CEDAR CITY, Utah (October 22, 2016) – Midway through the fourth quarter, Weber State’s chances of coming back from a 36-14 fourth quarter deficit to rival Southern Utah seemed as probable as the Chicago Cubs finally making a World Series.
Well, the sports world witnessed two seemingly improbable moments happen, as
the Wildcats picked up a thrilling 37-36 win at Southern Utah, breaking a three-game Thunderbirds winning streak in the #BeehiveBowl.
Southern Utah running back Raysean Pringle rushed for a 36-yard score late in the third quarter, giving the Thunderbirds a 36-14 lead entering the final period. It was that way until quarterback Stefan Cantwell scored on an 11-yard run midway through the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit.
Weber State would eventually score two needed points on a safety, before scoring two touchdowns in the final three minutes. First, quarterback Jadrian Clark found Andrew Vollert on an 11-yard pass, then Clark found Denby on a 40-yard touchdown, giving the Wildcats a lead with 31 seconds remaining.
The Wildcats finished with 539 yards of offense, with Clark throwing for 436 yards and four touchdowns. Haini Moimoi caught five passes for 126 yards, while also rushing six times for 33 yards.
Weber State is 4-0 in Big Sky play for the first time since 2008, and will play undefeated North Dakota next weekend.
Eastern Washington 41, Montana State 17 – Facing the nation’s third-ranked team, in Eastern Washington, Montana State took a 17-14 lead early in the second quarter.
Unfortunately for the Bobcats, they wouldn’t score again, as the Eagles closed the game on a 27-0 run, to pick up a valuable road win over Montana State.
Eagles quarterback Gage Gubrud threw for 520 yards, and four touchdowns. Eastern Washington receiver Cooper Kupp caught 13 passes for 154 yards, and a touchdown. Kupp’s touchdown came on a 10-yard connection from Gubrud.
The Eagles’ defense was nearly as productive as the offense, forcing five Montana State turnovers.
Montana State quarterback Chris Murray threw for a touchdown, and rushed for a 70-yard touchdown in the second quarter, giving the Bobcats a temporary lead.
Northern Colorado 27, Sacramento State 19 – The Northern Colorado Bears went on a 20-10 run in the second half, earning a Homecoming win over the Sacramento State Hornets.
Bears running back Trae Riek rushed for 108 yards, and quarterback Kyle Sloter threw for 203 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Bears outgained Sacramento State, 432-283, but also had four turnovers.
The Hornets took a 10-7 lead into halftime, after a four-yard scoring run by Jordan Robison lifted the Hornets into the lead. However, Sloter threw both of his scores in the second half, as the Bears moved to 4-3 on the season.
Sacramento State’s Robinson rushed for 128 yards, and two scores.
North Dakota 28, Idaho State 21 – The North Dakota Fighting Hawks escaped Holt Arena with a win, outlasting the Idaho State Bengals.
Idaho State scored the game’s first points, as Tanner Gueller found KW Williams on an 11-yard strike, giving the Bengals an early 7-0 lead. However, North Dakota responded with a 28-7 run, highlighted by two Keaton Studsrud passes, and Studsrud rushing score.
The Bengals made a late charge, scoring on a Gueller-to-Williams connection with 1:23 left to cut the score to 28-21. However, North Dakota was able to kill the clock.
By Big Sky standards, the game had a lower offensive output, with the Fighting Hawks outgaining the Bengals, 379-289.
Studsrud threw for 173 yards and two touchdowns. UND running back John Santiago rushed for 101 yards.
Northern Arizona 45, Montana 34 – The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks pulled off one of the more impressive upsets of the Big Sky season, earning a victory over the No. 10 Montana Grizzlies.
Lumberjacks quarterback Blake Kemp threw for 200 yards in the first half, finding four different receivers for touchdowns, as Northern Arizona led 14-3 at the end of the first quarter. Kemp’s performance wasn’t the only highlight performance for NAU, as Corbin Jountti also rushed for two scores in a third quarter that saw the Lumberjacks stretch their lead to 45-20.
Montana quarterback Brady Gustafson threw for 394 yards and four touchdowns, with two of them coming in the fourth quarter. Kemp finished with 259 passing yards, and four touchdowns.
Northern Arizona’s defense also forced two turnovers.
Cal Poly 21, UC Davis 16 – The Cal Poly Mustangs earned a home win over the UC Davis Aggies, keeping the Golden Horseshoe in San Luis Obispo.
The Mustangs rushed for 320 yards, controlling possession in a game that focused on taking advantage of limited opportunities. UC Davis led 6-0 early, after a 61-yard fumble recovery touchdown.
Mustangs quarterback Dano Graves would rush for two more touchdowns, with giving Cal Poly a 14-6 lead heading into the final period. Kyle Lewis would score on a 91-yard rush early in the fourth quarter, giving the Mustangs breathing room.
Lewis rushed for 141 yards, and a touchdown. UC Davis quarterback Ben Scott threw for 182 yards, and a touchdown.