By AUSTIN SMITH
The Montana Grizzlies are now 3-0 after running away with a 47-14 victory over the Oklahoma Panhandle State Aggies Saturday afternoon.
A non-conference game that neither team wanted to be a part of, the lopsided matchup seemed more like a scrimmage after the Grizzly second string took over within the first eight minutes. A few plays beforehand, starting quarterback Jordan Johnson had found Ellis Henderson for a Montana touchdown after only 41 seconds and followed it up with a handoff to Travon Van to bring the score to 14-0.
Later in the first, freshman kicker Ben Worst split the uprights from 50 yards out before second-string quarterback Shay Smithwick-Hann logged two touchdown passes, bringing the board to 31-0 at the start of the second quarter. The deficit proved too much for the Aggies to overcome, and, even though they snuck into the endzone twice before the final whistle, the Grizzlies marched away with their second home victory of the year.
Freshman running back John Nguyen was named player of the game after tallying 167 all-purpose yards and despite bungling a punt return the opened the door for the Aggies’ first touchdown. Johnson, Smithwick-Hann and third-stringer Brady Gustafson combined for 128 passing yards and three touchdowns.
The Grizzlies are on the road next weekend at Northern Arizona University, but return to Missoula October 5th for a Homecoming matchup against the Portland State Vikings. Montana will then face an Aggie from a different state, as they travel to California to take on UC Davis.
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Austin Smith is a 22-year resident of the Missoula area, and an ardent fisherman, hunter, and snowboarder. When not working on the University of Montana campus, taking classes in the Journalism program, or contributing to the social media efforts of several local organizations, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his Akita and his family.