Some promising plays and the ability to move the ball came to a crashing halt early in the game for the Montana Grizzlies.

While excuses don't score points and win games, it was heartbreaking to see two of your senior stars knocked out of the game in the fist quarter. Such was the fate of the Griz in the quarterfinal round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs Friday night at James Madison University.

Only trailing 7-3 in the first quarter, the Griz lost starting quarterback Cam Humphrey and standout receiver Sammy Akem. Montana's backup quarterbacks could not generate much offense. And as well as the Montana played defense most of the game, too much time on the field led to fatigue and an eventual 28-6 loss to the Dukes.

The Griz defense constantly harassed JMU quarterback Cole Johnson, the Colonial Athletic Association player of the year, with sacks and a forced fumble. But a few big plays, including an 81-yard touchdown pass and a 50-yard touchdown run, turned the tide.

James Madison moves to the semifinal round of the playoffs, most likely on the road at North Dakota State. That will be determined tomorrow (Saturday).

And so ends what was a very successful and exciting 10-3 season for the Griz that included memorable wins over the Washington Huskies, MSU Bobcats and a playoff redemption win over Eastern Washington. You hurt for a couple of seniors who contributed so much this season, but did not get the chance to finish their careers in memorable fashion.

Is it September 3, 2022, yet? We'll see you then at Washington Grizzly Stadium for the season opener. Tell our friends at ESPN Game Day they're invited!

LOOK: Food history from the year you were born

From product innovations to major recalls, Stacker researched what happened in food history every year since 1921, according to news and government sources.
 

 

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