Record-Breaking Chalich named Big Sky Player of the Week

Talk about grasping an opportunity.

Making his first start of the season for the Montana Grizzlies, senior quarterback Chad Chalich came off the bench as the stand-in signal caller for Brady Gustafson and proceeded to put together the best passing performance in Montana history, throwing for a school-record seven touchdowns and running for another.

Chalich broke two school records against Idaho State. His seven TD passes were the most in UM history. His total TD count of eight (seven passing, one rushing) also set the new school record for most touchdowns responsible for in a game.

It's not often a Montana quarterback or any quarterback at any level put on a performance like that, and the nation has taken notice.

Chalich has been named the ROOT Sports Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the week for his record-setting performance, going 21-27 passing for 388 yards and rushing for another 52 yards.

"It's rare for someone to perform like that, period. But to be a backup and to be thrust into the starting role and have that type of day is unbelievable," said UM head coach Bob Stitt.

Saturday's game wasn't the first time the senior from Coeur 'd Alene, Idaho, has been pushed into a starting role and succeeded. In fact, he's been doing it his whole career.

As a redshirt sophomore at the University of Idaho, Chalich came off the bench four times for the Vandals and picked up a win at New Mexico State, where he threw for 192 yards and a touchdown.

After transferring to Montana in 2015, Chalich again performed admirably off the bench, filling in for an injured Gustafson and leading the Griz to a 23-14 homecoming win over Northern Arizona on 29-45 passing for 279 yards.

Now, coming off the bench again in 2016, Chalich made his biggest impact yet.

"It's a testament to Chad. He prepares every single week like he is the starter, and when he got an opportunity, he really took advantage of it," added Stitt.

Stitt and his staff should be used to backups stepping in and performing well for the Griz. When Chalich went down with an injury in 2015, Makena Simis came in and tied the previous school record in his first start as a Grizzly, throwing six touchdowns on 16-23 passing for 323 yards en-route to a 42-16 win over North Dakota.

Chalich was also given a Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week nod by FCS blog College Sports Madness, and two national FCS player of the week honorable mentions by STATS and the College Football Performance Awards.

Chalich's accolade is Montana's second ROOT Sports Big Sky Player of the Week award this season, with Jerry Louie-McGee earning the special teams award after his breakout performance at Northern Iowa on Sept. 10.

University of Montana Athletics

Record-Breaking Chalich named Big Sky Player of the Week

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Players Mentioned

Chad Chalich

Brady Gustafson

Jerry Louie-McGee

Makena Simis

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