Complete Statistics

GREELEY, Colo. - The fifth-ranked Montana Grizzlies showed why they are the top-ranked team in the Big Sky Conference, defeating the Northern Colorado Bears 41-20 at Nottingham Field. With the win, the Griz move to 7-1 on the season and 3-1 in Big Sky play, while the Bears fall to 1-6 overall and 1-3 in league action.

"Obviously it's a disappointment," said Northern Colorado Head Coach Scott Downing. "We came into the game thinking we could play the best game of the year this year, because we've been a team that continually gets better from week to week. I don't think we did that today. I think we have to take a look back at what we did preparation wise, maybe we emphasized the game too much because usually we're a team that focuses on the opponent across from us, not the jersey they wear but maybe we did."

"During the second quarter, things didn't go so well and obviously, we played a team that's ranked between third and eighth in the country and they're a good football team.  There's a reason they've won 10 straight Big Sky Championships."

Junior quarterback Bryan Waggener played one-half of football and did not return after halftime due to injury. Prior to leaving, he completed 6-of-11 passes for 53 yards and rushed nine times for 39 yards, just one carry shy of his career-best of 10 from Purdue. Sophomore James Schrenk played two series and redshirt freshman Dylan Orms saw the majority of action in the second half, completed 8-of-10 passes for 150 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed nine times for 67 yards and a touchdown run of his own.

Unlike last week where Weber State dominated in total yards, the Bears held their own against the Grizzlies with 402 yards of total offense compared to 443 for UM. The Bears also had more time of possession with 31:05, but big plays were the difference. Montana had four scoring drives take less than two minutes, scoring on runs of 43 and 32 yards by Chase Reynolds and a 75-yard pass from Cole Bergquist to Mike Ferriter.

The two quarterbacks for the Bears hit eight different receivers with their 14 completions with sophomore Brandon Smith and freshman Dominic Gunn leading the way with three catches each. Smith again had a huge play, going for 72 yards in the fourth quarter. Gunn also had 50 kickoff return yards for 75 all-purpose on the afternoon.

Junior kicker Michael York made two-of-three field goals, hitting from 27 yards in the first quarter to knot the score at 3-3, and 25 yards in the third quarter.

Montana's Cole Bergquist continued to be effective, completing 14-of-18 passes on the afternoon for 243 yards and two touchdowns. Reynolds led the game with 137 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Ferriter gained 88 yards to lead the Griz in reception yards. Brody McKnight also made both of his field goal attempts.

Defensively, senior linebacker Cristian Sarmento led the game with 13 tackles, including a sack and a forced fumble. His 13 tackles gives him 323 for his career, tying him with Tim Cross (1985-88). He also now has seven sacks on the year and 12 for his career.

Buchanan award candidate Colt Anderson and Tyler Corwin led UM with nine stops each.

Returning to the return game for the Bears after getting the cast off his hand was senior Eric Brown. He had four kickoff returns for 63 yards, bringing his career tally to 601. He vaults onto the career charts into seventh, passing Jesse Tann's (1993-96) 583, Mick Busch's (1973-74) 574, Rick Pierson's (1967-70) 555 and Cedric Tillman's (1986-89) 554 career yards.

Northern Colorado continues action against Montana schools, traveling to Bozeman next Saturday to take on the Montana State Bobcats. Kickoff is slated for 12:05 p.m.