Sacramento State looked for its first ever road victory against Montana at Washington–Grizzly Stadium, but any hope of success was shunned before the end of the first half on Saturday.
Montana (5-1, 2-1 Big Sky) entered the contest as the No. 10 ranked team in the Football Championship Subdivision and it showed against Sac State (1-6, 1-3 Big Sky) as the Grizzlies won 68-7.
The Grizzlies dominated in the time of possession battle, controlling the ball for 34 minutes to only 11 minutes for Sac State. Montana also threw for a total of 433 passing yards and rushed for 222 yards on the ground, compared to the Hornets’ 158 yards through the air and 193 rushing yards.
“I was really proud overall about how we go out and play regardless of where we’re at and regardless of who we’re playing,” Grizzlies’ head coach Bob Stitt told Montana Athletics. “We play with the same intensity (and) the defensive staff puts together an unbelievable game plan for these guys and then they go out and execute it to a tee.”
Sac State sophomore quarterback Nate Ketteringham never found a consistent rhythm — eventually being replaced by sophomore Nolan Merker — as he finished his performance by completing only five of 18 pass attempts for a total of 60 yards.
Montana running back Jeremy Calhoun began the day with a 32-yard touchdown run, followed up by a 23-yard score, giving him two touchdowns before the end of the first quarter.
Leading 14-0, Montana quarterback Brady Gustafson threw four touchdown passes to four different receivers; Keenan Curran, Jeremy Calhoun, Colin Bingham, and Josh Horner.
“They are a good football team with a lot of experience,” Sac State head coach Jody Sears told Hornet Athletics. “Everything starts with their quarterback and he was able to put the ball in the right spots today.”
Tempers then began to flare as the Hornet defense had no answer for the aggressive air attack. Sac State freshman defensive lineman Dariyn Choates was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct which led to his ejection from the game before the end of the first half.
Montana continued to deny the Hornets points as freshman kicker Jaime Medina had his field goal attempt blocked as the clock expired in the first half which allowed the score to remain 41-0 in favor of the Grizzlies at halftime.
Points continued to come for Montana as running back John Nguyen hit a wide-open gap up the middle for an 81-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Montana’s defense then proceeded to score before the Sac State offense as safety Justin Strong picked off Merker’s pass and ran it back for a 78-yard touchdown.
However, with 4:46 remaining in the game and the Hornets trailing 61-0, Sac State finally got on the scoreboard as freshman running back Quincy Jountti broke into the open field and rushed in for a 36-yard touchdown.
Grizzlies’ backup quarterback Chad Chilich would answer back with 1:31 remaining in the game as he connected with wide receiver Joey Counts for a 60-yard touchdown pass, and the last score of the game.
The Hornets will look to move on from this lopsided loss as the team will remain on the road and face Northern Colorado on Oct. 22 at Nottingham Field.
