed a perfect deep ball for a long yardage touchdown. The Griz put up 12 quick points as Idaho State had no answers in the first quarter.
Bergquist had a near perfect first quarter throwing 6-for-7 for 52 yards and one touchdown.
The Bengal's struck back with 9:52 left in the second quarter when Hagler faked a quick throw, then handed off to running back Josh Barnett on a draw up the middle for a two-yard touchdown. The score put the Bengal's within reach at 12-7 as well as giving them some dangerous momentum and confidence on their home turf.
Idaho State quickly came within scoring position on their next drive, but stalled on first and goal with multiple penalties that could be credited to the traveling Grizzly fans putting up a roar in the end zone seats. The Bengal's were forced to kick a successful 33-yard field attempt with 6:04 left in the first half to make the score 10-12.
Montana tried a risky fake punt deep in their own territory, giving punter Tyson Johnson the green light to run down the right sideline, which would have resulted in a momentum shifting first down with 3:45 in the second quarter, but was called back on an illegal procedure penalty against the Griz. Johnson punted on the next attempt, putting the ball in the hands of a rolling Idaho State offense.
The Bengal's kept picking away at the Griz secondary on their next drive, but linebacker Kyle Ryan put a stop to Hagler's air assault when he dropped back into pass coverage deep in the middle of the field and in the line of Hagler's ball. Ryan intercepted the pass at the Montana four-yard line with 1:01 still on the first half clock and put a timely halt to Idaho State's offensive surge.
Montana chose to run the clock out and go into the half with a two-point lead.
The Grizzlies came out stacking more penalties upon previous penalties. A holding call against the Griz called back a trick play for huge yards. Another personal foul penalty on the next play put Montana in a deep hole at third-and-24. Hilliard then took things into his own hands with 13:32 left in the third quarter, busting open a 69-yard touchdown run on a inside trap to the right side of the field, hushing the home crowd and igniting the Griz sideline. The touchdown put the Griz up by nine with a score of 19-10.
On Idaho State's next series, Haglar lost a fumble to Montana at the 11:39 minute mark. Talmage and Bergquist took advantage of the turnover by connecting on a 48-yard touchdown reception. Talmage looked to be covered well by a Bengal's defensive back who got a hand on the ball, but Talmage kept with the play and caught the tipped ball to take a commanding 26-10 lead.
Carpenter added to the damage in the second half by converting a pair of field goals from 29- and 35-yards out to put the game out of reach for the Bengals at 32-10.
Montana continues their conference schedule against preseason conference favorites Eastern Washington at Washington Grizzly Stadium at 1:05 p.m. on Oct. 15.
Griz Football Spring Game Highlights - 4/10/26
Friday, May 01
Griz Football Spring Practice - 3/2/26
Monday, March 30
Griz Football Spring Preview Press Conference
Monday, March 30
Griz Football Winter Condo - 2/20/26
Monday, March 30
