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Smithwick-Hann, Griz Pull Ahead of North Dakota

Daniel Sullivan kicked a 35-yard field goal with no time left on the clock to put Montana ahead

By Dillon Tabish

GRAND FORKS, N.D. — Shay Smithwick-Hann completed a 46-yard pass to Jamaal Jones and Daniel Sullivan kicked a 35-yard field goal with no time left on the clock to put Montana ahead of North Dakota 18-15 on Saturday.

At the start of the fourth quarter the Grizzlies (4-2, 2-0 Big Sky) led 15-0 and North Dakota’s Kyle Norberg fumbled on a 2-yard run, recovered by Mont Kendrick Van Ackeren at the Montana 2. Montana then went three-and-out, and Norberg responded by capping a 47-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run.

On Montana’s next possession, Smithwick-Hann was intercepted and Chris Brown returned it for a pick-6. The two-point conversion was good, and the score was tied at 15 with 5:49 to play.

Reid Taubenheim’s 40-yard field goal attempt was blocked for North Dakota (2-4, 0-2).

Smithwick-Hann replaced starting QB Jordan Johnson after a late hit in the second quarter took Johnson out of the game.

Smithwick-Hann was 12-of-21-1 for 128 yards and a TD.  Jones had 7 catches for 114 yards, while Travon Van had 7 grabs for 58 yards.

Montana’s defense was led be senior end Zack Wagenmann, who had 8 tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.  Junior linebacker Herbert Gamboa and senior safety Matt Hermanson had 7 tackles each.

Wagenmann is now tied for fourth in career sacks with 29, and fifth in tackles for loss with 41.

The Griz have an open week Oct. 11.