‘Attack the football’ – Grizzly defense finding its growl under Sanders
8/7/2026 7:35:00 PM | Football
On a shelf in Montana defensive coordinator Eric Sanders' office sits the physical embodiment of his defensive philosophy, which can be distilled to two points.
"Contain the football, attack the football. That's how we're going to win on defense," Sanders said.
"A huge emphasis for us is takeaways and specifically attacking the football. We can't control if the offense gives it up, but we can control our behavioral piece – trying to punch it out, attacking it in the air, trying to make plays on the ball."
To that end, Montana's defense will introduce a new tradition this season: the Takeaway Belt – a Griz branded, gold-plated, heavyweight fight-style championship belt that will go to the player that delivers a potential knockout blow to opposing offenses on game day.
As the Grizzlies pass the one-week mark of fall camp on Friday, that philosophy has helped the defense find its stride as Sanders and his staff install a new-look scheme with a revamped roster featuring just two returning starters and 15 returning lettermen.
In six days of practice the Grizzly D has tallied roughly 19 takeaways against Montana's high-octane offense, surpassing their goal of three per practice.
That is no knock on the offense, which has scored its share of touchdowns. But one week in, Sanders likes what he sees from a unit that underwent the most significant changes in the offseason.
"Tons of great energy and enthusiasm. Tons of great learning. We're putting in a new scheme, but a lot of this stuff is review from the spring and we're making progress. If the kids keep showing up and working like they've been working, we're going to keep making progress," Sanders said.
Montana football has been defined by defense over the decades, and that does not appear to be changing under first-year head coach Bobby Kennedy and Sanders, a first-year coordinator. Here is a position-by-position breakdown of the unit that has historically been one of the saltiest in the FCS.
LINEBACKERS: In a position that has colloquially put Montana on the map as "Linebacker U", this year's group carries that tradition with experience. Three household names lead the room in All-American Peyton Wing, All-Big Sky honoree Solomon Tuliaupupu and No. 37 Clay Oven, who bring a combined 44 appearances and 170 tackles back from last season.
Together they have formed a leadership core that has set the tone for the defense early in camp.
"The togetherness. The joint leadership. No one is trying to boss each other around, they're just pushing each other. I love that," Sanders said of the trio.
Wing returns for his second season at Montana after landing on nearly every preseason All-America list in the nation this summer and a place on the Buck Buchanan Award watch list. He's the Grizzlies' leading returning tackler and the Big Sky's second-leading returning interception getter heading into 2026 after putting in 78 stops and four picks.
"Peyton Wing is the Mike linebacker. He's going to wear the green dot. He'll do all the leadership for our defense as far as making calls, checking the defense. He's been awesome that way. Eats it up, wants more of it. He's been great. We're really going to lean on him to pilot the ship on gameday," Sanders said.
Tuliaupupu is a returning all-conference linebacker and winner of the team's Golden Helmet Award for hardest hitter that has been splitting time with the defensive line – a testament to his versatility and physicality. For Sanders, his experience may be his most valuable asset, giving the defense flexibility in its attack.
"He's just such a veteran, versatile player. It's like someone brought their big brother to the school yard. He can play all of the positions in the box," added Sanders. "So, having him be able to jump between the rooms and fill different roles is really helpful to that versatility."
Fifth-year transfers Justin Eklund, from Bowling Green, and Naiteitei Mose, from Georgetown, have added veteran depth and stood out during fall camp. Along with Oven, the trio is expected to help fill out the starting rotation.
"I think everyone looks up to Clay Oven for his experience in the program. Justin Eklund is a guy that knows a ton of football and has played other places that have a defense similar to this one, so he knows some of the answers before we install them," added Sanders.
Junior transfer Tanner Williams from San Diego State brings speed to the linebacker group and has seen significant reps in fall camp. Sophomores Colton Lentz and Styles Goodman both saw action as freshmen last season and have also impressed during camp.
Oh, and this is all not to mention it's a room that has gone above and beyond the call of duty to make a major impact on people's lives with their charity work. Truly representative of the #LBU moniker.
DEFENSIVE LINE: D-line coach Jaylen Johnson played on the No. 7 Washington Huskies team that drubbed Montana in Seattle back in 2017, suiting up alongside the likes of future NFL All-Pros Vita Vea and Budda Baker. In other words, he knows a good D-line when he sees one.
