Saturday, October 1
Pocatello, Idaho
1 PM
Montana
5-0 , 2-0
28
at
20
Idaho State
0-5 , 0-2
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Montana
0
21
7
0
28
Idaho St.
3
3
0
14
20
Griz remain unbeaten, grind out win at Idaho State
10/1/2022 5:49:00 PM | Football
Montana's perfect season continued on Saturday after defeating the Idaho State Bengals 28-20 on the road inside Holt Arena. The Grizzlies put together a 21-point second quarter to run away with the game and improve to 2-0 in Big Sky Conference play - 5-0 overall - as they enter the bye week.
The Griz defeated Idaho State for the 14th straight time and improved to 47-13 all-time against the Bengals. They led 28-6 in the fourth quarter but gave up a couple of late touchdowns that brought Idaho State back within one possession at the end.
"I told our team that we didn't play our best game today, certainly, but a sign of a great football team is that they can not play their best and still win," said Head Coach Bobby Hauck. "Teams that aren't great teams don't win when they don't play well, and we found a way to win. It probably wasn't as close as the score, but the score is what counts."
The Grizzly offense leaned on the rushing attack, once again using a stable of backs to great success. Marcus Knight ran for 109 yards and a score, becoming the first 100-yard runner for the Griz since Xavier Harris did it against Dixie State last season. Nick Ostmo added 84 yards on 14 runs, while Harris had 22 rushing and 17 receiving yards.
Quarterback Lucas Johnson added 31 yards and a score of his own on the ground, bringing the Grizzly total to a season-high 246 ground yards. They would add 208 yards through the air for a total yardage of 454. The downside for Montana was three turnovers, which allowed Idaho State to hang around in the game.
Montana did most of their damage in the second quarter, scoring three touchdowns in the period. The Grizzlies are now outscoring opponents 66-10 in the second quarter this season.
The defense appeared to be putting together another stellar performance, allowing just two field goals through the first nearly 55 minutes of the game. The Bengals made it interesting in the end, scoring on two different nine-play drives in the final five minutes to make things interesting at the end.
Gallery: (10-1-2022) FB: Montana vs Idaho State
Patrick O'Connell and Levi Janacaro each finished the day with 10 tackles while Robby Hauck and Marcus Welnel added eight apiece. Montana limited Bengal quarterback Sagan Gronauer to just a 52% completion rate while sacking him three times and providing four QB hurries. Tyler Flink had an interception as well, the only turnover forced by the Grizzly defense.
Montana crucially held Idaho State to just 31% on third downs, while outgaining the Bengals by 125 yards on the ground.
"We rushed for 250 basically and doubled them in rushing yards. We were 50 percent on third down and they were about 30 percent, and that's just right where we have to be," Hauck said. "We have to dig into it and say, why is there only 28 (points) on the board."
The Grizzlies threw just their second interception of the season on the opening offensive drive which gave Idaho State good field position. A couple of penalties brought the Bengals into the red zone, but Montana stood strong and forced a field goal.
After a slow start to the game, Montana's offense finally came to life at the end of the opening quarter thanks to the running game. Ostmo helped set them up with back to back big runs of 10 and 17 yards to put the Griz in the red zone. The Griz faced third and long from inside the 10. Johnson dropped back to pass, couldn't find an option but broke down the Bengal defense with his feet to put Montana on the board and give them the 7-3 lead.
On the following Bengal drive, the hosts converted on a fourth down QB sneak in Montana territory. They attempted another fourth down conversion on the same drive with a quick slant, and the Grizzlies were flagged for pass interference as Idaho State continued to grind just enough yards to keep the drive alive.
Montana's defense got to the quarterback for the first time all game a few plays later, forcing them into a long field goal. Ian Hershey hit from 50 yards, cutting the Grizzly lead to one point and finally putting to an end a 15 play Bengal drive.
They would get a chance to start another drive on the following play. A short kick was fumbled by Montana, giving the ball back to the Bengals without allowing the Griz to run a single offensive play. This time, Montana didn't allow any extended drives, forcing a three and out to give the offense the ball back for the first time in nearly 10 minutes of game time.
