Oregon State gets a difficult early test in its first chance to earn a win under JaMarcus Shephard, and the opponent brings plenty of weight with it. Montana arrives in Corvallis at 3-0, carrying the kind of FCS pedigree that makes this far more than a routine nonconference game.
The matchup is set for Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. PT at Reser Stadium, with Oregon State listed as a 9 1/2-point favorite and the game scheduled for USA.
Montana’s path into this one has been steady. The Grizz opened with a 3-0 homestand against Southern Utah, Drake and Utah Tech, and they remain a national title contender at the FCS level after being ranked No. 3 in the preseason.
They got there despite a major coaching change in February, when longtime coach Bobby Hauck retired abruptly and Bobby Kennedy was elevated after one season as receivers coach. Even with that shift, Montana has kept much of its core intact.
That core starts with quarterback Keali’i Ah Yat. He threw for more than 4,000 yards and 33 touchdowns last season, and through three games this year he’s completing over 65% of his passes for 793 yards, five touchdowns and one interception.
The backfield is every bit as dangerous. Eli Gillman, a preseason All-American, piled up 1,540 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns last season for his second straight 1,000-yard year.
He has already rushed for 328 yards and seven scores in three games. One note that jumps off the page: Gillman is the active career leader in all of college football in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.
Montana also has production on the outside in Brooks Davis. Last season he caught 54 passes for 698 yards and five touchdowns as the Grizzlies’ No. 2 receiver, and this season he has 24 catches for 311 yards and one score.
On defense, Peyton Wing gives Montana another proven piece. He was the team’s leading returning tackler and another preseason All-American after posting 78 tackles, including 8.5 for loss, with 3.5 sacks, four interceptions and five pass breakups last season.
The one wrinkle that matters here is experience against this level of opponent. Montana has not faced an FBS team in some time, and it also enters with an entirely new offensive line. Even so, this is clearly one of the toughest FCS teams Oregon State could draw, which is why the spread sits at just two scores.
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Oregon State Cant Lose Its Edge After The Oregon Win
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There is still a standard to meet in the next game, and Morris made clear that the expectations do not dip just because the emotions around the Oregon result have faded. Oregon State has to keep showing progress, keep its edge and avoid the natural lull that can follow an emotional breakthrough, especially with an opponent like Murray State next on the schedule. [Read more 🡒]