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QB Keali'i Ah Yat's nose for the end zone helps No. 9 Montana rally past No. 24 Western Carolina

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QB Keali'i Ah Yat's nose for the end zone helps No. 9 Montana rally past No. 24 Western Carolina


MISSOULA — Western Carolina quarterback Cole Gonzalez was running around in celebration after his 61-yard touchdown pass to De’Andre Tamarez gave the No. 24-ranked Catamounts a 13-point lead over No. 9 Montana late in the second quarter on Saturday.

PHOTOS: MONTANA FIGHTS BACK, TOPS WESTERN CAROLINA TO FINISH NON-LEAGUE PLAY

It was part of a huge statistical day for Gonzalez and pass-happy WCU. But stats don’t win football games, and the Grizzlies rebounded from a slow start for a 46-35 victory at Washington-Grizzly Stadium to wrap up nonconference play.

Montana’s Keali’i Ah Yat set a single-game school record for quarterbacks by rushing for four touchdowns, and Eli Gillman ran for 175 yards and a TD as Montana came back from what was earlier a 17-point first-half deficit.

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Ah Yat’s diving 6-yard TD run in the third quarter put UM ahead for the first time 28-27, then Trevin Gradney intercepted Gonzalez on a tipped screen pass right after that to set up Ah Yat’s fourth touchdown rush, a 1-yarder.

After a Ty Morrison field goal, the Grizzlies led 38-27 early in the fourth, but WCU didn’t go away. A 3-yard TD pass from Gonzalez to A.J. Colombo, followed by a Gonzalez run for a two-point conversion, pulled the Catamounts within three points, 38-35, with 8:22 left.

But a 13-yard pass from Logan Fife to Junior Bergen into the red zone on fourth and 4 kept a late Montana possession alive, leading to a clinching touchdown run by Nick Ostmo, a 12-yard scamper with 1:44 left.

Montana prevailed despite 340 passing yards by Gonzalez and 229 receiving yards from his favorite target, Tamarez. The Griz rushed for 349 yards, and outgained the Catamounts 552 to 477 in total offense.

It was Montana’s 10th consecutive home victory over ranked teams since 2018. The Griz will open Big Sky play next week looking to defend their outright conference title from last season.

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Turning point: Despite their slow start, the Grizzlies managed to make it a one-score game going into halftime, which was critical.

After Gonzalez hit Tamarez for that 61-yard TD with 1:47 left in the second quarter, the Grizzlies got a wonderful bit of help on a late hit by WCU’s Jordy Lowery and a subsequent unsportsmanlike conduct call on Catamounts coach Kerwin Bell, which gave UM 25 free yards and set up a 9-yard touchdown run by Ah Yat with 53 seconds left before the break.

That put Montana in position to take the lead in the second half and leave with a victory.

Stat of the game: Ah Yat’s four touchdown runs set a single-game record for a Montana quarterback, and already gives him six rushing TDs in this his redshirt freshman season.

Ah Yat is now only three shy of the total rushing touchdowns his father, former Montana QB Brian Ah Yat, scored from 1995-98. Brian Ah Yat scored four rushing TDs in 1998, two in 1997 and three in 1996.

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Grizzly game balls: QB Keali’i Ah Yat (Offense). Ah Yat didn’t flinch while Montana trailed throughout the first half, and made his biggest impact as a runner. Ah Yat finished with 57 rushing yards on 11 attempts, an average of 5.2 per rush and, of course, scored 24 points on his own.

LB Ryan Tirrell (Defense). It was a challenge for UM’s defense to contend with WCU’s passing game, especially with their underneath and intermediate routes. But Tirrell led the Grizzlies’ linebacking corps with 10 tackles and a key breakup on a Catamount possession in the first half.

What’s next: After a four-game non-league schedule, Montana (3-1) opens Big Sky Conference play next week on the road against a familiar rival — Eastern Washington.

The Grizzlies lead the all-time series 30-18-1 but have not won a game on the road against the Eagles since 2008 and have never won atop “The Inferno,” EWU’s signature red turf that was installed for the 2010 season.

The Griz, though, have won the past two matchups (both in Missoula) including a 63-7 drubbing in 2022. Overall, the Eagles have won eight of the past 13. By rule, Montana will be without linebacker Riley Wilson for the first half next week; Wilson was disqualified for targeting in the second half against Western Carolina on Saturday.

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Camp East Montana ODs were related to psychiatric meds and self harm, DHS

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Camp East Montana ODs were related to psychiatric meds and self harm, DHS


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The Department of Homeland Security told the El Paso Times that two suspected overdoses at Camp East Montana over Memorial weekend were related to an overdose of psychiatric medication and a “self-harm” incident.

