November 2012
Next Up: The San Francisco Dons
By Mick Holien on November 30, 2012 12:49 PM
Looking to avenge one of two home losses last season the Grizzlies head to the hilltop to face off with the University of San Francisco.
The Dons dropped Montana by three points in Missoula last season, starting the first and only time that the Grizzlies had an overall two-game losing streak.
And while Montana lost two of its next three, which was just a precursor to the remainder of the season as they won 20 of the next 21 before losing in the NCAA Tournament.
USF is on a bit of a roll with fifth year head coach Rex Walters, the former Kansas star guard.
Their win total has improved in each of the last four seasons but with a bevy of newcomers this year the Dons might be ripe for the picking even in San Francisco.
The top scoring returnee is junior point guard Cody Doolin who stood atop the WCC in assist-to-turnover ratio last season and averaged better than nine points a game in leading the Dons to a 20-win (8-8 in WCC) season.
Doolin is the sole returning starter but USF is getting good production from UCLA transfer De'End Parker (15.5 p/g) and true freshman Avry Holmes (15 p/g).
Returning forward Cole Dickerson also is scoring a double-digit clip (12.5 p/g) while another freshman, Tim Derksen, is adding some seven points a game.
Prior to games at America University and against Columbia, after trouncing Stanford on the boards (45-29) in an opening season loss, the Dons were outrebounding opponents by more than a dozen a game.
But there were plenty of available rebounds since USF was shooting just 40 percent from the field and connected on about a third of their three-point attempts.
USF starts no seniors, features a pair of underclassmen as starters and lists three freshmen and a sophomore off the bench. Five starters accounting for 59 of their average point total (67.5).
San Francisco is a fabled program still playing in a fabled facility (Memorial Gymnasium) featuring NCAA Championship banners hanging from the ceiling from Bill Russell years of 1955 and 1956.
Former legendary coaches Phil Woolpert and Pete Newell are joined by Russell and K.C. Jones in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
Wouldn't you agree it shapes up as a great place for a historic Griz win?
The Dons dropped Montana by three points in Missoula last season, starting the first and only time that the Grizzlies had an overall two-game losing streak.
And while Montana lost two of its next three, which was just a precursor to the remainder of the season as they won 20 of the next 21 before losing in the NCAA Tournament.
USF is on a bit of a roll with fifth year head coach Rex Walters, the former Kansas star guard.
Their win total has improved in each of the last four seasons but with a bevy of newcomers this year the Dons might be ripe for the picking even in San Francisco.
The top scoring returnee is junior point guard Cody Doolin who stood atop the WCC in assist-to-turnover ratio last season and averaged better than nine points a game in leading the Dons to a 20-win (8-8 in WCC) season.
Doolin is the sole returning starter but USF is getting good production from UCLA transfer De'End Parker (15.5 p/g) and true freshman Avry Holmes (15 p/g).
Returning forward Cole Dickerson also is scoring a double-digit clip (12.5 p/g) while another freshman, Tim Derksen, is adding some seven points a game.
Prior to games at America University and against Columbia, after trouncing Stanford on the boards (45-29) in an opening season loss, the Dons were outrebounding opponents by more than a dozen a game.
But there were plenty of available rebounds since USF was shooting just 40 percent from the field and connected on about a third of their three-point attempts.
USF starts no seniors, features a pair of underclassmen as starters and lists three freshmen and a sophomore off the bench. Five starters accounting for 59 of their average point total (67.5).
San Francisco is a fabled program still playing in a fabled facility (Memorial Gymnasium) featuring NCAA Championship banners hanging from the ceiling from Bill Russell years of 1955 and 1956.
Former legendary coaches Phil Woolpert and Pete Newell are joined by Russell and K.C. Jones in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
Wouldn't you agree it shapes up as a great place for a historic Griz win?
A look at BYU
By Mick Holien on November 28, 2012 10:36 AM
It's a high-scoring quintet that the Grizzlies meet Wednesday night in Salt Lake City
The Grizzlies challenge Brigham Young University, not in Provo but the Energy Solutions Arena in downtown Salt Lake City.
The Cougars are scoring at nearly a 78 point clip in winning four of six games, most recently a two-game winning streak in which they scored in the 80s to beat Northridge and UT San Antonio.
The Cougars other wins - over Tennessee State and Georgia State - also were in the 80s while in losses to Florida State and Notre Dame they scored an average of 69 points.
Tyler Haws, a six foot five guard who netted a career high 32 against Cal State Northridge, leads the onslaught at better than 23 a game, while hitting a keen 50 percent of his standard attempts and 41 percent from long range.
Six foot nine forward Brandon Davies isn't far behind with even a higher shooting percentage (.574) to total better than 18 an outing on a BYU team that shoots just 45 percent overall.
And while they take some 17 from three-point range a game they are connecting on just five-plus an outing.
But how the Cougars hit the glass and by committee.
They are outrebounding opponents by more than six an outing and five Cougars are grabbing more than five caroms a game.
Davies paces BYU on the glass with about seven but Haws, part of a three-guard lineup, isn't far back with just four less rebounds in the six games.
The Cougars haven't caused a lot of turnovers (14.7 p/g), but they seldom turn the ball over themselves (14 p/g) and assist on 18 of 28 average buckets produced.
Matt Carlino is the first guard off the bench and Nate Austin offers some depth but from there there's little bench production with starters accounting for about 80 percent of their firepower.
Carlino leads the team in assists but is just 1 of 17 from long range, shoots 31 percent and averages about five a game.
But don't think Salt Lake City won't be rockin' and this will be anything but a neutral forum and a great test for a young Montana team.
Tipoff at 7 p.m. with pre-game at 6:30.
The Grizzlies challenge Brigham Young University, not in Provo but the Energy Solutions Arena in downtown Salt Lake City.
The Cougars are scoring at nearly a 78 point clip in winning four of six games, most recently a two-game winning streak in which they scored in the 80s to beat Northridge and UT San Antonio.
The Cougars other wins - over Tennessee State and Georgia State - also were in the 80s while in losses to Florida State and Notre Dame they scored an average of 69 points.
Tyler Haws, a six foot five guard who netted a career high 32 against Cal State Northridge, leads the onslaught at better than 23 a game, while hitting a keen 50 percent of his standard attempts and 41 percent from long range.
