Griz shock the Huskies with massive FBS upset

SEATTLE — The Montana Grizzlies engineered the biggest upset in school history and what will likely go down as the biggest upset in college football this season Saturday night in Seattle, as the No. 9 FCS Griz knocked off the #20 FBS Washington Huskies 13-7.

The game, a defensive showcase for the Griz, will go down in history as just the sixth FCS win over a ranked FBS opponent in the last 40 years. Montana held the high-powered Husky offense to just 65 rushing yards and came away with three interceptions at key moments to hold UW off the scoreboard for three qarters after they scored on the opening drive of the game.

Offensively, hometown QB Cam Humphrey orchestrated two second-half scoring drives highlighted by a diving four-yard rushing touchdown of his own, after struggling in the first half. The 10 fourth quarter points proved the difference maker as the Griz put the Huskies in a kennel for the first time in over a hundred years. It also marks the Grizzlies' first win over a Pac-12 opponent since 1996, when Montana defeated Oregon State in Corvallis 35-14.

"That was certainly a good win for our team. I like our team. I've felt good about our team through the whole offseason. They were ready to play. They felt like they could win the game," Hauck said. “We just came in here and beat a really good Washington team. They're very sound in everything they do. They've got a good scheme, they've got good coaching, they've got good players, they've got great resources here. They're a good football team. We're very proud of getting this win. I'm just blessed to be the head coach and coach these guys because they play for us. Our assistant coaches had a great plan and it's a fine, fine win. I've been coaching for a long time and I think this is the biggest win in my coaching career.”

Montana leaned on the defense to keep the game tight from the very beginning after winning the coin toss and electing to defer to the second half.

Montana got its offense moving on the ensuing drive with freshman tailback Xavier Harris breaking loose for a 38-yard burst up the middle, shedding tackles down to the UW 11. That run would set up a 26-yard field goal for Grizzly debutant Kevin Macias to cut the Husky lead to 7-3.

Later, Marcus Welnel, who led the defensive stand with 12 tackles, a sack, and what proved to be the game-winning interception, took down Morris for a loss of four. One incomplete pass later, the Grizzlies turned it over on downs at their own 32 for a key defensive stand that stymied the UW attack. Montana's defense continued to put Washington under pressure in the second quarter, with Pat O'Connell putting in another sack to halt a Husky drive. It was a feather-in-the-cap moment for UM, with the Husky O-Line having only allowed a single sack in all of 2020.

Gavin Robertson got the game's first turnover just before halftime, hauling in a tip-pass for an interception to put an end to Washington's fifth-straight drive as the Griz went to the locker room trailing 7-3, having held the Husky's vaunted rushing attack to just 40 Yards.

The second half started much the way the first ended, with both teams trading blows with defensive stops. Penalties continued to dog the Griz, however. Just when Montana seemed to get the ball rolling with Humphrey taking off for a 12-yard first down, flags negated all the momentum as Washington's time of possession continued to build. The back and forth continued until the fourth quarter when Humphrey and the Grizzly offense caught fire, putting together a 10-play, 69-yard drive that gave the Griz their first lead of the night.

Humphrey got settled in the pocket and connected with Mitch Roberts, Malik Flowers, and Cole Grossman, among others, as the Griz marched down into Husky territory. Humphrey capped the drive himself with a four-yard touchdown run that stunned the crowd and put UM up 10-7.

After another Interception by Robertson, the Griz marched down the field once again in a drive highlighted by a 17-yard burst up the middle by Isiah Childs that resulted in Macias slotting a 22-yard field goal that put UM up 13-7 with three minutes to play.

Welnel sealed the win for the Grizzlies with an interception with seconds to play as the Huskies were in two-minute offense mode. With the turnover, Humphrey brought the offense back on the field for one play in victory formation.

"We just did our thing. Our thing is being physical, play fast and tackle. That's what we did all night," said Hauck of his defense. "I expect a couple things. I expect us to play hard, I expect us to chase the ball and I expect us to tackle. That's what I expect and that's what we did.”

The Griz will now get ready to open the home schedule this Saturday night against Western Illinois.

Wyoming 19, Bobcats 16

LARAMIE, WY. — Earlier Saturday, the Montana State Bobcats almost made it a banner day for the entire state against FBS opponents.

No. 12 MSU held a lead for a majority of its 2021 debut, but FBS Wyoming capitalized late scoring on its final three drives to fend off the Bobcats for a 19-16 victory in front of a near sellout crowd of 27,007 fans at War-Memorial Stadium Saturday.

Montana State took the first lead of the game following an interception by safety Jeffrey Manning in Wyoming territory that put the Cats at the Pokes' 15-yard line. The very next play had quarterback Matt McKay connect with Lance McCutcheon on a 15-yard touchdown pass at the 11:43 mark of the first quarter.

The Bobcat defense had a strong start to the day forcing three consecutive punts and a turnover on downs — behind a fourth down stop by Chase Benson — on Wyoming's next four possessions. The Cowboys made a 37-yard field goal with 3:15 remaining in the second quarter. MSU's Blake Glessner had a 47-yard field goal attempt blocked before the end of the half, but neither team took advantage as the two sides went to halftime with a 7-3 margin.

Three offensive drives stalled between the Bobcats and Cowboys over the course of the third quarter as the score remaining 7-3 heading into the final 15 minutes of action. Wyoming took its first lead of the day on an 8-play, 52-yard drive that ended on a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Xazavian Valladay.

MSU responded with Isaiah Ifanse churning up 45 yards on the ground. The Bobcats eventually had to settle for a long range field goal, but this time Glessner split the upright on a 53-yard kick to put Montana State ahead 10-9.

The Cowboys offense hit a groove and ran the clock for a 6:20 span. Wyoming went on a drive of 13 plays and 67 yards. The Pokes would get a 25-yard field goal to go ahead again, 12-10.

Montana State's offense moved down the field on the ensuing possession. A facemask penalty on an Ifanse carry moved the ball near midfield, then on second down McKay hit McCutcheon on a 30-yard pass just short of the pylon with the Bobcat receiver hauling in the pass at the 1-yard line. McKay hit Treyton Pickering in the end zone on the next play and the Cats held a 16-12 edge with 2:17 remaining.

Wyoming's next drive started following a touchback and immediately quarterback Sean Chambers threw two completions for 32 yards into MSU territory. The Cowboys worked their way down field and with 47 seconds left on the clocks Chambers completed a 21-yard touchdown pass to Treyton Welch to put the Pokes ahead. MSU moved the chains once on its final possession, but the Cats just entered into Wyoming territory on an Ifanse reception as the Bobcat running back was downed in bounds and the game clock expired.

McKay finished his debut at quarterback for the Bobcats by going 19-for-28 with 200 yards passing. Ifanse led the Bobcats on the ground with 103 yards. McCutcheon hauled in five receptions for 71 yards to pace MSU's receiving core. The Bobcat defense was led by Troy Andersen who totaled a team-high 11 tackles and also registered a pass breakup. Nolan Askelson and Daniel Hardy each had sacks while Zambrano added a pass breakup.

Montana State returns to Bozeman to open the home schedule this Saturday night against Drake.

Editors Note: Havre Daily News Sports Editor George Ferguson contributed to this story.