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Update #15: Montana has advanced the football to midfield, converting on a big fourth down inside its own 20-yard line. A couple of plays by the defense has Montana at its own 45-yard line on fourth down with 34 seconds to play. The Griz convert another fourth down, however, and move inside ASU territory. ASU;'s McCray picks off a long pass play in the end zone with 18 seconds to play to seal the game and a huge victory. ASU pulls out the victory by a 35-27 final score to move to 1-1 on the season. We'll try to have some photos posted a bit later this evening. Thanks again for reading!
Update #14: Montana's next offensive series is abruptly stopped with an interception from AC Reynolds product Patrick Blaylock. The pick is the first of his collegiate career. ASU takes over with 4:25 left to play. ASU goes three-and-out, however, to give the ball back to the Grizzlies to mount one final offensive attempt to potentially tie the game. Montana will start its series from its own 10-yard line with under three minutes to play.
Update #13: Tonight's attendance is the third largest in Kidd Brewer Stadium history as 30,856 paid to watch this evening's FCS showdown. In the meantime, ASU drives downfield with its slim one-point lead, as Steven Miller, who broke off several runs during the drive, capped it with a two-yard touchdown run to put ASU on top. An 11-play, 78-yard drive took 3:41 off the clock. ASU leads 35-27 with 5:05 to play. It's the second 2 touchdown game of Miller's career.
Update #12: A pass play from McKinney to Dan Moore covers 87 yards in one play. Montana kicker Chris Lider misses the extra point wide right, however, allowing ASU to hold a slim 28-27 lead with 8:54 left in the game.
Update #11: After having a lot of internet connection issues in the third period, we're back online. The score remained unchanged in the third quarter, with the game knotted at 21-21 early in the fourth quarter. ASU is driving with its first series in the final 15 minutes, marching inside the Griz 25-yard line. ASU gets on the board to unlock the tie on a touchdown pass from Jamal Jackson to Andrew Peacock of 25 yards. The PAT gives ASU the 28-21 lead with 13:03 to play. The drive was six plays, 67 yards, with 1:44 elapsed off the clock.
Jamal Jackson extends his school record with nine straight starts with 200 yards passing and 250 total yards, as he has eclipsed both with the most recent scoring drive.
Update #10: A couple of quick halftime stats: Montana leads ASU 306 to 179 in total yards for the first half. Moore leads the Grizzlies with 73 yards rushing on 10 carries. Jamal Jackson leads ASU with 43 yards on nine carries with a touchdown. ASU was not penalized for the first half, although they picked up an illegal block penalty on the opening kickoff of the second half. Time of possession was nearly even, with Jeremy Kimbrough leading ASU with nine tackles in the half.
Update #9: ASU is forced into a three-and-out, giving the ball one final time in the half to Montana with seven seconds left deep in its own territory. Montana opts to run out the remainder of the clock and go into the locker room tied at 21-21. Halftime stats shortly.
Update #8: The contest has become a field position battle, as ASU punts the ball back to UM with 1:42 to play in the half. Running back Dan Moore on two carries has driven Montana inside ASU territory, and a pass to Sam Gratton took the Grizzlies to the ASU 9-yard line as time ticked away in the half. Montana is looking to tie the game here in the final 40 seconds of the half.
A three-yard pass from McKinney to Sam Gratton caps a 70-yard drive consuming six plays and 1:07 off the clock. We're tied 21-21 at The Rock.
Update #7: ASU was forced into the first punt of the contest. Starting at its own 12-yard line, the Griz are eventually forced to also punt back to the Mountaineers, who then are forced to punt after a three-and-out. The teams have exchanged punts a couple of additional times, with ASU holding the football at its own one-yard line to start a drive with 4:20 to play in the first half.
Update #6: Trent McKinney scores on a QB keeper to seal a nine-play, 75-yard drive. The 10-yard run by McKinney is the first of his career. Montana cuts ASU's advantage to 21-14 with 13:12 left in the first half.
Update #5: 15 minutes in the books and ASU leads 21-7, but Montana is driving thanks to a long run by fullback Dan Moore into Appalachian territory. Griz will set up shop at the ASU 35-yard line when the second quarter begins.
Update #4: Montana returner Chase Naccarato coughs up the ensuing kickoff as Henry Barnes forces a fumble and teammate Matt Watson recovers the ball at the Grizzlies 21-yard line. Apps looking to build a two-score lead with great field position. Jamal Jackson scores on a six-yard run, spotting the Mountaineers the 21-7 advantage following a four-play, 21-yard drive elapsing 1:14 off the clock. Still 2:02 to play in the first quarter, and ASU leads 21-7.
Update #3: Montana QB McKinney is picked off in ASU territory by defensive back Demetrious McCray, setting ASU up with field position at its own 40-yard line on the turnover. It's the 7th pick of McCray's career. ASU takes advantage, with the help of a pass interference penalty on fourth down, to gain new life and eventually cap a nine play, 60-yard drive with a run of 13 yards by Steven Miller. ASU leads Montana 14-7 with 3:23 to play in the first stanza.
Update #2: ASU converts a fourth and inches near midfield, then Jamal Jackson connects two plays later for a 32-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Sean Price to cap a 9-play 75 yard drive elapsing 2:57 off the clock. Price nabs his first career TD as the Mountaineers tie the game at 7-7 with 9:18 left in the first period.
Update #1: Montana receives the opening kickoff and we are underway from The Rock! Montana earns a first down and on 3rd and 15, Montana completes a 68-yard pass play to the ASU 2-yard line. One play later pass is completed from quarterback Trent McKinney to running back Gavin Hagfirs, capping a seven-play, 75-yard scoring drive elapsing 2:45 off the clock. 12:15 left in the opening period and Montana leads 7-0.
We're LIVE from Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone for a HUGE FCS matchup between a pair of perennial powers in the Montana Grizzlies and ASU Mountaineers. ASU is coming off a loss to FBS school East Carolina, while Montana is 1-0 on the season.
Should be a great matchup as we prepare for kickoff. Stay tuned for updates throughout this evening's game. Thanks for reading!
