Montana opened its season with a 28-21 victory over Southern Utah in Big Sky Conference play Saturday night in Missoula. Quarterback Keali’i Ah Yat led the Grizzlies to the win, completing 15 of 28 pass attempts for 265 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing touchdown. The decisive moment came with just over three minutes remaining when Ah Yat connected with Lekeldrick Bridges on a 53-yard touchdown pass to secure the victory.
The win marked the debut victory for Montana head coach Bobby Kennedy and extended the program’s remarkable streak of success in season openers to 12 consecutive wins. The second-ranked FCS team controlled much of the game through Eli Gillman’s versatile performance, who scored two touchdowns and accumulated 169 total yards of offense. Gillman’s 85-yard reception on Montana’s opening drive set an early tone, and a 29-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter gave the Grizzlies a commanding 14-3 halftime advantage.
Southern Utah mounted a comeback behind quarterback Will Burns, who passed for 251 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 119 yards. Fullback Floyd Chalk contributed 100 rushing yards and a score. The Thunderbirds tied the game at 21 with a 58-yard touchdown pass from Burns to Joshua Acord late in the fourth quarter, but Montana’s late drive proved decisive in the eight-point final margin.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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