Montana defense dominates Northern Arizona 30-3
Grizzlies linebacker Patrick O'Connell (58) runs a recovered fumble in for a touchdown during the Montana Grizzlies 30-3 win over the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks in Flagstaff, Arizona on November 13, 2021. (Tommy Martino/UM Athletics)
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Garrett Graves returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown and Justin Ford picked off a pass for the eighth-straight game and the Montana defense smothered Northern Arizona in a 30-3 win on Saturday.
Patrick O'Connell returned a fumble 14 yards as the Grizzly defense held Northern Arizona to 154 yards with four turnovers and five sacks. Robby Hauck had 14 tackles and Jace Lewis 10; eight solo and two sacks.
Montana (8-2, 5-2 Big Sky Conference) won for the first time in Flagstaff in 10 years and now the Grizzlies, ranked ninth in the FCS coaches poll, face a season-ending game with No. 3 Montana State.
Montana had 427 yards of offense with Cam Humphrey throwing for 280 and Xavier Harris rushing for 70.
Northern Arizona (4-6, 3-4) kicked a field goal in the third quarter. Kevin Daniels, who averages more than 100 yards a game, was held to 42 on 16 carries.