Griz-Cats Capsules
FRITZ NEIGHBOR | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 months, 1 week AGO
SPORTS EDITOR Fritz Neighbor is the Sports Editor for the Daily Inter Lake. He oversees sports coverage across the Flathead Valley, including high school athletics, youth sports, and regional competitions. In his leadership role, he helps shape the newspaper’s sports coverage and editorial direction. Fritz’s column, Full Count, taps into his decades’ long career covering Montana sports. You’ll also see Fritz sharing his thoughts and insights on the Big Sky Now podcast. IMPACT: Fritz’s work celebrates the athletes and teams that bring Northwest Montana communities together. | October 24, 2025 11:45 AM
No. 4/4 Montana at Sacramento St.
When: Friday, 8:30 p.m. TV: ESPN2. Web: ESPN+; Radio: Grizzly Radio Network. Where: Hornet Stadium (21,915). Records: Sac State is 4-3, 2-1 in the Big Sky. UM is 7-0, 3-0.
When the Grizzlies have the ball: Keali’i Ah Yat is averaging 292 passing yards a game, and has 14 TDs and 6 INTs. Michael Wortham is the top receiver (42 catches, 610 yards and 5 TDs). Brooks Davis, Drew Deck, Josh Gale and Eli Gillman all have 2 scoring receptions. Gillman has rushed for 776 yards (6.4 per carry) and 11 TDs. Stevie Rocker, Jr. (31-195, 2 TDs) is his backup. Third in rushing with 134 yards is Wortham.
When the Hornets have the ball: True freshman Jacquail Smith has had back-to-back 100-yard rushing games, Senior Sam Adams II is the listed starter; Rodney Hammond, Jr., has 501 rushing yards and Damian Henderson II has another 398 (at 7.0 yards a pop). Junior QB Cardell Williams has 823 passing yards with six scores and four INTs. His top targets are Ernest Campbell (16 -375, 4 TDs) and Jordan Anderson (16-270-0).
Notable: Montana leads the series 21-4 and won the last meeting 34-7. ... Sac State is 3-21 vs. Top-5 FCS teams, with wins over No. 5 Montana in 2019 and 2021. ... Sac State has hit 300 rushing yards in two straight game and its 247.1 average ranks fourth in the FCS. UM (185.9) sits 27th.
The Pick: Griz 37-34.
No. 5/5 Montana St. at Cal Poly
When: Saturday, 5 p.m. TV: CBS. Web: ESPN+. Radio: Bobcat Radio Network. Where: Mustang Memorial Stadium (11,075). Records: MSU is 5-2, 3-0 in Big Sky games. CP is 3-4, 1-2.
When the Bobcats have the ball: Justin Lamson is quietly having a great season at QB, throwing for 1,402 yards with 12 TDs and 2 INTs. His 168.1 efficiency rating is 12th in the FCS and second in the Big Sky. Adam Jones is the top rusher at 415 yards (5.5 a carry) with 6 TDs. Julian Davis is next at 392 yards (6.6 average); Lamson has 274 yards and 4 TDs. Taco Dowler has by far the most catches (38, for 422 yards and 3 TDs) but Jabez Woods is averaging 18.1 yards on 13 receptions.
When the Mustangs have the ball: Ty Dieffenbach started Cal Poly’s last game at QB, but threw 4 picks in a 28-9 loss at Montana. He has 804 yards and 6 TDs passing; the less mobile Bo Kelly has 516 yards and 5 TDs. Michael Briscoe has 30 catches for 578 yards and seven TDs; Kian Selahi, Jordan Garrison, Alek Marshal and Logan Booher are talented receivers. Trey Wilson is a powerful runner.
Notable: Both teams are coming off a bye. ... MSU is the third straight ranked opponent for Cal Poly, which fell to No. 6 UC Davis 34-27 on Oct. 8. ... Mikey D’Amato is the real deal at LB for the Mustangs. ... Zac Crews has 2.5 sacks for MSU.
The Pick: Cats, 26-17.
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