Students look on as Appalachian ends their trail to the championship with a 17-24 loss to Montana at Macado's. Photo by Holt Menzies

UPDATED 4:54 p.m.

by ROB JENKINS
Sports Editor
 
“I didn’t catch it.”

That was all Appalachian State wide receiver Brian Quick could say after dropping what could have been the game-tying touchdown pass Saturday against Montana.

Appalachian was at the UM three-yard line with six seconds left in the game after getting the ball back with 1:31 left.

Armanti Edwards’ first-and-goal pass was broken up in the end zone, and Quick dropped the second-and-goal pass as time expired, giving Montana a 24-17 victory.

“I congratulate the University of Montana for a great effort,” ASU head coach Jerry Moore said. “We played well and they played well when they had to play well. They are to be congratulated. We’ve got a very somber locker room right now as you might expect. We had numerous opportunities to score and didn’t.”

After stopping Appalachian on a fourth down play on the Mountaineers’ first drive, Montana got on the board first with a 39-yard touchdown run by Chase Reynolds.

“He’s a guy who sees daylight and creases well,” Moore said of Reynolds. “I don’t know if we were missing tackles or out of position, but he did a great job of finding creases. He’s not exceptionally big. He keeps his pads down and sees things. That’s the mark of a good back.”

The Mountaineers tied the score early in the second quarter on a three-yard touchdown run by Devon Moore. The run was set up by a 33-yard pass from Edwards to Quick.

The Mountaineers extended their lead to 10-7 when Jason Vitaris booted a 46-yard field goal through the uprights at the 5:16 mark of the second quarter.

The complexion of the game seemed to change after halftime. Snow began falling late in the second quarter, and by the start of the third the field was covered.

Montana returned the opening kick of the second half to their 45-yard line. Five plays later, Reynolds fought his way into the end zone for a seven yard score. Reynolds accounted for all of the Grizzlies’ offensive yardage on the drive.

“I felt like I got great blocks and made some moves,” Reynolds said.

Appalachian missed an opportunity later in the third quarter when Quick dropped a touchdown pass from Edwards. Quick had his man beat, but failed to collect the pass. The Mountaineers did not get any points on that possession as Vitaris’ 36-yard field goal attempt was blocked.

Montana appeared to be driving for another score on the ensuing possession before ASU linebacker Jacque Roman intercepted Grizzly quarterback Andrew Selle and returned the ball to midfield.

“I was basically dropping back to the spot and I saw the receiver coming inside,” Roman said. “It was either me or him that was going to get the ball. I went for it and got it.”

The Apps pushed the scored to 17-14 nine plays later when D. Moore scored his second touchdown of the game.

UM tied the score 17-17 on the second play of the fourth quarter when Brody McKnight hit a 32-yard field goal.

Edwards threw his only interception of the day on the next drive, but the ASU defense held and forced Montana to punt.

The Apps drove to the UM 27 on the next possession before thee-straight incomplete passes by Edwards forced a field goal attempt. Vitaris missed the 44-yard attempt.

Reynolds contributed 43 rushing yards on the next Montana drive before Selle connected with Jabin Sambrano for a 25-yard touchdown pass.

The score was upheld after a review, giving Montana a 24-17 lead with 1:31 left in the game.

“I saw the safety fly over to the side,” Sambrano said. “We have a release drill we do in practice every day and coach [Robin] Pflugrad had us ready for that moment. It was a big down and distance. Selle threw an excellent ball and it came in perfectly.”

Edwards lead ASU down the field, converting a fourth-and-10 along the way, before stalling near the goal line.

Reynolds led all players on the day, rushing 23 times for 193 yards and two touchdowns.

Edwards finished his ASU career going 28 of 54 for 353 yards and one interception. He ran for 54 yards on 15 carries.

Quick caught 10 balls for 135 yards, but dropped two touchdown passes.

With the loss, the Mountaineers finished the season 11-3.

Montana plays Villanova in the FCS national championship game Friday night.

Senior management major Andrew J. Potter (center) and several others mourn the loss in the final moments after Appalachian's road to the championship ended. Photo by Holt Menzies

 Photos by Holt Menzies  |  Chief Photographer

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