SOUTH OGDEN, Utah (Interstat) — The Montana Grizzlies, asserting their dominance early and often, dismantled the Weber State Wildcats 38 to 17 in a Big Sky Conference matchup on Saturday at Stewart Stadium.

Quarterback Keali’i Ah Yat orchestrated a near-flawless first-half offensive explosion, propelling the ranked Grizzlies to a commanding 31-point lead by halftime and effectively silencing the home crowd. The victory preserved Montana’s perfect season, improving its record to 9-0, while Weber State fell to 3-6.

The outcome defied pregame expectations, as Weber State had been installed as a 22-point favorite, and Interstat’s game simulator had projected a Wildcats victory. Instead, Montana’s performance validated its high ranking and elite ELO probability to win.

The Grizzlies wasted no time, scoring on their opening drive just over a minute into the game. The possession was set up by a critical Weber State fumble on its first play from scrimmage, recovered by Montana’s Micah Harper. A few plays later, Brooks Davis took a handoff 12 yards around the right end for the game’s first touchdown.

After Weber State responded with a 29-yard field goal from Sloan Calder, Montana answered with a swift, two-play drive. Ah Yat connected with Blake Bohannon on a 62-yard touchdown strike down the middle of the field, extending the lead.

Montana’s first-quarter onslaught continued as Ah Yat capped another sustained drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, giving the Grizzlies a 21-point first quarter.

The second quarter saw more of the same. Running back Eli Gillman broke free for a 14-yard touchdown run, his first of the day, to push the lead to 28-3. Weber State found a brief moment of hope late in the half when quarterback Dijon Jennings hit Jayleen Record on an 11-yard touchdown pass to cut into the deficit.

Montana, however, marched down the field in the final minute of the half, setting up a 33-yard field goal by Ty Morrison as time expired to take a 31-10 lead into the locker room.

Weber State switched quarterbacks in the third quarter, turning to Kingston Tisdell. The move provided a spark, as Tisdell later found Record for an 18-yard touchdown pass, bringing the Wildcats within two scores at 31-17.

Any momentum for a comeback was short-lived. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Ah Yat delivered the final blow, hitting tight end Evan Shafer for a 9-yard touchdown pass to restore a three-score lead at 38-17.

Ah Yat finished an efficient day, completing 15 of 27 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns, while adding another score on the ground. His primary target was Bohannon, who hauled in three catches for 131 yards and a spectacular long touchdown. Gillman was a force in the backfield, rushing for 122 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.

For Weber State, the quarterback duo of Jennings and Tisdell combined for 213 passing yards and two touchdowns, both caught by Record, who finished with eight receptions for 107 yards. Running back Colter May provided a consistent ground effort with 74 yards on 19 carries.

The Montana defense was stifling, recording multiple sacks and a key interception by Kade Boyd in the third quarter that halted a promising Weber State drive. The Grizzlies’ special teams also contributed, with Morrison averaging 48.8 yards on five punts.

The Grizzlies will look to continue their unbeaten season next Saturday when they host Eastern Washington. Weber State travels to face Montana State next Saturday.