Cat-Griz Report: Griz get a throwback win; Cats cruise

MISSOULA — The Montana Grizzlies knew just how good the Sacramento State Hornets were ahead of Saturday’s Big Sky Conference opener. But there was no way, on the day when UM honored the greatest Grizzly of the mall, the Griz were going to lose at home.

And they didn’t as No. 19 Montana outlasted the explosive Hornest 41-34 on Dave Dickenson day at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

"Sac State is the best team we've played this year and I don't think it's close. They're well coached, they're veteran, they're talented, so great job by them," said UM head coach Bobby Hauck. "It was a great game in Grizzly stadium today.”

Coming into the game, Montana had accumulated just over 320 yards rushing on the season. The Grizzlies more than doubled that number against the Hornets, exploding for 351 rushing yards and amassing 585 yards of total offense to bounce back from a 28-24 halftime deficit.

But on the day when the best QB to ever play, in Missoula, and in the Big Sky, was on hand, current Griz’ QB Dalton Sneed stole the show. In the end, his 206 rushing yards were the most ever by a Montana quarterback, and the eighth-most in a game in school history — regardless of position. Following the game, however, he was quick to deflect the kudos.

"I don't want to take any credit for that because every person in this room could have run through the holes we ran through today," said Sneed at the post-game press conference. "It shows the growth of a young offensive line that has progressively gotten better week in and week out."

Tied 31-31 for most of the third quarter, the Grizzlies took the lead for good early in the fourth when Sneed engineered a nine-play, 63-yard scoring drive.

While it was his legs that provided excitement throughout the day, on this particular drive, it was Sneed's arm. He passed for three first downs, and facing fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, found Matt Rensvold for the tight end's first collegiate score. Sneed looked right and waited for the defense to help in that direction, before finding the Polson native wide open.

The Grizzlies played from behind initially, thanks to a couple long scoring plays by the Hornets. Just four plays into the game, Sacramento State was on the board after a 59-yard run from dynamic back Elijah Dotson, who finished with 234 yards rushing on the day, forcing UM to make halftime adjustments to stop him.

"That's the best running back we've seen. If you get out of place on that stretch play, he's going to find it. They hurt us with it the first half, so we got some of that ironed out at halftime," said Hauck. Montana countered, though, with a 53-yard end-around run three plays later by true freshman Gabe Sulser, last year's Gatorade Montana High School Player of the Year at Billings Senior. The play was his first collegiate touch of the ball.

"Gabe's a kid that's got some explosive ability. It showed, obviously, on that play. When you give him that much space, he's got a chance to finish in the end zone, and he did," Hauck said. "There'll be a lot more of those I think before he's done here."

After the Hornets scored again, Montana countered on the very next play, rushing 75 yards into the end zone. Sneed faked a pitch to his right, then found a hole up the middle. He scored in the same fashion late in the third quarter for his third rushing score. His second, though, might have been the most exciting. On third down from the 12-yard line, just before halftime, Sneed was pressured, ran up the middle, and just before crossing the line of scrimmage faked a pass to the left. The defense jumped, while Sneed held onto the ball and walked into the end zone untouched.

Previously, Sacramento State had scored back-to-back touchdowns, again on long plays — a 66-yard rush from Dotson and a 77-yard reception from Jaelin Ratliff, after he was nearly tripped up at midfield. The Grizzlies trailed 28-24 at halftime, but took the lead just 3 minutes, 15 seconds into the second half when Sneed faked a toss and ran it up the gut for his third score. He iced the game late in the fourth quarter, breaking free for a 50-yard gain to the 2-yard line. That set up Tim Semenza's second field goal of the day.

Aside from the big plays, Montana's defense was nails, especially at key times. The Grizzlies held Sacramento State to 3-of-12 on third down, forcing multiple second-half false-start penalties — one which required the Hornets to go for a field goal instead of fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Josh Buss had 11 tackles, 3.0 sacks and a fourth-quarter pass breakup on third down. Dante Olson had 15 tackles, one sack and one breakup.

Montana totaled 585 yards of offense. In addition to rushing for 206 yards, Sneed passed for 234 yards. Jerry Louie-McGee had six catches for 91 yards. On the ground, Adam Eastwood had 18 carries for 72 yards. Montana rushed for 351 yards on the afternoon, more than the last three games combined (332). The win improves the Grizzlies to 3-1 overall, including 1-0 in Big Sky play. The victory was the 200th all-time win in Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

Montana honored its history with throwback copper and gold uniforms. After the first quarter, former Grizzly "Super Dave" Dickenson was recognized on the field. The All-American who led Montana to a 1995 national championship will be inducted into the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame in December.

The Griz are back on the road, traveling to Cal Poly this Saturday night.

Bobcats 43, Portland State 23

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Montana State football team completed four consecutive touchdown drives during the first half and the Bobcat defense made crucial stops to help propel the Cats to a 43-23 victory Saturday, over Portland State at Hillsboro Stadium.The win improved MSU to 3-1 overall, while the Vikings dropped to 1-3 in each teams' Big Sky Conference opener.

Following a slow start by MSU's offensive and defensive sides of the ball, both picked up their play as the first half progressed. Portland State completed its first drive of the game with a 3-0 lead after gaining 52 yards and kicking a 44-yard field goal. MSU's offense picked up one first down on its opening drive, but the Bobcats were forced to punt.

Freshman running back Isaiah Ifanse rushed for two straight short yardage touchdowns, Troy Andersen connected with Kevin Kassis on a 53-yard touchdown pass, then Andersen found the end zone on a 6-yard run as the Bobcats completed the first half up 26-16. The Bobcats completed their opening drive of the half with a 29-yard field goal. After a Portland State three-and-out, MSU responded with a 7-play, 70-yard drive. Tucker Rovig connected with Travis Jonsen on a 29-yard pass, the combination of Andersen and Ifanse rushed for 40 yards, and Tyler Natee closed out the drive by plunging into the end zone from a yard out.

Portland State answered back with another touchdown drive to cut the Bobcat lead to 13, but that's as close as the Viks would get. Andersen served as the proverbial dagger as he scampered down the left sideline for a 66-yard rushing touchdown with seconds left in the third quarter.

The Bobcat defense clamped down giving up one scoring drive in the second half and holding the Viks scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Montana State outgained Portland State by a tally of 491-425 yards. MSU's Andersen accounted for 318 all-purpose yards, with 211 coming on the ground. Andersen's rushing total was the most for the sophomore during his MSU career and was a single-game high for a Bobcat since 2011.

Rovig went 2-for-2 passing for 61 yards to contribute through the air for the Bobcats. Ifanse accounted for 100 yards rushing on 19 carries, while Natee contributed with 13 yards. Willie Patterson had a team-high 3 receptions and was followed by Kassis's two catches.

Bryce Sterk led the Bobcats defensively with 6 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. Tyrone Fa'anono and Tucker Yateseach had five tackles, while Jacob Hadley added a sack.

The Cats return to Bozeman this Saturday for a huge showdown with Eastern Washington.