Bobcats Fall in Missoula
11/22/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Montana State's chances came early, and the Bobcats struggled to convert. Montana's big chances came late, and the Grizzlies turned a dominant fourth quarter into a 35-3 win over MSU in Missoula on Saturday.
"We made some critical mistakes in the first half," said MSU head coach Rob Ash. "Their fourth quarter was masterful. Credit to Montana, they played well today."
Montana State hit a big play on its second play from scrimmage, when Demetrius Crawford raced 84 yards from the Bobcat 13-yard line to the Montana three. But Montana stifled that momentum immediately by stopping the Bobcats cold, including a fourth-down play on which Bobcat quarterback Mark Desin fumbled.
"The goal line stand was a great effort by Montana," Ash said, saying he had confidence in his team's ability to get into the end zone from the one on fourth down. "Hindsight is always 20-20. When we go for it on fourth down, we go for it because we think we'll make it. After we missed it, it's easy to look back and say I wish we had the points. Give Montana the credit, they stopped us."
Montana's early break came moments later, after Montana State's second offensive possession. The Bobcats punted to UM, and Marc Mariani returned the punt 75 yards for a touchdown. The Grizzlies held a 7-0 lead without having gained a first down. Jason Cunningham converted a 25-yard field goal late in the quarter for MSU.
Midway through the second quarter, the Bobcats returned the goal-line stand favor by stopping the Grizzlies on a fourth-and-two play from the Bobcat five. But after MSU punted to the Bobcat 30 on the ensuing possession, Montana scored on two plays to take a 14-3 lead.
Trailing by that score to open the second half, Demetrius Crawford returned the kickoff to the MSU 48, and a Grizzly penalty allowed MSU to begin the half at the UM 43. After a pair of two-yard gains, a third-down pass fell incomplete and the Bobcats punted.
Later in the third quarter, MSU took over at the Montana 38 after a Grizzly punt and penalty. The Bobcats moved to the Montana 27, but on a third-and-10 Mark Desin was intercepted by Shann Schillinger at the Grizzly six. Four plays later, Montana scored to take a 21-3 lead. The Bobcats would never seriously threaten again.
Montana took the ball with 14:47 to play in the fourth quarter, and staged one of the most impressive drives in the 108-year history of the Bobcat-Grizzly series. UM marched 98 yards in 20 plays covering 9:56.
The top individual performance of the day was turned in by Bobcat running back Demetrius Crawford. The MSU senior rushed for 203 yards, the third-highest total in series history. Crawford finished his two-game career against the Grizzlies with 315 rushing yards, more than any player on either side has compiled in two games.
"Demetrius is a special, special player," Ash said. "his desire, and his effort on every single play, is just tremendous. He had an outstanding day today, and he leaves a positive impact on this program."
MSU linebacker Bobby Daly led all players with 13 tackles.
UM's Chase Reynolds rushed for 115 yards on 27 carries, while Grizzly quarterback Cole Bergquist finished 11-for-22 passing with 156 yards.
Montana State turned the ball over five times on the day, without taking the ball away from the Grizzlies.
"We made some critical mistakes in the first half," said MSU head coach Rob Ash. "Their fourth quarter was masterful. Credit to Montana, they played well today."
Montana State hit a big play on its second play from scrimmage, when Demetrius Crawford raced 84 yards from the Bobcat 13-yard line to the Montana three. But Montana stifled that momentum immediately by stopping the Bobcats cold, including a fourth-down play on which Bobcat quarterback Mark Desin fumbled.
"The goal line stand was a great effort by Montana," Ash said, saying he had confidence in his team's ability to get into the end zone from the one on fourth down. "Hindsight is always 20-20. When we go for it on fourth down, we go for it because we think we'll make it. After we missed it, it's easy to look back and say I wish we had the points. Give Montana the credit, they stopped us."
Montana's early break came moments later, after Montana State's second offensive possession. The Bobcats punted to UM, and Marc Mariani returned the punt 75 yards for a touchdown. The Grizzlies held a 7-0 lead without having gained a first down. Jason Cunningham converted a 25-yard field goal late in the quarter for MSU.
Midway through the second quarter, the Bobcats returned the goal-line stand favor by stopping the Grizzlies on a fourth-and-two play from the Bobcat five. But after MSU punted to the Bobcat 30 on the ensuing possession, Montana scored on two plays to take a 14-3 lead.
Trailing by that score to open the second half, Demetrius Crawford returned the kickoff to the MSU 48, and a Grizzly penalty allowed MSU to begin the half at the UM 43. After a pair of two-yard gains, a third-down pass fell incomplete and the Bobcats punted.
Later in the third quarter, MSU took over at the Montana 38 after a Grizzly punt and penalty. The Bobcats moved to the Montana 27, but on a third-and-10 Mark Desin was intercepted by Shann Schillinger at the Grizzly six. Four plays later, Montana scored to take a 21-3 lead. The Bobcats would never seriously threaten again.
Montana took the ball with 14:47 to play in the fourth quarter, and staged one of the most impressive drives in the 108-year history of the Bobcat-Grizzly series. UM marched 98 yards in 20 plays covering 9:56.
The top individual performance of the day was turned in by Bobcat running back Demetrius Crawford. The MSU senior rushed for 203 yards, the third-highest total in series history. Crawford finished his two-game career against the Grizzlies with 315 rushing yards, more than any player on either side has compiled in two games.
"Demetrius is a special, special player," Ash said. "his desire, and his effort on every single play, is just tremendous. He had an outstanding day today, and he leaves a positive impact on this program."
MSU linebacker Bobby Daly led all players with 13 tackles.
UM's Chase Reynolds rushed for 115 yards on 27 carries, while Grizzly quarterback Cole Bergquist finished 11-for-22 passing with 156 yards.
Montana State turned the ball over five times on the day, without taking the ball away from the Grizzlies.
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