MISSOULA — In maybe the most important Brawl of all of them, Montana imposed its will. Now the Grizzlies can lastly name themselves Big Sky Conference champions once more.
No. 3 Montana dominated the day in all three phases on the best way to a 37-7 rout of archrival and No. 4-ranked Montana State within the 122nd version of the Brawl of the Wild on Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
James Dobson / MTN Sports
With the victory, the Griz received the outright Big Sky title — their first convention crown since 2009 — and strengthened their resume to maybe earn the No. 2 seed for the upcoming FCS playoffs. Montana completed the common season with a 10-1 total file and a 7-1 mark within the Big Sky. MSU completed 8-3 total and 6-2 within the league.
Per custom, the Grizzlies paraded the Great Divide Trophy throughout the sector, in addition to the Big Sky championship plaque, for the 27,178 followers readily available and now personal a 74-42-5 total edge within the longstanding rivalry collection.
Montana jumped out to a three-score benefit. Running again Eli Gillman capped the sport’s first drive with a 4-yard landing run, placing the Griz forward 7-0 with 8:50 left within the opening quarter. QB Clifton McDowell made it 14-0 with a 4-yard TD run of his personal on their subsequent possession. A 40-yard subject objective by Nico Ramos gave UM a 17-0 benefit halfway by the second.
Desperate for factors late within the half, the Bobcats referred to as a late timeout to attempt to arrange a fourth-down Hail Mary play. But Sean Chambers was sacked with one second remaining on the clock. MSU’s Jon Johnson then was flagged for roughing the kicker on a 48-yard attempt by the Griz, organising a 33-yard attempt that Ramos made for a 20-0 lead on the break.
James Dobson / MTN Sports
The Bobcats lastly received on the board on the outset of the second half with a five-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 19-yard landing go from Tommy Mellott to Ty McCullouch. But the Grizzlies answered instantly with a 20-yard TD go from McDowell to Junior Bergen – following a giant kickoff return by Bergen — to make the rating 27-7 early within the third quarter.
Ramos made it 30-7 along with his third subject objective late within the third. The Bobcats did nothing on their subsequent three possessions, and Griz operating again Nick Ostmo offered the dagger with a 64-yard landing gallop proper up the center to make it 37-7 with 6:50 remaining.
Turning level: The momentum swung early. The Griz received a bounce and the Cats missed a possibility on the primary drive of the sport when Montana QB Clifton McDowell fumbled within the purple zone on successful by Montana State’s Level Price Jr. Nick Ostmo and MSU linebacker Nolan Askelson each had a shot at recovering it and fought for the ball.
The officers initially gave possession to Montana State, however after evaluate it was clear Ostmo had recovered and the decision was reversed. Two performs later Eli Gillman was ultimately zone from 4 yards out and Montana led 7-0 with 8:50 left within the opening quarter.
James Dobson / MTN Sports
Stat of the sport: Montana’s energetic and aggressive 3-3-5 protection stored the Bobcats at bay all through. The Grizzlies held Montana State to zero completions and no passing yards within the first half, and by recreation’s finish the Bobcats had simply 280 whole yards, together with 213 speeding yards (roughly 100 beneath their season common). UM additionally restricted the Cats to a mixed 1 for 14 success price on third and fourth down.
Game balls: Montana QB Clifton McDowell (Offense). McDowell continued his stellar play, main the Grizzlies’ offense with environment friendly, mistake-free command. McDowell accomplished 17 of twenty-two passes for 200 yards and a landing, and in addition added 69 speeding yards and a TD on the bottom.
Montana LB Braxton Hill (Defense). The Grizzlies’ linebackers have led the best way on protection all season, and Hill led the best way once more on Saturday. Hill tracked the ball all around the subject, ending with eight whole tackles.
Montana PK Nico Ramos (Special groups). With three subject targets, Ramos offered key supplemental scoring within the first quarter and was good on all his tries.
What’s subsequent: Both the Grizzlies and Bobcats will wait to listen to their names referred to as for the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs when the 2023 FCS championship choice present airs Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Mountain time on ESPNU and ESPN+.
Following Saturday’s win (and paired with Furman’s loss to Wofford), the Grizzlies are in line for a top-two seed, which might imply a first-round bye and home subject benefit all through the playoffs. With three losses (all to prime 10 groups), the Bobcats’ scenario is much less clear however they’re nonetheless very a lot within the operating for a seed and a first-round bye.