Six foot nine forward Brandon Davies isn't far behind with even a higher shooting percentage (.574) to total better than 18 an outing on a BYU team that shoots just 45 percent overall.
And while they take some 17 from three-point range a game they are connecting on just five-plus an outing.
But how the Cougars hit the glass and by committee.
They are outrebounding opponents by more than six an outing and five Cougars are grabbing more than five caroms a game.
Davies paces BYU on the glass with about seven but Haws, part of a three-guard lineup, isn't far back with just four less rebounds in the six games.
The Cougars haven't caused a lot of turnovers (14.7 p/g), but they seldom turn the ball over themselves (14 p/g) and assist on 18 of 28 average buckets produced.
Matt Carlino is the first guard off the bench and Nate Austin offers some depth but from there there's little bench production with starters accounting for about 80 percent of their firepower.
Carlino leads the team in assists but is just 1 of 17 from long range, shoots 31 percent and averages about five a game.
But don't think Salt Lake City won't be rockin' and this will be anything but a neutral forum and a great test for a young Montana team.
Tipoff at 7 p.m. with pre-game at 6:30.
Steady Eddie
By Mick Holien on November 27, 2012 11:57 AM
Mr. Steady Eddy provided the early scoring and grabbed the key rebound at the end to start the play that resulted in Montana's last second victory over San Diego Saturday night.
With the injury to defensive MVP Will Cherry, Mathias Ward is the sole senior currently playing for this Grizzly team that slipped past the Toreros on a last-second three pointer in the last home game of the month.
Ward scored the team's first seven points and corralled the last rebound off a rare free throw misfire, moving the ball forward to a sprinting Kareem Jamar who kicked the ball to the right corner for Kevin Henderson's trey bringing Montana from a two-point deficit to a single point win.
A prolific high school scorer at Gig Harbor, Wash., Ward approached a career high with a season-best 23 points while connecting on his usual stellar field goal percentage by hitting eight of 14 attempts.
Maybe the league's finest mid-range shooter, Ward also adroitly steps outside the arc and hit three of six from long range against San Diego to raise his team leading scoring average to almost 16 and his three-point percentage to 50 percent.
And while Kareem Jamar had an off night from the field (2 for 9), his career high matching 11 assists and steady ball control and half-dozen rebounds also was a key in Montana's third win in four outings.
Meanwhile "Hendo" (Kevin Henderson) posted all his points from three-point range for nine while Spencer Coleman didn't miss a shot from the field in netting eight points and Mike Weisner netted five.
Not to be overlooked was the presence of seven-foot freshman Andy Martin who toiled for half the contest, a career high, and blocked four shots, two on back-to-back attempts.
He also scored a couple of buckets and looked extremely comfortable in his playing time being extended.
Montana turned the ball over early and often and San Diego made the most of the giveaways in building at one point an 11 point lead but the Griz backcourt pressure got Montana going to send the Toreros to a fourth defeat against three wins.
Montana next challenges BYU at Energy Solutions Arena in SLC Wednesday
With the injury to defensive MVP Will Cherry, Mathias Ward is the sole senior currently playing for this Grizzly team that slipped past the Toreros on a last-second three pointer in the last home game of the month.
Ward scored the team's first seven points and corralled the last rebound off a rare free throw misfire, moving the ball forward to a sprinting Kareem Jamar who kicked the ball to the right corner for Kevin Henderson's trey bringing Montana from a two-point deficit to a single point win.
A prolific high school scorer at Gig Harbor, Wash., Ward approached a career high with a season-best 23 points while connecting on his usual stellar field goal percentage by hitting eight of 14 attempts.
Maybe the league's finest mid-range shooter, Ward also adroitly steps outside the arc and hit three of six from long range against San Diego to raise his team leading scoring average to almost 16 and his three-point percentage to 50 percent.
And while Kareem Jamar had an off night from the field (2 for 9), his career high matching 11 assists and steady ball control and half-dozen rebounds also was a key in Montana's third win in four outings.
Meanwhile "Hendo" (Kevin Henderson) posted all his points from three-point range for nine while Spencer Coleman didn't miss a shot from the field in netting eight points and Mike Weisner netted five.
Not to be overlooked was the presence of seven-foot freshman Andy Martin who toiled for half the contest, a career high, and blocked four shots, two on back-to-back attempts.
He also scored a couple of buckets and looked extremely comfortable in his playing time being extended.
Montana turned the ball over early and often and San Diego made the most of the giveaways in building at one point an 11 point lead but the Griz backcourt pressure got Montana going to send the Toreros to a fourth defeat against three wins.
Montana next challenges BYU at Energy Solutions Arena in SLC Wednesday
Not pretty, but a good sign
By Mick Holien on November 26, 2012 9:52 AM
It was anything but a work of art but Saturday night's exhilarating buzzer-beater victory over San Diego gave Griz faithful about all one could ask for as the Grizzlies won for the third consecutive time and for the second straight game rebound from a double digit deficit to claim a victory.
San Diego came into Missoula looking for revenge after a 13 point loss to Montana last season but coming off a loss to Cal Santa Barbara in which the Toreros scored but 39 points and just three second-half field goals.
But the WCC opponent jumped the Grizzlies at Dahlberg Arena from the get-go, scoring the game's first seven points and eventually leading by 11 in the first stanza.
The Toreros certainly were the aggressor and it paid dividends but despite chasing around following the exploits of five foot seven inch Chris Anderson and surviving the shooting of fellow guard Johnny Dee the Grizzlies showed patience, resilience and maturity in fighting through the home deficit to take a first-half lead and trail by just one at the intermission.
But San Diego held an entire second stanza advantage and never held the lead until it mattered most when sophomore Kevin Henderson drained the game winner trey just right off the Grizzly bench.
Anderson's launch from near mid-court at the buzzer hit the backboard but bounded away setting off pandemonium and gave Montana the victory which seemed plenty unlikely when the Toreros took a seven-point lead with five minutes to play.
But the Grizzlies, who play three straight WCC opponents, scored six unanswered and moved with a point on Mathias Ward's bunny at the 11-second mark.
Forced to foul, Montana sent Dee, about an 80 percent free throw shooter, to the line and when his second shot caromed to Ward, the stage was set for the finale.
