Thanks to a victory over No. 14 Weber State and an upset victory by Sacramento State, the second-ranked Montana Grizzlies are within one victory of clinching their 12th straight Big Sky Conference football regular-season title.
Montana moved to 5-0 in league and 8-0 overall with an impressive 31-10 win over Weber State in Missoula. Junior running back Chase Reynolds rushed for a career-high 241 yards and a touchdown to lead the Grizzly offense. UM's defense intercepted Weber State QB Cameron Higgins four times, and held the Wildcats to just 13 first downs and 243 yards of offense. The loss dropped Weber State to 5-2 in conference and 5-4 overall. The Wildcats will need to win its final two games and get help around the nation if it hopes to return to the playoffs.
The loss means that all teams in the league other than have at least two conference losses. Montana can clinch at least a share of the conference title with a victory over Idaho State next Saturday in Pocatello.
Sacramento State pulled off a upset, knocking off No. 21 Northern Arizona 27-24 in Sacramento. The Hornets intercepted Michael Herrick twice, and DE Christian Clark tallied four sacks. NAU kicker Matt Myers missed a 55-yard attempt in the final seconds. The loss dropped NAU to 4-2 in conference with a road trip to Weber State and a home game at Eastern Washington remaining following next week's trip to Mississippi.
Montana State and Eastern Washington both remained in the playoff hunt with conference victories. Eastern Washington's Matt Nichols threw for 413 yards and four touchdowns, while sophomore linebacker Matt Johnson intercepted four passes at the Eagles cruised to a 47-10 win at Qwest Stadium in Seattle. EWU, which earlier this week learned the NCAA overturned its postseason ban, moved to 4-2 in conference and 6-3 overall. The Eagles play at Southern Utah in a non-conference game and are at Northern Arizona on Nov. 21.
Montana State stromed back from a 10-3 deficit to beat Idaho State 41-10. Aaron Mason returned from an injury to rush for 108 yards and two touchdowns. MSU's defense limited ISU to 144 yards of total offense. Montana State is 3-2 in confrence and 5-2 overall. The Bobcats play host to Sacramento State, travel to Portland State and close the regular-season at home against Montana.
Northern Colorado won its third game of the season, downing South Dakota of the Great West Conference 21-17 in Greeley. Andre Harris scored on a 1-yard run with 5:20 remaining to give the Bears the lead for good. Bryan Waggener threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns.
For updated conference statistics, please click here
For more on Saturday's games, please click on the scores below.
No. 2 Montana 31, No. 14 Weber State 10 | Stats
Sacramento State 27, No. 21 Northern Arizona 24 | Stats
Montana State 41, Idaho State 10 | Stats
Eastern Washington 47, Portland State 10 | Stats
Northern Colorado 21, South Dakota 17 | Stats