Griz block Thunderbirds from springing the upset

MISSOULA — It was far from the prettiest performance of the season, but Montana did just enough to hold on for a 20-19 win against Southern Utah in the final meeting between the two schools as Big Sky Conference members.

The No. 11 Grizzlies struggled with turnovers and penalties all day long, but a strong defensive performance that featured a pick six and a blocked field goal helped lead the Grizzlies to a victory and improve to 6-2 (3-2 BSC) on the season.

"That was wild," Head Coach Bobby Hauck said following the win. "I've never been around a game like that I don't think. I've never seen anything like that."

The teams traded blows all game long, with six lead changes in a low-scoring affair keeping the tension through for all 60 minutes. The Grizzlies led in most statistical categories, outgaining the Thunderbirds by nearly 100 yards and picking up five more first downs. The Grizzlies converted well on third down as well, picking up 8-of-14 attempts.

But the Grizzlies had a tough hill to climb with four turnovers committed and 125 penalty yards. It is rare to win a game with those numbers, but Montana got a huge boost on their lone turnover of the game, a pick-six from Justin Ford.

It was the sixth interception in as many games for Ford, who extended his program record streak for consecutive games and became the first Grizzly with six in a season since Matt Hermanson in 2014.

The pick-six wasn't even the play of the game for a Montana defender, either. The Grizzlies took a late lead, but Southern Utah was poised to retake the lead with not much time on the clock. They set up for a short field goal, but Marcus Welnel busted through the line and got a hand to the kick, knocking it to the ground and icing the win for Montana. The block was perhaps the biggest play of the season so far for Montana.

Montana's defense put together another gem of a performance, allowing just three second half points which help set up the comeback victory. They gave up just 49 rushing yards while recording seven tackles for loss.

Robby Hauck led the Grizzlies with 10 tackles, passing his uncle Tim to move to No. 9 in Montana's history. Patrick O'Connell had another expected big day, recording eight tackles that included a sack and two tackles for loss. Marcus Welnel put pressure on the quarterback all day long with two hurries and a breakup, not to mention the blocked kick.

Montana played both Kris Brown and Cam Humphrey at quarterback, with Brown starting and closing out the game under center. It was an efficient day for the freshman, completing 74 percent of his passes for 186 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

He had five receivers with at least three catches, led by a breakout day for Keelan White. White caught a game-high eight passes, turning it into 54 yards — both season highs for redshirt-freshman. The tight end Cole Grossman also played big, catching four passes for 66 yards and Montana's only offensive touchdown of the day. Samuel Akem (6 for 54) and Mitch Roberts (5 for 60) were solid again.

The undermanned Grizzlies were again forced to go deep down in the depth chart, starting Junior Bergen at running back. He carried it 24 times, picking up a career-high 84 yards.

Overall, Montana did well on third downs and moved the ball well. The turnovers proved costly, but special teams backed them up with some great kicking from Kevin Macias and the final play of the game.

The unforced errors began early in the first quarter. It started with a fumble inside Thunderbird territory when a snap bounced off a player in motion. On the ensuing SUU drive, a pair of fourth down attempts were converted before they started as the Grizzlies jumped offside on both. It led to the first points of the day, as Southern Utah took advantage and drove into field goal range to take the 3-0 lead.

Another Montana mistake — this time a fumble from Humphrey — gave Southern Utah another chance in Grizzly territory. They drove 47 yards and got the first touchdown of the day on an Isaiah Williams rush to take a 9-0 lead.

The Grizzly offense finally found the board on the fourth drive of the day. They nearly found the end zone, but a third-down pass was deflected away at the final second, forcing Montana into a field goal attempt. Macias drilled the 21 yarder to cut the lead to 9-3. Then the defense provided some scoring for Montana to take the lead. Justin Ford intercepted an outside route, returning it 26-yards and weaving between a couple defenders before launching himself into the end zone for the defensive score. Southern Utah responded on the following drive. Once again, Montana jumped offside setting up a free play for the Thunderbirds. They took advantage, going deep down the sideline for a 60-yard score to retake the 16-10 lead.

Montana made it into Thunderbird territory late in the half, but a fourth-down attempt came up short to give the ball back to Southern Utah to end the half. In the first 30 minutes, Montana had a pair of fumbles and also gave the ball away on downs as they struggled for much momentum on offense.

Kris Brown entered at quarterback again in the second half, and on Montana's second drive he used the connection with Grossman for several big plays. First, it was a 30-yard gain when the Griz faced 2-and-27 that moved the chains and set them up in SUU territory. Then a few plays later, Grossman again found space in the seam, scoring a 24-yard touchdown to give the Grizzlies the lead again. The back-and-forth game continued to swing, as Southern Utah would march the length of the field for a field goal on the following drive to retake the lead 19-17 with just over a minute remaining in the third quarter.

Once again the teams traded blows. Montana took the ball 62 yards on its next drive, but once again stalled out in the red zone. Macias hit his second of the day to put Montana back on top by a point. The Griz defense then picked up a much-needed stop, with O'Connell getting into the back field on third down for a drive-ending sack. Montana's offense couldn't take advantage, turning it over with an interception to give it back to Southern Utah in Grizzly territory.

Again, Montana's defense rose to the occasion. They stopped SUU on four straight plays, turning the ball over on downs and giving the offense a chance to extend the lead. The Grizzlies drove into the red zone, but once again turnover problems haunted to the hosts. Bergen fumbled inside the red zone, giving Southern Utah the ball with just over six minutes remaining. The Grizzlies let the Thunderbirds drive again, picking up several crucial penalties on their way into field goal range. The Thunderbirds lined up for the kick with just over three minutes remaining, trying to retake the two point lead.

Montana’s dominant special teams rose to the occasion. Welnel blocked the 32-yard kick, giving the ball back to the Grizzlies with a chance to ice the game. They did just that, passing to Akem for a first down before rushing for another through Bergen to close out the narrow victory.

The Grizzlies won their second straight game and now will hit the road for two straight weeks against Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona. The momentum is starting to swing back in favor of the Griz, and despite the close result it was a happy mood in Montana's locker room following the win.

The No. 6 Montana State Bobcats were off last Saturday and will now head to Cheney, Washington, for a huge showdown with the Eastern Washington Eagles Saturday.