FARMINGTON, Utah (Dec. 11, 2023) — Montana entertained the masses Friday night on ESPN2, as the Griz outlasted Furman 35-28 in overtime to earn their 11th trip all-time to the FCS Semifinals and first since 2009.
The star of the night was Junior Bergen, who returned two kicks for touchdowns to help the Grizzly cause. Bergen's first return came on the opening kickoff, which he brought back 99 yards. The next was a punt return in the fourth quarter that he took 59 yards up Montana's sideline to give the Griz a 28-21 lead at the time.
Clifton McDowell had his big moment in overtime, as the quarterback found Keelan White on a slant across the middle for a 13-yard score to make it 35-28. The Griz defense stepped up on the next possession in overtime, as they forced a turnover-on-downs to clinch an FCS Semifinals spot for Montana.
The Big Sky now has 35 FCS Semifinal appearances as a league, which is the most by any FCS conferences. The Missouri Valley is second with 34, while the CAA owns 32 appearances for third-most.
Montana will face North Dakota State in the FCS Semifinals on Saturday, Dec. 16, with kickoff slated for 2:30 p.m. MT and airing on ESPN2.
It will mark the first meeting between the two programs in Missoula since 2015 when Montana defeated a Carson Wentz-led Bison squad 38-35 to open the season.
Idaho narrowly missed out on becoming the second Big Sky squad in the semifinals, as the Vandals lost a heartbreaking 30-22 game to UAlbany on Saturday night.
The Vandals finish the year with their first nine-win season since 2016 and first trip to the FCS Quarterfinals as a program since 1993.
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Big Sky Football Quarterfinals Scores
Friday, Dec. 8
Montana 35, Furman 28 (OT)
Read Full Montana Recap
Saturday, Dec. 9
UAlbany 30, Idaho 22
Read Full Idaho Recap