In a game that featured 80 combined points and over a thousand yards of total offense, No. 4 Montana outscored Idaho State 14-0 in the fourth quarter en route to an epic 42-38 victory on Saturday night in Pocatello.

Of all the weapons that contributed to the offensive firepower on display Saturday night, none shone brighter than Montana’s Michael Wortham who had a night to remember. The Eastern Washington transfer was making an impact all of the field as he rushed for 41 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries, caught six passes for 124 yards and also completed two of two pass attempts for 49 yards and a touchdown. Wortham finished the night with 247 all purpose yards.

Griz quarterback Keali’i Ah Yat finished his day completing 23 of 40 passes for 350 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

On the ground Montana was surprisingly limited considering the offensive outburst: Eli Gillman led the team in carries (16) and rushing yards (48) while also recording one rushing touchdown and one receiving touchdown.

The Bengals (2-4) now drop to 1-1 in conference play after winning 26-18 at Northern Colorado in their league-opener the week prior. Two of their defeats to start the season have come against FBS opponents (UNLV and New Mexico)

Montana now leads the all-time series with Idaho State 49-13 but holds a slimmer 17-7 advantage in games at the ICCU Dome (formerly Holt Arena). The Grizzlies’ advantage has been even steeper in recent years with Montana winning the last 16 straight meetings and 24 of the past 25.

The Grizzlies will return to Missoula next week for a 2:00 p.m. homecoming kick against Cal Poly on Saturday, October 11.

GAME SCORING SUMMARY

Montana made an early statement in Pocatello on Saturday evening, taking the opening kickoff and driving down the field 75 yards on 8 plays with a 21 yard rushing touchdown by Michael Wortham giving them an early 7-0 lead.

Dudes ankles broke like twigs 🙃@Moneymike61 makes ’em miss for a TOUCHDOWN, MONTANA! #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/r05NmJkoBB

— Montana Griz Football (@MontanaGrizFB) October 5, 2025

But the Bengals were quick to respond on their ensuing drive, putting together an impressive 88 yard drive spanning 9 plays that resulted in an eight yard rushing touchdown from Dason Brooks to tie the game up 7-7.

Montana and Idaho State traded field goals to close out the first quarter (37 yards by UM’s Ty Morrison and 42 yards from ISU’s Trajan Sinatra) leading to a 10-10 tie.

The Bengals made it three straight scoring drives to open the game on their next possession, retaking the lead 17-10 on a three yard scoring scamper from Carson Sudbury.

The Grizzlies reached into their bag of tricks to find an equalizer as UM dialed up the double pass from Keali’i Ah Yat to Michael Wortham to Josh Gale for a 16 yard touchdown strike. Montana then took the lead on a direct snap to Brooks Davis for a rushing score on the two point conversion, putting Montana on top 18-17. 

WHAT CAN’T THAT MAN DO?! 🤯@Moneymike61 hits @JoshuaJGale for 6!#GoGriz pic.twitter.com/8pBphkNenz

— Montana Griz Football (@MontanaGrizFB) October 5, 2025

However the relentless Bengals offense struck again on their next drive, with a 30 yard touchdown pass from Jordan Cooke to Julian Mason putting Idaho State back on top 24-18.

JCOOKE TO 🧃 FOR THE TOUCHDOWN#RoarBengalsRoar pic.twitter.com/ONJqvRp9FX

— Idaho State Football (@BengalGridiron) October 5, 2025

Both teams scored touchdowns on their opening drives of the second half to make it a 31-25 game. Idaho State found the endzone on a 3 yard rushing score from Brooks while Montana hit paydirt on a 4 yard touchdown reception from Ah Yat to Eli Gillman.

The Grizzlies cut into the deficit with a 35 yard field goal from Morrison after that, making it a 31-28 game with just over six minutes left in the third quarter.

Idaho State closed out the third quarter with another touchdown as Cooke’s 22 yard scoring connection with Tsion Nunnally put the Bengals up 38-28 heading to the fourth quarter.

Montana answered back with a 5 yard rushing touchdown from Eli Gillman to make it a 38-35 game just seconds into the fourth quarter.

MORE TUFF RUNNING FROM @eli_gillman and it’s a 3 point ballgame! 😤#GoGriz pic.twitter.com/TmFfYEiuVc

— Montana Griz Football (@MontanaGrizFB) October 5, 2025

The Grizzlies were able to force ISU into a crucial turnover on downs on the next possession, giving Montana the ball at their own 34 yard line and an opportunity to drive down and take the lead with under 11 minutes left to play.

Montana was unable to score on that possession but they did pin the Bengals down to the one yard line on the punt.

After an Idaho State punt, Montana once again had an opportunity to tie or take the lead with just over five minutes left in the contest and this time they took advantage. Helping the Grizzlies drive down the field on that possession was a trick play in which Ah Yat handed off to Gillman, who lateraled back to Wortham, who evaded rushers in the backfield and completed a pass for 33 yards to Ah Yat.

IT’S THE GRIZZLY SPECIAL! pic.twitter.com/u495SGbOdx

— Montana Griz Football (@MontanaGrizFB) October 5, 2025

And then on the very next play it was Wortham rushing in from 9 yards out to put Montana on top 42-38 for their first lead of the second half.

GRIZ ON TOP!@Moneymike61 for a TOUCHDOWN, MONTANA!#GOGRIZ pic.twitter.com/clKzlE3XZK

— Montana Griz Football (@MontanaGrizFB) October 5, 2025

Montana’s defense was able to hold the Bengals from there to deliver a 42-38 victory for the maroon and silver.