GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- A battle between two of the Big Sky Conference's top-ranked defenses lived up to its billing as No. 7 Montana edged host North Dakota, 18-15 Saturday afternoon at the Alerus Center. Daniel Sullivan's 35-yard field goal as time expired provided the winning margin for the Grizzlies (4-2, 2-0 BSC).

Both defenses were stout throughout as North Dakota (2-4, 0-2 BSC) did not allow a rush for positive yardage until the second quarter and Montana held the home team to just 60 yards of total offense in the first half.

"The plan was to win the game," UND head coach Bubba Schweigert said. "Offensively, when we eliminate the mistakes, we can move the football. We'll find some positives, but the plan is execute for 60 minutes. We had a chance to close out the game and get a win, but we didn't do that today."

UM was able to take advantage of a few UND miscues in the opening half, garnering two points on a safety after a low snap got by Joe Mollberg and later getting a touchdown on a drive that was extended on a late hit call after an apparent third-down stop. 

At the half, both teams combined for just 197 yards of total offense and the Grizzlies went into the locker room with an 8-0 advantage.

After Montana went ahead 15-0 early in the second half on Travon Van's second touchdown of the afternoon, North Dakota's offense found its footing in the fourth quarter. The unit had half of its total offense in the final stanza, but the Grizzlies recovered a Kyle Norberg fumble on their own 4-yard line to keep their shutout alive.

UND would force one of several three-and-outs with the Grizzlies backed up and this time Norberg would find paydirt. Mollberg and company strung together a 10-play drive that featured a pair of fourth-down conversions ending in a 2-yard plunge by Kyle Norberg. The redshirt freshman's first collegiate touchdown sliced the deficit to 15-7.

The defense would score a touchdown for a third consecutive week on UM's ensuing posession when junior Chris Brown intercepted a third-down pass and raced it back 14 yards for a score. Brown's first career interception made it a 15-13 contest and Mollberg would roll out and fire a 2-point conversion pass to tight end Luke Mathewson to knot the score at 15-15.

The UND defense would force Montana into its seventh punt of the game following another three-and-out. Mollberg would then drive his team down to the 23-yard line, setting up a 40-yard field goal attempt by Reid Taubenheim.

The Grizzlies would come up with the block, however, as the snap was not held cleanly. Montana quickly moved down the field thanks to a 46-yard pass completion hauled in by Jamaal Jones, who finished with game-highs of seven catches and 114 receiving yards. 

Griz running back Jordan Canada, who had trouble getting on track all day, was stopped for a five-yard loss on the next play, but Daniel Sullivan drilled the game-winner from 40 yards out after missing a 21-yard attempt and extra-point earlier in the contest.

Defensively, North Dakota had 14 tackles for loss, including a pair of sacks. Brian LaBat had 4.5 tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries and a pass breakup to lead the UND defensive effort. UM's All-American Zack Wagenmann was equal to the task, registering eight tackles and two sacks. Wagenmann also forced and recovered a fumble inside UND's 10-yard line, but Sullivan sent a field goal attempt wide right in the second quarter.

UND remains at home and will host Portland State next Saturday for Homecoming.

GAME NOTES: Game captains were seniors Dwayne Pecosky and Alex Tillman along with juniors Brandon Anderson and Will Ratelle ... Anderson, a left guard, was a late scratch from the lineup with an illness, snapping the team's longest consecutive start streak at 27 games ... Montana compiled 609 total yards of offense in last year's 55-17 victory  here at the Alerus Center, but the Griz were held to 279 yards and 38 fewer points this afternoon ... The UND defense scored a touchdown for the third consecutive week, marking a first in the Division I era ... Junior Chris Brown's fourth-quarter interception was the first of his career and he raced it back 14 yards for a touchdown ... Redshirt freshman Cole Reyes had season-highs with nine tackles and three pass break-ups ... Redshirt freshman Kyle Norberg equaled his season-high with 73 rushing yards and scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 2-yard, fourth-quarter carry.