Defense leads N Arizona to win over Montana 34-16

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Northern Arizona's defense returned two fumbles for scores, including Ryan Reardon 's 98-yarder, and the Lumberjacks smothered the Montana offense in a 34-16 victory Saturday night. Trailing 14-3 in the second quarter, the Grizzlies had fourth-and-goal at the 2-yard line when Jordan Johnson fumbled near the goal line and Reardon's long return gave Northern Arizona (3-1, 1-0 Big Sky) a 21-3 lead. The Grizzlies opened the third quarter with another fumble and Marcus Alford 's 22-yard return made it 28-3. Northern Arizona's Zach Bauman rushed for 118 yards and scored back-to-back touchdowns in the first quarter, including one for 41 yards, to give the Lumberjacks an early 14-0 lead. Montana (3-1, 0-1) finally scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter when Johnson tossed a 15-yard score to Mitch Saylor . Johnson was 17 of 38 for 292 yards and threw two touchdowns.