Knight runs for 3 TDs as Montana rallies past EWU 34-17

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — Sophomore running back Marcus Knight ran for 131 yards and three touchdowns to help the Montana Grizzlies rally past Eastern Washington 34-17 Saturday.

Knight’s touchdown runs of 4, 45 and 9 yards backed a successful first start by junior quarterback Cam Humphrey, who was in for injured senior Dalton Sneed.

Humphrey threw for a touchdown as the Grizzlies, ranked 11th in the FCS coach’s poll, improved to 6-2, 3-1 in the Big Sky Conference.

Eastern Washington (3-5, 2-2) led 14-3 midway through the second quarter after a 5-yard scoring run by Tamarick Pierce. Montana’s ensuing drive covered 65 yards and was capped by Knight’s first touchdown, cutting the gap to 14-10.

After a 35-yard field goal by Seth Harrison put Eastern up 17-10 at 8:56 of the third quarter, Knight then tore off his long run, on a third-and-1 at the 7:18 mark. A Brandon Purdy field goal from 46 yards put the Grizzlies ahead for good, 20-17, before the quarter ended.

After Knight’s final touchdown, Eastern muffed a fair catch on the ensuing kickoff and Malik Flowers recovered for Montana at the Eagles’ 23. That set up a 6-yard scoring pass from Humphrey to Samuel Akem. Montana led 34-17 with 12:02 left in the game.

Humphrey was 20 of 29 passing for 176 yards.

Eastern quarterback Eric Barriere was 22 of 41 for 264 yards, including a 30-yard scoring strike to Andrew Boston.

THE TAKEAWAY

EASTERN WASHINGTON: The Eagles used big plays to take an early 14-3 lead and then stalled in the second half. A special teams miscue led to a quick touchdown that put them down 34-17.

MONTANA: A run game that picked up as the game wore on carried the Grizzlies, who were without senior quarterback Dalton Sneed. The hosts ran for 255 yards to hold off the Eagles, who had won six of the last seven games in the series.

UP NEXT

EASTERN WASHINGTON: The Eagles will protect their 3-0 home record with a game Saturday against Big Sky foe Northern Arizona.

MONTANA: The Grizzlies take to the road to face Portland State in a Big Sky game Saturday.

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