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The University of Montana Grizzlies tied an NCAA record by scoring four touchdowns on interceptions as they rolled to a 73-2 victory over the visiting Western State College Mountaineers Saturday afternoon.

The 73 points was the most by the Grizzlies since a 68-45 home win over Southern Utah in 2002, and ties for the fifth most ever scored by a Montana team. The Griz beat Mt. Saint Charles (Carroll College) 133-0 in (which was also a season opener) 1920; Montana Tech 106-6 in 1924; 79-0 over Montana State in 1904; and 81-21 over Weber State and 73-23 at Idaho State, both in 1999.

It took the Grizzlies just 53 seconds on their opening drive to take the lead for good, as quarterback Andrew Selle hit sophomore wide receiver Sam Gratton in the right side of the endzone for a 37-yard scoring pass at the 14:07 mark.

Montana (1-0) then scored on back-to-back interceptions, the first by sophomore linebacker Jordan Tripp from 22 yards out, and the second a 34-yarder by senior strong safety Erik Stoll's. Stoll's "pick for six" gave the Griz a 21-0 lead with just a little more than two minutes (12:56) gone in the game.

Sophomore returner Peter Nguyen was instrumental in the win, giving his team excellent field position several times. He had six punts returns for 149 yards (a 24.8-yard average), and also had a 56-yard kickoff return, for 205 all-purpose yards. His returns were advanced to Montana's 46 and 49-yard lines, and he also had returns to WSC's 10, 33, 34, and 38-yard lines.

The Mountaineers only points in the game came when Selle fumbled a center snap and senior end Patrick Atherton recovered it for a safety.

The rest of the way it was all Grizzlies. Well, almost anyway. The Grizzlies scored on their third pick of the day when WSU quarterback Miles Gorham's pass was tipped and cornerback Trumaine Johnson grabbed the ball in mid-air and returned it 18 yards for a touchdown.

The Griz scored twice in the fourth quarter. Roper and Carver hooked up again early (14:48) in the final quarter, and then redshirt freshman cornerback Sean Murray picked off yet another WSC pass, scoring from 14 yards out.

Montana's four interceptions for four touchdowns shatters the Big Sky Conference record of two held by many league team. It tied the FCS and FBS mark held by four different teams. The last time their were four picks for four scores was in an FCS game between Nicholls State and Northwestern State in 2007.

Selle was 4-of-11-1 for 123 yards and had two scoring passes, while Roper was 7-of-10-0 for 105 yards and three touchdown throws.

Hardy, who did not have a reception last season, had 3 grabs for 47 yards and a TD. Sambrano had 2 for 68 and a touchdown. He was followed by Gratton (2-59-1); Carver (2-40-2), and Reynolds (2-19-1).

Sophomore Gerald Kemp, who was recently moved from quarterback to running back, had game-highs of 10 carries for 70 yards, while Reynolds picked up 40 yards on eight totes. UM did not have a rushing touchdown, gaining 103 yards on 27 carries.

Montana is on the road for a non-league night game at 25th-ranked Cal Poly next Saturday. The Mustangs opened their season at home this evening against Humboldt State. WSC is off next week.