He leads a position group that has been a bit of an unknown for UM since Sanders arrived and began shifting Montana's scheme to more of a four-down look. But as the staff puts the personnel in the best position to succeed, it's a group that's quickly becoming one of the most versatile in the unit.
"We're where we expected us to be through six days of practice, and we're in a good spot," said Johnson.
"The kids are willing, they're learning, getting tougher and getting better at the technique daily. There are guys playing positions they've never played before. We're testing guys out at certain spots we think they could play at but ultimately developing skills that will help them in their main position. There's a lot going on but I feel confident about where we're going."
Defensive end Jake Mason earned preseason All-Big Sky honors in July after coming on strong in the back half of the season last year to total 26 stops, 5.5 TFLs, two sacks and two pass breakups.
"Jake Mason is almost like another coach in the room," Johnson said. "Super understanding and knows how to communicate to the younger players. I love coaching Jake."
He and Hayden Schwartz are a pair of veterans from last year's team that add speed off the edge with the skills to battle like they're still in a three-man front. Joining them on the edge is Tyler King, a senior transfer from Central Washington and a Division II All-American who has impressed during fall camp with his hands and length.
Then you mix in the addition of monsters like 300-plus-pound Manase Tupou and Zaiden Wallace on the inside with bulked-up junior Issac Keim of Kalispell and sophomore Cooper Buffington plugging holes, there's plenty of versatility across the front.
"I think we have a lot of guys that can do a lot of different things, and that's what's so fun as a coach. I can put guys on the field that can be really good edge-setters, and I can put guys on the field that can be really good pass rushers. I've got a lot of juice, and it's a deep room. So, I'm very excited for the season," added Johnson.
"Ultimately, I think the lines that I coach are going to be guys that step out on the field, they communicate well, they're physical at the point of attack, they have juice to rush the passer as well if it turns into pass. And they're going to be guys that play extremely hard. They're going to run after the ball, they're going to do all the little nasty things, and they're going to finish.
SAFETIES: Since Tim Hauck patrolled the backfield wearing No. 37, the safety position at Montana has symbolized Montana Toughness. Nowhere on the 2026 defense is that more evident than in this year's group of homegrown talent ready to carry on that legacy.
"Butte Tough" Tanner Huff received another year of eligibility in the offseason and returns as a two-time winner of the Hauck Family Special Teams Player of the Year award poised to take on a leadership role. He is joined by fifth-year player Kade Cutler of Philipsburg and senior Kade Boyd of Billings, both of whom are expected to contribute significantly.
Senior Braeden Orlandi, an All-American from Carroll College, has also added veteran depth and will compete for a starting role. Transfers Devin Dunn of Arizona and Ashton Payne of South Dakota have made an impact since arriving in the offseason as well.
With the emergence of twins Brock and Brady Beaner at multiple spots in the backfield last year as freshmen, and the addition of rangy Arizona State transfer Adama Fall and San Diego State transfer Hunter Haines, the safety room has plenty of options in the early days of camp.
"It's a deep group, and we have kids with different skill sets. But we have a lot of kids that we feel are good enough to make plays in games this season," said Sanders. "We're still waiting for the cream to rise to the top and show us who is the best player at doing the right thing consistently, making the calls consistently, and getting the ball."
CORNERBACKS: Out on the island, Montana's cornerbacks have also been turning heads with the takeaways during fall camp. With only three returners who saw action in 2025, the cornerback room is reloaded with length and speed heading into the new season.
Senior Elijah Brady has steadily been working his way into more playing time over the last three years. He's joined by Jeilani Davis, who has played both safety and corner since transferring from Utah a year ago, and DeAnte Gentry who picked off a pass in his first appearance as a freshman at Idaho State last year before suffering an injury, as UM's most experienced corners.
Add the speedy sophomore Sage Salopek to the mix and transfer juniors Chris Johnson II from Arizona State and Gabe Stroud from North Texas, and the cornerback room depth chart is looking full.
"I've seen a lot of good stuff from the corner position, and Sage Salopek is leading our team in takeaways in fall camp. He has a pick in three straight practices right now, so that's really been exciting to see," said Sanders.
"Chris Johnson's been making a lot of plays for us at corner. Gabe Stroud's been playing with tremendous effort on the practice field. That's been really, really great to see. But, like at safety, we have a lot of guys that we feel confident have the ability to make plays in Big Sky football games.
Montana has one more practice in week one of fall camp Saturday afternoon at Dornblaser Field before a rest day Sunday. The Griz return for week two Monday afternoon.
"Contain the football, attack the football. That's how we're going to win on defense," Sanders said.
"A huge emphasis for us is takeaways and specifically attacking the football. We can't control if the offense gives it up, but we can control our behavioral piece – trying to punch it out, attacking it in the air, trying to make plays on the ball."
To that end, Montana's defense will introduce a new tradition this season: the Takeaway Belt – a Griz branded, gold-plated, heavyweight fight-style championship belt that will go to the player that delivers a potential knockout blow to opposing offenses on game day.
As the Grizzlies pass the one-week mark of fall camp on Friday, that philosophy has helped the defense find its stride as Sanders and his staff install a new-look scheme with a revamped roster featuring just two returning starters and 15 returning lettermen.
In six days of practice the Grizzly D has tallied roughly 19 takeaways against Montana's high-octane offense, surpassing their goal of three per practice.
That is no knock on the offense, which has scored its share of touchdowns. But one week in, Sanders likes what he sees from a unit that underwent the most significant changes in the offseason.
"Tons of great energy and enthusiasm. Tons of great learning. We're putting in a new scheme, but a lot of this stuff is review from the spring and we're making progress. If the kids keep showing up and working like they've been working, we're going to keep making progress," Sanders said.
Montana football has been defined by defense over the decades, and that does not appear to be changing under first-year head coach Bobby Kennedy and Sanders, a first-year coordinator. Here is a position-by-position breakdown of the unit that has historically been one of the saltiest in the FCS.
LINEBACKERS: In a position that has colloquially put Montana on the map as "Linebacker U", this year's group carries that tradition with experience. Three household names lead the room in All-American Peyton Wing, All-Big Sky honoree Solomon Tuliaupupu and No. 37 Clay Oven, who bring a combined 44 appearances and 170 tackles back from last season.
Together they have formed a leadership core that has set the tone for the defense early in camp.
"The togetherness. The joint leadership. No one is trying to boss each other around, they're just pushing each other. I love that," Sanders said of the trio.
Wing returns for his second season at Montana after landing on nearly every preseason All-America list in the nation this summer and a place on the Buck Buchanan Award watch list. He's the Grizzlies' leading returning tackler and the Big Sky's second-leading returning interception getter heading into 2026 after putting in 78 stops and four picks.
"Peyton Wing is the Mike linebacker. He's going to wear the green dot. He'll do all the leadership for our defense as far as making calls, checking the defense. He's been awesome that way. Eats it up, wants more of it. He's been great. We're really going to lean on him to pilot the ship on gameday," Sanders said.
Tuliaupupu is a returning all-conference linebacker and winner of the team's Golden Helmet Award for hardest hitter that has been splitting time with the defensive line – a testament to his versatility and physicality. For Sanders, his experience may be his most valuable asset, giving the defense flexibility in its attack.
"He's just such a veteran, versatile player. It's like someone brought their big brother to the school yard. He can play all of the positions in the box," added Sanders. "So, having him be able to jump between the rooms and fill different roles is really helpful to that versatility."
Fifth-year transfers Justin Eklund, from Bowling Green, and Naiteitei Mose, from Georgetown, have added veteran depth and stood out during fall camp. Along with Oven, the trio is expected to help fill out the starting rotation.
"I think everyone looks up to Clay Oven for his experience in the program. Justin Eklund is a guy that knows a ton of football and has played other places that have a defense similar to this one, so he knows some of the answers before we install them," added Sanders.
Junior transfer Tanner Williams from San Diego State brings speed to the linebacker group and has seen significant reps in fall camp. Sophomores Colton Lentz and Styles Goodman both saw action as freshmen last season and have also impressed during camp.
Oh, and this is all not to mention it's a room that has gone above and beyond the call of duty to make a major impact on people's lives with their charity work. Truly representative of the #LBU moniker.
DEFENSIVE LINE: D-line coach Jaylen Johnson played on the No. 7 Washington Huskies team that drubbed Montana in Seattle back in 2017, suiting up alongside the likes of future NFL All-Pros Vita Vea and Budda Baker. In other words, he knows a good D-line when he sees one.
He leads a position group that has been a bit of an unknown for UM since Sanders arrived and began shifting Montana's scheme to more of a four-down look. But as the staff puts the personnel in the best position to succeed, it's a group that's quickly becoming one of the most versatile in the unit.
