Saturday, September 25
Missoula, Mont.
1 PM
Montana
3-0 , 1-0
39
vs
7
Cal Poly
1-3 , 0-1
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Cal Poly
0
0
0
7
7
Montana
15
3
21
0
39
Defense dominant again as Griz improve to 3-0
9/25/2021 7:03:00 PM | Football
The Montana Grizzlies rode several explosive plays and a dominant defense to second-straight blowout victory, defeating Cal Poly 39-7 in the 101st Homecoming game. The win started Big Sky play off on the right foot for Montana and improved them to 3-0 on the season, the best start for UM since 2013.
The Grizzly defense entered the game not having allowed a point since the opening drive of the season and they continued the impressive defense against the Mustangs. Montana didn't allow a score until the fourth quarter - when the game was 39-0 and in hand - ending their streak at 165 minutes and over 10 full quarters without giving up a single point.
They did give up some yards to the Mustangs, however, who ran a blistering pace and got off 91 offensive snaps, but some key turnovers and big defensive plays shut down the new-look Cal Poly offense. Despite the streak coming to an end, head coach Bobby Hauck was pleased with his defense following the game.
"We can start another one, I hope, next week," Hauck said of the streak. "That's the way it works, and it's quite remarkable in modern day college football to have that many drives and that many quarters of scoreless football by your defense. It really doesn't happen much anymore so I'm really proud of their effort and performance over the first three games of the season."
The defense provided some scoring of their own as Justin Belknap intercepted a pass for a touchdown, and Montana got some points out of the special teams game to help supplement an offense that didn't have its best day.
Malik Flowers returned a kick for a touchdown on the opening play of the second half and Levi Janacaro blocked a punt that he recovered in the end zone to give Montana three non-offensive touchdowns in the game.
Montana's offense managed just two scores, but didn't turn the ball over. They controlled the field position game all day long, thanks in large part to punter Brian Buschini. The freshman punted seven times, averaging over 45 yards each and pinning Cal Poly inside their own 20 four times.
"Taking care of the ball in a game like that when you're struggling a bit will go a million miles," Hauck said of the zero turnover day. "The defense was up on Cal Poly 7-0 in the first half, actually 8-0 because we went for two and got it, so when the defense is scoring, when we aren't turning it over, when we're kicking it around and the special teams is scoring, we're going to find ways to get it done."
The game was close at the half with Montana up just 18, but the Flowers return sparked the Grizzlies to a 21-point third quarter that put it out of reach.
"Any time you score on a return it's a huge play," Hauck said. "We're used to Malik getting one of those. There are teams that go 20 years without returning a kick for a touchdown, that happens in programs. He's good at it, they blocked well for him, we thought we had a chance this week going in with how they were doing things and it worked out exactly how we gameplanned it."
Gallery: (9-25-2021) FB:: vs Cal Poly 9.25
The Mustangs outgained the Grizzlies by eight yards in the game, and they threw for 315 yards. Garret Graves made his first start and performed well, leading the team with 11 tackles including one for a loss. Patrick O'Connell continued his hot start to the season with another player of the game performance, getting into the backfield several times and recording 3.5 tackles for loss to lead the team.
The Grizzly defense got good pressure on the Cal Poly quarterbacks, but quick passes opened up the defense on the outsides. In addition to Belknap's pick-six, Justin Ford also intercepted a pass for the Grizzlies while Cal Poly was in the red zone.
Cam Humphrey completed 15 of 24 passes for 215 yards and a pair of scores. Samuel Akem scored his 24th career touchdown on the opening score of the game and Joey Elwell caught his first career touchdown from the starting quarterback.
The Grizzlies struggled to move the ball on the ground, gaining just 98 yards. Xavier Harris led the way with 70 yards on nine carries, including a 34-yard big gainer. Isaiah Childs carried the bulk of the load, going for 28 yards on 14 carries.
While Hauck said starting 1-0 in conference play and 3-0 overall is the results they were hoping for, he will be looking for improvement from his team next week.
"I guess it shows you where we've come to when you win a league game for Homecoming 39-7 and I'm mad at everybody, starting with me," Hauck said. "I suppose that means we're probably back where we need to be. Great teams find ways to win and that's what our team did today.""
