Montana State Bobcats @ Montana Grizzlies
Could this be a sign of things to come? Not much fanfare this year for the Cat/Griz game as they are now in separate divisions. With MWC rules that UM cannot play in Bozeman anymore - then it seems likely that this rivalry like so many others will be going away soon. Most naysayers doubt that the Cats will want to play in Missoula every year. There has been some talk of maybe playing alternating years at a "neutral site", for example in Bozeman. Would that be allowed? Time will tell.
For this year, the Bobcats come into WaGriz led my senior Denarius McGhee facing a red hot Montana squad that is undefeated primarily against a weak schedule, although the week 1 upset of Oregon State is still prominent for the Griz, especially with OSU winning earlier today at Colorado 29-10, which will move them up.
FIRST HALF
Grizzlies return the kick at the start, but are unable to get much momentum going, and Shaw shanks they punt for only 16 yards. Special teams may be a key today. McGhee however moves the Bobcat earlier, with a 21 yard catch to Flotkoet, which is followed by pass interference on Nate Harris putting the Cats at the Griz 27. Kirk gains 5, and then on a 3&5, Holmes steps up big, sacking McGhee for an 8 yard loss. The Rob Ash mysteriously decides to go for it on 4th&13....and McGhee hits Bleskin for 11 yards, but they needed 13 and Montana State turns the ball over on downs.
The Griz seem to be a bit more excited on their 2nd possession, after looking pretty flat there at the beginning of the game. Johnson hits Canada, and then finds Jones for 17 yards. Marshall of MSU, must've been watching Harris as he to is hit with pass interference moving the Griz to their own 44. A pass to Warren, and another completion to Hagfors, surprising many in attendence, and the Griz are quickly sitting at the Cat 13. From there, JJ hands it to Canada....TOUCHDOWN MONTANA! And the Griz strike first Montana 7 Montana State 0
MSU has already proven they can move the ball today, on this UM defense...and McGhee quickly does so again with a mix of passing and rushing to Kirk, who has 3 nice gains of 7+ yards in this drive. The Griz then catch McGhee in the backfield, but he is able to scramble out of it for 13, and the then hits Bleskin for a 13 yd touchdown. Montana 7 Montana State 7
As the 1Q winds down, Montana has driven back to the Bobcat 30 yard line mainly thanks to a solid return by Ellis Henderson on the kickoff, and then a spectacular catch sprinting down the sideline. Johnson then hits Canada for 8 as the 2Q begins, misses Van but finds Henderson again for another catch - and 17 yards. Johnson looks off his receivers in the end zone, scrambles from the pocket, but then finds Naccarato for the 5 yd catch and TOUCHDOWN! Montana 14 Montana State 7
We said at the beginning special teams could play a big role today, and its one area the Grizzlies need to improve at but not this play - as the Cats Johnson goes untouched for a 100 yard touchdown return. The Griz held that lead for only 6 secs...and we sit at Montana 14 Montana State 14.
A fumble on the Griz' next possession ends that drive but MSU cannot take advantage as they are hit with two costly penalties, and Perez pins the Griz at the 14 with a 52 yard punt. Montana runs off 11 plays but struggles just to get back to midfield before punting it away. That return by Johnson has really seemed to slow them up to this point.
Things have been ugly this game with a lot of penalties being called, and a few fumbles. On this drive with 3 minutes left in half, Johnson is forced to scramble for 12 while looking downfield, in then hits Canada for 10 but makes an error on the next play, as Daly gives chase, and Johnson tries to throw to his receiver but Flowers tips it - into the hands of Singleton who takes it to the Griz 23 yard line, with 2:27 left in half the Bobcats are looking at a go ahead score here.
But NEZ crazies are in it, and the Bobcats are looking perplexed - Devereux is called for holding - and the Bobcats are pushed back ten yards. On the next play we have this call....
McGhee sets to throw
he throws off his back foot to Ellis
covered by Nate Harris
Kanongata leaps
one-handed pick!
blocking in front
he's past the 40
50
40
he's at the 30
to the 20
finally brought down at the 18!
return of 57 yards
Johnson and the Griz offense get a gift here at the end of the half, and they go to work. A hitch to Warren for ten yards, and then Canada gets his 2nd touchdown of the half, and the Grizzlies take the lead into half time Montana 21 Montana State 14