Griz, Cats roll in Big Sky Conference openers

MISSOULA — The No. 4 Montana Grizzlies rode several explosive plays and a dominant defense to second-straight blowout victory, defeating Cal Poly 39-7 in the 101st Homecoming game Saturday in Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The win started Big Sky play off on the right foot for Montana and improved them to 3-0 on the season, the best start for UM since 2013.

The Grizzly defense entered the game not having allowed a point since the opening drive of the season and they continued the impressive defense against the Mustangs. Montana didn't allow a score until the fourth quarter — when the game was 39-0 and in hand — ending their streak at 165 minutes and over 10 full quarters without giving up a single point.

"We can start another one, I hope, next week," Hauck said of the streak. "That's the way it works, and it's quite remarkable in modern day college football to have that many drives and that many quarters of scoreless football by your defense. It really doesn't happen much anymore so I'm really proud of their effort and performance over the first three games of the season."

The defense provided some scoring of their own as Justin Belknap intercepted a pass for a touchdown, and Montana got some points out of the special teams game to help supplement an offense that didn't have its best day.

Malik Flowers returned a kick for a touchdown on the opening play of the second half and Levi Janacaro blocked a punt that he recovered in the end zone to give Montana three non-offensive touchdowns in the game.

Montana's offense managed just two scores, but didn't turn the ball over. They controlled the field position game all day long, thanks in large part to punter Brian Buschini. The freshman punted seven times, averaging over 45 yards each and pinning Cal Poly inside their own 20 four times.

The Mustangs outgained the Grizzlies by eight yards in the game, and they threw for 315 yards. Garret Graves made his first start and performed well, leading the team with 11 tackles including one for a loss. Patrick O'Connell continued his hot start to the season with another player of the game performance, getting into the backfield several times and recording 3.5 tackles for loss to lead the team. The Grizzly defense got good pressure on the Cal Poly quarterbacks, but quick passes opened up the defense on the outsides. In addition to Belknap's pick-six, Justin Ford also intercepted a pass for the Grizzlies while Cal Poly was in the red zone.

Cam Humphrey completed 15 of 24 passes for 215 yards and a pair of scores. Samuel Akem scored his 24th career touchdown on the opening score of the game and Joey Elwell caught his first career touchdown from the starting quarterback.

The Grizzlies struggled to move the ball on the ground, gaining just 98 yards. Xavier Harris led the way with 70 yards on nine carries, including a 34-yard big gainer. Isaiah Childs carried the bulk of the load, going for 28 yards on 14 carries.

While Hauck said starting 1-0 in conference play and 3-0 overall is the result they were hoping for, he will be looking for improvement from his team next week.

"I guess it shows you where we've come to when you win a league game for Homecoming 39-7 and I'm mad at everybody, starting with me," Hauck said. "I suppose that means we're probably back where we need to be. Great teams find ways to win and that's what our team did today.""

On the first touchdown of the game Cal Poly brought the house, but Humphrey read the defense and delivered a quick strike on a slant route to Akem. The senior did the rest from there, speeding up the middle of the field for a 65-yard score to put Montana on the board. Montana's defense kept the momentum rolling. Two plays after the Akem touchdown, Justin Belknap dropped into coverage and intercepted a pass, returning it 24 yards for another Montana score. The Grizzlies went for two with receiver Mitch Roberts taking a direct snap and scoring up the middle to make it 15-0. The defensive score brought Montana's defense level with its opponents on the season in touchdowns. Through 29 total drives on the season; opposing offenses, seven. Montana's defense, seven.

The Grizzlies rolled the dice on the next drive, going for it on fourth down. Humphrey connected with Roberts on the sideline to extend the drive and lead to a 24-yard field goal from Kevin Macias.

A trick play nearly broke the unbreakable Grizzly defense on the following drive. A fake punt was successful for the Mustangs, bringing the ball inside the red zone and putting Montana's scoreless streak in jeopardy. But the big play Grizzly D delivered again. Justin Ford jumped a slant route, intercepting Cal Poly's Kahliq Paulette and putting the ball back into Montana hands.The Mustangs had a couple of field goal chances at the end of the half, but missed both as Montana's scoreless streak extended into the half.

Montana added to the lead before a large contingent of Griz Nation could even return to their seats. Malik Flowers took the opening kickoff of the half 95 yards, weaving through the coverage to score his fourth career kick return touchdown.