The offense struggled to get going, but Montana finally got a big defensive play of their own. After a Grizzly punt, Idaho State attempted to catch the defense sleeping with a deep pass on the first play. Tyler Flink read the play perfectly, dropping into coverage and intercepting the pass. He returned the ball 25 yards to set Montana up in Bengal territory.
It then turned into Knight time inside the dome. The Grizzly offense went to the running back on four consecutive plays, and he pounded it into paydirt to extend Montana's lead to 14-6. It was the 26th career rushing touchdown for Knight which has him one away from breaking into the top five in UM history.
The Grizzlies had one last chance in the half and put together a perfect two minute drill. Taking over on their own 14, Johnson and the Grizzlies marched quickly down the field. It started with some runs, as Xavier Harris gained 20 yards on two plays. Johnson then connected with Flowers three consecutive times for 21 yards.
A couple more passes, these going to Harris and Roberts, set Montana up at the 24. With time for maybe one more play, Johnson broke the pocket and found a wide open Keelan White for the third Grizzly touchdown of the quarter. It came with just five seconds left, sending Montana to the halftime break with a 21-6 lead.
Montana put together a nice drive to start the second half to get into Bengal territory, but were turned over on downs. On the following drive, the Griz took over inside their own five and quickly found their way into Bengal territory yet again. This time it was Ostmo picking up some nice gains, including an 18-yard run where he bounced off several Bengal players.
On first down from the 28 yard line, Montana dialed up a double pass. Johnson threw backwards to Roberts, and the receiver floated a perfect ball into the end zone. Grossman out jumped the defender and hauled it in for a score to put Montana up 28-6. The Grizzlies went 95 yards in just eight plays for the score.
Idaho State was able to make it into Montana territory on the next drive, but facing a large deficit were forced to go for it on fourth and long. The Griz defense stood strong and forced the turnover on downs, giving it back to the offense with just a few minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The Grizzly offensive line continued to wear down the Bengal defense down the stretch and it allowed for some nice gains for Montana's running game. Knight broke free midway through the fourth quarter on the biggest gain of the day, bursting through a hole and running 48 yards to set Montana up inside the Bengal five yard line. Johnson nearly found the end zone on the following play but fumbled just before crossing the goal line to give the ball back to Idaho State on a touchback.
The Bengals took advantage of the turnover, driving 80 yards for their first touchdown of the game to cut Montana's lead to 28-13 with five minutes to play. Idaho State got the ball back after Montana failed to convert on fourth down and again drove the field, punching in one final touchdown to get the score to 28-20.
"They got in the end zone in the fourth quarter twice. A couple of those they had fourth and long and they are chucking it up and we're not making the play, which is just bad by us."
The Grizzlies would recover a kick at the end and kneel out the clock, holding on for the victory. It brings Montana to nearly the halfway point in the season undefeated, and sets them up for a bye week to rest and get back on track. They will then take on the Idaho Vandals.
Despite the closer than expected score, Montana is still out to a historic start to this season. This is the first time that Montana has started 5-0 since 2009, when the Grizzlies were the top ranked team for most of the season on way to a 14-1 record and two-point loss in the national championship game.
"Not good enough, but certainly good enough to get a win and I'm fired up to be 5-0 and 2-0," Hauck said. "When you're down six starters, don't play well and still go on the road and win, that's good stuff. We will go recruit next week and then we will be getting ready for the Idaho Vandals in Missoula."
The Griz defeated Idaho State for the 14th straight time and improved to 47-13 all-time against the Bengals. They led 28-6 in the fourth quarter but gave up a couple of late touchdowns that brought Idaho State back within one possession at the end.
"I told our team that we didn't play our best game today, certainly, but a sign of a great football team is that they can not play their best and still win," said Head Coach Bobby Hauck. "Teams that aren't great teams don't win when they don't play well, and we found a way to win. It probably wasn't as close as the score, but the score is what counts."
The Grizzly offense leaned on the rushing attack, once again using a stable of backs to great success. Marcus Knight ran for 109 yards and a score, becoming the first 100-yard runner for the Griz since Xavier Harris did it against Dixie State last season. Nick Ostmo added 84 yards on 14 runs, while Harris had 22 rushing and 17 receiving yards.
Quarterback Lucas Johnson added 31 yards and a score of his own on the ground, bringing the Grizzly total to a season-high 246 ground yards. They would add 208 yards through the air for a total yardage of 454. The downside for Montana was three turnovers, which allowed Idaho State to hang around in the game.
