Second-Half Touchdowns Lead No. 5 Weber State To Win Over No. 11 Montana

OGDEN, Utah – A pair of Bronson Barron touchdowns led the Wildcats to a 24-21 Big Sky Conference win over the Montana Grizzlies on Saturday afternoon.

No. 5 Weber State (7-1, 4-1) hosted the No. 11 Montana Grizzlies (5-3, 2-3) in a Big Sky Conference matchup at Stewart Stadium on Ogden, UT on Saturday, October 29.

The Wildcats were looking to recapture their early-season momentum after last week’s loss to Montana.

Weber State Wildcats 24 Montana Grizzlies 21

After Montana’s Nico Ramos put the Grizzlies ahead 3-0, Weber State struck.

A 10 play, 82-yard drive ended with a Weber State lead when Damon Bankstead broke loose for a long touchdown. Bankstead ran right through the heart of the Grizzlies defense, gashing them for his sixth touchdown of the season.

TOUCHDOWN WILDCATS!

Damon Bankston with a 47-yard TD run to give the 'Cats the lead!

📺 ESPN+#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/2ZlKjE3Zsh

— Weber State Football 🏈 (@weberstatefb) October 29, 2022

Montana answered midway through the second period with a Kris Brown rushing score, taking a 10-7 lead.

Weber State’s special teams tied the game before the half when Kyle Thompson added a 28-yard field goal with less than a minute remaining in the half.

In the third quarter, the Grizzlies added their second field goal of the day, this time from 32-yards out, giving Montana

Trailing by three and looking for their first touchdown since the first quarter, the Wildcats leaned on the familiar connection of Barron to MacPherson.

On third down following the field goal, Bronson Barron found Ty MacPherson streaking down the left sideline for a 69-yard scoring strike. It was the eighth receiving touchdown of the year for the dynamic Wildcat receiver.

BARRON ➡️ MACPHERSON

TOUCHDOWN!

69-yard TD catch by @tylermac23!

Wildcats lead 17-13

5:40 | 3rd quarter#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/xkZirsNgof

— Weber State Football 🏈 (@weberstatefb) October 29, 2022

The teams traded possessions heading into the fourth quarter before Weber State added their third touchdown of the day.

Capping a six-play drive, Barron found tight end Hayden Meacham in the back of the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown. It was the lone catch of the day for Meacham. The score gave the Wildcats a 24-13 lead.

TOUCHDOWN WILDCATS!

Barron to Hayden Meacham for a 12-yard TD

Wildcats lead 24-13

5:56 | 4th quarter

📺 ESPN+#WeAreWeber @hayden_shae11 pic.twitter.com/daro5TEIZV

— Weber State Football 🏈 (@weberstatefb) October 29, 2022

Montana’s Malik Flowers took the following kickoff 100 yards, scoring a touchdown and forcing the WSU to burn some clock on their following drive. The Grizzlies added a two-point conversion, making the score 24-21.

Weber State was able to run the clock out on their next drive, securing the 24-21 win.

Barron finished 14-for-23 with an interception and two touchdowns.

That's more like it!

WILDCATS WIN! #WeAreWeber #7-1 pic.twitter.com/0txCsdMFiu

— Weber State Football 🏈 (@weberstatefb) October 29, 2022

Dontae McMillan carried 23 times for 100 yards while Bankston added 79 yards on the ground and a touchdown. Weber State finished with 192 rushing yards as a team.

MacPherson caught three passes for 84 yards and a score. Justin Malone reeled in eight balls for 49 yards.

Up Next

Weber State remains at home where they will welcome in the No. 2 Sacramento State Hornets (7-0) to Stewart Stadium on Saturday, November 5. Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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