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'Playoff tradition': Punt return TDs solidify Junior Bergen's legacy as Montana marches on

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'Playoff tradition': Punt return TDs solidify Junior Bergen's legacy as Montana marches on


MISSOULA — Saturday was likely the final home game of the season at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, and this year’s No. 14 Montana Grizzlies football team made sure to go out with a bang.

And it all started with Junior Bergen doing what he does best, and that’s show up when the lights are brightest with a pair of punt return touchdowns to help spur the Grizzlies into the second round of the FCS playoffs as they defeated the Tennessee State Tigers, 41-27.

PHOTOS: NO. 14 MONTANA HOSTS TENNESSEE STATE IN FCS PLAYOFFS

“Super blessed. I thank God every night, every morning for it,” Bergen said. “These guys trusted me, and they look to me in some of these moments, and I’m just so grateful to be able to kind of capitalize in that. And, yeah, I’m just super grateful.”

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“It’s a playoff tradition,” UM head coach Bobby Hauck added. And those words couldn’t ring more true as once again Bergen was called upon with the season on the line, and the senior from Billings delivered once again.

His first score — one that was blocked to perfection — came in the third quarter to make it 27-6. The second was desperately needed which gave the Griz 34-20 advantage in the fourth on a play where Bergen caught the ball running and had to make a lot of magic happen on his own to find his way into the end zone once again.

GRIZ POSTGAME: HAUCK, BERGEN, GRADNEY BREAK DOWN WIN OVER TENNESSEE STATE

That makes it eight career punt return touchdowns for him — five in the playoffs — as Bergen tied the FCS record with that mark.

“I mean, the kid’s unreal,” said UM senior cornerback Trevin Gradney, a childhood friend of Bergen’s growing up in Billings. “There’s not much else you can say about it. In the big moments, he shows up, and you can always count on him to do his job, and the other guys that do their jobs around him. He’s a playmaker, man.”

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“It’s become so regular and done so regularly around here that we forget how hard that is to do,” Hauck added. “And these guys, sometimes they make it look easy. You know, you’re talking about doing two in one game three years in a row in the playoffs. Yeah, it’s pretty it’s pretty special. And I think it builds upon itself.”

Special teams was a savior for Montana (9-4) on Saturday, as kicker Ty Morrison went 4 for 5 on the day, providing most of the scoring early on through the third quarter. Kicker Grant Glasgow also had a kickoff recovered by Tyson Rostad just before half that set up Morrison for his third field goal of the day, a 50-yarder, that put the Griz up 16-3 heading into the break.

Offensively the Grizzlies were led by a big game from Eli Gillman who sealed the win with a late nail in the coffin 59-yard score and who finished the day with 136 yards and two touchdowns, but turnovers hurt the Griz with three second-half lost fumbles that allowed the Tigers to get back into the game.

Quarterback Logan Fife lost a pair of them while Gillman coughed up another as the Griz were on the doorstep of scoring in the fourth quarter.

Montana’s defense stood firm. The Griz held the Tigers to 3 for 14 on third down and only 277 total yards, and even as Tennessee State found some life to climb back in it, the Grizzlies stood tall and came up with timely stops, and ended it with an interception from Gradney.

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“I think we did a good job handling them,” Gradney said. “We knew they’d like to throw the ball. I think we took that away early. They kind of got to us late a little bit, but we kind of kept the big one off of us when we when we needed to. And yeah, I was really proud of our guys.”

The game was all over the place Saturday night, but in the end, the Griz did everything needed to advance to the next round with their ninth win of the year. Next up for them is a rematch of last year’s FCS national championship game as UM hits the road to Brookings, South Dakota to take on two-time reigning national champ No. 3 South Dakota State (10-2) at noon on Saturday.

“It’s always hard to win this particular weekend,” Hauck said. “So thought our guys had a lot of juice all week long, and it showed they had that in the game tonight. And I was just proud of the way they they kept competing, and when they got a chance to to put it away, they did. So good by our guys.”





