Montana buries San Diego in the snow
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Missoula, MT (SportsNetwork.com) - Having the most FCS playoff appearances in history against an opponent making its first one wasn't the only advantage Montana had against San Diego on Saturday.
The Grizzlies took full advantage of playing at home in a snowstorm against a USD squad that probably was looking to get back home - where it wasn't 20 degrees outside - winning, 52-14, in the first round.
Montana (9-4) will continue its record 23rd appearance in the FCS playoffs next Saturday at Big Sky Conference rival Eastern Washington (10-2), the No. 4 seed. The Grizzlies fell in Cheney, 36-26, on Nov. 8.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}San Diego (9-3), the champion of the non-scholarship Pioneer Football League, never adjusted to the snow and fell behind 38-0 by halftime. The Toreros were held to eight first downs and 158 yards, and went a combined 2-for-15 on third- and fourth-down conversion attempts.
Montana starting quarterback Jordan Johnson was 13-for-20 for 153 yards and three touchdowns, and backup signal caller Shay Smithwick-Hann was 3-for-4 for 39 yards and two touchdowns.
Running back Jordan Canada rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown and added a TD reception, while wide receiver Jamal Jones caught two touchdowns.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}San Diego avoided the shutout on Justin Priest's two touchdown receptions in the final 6:05.