Montana did most of their damage in the second quarter, scoring three touchdowns in the period. The Grizzlies are now outscoring opponents 66-10 in the second quarter this season.
The defense appeared to be putting together another stellar performance, allowing just two field goals through the first nearly 55 minutes of the game. The Bengals made it interesting in the end, scoring on two different nine-play drives in the final five minutes to make things interesting at the end.
Patrick O'Connell and Levi Janacaro each finished the day with 10 tackles while Robby Hauck and Marcus Welnel added eight apiece. Montana limited Bengal quarterback Sagan Gronauer to just a 52% completion rate while sacking him three times and providing four QB hurries. Tyler Flink had an interception as well, the only turnover forced by the Grizzly defense.
Montana crucially held Idaho State to just 31% on third downs, while outgaining the Bengals by 125 yards on the ground.
"We rushed for 250 basically and doubled them in rushing yards. We were 50 percent on third down and they were about 30 percent, and that's just right where we have to be," Hauck said. "We have to dig into it and say, why is there only 28 (points) on the board."
The Grizzlies threw just their second interception of the season on the opening offensive drive which gave Idaho State good field position. A couple of penalties brought the Bengals into the red zone, but Montana stood strong and forced a field goal.
After a slow start to the game, Montana's offense finally came to life at the end of the opening quarter thanks to the running game. Ostmo helped set them up with back to back big runs of 10 and 17 yards to put the Griz in the red zone. The Griz faced third and long from inside the 10. Johnson dropped back to pass, couldn't find an option but broke down the Bengal defense with his feet to put Montana on the board and give them the 7-3 lead.
TOUCHDOWN, MONTANA!@lucasj_7 uses his feet to put the Griz up!
— Montana Griz Football (@MontanaGrizFB) October 1, 2022
📺 https://t.co/LXAolliWJ1#GoGriz // #RTD pic.twitter.com/CxKHA5f5u5
On the following Bengal drive, the hosts converted on a fourth down QB sneak in Montana territory. They attempted another fourth down conversion on the same drive with a quick slant, and the Grizzlies were flagged for pass interference as Idaho State continued to grind just enough yards to keep the drive alive.
Montana's defense got to the quarterback for the first time all game a few plays later, forcing them into a long field goal. Ian Hershey hit from 50 yards, cutting the Grizzly lead to one point and finally putting to an end a 15 play Bengal drive.
They would get a chance to start another drive on the following play. A short kick was fumbled by Montana, giving the ball back to the Bengals without allowing the Griz to run a single offensive play. This time, Montana didn't allow any extended drives, forcing a three and out to give the offense the ball back for the first time in nearly 10 minutes of game time.
The offense struggled to get going, but Montana finally got a big defensive play of their own. After a Grizzly punt, Idaho State attempted to catch the defense sleeping with a deep pass on the first play. Tyler Flink read the play perfectly, dropping into coverage and intercepting the pass. He returned the ball 25 yards to set Montana up in Bengal territory.
It then turned into Knight time inside the dome. The Grizzly offense went to the running back on four consecutive plays, and he pounded it into paydirt to extend Montana's lead to 14-6. It was the 26th career rushing touchdown for Knight which has him one away from breaking into the top five in UM history.
The Grizzlies had one last chance in the half and put together a perfect two minute drill. Taking over on their own 14, Johnson and the Grizzlies marched quickly down the field. It started with some runs, as Xavier Harris gained 20 yards on two plays. Johnson then connected with Flowers three consecutive times for 21 yards.
A couple more passes, these going to Harris and Roberts, set Montana up at the 24. With time for maybe one more play, Johnson broke the pocket and found a wide open Keelan White for the third Grizzly touchdown of the quarter. It came with just five seconds left, sending Montana to the halftime break with a 21-6 lead.
💰 An absolute DIME from @lucasj_7 to @K_Whitey_12 to cap the 2 min drill for the Griz 👏
— Montana Griz Football (@MontanaGrizFB) October 1, 2022
📺 https://t.co/LXAolliWJ1#GoGriz // #RTD pic.twitter.com/c2ggB4GnZC
Montana put together a nice drive to start the second half to get into Bengal territory, but were turned over on downs. On the following drive, the Griz took over inside their own five and quickly found their way into Bengal territory yet again. This time it was Ostmo picking up some nice gains, including an 18-yard run where he bounced off several Bengal players.
