MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — Eli Gillman ran for 89 yards and two touchdowns and Montana held off Missouri State for a 29-24 victory Saturday night in the season opener for both teams.

Jmariyae Robinson’s 7-yard touchdown run capped a 10-play, 75-yard drive that pulled Missouri State within 26-24 with 4:43 to play. Montana’s Ty Morrison made his third field goal of the game — a 38-yarder — to close out the scoring with 1:38 left.

Two consecutive sacks deep in Missouri State territory on the Bears’ final possession secured the victory for the Grizzlies, who are ranked third in the FCS.

Gillman’s 37-yard touchdown run gave the Grizzlies a 7-6 lead late in the first quarter. Morrison’s field goals of 35 and 22 yards extended the advantage to 12-10 at the break.

Jayden Becks’ 32-yard run gave the Bears a 17-12 lead early in the third quarter. Montana answered with a Logan Fife 34-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Harris followed by a Gillman 2-yard TD run to take a 26-17 lead with 9:56 to play.

Jacob Clark completed 23 of 39 passes for 257 yards, with one interception for Missouri State.

Montana reached the program’s eighth FCS title game last season, but lost 23-3 to South Dakota State and is the reigning Big Sky Conference champion.

The attendance at Washington-Grizzly Stadium was 26,482, the seventh highest.

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