BIG SKY CHAMPS!
11/22/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
It wasn't pretty. It wasn't artistic. It didn't matter.
From Corey Smith's electrifying kickoff return for a touchdown to start the game through Kenneth Quall's touchdown return of an interception to Travis Lulay punt toward the Grizzly goal line on the day's final play, the Bobcats hung around and beat the Grizzlies 27-20. With the win, MSU earns a share of the Big Sky Championship for the second straight year, and earns its second straigt trip to the Division I-AA Playoffs.
"It was a tremendous game from the beginning with Corey Smith's electrification of the day," said MSU coach Mike Kramer. "Our defense kept us in there, and the offense finally got it rolling a little in the second half. It's an outstanding accomplishment and a great thrill to beat one of the legendary programs in Division I-AA. Hats off to the Grizzlies for playing well, and hats off to the Bobcats for matching that effort."
Corey Smith's 90-yard return of the opening kickoff was the first time in the 103-year history of this series that an opening kick has been returned for a touchdown. It was Smith's second kick return for a touchdown this year, a well.
MSU's 6-0 lead appeared in jeopardy, when the Grizzlies marched down the field to the Bobcat 23. Montana running back Justin Green and UM's veteran offensive line ground out an impressive drive, but Chris Snyder missed a 42-yard field goal try. The Bobcats went three-and-out, and Montana marched 41 yards in 15 plays as Snyder converted a 38-yard field goal.
The Grizzly defense held the Bobcats to three-and-out on their next possession, as well, and Montana marched 55 yards in three plays for a touchdown. Rex Hilliard gained 54 of this yards on two carries, while Green carried it the final time for the score.
After forcing another Bobcat punt, Montana was on the march again when Kenneth Qualls intercepted a Craig Ochs pass and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown to give MSU a 13-10 halftime lead.
For the second straight year, the Bobcats made their first drive of the second half a crucial moment in the game. After the Grizzlies went three-and-out, MSU mounted a 12-play, 76-yard drive -- only the second time in this year that the Bobcats have scored on the second half's opening drive -- capped by a Bruce Molock one-yard run on fourth down and goal from the one.
On MSU's next drive, the Bobcats marched 73 yards and Travis Lulay snuck in from one yard out to give the 'Cats a 27-10 lead. But Montana wasn't finished. A Snyder field goal with 7:27 left cut MSU's lead to 27-13, and an Ochs pass to Dane Oliver made the score 27-20 with 4:26 left.
Montana regained possession, Chad Gluhm, Adam Cordeiro and Clive Lowe combined on a pair of sacks to force fourth and long, and the Ochs threw incomplete on fourth down to seal MSU's win. Lulay punted to the Grizzly one on the final play of the game.
"It was a great day between two great rivals," Kramer said. "I'm glad we won, and I'm looking forward to competing for an NCAA Division I-AA National Championship. I'll also be cheering for Montana to do well in the playoffs. Wouldn't it be fun to get together in a few weeks for the right to represent the state of Montana and the Big Sky Conference in the National Championship game?"
From Corey Smith's electrifying kickoff return for a touchdown to start the game through Kenneth Quall's touchdown return of an interception to Travis Lulay punt toward the Grizzly goal line on the day's final play, the Bobcats hung around and beat the Grizzlies 27-20. With the win, MSU earns a share of the Big Sky Championship for the second straight year, and earns its second straigt trip to the Division I-AA Playoffs.
"It was a tremendous game from the beginning with Corey Smith's electrification of the day," said MSU coach Mike Kramer. "Our defense kept us in there, and the offense finally got it rolling a little in the second half. It's an outstanding accomplishment and a great thrill to beat one of the legendary programs in Division I-AA. Hats off to the Grizzlies for playing well, and hats off to the Bobcats for matching that effort."
Corey Smith's 90-yard return of the opening kickoff was the first time in the 103-year history of this series that an opening kick has been returned for a touchdown. It was Smith's second kick return for a touchdown this year, a well.
MSU's 6-0 lead appeared in jeopardy, when the Grizzlies marched down the field to the Bobcat 23. Montana running back Justin Green and UM's veteran offensive line ground out an impressive drive, but Chris Snyder missed a 42-yard field goal try. The Bobcats went three-and-out, and Montana marched 41 yards in 15 plays as Snyder converted a 38-yard field goal.
The Grizzly defense held the Bobcats to three-and-out on their next possession, as well, and Montana marched 55 yards in three plays for a touchdown. Rex Hilliard gained 54 of this yards on two carries, while Green carried it the final time for the score.
After forcing another Bobcat punt, Montana was on the march again when Kenneth Qualls intercepted a Craig Ochs pass and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown to give MSU a 13-10 halftime lead.
For the second straight year, the Bobcats made their first drive of the second half a crucial moment in the game. After the Grizzlies went three-and-out, MSU mounted a 12-play, 76-yard drive -- only the second time in this year that the Bobcats have scored on the second half's opening drive -- capped by a Bruce Molock one-yard run on fourth down and goal from the one.
On MSU's next drive, the Bobcats marched 73 yards and Travis Lulay snuck in from one yard out to give the 'Cats a 27-10 lead. But Montana wasn't finished. A Snyder field goal with 7:27 left cut MSU's lead to 27-13, and an Ochs pass to Dane Oliver made the score 27-20 with 4:26 left.
Montana regained possession, Chad Gluhm, Adam Cordeiro and Clive Lowe combined on a pair of sacks to force fourth and long, and the Ochs threw incomplete on fourth down to seal MSU's win. Lulay punted to the Grizzly one on the final play of the game.
"It was a great day between two great rivals," Kramer said. "I'm glad we won, and I'm looking forward to competing for an NCAA Division I-AA National Championship. I'll also be cheering for Montana to do well in the playoffs. Wouldn't it be fun to get together in a few weeks for the right to represent the state of Montana and the Big Sky Conference in the National Championship game?"
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