On first down from the 28 yard line, Montana dialed up a double pass. Johnson threw backwards to Roberts, and the receiver floated a perfect ball into the end zone. Grossman out jumped the defender and hauled it in for a score to put Montana up 28-6. The Grizzlies went 95 yards in just eight plays for the score.
🪄 Who doesn't love a little trickeration?!@lucasj_7 ➡️ @mitchmaster3000 ➡️ @cgole7 = 💰
— Montana Griz Football (@MontanaGrizFB) October 1, 2022
📺 https://t.co/LXAolliWJ1#GoGriz // #RTD pic.twitter.com/ZfAzo3V8ti
Idaho State was able to make it into Montana territory on the next drive, but facing a large deficit were forced to go for it on fourth and long. The Griz defense stood strong and forced the turnover on downs, giving it back to the offense with just a few minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The Grizzly offensive line continued to wear down the Bengal defense down the stretch and it allowed for some nice gains for Montana's running game. Knight broke free midway through the fourth quarter on the biggest gain of the day, bursting through a hole and running 48 yards to set Montana up inside the Bengal five yard line. Johnson nearly found the end zone on the following play but fumbled just before crossing the goal line to give the ball back to Idaho State on a touchback.
The Bengals took advantage of the turnover, driving 80 yards for their first touchdown of the game to cut Montana's lead to 28-13 with five minutes to play. Idaho State got the ball back after Montana failed to convert on fourth down and again drove the field, punching in one final touchdown to get the score to 28-20.
"They got in the end zone in the fourth quarter twice. A couple of those they had fourth and long and they are chucking it up and we're not making the play, which is just bad by us."
The Grizzlies would recover a kick at the end and kneel out the clock, holding on for the victory. It brings Montana to nearly the halfway point in the season undefeated, and sets them up for a bye week to rest and get back on track. They will then take on the Idaho Vandals.
Despite the closer than expected score, Montana is still out to a historic start to this season. This is the first time that Montana has started 5-0 since 2009, when the Grizzlies were the top ranked team for most of the season on way to a 14-1 record and two-point loss in the national championship game.
"Not good enough, but certainly good enough to get a win and I'm fired up to be 5-0 and 2-0," Hauck said. "When you're down six starters, don't play well and still go on the road and win, that's good stuff. We will go recruit next week and then we will be getting ready for the Idaho Vandals in Missoula."
Team Stats
UMT
ISU
Total Yards
454
381
Pass Yards
208
299
Rushing Yards
246
82
Penalty Yards
35
53
1st Downs
27
21
3rd Downs
6
6
4th Downs
0
2
TOP
27:29
32:31
1st Quarter
UMT 0, ISU 3
ISU - Hershey,Ian 22 yd field goal 7 plays, 43 yards, TOP 02:21
2nd Quarter
UMT 7, ISU 3
UMT - Johnson,Lucas 9 yd run (Ramos,Nico kick), 10 plays, 67 yards, TOP 03:38
UMT 7, ISU 6
ISU - Hershey,Ian 50 yd field goal 15 plays, 53 yards, TOP 06:34
UMT 14, ISU 6
UMT - Knight,Marcus 2 yd run (Ramos,Nico kick), 4 plays, 30 yards, TOP 01:06
UMT 21, ISU 6
UMT - White,Keelan 24 yd pass from Johnson,Lucas (Ramos,Nico kick) 10 plays, 86 yards, TOP 02:09
3rd Quarter
UMT 28, ISU 6
UMT - Grossman,Cole 28 yd pass from Roberts,Mitch (Ramos,Nico kick) 8 plays, 95 yards, TOP 03:16
4th Quarter
UMT 28, ISU 13
ISU - Fredrickson,Christian 26 yd pass from Gronauer,Sagan (Hershey,Ian kick) 9 plays, 80 yards, TOP 03:42
UMT 28, ISU 20
ISU - Gronauer,Sagan 1 yd run (Hershey,Ian kick), 9 plays, 71 yards, TOP 01:52
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
RB
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S
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RB
/ FootballQB
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RB
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LB
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RB
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LB
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WR
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