With no time outs, Kareem Jamar dished the last of his 11 assists to "Hendo" who was wide open yet deep in the corner and he tickled the twine for the victory.
It was the Auburn, Washington winger's third trey of the night but none bigger in his collegiate career sending Montana on the road for Wednesday and Friday night games with a 3-1 mark and a boost of confidence and momentum with just a quartet of non-conference games remaining.
San Diego came into Missoula looking for revenge after a 13 point loss to Montana last season but coming off a loss to Cal Santa Barbara in which the Toreros scored but 39 points and just three second-half field goals.
But the WCC opponent jumped the Grizzlies at Dahlberg Arena from the get-go, scoring the game's first seven points and eventually leading by 11 in the first stanza.
The Toreros certainly were the aggressor and it paid dividends but despite chasing around following the exploits of five foot seven inch Chris Anderson and surviving the shooting of fellow guard Johnny Dee the Grizzlies showed patience, resilience and maturity in fighting through the home deficit to take a first-half lead and trail by just one at the intermission.
But San Diego held an entire second stanza advantage and never held the lead until it mattered most when sophomore Kevin Henderson drained the game winner trey just right off the Grizzly bench.
Anderson's launch from near mid-court at the buzzer hit the backboard but bounded away setting off pandemonium and gave Montana the victory which seemed plenty unlikely when the Toreros took a seven-point lead with five minutes to play.
But the Grizzlies, who play three straight WCC opponents, scored six unanswered and moved with a point on Mathias Ward's bunny at the 11-second mark.
Forced to foul, Montana sent Dee, about an 80 percent free throw shooter, to the line and when his second shot caromed to Ward, the stage was set for the finale.
With no time outs, Kareem Jamar dished the last of his 11 assists to "Hendo" who was wide open yet deep in the corner and he tickled the twine for the victory.
It was the Auburn, Washington winger's third trey of the night but none bigger in his collegiate career sending Montana on the road for Wednesday and Friday night games with a 3-1 mark and a boost of confidence and momentum with just a quartet of non-conference games remaining.
San Diego Torereos scouting report
By Mick Holien on November 23, 2012 8:25 AMÂ
Missoula Saturday with a special start time.
A post Thanksgiving greeting from Griz Nation reminding you that Saturday's game at Dahlberg Arena, because of an agreement between the two teams, starts at 6 p.m.
San Diego, with former Gonzaga assistant Billy Greer at the helm and former Eastern Washington head Mike Burns at his side, comes to town looking to avenge a Montana victory in California last year.
San Diego is coming off just a 13-18 season but any time you can steal one away on the road from a WCC opponent, like Montana did last season, especially by double digits (73-60), is a good thing.
After winning in Moscow last week, Montana (2-1) is sporting a modest two-game winning streak with Saturday the last home game of the month.
After losing to Northridge and Tulsa the Toreros registered a 77-60 victory over Siena to push their non-conference record to 3-2.
Picked to finish fifth in the WCC race, San Diego is headed by pre-season All-Conference pick Johnny Dee.
In averaging more than 16 points a game, the six-foot sophomore guard is connecting on half of his attempts from three-point range and 47 percent from the field.
San Diego has three players averaging in doubles but senior forward Chris Manresa, who hit 14 in the season opening win over San Diego Christian, has not played in the last four games being replaced in the lineup by 6 foot 11 junior Dennis Kramer.
A youthful group, the Toreros start three sophomores and feature Texas Tech transfer Mike Davis as the first guard off the bench.
A ball-hawking group, San Diego is averaging almost eight steals an outing and cause some 17 turnovers a game while giving the ball up some 15 times themselves.
And they've got good depth with 10 players averaging more than 17 minutes a game.
Returnees Kareem Jamar and Mathias Ward have paced the Grizzlies here in the early season.
An All-Conference selectee last season, Jamar is scoring about at a 15-point clip while also pacing the team at five rebounds an outing.
Ward is hitting at about 60 percent and averaging better than 13.
Remember game time is 6 p.m. Saturday night.
Missoula Saturday with a special start time.
A post Thanksgiving greeting from Griz Nation reminding you that Saturday's game at Dahlberg Arena, because of an agreement between the two teams, starts at 6 p.m.
San Diego, with former Gonzaga assistant Billy Greer at the helm and former Eastern Washington head Mike Burns at his side, comes to town looking to avenge a Montana victory in California last year.
San Diego is coming off just a 13-18 season but any time you can steal one away on the road from a WCC opponent, like Montana did last season, especially by double digits (73-60), is a good thing.
After winning in Moscow last week, Montana (2-1) is sporting a modest two-game winning streak with Saturday the last home game of the month.
After losing to Northridge and Tulsa the Toreros registered a 77-60 victory over Siena to push their non-conference record to 3-2.
Picked to finish fifth in the WCC race, San Diego is headed by pre-season All-Conference pick Johnny Dee.
In averaging more than 16 points a game, the six-foot sophomore guard is connecting on half of his attempts from three-point range and 47 percent from the field.
San Diego has three players averaging in doubles but senior forward Chris Manresa, who hit 14 in the season opening win over San Diego Christian, has not played in the last four games being replaced in the lineup by 6 foot 11 junior Dennis Kramer.
A youthful group, the Toreros start three sophomores and feature Texas Tech transfer Mike Davis as the first guard off the bench.
A ball-hawking group, San Diego is averaging almost eight steals an outing and cause some 17 turnovers a game while giving the ball up some 15 times themselves.
And they've got good depth with 10 players averaging more than 17 minutes a game.
Returnees Kareem Jamar and Mathias Ward have paced the Grizzlies here in the early season.
An All-Conference selectee last season, Jamar is scoring about at a 15-point clip while also pacing the team at five rebounds an outing.
Ward is hitting at about 60 percent and averaging better than 13.
Remember game time is 6 p.m. Saturday night.
Lots to look forward to in 2013
By Mick Holien on November 21, 2012 11:37 AMÂ
With the awards accorded to individual Griz players and 2013 kickoff a mere nine-plus months on the horizon, the future football fortunes for the University of Montana certainly appears bright.
Now you've often heard me expound the virtues of defense and the effect it has on the ability to compete for championships.
But while defenders play a large role in an outcome, you also have to notch points at key times during a game and let's face it when you get inside the 20-yard line, you just can't come away a third of the time with a field goal or maybe no points at all.
