Youngsters shine as Maroon wins Spring Game 20-7

Friday, April 10

Missoula, Mont.

6 PM

Montana

Griz Spring Game

4/10/2026 9:36:00 PM | Football

By: Montana Sports Information

The future stars of Montana football got their chance to shine under the lights at Washington-Grizzly Stadium as a corps of youngsters and newcomers earned their stripes in the annual Griz Spring Game on Friday night.

New Defensive Coordinator Eric Sanders' unit flashed for both teams in the final practice of the spring season, with the maroon squad using a pick six, some big plays on offense and big kicks on special teams to come away with a 20-7 win over the silver in a spirited contest.

Overall, objective No. 1 was met for first year head coach Bobby Kennedy in that no one came off the field injured. The Griz met objective two as well, with an energetic game for both teams.

"Number one, really pleased we stayed healthy. But there was some good hitting out there, and I thought both sides were physical. We still have to do some things on the offensive and defensive line, those guys need to be bolstered a little. But I was really happy with how it turned out today," said Kennedy.

With only two offensive trips to the endzone for both teams combined, Montana's defense was a star of the day, with maroon only allowing 152 yards of silver offense and silver giving up just 64 yards rushing - proof of the development Kennedy has seen throughout the spring season.

"I've seen the progress as spring has gone on, so I'm really pleased with the defense. We've got to get bigger up front and we're going to do everything we can in recruiting to get those bigger guys, but I was really pleased," added Kennedy, who also noted the team's energy all spring.

"If there's one thing I'm really pleased about - I can't remember a day that I said 'we're just slogging around.' I thought the guys came with a great attitude every day and they were moving fast.

"I think Eric Sanders and the defensive staff are doing a great job with technique things, and now we just have to put it all together."

Sophomore QB Cody Schweikert of Columbia Falls saw his first game action in front of fans as a Grizzly after starting his career on the IR, and led all passers with 119 yards through the air on 10-17 passing, while Kalispell's Gage Sliter added another 83 yards to give maroon 202 yards though the air. Korbin Hendrix and Ian Finch were maroon's top targets, combining for 123 yards on seven combined grabs to keep the chains moving.

"(The quarterback play) was really good. They needed reps because a lot of times they don't get them. So, for them to step into the action – they did some good things. We missed some things too, but you know what, that's a part of growing. So, it's good those guys got reps this spring, so we have to just keep bringing them along," added Kennedy.

With star running back Eli Gillman resting for the spring, Montana's depth at running back also stood out. The only scoring for the maroon offense came on the ground as Washington State transfer running back Dylan Paine punched a touchdown in from short yardage on the first drive of the game.

He was joined in a big day rushing for maroon by freshman Hashim Jones who had some hard yards on six carries. Red Lodge native Chase Cook, Whitefish native Fynn Ridgeway, and converted receiver Monte Gillman each had some big carries for the silver squad as well.

"I feel really good going into the season about that position," Kennedy said of his backs.

"We still have to be a little better with the pass protection and stepping up and fitting guys, but I really like our ability to run the ball."

Kicker Jo Silver boomed a pair of field goals, one from 52 yards out and one from 48, and freshman linebacker Sam Merriman took a pick six to the house from 26 yards to complete the scoring for maroon.

For the silver team, Sliter found transfer freshman receiver Legend Lyons on a 12-yard back shoulder fade for their only score of the evening.

Finch got the maroon offense started on the first drive of the scrimmage with a big reception across midfield, shedding tackles on his way to a first down. Jones then put the Griz in scoring territory with three big carries that moved maroon inside the red zone. The offense stuck to the ground, and it was Paine that cashed in for maroon, punching it up the middle from short yardage for the first score to put maroon up 7-0 after a successful PAT.

Three drives later it was Silver again who showed off his big foot, booming a 52-yard field goal with eight minutes to play in the second quarter to put maroon up 10-0.

The silver team got going on the next drive with a 20 yard rush up the middle from Ridgeway across midfield. That Drive resulted in a punt, however when D-end Cooper Buffington logged a sack on third down to halt the drive. The ensuing punt was a highlight for Wyatt Redding, who landed it at the 1 yard line where it stalled to pin maroon at their own two.

They weren't pinned for long, however, when Schweikert completed a pass across the middle to a wide-open Hendrix, who was finally brought down at the 37-yard line. Schweikert went to the air again and found Titus Rohrer for a first down across midfield and a first down after that to keep drive going, and picked up another first down to Finch across the middle. The promising drive was fruitless for the maroon team as Ryder Barinowski pushed a 38-yard field goal wide right and it remained 10-0 at the half.

On the first offensive drive after the break, Cook got the silver team into positive territory, bouncing outside for a gain of 23 to the maroon 28. Sliter then got silver into the redzone with a complete pass across the middle to Lyons for a gain of 11. Two plays later it was Sliter to Lyons again on a back shoulder fade to the endzone for the silver team's first score of the game and it was a 10-7 ballgame.

"(Lyons) is a big guy and I think he can run. I don't think he's running as well as we project him to run because he's young and we're throwing so much at him and he's thinking a lot. I think once he really dissects the offense and learns it in and out his athletic ability is going to take over. But, I mean, you saw that catch, and the way he adjusted the ball, he went up and got it. He's a really good athlete. He's still young but I've seen growth, and we expect good things out of him," added Kennedy.

Maroon extended the lead on silver's next possession, however, when Merriman picked off a Drew Price pass at the 26 and brought it to the house to put maroon up 17-7 after a Jo Silver PAT to end the third quarter.

After more back-and-forth and defensive holds, maroon capped the scoring with Jo Silver again hammering a field goal, this time from 48-yards out to put them up for good 20-7.

The spring game capped the 15-practice spring training period for the Grizzlies. The coaching staff will now focus on recruiting and visiting each high school football program in Montana before the team returns after the end of the semester for its summer workout period.

Scoring plays
QTR     Time    Scoring Play                                                                                                                S/M
1^st        8:00     M - #24 D. Paine 2 yd rush (#46 J. Silver kick), 10-65, 7:00                                        0-7
2^nd       8:00     M - #46 J. Silver 52 yd FG, 7-35 5:00                                                                          0-10
3^rd        7:00     S - #6 Legend Lyons 12 yd pass from #12 Gage Sliter (#41 R. Barinowski kick), 8-65, 8:00   7-10
3^rd        0:00     M - #50 S. Merriman 26 yd interception return (#46 J. Silver kick, 04:38                      7-17
4^th        5:20     M - #46 J. Silver 48 yd FG, 11-36, 06:40                                                                     7-20