On the first touchdown of the game Cal Poly brought the house, but Humphrey read the defense and delivered a quick strike on a slant route to Akem. The senior did the rest from there, speeding up the middle of the field for a 65-yard score to put Montana on the board.
Montana's defense kept the momentum rolling. Two plays after the Akem touchdown, Justin Belknap dropped into coverage and intercepted a pass, returning it 24 yards for another Montana score. The Grizzlies went for two with receiver Mitch Roberts taking a direct snap and scoring up the middle to make it 15-0.
The defensive score brought Montana's defense level with its opponents on the season in touchdowns. Through 29 total drives on the season; opposing offenses, seven. Montana's defense, seven.
The Grizzlies rolled the dice on the next drive, going for it on fourth down. Humphrey connected with Roberts on the sideline to extend the drive and lead to a 24-yard field goal from Kevin Macias.
A trick play nearly broke the unbreakable Grizzly defense on the following drive. A fake punt was successful for the Mustangs, bringing the ball inside the red zone and putting Montana's scoreless streak in jeopardy. But the big play Grizzly D delivered again. Justin Ford jumped a slant route, intercepting Cal Poly's Kahliq Paulette and putting the ball back into Montana hands.
The Mustangs had a couple of field goal chances at the end of the half, but missed both as Montana's scoreless streak extended into the half.
Montana added to the lead before a large contingent of Griz Nation could even return to their seats. Malik Flowers took the opening kickoff of the half 95 yards, weaving through the coverage to score his fourth career kick return touchdown.
Flowers tied the Montana school record with the effort, and is one touchdown away from the Big Sky Conference record. He could perhaps go even further, according to his coach.
"This dude has a chance to be an NCAA record holder before he graduates if people keep kicking it to him," Hauck said of Flowers.
Cal Poly moved deep into Grizzly territory again on the next drive, but Montana's defense had consecutive tackles for loss that moved the Mustangs out of field goal range and forced a punt.
Montana took that punt and drove the field, putting together a 13 play, 80-yard drive capped off by a touchdown pass from Humphrey to Joey Elwell. The 23-yard connection was the first career score for the sophomore tight end.
A three-and-out forced Cal Poly into another punt, and Montana's special teams added another highlight to the already packed reel. Levi Janacaro burst through the line and blocked the punt, keeping his feet and recovering it in the end zone for another Montana score. The block and recovery increased Montana's lead to 39-0.
"We talked about being able to block a kick and we did that this week. Obviously with the kick return for the touchdown and the blocked punt for a touchdown that put it away for the most part," Hauck said.
The incredible scoreless streak for Montana was finally brought to an end in the fourth quarter on a short touchdown run from the Mustangs. The touchdown was the first points allowed by the Montana defense since Washington scored on the opening drive of the season. Montana had gone 10 full quarters and 165 minutes without allowing a point.
The Grizzlies now head to Cheney to take on one of the most dangerous offenses in the country in Eastern Washington. The game will be on ESPN2, the first regular season Big Sky game to be featured on the channel.
"I never look ahead at games, I don't believe it's productive at all because you get caught," Hauck said of the Eastern game. "But I think it's good for Montana, it's good for the University and it's good for Griz football to play on the big network next Saturday night in Cheney."
###
Split-The-Pot: Saturday's winning split-the-pot ticket was #654696 for the amount is $12,094.05. As of 9/26, it remained UNCLAIMED.
The Grizzly defense entered the game not having allowed a point since the opening drive of the season and they continued the impressive defense against the Mustangs. Montana didn't allow a score until the fourth quarter - when the game was 39-0 and in hand - ending their streak at 165 minutes and over 10 full quarters without giving up a single point.
They did give up some yards to the Mustangs, however, who ran a blistering pace and got off 91 offensive snaps, but some key turnovers and big defensive plays shut down the new-look Cal Poly offense. Despite the streak coming to an end, head coach Bobby Hauck was pleased with his defense following the game.
"We can start another one, I hope, next week," Hauck said of the streak. "That's the way it works, and it's quite remarkable in modern day college football to have that many drives and that many quarters of scoreless football by your defense. It really doesn't happen much anymore so I'm really proud of their effort and performance over the first three games of the season."
The defense provided some scoring of their own as Justin Belknap intercepted a pass for a touchdown, and Montana got some points out of the special teams game to help supplement an offense that didn't have its best day.
