Griz picked second in preseason polls

For the second-straight year, the Montana Grizzlies have been tabbed second by both the league's coaches and media in the 2021 Big Sky Preseason Poll, the conference announced Monday at the annual football kickoff event in Spokane.

UM was selected to come in second ahead of the since-canceled 2020 season as well. Montana enters the 2021 season riding a prolonged wave of momentum despite the hiatus, coming off a 2-0 spring season in 2021 where the Griz outscored Central Washington and Portland State by a combined 107-10.

Those games, however delayed, were preceded by a 2019 season that saw UM return to the FCS Quarterfinals for the first time in a decade.

With 14 total starters returning from that 2019 squad (eight offensive, six defensive), and 20 starters back from the spring (nine offensive, 11 defensive), Montana returns the bulk of its key pieces as a more traditional fall season takes shape.

Set to lead the way for the Griz defensively are 2020 Big Sky Preseason Defensive MVP Jace Lewis and All-American safety Robby Hauck. The Griz D also returns a solid cast of supporters in key positions like Patrick O'Connell, who led the team in sacks as a sophomore in 2019, and Arizona grad transfer Justin Belknap at defensive end, who emerged as a team leader in the spring.

The majority of Montana's offensive firepower from 2019 is also back this year, with some emerging stars set to make their mark a unit that was fifth in the FCS in points per game and top-10 in passing offense.

Now 5-0 as a Grizzly starter, senior quarterback Cam Humphrey enters his final season in maroon and sliver with 1,474 career passing yards and 13 passing TDs to his name. He'll also be surrounded by weapons like All-Big Sky receiver Samuel Akem and the speedy Gabe Sulser, with running backs Nick Ostmo and Xavier Harris combining for nearly 300 yards in two games this spring.

With an improved offensive line led by seniors Conlan Beaver and Dylan Cook at tackle and newcomer AJ Forbes at center, Montana's offense is shaping up to be potent once again.

Defending conference champion Weber State was selected by both the league's coaches and media to repeat as champions in 2021. Due to an unbalanced conference schedule, the Grizzlies will not face the Wildcats again in the regular season until October of 2022.

Montana opens the 2021 season on Sept. 4 when UM takes on the University of Washington in Seattle. The Grizzlies then return home to face Western Illinois on Sept. 11 in Missoula.

Season ticket packages, as well as single-game tickets for home and away contests, are available now at GrizTix.com.

Coaches Poll (First Place Votes)
1.     Weber State (7)
2.     Montana (2)
3.     Eastern Washington (2)
4.     Montana State (1)
5.     Sacramento State (1)
6.     UC Davis
7.     Northern Arizona
8.     Idaho
9.     Idaho State
10. Portland State
11. Southern Utah
12. Cal Poly
13. Northern Colorado

Media Poll (First Place Votes)
1.     Weber State (14)
2.     Montana (4)
3.     Eastern Washington (3)
4.     Montana State (3)
5.     Sacramento State
6.     UC Davis
7.     Northern Arizona
8.     Idaho
9.     Idaho State
10. Portland State
11. Southern Utah
12. Northern Colorado
13. Cal Poly

University of Montana Athletics

Players Mentioned

Samuel Akem

Conlan Beaver

Justin Belknap

Dylan Cook

AJ Forbes

Xavier Harris

Robby Hauck

Cam Humphrey

Jace Lewis

Patrick O'Connell

Nick Ostmo

Gabe Sulser

Related Videos