Montana Survives A South Dakota Scare

MISSOULA, MT -- Montana scored the game’s final 19 points to erase a 24-16, second-half deficit and get past South Dakota 35-24 Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. It was the season opener for both teams.

South Dakota quarterback Josh Vander Maten made his first collegiate start and threw two touchdown passes to Terrance Terry against the 10th-ranked Grizzlies. The second was an 80-yard strike on South Dakota’s first play of the second half that gave the Coyotes their first lead, 17-16.

Four plays later, USD safety Charlie Goro intercepted a tipped pass, broke a tackle and scampered 50 yards to push the lead to 24-16 with 9:40 remaining. It was Goro’s third collegiate interception and his first collegiate score.

Montana answered with 7-play, 73-yard drive capped by a 39-yard, double pass from wide receiver Greg Hardy to teammate Bryce Carver. The Grizzlies missed the two-point conversion and USD maintained a 24-22 lead.

South Dakota turned it over twice in Grizzly territory on their next two possessions and Montana needed three plays both times to punch it into the end zone. The two teams combined for five touchdowns during an eight-minute span in the third quarter.

South Dakota ran just seven plays in the fourth quarter as Montana used its running game to cement the win. The Grizzlies rushed for 315 yards in the contest. Dan Moore ran mainly between the tackles to reach 148 yards on 27 carries. Montana quarterback Trent McKinney carried 12 times for 58 yards and was 26-of-32 for 214 yards through the air.

Vander Maten finished 12-of-19 for 172 yards and added 25 yards rushing. Marcus Sims carried eight times for 38 yards. Terry finished with four catches for 109 yards.

Courtesy:  University of South Dakota