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  Saturday, Nov. 13 2:00pm ET
Idaho kicks its way to win over Montana
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) -- Ben Davis kicked almost as many field goals Saturday as Montana committed turnovers, but his fourth one spelled the difference in a 33-30 Vandal victory over the Grizzlies.

His final kick came with two seconds to play, breaking a 30-30 tie and leaving the turnover-prone Grizzlies wondering how this could be.

"It's not easy coming into our place and stealing away a game," said Montana coach Mick Dennehy.

"We ended up having to work very, very hard for the points we got," Dennehy said. "They didn't have to work very hard" and that was the difference, he said.

Montana turned the ball over five times, losing three fumbles and two pass interceptions. Idaho lost no fumbles and had just one interception.

"We played well enough to win most games," Dennehy said. "But we've got to be a little more conscientious of doing the little things well. We've got to keep the (ball) wrapped up when we get into traffic."

Idaho coach Chris Tormey said he had a feeling the game would be won in the fourth quarter. "It was tied at halftime and the game could have gone either way."

The game was the first between the teams since 1995 when Idaho (4-1 Big West Conference, 7-3 overall) left the Big Sky Conference for Division I-A.

Montana defensive tackle Tyler Martin said the Idaho offensive line wasn't the best the Grizzlies have faced this season, but "they got it done in the end."

Running back Yohance Humphery, who committed two fumbles, said the Grizzlies were pumped coming out for the second half. "We thought we could play with these guys."

They did -- and then some.

Montana (6-1 Big Sky, 8-2), ranked No. 4 in Division I-AA, outgained the Vandals 475 to 424 yards in total offense.

Anthony Tenner opened the scoring for Idaho with 11:32 to play in the first quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run. Montana answered with a 48-yard pass from Drew Miller to Jeremy Watkins with 2:17 left, and the Grizzlies took the lead when Kris Heppner connected on the first of his three field goals with six seconds left.

Davis with a 28-yard field goal and Tenner with a 5-yard run put Idaho back up, 17-10, with 3:08 left in the half. Miller tied the game with 22 seconds left when he hit backup tight end John Fitzgerald with a 6-yard touchdown pass.

In the second half, Davis put Idaho back on top with a 41-yard field goal.

Wide receiver Jimmy Farris then gave Montana the lead again on a five-yard end-around run with 9:33 to go in the third quarter. Heppner extended the Grizzly lead to 27-20 two minutes later on a 35-yard boot.

Davis' third field goal, from 38 yards, cut the lead to three before Tenner added his third touchdown on a 1-yard run with 9:17 left to play.

Heppner's 42-yard field goal tied the game for Montana with 2:52 to play. But Idaho took the ball 73 yards in 10 plays to set up Davis' game winner from 25 yards out.

Along with his three touchdowns, Tenner finished the day with 100 yards rushing on 18 carries. Quarterback John Welsh completed 18 of 35 passes for 212 yards.

UM's Miller completed 29 of 50 for 399 yards but threw two interceptions. Watkins caught 12 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown.

In addition to Humphery's two fumbles, Etu Molden fumbled once.

 


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College Football Scoreboard

Idaho Clubhouse

Montana Clubhouse

College football Top 25 overview