Terriers edge Grizzlies in opener of FCS playoffs

Wofford 23, Montana 22

MISSOULA, Mont. — Michael Hobbs scored on a 6-yard run with 32 seconds remaining Saturday to give Wofford a 23-22 victory over previously unbeaten Montana in the first round of the FCS playoffs.

Third-seed Montana (11-1) had a chance to win the game on a 47-yard field goal with 4 seconds remaining, but Dan Carpenter pulled the kick left.

Wofford (9-3) advanced to the second round of the playoffs against Richmond, which beat Eastern Kentucky.

Wofford trailed 22-17 with 6 minutes remaining after Lex Hilliard, who rushed for 119 yards, scored on a 1-yard run for Montana.

The Terriers drove the field for Hobbs' winning score.

Montana struggled against Wofford's triple option as Kevious Johnson rushed for 145 yards, while Hobbs had 67, Dane Romero 57 and QB Josh Collier 54.

Romero scored the first touchdown of the game on a 3-yard run that gave Wofford a 10-3 lead with 10:07 left in the second quarter.

Montana answered with Carpenter's 25-yard field goal and a 9-yard touchdown pass from Cole Bergquist to Dan Beaudin to take a 13-10 lead with 24 seconds left in the half.

The Grizzlies went up 16-10 on Carpenter's 24-yard field goal with 12:59 remaining.

Collier, who passed for 53 yards after throwing two interceptions, hit Andy Strickland on a 6-yard scoring pass midway through the fourth quarter to give Wofford a 17-16 lead.

Montana's 2-point conversion attempt failed after Hilliard's score, and Wofford was unable to convert after Hobbs' final score, leaving the door open for the Grizzlies.

First Quarter

Mont-FG Carpenter 25, 5:51.

Wof-FG Mugan 31, 1:27.

Second Quarter

Mont-FG Carpenter 37, 14:45.

Wof-Romero 3 run (Mugan kick), 10:07.

Mont-Beaudin 9 pass from Bergquist (Carpenter kick), :24.

Fourth Quarter

Mont-FG Carpenter 24, 12:59.

Wof-Strickland 6 pass from Collier (Mugan kick), 7:47.

Mont-Hilliard 1 run (pass failed), 6:00.

Wof-Hobbs 6 run (pass failed), :32.

A-19,761.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING-Wofford, K.Johnson 20-145, Hobbs 15-67, Romero 5-57, Collier 13-54, Marshall 4-9, A.Young 1-2, Joslin 2-(minus 1). Montana, Hilliard 29-119, Johnson 1-9, Bergquist 8-(minus 14).

PASSING-Wofford, Collier 4-7-2-53. Montana, Bergquist 18-30-0-211.

RECEIVING-Wofford, Strickland 2-40, Joslin 1-8, F.Allen 1-5. Montana, Allen 7-90, Ferriter 4-36, Beaudin 3-35, Mariani 2-38, Hilliard 2-12.