The Aggies lose to the Grizz with a final score of 31-23
By MEGAN JOSEPH — sports@theaggie.org
On Oct. 7, the Aggies faced off against an out-of-state opponent, the Montana Grizzlies. The Aggies, having started their season off with an exciting win against Texas A&M University, were expected to put up a decent amount of touchdowns in the game. Although based on statistics Montana has had a better season, which made them the favored team, the Aggies held their own in the game.
Third-year Miles Hastings, quarterback for the Aggies, threw a total of 359 yards and had a pass completion rate of 67.4 percent throughout the entire game. The San Marcos native showed his ability to think quickly under pressure, resulting in him scoring two touchdowns without turning the ball over to the other team. This is one of the best performances he’s had since the beginning of the season.
On the receiving end of the field, third-year Chaz Davis caught the ball a total of five times which equated to 74 yards and one touchdown. After starting five times as a second-year last year, we should expect to see him out on the field catching a lot this season.
Although the game did not have the desired outcome for the Aggies, first-year Jordan Fisher had a great game. Considering this game marked Fisher’s first collegiate-level game, he kept up with the intensity of the Division I team and managed to help the Aggies score touchdowns. Fisher gained 57 yards over the course of the game for the Aggies — a difficult task to accomplish, especially as a first-year running back.
The defensive side of the Davis team, led by third-year Josh Gale and second-year Rex Connors, also had some outstanding plays and tackles that stopped the Grizzlies from scoring more points. Gale played as a tight end for the game and had a total of four interceptions that earned the Aggies 71 yards in total. Connors, playing as a defensive back, had a total of 17 tackles that no player from the other team could stop. The Aggie defense and offense is definitely looking strong and stable for the games to come this season.
The game started off strong with two touchdowns in the first quarter. Montana scored first with a 21-yard pass by their quarterback Clifton McDowell with 5 minutes and 51 seconds left on the clock. Davis countered with their own touchdown by third-year C.J. Hutton, who had a four-yard run into the end zone with 1 minute and 53 seconds left in the first quarter.
Going into the second quarter of the game, Davis showed their control of the field and used their home-court advantage. Within the first five minutes of the third quarter, the Aggies’ very own Chaz Davis scored off a one-yard pass from quarterback Hastings to put the Aggies ahead of the Grizzlies. Nevertheless, this lead did not last long and Montana countered with a touchdown from Aaron Fontes with only 5 minutes and 21 seconds left on the clock. To finish off the first half of the game, second-year Samuel Gbatu Jr. caught a 14-yard pass from Hastings and put the Aggies in the lead with 2 minutes and 15 seconds left in the second quarter.
Moving into the third quarter of the game, the Aggies were ahead of the Grizzlies at 20-14. Most of the third seemed to be at a standstill, with neither team scoring a touchdown until Montana broke away with Eli Gillman making an 85-yard run into the end zone. This touchdown happened with only 2 minutes and 32 seconds left in the quarter and proved to be a disaster for the Aggies as they could not tie the game again and make it to the end zone.
Starting off the fourth quarter down a touchdown, the Aggies’ worry started to show in their gameplay. The Grizzlies used this to their advantage and snuck in a field goal, putting them over 10 points ahead of the Aggies. In response, the Aggies’ kicker, second-year Hunter Ridley, kicked a 42-yard field goal with 3 minutes and 58 seconds left in the fourth and final quarter. This made the ending score of the game 31-23 with the Grizzlies taking the win.
This game is just one minor setback for the Aggies as they have the rest of the season ahead of them.
Written by: Megan Joseph — sports@theaggie.org