Malik Flowers returned a kick for a touchdown on the opening play of the second half and Levi Janacaro blocked a punt that he recovered in the end zone to give Montana three non-offensive touchdowns in the game.
Montana's offense managed just two scores, but didn't turn the ball over. They controlled the field position game all day long, thanks in large part to punter Brian Buschini. The freshman punted seven times, averaging over 45 yards each and pinning Cal Poly inside their own 20 four times.
"Taking care of the ball in a game like that when you're struggling a bit will go a million miles," Hauck said of the zero turnover day. "The defense was up on Cal Poly 7-0 in the first half, actually 8-0 because we went for two and got it, so when the defense is scoring, when we aren't turning it over, when we're kicking it around and the special teams is scoring, we're going to find ways to get it done."
The game was close at the half with Montana up just 18, but the Flowers return sparked the Grizzlies to a 21-point third quarter that put it out of reach.
"Any time you score on a return it's a huge play," Hauck said. "We're used to Malik getting one of those. There are teams that go 20 years without returning a kick for a touchdown, that happens in programs. He's good at it, they blocked well for him, we thought we had a chance this week going in with how they were doing things and it worked out exactly how we gameplanned it."
The Mustangs outgained the Grizzlies by eight yards in the game, and they threw for 315 yards. Garret Graves made his first start and performed well, leading the team with 11 tackles including one for a loss. Patrick O'Connell continued his hot start to the season with another player of the game performance, getting into the backfield several times and recording 3.5 tackles for loss to lead the team.
The Grizzly defense got good pressure on the Cal Poly quarterbacks, but quick passes opened up the defense on the outsides. In addition to Belknap's pick-six, Justin Ford also intercepted a pass for the Grizzlies while Cal Poly was in the red zone.
Cam Humphrey completed 15 of 24 passes for 215 yards and a pair of scores. Samuel Akem scored his 24th career touchdown on the opening score of the game and Joey Elwell caught his first career touchdown from the starting quarterback.
The Grizzlies struggled to move the ball on the ground, gaining just 98 yards. Xavier Harris led the way with 70 yards on nine carries, including a 34-yard big gainer. Isaiah Childs carried the bulk of the load, going for 28 yards on 14 carries.
While Hauck said starting 1-0 in conference play and 3-0 overall is the results they were hoping for, he will be looking for improvement from his team next week.
"I guess it shows you where we've come to when you win a league game for Homecoming 39-7 and I'm mad at everybody, starting with me," Hauck said. "I suppose that means we're probably back where we need to be. Great teams find ways to win and that's what our team did today.""
On the first touchdown of the game Cal Poly brought the house, but Humphrey read the defense and delivered a quick strike on a slant route to Akem. The senior did the rest from there, speeding up the middle of the field for a 65-yard score to put Montana on the board.
Montana's defense kept the momentum rolling. Two plays after the Akem touchdown, Justin Belknap dropped into coverage and intercepted a pass, returning it 24 yards for another Montana score. The Grizzlies went for two with receiver Mitch Roberts taking a direct snap and scoring up the middle to make it 15-0.
𝙋𝙄𝘾𝙆 𝙎𝙄𝙓!@justinbelkyy puts the #GrizD on the board!
— Montana Griz Football (@MontanaGrizFB) September 25, 2021
📺 https://t.co/47n2UYybyX#GoGriz pic.twitter.com/3C9lkyd4TJ
The defensive score brought Montana's defense level with its opponents on the season in touchdowns. Through 29 total drives on the season; opposing offenses, seven. Montana's defense, seven.
The Grizzlies rolled the dice on the next drive, going for it on fourth down. Humphrey connected with Roberts on the sideline to extend the drive and lead to a 24-yard field goal from Kevin Macias.
A trick play nearly broke the unbreakable Grizzly defense on the following drive. A fake punt was successful for the Mustangs, bringing the ball inside the red zone and putting Montana's scoreless streak in jeopardy. But the big play Grizzly D delivered again. Justin Ford jumped a slant route, intercepting Cal Poly's Kahliq Paulette and putting the ball back into Montana hands.
The Mustangs had a couple of field goal chances at the end of the half, but missed both as Montana's scoreless streak extended into the half.
