But the Grizzlies got a spark off the bench from transfer quarterback Logan Fife and rallied for a 29-24 victory to begin the season on the right foot.
Montana had to earn it by fighting through mistakes and countering Missouri State’s moxie.
Griz return specialist and wide receiver Junior Bergen did not play due to an undisclosed injury. Bergen’s backup, Drew Deck, muffed a punt in the first quarter that was recovered by Missouri State, which led to a 7-yard touchdown run by Bears running back Jacardia Wright and a 7-0 first-quarter lead.
The Bears’ lead shrunk, though, when last season’s Jerry Rice Award winner as FCS freshman of the year, Eli Gillman, broke two tackles on the way to a 27-yard touchdown run. The point-after kick by Ty Morrison missed, and the score at that point was 7-6.
Montana took a 12-10 lead into halftime thanks to two field goals by Ty Morrison — a 35-yarder with 7:07 left in the second and a 23-yarder to end the opening half.
The Griz scored consecutive second-half touchdowns by Gillman and Xavier Harris to build a cushion after Becks’ score. Gillman’s score was a 2-yard rush to give Montana a 26-17 lead with 9:36 left.
Montana overcame strong performances by Wright and Missouri State QB Jacob Clark — and a late TD on a short run by Jmariyae Robinson that pulled the Bears within 26-24 with 4:43 left.
Gillman was key early in the game and served as the workhorse late, and helped the Grizzlies bleed the clock. The sophomore finished with 89 yards and two touchdowns on 15 attempts.
Turning point: Redshirt freshman Keali’i Ah Yat got the start at quarterback for the Griz, but Fresno State transfer Fife sparked the offense in the second half with a key scoring drive.
On a crucial fourth-and-1 play on that drive late in the third quarter, Fife swung a quick pass out to the perimeter, which Harris caught and took 34 yards to the end zone for a go-ahead score and a 19-17 lead. Montana never relinquished that advantage.
Fife, who is expected to continue to compete with Ah Yat for snaps as the season progresses, finished 5-for-7 passing for 90 yards and a touchdown.
