MISSOULA, Mont. — One week after getting trounced at home in a rivalry game against Southern Utah, Weber State responded Saturday with another shocker. This one was in their favor, though, as they upset 12th-ranked Montana on the road.
The Wildcats won 24-21 in overtime on a Josh Kealamakia field goal. It was their first win in Missoula since 1987.
Eric Wilkes got the ball rolling after a short touchdown run in the first quarter, before the Grizzlies responded with back to back scores to lead 14-7 after fifteen minutes. But Weber led at the half.
Jay Hill’s squad tied the game after Jadrian Clark connected with Cameron Livingston from 15 yards. And that was followed by a 30-yard interception return for a score by Cordero Dixon. Eight days prior, The Wildcats were picked five times by the Thunderbirds, with two of those returned for touchdowns, but it was Weber getting the key pick six on Saturday.
And that’s because they would fail to find the end zone again. Montana’s Makena Simis found Ben Roberts for a 44-yard touchdown reception in the fourth to tie the game at 21. The Wildcats had a chance to win it on a 50-yard Kealamakia kick as time expired, but the senior from Syracuse was wide right.
But, in overtime, the Wildcats defense made another huge play when Tre’von Johnson forced a fumble by stripping Simis on the Grizzlies’ first drive. Filipe Sitake jumped on it, allowing Kealamakia to split the upright from 37-yards out for the rare upset.
With their third victory, Weber State records their best win total since the 2011 season. The Wildcats managed only two wins between 2012 and 2014. They host North Dakota next Saturday.
