Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
7-1 , 4-1
Montana
5-3 , 2-3
Wildcats get back on track with 24-21 win over Montana
10/29/2022 6:16:00 PM | Football
Weber State improved to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in Big Sky play.
Weber State converted on a fourth and one on the final drive to seal the win.
"There were so many positives for us about this game," said WSU head coach Jay Hill. "Our defense played a great job throughout the game and also so many good things by the offense against a very good football team. I'm very proud of our team and how they responded."
The Wildcats totaled 345 yards and the WSU defense limited the Grizzlies to 114 yards, the fewest by a Division I team against the Wildcats this season. Montana had 72 yards passing and 42 yards rushing. The Wildcats rushed for 192 yards and threw for 153.
Montana scored first on a field goal before Damon Bankston scored on a 47-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter to give the Wildcats a 7-3 lead.
Each team added a field goal in the second quarter and the game was tied 10-10 at the break.
Montana regained the lead with a 32-yard field goal midway through the third quarter but the 'Cats put together a three-play, 75-yard drive on their next possession as Bronson Barron connected with Ty MacPherson for a 69-yard touchdown that gave the Wildcats a 17-13 lead with 5:40 to play in the third quarter.
The 'Cats extended the lead to 24-13 with 5:56 to play in the game after Barron found Hayden Meacham for a 12-yard touchdown.
Montana returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and a two-point conversion made it 24-21.
On Weber State's final possession, the Wildcats ran the ball nine times between Dontae McMillan and Kris Jackson. On a fourth and one with 2:25 to play, Jackson converted a three-yard gain to seal the win.
Winston Reid led the Wildcat defense with a career-high 14 tackles. He had six solo tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Junior college transfer Steven Bryant had two sacks and three tackles for loss. Brayden Wilson also added two tackles for loss. The Wildcats totaled 11 tackles for loss as a team.
On offense, McMillan had 23 carries for 100 yards and Damon Bankston added nine carries for 79 yards and a touchdown.
Barron was 14 of 23 passing for 153 yards and two touchdowns and Justin Malone had eight catches for 49 yards. MacPherson had three catches for 84 yards and a touchdown.
Weber State is now 4-1 in Big Sky play. The Wildcats continue their homestand with two more home games, starting with another top-10 Big Sky showdown against Sacramento State on November 5.
.@CoachJayHill after the win over the Griz.#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/v0R76GqV0C
— Weber State Football ?? (@weberstatefb) October 29, 2022
Team Stats
MON 3, WSU 0
MON - Ramos,Nico 41 yd field goal 9 plays, 24 yards, TOP 03:32
MON 3, WSU 7
WSU - Bankston,Damon 47 yd run (Thompson,Kyle kick), 10 plays, 82 yards, TOP 03:31
MON 10, WSU 7
MON - Brown,Kris 4 yd run (Ramos,Nico kick), 10 plays, 65 yards, TOP 04:19
MON 10, WSU 10
WSU - Thompson,Kyle 28 yd field goal 11 plays, 50 yards, TOP 03:54
MON 13, WSU 10
MON - Ramos,Nico 32 yd field goal 7 plays, 10 yards, TOP 03:37
MON 13, WSU 17
WSU - MacPherson,Ty 69 yd pass from Barron,Bronson (Thompson,Kyle kick) 3 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:57
MON 13, WSU 24
WSU - Meacham,Hayden 12 yd pass from Barron,Bronson (Thompson,Kyle kick) 6 plays, 39 yards, TOP 03:08
MON 21, WSU 24
MON - Flowers,Malik 100 yd kickoff return (Roberts,Mitch pass)
