Gillman sets records as Griz roll past Bulldogs, 45-10

Saturday, September 5

Missoula, Mont.

1 PM

Montana

2-0 , 1-0

Drake

0-2 , 0-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Drake	3	0	0	7	10
Montana	14	7	14	10	45

Montana plays Drake at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.

Photo by: Ryan Brennecke / University of Montana

Gillman sets records as Griz roll past Bulldogs, 45-10

9/5/2026 7:45:00 PM | Football

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Montana Sports Information

MISSOULA – It was a record setting day in Missoula as running back Eli Gillman became an all-time Grizzly great, leading Montana to a dominant 45-10 nonconference victory over the Drake Bulldogs at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on Saturday.

Gillman set a new program record for career rushing touchdowns with three scoring runs, passing Hall of Famer Chase Reynolds to reach 53. His fourth touchdown of the day - a one yard pass - tied two more Reynolds records, pushing his career totals to 59 touchdowns and 354 points, the most by a non-kicker in Montana history.

The prolific fifth year running back posted the 17th 100-yard rushing day of his illustrious career with 105 on the ground. That also puts him at 3,858 career rushing yards, now needing just 212 yards to become UM's all-time leader in that category... And it's only week two.

The Grizzlies improved to 2-0 on the season while putting up 488 yards of total offense, balanced with 206 yards on the ground and 282 over the air.

Quarterback Keali'i Ah Yat was again crisp, completing 27 of his 40 passes for all 282 yards and pair of scores without a sack. Newcomer Landon Ransom-Goelz crossed the century mark to lead UM with 101 yards and Brooks Davis hauled in his first TD catch of the year.

Drake fell to 0-2 on the season as the Grizzly defense imposed its will on the Bulldog's "Top Gun" offense, keeping the visitors out of the endzone until the fourth quarter and limiting their big play ability to just 252 passing yards.

Montana's defense swarmed the Bulldogs, racking up seven tackles for a loss, a sack, and forcing a pair of fumbles, and keeping quarterback Riley Warzynski hearing footsteps all afternoon. Newcomer safety Devin Dunn led UM with six total stops and fellow newcomer Tyler King was a menace on the D-line with a sack, a TFL and a forced fumble on one of the highlights of the day.

There were some big moments on special teams again for the Griz this week as well, with punter Everett O'Donnell uncorking a 68-yard punt that pinned Drake inside the two (one of the 20 longest punts in school history), and kicker Jo Silver booming a career-long 50-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, the first from 50-plus for UM since 2024.

Its wasn't all smooth sailing for the Griz, however, as a slew of second half flags piled up to give UM 16 penalties for a loss of 138 yards, but a turnover-free day and a pair of fumble recoveries helped the Griz manage the errors.

"There's so much that we can get better at, like cleaning up some little things. But I was really pleased with the guys' effort, how hard they played. The defense was phenomenal," said first year head coach Bobby Kennedy, who improved to 2-0 as Grizzly head man.

"That is a tough offensive scheme that we faced, and the way our defensive coaches prepared our guys, and the way we practiced all week, I was really pleased with that."

Drake opened the game with a 22-yard field goal after a 67-yard catch and run by Willis Nofsinger that was chased down by Tanner Huff. The UM defense held firm in the red zone and the Bulldogs settled for three after what would be their only explosive player of the afternoon.

Montana quickly responded with a confident 13-play, 75-yard drive on the ensuing possession that chewed up over five minutes of clock time to keep the Bulldog's tempo offense at bay. Gillman punched in a 3-yard rushing touchdown for his first score of the day after the Griz converted two fourth downs to keep the chains moving on the drive to take a 7-3 lead.

Gillman added another 3-yard rushing touchdown before the end of the quarter, tying Reynolds' Montana record at 52. He was just getting warmed up.

The Griz continued to pull away in the second quarter as Gillman added another rushing touchdown to make it 14-3 before Montana's defense created another big moment. Tyler King forced a fumble that was recovered by the Griz, giving Montana another opportunity to extend its lead.

Montana took advantage of the turnover, driving down the field before Gillman punched in his third rushing touchdown of the day from 1 yard out to make it 21-3 and put him ahead of Reynolds for good on UM's rushing TD's list.

"I've seen a difference out of him (Gillman) this training camp, and then early in the season, in terms of not necessarily the way he practices, but the way he's finishing plays during the week," said Kennedy. "I just think he's a really driven guy. Super proud of him for getting the record. Obviously, that says a lot for him."

Drake had a chance to cut into the lead before halftime, but a 45-yard field-goal attempt went wide left. Montana also saw a 35-yard field-goal attempt blocked before taking a 21-3 lead into the break.

The Bulldogs came out of halftime with momentum in the quiet stadium and drove deep into Montana territory as the Griz shot themselves in the foot with several penalties. A goal line stand held Drake out of the endzone and turned the Bulldogs over on downs, however, and the momentum was back with the Griz. All-told, Montana held Drake to just 2-of-5 in the red zone.

"That first series kind of gave me a little bit of a heart flutter, but the guys did a good job." Added Kennedy. "They moved the ball down there a little bit, but then our defense rose up, stopped them, took it away. There was so much positive for the defensive side of the ball."

Montana would get back on the board after another turnover on downs as Ah Yat found Gillman at the 1-yard line for his fourth touchdown of the day and first through the air, extending the lead to 28-3.

With four touchdowns on the day, Gillman tied Reynolds' Montana record for career touchdowns with 59 and moved into a tie with Reynolds for fourth on Montana's all-time scoring list with 354 points.

Montana continued to add to its lead as Ah Yat connected with Brooks Davis on a 26-yard touchdown pass making it 35-3.

Drake would find the end zone in the fourth quarter Warzynski completed a 10-yards strike to the endzone, cutting the Montana lead to 35-10.

Then it was Silver's turn to avenge an earlier blocked field goal attempt, and he delivered. The senior connected on a 50-yard field goal, the longest of his career, extending the lead to 38-10.

On the following Drake possession, Styles Goodman forced a fumble that was recovered by Clay Oven at Montana's 30-yard line. The Griz took advantage of the turnover again as backup running back Dylan Payne rushed for his first career touchdown with Montana from 1 yard out, making it 45-10.

"Let me tell you this too, Dylan Payne, when he got in, was really happy with him," Kennedy said.

Gillman finished the day with 105 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on 19 carries, while adding two catches for six yards and a receiving touchdown.

"There were some really good plays. It was good effort, but on the other hand, boy, we take away a penalty here and there, a holding call. Those are the hidden yards that if we eliminate those things and we get rolling, we're going to be really good," Kennedy said.

Despite the penalties, Montana's defense held Drake under 300 yards of total offense while the Bulldogs ran 86 plays.

"There's a lot to clean up, and after you win like that, you know, having that many points but still getting the win, we can be hard on these guys, and we're going to do that."

The Grizzlies return to action next week as Utah Tech comes to town on September 12.