FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Cole Bergquist threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns as No. 3 Montana beat Northern Arizona, 21-16 Saturday for the 10th straight time.
Montana (8-0, 5-0 Big Sky Conference) hasn’t lost to the Lumberjacks since 1997 and is 19-1 against the Lumberjacks since 1988.
Montana scored on its opening two possessions of the second half to take control of a game that was 7-6 at halftime. On the opening drive of the second half, Montana staged a 12-play, 80-yard drive, which resulted in a seven-yard touchdown pass from Bergquist to Eric Allen.
Bergquist went 4-for-6 for 77 yards on the drive.
On Northern Arizona’s first play from scrimmage after the touchdown, sophomore running back Alex Henderson broke a 72-yard run to get the ball down to the Montana eight yard line.
The Lumberjacks had to settle for a field goal, which made the score 14-9. Montana answered right back with another 80-yard drive. This time, it was capped by a five-yard touchdown run by Lex Hilliard.
The Lumberjacks (5-4, 4-2) squandered a number of chances inside Montana’s 20-yard line. They had six red-zone opportunities and came away with just one touchdown, three field goals and two fumbles.
Hilliard finished with 146 yards on the ground on 32 carries and receiver Ryan Bagley had six catches for 78 yards and a touchdown.
Northern Arizona quarterback Lance Kriesien threw for 268 on 18-of-34 passing. Running back Alex Henderson added 126 yards on the ground on 16 carries and a touchdown.
With the win, combined with Montana State’s loss, Montana now has a two game lead in the conference with three games to play.