For the first time in the 128-year history of the fiercest rivalry in the Treasure State, Montana and Montana State squared off in the FCS Playoffs.
The 125th matchup was a back-and-forth between No. 2 MSU and No. 3 Montana. The Griz led 23-20 midway through the third quarter while the Bobcats retook the lead in the 4th quarter. But Taco Dowler’s 87-yard touchdown on a third and long broke the game open and MSU raced to a 48-23 victory, the second win over the Griz for the Bobcats in 28 days.
Brooks Nuanez was on the sideline to capture all the action as Montana State won for the 8th time in the last 10 rivalry games.
Missoula natives Adam Jones and Zac Crews lead Montana State onto the field/ by Brooks Nuanez
Justin Lamson has 407 total yards and six total touchdowns against Montana this season
Montana head coach Bobby Hauck is 2-6 against Montana State since returning to UM ahead of the 2018 season, and is 7-8 in his 14 seasons at the helm leading the Griz/ by Brooks Nuanez
Brent Vigen is 4-2 against Bobby Hauck in his career/ by Brooks NuanezPeyton Wing, a first-team All-Big Sky selection for Montana, finished with a team-high 11 tacklesAdam Jones rushed for 131 yards and two touchdowns, giving him 1,047 yards and 15 touchdowns during his sophomore season. He’s a Missoula Sentinel product/ by Brooks NuanezRocky Lencioni’s 34-yard catch was one of the big momentum swinging plays in Saturday’s game. The Bozeman High product also scored a touchdown, giving him six this season/ by Brooks NuanezMontana running back Eli Gillman finished with 16 carries for 106 yards and a touchdown, giving him 1,540 yards and 21 touchdowns during his junior season and 3,667 yards along with 49 TDs in his stellar career. Gillman needs 394 yards, four rushing touchdowns and six total touchdowns to become Montana’s all-time leader in each category/ by Brooks Nuanez Taco Dowler out-runs TJ Rausch on his 87-yard touchown catchBryce Grebe had a 40-yard pick-six to cap the scoring for the Bobcats/ by Brooks NuanezChris Long had two catches for 25 yards on Saturday/ by Brooks Nuanez
Brooks Nuanez, Director of Operations — Brooks is the co-founder, senior photographer and Director of Operations for Skyline Sports.
He is a life-long athlete who enjoys the fierce nature of sports as much as he enjoys the sweet harmony of music. Brooks first gained an interest for photography at a young age, and grew that passion into a craft. Brooks has spent most of his life in Montana, instilling a love for the mountains and the wildlife.
The University of Montana alum spent three seasons as a safety for the Grizzly football team while earning a degree in business management, honing his passion for fine wine & craft beer, and his entrepreneurial spirit. In July of 2015, Brooks married his lifelong love, Kaila.
Brooks currently works as a regional sales manager for George's Distributing. He and Kaila live happily in Missoula with their sons Ellis (6) and Leo (3).
Brooks can be reached at Brooks.nuanez@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @Brooksnuanez and @SkylineSportsMT.
