The Weber State University football team, coming off a loss against McNeese State University on Sept. 28, came into Missoula as 13-point underdogs to the No. 8-ranked University of Montana Grizzlies and won 55–48 in overtime.
The Wildcats have historically struggled in Missoula, winning only seven times since 1962.
The game did not start out well for the Wildcats, as Montana running back Eli Gillman found the end zone two minutes into the game. The Wildcats responded two minutes later when sophomore quarterback Richie Muñoz found junior wide receiver Jayleen Record for a 35-yard touchdown pass to tie the game 7–7.
Later in the first quarter, freshman running back Davion Godley broke free for a 61-yard run, which was followed by Muñoz finding junior tight end Noah Bennee for another touchdown to give the Wildcats a 14–7 lead.
At the beginning of the second quarter, Montana drove down the field and made a 44-yard field goal to bring the score to 14–10. However, freshman wide receiver Noah Kjar returned the kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, increasing the Wildcat lead 21–10.
After a Montana punt, Muñoz found senior WR Jacob Sharp in stride for a 50-yard passing touchdown, making the score 28–10. Montana responded with a rushing touchdown from QB Logan Fife to make the game 28–17. After a fumble by Muñoz was recovered by Montana, the Wildcat defense stopped the Grizzlies on fourth down, heading into halftime with a 28–17 lead.
The Wildcats started the half with the ball, but turned the ball over on downs after junior RB Damon Bankston was stopped on fourth down. Montana responded with a 68-yard touchdown pass from Fife to Gillman, but after failing the 2-point conversion attempt, the score was 28–23.
After a 29-yard field goal from senior kicker Kyle Thompson, Gillman scored another rushing touchdown to make the game 31–30 in favor of the Wildcats at the beginning of the fourth quarter. After a punt from Weber, Montana drove down and hit a 48-yard field goal to give the Grizzlies their first lead since their first possession, 33–31.
On the Wildcats’ next drive, Muñoz found Record again for a 53-yard touchdown pass to give the lead back to the Wildcats 38–33 with nine minutes to play.
The Grizzlies then drove down the field again and scored with a 4-yard touchdown rush from Gillman. That, along with a successful 2-point conversion try, gave the Grizzlies a 41–38 lead with five minutes remaining.
On the third play of the next drive, Muñoz found Sharp on a slant route, who then took it 71 yards for a touchdown, making it a 45–41 game with four minutes left.
After another Fife touchdown pass, the Grizzlies lead 48–45 with one minute remaining. The Wildcats then drove down the field to the Montana 26-yard line, giving Thompson the opportunity to send the game into overtime. Three weeks after missing the game-winning kick against Lamar University, Thompson redeemed himself, hitting a 43-yard kick to tie the game as time ran out.
The Wildcats got the ball first in overtime, and Muñoz found Bankston for a seven-yard touchdown pass.
The Grizzlies then got their chance to respond, however, on their first play of overtime, Wildcat senior linebacker Garrett Beck came behind Fife and knocked the ball out of his hand and recovered it, winning the game for the Wildcats with a final score of 55–48.
Richie Muñoz finished the game with six touchdowns, marking the first six-touchdown performance since Brad Otten in 1993.
The Wildcats are back at home this week as they take on the University of Northern Colorado Bears on Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. for the homecoming game.
