Salle connects on 3 TD passes as Montana tops Portland State 49-17 in Big Sky opener

Montana pops Portland State 49-17

MISSOULA, Mont. — Andrew Selle came off the bench to throw three touchdown passes and lead Montana to a 49-17 win over Portland State in the Big Sky Conference opener for both teams Saturday.

Portland State (1-2) jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, scoring on a 3-yard run by Ben Bowen and a 38-yard pass from Drew Hubel to Lavonte Kirven.

Montana (3-0) got on the board later in the quarter when Marc Mariani caught a slant pass from Justin Roper and turned it into a 56-yard scoring play to cut the Vikings’ lead to 14-7.

The Grizzlies tied the game in the second quarter when Jordan Tripp pounced on a loose ball in the end zone after the ball was snapped over the head of Portland State punter Thomas Duyndam.

Montana built a 28-14 lead in the second quarter following a 1-yard TD run by Beau Donaldson a 14-yard TD pass from Selle to Steve Pfahler.

Zach Brown cut Montana’s lead to 28-17 with a 20-yard field goal just before halftime.

The second half was all Montana as Chase Reynolds scored on a 4-yard run, and Salle connected on a 45-yard pass to Mariani and 6-yard strike to Donaldson.