Aggies fought hard to come out with a 14-47 loss to D-IAA Montana Grizzlies.
Box Score Missoula, Mont.—The Aggies traveled over 20 hours to Missoula, Montana to take on a Division 1-AA powerhouse the University of Montana Grizzlies. The Grizzlies (3-0) entered the game ranked #9 nationally in the FCS polls, facing the Aggies (1-3) after they suffered a disappointing loss against Adams State University the week before. On paper, the Grizzlies had an overwhelming advantage over the Aggies, but the crowd of over 25,000 at Washington-Grizzly Stadium would soon see the fight in the guys from Goodwell as the Aggies battled all game long.
The first quarter turned out to be a rough one for the Aggies as it took them quite a while to get their legs underneath them. The Grizzlies only needed two plays to score their first touchdown on a 17 yard pass and catch from quarterback Jordan Johnson to receiver Ellis Henderson. The Aggies' first possession on offense resulted in a punt, but the Aggies "Darkside" defense responded with a 3-and-out and forced Montana to punt the ball away. However, after one quarter of play, the Grizzlies jumped out to a 31-0 lead as they scored on two more passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown, and a 50 yard field goal. The Aggies fell behind early but refused to quit.
The second quarter saw a more determined Aggie team as they came out with a purpose to compete. After an early touchdown drive that only covered 11 yards following a 54 yard punt return from Montana's Ellis Henderson, the Aggies' defense did not give up another point in the 2nd, and the offense was ready to strike. With just over eight minutes remaining in the quarter, the Aggies gained huge momentum after the Grizzlies mishandled a punt, and Devon'te Jackson recovered the ball at the 12 yard line. After a penalty, the ball was placed on the five yard line when quarterback Caleb Holbrook lobbed a pass to receiver Tim Hollingshed who was tugged and pulled on the play, but still managed to make a highlight reel catch for the Aggies' first touchdown.
The defense would again force the Grizzlies to punt, and the Aggies offense continued to heat up. Led by running back tandem Chris McClendon and Junius Champagne, the Aggies rumbled 70 yards down the field and scored on a one yard rush from Kameron Young. After Carlos Nieto's extra point kick, the score was 38-14, and the crowd of over 25,000 was suddenly quiet for the first time all day as the game went to half time.
The second half was an uphill battle for both offenses as each team played lights out defensively. After crucial stops for the Aggies' defense, they managed to give up only three field goals in the entire half. The Aggies had one more opportunity to score, but fumbled on the center/quarterback exchange on Montana's five yard line with just over 13 minutes to play in the 4th quarter. The Aggies defense did not allow a score in the quarter; however, the final score favored the Grizzlies 47-14.
After falling behind early, the Aggies continued to battle with a national championship contending team on the Division-I level, and never backed down. The Aggies were given a standing ovation from the sell-out crowd in Missoula after a very hard fought game. Leading the offense was McClendon who rushed for 57 yards on 14 carries, followed closely by freshman quarterback Chance Barlow who rushed for 55 yards on just 7 carries and played exceptionally well. Champagne led all with 112 all-purpose yards. For the defense, linebacker Tanner Hallford led all with 9 tackles followed by freshman linebacker Brandon Gipe who finished with 7. Also contributing were Dominique Johnson, Royce Asi, and Kris Kelley who all finished with 6 tackles.
After the game, head coach Russell Gaskamp had this to say: "I am extremely proud of the way we played after the first quarter. We were in awe of the environment and their starting groups showed why they are the ninth ranked team in the FCS. Our kids played extremely hard the whole game, but we are going to have to execute much better in all three phases to beat a good McMurry team next week in Abilene, TX. Overall I was very happy that our team got to play in such a wonderful setting for college football as Missoula, MT."
This week the Aggies travel to play McMurry University in Abilene, Texas; kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
