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HIGHLIGHTSChase Reynolds and Thomas Brooks-Fletcher combined for a total of 245 rushing yards and four touchdowns to lead the second ranked Montana Grizzlies in a victory over Sacramento State 45-30. The high-scoring Big Sky victory keeps the Grizzlies undefeated.
On the opening drive for Montana, Andrew Selle found Marc Mariani over the middle for an 18-yard touchdown reception. The early 7-0 lead didn’t last long. The Hornets marched down the field scoring a touchdown on a 3-yard run by Terrance Dailey.
With a 7-7 tie to start the second quarter, Sac State completed a 25-yard pass from quarterback Jason Smith to receiver John Hendershott giving the Hornets a 14-7 lead.
The Grizzlies answered with two touchdowns from Chase Reynolds on back-to-back possessions, set up by a successful on-side kick. The two scores gave Reynolds 12 touchdowns on the season and the Griz a 21-14 lead with 2:06 left in the half.
The Hornets had an apparent 40-yard touchdown reception, but a holding call brought it back leaving the 21-14 score at halftime.
Chase Reynolds scored his third touchdown of the game and 13th of the season after Marc Mariani returned a Hornet’s punt 54 yards to their 5 yard line. Mariani, who leads the FCS in punt return average, set up a 28-14 lead for the Griz.
Sac State responded with an eight play scoring drive to pull within a score. Hanging on to a 28-21 lead, Montana successfully completed a fake field goal. Holder Jeff Larson faked the hold and ran for 14 yards. The fake kick was the second trick special teams play of the game.
The trick play kept Montana driving. Two plays later, Brooks-Fletcher ran for a 17-yard touchdown giving the Grizzlies a 35-21 lead. The score was Brooks-Fletcher’s first touchdown of the season and fifth of his career.
The fourth quarter began with an interception from safety Mike Cummings. The turnover led to a 38-yard field goal giving the Griz a 38-21 lead. With the kick Brody McKnight remained perfect in attempts under 40 yards.
Sac State diminished Montana’s comfortable lead by scoring on a 28-yard pass play, cutting the lead to 38-28 with five minutes left in regulation.
Jabin Sambrano helped extend the Grizzlies lead with a 57-yard touchdown reception. The touchdown gave Montana a 45-28 lead with 3:35 left. Sambrano lead the team with 114 receiving yards.
The Hornets scored the final points of the game with a safety. The safety gave Sac State two points and possession. With the ball in their hands, the Hornets still had hope, but linebacker Caleb McSurdy sealed the 45-30 victory for Montana with an interception.
Montana finished the game with 471 yards of total offense. Quarterback Andrew Selle started the game and went 9 for 15 passing for 109 yards. Justin Roper rotated in going 9 for 11 and passing for 127 yards.
The Grizzlies (7-0, 4-0 Big Sky) will face Weber State (5-3, 5-1 Big Sky) in a match up of last season’s Big Sky co-champions next week at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Weber State survived at Northern Colorado beating the Bears 28-20.