Montana
Junior Bergen does it again as Montana survives playoff scare from Tennessee State
MISSOULA — Junior Bergen put on another virtuoso performance Saturday night and Montana is moving on in the FCS playoffs.
Bergen returned two punts for touchdowns — the FCS record-tying seventh and eighth of his career — and the Grizzlies eluded Eddie George-coached Tennessee State 41-27 in a first-round game at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
UM, the No. 14 seed for the playoffs, will now hit the road for a second-round game against No. 3 seed South Dakota State next week.
Three turnovers on offense helped keep Tennessee State in the game, but Bergen returned punts for 52 and 54 yards to the end zone. The first helped give the Grizzlies a 27-6 lead in the third quarter. The second made the score 34-20 in the fourth.
PHOTOS: 14TH-SEEDED MONTANA HOSTS TENNESSEE STATE IN FCS PLAYOFFS
Bergen has now returned five punts for touchdowns in the playoffs alone, adding to those he had against SE Missouri in 2022, and versus Furman and North Dakota State last year.
Montana’s offense struggled to find consistency and turned the ball over three times to a Tennessee State defense that is coordinated by former Griz linebacker Brandon Fisher.
James Dobson / For MTN Sports
Thankfully for the Grizzlies, special teams played a huge role.
After going three-and-out to start the game, Montana got on the board on its second possession when Ty Morrison booted a 39-yard field goal. Tennessee State put together a drive of its own, though, and knotted the score at 3-3 with a 37-yard kick by James Lowery in the final seconds of the first quarter.
On Montana’s first drive of the second quarter, freshman running back Malae Fonoti had 36 yards on the ground, but Morrison was wide right on a 39-yard field goal try and the Griz came up empty.
Later, an Eli Gillman run on fourth down moved the chains, and then he capped the possession with a 7-yard touchdown run to put the Grizzlies back in front 10-3 with 4:35 left before halftime.
The Griz got more breathing room as Morrison hit consecutive field goals, one from 31 yards and the other from 50 — his career long — to go into halftime ahead 16-3.
Early in the third quarter, Montana quarterback Logan Fife coughed up a fumble near midfield, but TSU couldn’t capitalize other than a 26-yard field goal by Lowery to make the score 16-6 with 6:44 on the clock.
The Griz got those points back later in the third as Morrison banged home his fourth field goal of the night, a 30-yarder.
After Bergen’s first punt return touchdown, Tennessee State benefitted from a 63-yard kickoff return by Craig Cunningham and got a 3-yard TD pass from Draylen Ellis to Karate Brenson with 1:02 left in the third to cut Montana’s advantage to 27-13.
Fife lost a fumble for the second time at the start of the fourth quarter, which eventually produced an 11-yard touchdown run by Ellis to make it 27-20.
Xavier Harris responded with a long kickoff return for the Grizzlies, and Keali’i Ah Yat relieved Fife at quarterback. Stevie Rocker Jr. took a shovel pass from Ah Yat to the 3.
But Gillman fumbled an exchange from Ah Yat on the next play and Tennessee State recovered. The Tigers went backwards, though, and Bergen then scooped up a bouncing punt on the far sideline and took it back 54 yards for his second TD of the night.
The Grizzlies needed it, too, because the Tigers didn’t go away. Ellis hit Brenson with a touchdown pass for the second time, making the score 34-27 with 3:03 left.
On Montana’s next possession, Gillman refused to go down on the sideline, cut back against the defense and scored for a 59-yard touchdown run to extend the lead again.
The Grizzlies sealed the victory on a Trevin Gradney interception at the 2-yard line with 1:19 remaining.
Turning point: Bergen’s second punt return was a huge difference-maker because it came at a critical moment with Montana leading by just one score. It returned a sense of order to the game.
Bergen’s eight punt-return touchdowns tie the FCS record initially set by Leroy Vann, who played at Florida A&M from 2006-09.
Stat of the game: With his 7-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, Gillman achieved his first career 1,000-yard season. Gillman — last year’s Jerry Rice Award winner as the top freshman in the FCS — finished with 136 yards on 20 carries.
Grizzly game balls: RB Eli Gillman (Offense). It was an up-and-down offensive night for the Griz, but Gillman’s steady running, and his two touchdowns, were key.
LB Riley Wilson (Defense). Again, Wilson stood out on defense for the Grizzlies. The linebacker finished with seven tackles, 1.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss as UM held the Tigers to minus-19 rushing yards.
PR Junior Bergen (Special teams). Who else? With another outstanding playoff performance, Bergen further cemented his legacy as the best return man in the history of the Griz program.
What’s next: With the win, the Grizzlies (9-4) drew a second-round matchup with two-time defending national champion South Dakota State (10-2) next Saturday at 12 p.m. Mountain time. It will be a rematch of last year’s title game in Frisco, Texas, which the Jackrabbits won 23-3.
