Photo by: ©Tommy Martino/University of Montana
Big plays on showcase at Grizzly spring scrimmage
4/8/2022 11:28:00 PM | Football
HAMILTON, Mont. – The Montana football team wrapped up its spring practice period with the annual Griz Spring Game, this year played under Friday night lights at Hamilton High School to showcase the Grizzly brand of football to fans down the Bitterroot.
With a full two-thirds of the UM roster built of underclassmen this spring, Montana's young guys got the chance to shine in the annual scrimmage, one that featured big plays on both sides of the ball.
With a pair of interceptions in the first half, the defenses led the way early on as the Griz split into roughly even maroon and silver squads. But the offenses punched back in the second as both found their rhythm, putting three touchdowns on the board as the maroon team walked away with a 20-6 win.
The sold-out scrimmage put a bow on UM's 15-practice spring slate, where the focus from the Grizzly coaching staff was player development from day one.
"I thought we had a great spring and that we've made a lot of progress. I just thought it was very productive for our team, in general, this spring," said head coach Bobby Hauck.
"It was great to be down here. I just kept looking at that view and thinking it was just awesome. So, I appreciate the people and Hamilton for having us and taking such good care of us. Now it's time to put the pads away and get ready for the fall."
Gallery: (4-8-2022) FB: Spring Game
With established backs like Marcus Knight sitting this one out, freshman Colter Janacaro led the rushing game for the maroon team with a game-high 40 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown on the game's final play. The Missoula Big Sky product also caught three passes out of the backfield for 26 yards for a personal haul of 64 yards.
Sophomore Ryan Simpson opened the scoring in the third quarter and finished with 24 yards on four catches and a TD in the game that went 82 plays, while fellow sophomore Aaron Fontes led the UM receiving corps with 81 yards and a score on just three catches.
"We actually played a lot more plays tonight than anticipated. We didn't get anybody hurt, which is big. We got a lot of good, hard-nosed football this spring, and it was great development for our young guys," added Hauck.
"I think there have been some good performances this spring. I'm really encouraged by a lot of the guys who haven't played a lot of college football being more ready to do that."
Redshirt freshman Dylan Simmons was another underclassman who made a name for himself in the fourth quarter after intercepting a pass from quarterback Kris Brown in the end zone and eventually earning Montana's lone defensive score of the night.
On the return, Simmons was drug down short of the goal line by Fontes, who had previously been blocked out of bounds but sprinted around the silver team bench and back onto the field to halt the pick-six.
While Fonts' defensive effort is sure to earn a place on the team's hustle-play real, it was ruled a penalty on the field, and the touchdown was credited to Simmons.
But Fonts was one of a number of new names fans will get used to hearing in the coming year as the Grizzlies youth earned valuable reps.
"Aaron is doing a good job. He's doing a good job at school, he's doing a good job in the playbook, and he's got a great ability to really run. He just does a lot of good things. I think the sky's the limit for him," said Hauck.
Other highlights included the play of sophomore D-end Kale Edwards who made the transition from linebacker. On a series in the third quarter, the Coeur d' Alene native was a one-man drive-stopper, blocking one of his two passes at the line of scrimmage on one play, then picking up two sacks in a row – two of his four TFLs on the day.
In the quarterback room, all three QBs in the Grizzly rotation had moments passing and with ball in hand as freshman Daniel Britt completed the longest pass of the day in a 50-yard bomb to Fontes.
Defensively, junior linebacker Braxton Hill led the way with seven tackles for the silver team, while freshman TJ Rausch picked up six tackles, including one for a loss, to pace the maroon, who, as a unit, totaled seven TFLs.
All-America cornerback Justin Ford forced the first interception of the day, tipping a pass that landed in the hands of safety TraJon Cotton for the first big play of the afternoon, proving there is still plenty of veteran experience on the Grizzly sideline.
Cornerback Corbin Walker also got in on the turnovers early in the game too, with a tipped-pass interception of his own.
All told, it resulted in a fun Friday of football, leaving a good taste in Hauck's mouth for the summer season to come, knowing there are young players that can really play.
"I'll tell you what the single biggest takeaway I've got from this spring would be I think we're going to have a good football team. I think we're going to be fun to watch. I think we've got great guys with great attitudes."
Montana now prepares to enter a strength and speed segment of the offseason training period until August when the Griz open fall camp in preparation for the season opener on Sept. 3 against Northwestern State in Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
With a full two-thirds of the UM roster built of underclassmen this spring, Montana's young guys got the chance to shine in the annual scrimmage, one that featured big plays on both sides of the ball.