That could not have been more abundantly clear than on Montana's initial drive in Saturday's Griz-Cat game.
Seemingly able to easily drive down the field to notch an opening TD with first and goal and a receiver wide open in the back of the end zone looked extremely promising but with an overthrow and a missed field goal, the opportunity was squandered and a chance to seize early momentum lost.
A second missed field goal and the grizzlies finished the game zip in the red zone while the Cats converted three of four times in that category and there you have it.
It would be far too simplistic to say that characterized the season but in a matchup like Saturday's against the No. 2 team in the country, you just have to put points up when you're knocking on the door.
But back to a defense that returns just about everybody and at times this season was just dominant.
I'm licking my chops at Montana's front seven with several pre-season All Americans in the fold and just possibly man-for-man the finest linebacker corps in recent memory.
There promises to be some heated competition at quarterback and even with the departure of Peter Nguyen and Dan Moore, the running back position, headed by Jordan Canada and Joey Counts, also looks promising.
Even with the departure of Greg Hardy, tight end features potential and the offensive line also looks sound.
Add an impact player here and there and the Grizzlies will be back playing as usual after Thanksgiving in 2013.
But first to hoop we go and a hooping we will go.
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!!
Now you've often heard me expound the virtues of defense and the effect it has on the ability to compete for championships.
But while defenders play a large role in an outcome, you also have to notch points at key times during a game and let's face it when you get inside the 20-yard line, you just can't come away a third of the time with a field goal or maybe no points at all.
That could not have been more abundantly clear than on Montana's initial drive in Saturday's Griz-Cat game.
Seemingly able to easily drive down the field to notch an opening TD with first and goal and a receiver wide open in the back of the end zone looked extremely promising but with an overthrow and a missed field goal, the opportunity was squandered and a chance to seize early momentum lost.
A second missed field goal and the grizzlies finished the game zip in the red zone while the Cats converted three of four times in that category and there you have it.
It would be far too simplistic to say that characterized the season but in a matchup like Saturday's against the No. 2 team in the country, you just have to put points up when you're knocking on the door.
But back to a defense that returns just about everybody and at times this season was just dominant.
I'm licking my chops at Montana's front seven with several pre-season All Americans in the fold and just possibly man-for-man the finest linebacker corps in recent memory.
There promises to be some heated competition at quarterback and even with the departure of Peter Nguyen and Dan Moore, the running back position, headed by Jordan Canada and Joey Counts, also looks promising.
Even with the departure of Greg Hardy, tight end features potential and the offensive line also looks sound.
Add an impact player here and there and the Grizzlies will be back playing as usual after Thanksgiving in 2013.
But first to hoop we go and a hooping we will go.
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!!
Comeback win over Idaho
By Mick Holien on November 20, 2012 1:10 PM
Any time you can pick up a non-conference road win after trailing by 15 eight minutes into the second half, it's a pretty spunky trip home.
And when it happens over a perennial and regional opponent, well you know it's even better.
And that was the case with Montana's slim 66-63 Saturday victory over the University of Idaho.
Now granted the Grizzlies have occasionally had their way with the Big-Sky bound Vandals but certainly falling behind by double digits on the road usually doesn't spell eventual success.
But stifling Montana defense in the last 12 minutes, allowing but 34 percent Idaho shooting and strumming some sweet tunes on the iron themselves brought the Griz home with a second consecutive victory.
And while the Grizzlies broke to a 6 zip advantage off of a pair of treys by Keron DeShields the two teams played even from the field in the first 20 minutes with Idaho holding a four-point 34-30 advantage.
But in the first eight and half after intermission, it started to look like a Vandal runaway before Montana started connecting from the field, matched the Vandals in treys and stayed even from the charity stripe.
And the diverse Grizzly bench proved invaluable outscoring Idaho 16-9 with nine players garnering double-figure minutes and contributing all the scoring.
While outrebounded on the offensive end by four, Montana won the battle of the glass for the first time in three games and just allowed five points of second chance opportunities off of 11 caroms.
Get used to seeing Kareem Jamar at the top of the stat chart as the junior forward led the way with 17 to go along with seven rebounds, three assists and a couple of blocks.
But while playing 15 minutes less than Jamar. who played all but two minutes of the evening, senior post Mathias Ward continued his hot shooting (six of 9) to net 16 points.
True freshman Andy martin played the most significant time of his career (14 minutes) and while he didn't score proved a defensive mainstay with a couple of blocks and an offensive rebound.
JC transfer Spencer Coleman came off the bench and added nine points and more significantly five rebounds, while Jordan Gregory and DeShields netted seven each and a pair of rebounds.
What I liked best?
All 10 players who hit the floor at Memorial Gym corralled a rebound.
Montana entertains San Diego Saturday with a special start time of 6 p.m.
And when it happens over a perennial and regional opponent, well you know it's even better.
And that was the case with Montana's slim 66-63 Saturday victory over the University of Idaho.
Now granted the Grizzlies have occasionally had their way with the Big-Sky bound Vandals but certainly falling behind by double digits on the road usually doesn't spell eventual success.
But stifling Montana defense in the last 12 minutes, allowing but 34 percent Idaho shooting and strumming some sweet tunes on the iron themselves brought the Griz home with a second consecutive victory.
And while the Grizzlies broke to a 6 zip advantage off of a pair of treys by Keron DeShields the two teams played even from the field in the first 20 minutes with Idaho holding a four-point 34-30 advantage.
But in the first eight and half after intermission, it started to look like a Vandal runaway before Montana started connecting from the field, matched the Vandals in treys and stayed even from the charity stripe.
And the diverse Grizzly bench proved invaluable outscoring Idaho 16-9 with nine players garnering double-figure minutes and contributing all the scoring.
While outrebounded on the offensive end by four, Montana won the battle of the glass for the first time in three games and just allowed five points of second chance opportunities off of 11 caroms.
Get used to seeing Kareem Jamar at the top of the stat chart as the junior forward led the way with 17 to go along with seven rebounds, three assists and a couple of blocks.
But while playing 15 minutes less than Jamar. who played all but two minutes of the evening, senior post Mathias Ward continued his hot shooting (six of 9) to net 16 points.
