Montana Survives Scare From Portland State, 34-31

The Grizzlies went to 9-0 and clinched a share of their 10th straight Big Sky Conference title at 6-0.

Drew Hubel threw for 404 yards in the Viking loss. Photo courtesy: PSU Athletics

MISSOULA, Mont. - Drew Hubel’s encore was a pretty good one, but not quite enough against the nation’s fourth-ranked team as Montana defeated Portland State, 34-31, at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

It was PSU’s best performance in Missoula since 1998 but still came up short. PSU dropped to 2-7 on the season with its’ fourth straight loss.

The Grizzlies went to 9-0 and clinched a share of their 10th straight Big Sky Conference title at 6-0.

Hubel, who had a record nine touchdown passes in his first career start a week ago, completed 29 of 52 passes for 404 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions against the Grizzlies.

The Vikings took the early lead on a 30-yard field goal by Danny Urrego. Then, Montana scored 10 in a row, including a 69-yard pass from Cole Bergquist to Mike Ferriter for a touchdown.

Olaniyi Sobomehin tied the game early in the second period on a three-yard touchdown run. That followed a big interception by Stanley Jackson at the Montana 29-yard line.

The score was tied 10-10 at that point, but Montana put together a solid second quarter, scoring three times, and taking advantage of a muffed punt return.

Quarterback Drew Hubel salvaged the half with two quick-hitting drives. Hubel hit Kirkland on a 73-yard touchdown pass midway through the second quarter. It was PSU’s longest play of the year.

A few minutes later, Hubel completed consecutive long pass plays, first a 49-yarder to Kenneth Mackins, then a 36-yarder to Matt Smith. Sobomehin went in from a yard out on the next play as PSU closed within a touchdown at halftime 31-24 lead.

Hubel threw for 318 yards in the first half, but Montana countered with 347 yards of total offense.

The defenses took charge in the third period. The only score came late in the quarter as Dan Carpenter kicked a 35-yard field goal for the Griz. Montana took a 34-24 lead to the final period.

The Vikings had a successful fake punt at the start of the fourth period, with Danny Urrego rushing 24 yards for a first down. But all PSU could get out of it was an eventual missed field goal from 50 yards.

Neither side could mount a serious offensive attack until late in the fourth quarter. With PSU at the Montana 10, Hubel threw a pass that was intercepted in the end zone.

It looked bad for the Vikings at that point. But, two plays later Condrew Allen intercepted a Cole Bergquist pass and ran it back 24 yards for a touchdown. That made it 34-31 with 6:14 to play.

However, Montana was able to run 14 plays and slowly moving down the field. Despite the Vikings calling all three timeouts, the Griz were able to run out the clock.

Kirkland caught nine passes for 140 yards and a score. Mackins added seven catches for 105 yards.

Andy Schantz led the Viking defense with 14 tackles, a sack and two pass breakups. Damion Porter and Ryan Pederson each had 13 tackles.

Source: PSU Athletics

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