FARMINGTON, Utah (Sept. 18, 2022) - The Big Sky-Missouri Valley Football Challenge concluded on Saturday, with the 2022 series ending in a 3-3 tie thanks to wins from Montana and Sacramento State over the weekend. The tie is the first in the series since it began in 2017. Below is a recap of every Big Sky football game from this past week.
Montana 49, Indiana State 14
Montana Recap
TERRE HAUTE, Indiana (Sept. 17, 2022) – Montana earned its second straight win over a Missouri Valley foe, as the Griz earned a 49-14 road victory over Indiana State. Lucas Johnson led the Montana offensive attack, after passing for 232 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for another. Patrick O'Connell posted nine tackles for the defense, while racking up 2.5 sacks and three tackles for loss.
South Dakota 38, Cal Poly 21
Cal Poly Recap
VERMILLION, South Dakota (Sept. 17, 2022) – Cal Poly fell on the road to South Dakota, as the Mustangs concluded their non-conference slate with a 38-21 defeat. Spencer Brasch stepped in to pass for 362 yards and three touchdowns on connections of 35, 53 and 26 yards to lead Cal Poly offensively. The two squads were nearly evenly matched in total yardage, with the Coyotes finishing with a 560-559 edge for the game.
Idaho 42, Drake 14
Idaho Recap
MOSCOW (Sept. 17, 2022) – The Vandal offense racked up 447 yards of offense, and the Idaho defense held Drake to just 210 yards to earn Jason Eck's first career win as Idaho's head coach. Jermaine Jackson had an impressive performance for the Vandals, catching three passes for 92 yards and a score while returning four punts for 92 yards and another touchdown. Idaho quarterbacks Gevani McCoy and Jack Layne combined for 288 yards passing and a score to guide the Vandal offense.
Central Arkansas 31, Idaho State 16
Idaho State Recap
POCATELLO (Sept. 17, 2022) – Idaho State fell in its home opener, as the Bengals dropped a 31-16 decision to Central Arkansas on Saturday afternoon in Holt Arena. The Bengals led 3-0 after the first quarter but would trail 28-3 before getting two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Idaho State had 408 yards of total offense while Central Arkansas had 418 yards.
North Dakota 27, Northern Arizona 24
NAU Recap
FLAGSTAFF (Sept. 17, 2022) – Northern Arizona and 22nd ranked North Dakota traded the lead three times in the final six minutes, as the Fighting Hawks earned a 27-24 win over the Lumberjacks on Saturday afternoon in Flagstaff. NAU led 24-20 with 1:42 remaining following a spectacular Coleman Owen catch in the back of the end zone, but couldn’t hold off North Dakota as the Fighting Hawks responded with a go-ahead score with just 53 seconds to spare in the game. Owen finished the game with nine catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns.
Sacramento State 37, Northern Iowa 21
Sac State Recap
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (Sept. 17, 2022) – Asher O'Hara scored three rushing touchdowns and Cameron Skattebo finished with 110 yards on the ground to help lead Sacramento State to 37-21 road win over Missouri Valley foe Northern Iowa. The win marks the first time the Hornets have started a season 2-0 since 2000. In addition, Sacramento State has now won five straight road games dating back to last season.
Northern Colorado 21, Lamar 14
UNC Recap
BEAUMONT, Texas (Sept. 17, 2022) – Northern Colorado picked up its first win of the season, as the Bears earned a 21-14 victory at Lamar. UNC forced three Lamar turnovers on Saturday, included a game-sealing interception from Tywonne Harris with 15 seconds remaining. Jacob Sirmon led the Bears on offense with 218 yards passing and a score, while Elijah Anderson-Taylor racked up 14 tackles for the squad on defense.
Weber State 44, Utah Tech 14
Weber State Recap
OGDEN (Sept. 17, 2022) – Weber State totaled 623 yards and forced four turnovers as the Wildcats rolled to a 44-14 win over Utah Tech Saturday night at Stewart Stadium. Weber State threw for 368 yards and rushed for 255 yards in the win. The Wildcat defense forced four turnovers, including three interceptions, and recorded three sacks. The 12th-ranked Wildcats are now 3-0 to start a full season for the first time since 1998.
Oregon State 68, Montana State 28
MSU Recap
PORTLAND (Sept. 17, 2022) – Oregon State scored on its first five possessions while limiting Montana State to 269 total yards in a 68-28 win over the Bobcats in Portland on Saturday. Marqui Johnson returned an Oregon State kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, the first Bobcat kick return that ended in the opposing end zone since 2015. Bobcat quarterback Tommy Mellott rushed for 135 yards, his third career 100-yard game, and threw for 101.
UC Davis 43, San Diego 13
UCD Recap
DAVIS (Sept. 17, 2022) – UC Davis won its first game of the season after a convincing 43-13 victory over San Diego at home. Ulonzo Gilliam, Jr. broke a 24-year-old UC Davis record, surpassing the longtime mark of G.P. Muhammad's 3,589 career rushing yards, after finishing the game with 106 yards to move his career total to 3,689. Gilliam, Jr. also added three catches for 47 yards and moved into a tie for first in the UC Davis record book with his 40th career touchdown.
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