True freshman Andy martin played the most significant time of his career (14 minutes) and while he didn't score proved a defensive mainstay with a couple of blocks and an offensive rebound.
JC transfer Spencer Coleman came off the bench and added nine points and more significantly five rebounds, while Jordan Gregory and DeShields netted seven each and a pair of rebounds.
What I liked best?
All 10 players who hit the floor at Memorial Gym corralled a rebound.
Montana entertains San Diego Saturday with a special start time of 6 p.m.
Proud of this team
By Mick Holien on November 19, 2012 12:40 PM
Reality set in Sunday morning when the FCS bracket was released and among the 20 teams selected were three Big Sky Conference co-champions, two seeded and a third entrenched in the second round and the Grizzlies weren't among them.
Football is still in the forefront of my mind but first a shout out to the not to be overlooked Griz hoopsters who notched a road victory over Idaho Saturday to advance their non-conference mark to 2-1 before entertaining San Diego Saturday night.
I have never been one to cast blame when it comes to college athletics and while I am as disappointed as the next fan about a 5-6 season, I just couldn't be more proud of this Montana football team.
I have previously written how they came to work every day, putting aside a horde of distraction, to be on the cusp of recording quite a different record than their 5-6 season mark.
You certainly are entitled to say that my optimism is misplaced and I should be casting aspersions on a variety of circumstances that brought this season to culmination way earlier than any of us wanted.
But quite frankly, as Bobby Hauck used to say, winning is difficult and all one can do is place your cards on the table, compete to the best of your ability, and while it may eat your heart out when the chips don't manage to fall your way, get back on the horse and flat get after it once again.
And that's what this group continued to do right up to the end.
Now there's plenty of time to talk about the what-ifs and the only-if-we-could-haves but this Griz group took the No. 2 team in the country and the No. 3 seed in the playoffs to the late stages Saturday before falling by nine.
Just a glance and not even a close examination of the season and Saturday's stat sheet will tell you the Grizzlies and the Cats played about even in most categories yet Montana State is a 10-win team while Montana won half that many.
Just an indication of how tight the margin between winning and losing.
I am far from ready to move on and put the season on the shelf and further dissection certainly is warranted but of one thing you can be certain - If you are looking for finger-pointing, it's not really in my DNA.
And to the record 26,210 who witnessed the finale - I never believed you wouldn't be there and thank you.
And to the Bobcats, Mustangs and Eagles - make the most of that bye week, push yourselves away from the Thanksgiving table, enjoy the ride, and carry the Big Sky Conference banner with honor, humility and pride.
Football is still in the forefront of my mind but first a shout out to the not to be overlooked Griz hoopsters who notched a road victory over Idaho Saturday to advance their non-conference mark to 2-1 before entertaining San Diego Saturday night.
I have never been one to cast blame when it comes to college athletics and while I am as disappointed as the next fan about a 5-6 season, I just couldn't be more proud of this Montana football team.
I have previously written how they came to work every day, putting aside a horde of distraction, to be on the cusp of recording quite a different record than their 5-6 season mark.
You certainly are entitled to say that my optimism is misplaced and I should be casting aspersions on a variety of circumstances that brought this season to culmination way earlier than any of us wanted.
But quite frankly, as Bobby Hauck used to say, winning is difficult and all one can do is place your cards on the table, compete to the best of your ability, and while it may eat your heart out when the chips don't manage to fall your way, get back on the horse and flat get after it once again.
And that's what this group continued to do right up to the end.
Now there's plenty of time to talk about the what-ifs and the only-if-we-could-haves but this Griz group took the No. 2 team in the country and the No. 3 seed in the playoffs to the late stages Saturday before falling by nine.
Just a glance and not even a close examination of the season and Saturday's stat sheet will tell you the Grizzlies and the Cats played about even in most categories yet Montana State is a 10-win team while Montana won half that many.
Just an indication of how tight the margin between winning and losing.
I am far from ready to move on and put the season on the shelf and further dissection certainly is warranted but of one thing you can be certain - If you are looking for finger-pointing, it's not really in my DNA.
And to the record 26,210 who witnessed the finale - I never believed you wouldn't be there and thank you.
And to the Bobcats, Mustangs and Eagles - make the most of that bye week, push yourselves away from the Thanksgiving table, enjoy the ride, and carry the Big Sky Conference banner with honor, humility and pride.
Griz-Cat Eve
By Mick Holien on November 16, 2012 10:28 AM
Griz-Cat is just a day away and make your plans to be on-site early because this promises to be a sell-out record afternoon for the meeting between the cross-state rivals.
A nine-win team in the midst of a three-game winning streak the Cats come to Missoula looking to clinch at least a tie for a third straight Big Sky Conference crown.
No. 2 ranked Montana State, a team that stands fourth in the Nation's Sagarin computer ratings, should easily be considered an overwhelming favorite but we all know home or away this series always has provided its share of surprises.
Road teams have a two-game 24-22 edge in league games but the Cats have had their road struggles this season, winning by 10 at Drake, by a TD at Southern Utah and UC Davis and by just a field goal at Sacramento State.
MSU is quite a different home team blasting Portland State and North Dakota and Northern Colorado while losing by a field goal to Eastern Washington.
MSU brings the highest scoring team in the league (38.7) to Washington Grizzly Stadium and allows about two touchdowns an outing.
The Bobcats also lead the league in total defense (305.2) and rush defense (88.8), allowing just seven rush TDs, while the Grizzlies are one of the circuit's most prolific rushing teams (242.5) and pace the BSC in total offense (461.7).
The most amazing stat to this humble scribe is opponent's third-down proficiency (26.8 percent) while the Cats stand second in third down conversions (53.2 percent).
While the Grizzlies are hopeful for a robust return by Dan Moore, who has been sidelined for six weeks, the Cats have a stable of running backs in Frenchtown's Cody Kirk, Orenzo Davis and Tray Robinson who collectively have gained nearly 1,500 yards.
But with that they trail Montana in rushing by an average of 50 yards an outing.
And then of course there's quarterback DeNarius McGhee who has thrown for nearly 2,500 yards this season, rushed for nearly 400 and is responsible for 25 touchdowns.
Kirk has rushed for 411 yards and seven TDs in the last three games.
