University of Montana senior running back Eli Gillman wrote his name into Griz history Saturday night in Corvallis, surpassing a 25-year-old school record for career rushing yards that had belonged to Yohance Humphery. The milestone, though, was overshadowed by the scoreboard: No. 3-ranked Montana couldn't keep pace with Oregon State's offense and dropped the game to the Pac-12 Beavers.
Gillman carried the ball for 81 yards on the night — enough to push him past Humphery's long-standing mark, which had stood since the early 2000s. Breaking a record that lasted a quarter century against a Power conference opponent on the road speaks to what kind of career Gillman has put together in Missoula. He entered this season as an All-America honoree and has been the anchor of Montana's ground game throughout his time in the program.
Oregon State's quarterback Braden Atkinson drove the Beavers' offense effectively enough to keep the Grizzlies from staying in the game. Specific final score and yardage totals beyond Gillman's rushing line were not available in the source report, but the result was described as a loss for Montana. The Grizzlies, ranked third nationally in their classification heading into the game, will return to FCS play following the non-conference matchup.