Talk Is Cheap, Touchdowns Aren’t: Montana Gets the Last Laugh Over Sacramento State | Big Sky Recap

Montana, Northern Arizona, and Idaho all captured road victories, relying on efficient offensive attacks and opportunistic defenses, while Montana State and UC Davis showcased the strength of their ground games in controlling time of possession. Meanwhile, tight contests like Eastern Washington over Weber State highlighted how turnovers and red-zone efficiency can tip the scales, setting up another crucial slate of matchups this weekend.

#2 Montana 49, Sacramento State 35 (Sacramento, CA)

After a week of trading media barbs, Montana and Sacramento State traded explosive plays on the field right out of the gate, entering halftime with Montana leading 28–21 after multiple long touchdowns from Griz QB Keali‘i Ah Yat’s passing and WR Michael Wortham’s rushing. Montana extended its lead in the second half with two more touchdowns, including another from Wortham, while Sacramento State battled to add late scores but couldn’t close the gap. Despite being outgained 478 to 385 yards, the Griz capitalized on efficiency, fewer penalties, and six sacks to secure a 49–35 victory. Ah Yat led an efficient Griz passing attack, throwing for 224 yards and three touchdowns, with Wortham contributing both through the air and on the ground with 80 receiving yards, 89 rushing yards, and three total touchdowns. Sacramento State’s QB Cardell Williams posted 332 passing yards and a touchdown but was sacked six times, limiting the offense’s consistency despite a strong connection with WR Ernest Campbell, who caught nine passes for 206 yards and a score. Montana balanced its attack with 161 rushing yards and key plays from multiple receivers, while Sacramento State relied heavily on its passing game but struggled with protection and turnovers. Montana’s defense was led by LB Elijawah Tolbert with nine total tackles, while S Diezel Wilkinson and LB Peyton Wing made major impacts up front, combining for five sacks and 36 yards lost. LB Caleb Otlewski added an interception, and the Griz defense added ten tackles for loss and four quarterback pressures. Sacramento State’s defense was paced by S Anta’Veon McKenzie and ILB Alex Rocha, who each tallied seven total tackles, while CB Ricky Lee III added 1.5 tackles for loss. Despite contributions from multiple defenders, including CB Lamont Johnson-Burrell’s interception and several players recording seven total tackles for loss or four quarterback hurries, the Hornets struggled to contain Montana’s offensive attack. Next week, Montana will head to Ogden to avenge last year’s 55-48 OT loss at Washington-Grizzly Stadium to the Wildcats. Meanwhile, Sacramento State will also be on the road, heading to Cheney to face Eastern Washington on the red turf.

#9 UC Davis 27, Northern Colorado 16 (Greeley, CO)

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UC Davis looked to continue growing their playoff resume last weekend, hitting the road to face plucky Northern Colorado team that has looked the best it has in years. But, the Aggies would be without star freshman QB Caden Pinnick who was sidelined with injury the week before. UC Davis built a commanding 24–0 first-half lead behind three touchdown passes from backup QB Grant Harper and two field goals from K Hunter Ridley. Northern Colorado battled back with a long touchdown pass before halftime and added 10 more points in the second half, but their rally fell short. UC Davis outgained UNC 452–345 in total yards, dominated on the ground with 236 rushing yards, sealing a 27–16 victory with a late field goal. Harper threw for 216 yards and three touchdowns, connecting most often with WR Samuel Gbatu Jr., who led all receivers with 108 yards and a score. The Aggies’ rushing attack continued the trend, piling up 236 yards led by RBs Carter Vargas and Jordan Fisher, who combined for 177 yards on the ground. The Bear’s QB Eric Gibson passed for 269 yards and a touchdown to WR Brayden Munroe, but limited rushing production and three sacks hindered the Bears’ offense. UC Davis’ defense was anchored by LB Nate Rutchena, who led the team with 11 tackles, while LB Sam Goligoski delivered a standout performance with three tackles for loss and two sacks. The Aggies also forced key turnovers, including a fumble from LB Jackson Sievers and an interception by DB Khalani Riddick, helping to blunt Northern Colorado’s offensive momentum. The Bear’s defense was led by S Franky Morales and S Cam Chapa, who each tallied seven total tackles, with Chapa also recording an interception and a fumble recovery. DL Levi Little and DL Kruse Redding chipped in one tackle for loss each, but the Bears struggled to contain UC Davis. Next weekend, the Aggies will be back at home to face former Davis OC Cody Hawkins and his Idaho State Bengals. Meanwhile, Northern Colorado will be hosting again, this time welcoming #5 Montana State, who has their eyes on a second consecutive conference championship.

