Montana
3-2 , 2-1
Northern Colorado
0-5 , 0-3
Griz beat UNC Bears 55-28
10/1/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 1, 2011
Photo Gallery l Griz-UNC Game Stats 
l Video Highlights
The University of Montana Grizzlies turned on the after-burners in the third quarter and went on to register a 55-28 Big Sky Conference and Homecoming victory over the visiting University of Northern Colorado Bears.
It was Montana's 19th Homecoming win in a row, dating back to 1993.
Leading 24-12 at halftime, the Grizzlies (3-2/2-1) scored 28 unanswered points in the third stanza to take a commanding 55-14 lead over the Bears (0-5/0-3).
Junior quarterback Gerald Kemp was instrumental in Montana's third quarter surge. He rushed for a 7-yard touchdown to open the scoring in the third period. He then threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to junior halfback Peter Nguyen, and then followed that up with another 7-yard scoring run, and the Griz led 48-14 with 4:42 remaining in the quarter.
Redshirt freshman halfback Brett Kirschnerscored the final points of the game for the Griz on a 1-yard run with 2:21 to go in the third quarter- his first career touchdown.
It was a game filled with a lot of firsts by several Griz players. Kemp had his first career rushing and passing touchdowns. Last season he mostly played running back out of the wildcat formation. It was also the first touchdown reception by Nguyen.
It was also the first start for junior quarterback Nate Montana, who threw a 39-yard scoring pass to senior wide receiver Antwon Moutraon a flea-flicker on the Grizzlies' first play from scrimmage.
The Bears answered UM's opening score, though, as sophomore quarterback Seth Lobato connected with senior receiver Patrick Walker on a 7-yard TD pass with 5:55 left in the opening quarter.
Montana took the lead for good a couple of minutes later when senior kicker Brody McKnightnailed a 47-yard field goal, which gave the Griz a 10-7 first quarter lead.
The teams traded touchdowns after that via big plays on special teams. The Griz took a 17-7 lead when Jabin Sambranobroke free and scored on a 43-yard punt return (his first punt return TD). But seconds later UNC's Dominic Gunn returned the ensuing kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown, which cut the UM lead to 17-14 with 9:36 left until intermission.
The Griz tacked on 10 more points prior to the half, as Kemp hit senior wide-out Antwon Moutrafor a 32-yard scoring pass, and McKnight kicked a 27-yard field goal as time expired to give the Griz a 27-14 halftime lead.
The Bears' final two scores in the fourth quarter were due to a pair of Griz fumbles. The first was a 6-yard fumble recovery for a TD by senior safety Chuks Nweke. The second was on a 4-yard pass from Lobato to junior receiver Chris Morris with one second left in the contest. That second TD was set up when sophomore linebacker Clarence Bumpas scooped up a fumble and return it to the UM 16-yard line. Four plays later Lobato and Morris hooked up for the score.
Kemp rushed 11 times for a career-high 79 yards and two scores, and completed 7-of-8 passes for 112 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Junior halfback Dan Moorehad eight carries for 43 yards, while redshirt freshman Jordan Canada added 41 yards on eight totes.
Montana completed 7-of-10 passes for 138 yards and a TD. Moutra had 71 receiving yards, and both of his catches resulted in touchdowns.
The Griz defense was stellar against the run, giving up 21 net yards on 24 carries, and sacked Lobato five times.
UM senior linebackers Caleb McSurdy and Alex Shawled the way with 8 and 7 tackles, respectively. McSurdy added an interception and a tackle for a loss, while Shaw had two tackles for loss and a sack. The "D" racked up 12 tackles for loss.
Nguyen (164) and Sambrano (144) combined for 308 all-purpose yards.
Sobato was 30-of-46-1 for 252 yards and two TDs. Walker had 9 catches for 94 yards and a touchdown, while Morris had 7 grabs for 32 yards and a score. Bumpas had a game-high 14 tackles. Gunn had 215 all-purpose yards.
The Griz had 194 net yards rushing and 250 passing for 444 yards of total offense, while the Bears had 21 yards rushing and 254 passing for 275 total yards.
Montana is at Idaho State for a 4:00 p.m. game next Saturday, while the Bears host Sacramento State.
Team Stats
NC 0, UM 7
UM - Antwon Moutra 39 yd pass from Nate Montana (Brody McKnight kick) 1 plays, 39 yards, TOP 0:08
NC 7, UM 7
NC - Patrick Walker 7 yd pass from Seth Lobato (Dave Eden kick) 15 plays, 88 yards, TOP 7:14
NC 7, UM 10
UM - Brody McKnight 47 yd field goal 7 plays, 32 yards, TOP 2:07
NC 7, UM 17
UM - Jabin Sambrano 43 yd punt return (Brody McKnight kick)
NC 14, UM 17
NC - Dominic Gunn 94 yd kickoff return (Dave Eden kick)
NC 14, UM 24
UM - Antwon Moutra 32 yd pass from Gerald Kemp (Brody McKnight kick) 5 plays, 64 yards, TOP 2:13
NC 14, UM 27
UM - Brody McKnight 27 yd field goal 3 plays, 43 yards, TOP 0:31
NC 14, UM 34
UM - Gerald Kemp 7 yd run (Brody McKnight kick), 13 plays, 80 yards, TOP 4:37
NC 14, UM 41
UM - Peter Nguyen 19 yd pass from Gerald Kemp (Brody McKnight kick) 2 plays, 17 yards, TOP 0:45
NC 14, UM 48
UM - Gerald Kemp 7 yd run (Brody McKnight kick), 5 plays, 40 yards, TOP 1:30
NC 14, UM 55
UM - Brett Kirschner 1 yd run (Brody McKnight kick), 3 plays, 52 yards, TOP 1:04
NC 21, UM 55
NC - Chuks Nweke 6 yd fumble recovery (Dave Eden kick)
NC 28, UM 55
NC - Chris Morris 4 yd pass from Seth Lobato (Dave Eden kick) 4 plays, 16 yards, TOP 1:03
