Nov. 10, 2007
Final Stats
Pocatello, ID --- Idaho State did most everything they wanted on the gameplan, by controlling the clock and getting a school record 100-yard kickoff return from JD Ponciano, but Montana's Cole Bergquist shook off a goal line fumble to hit Rob Schulte with a 21-yard touchdown late in the third quarter, and Montana went on to win their 10th game in a row, 27-14 over the Bengals.
Schulte's catch came on a 3rd-and-12, and it was one of several big third down conversions for Montana, who twice completed long passes of over 60 yards on third down. The second of those conversion proved costly for Montana's playoff run as senior Ryan Bagley suffered a gruesome broken arm on the tackle. The injury was eerily similar the one suffered a year ago by another Montana receiver Mike Ferriter.
The Griz would tack on a pair of Dan Carpenter field goals, including a 44-yarder to make it 27-14 after an offsides penalty negated his missed 50-yard attempt.
The Bengals (3-7, 2-5), used a strong running game and smart passing to keep the Griz off the field in the first half. After Montana scored on a short 4-yard Greg Coleman run on their opening drive, both teams went three-and-out before ISU marched for their best drive of the year. Mixing Josh Barnett's strong running game with timely third down conversions, ISU went 92 yards in 18 plays, chewing up 9:28 on the clock. The drive was extended when Russel Hill threw a ball away but was hit out of bounds by Mike Stadnyk. Three plays later Clint Knickrehm caught a two-yard pass for his fifth touchdown of the season and a 7-7 tie.
The game went that way through to the third, when Montana took a 14-7 lead on Bergquist's first touchdown pass of the game, this a 24-yard strike to Eric Allen. However, the Bengals answered in grand fashion as JD Ponciano took the ensuing kickoff five yards deep in the end zone and raced up the middle and then cutting down the sideline for a 100-yard touchdown, his second kickoff return for a touchdown in as many weeks and tying Jake LaRue's 100-yarder against Wyoming on September 17, 1949 for the longest in school history.
The touchdown was ISU's second 100-yarder in as many weeks, as D.J.Clark returned a pick 100 yards last week against Weber State.
Montana looked to take the lead after Bagley's catch and subsequent injury put Montana in business at the ISU eight, but Bergquist fumbled the next snap, then picked the ball up and raced for the pylon, but Clark hit him and he lost control of the football just before going down, and the ball rolled out of the side of the end zone for a touchback. However, ISU would punt, setting up Schulte's winning score.
The game was played hard throughout, with a number of hard hits, and the two team were penalized a combined 22 times for 220 yards. Penalties hurt ISU at the end of the half, as back-to-back penalties forced ISU to try a 53-yard field goal, which was blocked by Kroy Biermann. Montana's Buck Buchanan candidate did nothing to hurt that candidacy with seven tackles, a pair of sacks and the blocked kick.
"You know, we played hard, but give Montana credit, they have great players, and they made some plays when they needed to," said head coach John Zamberlin. "I thought we made some big plays too, just not enough, but I'm so proud of this team, for their efforts and the way the left it all on the field."
Zamberlin also was impressed to see his team continue to improve, especially Hill. "You know, he learned a lot last week, and this week he threw it away a couple of times, and looked more composed. There were times on those sacks when he didn't really have a chance, and then he got out of some too and made some things happen."
Josh Barnett made a run at the ISU career rushing record, but he fell 16 yards short, leaving him at 3,355 yards for his career with just one game left, in his home state of California against Sacramento State. Barnett rushed for 105 yards, giving him 15 career 100-yard games. Freshman Russel Hill continued his strong season throwing for 210 yards and a touchdown on 21-of-34 passing. Eddie Thompson led ISU with six catches for 51 yards, and Clyde Logan had five catches for 73 yards.
NOTES: Idaho State is 0-4 on the road heading to Sacramento State, who won their game this week against Northern Colorado 20-17 on a tipped Hail Mary pass with no time left ... said Zamberlin of the Bagley injury "You know, my heart goes out to that kid ... you hate to see that happen to anyone." ... Idaho State honored their 19 seniors in a ceremony prior to the game.
