The No. 3 ranked Cal Poly football team lost in the fourth quarter to No. 9 Montana on Saturday 36-27.
In the final 27 minutes, Montana’s Tyler Johnson, J.R. Waller and Lex Hilliard scored touchdowns to give the Grizzlies the victory.
At halftime, the Mustangs trailed Montana 17-14, but roared back early in the second half to take the lead.
Cal Poly’s kicker Nick Coromelas tied the game with a 40-yard field goal. Quarterback Anthony Garnett threw a 39-yard scoring pass to wide receiver Ramses Barden gaining Cal Poly a 24-17 lead in the third quarter.
There were nine turnovers during the game, four by Cal Poly and five by Montana. Though previously averaging only four penalties per game this season, Cal Poly received 12 penalties totaling 104 yards.
The game was marred with injuries. With less then 30 seconds to go in the fourth quarter, Cal Poly quarterback Anthony Garnett suffered a knee injury. Redshirt freshman Matt Brennan replaced him to play out the final two plays of the game.
Montana’s redshirt freshman Mike Ferriter was carried from the field after suffering a broken nose and a concussion.
Linebacker Kyle Shotwell accomplished a career high 17 tackles.
On offense, Barden was the top receiver with five receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns. James Noble carried the ball 22 times for 144 yards. Wide receiver Jonah Russell carried the ball three times for 23 yards and a touchdown. He also had two receptions for 34 yards.
Garnett had a huge game, until the interceptions. He finished with 210 yards on 15 for 23 passing, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
For the first time this season Chris Gocong finished with no sacks during the game. Gocong finished with five tackles, just one solo.
Kenny Chicoine had 11 tackles for the Mustangs as well as one forced fumble. Shotwell and Courtney Brown had interceptions for the Mustangs.
The Mustangs play University of California, Davis on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. at Toomey Field.