Grizzlies sink Vikings, 28-17

Grizzlies wide receiver Aaron Fontes (14) catches a 35-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter against Portland State at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Grizzlies quarterback Logan Fife (12) completes an 11-yard pass to running back Nick Ostmo in the third quarter against Portland State at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Grizzlies defensive end Hayden Harris (48) celebrates with teammates after recovering a fumble by Portland State quarterback Dante Chachere in the fourth quarter at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Grizzlies defensive end Hayden Harris (48) recovers a fumble by Portland State quarterback Dante Chachere in the fourth quarter at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Grizzlies running back Nick Ostmo (26) picks up 11 yards on a reception in the third quarter against Portland State at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Grizzlies running back Eli Gillman (10) heads down the sideline on a 45-yard run in the fourth quarter against Portland State at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Grizzlies safety Tyson Rostad (32) intercepts a pass in the end zone in the fourth quarter against Portland State at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Grizzlies wide receiver Sawyer Racanelli (9) scores on an 81-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against Portland State at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
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Grizzlies wide receivers Junior Bergen (5) and Sawyer Racanelli (9) celebrate after Racanelli's 81-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against Portland State at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

by JOSH AMICK
Reporter | November 16, 2024 7:30 PM

MISSOULA — A game that featured power outages, injuries and red zone turnovers may not have been ideal for seniors in their final regular season home game, but the Montana Grizzlies prevailed over the Portland State Vikings 28-17 Saturday.

Thankfully for the fans, it was a 1 p.m. kickoff at Washington-Grizzly Stadium or this game might have ended in darkness. With 6:45 left in the fourth quarter, all the power went out, leading the referees with the only time, unbeknownst to fans and players.

“It was starting to get dark, so we all had to make some decisions and just roll with it,” UM coach Bobby Hauck said after his team improved to 8-3, 5-2 in the Big Sky Conference. “I thought Logan (Fife) did a nice job, we were in a bleed the clock situation and he had to do it without a play clock.”

That wasn’t the only adaptation Fife had to make.

Quarterback Keali’i Ah Yat took all the snaps in the first half, until 47 seconds remained. Fife came in for one snap and was sacked before the first half came to an end with the Grizzlies down 3-0.

It was the first time since 2018 that the Grizzlies were shutout at home in the first half and that opponent. ... was Portland State.

The score was 3-0 due to the Grizzlies’ defense bending and not breaking. The Vikings' first possession led to a field goal and their second possession was inside the 4-yard line before a questionable play call worked in the Grizzlies’ favor.

From 4 yards out they ran a double reverse that ended with the ball in running back Quincy Craig’s hands, trying to complete a pass rolling to his right.

The Grizzlies were not fooled and safety Jace Klucewich intercepted the pass, his first of two on the day.

“We are always ready for trick plays, but we have to keep good eye discipline,” Klucewich said. “I followed my man across the formation and when someone hit him, I went after the ball and happened to be in the right place at the right time.”

On their next possession the Griz reached the red zone but could not capitalize. The Vikings brought pressure up the middle, forcing Ah Yat to loft a pass toward the sideline that was intercepted by Michael Hurst.

The teams exchanged punts before the Grizzlies final drive ended with Ah Yat being sacked, appearing to roll his ankle.

Ah Yat warmed up on the sideline during halftime, but Hauck elected to start Fife in the second half and Montana’s offense immediately responded.

On the first drive Fife ran for 11 yards, then drew a pass interference penalty on a deep pass attempt before finding Aaron Fontes on a 20-yard gain. On their first-and-goal, Fife took a QB sneak in for a touchdown to give the Grizzlies their first lead, 7-3.

Fife was animated after scoring, which drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that Hauck was visibly upset about. The two were seen yelling at each other on the sideline before being separated.

“I was mad at him, but nobody is going to be confused about Logan Fife or Bobby Hauck being fired up about football,” Hauck said. “If you don’t care, you don’t get fired up when things go wrong or losing doesn’t hurt, that is just not how it is. We love our guys, and they love us.”

There was a lot to love about Fife in the one half he played. Montana scored on its first four possessions of the second half, including an 81-yard, on-time quick slant from Fife to Sawyer Racanelli that went the distance.

Fife finished 9 of 14 for 197 yards, three touchdowns through the air and one with his legs.

“We picked up on their tendencies, adjusted a few routes and the gameplan, and that was the key to it,” Fife said. “We were running right to where they were in the first half, which allowed us to see the RPO’s a little better, find the gaps in their defense and exploit it. That’s all thanks to coaches, seeing what we saw all week.”

While the offense clicked in the second half, the defense was able to contain dual-threat quarterback Dante Chachere all game, limiting him to 1.2 yards per carry and picking off the senior three times. Portland State fell to 2-8, 2-5 in league.

“It starts with him, and you have to do your best to keep him in check,” Hauck said. “If he breaks into the open field, he is hard to catch up to because he’s faster than everybody. I thought our guys did a good job with that.”

The defense will be challenged again next week when they head to Bozeman to face the No. 2-ranked team in the FCS for the annual Cat-Griz game.

“It’s a big game on the schedule every year and the home team has won the last four times, so we have to find a way to go down there and get the win and that all starts tomorrow,” Hauck said.