It will be the fourth playoff meeting between Montana and SDSU since 2009. The Griz haven’t faced the Jackrabbits in Brookings, S.D., since Nov. 14, 1970, a 24-0 Montana victory.
HELENA — In this week’s edition of Out and About: Made in Montana Trade Show makes it to Helena, Former Felons Ball and a Princess Tea Party.
2025 Made in Montana Trade Show – Lewis and Clark Fairgrounds – 03/08
On Saturday, the Montana Department of Commerce will celebrate 41 years of its Made in Montana Trade Show. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lewis and Clark Fairgrounds, there will be tons of vendors, with even more Made in Montana products to shop and browse from. Admission is free and open to the public, along with free parking available.
With the Spring season here, it’s a great way to update your home with the latest in Made in Montana food, gifts and other products. Exhibitors will sell directly to the public at retail prices while building brand awareness and gaining new customers.
Former Felons Ball – 03/08
Also on Saturday, Montana Pride will put on their Annual Former Felons Ball around the Capital City celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in Montana and around the world.
Starting at 1 p.m. the celebration will begin at the Lewis and Clark Brewery for an ax-throwing event until 4 p.m. Then at 3 p.m., there will be a Drag Story Hour at the Ironfront from community members. Later at 7 p.m., there will be three parties going at the same time all at at different locations, with drag shows starting at 9:30 p.m. to celebrate pride and Mardi Gras. The Gold Ball will be held at the Windbag, the Purple Ball at the Western and the Green Ball at the Rialto. So don’t forget to wear your Mardi Gras masks and for all the latest information on this year’s Former Felons Ball, you can stay updated on Montana Pride’s Facebook Page. You have to be 18+ to celebrate the shows and 21+ to drink.
Princess Tea Party – Helena Civic Center – 03/09
To wrap up the weekend, on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. the Princess Tea Party will commence at the Helena Civic Center. There will be pictures for the mini-monarchs sharing tea with other royalty, tattoos, crown making, nail painting and a silent auction all throughout the event.
If there is an event that you would like to see next week, please send us an email with all of the details to outandabout@ktvh.com.
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at March 5, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from March 5 drawing
24-28-40-63-65, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from March 5 drawing
04-12-21-22-40, Lucky Ball: 17
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from March 5 drawing
10-15-23-35-41, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 02
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from March 5 drawing
01-10-12-15, Bonus: 06
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 5 drawing
22-36-39-45-50, Powerball: 14
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Montana Cash numbers from March 5 drawing
02-18-21-24-45
Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
- Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
- Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.
HELENA — The Montana Senate is having marathon floor sessions over the next few days as the transmittal deadline approaches.
Among the proposals that got initial approval Wednesday was Senate Bill 474 – on a 29-21 vote. The bill, from Republican Sen. Daniel Emrich, R-Great Falls, would make it easier for someone to claim a personal exemption to school vaccination requirements.
(Watch to hear from senators debating Wednesday’s bills)
Montana Senate takes up school vaccination and election registration bills
Emrich said his daughter had experienced a serious health issue after receiving a vaccination, but he couldn’t get approval for a medical exemption for her.
“People need the right to choose,” said Emrich on the floor of the Senate. “We can’t force everybody to get a vaccine. Most people want to get a vaccine; there’s not that many people that don’t. But we need to give them that option, that freedom to choose.”
Opponents said the current exemption process is working and warned, if more people opt out of vaccines, it will start to affect the state at large.
“The only reason that people in this country can decide not to get vaccines and that this feels like, you know, ‘This is a personal choice, I should be able to choose whether or not I do this,’ is because my kids are vaccinated,” said Sen. Cora Neumann, D-Bozeman, who has worked in the public health field.
The Senate also endorsed SB 490 on a vote of 33-17. It would make significant changes to Montana’s late voter registration laws.
Currently, people can register and vote at county election offices until noon the Monday before an election and as long as polls are open on Election Day.
The bill — sponsored by Sen. Mike Cuffe, R-Eureka — would eliminate registration on Monday and close it at noon on Election Day, but allow people to register on the Saturday before the election.
MTN News
Opponents said the change was going to make it harder to register, especially for young voters.
“One thing that I think is going to really suppress the vote is the stop-start — so you can register Saturday, Sunday, but you can’t register Monday, you can register Tuesday only till noon,” said Senate Minority Leader Sen. Pat Flowers, D-Belgrade.
Supporters said it would relieve the burden that long same-day registration lines put on election workers, while working within a Montana Supreme Court ruling that blocked a bill to repeal same-day registration.
“We’re trying to work around the court’s decision, and make same-day registration available to people, to the very best of our ability, and still have an efficient, safe election,” said Sen. Theresa Manzella, R-Hamilton.
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