PDF versionTHE GAME: The second-ranked (Sports Network) University of Montana Grizzlies (6-0/3-0 Big Sky Conference) continue their Big Sky slate, playing the Sacramento State Hornets (2-4/2-2) on Saturday, Oct. 24th.
KICKOFF: Kickoff is at 3:05 p.m. (Mtn.) in Hornet Stadium (21,195, natural grass).
RADIO/TV: The game can be heard on flagship stations KGVO Radio (1290-AM) and KVWE Radio (101.5 FM) of Missoula and throughout the state of Montana on Grizzly Football Network stations. Mick Holien calls the play-by-play, Scott Gurnsey provides color, and Greg Sundberg serves as the sideline announcer.
The game will be televised live by KPAX-TV of Misssoula and carried by its affiliates stations in the state of Montana. KPAX-TV’s sports director Phil Buck will call the action and UM’s Dave Guffey provides in-booth color.
GRIZ LAST WEEK: At Montana 41, Eastern Washington 34: The third-ranked and never-say-die Grizzlies put together a crucial scoring drive in the closing minutes en route to defeating the 21st-ranked Eagles. Montana’s final scoring drive was an 11-play, 55-yarder that culminated when senior halfback Chase Reynolds scored on a 4th and goal from the 1-yard line. Reynolds’ TD gave the Grizzlies a 41-34 lead with 1:18 remaining in the game.
Reynolds led UM with 21 carries for 69 yards and two scores, while senior halfback Thomas Brooks-Fletcher gained 50 yards on 11 carries, and QB Justin Roper picked up 32 yards on four totes. Andrew Selle was 11-of-18-0 for 150 yards and a TD, while Roper was 6-of-8-0 for 59 yards and a score. Senior tight end Steve Pfahler led UM with career-highs of 5 catches for 79 yards. Senior wide receiver/returner Marc Mariani had 3 grabs for 50 yards. Senior linebacker Shawn Lebsock and junior strong safety Erik Stoll led the Griz with a team-high 9 tackles each, while senior cornerback Keith Thompson had 8 stops.
24 IN A ROW!: The victory gave Montana its 24th winning season in a row, dating back to 1986.
MARIANI GOES LONG AGAIN: Mariani re-gained the lead (34-27) for the Griz against EWU when he returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown. It was the third longest in school history, and Mariani’s third career punt return for a touchdown.
RECORD CROWD AGAIN: For the fourth time in four games this season a record crowd (25,751) was on hand at the Griz-Eagle game in UM’s Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
HORNETS LAST WEEK: at Weber State 49, Sac State 10: The combo of Cameron Higgins’ passing to Tim Toone was too much for the Hornets as they lost at WSU’s homecoming game. Higgins tossed 5 TD passes -- 3 to Toone in the game. Sac QB Jason Smith was 14-of-25-1 for 137 yards and a score. Hornet running back Terrance Dailey had game-highs of 22 carries for 96 yards. Sac had 316 total yards to WSU’s 398, but the Hornets dominated time of possession (34:22 to 25:38).
THE SERIES: Montana leads the series 14-0.