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Johnson Leads Montana Past Montana State 34-7

Montana State gave up seven turnovers during the game

By Jesse Flickinger, Associated Press

MISSOULA – The Montana Grizzlies didn’t want to see their season end Saturday afternoon.

Jordan Johnson threw for three touchdowns and put up almost 400 yards of total offense to help Montana to a 34-7 win against the Montana State Bobcats on Saturday.

With a potential FCS at-large bid up for grabs, Montana (8-4, 6-2 Big Sky) used five first half turnovers by Montana State (8-4, 6-2) to build a 27-0 lead. Montana State gave up seven turnovers during the game.

“This is unreal” said head coach Mick Delaney, who announced last Sunday he’d be retiring at the end of the season. “Today was the most special day of my whole coaching career because of what these young men and our coaches did today.”

Johnson was a game-time decision with an injured ankle, but rushed for 80 yards.

“Early on I didn’t think I was going to be able to play, but it just kept getting better and better,” Johnson said. “I wasn’t going to miss this game for anything.”

Matt Hermanson finished with three interceptions, one shy of the single-game record for the Grizzlies.

Montana State scored with 5:59 remaining on Chad Newell’s 1-yard run.

Jordan Canada scored two touchdowns, a 1-yard run and 4-yard reception, in the first quarter. He finished with 119 yards rushing.

Bobcats junior Jake Bleskin, stepping in for injured Dakota Prukop, threw five interceptions and gave up a fumble. He finished 15-28 for 145 yards as MSU lost a share of the league title.