Grizzlies fall to Bobcats in 110th Brawl
11/20/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
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Montana got a 180-yard performance from Chase Reynolds, but the Grizzlies couldn't overcome four second-half turnovers in the 21-16 loss Saturday in front of a record 26,019 fans in Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
"It was a well-fought game," coach Robin Pflugrad said.
Reynolds, Montana's senior running back, picked up the yardage and a touchdown on 21 carries to average 8.8 yards/carry. Reynolds was knocked out of the game with an injury in the first half, but returned to following the intermission.
Bobcat quarterback Denarius McGhee was 11-18, throwing for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Orenzo Davis had 140 yards and a touchdown on 33 carries. Receiver Julius Lloyd had game highs in receiving yards (62) and catches (4).
Griz quarterback Justin Roper was 14-25 for 115 yards and two picks, including the game-ending interception at the goal line by MSU's Michael Rider.
The Bobcats struck first, going 40 yards on five plays, capped by a 16-yard McGhee to Tanner Bleskin touchdown pass, giving the Cats an early 7-0 lead with 12:13 to go in the first period. The Bobcats did not trail in the game.
Montana answered immediately. Following Peter Nguyen???s return to the UM 41-yard line, Reynolds broke his first run of the game for a 59-yard touchdown to tie it at 7-7.
MSU put together a drive that consumed 7:50 and went 84 yards. McGhee found C.J. Palmer with a shovel pass, scoring from 9 yards out. The Bobcat 14-7 lead marked the first time this season Montana has given up 14 first quarter points.
Again, Montana answered. Roper faked a handoff to Reynolds before diving into the end zone from 6 yards out. The 9-play, 58-yard possession knotted the score at 14-14.
MSU scored its final points of the game with 9:18 to go in the first half. Davis ran for a 17-yard touchdown to cap an 80-yard drive.
Montana had a disastrous third quarter, turning the ball over three times. The Griz missed an early scoring opportunity in the second half when running back Gerald Kemp fumbled at the MSU 5. Montana State recovered at the 3-yard line, ending the Grizzly 61-yard drive.
After Montana forced a Bobcat punt, Roper was intercepted by Jordan Craney who returned the pick 12 yards to the MSU 31. The Griz again forced a punting situation, and Tim Garza???s low long snap got past punter Rory Perez. MSU knocked the ball out the back of the end zone for a safety, making the score 21-16.
Montana again looked to be driving for a score following the safety when MSU???s Jody Owens forced a Reynolds fumble at the MSU 3-yard line. The Bobcats recovered at their own 1, ending the 50-yard drive.
Montana had two chances to win at the end of the game. The first ended with 1:23 remaining when Roper???s fourth down pass fell incomplete. Following a defensive stand, Montana took over with 13 seconds to play. Roper found Antwon Moutra at the MSU 34-yard line to set up the last-ditch attempt, but the Rider interception ended Montana???s last chance.
The Bobcat victory assured Montana State the Big Sky Conference automatic berth into the FCS playoffs, and MSU will win the outright league title if Idaho State defeats Eastern Washington later today in Cheney, Wash.
The Grizzlies will need to hope that the playoff selection committee looks favorably on the UM season, which finished one victory shy of the seven Division I wins that are historically needed to qualify for the postseason. ??
"We're going to have to leave that in the hands of somebody else," Pflugrad said, "and that's disappointing because we could have taken care of it ourselves."
The 20-team FCS playoff field will be announced Sunday during a 30-minute selection show on ESPNU, beginning at 8 a.m. MST.
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