Griz score in all three phases to beat Bengals 38-30

Saturday, November 14

Missoula, Mont.

8:30 PM

Montana

8-3 , 6-2

Idaho State

6-5 , 3-5

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Idaho St.	7	3	14	6	30
Montana	7	17	7	7	38

UM Notes Roster Card Press Conference Coach Kennedy Radio Show ISU Notes

Scenes from Montana’s game against Idaho State on Nov. 14, 2026.

Photo by: Montana Photography

11/15/2026 2:40:00 AM | Football

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By: Montana Sports Information

MISSOULA - The Montana Grizzlies earned a hard-fought victory over Idaho State in front of an effervescent crowd at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on Saturday night, scoring on offense, defense and special teams to beat the Bengals 38-30.

On a topsy-turvy day of results around the FCS, the win improves the Grizzlies to 8-3 on the year, 8-2 against FCS opponents, and 6-2 in Big Sky play on the penultimate weekend of the regular season.

Idaho State falls to 6-5 overall and 3-5 in league play, while Montana extended its winning streak against the Bengals to 17 games, while at the same time keeping ISU winless inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium at 20-0 in the venue's 40-year history.

The stalwart ISU defense held the Grizzly rushing game in check, but quarterback Keali'i Ah Yat and receiver Landon Ransom-Goelz opened up the passing game for 329 yards and three touchdowns over the air.

The well-rounded win was also highlighted by a pair of TDs in the other two phases of the game. Monte Gillman started the scoring for Montana with a 96-yard kickoff return, marking the Grizzlies' first special teams touchdown of the season. Later, defensive back Devin Dunn delivered a game-changing 94-yard interception return for a touchdown (the longest in the Big Sky this year) as time expired in the first half, giving Montana its first defensive TD of the season.

"I told the guys this morning that I had a great calmness about me because I believe in these guys and I believe in this staff. You have Monte with the kickoff return, you have Devin with the pick-six, it was a great team win," said head coach Bobby Kennedy.

"I thought whoever played hardest, longest, and toughest is going to win this game, and I thought our whole team played that well."

Eli Gillman continued to add to his historic career despite being held to a season-low 58 rushing yards. The senior running back hauled in six receptions for 56 yards and two receiving touchdowns, bringing his season total to 26 touchdowns and surpassing Marcus Knight's previous Montana single season record of 25. Gillman also surpassed Lex Hilliard's program record of 806 career rushing attempts, bringing his career total to 814.

Ransom-Goelz delivered the best performance of his season at wide receiver, hauling in nine catches for a career-high 159 yards and a touchdown. Brooks Davis also continued his record-setting season, recording eight catches for 81 yards to bring his season reception total to 89, surpassing Samori Toure's previous Montana single season record of 87.

Ah Yat recorded his fifth 300-yard passing performance of the season and 11th of his career. He also moved into third place on Montana's all-time career passing yards list, passing Jordan Johnson's previous mark of 8,612 yards with 8,657 in his career.

Ah Yat had plenty of clutch throws during the game, including a 23-yard bullet to tight end Mariano Birdno on second and 10 with 1:45 to play that all but iced the game for the Griz.

"We all know about Keali'i. He's a special guy, and the way that he spreads the ball around is special. He's making great reads, and that last pass to Mariano, that was awesome," Kennedy said.

"But when you talk about our three starting wide receivers, whether it be Brooks, Lekeldrick Bridges or Landon, each of those guys is dangerous and when one is covered the others can step up. I'm glad they're on our team."

Defensively, Montana made several key plays when it mattered most. Dunn's interception return provided a major momentum swing heading into halftime, the defense as a whole had seven pass deflections and defensive lineman Tyler King added another sack to bring his season total to 9.5 sacks, keeping him first in the Big Sky Conference.

"The battle up front was a big emphasis for us, and stunting and blitzing with our linebackers, doing some twists with those guys up front. Obviously, I was really happy that we were getting pressure on their quarterback," Kennedy said.

"I was also really proud of our young corners. You talk about Jayden Nicholas; he did a great job. You talk about Sage Salopek; he played big tonight. Brady Beaner was out there running around with one shoulder, and then our safeties did a great job as well. I'm just really proud of this defensive staff and our guys overall."

Montana has now won three straight in late October and November, placing the Griz squarely in the conversation for a Big Sky championship and a spot in the FCS playoff bracket.

