CATS WIN!!!
11/20/2010 4:03:47 PM | Football
Montana State holds on to down Grizzlies for Big Sky Crown
Kelly Gorham Slideshow from Saturday's game
Montana State's offense won the first half. And the defense won the second.
The net result was a thrilling and memorable 21-16 Bobcat victory in snowy Missoula on Saturday.
"We have a real special group of guys at Montana State," said Bobcat coach Rob Ash. "The were determined to get the job done."
The Bobcats scored twice in the first quarter - Tanner Bleskin caught a 16-yard touchdown from Denarius McGhee, and CJ Palmer caught a nine-yarder. Orenzo Davis' 17-yard run in the second quarter closed the scoring for MSU. Montana State rolled up 221 yards in the first half.
Montana had answers for MSU's first two first-half scores. Chase Reynolds dashed 59 yards for a score on UM's first play, and Justin Roper scored on a six-yard run. Montana registered 155 yards in the first half, but after the intermission Montana's only points came on a safety.
Montana State, in fact, gained only 57 yards in the second half, while UM gained nearly 220. But the story was turnovers. MSU, plagued by turnovers recently, did not give the ball away. The Bobcat defense, on the other hand, forced four Grizzly turnovers, all in the second half, and three deep in Bobcat territory.
Montana State stands 9-2 on the season, owns the Big Sky Championship, and heads to the FCS Playoffs. It learns its playoff destiny on Sunday morning at 8 am on ESPNU.
