MISSOULA, Mont. – The Central Washington University Football Team (1-1) saw the 10th-ranked FCS Montana Grizzlies (1-0) use a strong second half to pull away and hand the 'Cats their first setback of the season by a 42-17 score Saturday evening. 
 
QUOTING CWU HEAD FOOTBALL COACH CHRIS FISK:
 
"I'm proud of the guys for their battle tonight. They battled for four quarters and gave it their all and I'm incredibly proud of the way they represented the team and CWU tonight. There were a number of positives to take away from tonight, as well as some negatives that we are looking forward to changing into positives as we turn our attention to our Lone Star Conference opener against West Texas A&M."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 

• It didn't take long for the Grizzlies to put the first score on the board as Eli Gillman rushed for a 54-yard touchdown and with a Ty Morrison PAT put the Grizz up 7-0. 
• Both teams exchanged possessions and thanks to a pair of Montana penalties set CWU up in the Grizz side of the field allowing David Weber to soar the ball through the uprights for a 44-yard field goal to make it 7-3 UM. 
• The Grizzlies responded marching down the field as Stevie Rocker Jr. rushed up the middle for a five yard touchdown with Morrison successfully making the PAT to make it 14-3 Montana to end the first quarter. 
• Kennedy McGill connected with Jalen Grable for a big 36-yard gain to help put the 'Cats in Grizz territory and after a couple of rush plays by Justice Taylor and one by McGill allowed McGill to connect with Camden Loidhamer for a wide open 15-yard touchdown with Weber converting the PAT making it a 14-10 UM lead. 
• The Grizzlies marched down the field once again but Javonte Walker intercepted the Grizzlies quarterback in the endzone to give the 'Cats the ball back. 
• The 'Cats made the most of the turnover thanks to a pair of big rushes by Beau Phillips including a 31-yard touchdown run and with a Weber PAT gave CWU the 17-14 lead. 
• Montana didn't take long to regain the lead as Keali'I Ah Yat connected with Drew Deck for a big 50-yard touchdown and with Morrison connecting on the PAT sent the teams to the half with UM leading 21-17. 
• Jalen Webber intercepted the Grizzlies quarterback on their first drive of the second half to set CWU up at the Montana 36-yard line only to see Montana snag it back in the endzone. 
• On the second play following the Grizzlies interception Ah Yat found Michael Wortham for a 76-yard touchdown run and a Morrison PAT to make it 28-17 Montana. 
• The 'Cats couldn't find any momentum as they punted the ball back to Montana who found momentum on the ground on their next drive as Gillman rushed to the right for an 11-yard touchdown with Morrison converting the PAT to make it 35-17 Montana to end the third quarter. 
• On the return of the CWU punt to begin the fourth quarter the Grizzlies returner fumbled with Tyler Luzan recovering to set CWU up at midfield however the Grizz defense suffocated the 'Cats offense forcing them to punt. 
• A huge 61-yard rush by Gillman helped set himself up two plays later for a one-yard touchdown run with Morrison converting the PAT making it 42-17 Montana. 
• Both teams exchanged possession to end the game with the Grizzlies taking the 42-17 victory. 

 
STATS FROM THE GAME:
 

• McGill concluded the game completing 7/16 passes for 76 yards, two interceptions, and one touchdown. He added 39 rushing yards on 13 attempts. 
• Phillips and Taylor led the rushing charge with 69 and 66 yards, respectfully with Phillips logging a touchdown. 
• Grable led the receiving corps with three receptions for 43 yards while Camden Loidhamer had two receptions for 14 yards and one touchdown. 
• Chase Coalson and Brett McCalla led the tackling on defense with seven and six tackles. 
• Walker and Webber logged five and three tackles, respectfully with both having an interception. 
• Chase Loidhamer and Matulino Masunu combined for CWU's only sack on the night. 
• Wyatt Redding had six punts for 255 yards and had four kickoffs for a total of 246 yards.
• Weber was successful in his only field goal attempt on the night from 44 yards and was a perfect 2/2 on PAT attempts. 
• Mika Roberson had the only CWU punt return on the night, returning it for six yards while Phillips had three kickoff returns for a total of 61 yards. 

 
UP NEXT:
 

• The crimson and black will have a week off to prepare for their Lone Star Conference opener against West Texas A&M (0-2). The Wildcats host the Buffaloes for the LSC opener on Saturday, September 20 at 6:00 p.m. on Steve Hertling Field at Tomlinson Stadium for Family Weekend and Hometown Heroes, presented by KVH.