“Anderson, I have to give him credit,” Rolovich said. “I've been watching him on film for two years and I think he's one of the best defensive guys we've faced.”
The pick came not long after halftime, with Montana State leading 14-13. Rolovich tried to find Derek Green near the UM sideline but Anderson broke off his coverage on the tight end and leaped to make the grab.
“I saw him,” Rolovich said. “I thought I could get it over his head ... He kind of baited me on that out route coming underneath.”
It was Anderson's third interception of the season and his second pick of Rolovich in as many years.
Anderson's first career pick for Montana came when he snuffed out a promising MSU drive in 2006. He pulled in a Rolovich pass just outside of the Montana red zone late in the third quarter, with the Grizzlies leading 10-7.
UM went on to win that one 13-7.
That other Hilliard
Freshman running back Bryan Hilliard clearly has no respect for his elders, stealing the show on Sacramento State's senior day.
The 5-foot-11, 210-pound Sactown native said his 243 yards on 38 carries for three touchdowns in the Hornets' 41-30 victory over Idaho State may have all been a matter of familiarity.
“I know the (offensive) line and us, we're all starting to learn one another, what we can do and can't do,” Hilliard said to the Sacramento Bee. “They trust us. We trust them.”
It was his third consecutive game with at least 100 yards and should give first-year coach Marshall Sperbeck some trust in the futures market, especially with three offensive linemen returning for 2008 and backfield mate Travon Jones adding some speed to compliment Hilliard's power.
“It's going to be scary next season,” said Jones, who gained 80 yards and had two scores as Sac State amassed 335 yards on the ground and finished a season with two consecutive victories for the first time in five seasons.
Bad day good for Barnett
Josh Barnett's 57 yards against the Hornets was well below his average for the Bengals, but it was good enough to take over the career rushing mark at the school.
Barnett came into the game needing just 16 to eclipse Alfredo Anderson's 3,370 yards for Idaho State's all-time lead.
He got there in the second quarter, taking a handoff and picking up a block from Aaron Klovas around the right end for a 9-yard run.
Barnett, who also became the second Bengal to ever have multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons, finished the season at 1,022 yards and ended his career at 3,412 yards.
Vikings win ugly
Portland state and Northern Colorado combined for eight turnovers and 15 penalties and the Vikings benched starting quarterback Drew Hubel in the third quarter, but somehow PSU still walked out of Greeley, Colo., with a 10-point win.
The Vikings' 31-21 win seemed safe only after backup QB and junior college transfer Jimmy Collins led a 13-play,
80-yard drive that ate up almost six minutes in the fourth quarter.
“A drive like that gives everyone confidence that we can control games, even in the run and shoot,” Collins told the Oregonian. “The coaches always tell me to be ready, and at halftime I knew I might need to be ready to go.”
The 6-foot, 200-pound product of the City College of San Francisco finished with 86 yards on 10-of-15 passing with a touchdown.
Hubel, a freshman, threw four interceptions, three of them deep in Northern Colorado territory in the first half.
The last was grabbed by rover D.J. Craft at the Bears' 4-yard line with 2:54 left in the second quarter and led to Hubel being banished to the pine.
Players of the week
Offense: Matt Nichols, Eastern Washington. The sophomore finished with 359 yards of offense in the Eagles' 38-16 victory over Weber State. He threw for 256 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 103 yards. Defense: Jody Johnson, Sacramento State. The senior tallied eight tackles, had an interception, broke up three passes and had a tackle for loss in Sacramento State's 41-30 win over Idaho State. Special teams: Dan Carpenter, Montana. The 6-2, 207-pound senior from Helena made two field goals and five extra points in Montana's 41-20 win over Montana State. He broke the FCS record for career points by a kicker with his first field goal. He then added another a few minutes later, and is now tied for the Big Sky and FCS records for career field goals with 72.
Quote of the week
‘I don't have any doubt that they're a deserving national contender. They'll do well in the playoffs.'
- MSU coach Rob Ash on Montana, after a 41-20 loss
Game to watch
No. 11 Wofford at No. 3 Montana, Saturday: Duh. Like, what else would you be watching? The private school Terriers make their first ever voyage to Wash-Griz this weekend for the opening round of the FCS playoffs. They run the option as well as anybody and any team that can defeat Appalachian State during the regular season should be respected. A win assures UM of a second home game on Dec. 1, so say your prayers, take your vitamins and get plenty of rest.
Power poll
1 Montana (11-0): Second 11-win regular season in history is worth celebrating. Bring on the, uh, Terriers.
2 E. Wash. (8-3): Nichols won Big Sky player of the year. McNeese got a tough draw here.
3 N. Arizona (6-5): Idle during last week of season. Souers' squad still waiting for that breakthrough year.
4 Montana St. (6-5): Look for improved Bobcats after full offseason with Ash.
5 Weber St. (5-6): Remarkable rebound after 0-4 start.
6 Portland St. (3-8): Glanville era stumbles out of gate. Maybe still grieving over Griz loss.
7 Sac. State (3-8): Like the precocious younger brother. Hornets could be good when they're grown.
8 Idaho St. (3-8): Like the lazy older brother who should be more successful by now. Not talked about at family gatherings.
9 N. Colorado (1-11): Big Sky could have had North Dakota State ...
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