OGDEN, Utah (October 8, 2016) – The Weber State Wildcats and Portland State Vikings entered a week three league game needing forward momentum, if they hoped to challenge in a stacked #BigSkyFB title race.
Weber State left as a homecoming victor, earning a 14-10 victory over the Vikings, and starting the conference season 2-0 for the second consecutive season.
The Wildcats scored the go-ahead touchdown with 8:44 left in the game, as quarterback Jadrian Clark found Andrew Vollert for a 12-yard pass. The Wildcats scored all 14 of their points in the second half, with Wildcats running back Emmanuel Pooler scoring on a three-yard run in the third quarter.
Portland State posted the first points of the game with just 17 seconds left in the first half, as Vikings quarterback Alex Kuresa scored on a one-yard rush. The Vikings outgained the Wildcats, 317-271, but had 70 yards of penalties.
Northern Arizona 20, Montana State 14 – The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks earned their first conference win of the season, in a road win over the Montana State Bobcats on ROOT SPORTS.
Lumberjacks running back Joe Logan rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns, as Northern Arizona moved to 1-2 in conference play. Logan scored NAU’s last points, on a five-yard run with 5:42 left in the third quarter, which gave the Lumberjacks a 20-0 lead.
Montana State scored two touchdowns as the game went on, with quarterback Chris Murray’s 19-yard run early in the fourth quarter cutting the deficit to one score.
The Bobcats were befallen by turnovers though, with four in the game. The Lumberjacks also outgained Montana State, 405-281.
Eastern Washington 49, Northern Colorado 31 – Eastern Washington has a history of strong quarterback play, but it appears that sophomore Eagles quarterback Gage Gubrud has vowed to make EWU fans forget about all the others before him.
Gubrud threw for 435 yards and five touchdowns, as the Eagles scored 35 points in the second half for a win over surging Northern Colorado. Gubrud also rushed for 79 yards, finishing with a total of 514 all-purpose yards.
Northern Colorado held a 14-6 lead midway through the second quarter, as Kyle Sloter found Hakeem Deggs on a 26-yard pass. The Bears led 17-14 at halftime. From there, the Eagles went on a 35-14 run, with Shaq Hill catching four touchdown passes in the second half.
The Eagles finished with 659 yards in the win. Eagles receiver Cooper Kupp had three catches for 13 yards.
Southern Utah 24, UC Davis 3 – A week after a tough road loss, Southern Utah responded by picking up a critical home win, moving to 2-1 in #BigSkyFB play.
The Thunderbirds gained only 260 yards in the win, but were able to control the game’s tempo, using a bend-but-don’t-break defense to earn the win. Malik Brown’s 11-yard run in the second quarter gave the game its first points, with a follow-up touchdown run by quarterback Patrick Tyler giving Southern Utah a 14-0 lead.
The Aggies would score their only points in the game on a field goal, a 36-yard make by Matt Blair midway through the second quarter, which cut the deficit to 14-3. However, Southern Utah’s Raysean Pringle went 40 yards for a score, giving the Thunderbirds a commanding 21-3 halftime lead.
Brown rushed for 58 yards and a score, on 14 carries. Tyler passed for 183 yards, completing 20-of-28 passes.
Montana 67, Mississippi Valley State 7 – Montana took control early in a non-conference matchup against Mississippi Valley State, and never let go in a big home win for the Griz.
Montana quarterback Brady Gustafson had a surgical performance, completing 21-of-26 passes for 251 yards and four touchdowns, before being lifted in the second half for Chad Chalich. Montana led 43-7 at halftime.
It was the Delta Devils who had an early 7-0 lead, and were driving again, until Montana’s Connor Strahm returned an interception 78 yards, tying the game at 7-7. From there, Montana would score 36 straight points, to end the first half.
The Griz held Mississippi Valley State to 146 yards, while forcing five turnovers. Montana earned 433 yards.
North Dakota 40, Sacramento State 7 – The North Dakota Fighting Hawks moved to 3-0 in #BigSkyFB play, on the back of a dominating offensive performance.
North Dakota registered 625 yards, and held a 28-0 halftime lead. Fighting Hawks quarterback Keaton Studsrud rushed for two touchdowns in the first half, including a 40-yard score. John Santiago also rushed for a 26-yard score, with Brady Oliveira running for a 17-yard touchdown.
Sacramento State’s lone score came on a 14-yard run by Jordan Robinson in the third quarter.
Studsrud had 303 yards of total offense, while Oliveira rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns. North Dakota rushed for 422 yards.