"We're where we expected us to be through six days of practice, and we're in a good spot," said Johnson.
"The kids are willing, they're learning, getting tougher and getting better at the technique daily. There are guys playing positions they've never played before. We're testing guys out at certain spots we think they could play at but ultimately developing skills that will help them in their main position. There's a lot going on but I feel confident about where we're going."
Defensive end Jake Mason earned preseason All-Big Sky honors in July after coming on strong in the back half of the season last year to total 26 stops, 5.5 TFLs, two sacks and two pass breakups.
"Jake Mason is almost like another coach in the room," Johnson said. "Super understanding and knows how to communicate to the younger players. I love coaching Jake."
He and Hayden Schwartz are a pair of veterans from last year's team that add speed off the edge with the skills to battle like they're still in a three-man front. Joining them on the edge is Tyler King, a senior transfer from Central Washington and a Division II All-American who has impressed during fall camp with his hands and length.
Then you mix in the addition of monsters like 300-plus-pound Manase Tupou and Zaiden Wallace on the inside with bulked-up junior Issac Keim of Kalispell and sophomore Cooper Buffington plugging holes, there's plenty of versatility across the front.
"I think we have a lot of guys that can do a lot of different things, and that's what's so fun as a coach. I can put guys on the field that can be really good edge-setters, and I can put guys on the field that can be really good pass rushers. I've got a lot of juice, and it's a deep room. So, I'm very excited for the season," added Johnson.
"Ultimately, I think the lines that I coach are going to be guys that step out on the field, they communicate well, they're physical at the point of attack, they have juice to rush the passer as well if it turns into pass. And they're going to be guys that play extremely hard. They're going to run after the ball, they're going to do all the little nasty things, and they're going to finish.
SAFETIES: Since Tim Hauck patrolled the backfield wearing No. 37, the safety position at Montana has symbolized Montana Toughness. Nowhere on the 2026 defense is that more evident than in this year's group of homegrown talent ready to carry on that legacy.
"Butte Tough" Tanner Huff received another year of eligibility in the offseason and returns as a two-time winner of the Hauck Family Special Teams Player of the Year award poised to take on a leadership role. He is joined by fifth-year player Kade Cutler of Philipsburg and senior Kade Boyd of Billings, both of whom are expected to contribute significantly.
Senior Braeden Orlandi, an All-American from Carroll College, has also added veteran depth and will compete for a starting role. Transfers Devin Dunn of Arizona and Ashton Payne of South Dakota have made an impact since arriving in the offseason as well.
With the emergence of twins Brock and Brady Beaner at multiple spots in the backfield last year as freshmen, and the addition of rangy Arizona State transfer Adama Fall and San Diego State transfer Hunter Haines, the safety room has plenty of options in the early days of camp.
"It's a deep group, and we have kids with different skill sets. But we have a lot of kids that we feel are good enough to make plays in games this season," said Sanders. "We're still waiting for the cream to rise to the top and show us who is the best player at doing the right thing consistently, making the calls consistently, and getting the ball."
CORNERBACKS: Out on the island, Montana's cornerbacks have also been turning heads with the takeaways during fall camp. With only three returners who saw action in 2025, the cornerback room is reloaded with length and speed heading into the new season.
Senior Elijah Brady has steadily been working his way into more playing time over the last three years. He's joined by Jeilani Davis, who has played both safety and corner since transferring from Utah a year ago, and DeAnte Gentry who picked off a pass in his first appearance as a freshman at Idaho State last year before suffering an injury, as UM's most experienced corners.
Add the speedy sophomore Sage Salopek to the mix and transfer juniors Chris Johnson II from Arizona State and Gabe Stroud from North Texas, and the cornerback room depth chart is looking full.
"I've seen a lot of good stuff from the corner position, and Sage Salopek is leading our team in takeaways in fall camp. He has a pick in three straight practices right now, so that's really been exciting to see," said Sanders.
"Chris Johnson's been making a lot of plays for us at corner. Gabe Stroud's been playing with tremendous effort on the practice field. That's been really, really great to see. But, like at safety, we have a lot of guys that we feel confident have the ability to make plays in Big Sky football games.
Montana has one more practice in week one of fall camp Saturday afternoon at Dornblaser Field before a rest day Sunday. The Griz return for week two Monday afternoon.
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