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Show WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY -! bTpor.tSB.osi nz3L n r nTin nifo J ULi LJl-JU LJVJ7V;J : ..... v 1 ;;;-';';.';';.';;'.;:-V-' ' .. , f' ISP?! 1 . k."" -:' "... '1 . . . . j PHOIO BY MICHAEL ALBANS I IHt AbiUUAltD PRtiS Weber State University nose guard Bryce Scanlon wraps up University of Montana running back Andrew Schmidt Saturday in Missoula, Mont. The Grizzlies beat the Wildcats 24-1 3 to end the 'Cats' season. Grumble of Griz fans not an excuse for Wildcats A tough loss at Montana comes in 'fun' environment By Jon McBride sports editor I The Signpost MISSOULA, Mont. Washington-Grizzly Stadium on the campus of the University of Montana was rocking on Saturday for the Grizzlies' matchup with Weber State University, just like usual. The stadium reached unbelievably high decibel levels as 21,000 fans packed in to cheer on their Griz. It was an environment unlike any the Wildcats had faced all season. It would have been easy for the See Excuse page 3 nnnnn n 1 1 1 hi v ill i r r"-- -""A n ? i-" s r"- V ' U II I) I'll IfcS ( A" & f 0 o o no n ucvv Vuu wwuu uuuy ..V '))) -v., Wildcats lose 24-1 3 to Montana, end playoff run PI IOIO BY MICHAEL ALBANS IHt AiSOLIAItU I'KtSS University of Montana wide receiver Tyler Palmer celebrates a reception Saturday against the Wildcats. By Matt Gerrish asst. sports editor I The Signpost MISSOULA, Mont. The common sentiment is that if a team loses the turnover margin, they will usually lose the game. The Weber State University Football Team did just that on Saturday, losing to the University of Montana 24-13 in the NCAA FCS quarterfinals. The loss sends WSU home for the season with a 10-4 record, while the Grizzlies will move on to play James Madison University in the semifinals. The WSU offense turned the ball over three times, two of which during drives that were deep in Grizzly territory. They both led to Montana touchdowns early in the first quarter, which proved to be costly to the Wildcats. "Today Montana was good in the red zone on defense," said WSU Mead. Coach Ron McBride. "They got the turnovers, and they won the game. Turning the ball over in the first quarter killed a lot of things we had going for us at that time." One of those turnovers resulted when WSU tight end Cody Nakamura caught a pass at the Griz' 25-yard line and was dragged to the ground when the ball popped out. A similar turnover was called against WSU receiver Mike Phillips last week against California Polytechnic State University when replays appeared to show Phillips was down by contact. "Honestly I don't think either one of them were turnovers," said WSU running back Trevyn Smith. "Mike Phillips was down last week, and Cody Nakamura was down this week, period. That's the consequences of us not being able to review those plays, and it's just not fair. A lot of things played against us that shouldn't have in my opinion." With Montana up 14-0 entering See Opportunity page 4 nside 'Griz fans love their football pg2 0 Bittersweet end for WSU seniors pg 2 Q 'Cats gets snubbed by Payton committee pg 4 More pics from the big game pg 4 |