In both incidents on May 23 and May 24, the detainees were taken to the Rio Vista Behavioral Health center, a DHS spokesperson said.

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The 35-year-old detainee who overdosed on psychiatric medication on May 23 was returned to the immigration detention center the same day and is in stable condition. The 34-year-old who overdosed on May 24 is currently being monitored by ICE medical staff after being returned.

“When there are signs of a detainee self-harming, staff abides by strict prevention and intervention protocol to ensure the detainee’s health and wellbeing is protected,” a DHS spokesperson said in a statement. “ICE requires annual suicide prevention training and provides mental health service to detainees.”

The DHS spokesperson said that ICE provides “comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody. This includes medical, dental, and mental health services as available, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care.”

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The El Paso ICE detention center is the largest in the country, with a capacity to hold 5,000 people. Allegations of human rights abuses have plagued the site since it opened in August 2025.

At least three suspected overdoses have occurred at Camp East Montana, according to 911 emergency calls analyzed by the El Paso Times. The first suspected overdose was reported on Feb. 28, involving a 60-year-old male detainee.

Rising deaths, suicides in ICE detention

At least 50 migrants have died in ICE custody since President Donald Trump returned to office, with 18 deaths occurring in 2026. At least 10 of these deaths were suicides, an investigation by the Associated Press found, including Victor Manuel Diaz, a 36-year-old Nicaraguan migrant who died at Camp East Montana on Jan. 17.

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U.S. representatives, including Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, Angie Craig, DFL (Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party)-Prior Lake, and other political leaders, have raised concerns about the conditions at the detention center following more than a dozen oversight visits. Congressional representatives have repeatedly raised concerns over detainees’ access to medical and mental health services.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, the ACLU, Texas Civil Rights Project, Human Rights Watch and the law firm Farella Braun + Martel LLP sued ICE on behalf of four detainees held at Camp East Montana over “horrific” human rights abuses in May 2026.

Jeff Abbott covers the border for the El Paso Times and can be reached at:jdabbott@usatodayco.com@palabrasdeabajo on Twitter or @palabrasdeabajo.bsky.social on Bluesky.



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Escobar on Camp East Montana

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Escobar on Camp East Montana


While jobs are not on the line at the Ysleta Independent School District, the school district faces another budget year with a deficit for its ongoing operations.

District officials are recommending an operating budget with a deficit that may be up to $15 million, mainly driven by falling school enrollment and funding from the State of Texas. SISD anticipates collecting $379 million in revenue for the 2026-2027 year.

Superintendent Xavier De La Torre said the district plans on selling properties, offering incentives to teachers and administrators interested in retirement and consolidating the Cesar Chavez Academy with the Thrive Academy to address YISD’s financial challenges.

https://www.ktsm.com/news/ysleta-isd-counting-on-school-consolidation-attrition-property-sales-to-deal-with-budget-crunch/

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Spring runoff on Montana rivers poses serious safety risks

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Spring runoff on Montana rivers poses serious safety risks


BOZEMAN — Montana’s rivers are still running high and cold this spring — and while that’s good news for fish, it poses serious risks for recreators.

Even with a lighter-than-average snowpack, river conditions across the state remain hazardous. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is urging anyone planning to get on the water to prepare carefully, know current conditions, and understand every hazard along the full length of their route before launching.

WATCH: Montana’s rivers are still running high and cold this spring — even with lighter snowpack. Before you hit the water, FWP says preparation could save your life

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Spring runoff on Montana rivers poses serious safety risks

Morgan Jacobsen of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks pointed to specific locations as examples of the dangers that can catch people off guard.

“The Highway 89 Bridge has some, you know, particular dangers at that site with the pylons of the bridge, and that’s caused problems for people before, so knowing your trip and knowing what hazards exist as best you can, doing that research is always a good idea,” Jacobsen said.

Spring runoff serves an important ecological function for Montana’s fisheries, acting as a kind of seasonal reset for rivers and streams.

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“Flooding plays an important ecological function. It washes out sediment and provides new, clean gravels that are important for fish spawning. Creates new habitat for a variety of species, and it’s a good thing, but when it comes to recreation, it’s something you’ve got to be careful with,” Jacobsen said.

FWP is not discouraging people from getting on the water, but the agency is emphasizing that safety planning must come first — especially during high water.

“We’re not saying people can’t come on the water by any means, and you know, especially in high flooding conditions, and because of those dangers, it’s not recommended, but if you are going to recreate, you know, you’re doing it at your own risk. Make sure that you take precautions so that you can make it home safely,” Jacobsen said.

Anyone heading out on Montana’s rivers this spring should check current conditions, know their route, carry and wear a personal flotation device, and be prepared for water that was snow just minutes before entering the river.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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