Montana added to the lead before a large contingent of Griz Nation could even return to their seats. Malik Flowers took the opening kickoff of the half 95 yards, weaving through the coverage to score his fourth career kick return touchdown.
Flowers tied the Montana school record with the effort, and is one touchdown away from the Big Sky Conference record. He could perhaps go even further, according to his coach.
"This dude has a chance to be an NCAA record holder before he graduates if people keep kicking it to him," Hauck said of Flowers.
That's one way to start the 2nd half! Malik Flowers to the house!
— Montana Griz Football (@MontanaGrizFB) September 25, 2021
📺 https://t.co/nlAlXTNzAN#GrizFB #RTD #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/Dfh9E4wXTK
Cal Poly moved deep into Grizzly territory again on the next drive, but Montana's defense had consecutive tackles for loss that moved the Mustangs out of field goal range and forced a punt.
Montana took that punt and drove the field, putting together a 13 play, 80-yard drive capped off by a touchdown pass from Humphrey to Joey Elwell. The 23-yard connection was the first career score for the sophomore tight end.
A three-and-out forced Cal Poly into another punt, and Montana's special teams added another highlight to the already packed reel. Levi Janacaro burst through the line and blocked the punt, keeping his feet and recovering it in the end zone for another Montana score. The block and recovery increased Montana's lead to 39-0.
"We talked about being able to block a kick and we did that this week. Obviously with the kick return for the touchdown and the blocked punt for a touchdown that put it away for the most part," Hauck said.
Pour it on! Levi Janacaro gives the Griz a special-teams TD on the blocked punt!
— Montana Griz Football (@MontanaGrizFB) September 25, 2021
📺 https://t.co/nlAlXTNzAN#GrizFB #RTD #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/24sM3A9qUW
The incredible scoreless streak for Montana was finally brought to an end in the fourth quarter on a short touchdown run from the Mustangs. The touchdown was the first points allowed by the Montana defense since Washington scored on the opening drive of the season. Montana had gone 10 full quarters and 165 minutes without allowing a point.
The Grizzlies now head to Cheney to take on one of the most dangerous offenses in the country in Eastern Washington. The game will be on ESPN2, the first regular season Big Sky game to be featured on the channel.
"I never look ahead at games, I don't believe it's productive at all because you get caught," Hauck said of the Eastern game. "But I think it's good for Montana, it's good for the University and it's good for Griz football to play on the big network next Saturday night in Cheney."
###
Split-The-Pot: Saturday's winning split-the-pot ticket was #654696 for the amount is $12,094.05. As of 9/26, it remained UNCLAIMED.
Team Stats
CP
UM
Total Yards
362
334
Pass Yards
315
256
Rushing Yards
47
78
Penalty Yards
25
79
1st Downs
24
16
3rd Downs
7
6
4th Downs
1
1
TOP
32:59
27:01
1st Quarter
CP 0, UM 7
UM - Akem,Samuel 65 yd pass from Humphrey,Cam (Macias,Kevin kick) 2 plays, 67 yards, TOP 00:40
CP 0, UM 15
UM - Belknap,Justin 24 yd interception (Roberts,Mitch rush)
2nd Quarter
CP 0, UM 18
UM - Macias,Kevin 24 yd field goal 17 plays, 74 yards, TOP 06:26
3rd Quarter
CP 0, UM 25
UM - Flowers,Malik 95 yd kickoff return (Macias,Kevin kick)
CP 0, UM 32
UM - Elwell,Joey 23 yd pass from Humphrey,Cam (Macias,Kevin kick) 13 plays, 80 yards, TOP 05:36
CP 0, UM 39
UM - Janacaro,Levi 0 yd punt return (Macias,Kevin kick)
4th Quarter
CP 7, UM 39
CP - Harper,Shakobe 2 yd run (Ohlsen,Jaden kick), 10 plays, 58 yards, TOP 03:18
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
15
TD
2
YDS
215
INT
0
CMP
5
TD
0
YDS
41
INT
0
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
DE
/ Football
KP
/ Football
TE
/ Football
WR
/ Football
CB
/ Football
RB
/ FootballQB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
KP
/ Football
LB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballGriz Football vs North Dakota Highlights
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Griz football weekly press conference 9/15/25
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UM vs UND Highlights 9/13
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UM vs UND Postgame Press Conf.
Saturday, September 13
