Montana wide receiver Jerry Louie-McGee (16) returns a punt for a touchdown against Northern Arizona in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in Missoula, Mont. (AP Photo/Patrick Record)
The Associated Press
MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - Makena Simis had 101 yards rushing on 19 carries and Jerry Louie-McGee had a 48-yard punt return for a touchdown to help Montana beat Northern Arizona 17-15 on Saturday to snap the Lumberjacks' six-game win streak.
Simis, a redshirt senior, moved from quarterback to receiver after the 2015 season but came into the week as the backup quarterback. He entered the game after the first drive and was 6-of-15 passing for 44 yards with one interception.
With less than a minute left, Northern Arizona's Stone Smartt scampered around the edge, dove and touched the pylon for a 2-yard touchdown that made it 17-15 with 50 seconds left. On the ensuing 2-point conversion attempt, he rolled right and had a wide open receiver in the back of the end zone, but threw behind his target.
Montana (6-3, 4-2 Big Sky Conference) recovered the onside kick to seal it.
In the first quarter, Smartt replaced quarterback Case Cookus, who was ejected for targeting on a block downfield.
The Montana defense had seven sacks and, after Cookus left, allowed just 278 total yards. Northern Arizona (6-3, 5-1) came in averaging nearly 461 yards, and more than 35 points, per game.
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Northern Arizona quarterback Stone Smart, top, is sacked by Montana defensive end Chris Favoroso (43) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in Missoula, Mont. (AP Photo/Patrick Record)
The Associated Press
Montana wide receiver Makena Simis (17) leads the team in singing their fight song after playing Northern Arizona in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in Missoula, Mont. (AP Photo/Patrick Record)
The Associated Press
Montana wide receiver Makena Simis (17) rushes for a gain of yardage against Northern Arizona in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in Missoula, Mont. (AP Photo/Patrick Record)
The Associated Press
Montana linebacker Connor Strahm (10) tackles Northern Arizona running back Nate Stinson (2) for a loss of yards in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in Missoula, Mont. (AP Photo/Patrick Record)
The Associated Press
Montana quarterback Makena Simis (17) throws a pass against Northern Arizona in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in Missoula, Mont. (AP Photo/Patrick Record)
The Associated Press
Montana running back Aligah Lee (24) pushes into the end zone for a touchdown against Northern Arizona in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in Missoula, Mont. (AP Photo/Patrick Record)
The Associated Press