FLAGSTAFF -- Montana quarterback Andrew Selle found receiver Tyler Palmer for a 25-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage in overtime and the Grizzlies came up with an interception on Northern Arizona's ensuing drive to escape with a 41-34 win Saturday at the Walkup Skydome.
The Lumberjacks got down to the 3-yard on line on their first play in the extra session when quarterback Michael Herrick found running back Alex Henderson for a 22-yard gain.
On the next play, Herrick committed the game's first turnover as Montana cornerback Trumaine Johnson tipped a pass and safety Shann Schillinger came down with it. The ball had been intended for intended for Northern Arizona tight end Brian Riley in the corner of the end zone. The turnover ended the game.
"I felt like I was in pretty good shape, but I didn't know if I'd be able to get my hands on it," Schillinger said. "Trumaine Johnson did a nice job of tipping it up and I was able to get my hands on it, and the rest, I guess, is history."
The win gave Montana (4-0, 2-0 Big Sky) its 12th straight win in the series.
"I'm really proud of our kids, but I'm also proud of their kids for the effort they played with today," Montana coach Bobby Hauck said. "That was a hell of a football game. They never went away. Talk about a team that should have said, 'Hey, they got us tonight. They're playing well.' They didn't do that. All they did was make plays."
Northern Arizona (1-2, 0-1) took a 31-27 lead with 3:52 to go in the fourth quarter when Herrick found receiver Curt Sweeney for a 41-yard touchdown.
Montana responded right away, putting together a three-play, 50-yard drive that resulted in a 45-yard touchdown pass from Selle to receiver Sam Gratton.
The Lumberjacks needed a field goal to send the game into overtime and after getting the ball to Montana's 30-yard line, sophomore kicker Matt Myers nailed a 47-yard field goal to tie the game to send it into overtime.
Selle, who split playing time with Justin Roper through the first three games of the season, played the entire game with Roper out with a concussion. Salle made the best of the opportunity.
He finished 29-for-28 for 349 yards and three touchdowns. Palmer was the team's leading receiver, catching six passes for 87 yards and a touchdown.
Herrick threw for the third most yards in Northern Arizona history, connecting on 36 of 49 passes for 440 yards and four touchdowns. His lone mistake was the Schillinger interception.
Sweeney finished with 148 receiving yards on five catches with three touchdowns. Senior Conrad Meadows led the team with 11 catches for 80 yards.
The Lumberjacks outgained the Grizzlies, 507 yards to 423.
With the loss, Northern Arizona head coach Jerome Souers fell to 0-12 lifetime against the Grizzlies.
Hauck, in his seventh year, recorded his 70th win of his career.
