Idaho beats Montana 42-35 in thrilling fashion to regain Little Brown Stein bragging rights | Montana Grizzlies

MISSOULA, Mont. — The Little Brown Stein is heading back to Moscow after the Idaho Vandals beat the Montana Grizzlies 42-35 in thrilling fashion. Idaho quarterback Joshua Wood was responsible for four touchdowns and over 400-yards of total offense.

Wood finished the day 30-38 passing for 335 yards while playing facilitator as three different Vandals had five catches. Ryan Jezioro hauled in two of Wood’s touchdown passes and Zack Card was on the receiving end of a score as well.

The Vandals success on third down played a key role in the game. Idaho converted on 11 of 14 third down tries and that success extending drives helped the Vandals dominate time of possession with over 10 more minutes of ball control than the Griz.

Montana’s offense shined despite the loss with the three-headed-monster of Keali’i Ah Yat, Eli Gillman, and Brooks Davis having big games. Ah Yat was 25-31 passing for 338 yards and 5 touchdowns while Davis broke the century mark on 8 receptions and hauled in three touchdown catches for the hat trick.

Gillman broke loose for a few big runs on his way to 139 rushing yards on 19 carries while chipping in four catches for 31 yards and a score through the air.

The contest could best be described as a shootout with the Vandals and Griz combining for 974 yards of total offense.

GAME SUMMARY

Idaho received the opening kickoff and a chaotic sequence ensued on third-and-4 when Vandals quarterback Joshua Wood took the snap at his own 31-yard line then threw an interception to Chris Johnson only for Johnson to fumble and Idaho recover at the Griz 39-yard line.

Vandals convert on third-and-16 when Woods scrambles and finds Tony Harste to push Idaho to the Montana 23-yard line.

Idaho caps off the opening drive with Joshua Wood delivering a dime to Zack Card who makes a diving catch in the end zone. Vandals lead 7-0 with 10:12 to play in the first.

Griz opening drive showed promise with Eli Gillman breaking loose for a 24-yard run but Idaho’s defense stands strong and forces a Montana punt.

Idaho takes over at their own 12-yard line and Woods finds Damonte Bias for a 28-yard gain connection.

Woods continues to make plays with a 9-yard scramble for a first down to set up the Vandals near mid-field.

Vandals facing third down when running back Hayden Kincheloe takes the handoff and breaks multiple tackles on his way to a 12-yard gain to move the chains.

Idaho strikes again when Ryan Jezioro hauls in a 14-yard touchdown reception from Woods to jump out front 14-0 with 1:35 left in the first quarter.

Montana gets a lift on the first play of the drive when Eli Gillman finds space and breaks free for a 33-yard run. Griz QB Keali’i Ah Yat hits Brooks Davis for an 11-yard gain that pushes Montana to the Idaho 31-yard line.

Opening play of the second quarter the Griz convert on third-and-11 when Ah Yat finds Brooks Davis right at the chains.

A few players later the Ah Yat to Davis connection continues with the latter hauling in an 18-yard touchdown reception. Montana trails 14-7 with 13:39 left in the second quarter.

Vandals go for it on fourth down and short from their own 33-yard line and convert with Kincheloe barreling his way through defenders for a 2-yard gain.

Wood completes passes on three straight plays to advance the Vandals from their own 35-yard line all the way to the Griz 23-yard line.

Idaho moves the chains again on third down when Kincheloe carries the rock inside the Montana 15-yard line.

Wood finds the end zone from two-yards out on a QB keeper to push the Vandals lead to 21-7 with 6:21 remaining in the second quarter.

Montana converts a fourth-and 1 on a direct snap to Gillman and two plays later Gillman goes back to work with an 18-yard rush to move the Griz near the Idaho 35-yard line. 

An Idaho interception in the end zone is called back after the Vandals were flagged for defensive holding.

Ah Yat finds Davis from 5-yards out for their second touchdown connection of the day. Montana trails 21-14 with 1:05 to play in the first half.

A promising two-minute drill by the Vandals falls short after an intentional grounding penalty stalls the Idaho drive with :7 seconds to play in the half.

Montana opens the second half with the football and Gillman carries the rock on back-to-back plays to move the chains.

Ah Yat hits tight end Reese Brooks for a gain of 20-yards to move into Idaho territory and on the following play Brooks Davis hauls in a 33-yard touchdown reception for his third score of the day to even the score at 21-21 with 12:23 to play in the third quarter.

Idaho marches down the field and caps off a 10-play 75-yard drive with Wood finding Jezioro who makes a one handed grab for their second touchdown hookup of the day. Wood was 6 of 6 passing on the drive. Idaho back out front 28-21 with 7:37 left in the third quarter.

Griz pick up a big chunk on the opening play of the drive with Ah Yat finding Landon Ransom-Goelz for a 38-yard completion and three plays later the duo hook up once again with Ransom-Goelz showing off the toe-tap near the sideline to haul in a 22-yard touchdown to knot things up at 28-28. Ah Yat now has four passing touchdowns in the ballgame.

Wood works his magic once again on third-and-6 with a scramble and short completion to Gus Donnerberg to move chains.

Later in the drive Woods finds green grass and scampers for 23-yards to move into the red zone.

The Vandals third down success continues with Idaho converting once again to move to 10 for 12 on third downs in the game.

Kincheloe runs angry to find the end zone from six yards out and put the Vandals back in the driver’s seat up 35-28 with :10 to play in the third.

Early fourth quarter when Ah Yat finds Ian Finch who picks up a good chunk of yards after the catch for a 28-yard gain to move into the Idaho half of the field.

Ah Yat is dealing and finds Titus Roher for 18-yards to set up shop in the red zone.

Montana goes for it on fourth-and-1 inside the 10-yard line and Eli Gillman leaks out into the flat and Ah Yat finds him for six. The Griz and Vandals are knotted at 35-35 with 11:35 to play in regulation.

Idaho gets a spark on the opening play of the drive with Wood running wild for a 35-yard gain and on the following play Wood finds Nolan McWilliams near the 28-yard line and he rumbles and tumbles his way inside the 10.

Israel Carter subs in for Wood at QB and Carter weaves through a pile of big bodies at the goal line for the score. Idaho once again leads 42-35.

Montana facing second-and-12 when Gillman takes a short pass for a 17-yard gain to move near midfield.

Roher hauls in a 25-yard pass from Ah Yat and on the following play Ah Yat scrambles his way to a 19-yard gain to move inside the 20.

Griz are forced to settle for a 34-yard field goal attempt by Jo Silver and it sails wide right as Montana comes up empty in the red zone.

Vandals facing third-and-1 near their own 30-yard line and Wood keeps the read option and grinds his way past the marker to extend a drive once again.

Idaho is forced to punt for the first time in the game as the Griz defense comes up with a crucial stop with 2:17 to play in regulation.

Brooks Davis returns the ensuing punt 23-yards to give the Griz great field position near mid-field.

Ah Yat connects with Davis for 18-yards to move into the red zone with 1:17 to play.

Montana fails to convert on 4th-and-10 with :41 seconds to play to seal an Idaho victory.