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Montana storms back, wins FCS playoff game 61-48

Nov 28, 2009 - 11:05 PM MISSOULA, Mont.(AP) -- Marc Mariani scored his third touchdown of the game on a 2-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Selle with 1:08 to play Saturday to cap a 27-point second-half comeback and give top-seeded Montana a 61-48 victory over South Dakota State in the first round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Severin Campbell returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown with 45 seconds to play to ice the victory for the Grizzlies (12-0). South Dakota State finishes with an 8-4 record.

After turning the ball over four times in the first half and having a punt blocked and recovered for a touchdown in the end zone, Montana trailed 48-21 with 5:40 remaining in the third quarter. But the Grizzlies scored six unanswered touchdowns to steal the victory from the Jackrabbits.

Next week, Montana will face the winner of Saturday's FCS playoff game between Eastern Washington and Stephen F. Austin.

Mariani caught 12 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns, and returned a kickoff 98 yards for another score. Chase Reynolds added three rushing touchdowns for Montana.

Colin Cotchart caught three first-half touchdown passes for South Dakota State and Kyle Minett rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns.