Missoula, Mont. (NWN) — Cam Humphrey threw three touchdown passes, including a pair from Samuel Akame, in the second half as No. 6 seed Montana defeated Eastern Washington 50-35 on Friday night in the second round of the FCS playoffs.
Montana (10–2), the two-time FCS champion, made his record 25th playoff appearance, advanced to his 14th quarterfinal and finished second in the last three years.
Kevin Macias scored a 44-yard field goal for the Grizzlies, and then Montana’s Gavin Robertson and Robbie Hawke worked on back-to-back plays, both of which were reviewed, but neither ultimately reached East Washington (10-3). ) was determined for targeting. Midfield to go for it on fourth and -2 near the field. After a false start by the Eagles, Ryan Tyrrell blocked a punt that was recovered on 17 by Levi Zancaro. After four plays, Junior Bergen scored on a 5-yard run in the middle of the third quarter to reduce the Grizzlies’ deficit to 21–20.
Macias scored a 46-yard run to open the scoring in the third quarter and, after three more dismissals by East Washington, Bergen returned 8 for 37 yards, setting a touchdown run by Xavier Harris in the next game. did. Make it 30-21 and Montana led the rest of the way.
Eric Barrier completed 47 of 80 passes for 530 yards and five touchdowns with a fumble—which turned into a Montana touchdown and gave the Grizzlies a three-score lead late in the third quarter—and an interception. , a 55-yard pick-6 by Justin Ford made it 57-35 with 2:08 to play.
Barrier hit Talolo Limu-Jones on fourth and -6 – after EWU’s false start on fourth and -1 – for a 24-yard advantage for 9 and later for a play made in first and goal passersby. fine of. After three of 4 plays, Barrier threw a laser past Limu-Jones past the end zone and made it 30–28 in the third quarter with 6:33. Barrier, who was battered throughout the game, was hit on the throw and was clearly in discomfort—grabbing his midsection—as he walked off the field.
Garrett Graves captured Akem on a three-play, 60-yard drive from 33 yards before Cam Humphrey’s 44-yard TD pass and made it a two-capture game just 71 seconds later.
Barrier has 120 career touchdown passes and has surpassed Steve McNair for the fifth most in FCS history.
Limu-Jones finished with 14 receptions for 215 yards and two touchdowns and Andrew Boston, who also had 14 catches, finished with 141 yards receiving and one score.
Montana is 18-6-1 against the Eagles at home all the time.
Akem finished with five receptions for 104 yards.
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