Eastern Washington 23, Weber State 20 (Ogden, UT)

The Eagles hit the road on Saturday, heading down to Ogden to seek a win over the struggling Weber State Wildcats in the Big Sky Game of the Week. Eastern Washington edged Weber State 23–20 in a defensive battle marked by big plays and efficient red-zone execution. EWU capitalized on a safety and a critical Weber State punt return error, giving the Eagles a short field and leading to a 2-yard touchdown run by RB Jared Taylor. Meanwhile, WSU stayed close behind with rushing scores from RB Davion Godley and RB Chauncey Sylvester plus two field goals by K Sloan Calder. Despite being outgained 345–199 in total offense, Eastern Washington’s defense forced two interceptions and held strong late to secure the victory. Eagles QB Nate Bell completed 20 of 29 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown, connecting most often with WR Noah Cronquist, who led all receivers with 66 yards. Taylor powered the Eagles’ ground game with 23 rushing yards and two short touchdowns despite the team averaging just 0.8 yards per carry. Weber State’s QB Dijon Jennings threw for 140 yards but was intercepted twice, while Godley and RB Bird Butler led an explosive rushing attack that combined for 142 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, midway through the third quarter, Godley had to be helped off the field with what looks like a serious knee injury, potentially putting the Wildcats’ RB1 out for the rest of the season. LB Read Sunn led the Eastern Washington defense with 11 total tackles, while LB Myles Mayovsky added eight tackles and two tackles for loss. DB Ambrose Marsh and S Jaylon Jenkins each recorded interceptions, while DE Tariq May contributed the team’s lone sack. LB Sione Hala led Weber State’s defense with 12 total tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack, while LB Mayson Hitchens added 10 tackles of his own. The Wildcats generated steady backfield pressure with sacks from DT Matt Herron, DT Zion Finau, and LB Kevin Enriquez. EWU will head back home this weekend to host Sacramento State in Cheney, while the Wildcats get to stay home in consecutive weeks for the first time this season, hosting #2 Montana on Saturday.

Idaho 45, Portland State 6 (Moscow, ID) 

The Vandals looked to bounce back last weekend after suffering a painful loss to Eastern Washington. They hosted the cellar-dwelling Portland State Vikings at the Kibbie Dome for an afternoon tilt. Idaho dominated Portland State 45–6 behind an explosive passing attack that produced five touchdowns and 301 yards through the air. Vandal QB Joshua Wood threw four touchdown passes in the first half as the Vandals built a commanding 28–6 lead by halftime. Despite PSU holding a slight edge in time of possession, Idaho’s efficiency, averaging 8.4 yards per play, proved decisive in the lopsided win. Idaho’s offense scored early and often, with Wood throwing for 259 yards on the day, while backup QB Rocco Koch added a 42-yard touchdown pass, totaling five passing scores for the Vandals. RB Elisha Cummings led the Vandal ground attack with 65 rushing yards and a touchdown, helping Idaho amass 163 rushing yards at 5.8 yards per carry. In contrast, the Vikings struggled to generate offense, managing only 182 passing yards without a touchdown and 135 rushing yards, as their passing attack was limited by two interceptions and two sacks. Portland State’s defense was active but largely contained, with S Jerome Roberts leading the team with six total tackles and several others contributing key stops and minor tackles for loss, like DB Carsten Mamaril, LB Jordan Allen, and CB Dionte Thornton. They were unable to force any turnovers or sacks that significantly disrupted Idaho’s high-scoring performance. Idaho’s defense remained stout when it mattered throughout the day, with LB Cruz Hepburn and DL Zach Krotzer leading the team with nine and seven total tackles, respectively, while several players contributed tackles for loss and quarterback pressures. DB Jahmell Blenman and DB Isiah Bivins each recorded interceptions, frustrating the Viking defense on drive after drive. This week, Idaho will be on primetime TV, heading to the mountains to face Northern Arizona on ESPN2 Friday night. Portland State will also be on the road again, heading to San Luis Obispo to face the Cal Poly Mustangs on Saturday afternoon.