Cal Poly moved deep into Grizzly territory again on the next drive, but Montana's defense had consecutive tackles for loss that moved the Mustangs out of field goal range and forced a punt.

Montana took that punt and drove the field, putting together a 13 play, 80-yard drive capped off by a touchdown pass from Humphrey to Joey Elwell. The 23-yard connection was the first career score for the sophomore tight end.

A three-and-out forced Cal Poly into another punt, and Montana's special teams added another highlight to the already packed reel. Levi Janacaro burst through the line and blocked the punt, keeping his feet and recovering it in the end zone for another Montana score. The block and recovery increased Montana's lead to 39-0.

The incredible scoreless streak for Montana was finally brought to an end in the fourth quarter on a short touchdown run from the Mustangs. The touchdown was the first points allowed by the Montana defense since Washington scored on the opening drive of the season. Montana had gone 10 full quarters and 165 minutes without allowing a point.

The Grizzlies now head to Cheney to take on one of the most dangerous offenses in the country in Eastern Washington. The game will be on ESPN2, the first regular season Big Sky game to be featured on the channel.

"I never look ahead at games, I don't believe it's productive at all because you get caught," Hauck said of the Eastern game. "But I think it's good for Montana, it's good for the university and it's good for Griz football to play on the big network next Saturday night in Cheney."

Cats 30, Portland State 17

PORTLAND, Ore. — Montana State got dialed in during the second half of its Big Sky Conference opener and closed out a 30-17 road victory over the Portland State Vikings Saturday, at Hillsboro Stadium.

The Vikings kept the No. Bobcats at bay early as PSU jumped out to a 10-3 lead after the first quarter. PSU totaled 163 yards passing in the opening 15 minutes of the contest, while MSU was held to just 85 total yards.

A Simeon Woodard interception slowed down the Viks on a second quarter drive and three first-half field goals by Blake Glessner kept the Bobcats within striking distance as they trailed 10-9 at halftime.

MSU was forced to punt following its first drive of the third quarter, but a Bryce Leighton punt pinned Portland State at its own 8. After a three-and-out, MSU's Coy Steel returned the Viks' resulting punt 45 yards into the red zone. Isaiah Ifanse found the end zone for the Bobcats for the first time to give MSU a lead with 9:08 remaining in the Third quarter. Portland State responded with a 10-play, 75-yard drive as the Viks regained the advantage, 17-16. However, the Bobcats went ahead for good on the ensuing drive. Montana State went 75 yards over the course of eight plays, with 53 yards coming through the air to Lance McCutcheon, which included a 20-yard touchdown pass from Matthew McKay to put the Cats up by six points again.

The Vikings drove into Bobcat territory heading into the fourth quarter. On 3rd and long, PSU quarterback Davis Alexander avoided a Daniel Hardy sack but was stripped of the ball by Brody Grebe. The fumble was recovered by Chase Benson and MSU took over on its own 30.

Montana State put the game out of reach on its next drive. The Bobcats marched down the field and finished off a six-play drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass from McKay to Jaharie Martin. Portland State's next offensive possession saw the Vikings make it into the MSU red zone but the home side was halted near pay dirt. Troy Andersen and Daniel Hardy combined on a 3rd down sack on the 10-yard line, then Amandre Williams finished off a PSU comeback attempt with a 4th down sack.

The Cats used 10 consecutive plays to run out 6:30 of time on the game clock and ended the matchup in the victory formation.

Montana State eventually outgained Portland State 479-351 in total yards, which included a 133-26 edge in the fourth quarter.

The Bobcat defense held the Vikings to just seven points in the second half. Andersen and Hardy each led MSU with seven tackles apiece, with Hardy registering 3.5 tackles for loss. Callahan O'Reilly had six tackles while Benson finished with two quarterback hurries.

MSU's offense was highlighted by a 30-carry, 217-yard game by Ifanse on the ground. McCutcheon hauled in a team-high eight receptions and had 161 yards receiving. McKay finished the contest 14-for-21 passing and 225 yards through the air.

Montana State returns home to Bozeman for its next two games. Bobcat Stadium plays host to MSU and Northern Colorado at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, and the Homecoming contest between the Cats and Cal Poly at 2 p.m. Oct. 9.