With a pair of interceptions in the first half, the defenses led the way early on as the Griz split into roughly even maroon and silver squads. But the offenses punched back in the second as both found their rhythm, putting three touchdowns on the board as the maroon team walked away with a 20-6 win.
The sold-out scrimmage put a bow on UM's 15-practice spring slate, where the focus from the Grizzly coaching staff was player development from day one.
"I thought we had a great spring and that we've made a lot of progress. I just thought it was very productive for our team, in general, this spring," said head coach Bobby Hauck.
"It was great to be down here. I just kept looking at that view and thinking it was just awesome. So, I appreciate the people and Hamilton for having us and taking such good care of us. Now it's time to put the pads away and get ready for the fall."
With established backs like Marcus Knight sitting this one out, freshman Colter Janacaro led the rushing game for the maroon team with a game-high 40 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown on the game's final play. The Missoula Big Sky product also caught three passes out of the backfield for 26 yards for a personal haul of 64 yards.
Sophomore Ryan Simpson opened the scoring in the third quarter and finished with 24 yards on four catches and a TD in the game that went 82 plays, while fellow sophomore Aaron Fontes led the UM receiving corps with 81 yards and a score on just three catches.
"We actually played a lot more plays tonight than anticipated. We didn't get anybody hurt, which is big. We got a lot of good, hard-nosed football this spring, and it was great development for our young guys," added Hauck.
"I think there have been some good performances this spring. I'm really encouraged by a lot of the guys who haven't played a lot of college football being more ready to do that."
Redshirt freshman Dylan Simmons was another underclassman who made a name for himself in the fourth quarter after intercepting a pass from quarterback Kris Brown in the end zone and eventually earning Montana's lone defensive score of the night.
On the return, Simmons was drug down short of the goal line by Fontes, who had previously been blocked out of bounds but sprinted around the silver team bench and back onto the field to halt the pick-six.
While Fonts' defensive effort is sure to earn a place on the team's hustle-play real, it was ruled a penalty on the field, and the touchdown was credited to Simmons.
But Fonts was one of a number of new names fans will get used to hearing in the coming year as the Grizzlies youth earned valuable reps.
"Aaron is doing a good job. He's doing a good job at school, he's doing a good job in the playbook, and he's got a great ability to really run. He just does a lot of good things. I think the sky's the limit for him," said Hauck.
Other highlights included the play of sophomore D-end Kale Edwards who made the transition from linebacker. On a series in the third quarter, the Coeur d' Alene native was a one-man drive-stopper, blocking one of his two passes at the line of scrimmage on one play, then picking up two sacks in a row – two of his four TFLs on the day.
In the quarterback room, all three QBs in the Grizzly rotation had moments passing and with ball in hand as freshman Daniel Britt completed the longest pass of the day in a 50-yard bomb to Fontes.
Defensively, junior linebacker Braxton Hill led the way with seven tackles for the silver team, while freshman TJ Rausch picked up six tackles, including one for a loss, to pace the maroon, who, as a unit, totaled seven TFLs.
All-America cornerback Justin Ford forced the first interception of the day, tipping a pass that landed in the hands of safety TraJon Cotton for the first big play of the afternoon, proving there is still plenty of veteran experience on the Grizzly sideline.
Cornerback Corbin Walker also got in on the turnovers early in the game too, with a tipped-pass interception of his own.
All told, it resulted in a fun Friday of football, leaving a good taste in Hauck's mouth for the summer season to come, knowing there are young players that can really play.
"I'll tell you what the single biggest takeaway I've got from this spring would be I think we're going to have a good football team. I think we're going to be fun to watch. I think we've got great guys with great attitudes."
Montana now prepares to enter a strength and speed segment of the offseason training period until August when the Griz open fall camp in preparation for the season opener on Sept. 3 against Northwestern State in Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
👀 Check out the highlights from an awesome day in Hamilton at the Griz Spring Game! #GoGriz
— Montana Griz Football (@MontanaGrizFB) April 9, 2022
pic.twitter.com/tQtoxMa5Ur
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
S
/ Football
LB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
CB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
CB
/ FootballGriz Football Spring Practice - 3/2/26
Monday, March 30
Griz Football Spring Preview Press Conference
Monday, March 30
Griz Football Winter Condo - 2/20/26
Monday, March 30
Griz Football Winter Condo - 2/17/26
Monday, March 30
