Montana State University
8-3 , 6-2
Montana
10-1 , 7-1
UM Rides Fast Start to Win in 122nd Brawl of the Wild
11/18/2023 2:54:00 PM | Football
Grizzlies control the day on the ground and through the air
Quarterback Clifton McDowell led the Grizzlies (10-1 overall, 7-1 Big Sky), throwing for 200 yards and rushing for 69. He scored one touchdown and threw for another. Tommy Mellott rushed for 108 yards to lead MSU and Julius Davis gained 107 on the ground, but UM held MSU to just 67 passing yards and intercepted Mellott once.
"Credit to them," said MSU coach Brent Vigen. "I know that what is important now is how we respond."
Montana dominated the first half, scoring on the game's first drive and after time expired, and twice in between. Eli Gillman dashed in from four yards out to produce the game's first score. It came after MSU forced and recovered a fumble. The call was overturned, and the touchdown came two plays later.
The Grizzlies forced a Bobcat three-and-out, then put together a 70-yard drive that Clifton McDowell capped with a four-yard run. Montana State's offense got going on the team's second drive, moving to the UM 14 yard-line on a 15-yard run by Julius Davis and a 46-yard dash by Tommy Mellott. On first-and-10 from the 14 MSU committed a false start, then three run plays resulted in a loss of two yards and the Cats missed a 38-yard field goal attempt.
Montana responded with another efficient drive, to the Bobcat 23-yard line where Nico Ramos connected on a 40-yard field goal.
The Bobcat offense again moved the ball on its last possession of the half, marching 52 yards to the UM 23 after rushes by Mellott (one carry for six yards), Davis (two carries, 30 yards) and Scottre Humphrey (one carry, nine yards). But UM forced losses on second-and-one and third-and-four, then Mellott threw incomplete on fourth down.
Montana State's defense stiffened late in the second quarter, forcing two punts, but an unusual sequence ended the half. The Bobcats took over at the MSU 36 and moved to the 44 with five seconds in the half. The Cats called a time out, then Chambers was sacked with one second remaining. Montana missed a 48-yard field goal, but kicker Grant Glasgow was roughed. That gave UM an untimed down, and Ramos connected from 33 yards to push the Grizzlies' lead to 20-0 at the intermission.
With the win Montana claimed its first outright Big Sky title since 2009. Each team learns its post-season fate on Sunday at 10:30 am during the FCS Selection Show, which airs on ESPNU.
#GoCatsGo
Team Stats
MSU 0, UM 7
UM - Gillman,Eli 4 yd run (Ramos,Nico kick), 14 plays, 75 yards, TOP 06:10
MSU 0, UM 14
UM - McDowell,Clifton 4 yd run (Ramos,Nico kick), 7 plays, 70 yards, TOP 02:52
MSU 0, UM 17
UM - Ramos,Nico 40 yd field goal 9 plays, 52 yards, TOP 05:52
MSU 0, UM 20
UM - Ramos,Nico 33 yd field goal 1 plays, 15 yards, TOP 00:01
MSU 7, UM 20
MSU - McCullouch,Ty 19 yd pass from Mellott,Tommy (Kautzman,Casey kick) 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:01
MSU 7, UM 27
UM - Bergen,Junior 20 yd pass from McDowell,Clifton (Ramos,Nico kick) 6 plays, 50 yards, TOP 02:42
MSU 7, UM 30
UM - Ramos,Nico 29 yd field goal 12 plays, 41 yards, TOP 06:23
MSU 7, UM 37
UM - Ostmo,Nick 64 yd run (Ramos,Nico kick), 2 plays, 69 yards, TOP 00:55
