In a thrilling game, Montana’s freshman quarterback Keali’i Ah Yat shined by scoring four touchdowns, while Eli Gilman rushed for 175 yards and added another touchdown, leading the Montana team to a 46-35 victory over Western Carolina. Despite falling behind 17-0 initially and facing a 27-21 deficit at halftime, the Montana defense stepped up in the second half, limiting Western Carolina to 172 yards after conceding 305 yards in the first half. Ah Yat set a team record for quarterbacks by scoring four touchdowns, making it 35-27 with 3:01 left in the third quarter before exiting the game due to an injury.
With Ah Yat out, Logan Fife took charge of the offense, helping secure the win against the Catamounts. Fife orchestrated a crucial 75-yard drive in the final minutes, culminating in Nick Ostmo’s 12-yard touchdown run. Fife also added a two-point conversion, extending their lead to 11 points with just 1:44 remaining on the clock, sealing the victory for Montana.
Western Carolina’s quarterback, Cole Gonzales, played valiantly, completing 25 of 37 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns, one of which was caught by De’Andre Tamarez, who finished with an impressive 229 receiving yards. Branson Adams also contributed significantly with 91 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter.
Among Montana’s standout moments was Gilman’s explosive 66-yard touchdown run, setting the tone for the team’s dominant rushing performance. The Grizzlies finished the game with a total of 349 rushing yards and 552 yards of total offense, showcasing their offensive prowess.
Furthermore, it was mentioned that Western Carolina had to embark on a 1,779-mile road trip for this match, marking it as one of their longest trips ever. The game proved to be a challenging but ultimately rewarding experience for both teams.