This week, ESPN’s College GameDay pregame show was onsite at an FCS game for the annual Big Sky rivalry showdown between the Montana Grizzlies and the Montana State Bobcats. And while the game itself didn’t quite live up to the billing with Montana State winning in a complete blowout, there was at least one extremely memorable moment.
During the fourth quarter of Saturday afternoon’s contest, Montana State was facing a fourth-and-1 from inside the red zone. Instead of attempting a field goal in the bitterly cold and windy conditions, the Bobcats elected to go for it on fourth down. While the Grizzlies were clearly expecting a run up the middle, Montana State pulled off a little bit of trickery.
When the ball was snapped, the quarterback handed the ball to the running back for what looked like a run up the middle. But instead of running the ball, the running back stopped in the backfield and threw a jump pass to a wide-open tight end for an east touchdown.
TIGHT END JUMP PASS‼️#ExperienceElevated pic.twitter.com/57pP7T8EWv
— Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) November 19, 2022
It was a beautifully designed play that rubbed salt in the wound during a blowout. And the college football world had plenty to say about it on Twitter.
Tight end jump pass in a rivalry blowout is both disrespectful and amazing pic.twitter.com/lq1HOWgDjW
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 19, 2022
If I were the University of Montana, I would simply disband my football program after this: https://t.co/SkQ9Rbh3VD
— Alan Hoffmann, Professional English Teacher (@AlanHoffmann) November 19, 2022
It’s funny now. Sorry. https://t.co/NueXrV9LU4
— Jake Iverson (@jakeiverson57) November 19, 2022
Having already beat the Griz, the Cats are now making a point of putting a stake through their hearts so that they don't somehow make the playoffs and get a chance at a rematch. https://t.co/XMe2tmVY4y
— RedditFCS (@Reddit_FCS) November 19, 2022
In Flagstaff, people would call this an embarrassing look for Montana State. https://t.co/i6KDBtSkZo
— Cameron Richardson (@therichreport) November 19, 2022
MONTANA STATE GETTIN FANCY https://t.co/h082gGZ63r
— 🇸🇲 Sickos Committee 🇸🇲 (@SickosCommittee) November 19, 2022
Montana State went on to win the game by a lopsided score of 55-21.
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