Cat-Griz Report: Grizzlies, Bobcats roll on Homecoming

MISSOULA (AP) — A blocked punt on the first series of the game was just what Montana needed to get rolling Saturday as the Grizzlies downed Northern Colorado, 38-13, in the Big Sky Conference opener for both teams.

"A big part of our fast start was the blocked punt," said Montana quarterback Jordan Johnson. "That got us going and got us into a rhythm."

Johnson connected with Jamaal Jones on a 9-yard scoring pass two plays after Addison Owen's blocked punt and No. 7 Montana, (3-2), went on a run, racking up 28 first quarter points.

The toss to Jones was Johnson's first of three touchdown passes. He also connected with Ryan Burke on a 41-yard scoring play in the first quarter and hit Mike Ralston with a 21-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. Johnson added to his big day by running for a 9-yard score to put Montana up 28-7 at the end of the opening quarter.

"We executed really well," said Montana coach Mick Delaney. "Jordan got us into a bunch of really good looks. That's because he's a student of the game and understands what coach wants."

Travon Van added a 71-yard touchdown scamper during the big Montana first quarter.

"The way our offense is clicking we can make big plays like that," Van said.

Northern Colorado (1-3) got its lone highlight of the game when backup quarterback Jonathan Newsom scored on a 74-yard run with 3:07 to play in the first quarter.

"I just saw a huge lane and took off," said Newsom, who was pressed into action when starting quarterback Sean Rubalcaba was unable to go with a shoulder injury at game time.

Bears' coach Earnest Collins also attributed Northern Colorado's poor showing to the blocked punt that jump started the Grizzly offense.

"You can't come out and start as slow as we did," Collins said. "We had two false starts on the punt play and then we got it blocked."

Montana's defense came up big throughout the day, forcing three turnovers and sacking Newsom five times.

Johnson finished the day 11-of-20 for 181 yards. Van led the Grizzly ground attack with 127 yards on nine carries.

Newsom threw the ball 40 times, completing 20 passes for 198 yards. He also led Northern Colorado rushers with 72 yards on 14 carries.

The Grizzlies are on the road at North Dakota this Saturday

Bobcats 29, North Dakota 18

BOZEMAN (AP) — Montana State's injury-depleted receiver corps received a much-needed injection of youth. The young Bobcats responded in a big way to the challenge, helping to turn back a game North Dakota unit in their 29-18 Big Sky win Saturday.

Freshmen wide receivers Justin Paige, Mitchell Herbert and Jayshawn Gates gained 206 yards on 10 catches filling in for starters Brian Flotkoetter and Tanner Roderick.

The No. 13 Bobcats (3-2, 1-0) got an interception return for a touchdown by freshman Khari Garcia early in the second quarter, Shawn Johnson scampered in from 16 yards and Mitchell caught his first collegiate touchdown pass as MSU built a 26-7 halftime lead.

"It's a testament to our program and coach," quarterback Dakota Prukop said of the freshman receiving trio. "We have a lot of faith in them, but I was really impressed."

"We knew coming in that they would have to grow up fast," MSU coach Rob Ash said. "They've had some snaps, but we were a little concerned about what would happen when they were thrust into this role."

North Dakota (2-3, 0-1) was able to cut it to 11 on a late touchdown pass from Joe Mollberg to R.J. McGill and a two-point conversion, but they got no closer.

Prukop finished 17 for 24 passing for 267 yards and a touchdown and Johnson had 75 yards rushing on 15 carries. Gates added 85 receiving yards on three catches.

UND, which came in with the second-ranked defense in the Big Sky, held MSU's offense to 329 yards after the Bobcats totaled over 500 for three straight games. MSU beat UND 63-20 last season and 55-10 in 2012.

"I was really happy with our defense," UND coach Bubba Schweigert said. "We have a belief that we can stop people."

Mollberg threw for over 200 yards for the first time this season, finishing 22 of 37 for 222 yards. Running back Kyle Norberg had 19 carries for 73 yards.

MSU, which honored the 1984 national championship Bobcat team by wearing throwback uniforms Saturday, will head out to play Sacramento State this Saturday night.