Montana Opens Season with Comeback Win Over Southern Utah
Montana quarterback Keali’i Ah Yat threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead 53-yard strike to Lekeldrick Bridges with 3:20 remaining, lifting the Grizzlies to a 28-21 victory over Southern Utah. The win marked Bobby Kennedy's debut as Montana's head coach and extended the team's season-opening winning streak to 12 games. Montana entered the contest ranked No. 2 in the FCS Stats Perform Top 25.
Montana’s comeback hinged on a late fourth-quarter drive, with Keali’i Ah Yat connecting to Lekeldrick Bridges for the decisive 53-yard score. The Grizzlies’ defense then held Southern Utah to secure the seven-point win. The victory extends Montana’s streak of season-opening triumphs to 12 straight games, a mark of early-season consistency under a new coaching regime.
Bobby Kennedy’s first game as head coach ended successfully, though the team trailed before the final surge. Montana entered the matchup as the No. 2 team in the FCS Stats Perform Top 25, adding weight to the comeback. The result underscores the program’s high expectations and depth, even as it faced a determined Southern Utah squad on the road.
This result could reinforce Montana’s national standing early in the FCS season, potentially shaping playoff seeding and voter confidence. For fans and alumni, a comeback win under a new coach may build early trust in Kennedy’s leadership. Southern Utah’s near-upset might raise their own profile, but the broader impact likely centers on Montana’s momentum—affecting team morale, recruiting visibility, and the competitive narrative in the Big Sky Conference as the season unfolds.