Defensive end Caleb Schreibeis has at least a sack in his nine games - he stands second to Zach Wagenmann - has forced seven fumbles, is third in tackles-For-Loss and last week was added to the Buck Buchanan Watch List.
The Bobcats are a record-setting group.
The 35 wins by this season's seniors over four seasons is the most in school history and their 20 league wins since 2010 are tops in the Big Sky Conference.
Rob Ash just established the school mark for career wins (48), Kirks 25 rushing scores is second in team history and with 28 victories McGhee has won more games than any other MSU quarterback.
McGhee meanwhile has thrown 68 TDs, an MSU record, and his 8,441 yards are second in school history.
The one thing you have to anticipate is that both teams will be ALL-IN and it promises to make for an enjoyable afternoon not just at Washington Grizzly Stadium but around the world.
But the way this series goes, we all know there's an "X" factor.
What will it be or who will provide it in 2012.
You all enjoy now, ya hear!
A nine-win team in the midst of a three-game winning streak the Cats come to Missoula looking to clinch at least a tie for a third straight Big Sky Conference crown.
No. 2 ranked Montana State, a team that stands fourth in the Nation's Sagarin computer ratings, should easily be considered an overwhelming favorite but we all know home or away this series always has provided its share of surprises.
Road teams have a two-game 24-22 edge in league games but the Cats have had their road struggles this season, winning by 10 at Drake, by a TD at Southern Utah and UC Davis and by just a field goal at Sacramento State.
MSU is quite a different home team blasting Portland State and North Dakota and Northern Colorado while losing by a field goal to Eastern Washington.
MSU brings the highest scoring team in the league (38.7) to Washington Grizzly Stadium and allows about two touchdowns an outing.
The Bobcats also lead the league in total defense (305.2) and rush defense (88.8), allowing just seven rush TDs, while the Grizzlies are one of the circuit's most prolific rushing teams (242.5) and pace the BSC in total offense (461.7).
The most amazing stat to this humble scribe is opponent's third-down proficiency (26.8 percent) while the Cats stand second in third down conversions (53.2 percent).
While the Grizzlies are hopeful for a robust return by Dan Moore, who has been sidelined for six weeks, the Cats have a stable of running backs in Frenchtown's Cody Kirk, Orenzo Davis and Tray Robinson who collectively have gained nearly 1,500 yards.
But with that they trail Montana in rushing by an average of 50 yards an outing.
And then of course there's quarterback DeNarius McGhee who has thrown for nearly 2,500 yards this season, rushed for nearly 400 and is responsible for 25 touchdowns.
Kirk has rushed for 411 yards and seven TDs in the last three games.
Defensive end Caleb Schreibeis has at least a sack in his nine games - he stands second to Zach Wagenmann - has forced seven fumbles, is third in tackles-For-Loss and last week was added to the Buck Buchanan Watch List.
The Bobcats are a record-setting group.
The 35 wins by this season's seniors over four seasons is the most in school history and their 20 league wins since 2010 are tops in the Big Sky Conference.
Rob Ash just established the school mark for career wins (48), Kirks 25 rushing scores is second in team history and with 28 victories McGhee has won more games than any other MSU quarterback.
McGhee meanwhile has thrown 68 TDs, an MSU record, and his 8,441 yards are second in school history.
The one thing you have to anticipate is that both teams will be ALL-IN and it promises to make for an enjoyable afternoon not just at Washington Grizzly Stadium but around the world.
But the way this series goes, we all know there's an "X" factor.
What will it be or who will provide it in 2012.
You all enjoy now, ya hear!
What's at stake
By Mick Holien on November 15, 2012 10:32 AMÂ
From hours-long tailgate festivities to an F-15 flyover after two weeks of statewide jostling, Griz fans are more than ready to return the favor and pounce on the favored No. 2 ranked Bobcats in Missoula Saturday.
There's a line on the Montana landscape and there's little straddling it this week cuz it's Griz-Cat.
The cross-state rivals meet for the 112th time in Missoula Saturday and there's plenty of drama to go around.
The Grizzlies upset the MSU applecart a year ago dominating the Bobcats in Bozeman to claim the playoff's automatic bid by upsetting their favored arch-rival to make a deep run into the playoffs.
It was the ground-pound rushing game that saw Dan Moore and Peter Nguyen combine for 239 of the team's 309 rush yards and outstanding defense limiting the Cats to just 250 total yards that brought a Griz victory and sent more than 20,000 head-drooping fans to an early exit.
But the last matchup in Missoula (2010) brought the Cats to a Washington Grizzly Stadium victory for just the second time and further fueled this key game.
Montana has dominated the series since the start of THE STREAK in 1985 (70-36-5) and has won 22 of the last 26 meetings to substantially increase the series margin.
And again with a share of the Big Sky Conference title in their sights for a third consecutive season, the Grizzlies floundering in the middle of the league pack and out of the playoffs with just a winning season in their sights, there's no argument from this corner that Montana State is the dominant team, the Grizzlies are the underdog, and it would be a huge upset if Montana found a way to claw to victory.
The Grizzlies certainly understand the significance of finishing the season with a trio of consecutive wins and claiming a 28th consecutive winning season (6-5 with a victory) and taking momentum into winter conditioning.
And with just a dozen seniors and a promising season in their sights next year, it is admittedly nice to have the bulls-eye and the resulting pressure on another team's back for a change.
Montana's "X" factor is Dan Moore, who returns after missing five games and while he won't be at the top of his form, just his emotional presence with the football could pay huge dividends.
And I can't wait.
Â
There's a line on the Montana landscape and there's little straddling it this week cuz it's Griz-Cat.
The cross-state rivals meet for the 112th time in Missoula Saturday and there's plenty of drama to go around.
The Grizzlies upset the MSU applecart a year ago dominating the Bobcats in Bozeman to claim the playoff's automatic bid by upsetting their favored arch-rival to make a deep run into the playoffs.
It was the ground-pound rushing game that saw Dan Moore and Peter Nguyen combine for 239 of the team's 309 rush yards and outstanding defense limiting the Cats to just 250 total yards that brought a Griz victory and sent more than 20,000 head-drooping fans to an early exit.
But the last matchup in Missoula (2010) brought the Cats to a Washington Grizzly Stadium victory for just the second time and further fueled this key game.
