Physicality ramps up on day four of fall camp

Practice No. 4
Helmets and shoulder pads

Montana head football coach Bob Stitt had to pull in the reins on his team of thoroughbreds at day four of Griz football camp on Friday, with players ramping up the competition as the countdown to kickoff rolls on.

The Grizzlies were flying around in mid-season form as coaches ran the players through four different 11-vs-11 scenarios and a seven-on-seven passing session as well. With the health and safety of the players in mind, Stitt emphasized a wrap instead of an out-and-out tackle, with the team still dressed in helmets and shoulder pads.

"It was a little chippy, and we had a little bit of stuff we had to eliminate, and I got my heart rate up today which is always a good thing, get a little cardiovascular workout. But I like it, and we'll keep it bridled and we'll get it out when it needs to get out," said Stitt.

@VoiceoftheGriz wraps up #GrizFallCamp day 4 with @CoachBobStitt. Griz got better today! #WeAreMT pic.twitter.com/J8oGos7GcH
— UM Griz Football (@UMGRIZZLIES_FB) August 12, 2016

The defense was its usual tenacious self, once again keeping the offense in check to start Friday's practice. The Montana corps of linebackers put plenty of pressure on the QBs, while the secondary unit didn't give much room for receivers to maneuver.

Led by quarterback Brady Gustafson, and backup snaps split between Chad Chalich and Reese Phillips, the offense started to find it's mojo halfway through the full team sessions, proving the ability to move the ball against what is shaping up to be a staunch defensive unit.

Another one of the offense's scoring drives was a clinical three-play, 50-yard march down field, started with a 20-yard pickup from Gustafson to Keenan Curran on an out route to the left side. The Griz picked up 20 more yards on the next play with a screen pass from Gustafson to running back Treshawn Favors who rumbled down to the 10. The drive was capped with a leaping grab and a toe-tap in the right corner of the end zone by redshirt freshman Kobey Eaton, who is continuing his solid form from spring ball.

@VoiceoftheGriz recaps practice No. 4 with Wisconsin transfer TJ Reynard. #GrizFallCamp #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/MT2U57e5r5
— UM Griz Football (@UMGRIZZLIES_FB) August 12, 2016

As the weather in Missoula returns to more seasonably warm temperatures and players continue to stress their bodies during fall camp, recovery becomes more and more important.

With Washington-Grizzly Stadium out of commission as the new turf is installed, strength and conditioning coach Matt Nicholson has turned to the old tried and true method of ice baths for recovery, and a solution that is uniquely Missoula too: The Clark Fork River. Each day of fall camp, players have taken their recovery ice bath on the banks of Jacob's Island, keeping on the lookout for the stray fly of a nearby fishermen.

Play of the day: Jerry Louie-McGee showed why he may well be one of Montana's breakout stars in 2016, hauling in a 70-yard bomb from Brady Gustafson on a post route into triple coverage, making the fingertip grab and outsprinting the defenders en route to the end zone during the seven-on-seven session.

Today's top targets: Louie-McGee was consistent threat with both ball in hand and in open space at Friday's practice, making first-up tacklers miss on multiple occasions. It's little wonder that Montana's rotation of three quarterbacks gave him plenty of looks. Also getting several looks on the ball were transfers Lamarriel Taylor (UMass) and James Homan (Blinn JC). Taylor's length will be an asset, and Homan's wheels will also come in handy.

Returners Caleb Lyons, Bingham and Curran accounted for multiple grabs as well, and will look to feature heavily in Stitt's receiver rotation.

Next up: The Griz take the field again on Saturday for the first practice of the year in full pads at Riverbowl field. The session is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. and will last roughly two and half, to three hours.

The Great Griz Encounter: The 21st annual "Great Griz Encounter," a meet-and-greet of the 2016 football team is set to take place on Thursday, August 25, in downtown Missoula's Caras Park.

The Great Griz Encounter is held in conjunction with the Missoula Downtown Association's weekly "Downtown Tonight" function. The fun begins at 5:30 p.m.

The Grizzlies' 2016 All-American and Honors Candidates, and Griz Head Coach Bob Stitt will be introduced at 6:30 p.m. After that, all of the Griz players will sign posters until around 8:30 p.m.

This week's schedule:

Saturday August 13: 8AM: Full pads
Sunday August 14: 8AM: Full pads
Monday August 15 (Scrimmage 1): 8AM: Shells| 4PM: Scrimmage (Open to public)

University of Montana Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Chad Chalich

Keenan Curran

Kobey Eaton

Treshawn Favors

Brady Gustafson

Jerry Louie-McGee

Caleb Lyons

Reese Phillips

TJ Reynard

Lamarriel Taylor

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