CEDAR CITY, Utah – Nov. 15 – The no. 15 Grizzlies of Montana (7-4, 5-2 Big Sky) came into Eccles Coliseum on Saturday for the first time ever, and had to put up with a pesky SUU football team (2-9, 2-5 Big Sky) that gave Montana everything they could. Montana pulled away at the end, beating the Thunderbirds, 35-17.
After a punt on SUU's first drive, the Grizzlies first drive started with two sacks by Thunderbird defensive linemen, Robert Torgerson and Kouri Jones. This pushed Montana into a long third down situation, which they could not convert, and were forced to punt.
Senior Aaron Cantu got the start for the Thunderbirds and led the team down the field on their second drive. The drive ended when kicker Trevor McGirr hit the left upright on a field goal attempt, turning the ball back over to Montana.
On the Thunderbirds third drive, Cantu was rushed and forced to fumble the ball, which Montana recovered in Thunderbird territory. On the ensuing drive, SUU blocked a field goal attempt, recovered by Miles Killebrew. The Thunderbirds, now led by Ammon Olsen, would drive to the red zone again, but an interception in the end zone by Montana's Matt Hermanson, returned the ball to Montana.
After punts by both teams, the first points of the game came on a 9-play 82-yard drive by the Grizzlies where quarterback Jordan Johnson found Sean Hayes for the 12-yard completion. The Thunderbirds would respond with an 11-play, 90-yard drive of their own as Olsen threw a 5-yard fade to Mitch Jessop for the touchdown. Both teams would score again before the half, making it 14-14 at the midway point.
After the Thunderbirds blocked another field goal on Montana's opening drive of the third quarter, SUU would again drive deep into Grizzly territory. This time, a field goal by Keita Calhoun would give them the lead at 17-14. This would prove to be the first and only lead of the game for SUU as Montana would respond immediately with a Jordan Canada 14- yard touchdown run to put them up 21-17. He would follow that one up with a 56-yard touchdown run to start the fourth quarter and the Grizzlies never looked back. Jamal Wilson would seal the deal with 4:21 left in the fourth, pushing Montana's lead to 35-17 and a conference victory.
Quarterback Ammon Olsen led the way for the Thunderbirds as he completed 25 of 41 pass attempts for 355 yards and one touchdown. Mike Sharp had an excellent game on the receiving side, catching six balls for 103 yards. Not to be outdone, Jessop had seven catches for 97 yards and one touchdown. The run game struggled again for SUU, Olsen was the leading rusher with 21 yards on nine carries.
Tonight marked the last game for the seniors on SUU's football team and the last chance for them to play in front of their fans. Coach Lamb on the seniors,
“We don't have very many seniors playing on the two-deep, but the guys that are playing have been tremendous fighters. Chris Robinson showed that all season long. Two guys that get overlooked are Nick Nissen and Trevor McFalls, they just keep battling with a young offensive line around them. Easton Pederson has been fighting in-and-out of the starting lineup and fighting for targets. All these guys have been excellent leaders. The seniors have been outstanding for us.”
Looking ahead to next week, the Thunderbirds will close out their 2014 campaign in Flagstaff, Ariz. as they face the Lumberjacks of Northern Arizona. Coach Lamb on facing NAU,
“If anything the silver lining, going in to a game like this off of the frustrations that we've had, is that it's a one-game season. There is a trophy on the line, it's our rival, it's a team that we have a lot of respect for. It's a game that both teams will have a lot of excitement and motivation for, and I believe it will be a fun opportunity.”
