Beavers use big plays to beat Griz in Corvallis

Saturday, September 19

Corvallis, Ore.

9 PM (MT)

Montana

3-1 , 1-0

Oregon State

1-2 , 0-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Montana	0	3	7	7	17
Oregon St.	14	21	7	10	52

Press Conference

Scenes from the University of Montana Grizzlies’ game against the Oregon State University Beavers on Sept. 19, 2026, at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon.

Photo by: Ryan Brennecke/University of Montana

9/20/2026 2:03:00 AM | Football

Box Score

By: Montana Sports Information

CORVALLIS – The Montana Grizzlies couldn't out-pace a fast and physical Oregon State team Saturday night, with the Beavers using their big play offensive attack to jump out to an early lead and come away with a 52-17 win at Reser Stadium.

Oregon State piled up 14 explosive plays of 15 yards or more to total 366 passing yards with another 146 added on the ground. The Beaver defense held Montana to just three points and 124 total yards in the first half as OSU build a 35-3 lead heading into the locker room. The Griz would settle in after the break, however, putting 14 points on the board and beating the Beavers in total yardage.

Montana dropped its first game of the season, falling to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in Big Sky play. Oregon State improved to 1-2 after suffering two narrow losses to top 25 FBS teams to open the season.

"Our guys kept competing. There are a lot of kids in our locker room that are hurting right now because they expected to play better, but I'll put that on the coaches. We have good kids that are prideful of Montana and what they wear on the front of their jersey, and we've just got to keep getting better, said head coach Bobby Kennedy, who suffered his first loss at the helm of the Grizzlies.

While the loss will sting, there were plenty of bright spots for the Grizzlies to build from, including yet another history-making day for Eli Gillman.

The fifth year running back became Montana's all-time leading rusher, passing Yohance Humphrey for the top spot in UM history. Gillman finished with 81 yards on the ground against OSU, bringing his career total to 4,086 and moving him into first place in program history.

Gillman broke Humphrey's record of 4,070, adding another milestone to a record-setting career that has already seen him climb to the top of Montana's rushing touchdown and total touchdown lists.

"I'm really happy with Eli because he has invested in this program and in his teammates," Kennedy said. "He's a guy I want on my side."

While Gillman continued to make history, wide receiver Brooks Davis once again turned in a productive performance. The senior hauled in 11 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown, leading the Grizzlies in both receptions and receiving yards.

Davis has now recorded more than 100 receiving yards and at least 10 catches in back-to-back games, continuing to establish himself as one of Montana's most consistent offensive weapons.

Quarterback Keali'i Ah Yat was also productive, throwing for 215 yards and two touchdowns without committing a turnover.

The Grizzlies struggled to keep pace with the Beavers' offense, as Oregon State quarterback Braden Atkinson finished with five passing touchdowns and one rushing.

Montana took its shots downfield early as well in an effort to counter OSU's punches, but four deep ball attempts from Ah Yat fell incomplete, allowing the Beavers to extend the early lead.

"We stepped up a level in competition, and Oregon State deserves a lot of credit," Kennedy said. "They're a really good team, and we knew coming into this game that they had explosive players and that they had good players. We just didn't hit some of those early plays that maybe could have kept us in it."

Despite the difficult afternoon, Montana continued to fight in the second half. Ah Yat connected with Reese Brooks for the sophomore's first career touchdown before finding Davis for a 40-yard touchdown later in the fourth quarter.

The Grizzlies also had to adjust defensively after linebacker Peyton Wing was ejected from the game following a targeting penalty in the second quarter.

"Peyton's our leader on defense. I mean, he gets the guys set. He moves people around. When you lose a guy like that, it's tough. He can lead on the sideline, but obviously he's not making plays on the field. But Peyton is a great kid, and he's going to give his best for Montana all the time," Kennedy said.

"Obviously, we would have liked to have got some stops early on defense and we could have stayed on the field a little better. We've got to improve in those areas. It was good that we got the turnover at the end of the game, but we just got to keep growing as a team."

Oregon State opened the game with the ball and on a fourth-and-2, Aj Newberry broke loose for a 40-yard catch and run, setting up the Beavers inside the Montana red zone.

Atkinson would find Eric Olsen for a 19-yard touchdown pass soon after, giving Oregon State a 7-0 lead.

Montana had a chance to answer on its next possession, driving into Oregon State territory before facing fourth down. Ah Yat's pass to Davis in the end zone fell incomplete, ending the Grizzlies' scoring opportunity.

Oregon State quickly added to its lead. Newberry broke off a 21-yard run before Atkinson connected with Aeryn Hampton for a 21-yard touchdown, giving the Beavers a 14-0 advantage.

The Grizzlies got on the scoreboard early in the second quarter after a strong defensive stop gave them favorable field position. Montana moved the ball down the field, but a holding penalty pushed the Grizzlies back and forced them to settle for a 39-yard field goal making it 14-3.

Oregon State responded with another long drive, aided by a targeting penalty that resulted in Montana linebacker Peyton Wing being ejected from the game and a pass interference penalty.

The Beavers capitalized on the opportunities as Atkinson found Jesse Legree, the nation's leading receiver, for a 23-yard touchdown, extending the Oregon State lead to 21-3.

After a 29-yard punt return gave Oregon State strong field position, the Beavers again moved down the field. Atkinson found DeCorion Temple for an 11-yard touchdown, his fourth passing touchdown of the afternoon, making it 28-3.

Montana attempted to answer before halftime as Gillman broke off runs of 10 and 17 yards on consecutive plays to move the Grizzlies downfield. Oregon State eventually brought Ah Yat down for a sack – the only one of the day for the Griz - pushing Montana out of field-goal range and forcing a punt.

The Beavers then used a two-minute drive to add one more score before halftime. Hampton continued to find openings in the Montana defense before Atkinson finished the drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown.

Atkinson's score gave him five total touchdowns in the first half, and Oregon State took a 35-3 lead into halftime.

After another OSU score, Montana found some life early in the second half. Dylan Paine and Davis helped move the Grizzlies downfield before Ah Yat found Reese Brooks for a 2-yard touchdown pass, giving the Griz their first touchdown of the day and making it 42-10.

Oregon State answered with a long drive early in the fourth quarter, eventually turning to Cornell Hatcher Jr., who rushed for a 14-yard touchdown to give the Beavers a 49-10 lead.

The Grizzlies continued to battle as Ah Yat found Davis for a 40-yard touchdown, Ah Yat's second touchdown pass of the day, which brought Montana within 49-17.

Oregon State later recovered a fumble and took over in Montana territory, but the Grizzlies' defense held firm in the red zone and forced the Beavers to settle for a 22-yard field goal, making the score 52-17.

The Beavers held Montana scoreless for the remainder of the game to close out the 52-17 victory.

The Grizzlies will now return to Big Sky Conference play against UC Davis at Aggie Stadium on Sept. 26.

"There's a bunch of teams that have lost today, and the key for us is that we stay together and that we keep fighting as a team," Kennedy said. "That's how we keep growing."