Griz Crush Homecoming, Surge to No. 2 in the Nation

Homecoming weekend in Missoula went exactly how it's supposed to go.

No. 3 Montana dismantled Northern Colorado 36-14 on Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Quarterback Keali'i Ah Yat tied his career high with five touchdown passes — 23-of-30 for 346 yards — and sophomore receiver Brooks Davis went off: 9 catches, 205 yards, three touchdowns. The Griz piled up 553 yards of total offense and stayed perfect against the Bears at home.

Then came the real prize. In Monday's FCS poll, Montana surged to No. 2 while rival Montana State dropped to No. 6 — the first time all season someone other than the Bobcats is considered the team to beat.

Griz football is the civic heartbeat of this town. A homecoming blowout is great. Passing your rival in the national rankings? That's the kind of thing that fuels arguments at every bar in Missoula for a month.

Go Griz. Keep climbing.