Griz fall in another classic with ASU; Cats survive a scare at Drake

BOONE, N.C. (AP) — Demetrius McCray's interception with 18 seconds left stopped Montana's final drive and preserved No. 8 Appalachian State's 35-27 victory Saturday night in the first regular-season meeting between the perennial Football Championship Subdivision powers.

The No. 9 Grizzlies (1-1), who won their two postseason meetings with the Mountaineers (1-1), drove from their 11 to the Appalachian State 42, converting two fourth downs, before McCray's second pickoff of Trent McKinney.

McKinney's 87-yard pass to Dan Moore brought Montana within a point, 28-27, with 8:54 left, but Chris Lider missed the extra point. Steven Miller's second touchdown run increased the Mountaineers' lead to 35-27.

Jamal Jackson's 25-yard pass to Andrew Peacock early in the fourth quarter broke a 21-21 tie. Jackson completed 24 of 34 for 260 yards, his ninth consecutive game over 200 for Appalachian State.

The Grizzlies had to rally on two different occasions, including erasing a 14-point first-half deficit. ASU led 21-7 in the second quarter before a pair of Griz TD's knotted the game at 21-21 at intermission.

The second half was just as tight, as the two FCS powers battled in front over 30,000 fans at ASU's Kid-Brewer Stadium.

McKinney, a redshirt-freshman, finished the game with nearly 320 yards passing and three TD's. He also rushed for 68 yards and one score. Moore was big for the second straight week, rushing for 98 yards and catching three passes for 103 yards.

The Mountaineers extended their regular-season home winning streak to 18 and gave coach Jerry Moore his 235th career victory.

The Griz are back at home this Saturday to host FCS Liberty in Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

Bobcats 34, Drake 24

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — DeNarius McGhee threw for 206 yards and Montana State scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 34-24 victory against Drake on Saturday night.

Tray Robinson's 30-yard scoring run gave the No. 4 Bobcats (2-0) a 27-24 lead with 11:34 remaining. After the Bulldogs (1-1) were stopped short on fourth and 2 from their own 39 with 4:53 left, McGhee's 2-yard scoring pass to Tanner Bleskin sealed the win.

Mike Piatkowski completed 25 of 43 passes for 311 yards and a touchdown for Drake. Kevin Marshall had 11 receptions for 100 yards.

McGhee was 22 of 34 with a touchdown and two interceptions. He added a 5-yard TD run.

MSU head coach Rob Ash coached at Drake for 18 season before taking the job in Bozeman.

The Bobcats return home to face fellow FCS power S.F. Austin this Saturday in Bozeman.

Note: Havre Daily News sports editor George Ferguson contributed to these stories.

Montana wide receiver Sam Gratton (8) makes a reception ahead of running back Ellis Henderson (7) and Appalachian State defensive back Patrick Blalock (34) during the first quarter of their game in Boone, N.C.on Saturday night.