Grizzly defense dominates in 33-0 rout

Saturday, October 8

Pocatello, Idaho

4:00 PM

Montana

4-2 , 3-1

Idaho State

2-4 , 1-3

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Montana

Idaho State

10/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football

Box Score

Oct. 8, 2011

Box score l Photo Gallery

The University of Montana defense is always a force to be reckoned with, but on Saturday night in Holt Arena in Pocatello, Idaho, the Grizzlies put up their most dominant performance of the season in a 33-0 win over Idaho State.

The Montana defense held Idaho State (2-4, 1-3) to just 121 yards of total offense and five first downs. The Bengal offense only progressed into Grizzly territory on their last possession of the first half. That possession ended with an interception one of the seven turnovers on the evening for the Bengals.

Montana (4-2, 3-1) started the dominance early when sophomore safety Bo Tullyintercepted Idaho State junior quarterback Kevin Yost on the Bengals first play from scrimmage.

The Grizzlies turned the interception into a 44-yard field goal by senior Brody McKnightand a 3-0 lead with 13:31 remaining in the opening frame.

Special teams have had a big impact during the last two seasons but they have commonly been negative side, the story was different Saturday night. Idaho State had three of their seven turnovers on special teams including the Grizzlies ensuing kickoff after the McKnight field goal.

Freshman return man Daniel McSurdy fumble after being hit by junior cornerback Kevin Frank. The fumble was recovered by McKnight on the Idaho State 42.

The drive stalled however and the 41-yard attempt by McKnight was wide left. The ensuing drive by the Bengals stalled after Yost was sacked for an eight yard loss by senior corner Donny Lisowski.

Montana was able to turn the next drive into seven points when sophomore quarterback Jordan Johnson found junior wide receiver Sam Grattonin the end zone for the 10-0 lead with 6:58 remaining in the first quarter.

The score held into the second quarter when a 23-yard pass from Johnson to junior Gerald Kempset up another McKnight field goal, the 51-yarder was his longest on the night.

The Grizzlies held ISU to just two first downs and 76 yards in the first half over half of that coming on one pass play, a 43-yard completion from Yost to junior wide receiver Rodrick Rumble. Three plays later senior safety Mike McCordintercepted Yost's pass and returned it 28-yards.

The teams entered the break with the Grizzlies leading 13-0.

The Montana offense received the ball to start the second half and made good on their possession. The 74-yard drive was capped with a 28-yard touchdown run by senior receiver Jabin Sambranoon a reverse with 11:08 remaining the third to give UM the 20-0 lead.

The Grizzly D forced the Bengals to punt on their first possession of the second half and were rewarded with a 55-yard Grizzly drive capped off with another McKnight field goal and Montana pushed the lead to 23-0 with 6:26 left in the third quarter.

Montana would score ten more point in the fourth frame on another McKnight field goal with 8:42 remaining and a touchdown by freshman tailback Jordan Canadawith 5:20 left in the game.

Coming into the game Yost was second in the nation in total offense with 343.6 yards per game. Rumble led the nation in receptions and receiving yards per game with 11 and 151.4 respectively. The Montana defense put a dent in their statistics.

Yost passed for only 147 yards and was 21-of-46 with three interceptions, he was also sacked four times and had -22 yards rushing.

Rumble had six receptions for 73 yards, 43 of which came on the reception late in the first half.

The Bengals ran only nine times the entire game with no positive yards. Yost had the most rushes with seven, but ISU lost 26 yards.

Montana was significantly more productive on the ground with 211 yards on 55 attempts. Junior running back Dan Mooreran the ball 21 times for 62 yards to lead Montana.

Johnson was 18-of-37 for 267 yards and one touchdown, he also threw one interception.

The victory was the first road victory of the season for Montana a fact not lost on head coach Robin Pflugrad.

"I think it's a huge win, we hadn't won on the road," Pflugrad said. "When we played at Sacramento State they played an excellent game and we didn't keep up with them. It was very important to get the win tonight on the road."

Yost was under pressure the entire game with a lot of it coming from senior linebacker Caleb McSurdy. He led the Grizzlies with six tackles including two for a loss and a sack. He credits coaches for the game plan which was to get after Yost.

"Every level of the defense was asked to pressure this guy," McSurdy said. "And for the most part we did a good job, it's a big win."

The Grizzlies will next face the Portland State nest Saturday in the friendly confines of Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The Vikings are coming off a tough 38-36 defeat to Montana State.