COLLEGE FOOTBALL / DIVISION 1-AA CHAMPIONSHIP : Montana Clips Marshall, 22-20
It was no surprise that Montana quarterback Dave Dickenson came through in the clutch in Saturday’s NCAA Division I-AA championship game.
But two unexpected factors--Montana’s defense and kicker Andy Larson--also played a big part in a 22-20 victory over Marshall that gave the Grizzlies their first national title.
Dickenson, who led the I-AA in passing and finished his career with 12,580 yards, was 29 for 48 for 281 yards and two touchdowns. Sixty nine yards of that total came as Montana drove for Larson’s winning 25-yard field goal with 29 seconds left.
It was Larson’s second field goal of the day, but only his 10th of the year in 14 attempts. Montana (13-2), which outscored opponents 185-34 in the playoffs, seldom needed to call on him this season.
The heroics wouldn’t have been possible without Montana’s defense. The Grizzly defenders accounted for two points, pressuring Herd freshman quarterback Chad Pennington to ground the ball in the end zone in the third quarter for a safety.
Montana also made a goal-line stand early in the fourth quarter, forcing the Herd (12-3) to settle for a 21-yard field goal.
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