"During that bye week, I told guys we were not going to panic. I like to take measured approaches and fix problems when they arise. The great thing about our staff, from the offense, defense, special teams, was that we stayed together," Kennedy said.

"I have never doubted this team or this staff, and I tell the guys that all the time. I've got unwavering belief in Montana, unwavering belief in these guys, and I really love the guys that I've been able to surround myself with."

Idaho State struck first at the start of the game after stopping Montana on fourth down. The Bengals took advantage of the short field, putting together a scoring drive that ended with Isaiah Su'esu'e finding the end zone on a two-yard rushing touchdown to give ISU an early 7-0 advantage.

Monte Gillman then fielded the ensuing kickoff and finally broke free, racing 96 yards down the middle of the field for a touchdown, tying the game 7-7 and providing an immediate spark for the Grizzlies.

After a defensive stop, the Griz were mounting a drive with an opportunity to take the lead later in the first quarter but were unable to capitalize. Ah Yat had a pass slip out of the outstretched arms of Ransom-Goelz and fall right into the arms of ISU defender TreShawn Shorty, giving the Bengals possession near midfield. Montana's defense responded with another stop of its own, as Idaho State missed a 42-yard field goal attempt to keep the game tied.

UM carried the momentum into the second quarter and finally took its first lead of the night. Ah Yat threaded a needle to Ransom-Goelz in the corner of the end zone on 13-yard touchdown reception, putting the Grizzlies ahead 14-7.

The defense continued to make stops in the second quarter, forcing an Idaho State punt before Montana added to its advantage. A 46-yard field goal from Jo Silver extended the Grizzly lead to 17-7 with just over four minutes to play in the half.

Idaho State answered with another lengthy scoring drive, moving the ball downfield before settling for a 38-yard field goal from Mason Lindberg to cut the deficit to 17-10.

The Bengals appeared to have another opportunity to score before halftime after recovering a fumble on Montana's ensuing kickoff return. Idaho State quickly moved into scoring position, but the Grizzlies came up with the biggest defensive play of the night.

With just seconds remaining before the break, Dunn intercepted Jordan Cooke's quick out and returned it 94 yards for a touchdown into the warm embrace of the North End Zone. The pick-six gave Montana a 24-10 advantage heading into the locker room, and helped the Griz win the "middle eight" minutes with ISU receiving the ball to open the second half.

Idaho State opened the next quarter with another explosive play, using a 50-yard kickoff return to set up the Bengals near midfield. On the first play of the possession, Cooke connected with Tommy Poe for a 35-yard score, cutting Montana's lead to 24-17.

The Grizzlies responded with another patient scoring drive of their own. Ah Yat moved the offense downfield before finding Gillman for a 16-yard touchdown reception on a swing pass, extending the Montana advantage to 31-17.

Idaho State continued to fight back, putting together another drive that ended with Cooke connecting with Zedekiah Anahu-Ambrosio for a 27-yard touchdown to make it a 31-24 ballgame.

Montana answered once again before the end of the third quarter. Ah Yat found Gillman on another swing pass for his second receiving touchdown of the night, this time connecting from nine yards out to push the Grizzly lead back to two scores at 38-24.

Idaho State refused to go away in the fourth quarter. Facing a fourth-down situation during a lengthy possession. But the Bengals converted a muffed snap and took it around the corner to keep the drive alive. Not long after Cooke connected with Simeon Brown for a 25-yard TD and attempted a two-point conversion, but was unable to find the endzone, leaving Montana with a 38-30 lead.

The Grizzlies' defense came up with another important stop on the Bengals' next possession, forcing a punt with just over four minutes remaining. Montana took over with an opportunity to put the game away and Birdno got the Griz into scoring territory before Gillman converted a key third-down on a direct snap to allow them to run out the clock, securing the 38-30 victory.

"There's no place like home, no place like Washington-Grizzly, and I appreciate our fans so much. They're a big part of the family that I choose, and I just want to say thank you to all the people that have supported us all year. There's something about Montana. It's a special place," said Kennedy.

With the victory, Montana turns its attention toward one of the biggest games of the year as the Grizzlies travel to Bozeman next Saturday, Nov. 21 at noon, to take on rival Montana State in the annual Brawl of the Wild.