Grizzly revival: Special teams spark Montana’s comeback win over Southeast Missouri in playoffs

MISSOULA – Bobby Hauck referred to as it “a heck of an evening for the Montana Grizzlies.”

It didn’t begin that method.

Montana discovered itself in a 21-point gap within the third quarter, however that’s when Malik Flowers returned a kickoff 80 yards for a landing to assist spark a 34-24 come-from-behind victory over Southeast Missouri within the first spherical of the FCS playoffs on Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

The victory sends Montana (8-4) into the quarterfinal spherical the place it’s going to face third-seeded and defending FCS champion North Dakota State (9-2) on Saturday in Fargo, N.D.

“I’m enthusiastic about it, to start with,” Hauck mentioned of the NDSU matchup. ”We actually have a excessive regard for them. They’re the gold normal. There’s actually no different technique to put it.”

But it took an enormous comeback effort to make it potential.

Southeast Missouri was firmly in management due to a 14-play, 92-yard landing drive on the finish of the primary half and a 13-play, 75-yard landing drive at first of the second half. Each clock-eating drives have been capped by brief TD runs by workhorse working again Geno Hess and gave the Redhawks a 24-3 lead with 8:41 left within the third quarter.

However that’s when Flowers made his mark. After Hess’ second landing, Flowers ranged to his proper to discipline the following kickoff, bobbled the ball, corralled it, then discovered a lane down the left aspect of the sector all the best way to the tip zone to tug the Griz inside 24-10.

After forcing a punt, UM scored once more on a 17-yard landing throw from Lucas Johnson to Keelan White.

Then — to not be outdone by Flowers — Junior Bergen returned a punt 58 yards for a landing to tie the sport 24-24 within the third.

Nico Ramos’ second discipline aim and a remaining TD throw from Johnson to Cole Grossman within the fourth quarter cemented the comeback.

Flowers’ return was the seventh of his profession, tying the all-time FCS document held by Weber State’s Rashid Shaheed.

“I form of took my eyes off it and it bounced off my helmet and I used to be scrambling in search of the ball,” Flowers described. “The blokes saved up their assignments and stayed on blocks and I used to be capable of finding a seam. It’s all the time good scoring and the blokes up entrance did an ideal job.”

Montana security Robby Hauck additionally set a document, turning into the Huge Sky Convention’s all-time tackles chief with 474 complete stops. Hauck eclipsed the earlier document of 473 held by Japanese Washington’s Ronnie Hamlin.

Hauck completed with 15 tackles within the sport.

Bobby Hauck mentioned the comeback was paying homage to a 2009 playoff sport during which one other kickoff return for a landing — that point by Marc Mariani — was the spark the led to an enormous comeback win over South Dakota State. He even talked about it to his scuffling workforce at intermission on Saturday.

“We have been holding the rope, attempting to not let it slip out of our palms within the first half. It was all we might do to only maintain the rope,” Hauck mentioned. “I’m not joking once I say we talked about it at halftime. Clearly we have been down 21 after which (Flowers) went to the home after which it was on the forefront of my thoughts. Lots of similarities.

“I wager I’ve bought a textual content or two on my cellphone.”

After a sluggish begin, Johnson completed 18-of-37 passing for 306 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Flowers had a big effect within the passing sport additionally, catching seven balls for 108 yards.

Flowers completed the sport with 250 all-purpose yards (108 receiving, 142 returning).

Johnson, who misplaced a fumble that was returned for a SEMO landing within the first quarter, mentioned he “in all probability couldn’t have began any worse, however not one man let me (dangle) my head. This complete workforce was holding me up, and luckily we have been capable of exit within the second half and play how we’re able to taking part in.”

Hess carried the ball 30 occasions for 122 yards and two touchdowns. SEMO quarterback Paxton DeLaurent, getting back from harm, accomplished 25 of 49 passes for 277 yards and one interception.

Ryan Flournoy had 11 catches for 161 yards for the Redhawks.

SEMO coach Tom Matukewicz mentioned the end result was determined by 4 of 5 key performs. Montana’s return sport was an enormous a part of that.

The Redhawks, co-champs of the Ohio Valley Convention, completed their season with a 9-3 document.

“On the finish of the day, proper now you simply must get by the evening,” Matukewicz mentioned. “Don’t be unhappy it’s over, be glad it occurred. It’s as shut and tight of a workforce as I’ve ever been round.”

It was a program-building 12 months for Southeast Missouri. However ultimately, Montana is marching on.