Montana edges Western Carolina with Ah Yat’s 4 TDs

On Saturday, Montana faced Western Carolina in a thrilling college football matchup in Missoula, Montana. The Grizzlies initially struggled, falling behind 17-0 before rallying to take a 46-35 victory. Freshman quarterback Keali’i Ah Yat was instrumental in the comeback, scoring four rushing touchdowns, setting a record for quarterbacks at Montana. Eli Gillman also contributed significantly, rushing for 175 yards and adding another touchdown to the scoreboard. Despite a strong first half from Western Carolina, which saw them accumulate 305 yards of offense, Montana's defense tightened in the second half, limiting the Catamounts to just 172 yards. After Ah Yat's fourth touchdown gave Montana a lead, he was injured and did not return, leaving the offense in the hands of Logan Fife. Fife managed to lead a crucial 15-play drive that culminated in a touchdown, extending Montana's lead. Western Carolina attempted to close the gap, scoring a touchdown and converting a two-point attempt to make it 38-35. However, Fife's leadership on the subsequent drive secured the win for Montana, showcasing the team's resilience and depth. The Grizzlies finished the game with a total of 552 yards of offense, demonstrating their offensive prowess. This victory improved Montana's record to 3-1, while Western Carolina fell to 1-3. The game highlighted the importance of strong performances from both the starting quarterback and the backup, as well as the ability of the defense to adjust and contain the opposing offense in critical moments.