A thrilling FCS quarterfinal match took place on Saturday, with the No. 3 Montana Grizzlies showcasing their dominance on their home turf. The Grizzlies faced off against the No. 11 South Dakota Coyotes, and the result was an exciting, high-scoring affair.
The game began with a bang, as the Grizzlies jumped to an early 24-0 lead in the first half, leaving the Coyotes with a mountain to climb. But here's where it gets interesting: the Coyotes' defense stepped up midway through the second quarter, finally getting a stop and giving their offense a chance to shine.
Despite the early deficit, the Coyotes showed resilience. With a burst of energy from L.J. Phillips Jr., they managed to get into Griz territory late in the first half. At the two-minute warning, South Dakota was poised to make a statement, just outside the red zone.
With determination, the Coyotes drove down the field, and Phillips Jr. delivered, taking it 23 yards to the end zone. The score brought the Coyotes within striking distance, making it 24-7 just before halftime.
The first half was a tale of two teams: the Grizzlies dominated with their 260 to 101 yard advantage, but the Coyotes showed heart and momentum on that final drive.
As the second half began, the Coyotes looked to make a comeback, but the Grizzlies struck first, extending their lead to 31-7. However, the Coyotes weren't done yet.
In a controversial moment, Aidan Bouman connected with Jack Martens over the middle. The Montana defense thought Martens was down, but the officials let the play continue, and Martens got up to complete a stunning 69-yard touchdown reception.
The Coyotes' offense kept the pressure on, and Bouman found Tysen Boze on a precise back-shoulder throw for another touchdown. The two-point conversion, caught by Boze, brought the score to 38-22 with just under nine minutes left, keeping the Coyotes in the game.
But the Grizzlies, determined to advance to the semifinals, scored a couple more times late in the game, securing a convincing 52-22 victory.
The Grizzlies now advance to the FCS semifinals with a 13-1 record, setting up a highly anticipated rematch against their rivals, Montana State, in Bozeman.
For the Coyotes, the season comes to a close in the quarterfinals, but their performance this season, reaching the quarterfinals for the third straight year, is a testament to their resilience and talent. South Dakota finishes with a 10-5 record and a second-place finish in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC).
And this is the part most people miss: the impact of individual players. Larenzo Fenner became the first Coyote in the USD Division I FCS era to surpass 1,000 career receiving yards, a remarkable achievement. Phillips Jr. led the rushing attack with 74 yards, while Bouman had an impressive day passing, finishing with 231 yards and two touchdown passes. Martens was the top receiver with 93 yards and a touchdown, and linebacker Gabriel Hardman led the defense with nine tackles.
So, what do you think? Was the Coyotes' season a success, despite not advancing further? Should they have done more to challenge the Grizzlies? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