Northern Arizona 31, Idaho State 18 (Pocatello, ID)

The Lumberjacks looked to bounce back on the road after a tough road loss to Davis a couple weeks ago and a bye week to process it. They faced an Idaho State team hungry for a win after so many disappointing games thus far. But it was not to be for the Stripes. Northern Arizona edged out Idaho State 31-18, taking control with a dominant second quarter that included two long scoring drives and a rushing touchdown. Both teams had similar first down totals, but NAU’s balanced rushing attack (200 yards, three TDs) and perfect red-zone efficiency gave them the edge. Despite Idaho State outgaining NAU slightly in total offense (393 to 371 yards), turnovers, time of possession, and NAU’s ability to finish drives determined the outcome. Northern Arizona rushed for 200 yards and three touchdowns while completing 24 of 30 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown. Idaho State gained more passing yards (256) and had a strong ground game led by RB Dason Brooks (108 yards, 1 TD), but their scoring was limited to one rushing and one passing touchdown. LB Brandon Wong led Northern Arizona’s defense with 12 total tackles while LB Ramere Davis and DL Tausagafou Ho Ching contributed two tackles for loss and a quarterback pressure. DB Michael Beresford also forced a fumble while CB Quentin Moten recorded an interception to slow down the high-flying Bengals offense. Idaho State’s defense was anchored by S Rylan Leathers with 14 total tackles, while DL Zion To’oto’o, CB Jackson Daniels, and LB Teilor Tuioti each recorded tackles for loss and a sack. S Janari Boone forced a fumble while four Bengals were credited with quarterback hurries. Northern Arizona heads back to the mountains this weekend, hosting the Idaho Vandals on ESPN2 Friday night, while Idaho State hits the road to visit UC Davis on Saturday.

#5 Montana State 34, Cal Poly 17 (San Luis Obispo, CA)

The Bobcats headed to the beach last weekend, taking a break from the cool, fall weather in Bozeman for a tilt against the Mustangs of Cal Poly. Montana State controlled the game with a run-heavy offensive attack, rushing for 290 yards and passing for 176, while scoring three rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown to build an early lead. Cal Poly struggled to keep pace, gaining just 50 rushing yards and 191 passing yards, though they managed two passing touchdowns late in the fourth quarter to give fans hope but cutting the Bobcat lead to ten. MSU dominated time of possession, third-down conversions, and total offense, ultimately winning 34-17. MSU relied heavily on LB Julius Davis, who led the way on the ground with 175 yards and a touchdown, while QB Justin Lamson contributed both passing and rushing scores. The Bobcat passing game was also fairly efficient when called upon, with Lamson completing 19 of 30 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown, spreading the ball across multiple receivers. Cal Poly leaned more on the pass, gaining 191 yards and two passing touchdowns from QB Bo Kelly, but were limited on the ground to just 50 rushing yards. Montana State’s defense was led by LB Bryce Grebe with four total tackles and a tackle for loss, while DE Dominic Solano, contributed a tackle for loss of his own. LB Cole Taylor chipped in an interception on a day that saw Cal Poly convert just 2 out of 12 3rd down attempts. Cal Poly’s defense was once again anchored by LB Mikey D’Amato, who led the team with 16 total tackles, including a sack for a 3-yard loss, while LB Kenny Olson and S Jeremiah Bernard also made significant impacts with ten and six total tackles respectively, with Bernard adding a sack and a forced fumble. Montana State will hit the road again this weekend, going to Greeley to face Northern Colorado. Meanwhile, Cal Poly will be home in SLO once again to host struggling Portland State.