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Montana Lottery Lucky For Life, Big Sky Bonus results for Nov. 27, 2025

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The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Nov. 27, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Nov. 27 drawing

08-12-13-16-45, Lucky Ball: 13

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Nov. 27 drawing

05-14-15-21, Bonus: 15

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Check Big Sky Bonus 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.

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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.



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Montana State’s Brent Vigen says he’s staying as Bobcats football coach

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Montana State’s Brent Vigen says he’s staying as Bobcats football coach


Montana State University football coach Brent Vigen announced Wednesday he is staying in Bozeman.

The Bobcat coach, who led his team to a second consecutive Big Sky Conference title this season, wrote on social media that he spoke with the school’s athletics director, Leon Costello, and chose to remain in place.

“I’m honored for the opportunity to keep leading this team and to continue this journey as the head football coach,” Vigen wrote in a statement posted on Montana State social media platforms.

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Vigen recently earned his third Big Sky Coach of the Year award after leading the Bobcats to the No. 2 seed in the upcoming FCS playoffs. The Cats will play the winner of the Yale-Youngstown State game on Dec. 6 in Bozeman.

According to multiple media reports, Vigen was a finalist for the head coaching job at Oregon State University.

At Montana State, Vigen has compiled 57-12 overall record, including a 37-3 record in Big Sky play. He guided the Bobcats to the FCS national championship game in 2024.





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Former judge-elect in northwest Montana pleads guilty to felony drug charges

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Former judge-elect in northwest Montana pleads guilty to felony drug charges


A former northwest Montana judge-elect has pleaded guilty to three felony drug charges and agreed to a three-year deferred sentence after admitting he arranged to buy cocaine while working as a criminal defense attorney and running for district judge.

Kenneth Britton “Britt” Cotter of Polson entered guilty pleas in Lake County District Court to one count of solicitation to commit criminal distribution of dangerous drugs and two counts of attempted criminal possession of dangerous drugs, all felonies, under an acknowledgment and waiver of rights and plea agreement filed Nov. 21 in the 20th Judicial District. The case is assigned to District Judge Jennifer Lint.

Cotter was elected without opposition in November 2024 to the 20th Judicial District seat, which covers Lake and Sanders counties, but has since resigned the judgeship. In the plea document, Cotter states he reviewed the investigative file and potential penalties, understands his trial rights and waives them as part of the agreement.

Under the deal, prosecutors and Cotter will jointly recommend that he receive a three-year deferred imposition of sentence on each count, to run concurrently, allowing the felonies to be dismissed if he complies with all conditions. The agreement notes Cotter originally faced a maximum of 25 years in prison and a $50,000 fine on the solicitation charge and up to five years and $5,000 on each possession count.

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The plea agreement requires Cotter to submit to a new chemical dependency evaluation, complete any recommended treatment, abstain from alcohol, marijuana and illegal drugs absent a prescription, and avoid bars and marijuana dispensaries. He must also cooperate with the Montana Office of Disciplinary Counsel regarding his law license, comply with any probation and monitoring conditions, avoid contact with witnesses, submit a DNA sample and pay prosecution costs, surcharges and fees tied to pretrial drug testing and preparation of a presentence investigation report.

The state’s earlier affidavit in support of filing the charges describes a series of text messages and Venmo payments between Cotter and a Jane Doe between March 2022 and late 2022 that investigators say show him repeatedly arranging to buy cocaine, including payments of $900 and $1,200 labeled as “legal fees” and “work.” It also recounts a November 2024 interview in which Flathead County District Court Judge Amy Eddy told agents Cotter admitted to her that he had bought cocaine from Jane Doe “a long time ago” and said he stopped when he decided to run for judge, adding that he did not want to embarrass the judiciary.

Cotter previously had been ordered to appear for arraignment Jan. 8, 2025, after the state sought leave in December 2024 to file the information formally charging him. The governor’s office received notice of the impending vacancy in the 20th Judicial District in late December; current Judge John Mercer, appointed after Judge Deborah Kim Christopher resigned in April 2024, serves through Jan. 5.

Cotter’s sentencing is set for January 9, 2026.



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