Montana has dominated the series since the start of THE STREAK in 1985 (70-36-5) and has won 22 of the last 26 meetings to substantially increase the series margin.
And again with a share of the Big Sky Conference title in their sights for a third consecutive season, the Grizzlies floundering in the middle of the league pack and out of the playoffs with just a winning season in their sights, there's no argument from this corner that Montana State is the dominant team, the Grizzlies are the underdog, and it would be a huge upset if Montana found a way to claw to victory.
The Grizzlies certainly understand the significance of finishing the season with a trio of consecutive wins and claiming a 28th consecutive winning season (6-5 with a victory) and taking momentum into winter conditioning.
And with just a dozen seniors and a promising season in their sights next year, it is admittedly nice to have the bulls-eye and the resulting pressure on another team's back for a change.
Montana's "X" factor is Dan Moore, who returns after missing five games and while he won't be at the top of his form, just his emotional presence with the football could pay huge dividends.
And I can't wait.
Â
By Tailgater on November 14, 2012 4:39 PM
Beer and Bourbon Pulled Pork Sandwiches Â
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Ingredients:
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- 1 tablespoon paprika
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-Â 2 teaspoons onion powder
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-Â 2 teaspoons garlic powder
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-Â 2 teaspoons dried oregano
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-Â 2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
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-Â 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
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-Â 1 teaspoon salt
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-Â 1 (3 pound) boneless pork shoulder, cut into 3-inch chunks
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-Â 2 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
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-Â 1 1/2 teaspoons butter
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-Â 2 onions, sliced
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- 5 cloves garlic, minced
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-Â 1 (12 ounce) bottle beer (preferably wheat beer)
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-Â 2 (1 1/2 ounce) shots bourbon
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-Â 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
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-Â 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
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-Â 3/4 cup BBQ sauce
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-Â Tabasco(R) to taste
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-Â 8 crusty Kaiser rolls, split
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Preparation
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1. In medium bowl, mix spices. Toss dry pork pieces in the bowl until evenly coated with spice mix.
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2. Heat the canola oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear the pork pieces on all sides and place into a slow cooker.
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3. Clean the skillet and reheat the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of oil and butter. Cook the onions and minced garlic until softened and slightly browned, about 10 minutes. Pour in the beer and bourbon; bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, stir in the liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, barbeque sauce. Season with Tabasco to taste, then pour into the slow cooker over the seared pork.
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4. Cook on Low for 8 hours until the pork shreds easily with two forks. Serve on crusty rolls.
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________________
Mix up this week's game day cocktail, Tweety Bird, and watch the Griz turn the MSU Bobcats into "putty cats".
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Ingredients:
Â
- 1 tablespoon paprika
Â
-Â 2 teaspoons onion powder
Â
-Â 2 teaspoons garlic powder
Â
-Â 2 teaspoons dried oregano
Â
-Â 2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
Â
-Â 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
Â
-Â 1 teaspoon salt
Â
-Â 1 (3 pound) boneless pork shoulder, cut into 3-inch chunks
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-Â 2 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
Â
-Â 1 1/2 teaspoons butter
Â
-Â 2 onions, sliced
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- 5 cloves garlic, minced
Â
-Â 1 (12 ounce) bottle beer (preferably wheat beer)
Â
-Â 2 (1 1/2 ounce) shots bourbon
Â
-Â 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
Â
-Â 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Â
-Â 3/4 cup BBQ sauce
Â
-Â Tabasco(R) to taste
Â
-Â 8 crusty Kaiser rolls, split
Â
Preparation
Â
1. In medium bowl, mix spices. Toss dry pork pieces in the bowl until evenly coated with spice mix.
Â
2. Heat the canola oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear the pork pieces on all sides and place into a slow cooker.
Â
3. Clean the skillet and reheat the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of oil and butter. Cook the onions and minced garlic until softened and slightly browned, about 10 minutes. Pour in the beer and bourbon; bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, stir in the liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, barbeque sauce. Season with Tabasco to taste, then pour into the slow cooker over the seared pork.
Â
4. Cook on Low for 8 hours until the pork shreds easily with two forks. Serve on crusty rolls.
Â
________________
Mix up this week's game day cocktail, Tweety Bird, and watch the Griz turn the MSU Bobcats into "putty cats".
A look at Minot State
By Mick Holien on November 14, 2012 12:14 PMÂ
The Grizzlies entertain in the friendly confines for the first of two non-conference games Wednesday night.
Coming off an opening loss at Colorado State, Montana opens the home basketball regular season against Minot State.
The Beavers, a Division-2 team from North Dakota stand 0 and 2 after consecutive losses to Colorado School of Mines and Metro State.
They did register an opening 14-point exhibition victory over the Another Level Blue Angels and most recently fell by just four at pre-season 13th ranked Colorado Mines in Golden Colorado.
Ranked 15th of 16 teams in the pre-season Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference poll, senior forward Josh Johnson who led the Beavers in scoring (15.8), steals and blocked shots, was tabbed as a player to watch.
Minot State off a 17-loss team from a year ago, also was picked tied for last in the North Division led by Minnesota State-Moorhead.
But the Beavers are a veteran group featuring a quartet of upperclassmen starters with 6 foot 4 forward Thomas Korf a sole sophomore starter.
A half dozen Minot State players started their careers at other institutions
Johnson is a 6 foot 5 product of Lufkin, Texas who scored 23 points in the first two games by hitting eight of 23 shots while pulling down a total of eight rebounds.
Isiah Gandy, a 6-foot  Florida junior, netted 19 points in the two losses while Chris East, a 6-6 Canadian junior forward, had 10 points and 9 rebounds off the bench in one game and six points and 13 caroms in the other.
After a hot shooting first half at Ft. Collins in which they connected on ten of 17 field goal attempts and three of five from three-point range, the Grizzlies made the same amount of field goals but in ten additional attempts in the second half to shoot 45 percent in the opening 72-65 loss to Colorado State.
While they took reasonably good care of the basketball (13 turnovers), they assisted on just nine of 20 makes.
Sophomore Keron DeShields led the way with a career-high 17 points and fellow sophomore Jordan Gregory netted 10 and neither guard registered a single turnover.
And there was plenty of firepower on the floor - namely Kevin Henderson and Mike Weisner - who did not contribute offensively last season but scored seven points each.
