Another Shutout of Northern Colorado Suits Montana Griz Football

Methodical if not eye-popping. Workmanlike and subtly dominant.

It took three interceptions, two of them deep in their own territory, and enough imposition of their will, thus leaving the only drama by the fourth quarter was, can we get another shutout on these guys?

The University of Montana Grizzlies never felt that their lead was in jeopardy, and step by step, little by little, put the game out of reach, and humbled the Northern Colorado Bears by a score of  24-0  in Greeley, Colorado Saturday afternoon.

Leading only 7-0 with less than two minutes to go in the first half, freshman quarterback Keali'l Ah Yat's first touchdown pass of the day went to Missoula Hellgate grad Ian Finch to give the Griz a 14-point cushion going into the locker room.

Ah Yat played most of the game and threw two touchdown passes. Running back Nick Ostmo ran for over 100 yards, and Jace Klucewich, Caleb Otlewski and Jaxon Lee all contributed interceptions, as a total team effort resulted in victory and the third consecutive shutout of the Bears. (35-0 in 2021, 40-0 in 2024).

The Griz declined attempting a short field goal on fourth down, content with running out the clock and securing the shutout, and leaving no time for Northern Colorado no time to try to secure a moral victory field goal or touchdown.

Montana improves to 6-2 on the season and 3-1 in Big Sky Conference Play, and no doubt kept themselves in the Top 10 of the Football Championship Subdivision national weekly rankings.

The Griz stay on the road next Saturday, visiting Cal Poly. Our two-hour pregame broadcast begins at 1:00 Mountain Time, on NewsTalk KGVO.

Up With Montana!