In the thrilling midst of the first overtime, Montana’s quarterback Clifton McDowell delivered a precise 13-yard touchdown pass to Keelan White. The Grizzlies, fueled by this dramatic moment, subsequently thwarted their opponent’s attempt on fourth down, securing their advancement in the season.
This marked Montana’s inaugural overtime game for the current season, a riveting experience not witnessed since the 2022 match against Sacramento State and a historic overtime clash at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, the first since the 2015 encounter with Weber State.
The intensity of the game mirrored that of a semifinal, a status it could have officially claimed had Furman not encountered a setback in their regular-season finale. Emerging victorious in the quarterfinals, the No. 2-ranked Griz triumphed 35-28 against the No. 7-ranked Paladins.
Looking ahead, the Grizzlies are set to host the upcoming semifinal, facing the winner between South Dakota and North Dakota State, who are scheduled to compete on Saturday. This upcoming semifinal appearance will be Montana’s first since 2011, adding another layer of significance to their remarkable journey in the FCS playoffs.
