Weber State football: Montana runs wild to dash title hopes

MISSOULA, Mont. — To put it mildly, Chase Reynolds likes to run against Weber State.

Last year, the Montana running back racked up 185 yards against the Wildcats in a FCS second-round playoff game. On Saturday, Reynolds did even better, running for 241 yards and a touchdown as Montana whipped Weber State 31-10 in a battle between the Big Sky Conference's two top teams.

"It was crazy," Reynolds said. "The first level was so wide open."

Montana (8-0, 5-0 Big Sky) dominated the Wildcats (5-4, 5-2) on both sides of the ball.

The Grizzlies rang up 506 yards of total offense and picked off four of WSU quarterback Cameron Higgins' passes, including one that was returned 57 yards for a touchdown by defensive end Jace Palmer.

"We liked our plan going in," Montana coach Bobby Hauck said. "We thought we had some formations we hadn't shown before."

Weber State coach Ron McBride agreed.

"Give them credit," McBride said. "They kicked us around. They were the better team today."

The Grizzlies took a 13-0 first-quarter lead on a 3-yard pass from Andrew Selle to Dan Beaudin and Palmer's interception return.

The second half was all Reynolds. The junior finished with 241 yards on 33 carries, including a 2-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

Thomas Brooks-Fletcher caught a 14-yard scoring pass from Selle, and Brody McKnight kicked a field goal for the Grizzlies.

Cameron Higgins hit Mike Phillips with a 59-yard fourth-quarter pass for the Wildcats' lone touchdown.

The win puts unbeaten Montana in control of the conference championship race. Every other team in the Big Sky has at least two league losses.