MISSOULA, Mont. — In a dominant display of offensive prowess, Eli Gilman led the University of Montana to a resounding 45-10 victory over Drake University on Saturday. Gilman not only rushed for three touchdowns, setting a new school record, but also caught a touchdown pass, tying another significant record in the process.
The senior running back showcased his skills by carrying the ball 19 times for a total of 105 yards. His early contributions were pivotal, as he scored two short touchdowns in the first quarter, propelling Montana to a 14-3 lead. This victory marks Montana's second win of the season, improving their record to 2-0 and solidifying their position as the third-ranked team in the Stats Perform FCS poll.
Gilman's third rushing touchdown came in the second quarter when he powered through from inside the 1-yard line on a crucial fourth-and-goal situation. This touchdown not only extended Montana's lead to 21-3 but also allowed Gilman to break the previous school record of 52 career rushing touchdowns held by Chase Reynolds from 2007 to 2010.
As the game progressed, Gilman continued to make his mark. He caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Keali'i Ah Yat late in the third quarter, bringing his career total to 59 touchdowns. This impressive feat tied him with Reynolds for the most career touchdowns in Montana history.
Ah Yat also had an impressive performance, completing 27 of 40 passes for 282 yards. He connected with Brooks Davis for a 26-yard touchdown pass with just 53 seconds remaining in the third quarter, further extending Montana's lead to 35-3. The Grizzlies capped off their scoring with a 50-yard field goal from Jo Silver in the final quarter and a 1-yard touchdown run by Dylan Paine.
Drake University, the three-time defending Pioneer League champions, struggled to keep pace throughout the game. They initially took a 3-0 lead with a 22-yard field goal from Griffin Kollhoff on their first possession. However, they were unable to maintain that momentum. Quarterback Riley Warzynski completed 31 of 60 passes for 252 yards and managed to find Marquis Monroe for a 10-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late for the Bulldogs, who fell to 0-2 on the season.
Looking ahead, Drake will face Northern Iowa next Saturday, while Montana will host Utah Tech, aiming to build on their strong start to the season.
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