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Montana tops Northern Colorado 38-10, wins Big Sky

Nov 15, 2009 - 12:05 AM MISSOULA, Mont.(AP) -- Saturday was just another day at the office for Chase Reynolds.

The junior ran for 151 yards and three touchdowns to lead Montana to a 38-10 victory over Northern Colorado.

Reynolds entered some elite company, joining Yohance Humphrey and Lex Hilliard as the only players in Montana history with two 1,000-yard rushing seasons. But even with his personal accomplishments piling up, Reynolds credited his teammates.

"It's a team thing," he said. "The line opens big holes for me, and we're just getting better as the season goes on."

Montana (10-0, 7-0 Big Sky) clinched its 12th straight conference championship.

"We're enthused, obviously, to be 10-0," Montana coach Bobby Hauck said. "That was a convincing win over a team that I think is the most improved team in our conference."

Northern Colorado (3-8, 1-7) jumped ahead 7-0 with 13:39 to play in the second quarter on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Bryan Waggener to Alex Thompson. But the Grizzlies tied it on Reynolds' 1-yard scoring run and took the lead on a 19-yard pass from Justin Roper to Tyler Palmer with 28 seconds left in the half.

"It's hard on an opponent when you go down and get points at the end of the first half and they have to start the second half on defense," Hauck said.

Reynolds put the game out of reach early in the third quarter with touchdown runs of 54 and 37 yards.

"You just hope you're faster than the guy behind you," Reynolds said.

Brody McKnight's field goal and Marc Mariani's 32-yard touchdown reception from Andrew Selle capped Montana's scoring.

Michael York kicked a field goal in the third quarter to round out the Northern Colorado scoring.

"Obviously, we started out the game a lot better than we finished up," said Northern Colorado coach Scott Downing. "I told the guys that really good teams are going to turn it up as the game goes on. When it comes down to it, when there were plays to be made, Montana made them."

Downing joined the list of Reynolds' admirers.

"He's a really good running back, and I really like him," Downing said.