MISSOULA, Mont. -- Montana redshirt freshman Gresch Jensen overcame a shaky start to lead the 24th-ranked Grizzlies to a 41-17 victory over North Dakota in Big Sky action Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The Grizzlies, who were ranked for the first time this season entering the game, improved to 5-2 (3-1 BSC), while the Fighting Hawks fell to 2-5 (1-3 BSC).

Jensen finished the game with 423 yards passing and four total touchdowns, but most of that damage came after he turned the ball over three times in the opening quarter.

“It was nice to get off to the start we did, forcing three turnovers in the first half,” UND head coach Bubba Schweigert said. “We needed to find a way to turn those into points though. I thought our guys played with a lot of heart in the first half, but when you do not capitalize on those (opportunities), it becomes a tougher challenge.”

UND senior Charles Flowers and redshirt freshman Cam Hunt both came up with interceptions for the second-straight game, but the Griz would strike first and get the only points of the opening quarter on a 31-yard receiving score by Samori Toure.

The Fighting Hawks' best scoring chance came after a Jensen fumble in the opening quarter that senior Drew Greely recovered following a strip-sack by classmate Brandon Dranka to set UND up on the UM 32-yard line.

The Grizzlies' defense was stout throughout the game and would knock UND out of field-goal range following a sack of quarterback Brad Heidlebaugh, who was making his first career start in place of injured starter Keaton Studsrud.

After Montana moved ahead 10-0 early in the second quarter after a 30-yard field goal by Brandon Purdy, the UND offense picked up its initial first down of the game after being forced to five three-outs to open the game.

A 13-yard catch by Noah Wanzek put the ball at midfield and a personal foul penalty on the Griz would extend the drive that resulted in UND's first points compliments of a 35-yard field goal by Reid Taubenheim.

Heidlebaugh moved UND back into Montana territory late in the second quarter, but he overthrew De'mun Mercer on a 3rd-and-20 and Josh Sandry picked off the errant past and returned it 74 yards to the UND 11-yard line.

UND's defense would limit the damage, however, forcing Purdy into a 23-yard field goal that put Montana ahead 20-3 at halftime.

In front of a Homecoming crowd, the Grizzlies kept the momentum out of the break and put the game away with two early third-quarter touchdowns. The scoring drives took just two plays each and were capped by rushing scores after big pass plays put UM inside the red zone. Alijah Lee produced the first touchdown on a 2-yard rush, then Jensen used his feet from 15 yards out for the second one to make it a 34-3 contest.

Montana threatened to add more points after a UND fumble, but Torrey Hunt blocked a 26-yard field goal to keep the deficit at 31.

Sophomore James Johannesson would get UND into the end zone for the first time midway through the third quarter after he ripped off a career-best, 56-yard run. He finished the game with seven carries for 93 yards to lead a UND ground attack that managed just 62 yards on 29 carries before his scoring jaunt.

Jensen capped Montana's scoring with a 29-yard pass to Keenan Curran early in the fourth quarter as his favorite target on the day finished with five catches for 151 yards and two scores.

Sophomore Andrew Zimmerman relieved Heidlebaugh in the second half and found Stetson Carr from 62 yards out for his first career scoring strike. Carr's reception was the longest of his career and brought the final margin of defeat to 24 points. Zimmerman finished 7-for-14 for 132 yards, while Heidlebaugh went 5-for-15 for 56 yards.

UND will return home next Saturday to take on Sacramento State at the Alerus Center. Kickoff against the Hornets is set for 12:30 p.m. CT.

GAME NOTES: Permanent captains for the season are seniors Jake Disterhaupt, Cole Reyes and Keaton Studsrud along with junior John Santiago … Senior Chuck Flowers recorded an interception on Montana's first offensive snap and had his first of the season on Northern Colorado's last offensive snap a week earlier … Sophomore Cam Hunt also had a first-quarter interception to give him a pair of picks in his first two collegiate games … Freshman Ty Shannon finished with a career-high seven tackles … UND won the turnover battle 3-2, but could not convert any of those miscues into points … Sophomore quarterback Brad Heidlebaugh made his first career start for the injured Studsrud … Sophomore James Johannesson rushed for a career-high 93 yards and his 56-yard scoring run in the third quarter was a career long … Senior Stetson Carr's 62-yard touchdown reception from sophomore Andrew Zimmerman in the fourth quarter was the longest catch of his career and longest receiving play for a Fighting Hawk this season.

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