By AUSTIN SMITH
Senior linebacker Jordan Tripp set a school record for fumble recoveries while leading the Grizzlies over the Weber State Wildcats (and former UM coach Robin Pflugrad) 42-6 Saturday afternoon. The contest was Montana’s final home game of the regular season.
Tripp spearheaded a stellar defensive effort, setting a UM record at 10 career fumble recoveries and returning one of Montana’s three interceptions for 14 yards. Seniors John Kanongata’a and Alex Bienemann picked the other two; Kanongata’a also tallied eight tackles and a sack, second best for the Griz.
Zack Wagenmann led Montana with nine tackles and three clutch sacks that robbed Weber State of over 20 yards. The defensive pressure proved insurmountable for the Wildcats, who logged a dismal total of 202 offensive yards and were forced to punt eight times.
Montana scored first blood on a five-yard touchdown pass from starting quarterback Jordan Johnson to senior receiver Cam Warren. It was Johnson’s first and only touchdown throw – as the Grizzly lead increased, second- and third-string quarterbacks Shay Smithwick-Hann and Trent McKinney were consecutively subbed in.
Running backs John Nguyen, Jordan Canada and Marlon Miles combined for four touchdowns and 318 total rushing yards. Miles scored the first touchdown of his career, but Canada stole the show when he broke loose for a 80-yard score with a little under nine minutes left in the third quarter.
The Griz will finish their regular season in Bozeman next weekend, Nov. 23, vying with the Bobcats for a playoff berth in the 113th Brawl of the Wild.
GAME STATS (PDF) CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE