Montana takes over first place in Big Sky with win over PSU

Josh Swogger passed for 203 yards and a touchdown and Montana beat host Portland State 26-20 Saturday night to take sole possession of first place in the Big Sky Conference.

The Grizzlies (3-1, 2-0) never trailed, but they had to hold off a fourth-quarter rally by the Vikings (3-2, 2-1) that made things interesting.

Montana jumped to a 16-0 first-half lead on an interception return by Tuff Harris, an 8-yard touchdown reception by Ryan Bagley and a safety on a botched punt attempt by Portland State.

But Vikings quarterback Brian White connected with Tremayne Kirkland for a 5-yard touchdown pass that cut the deficit to 16-7.

After a field goal by Portland State’s Eric Azorr, the Grizzlies countered with a 23-yard touchdown run by Reggie Bradshaw that pushed the lead to 23-10 with 3:02 left in the third quarter.

Portland State responded with a length-of-the-field drive. The Vikings, however, turned the ball over when Kelena Ho’okano fumbled the ball away at the goal line.

Two plays later, Portland State’s C.J. Niusulu tackled Brady Green in the end zone for a safety to trim Montana’s lead to 23-12.

The Vikings’ Kenneth Mackins returned the kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown, and a crucial two-point pass to Matt Smith cut Montana’s advantage to 23-20 with 7:57 left.

Dan Carpenter gave the Grizzlies some cushion with a 43-yard field goal that made it 26-20 with 4:27 left.

Montana’s defense then held Portland State on the next series, and the offense ran off enough of the clock to put the game away.

Montana State 39, Northern Arizona 32: At Flagstaff, Ariz., Michael Jefferson caught 12 passes for a school-record 239 yards and Aaron Mason rushed for 192 yards to lead Montana State to a 39-32 Big Sky victory over 25th-ranked Northern Arizona (2-3, 1-1).

The Bobcats (2-3, 1-1) snapped a three-game losing streak. They hadn’t won since their season-opening upset at Colorado.