Montana beats South Dakota in Johnson's return

Sep 14, 2014, 12:42 am

MISSOULA, Mont. -- Jordan Johnson threw two touchdown passes Saturday to lead Montana to a 28-20 win over South Dakota.

Johnson, who sat out last week's game against Central Washington with a concussion, was sharp in his return, hooking up with Mitch Saylor on a 12-yard scoring play and Jamaal Jones on a 14-yard touchdown toss in the third quarter.

Montana (2-1) also forced three South Dakota (1-2) turnovers -- the final one coming with 5:20 to play in the game when Matt Hermanson picked off a Ryan Saeger pass at the Jackrabbits 45.

South Dakota cut Montana's lead to 28-20 with 1:50 to play when Saeger hooked up with Eric Shufford Jr. on a 31-yard scoring pass. But Miles Bergner's onside kick attempt went out of bounds and the Grizzlies ran out the clock.

Montana's John Nguyen scored on a 9-yard run late in the first quarter and the Grizzlies never trailed.