Gillman runs for 2 TDS, Morrison makes 3 FGs to help Montana beat Missouri State 29-24
Missouri State Bears vs. Montana Grizzlies: Full Highlights
Missouri State Bears vs. Montana Grizzlies: Full Highlights
MISSOULA, Mont. -- — Eli Gillman ran for 89 yards and two touchdowns and Montana held off Missouri State for a 29-24 victory on Saturday night in the season opener for both teams.
Jmariyae Robinson's 7-yard touchdown run capped a 10-play, 75-yard drive that pulled Missouri State to 26-24 with 4:43 to play. Montana's Ty Morrison made his third field goal of the game — a 38-yarder— to cap the scoring with 1:38 left.
Back-to-back sacks deep inside Missouri State territory on the Bears' final possession sealed it for the FCS third-ranked Grizzlies.
Gillman's 37-yard touchdown run gave the Grizzlies a 7-6 lead late in the first quarter. Morrison's field goals from 35 and 22 yards stretched the advantage to 12-10 at intermission.
Jayden Becks' 32-yard run gave the Bears a 17-12 lead early in the third quarter. Montana answered with a Logan Fife 34-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Harris followed by a Gillman 2-yard TD run to take a 26-17 lead with 9:56 to play.
Jacob Clark was 23-of-39 passing for 257 yards with one interception for Missouri State.
Montana advanced to the program's eighth FCS title game last season but lost to South Dakota State 23-3 and is the reigning Big Sky Conference champions.
Attendance was 26,482, the seventh largest at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
------ Get alerts on the latest AP Top 25 poll throughout the season. Sign up here ------ AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Game Information
2024 Missouri Valley Football Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota State | 5-0 | 8-1 |
| Missouri State | 4-0 | 6-2 |
| South Dakota | 4-1 | 6-2 |
| South Dakota State | 3-1 | 6-2 |
| Illinois State | 2-2 | 5-3 |
| North Dakota | 2-2 | 5-3 |
| Indiana State | 2-2 | 3-5 |
| Youngstown State | 2-3 | 3-6 |
| Northern Iowa | 0-4 | 2-6 |
| Southern Illinois | 0-4 | 2-6 |
| Murray State | 0-5 | 1-7 |
2024 Big Sky Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Montana State | 4-0 | 8-0 |
| UC Davis | 4-0 | 7-1 |
| Montana | 3-1 | 6-2 |
| Idaho | 3-2 | 6-3 |
| Northern Arizona | 2-2 | 4-4 |
| Weber State | 2-2 | 3-5 |
| Idaho State | 2-3 | 4-5 |
| Cal Poly | 1-3 | 2-5 |
| Eastern Washington | 1-3 | 2-6 |
| Sacramento State | 1-3 | 3-5 |
| Portland State | 1-3 | 1-6 |
| Northern Colorado | 1-3 | 1-7 |
NCAAF News