Montana defensive end Derek Crittenden (47) looks to recover a fumble by South Dakota State running back Brady Mengarelli (44) during the first half of a first round game in the NCAA college Football Championship Subdivision playoff, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, in Missoula, Mont. (AP Photo/Patrick Record)
The Associated Press
MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - Brady Gustafson threw for two touchdowns and Montana held off South Dakota State 24-17 in a Football Championship Subdivision first-round playoff game Saturday.
Gustafson threw for 202 yards to spark the Grizzlies (8-4) to a 24-0 halftime lead.
The Grizzlies head to four-time national champion North Dakota State for a quarterfinal game next Saturday. Montana beat NDSU 38-35 in Missoula in August.
Gustafson had scoring passes of 4 yards to Jamaal Jones and 26 yards to Ellis Henderson as Montana took a 14-0 lead at 10:42 of the second quarter.
Jeremy Calhoun added a short scoring run for the Grizzlies.
South Dakota State (8-4) controlled the pace in the second half, getting a touchdown pass and scoring run from quarterback Taryn Christion.
The Jackrabbits closed to 24-17 when Christion hit Dallas Goedert for 30 yards and the score with 4:44 left in the game. Montana, with John Nguyen pushing his rushing total to 107 yards, then ran out the clock.
South Dakota State tight end Cam Jones (85) is tackled by Montana safety Yamen Sanders (9) during the first half of a first round game in the NCAA college Football Championship Subdivision playoff, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, in Missoula, Mont. (AP Photo/Patrick Record)
The Associated Press
Montana running back John Nguyen (20) rushes against South Dakota State during the first half of a first round game in the NCAA college Football Championship Subdivision playoff, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, in Missoula, Mont. (AP Photo/Patrick Record)
The Associated Press
Montana wide receiver Josh Horner (80) comes down with a reception against South Dakota State during the first half of a first round game in the NCAA college Football Championship Subdivision playoff, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, in Missoula, Mont. (AP Photo/Patrick Record)
The Associated Press
South Dakota State quarterback Taryn Christion (1) scrambles out of the pocket while under pressure from the Montana defense during the first half of a first round game in the NCAA college Football Championship Subdivision playoff, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, in Missoula, Mont. (AP Photo/Patrick Record)
The Associated Press
Montana wide receiver Jamaal Jones (6) scores a touchdown against South Dakota State during the first half of a first round game in the NCAA college Football Championship Subdivision playoff, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, in Missoula, Mont. (AP Photo/Patrick Record)
The Associated Press
Montana players celebrate a touchdown against South Dakota State during the first half of a first round game in the NCAA college Football Championship Subdivision playoff, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, in Missoula, Mont. (AP Photo/Patrick Record)
The Associated Press
Montana fans make some noise while South Dakota State has the ball during the first half of a first round game in the NCAA college Football Championship Subdivision playoff, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, in Missoula, Mont. (AP Photo/Patrick Record)
The Associated Press
Usher Russ McKinnon clears snow off seats before Montana plays South Dakota State in a first round game in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoff, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, in Missoula, Mont. (AP Photo/Patrick Record)
The Associated Press