Tip-off is at 7 p.m. with pre-game at 6:30 p.m.
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Coming off an opening loss at Colorado State, Montana opens the home basketball regular season against Minot State.
The Beavers, a Division-2 team from North Dakota stand 0 and 2 after consecutive losses to Colorado School of Mines and Metro State.
They did register an opening 14-point exhibition victory over the Another Level Blue Angels and most recently fell by just four at pre-season 13th ranked Colorado Mines in Golden Colorado.
Ranked 15th of 16 teams in the pre-season Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference poll, senior forward Josh Johnson who led the Beavers in scoring (15.8), steals and blocked shots, was tabbed as a player to watch.
Minot State off a 17-loss team from a year ago, also was picked tied for last in the North Division led by Minnesota State-Moorhead.
But the Beavers are a veteran group featuring a quartet of upperclassmen starters with 6 foot 4 forward Thomas Korf a sole sophomore starter.
A half dozen Minot State players started their careers at other institutions
Johnson is a 6 foot 5 product of Lufkin, Texas who scored 23 points in the first two games by hitting eight of 23 shots while pulling down a total of eight rebounds.
Isiah Gandy, a 6-foot  Florida junior, netted 19 points in the two losses while Chris East, a 6-6 Canadian junior forward, had 10 points and 9 rebounds off the bench in one game and six points and 13 caroms in the other.
After a hot shooting first half at Ft. Collins in which they connected on ten of 17 field goal attempts and three of five from three-point range, the Grizzlies made the same amount of field goals but in ten additional attempts in the second half to shoot 45 percent in the opening 72-65 loss to Colorado State.
While they took reasonably good care of the basketball (13 turnovers), they assisted on just nine of 20 makes.
Sophomore Keron DeShields led the way with a career-high 17 points and fellow sophomore Jordan Gregory netted 10 and neither guard registered a single turnover.
And there was plenty of firepower on the floor - namely Kevin Henderson and Mike Weisner - who did not contribute offensively last season but scored seven points each.
Tip-off is at 7 p.m. with pre-game at 6:30 p.m.
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The parity of the 2012 Big Sky Conference football race
By Mick Holien on November 13, 2012 9:34 AM
There sure are not any givens when it comes down to Big Sky Conference football and if the weekend's results are any indication, the parity in this league this season is incomparable.
It's now just days before one of the longest of collegiate football rivalries, the 112th cross-state meeting between the state's land-grant institutions which is older even than the World Series.
And it was pointed out to be this week that in my association with Griz athletics - a mere 28 years - the Bobcats have defeated the Grizzlies just five times leaving the series at 70-36 with five ties.
But remember for 16 consecutive years, there was nary an MSU victory and that skews the series figures completely leaving it about even since the STREAK.
But seldom has there been as much on the line or more pressure on the Bobcats than this year's visit to Washington Grizzly Stadium.
That is because with championship destiny in their own hands, Northern Arizona tripped Saturday losing to Southern Utah in triple overtime as the Thunderbirds complete their initial conference season at 4 and 4.
That leaves the league race in a quagmire with the No. 2 ranked Bobcats tied atop the league with Eastern Washington, the Lumberjacks, and new league member Cal Poly, all with 6-1 marks.
It therefore is likely, after closing games of course Saturday, that the Sagarin computer rankings will determine the automatic berth to the 20-team FCS playoffs with the possibility of three teams finishing in a one-loss tie and sharing the league championship since Cal Poly finishes the season against Northern Arizona.
The Bobcats took no quarter Saturday overwhelming Portland State in the first half and ensuring they'll be in the hunt by beating the Vikings in Bozeman 65-30 to advance their season mark to 9-1.
And in so doing Head Coach Rob Ash passed Sonny Holland on the school's all-time win list.
But sporting a modest two-game win streak, Montana has challenges of their own as they attempt to secure a 28th straight winning season, knock the Cats from the circuit pinnacle, set up some momentum for a young team for the coming season and quite frankly by winning the cross-state rivalry make the season something that it hasn't been to this point.
It's Griz-Cat and I can say little more.
It's now just days before one of the longest of collegiate football rivalries, the 112th cross-state meeting between the state's land-grant institutions which is older even than the World Series.
And it was pointed out to be this week that in my association with Griz athletics - a mere 28 years - the Bobcats have defeated the Grizzlies just five times leaving the series at 70-36 with five ties.
But remember for 16 consecutive years, there was nary an MSU victory and that skews the series figures completely leaving it about even since the STREAK.
But seldom has there been as much on the line or more pressure on the Bobcats than this year's visit to Washington Grizzly Stadium.
That is because with championship destiny in their own hands, Northern Arizona tripped Saturday losing to Southern Utah in triple overtime as the Thunderbirds complete their initial conference season at 4 and 4.
That leaves the league race in a quagmire with the No. 2 ranked Bobcats tied atop the league with Eastern Washington, the Lumberjacks, and new league member Cal Poly, all with 6-1 marks.
It therefore is likely, after closing games of course Saturday, that the Sagarin computer rankings will determine the automatic berth to the 20-team FCS playoffs with the possibility of three teams finishing in a one-loss tie and sharing the league championship since Cal Poly finishes the season against Northern Arizona.
The Bobcats took no quarter Saturday overwhelming Portland State in the first half and ensuring they'll be in the hunt by beating the Vikings in Bozeman 65-30 to advance their season mark to 9-1.
And in so doing Head Coach Rob Ash passed Sonny Holland on the school's all-time win list.
But sporting a modest two-game win streak, Montana has challenges of their own as they attempt to secure a 28th straight winning season, knock the Cats from the circuit pinnacle, set up some momentum for a young team for the coming season and quite frankly by winning the cross-state rivalry make the season something that it hasn't been to this point.
It's Griz-Cat and I can say little more.
Encouraging signs in loss
By Mick Holien on November 12, 2012 11:48 AM
As usual it all comes down to a single game against the Cats at the season's fruition but it's that rare occasion for the Grizzlies to play the spoiler keeping Montanan State from a share of the conference crown.But first a word or two about the hoop loss to Colorado State for the third straight year.
It appeared early-on that this season's visit to Ft Collins was headed Montana's way as even after a horrendous effort on the offensive glass resulting in numerous second attempts, the Grizzlies scored the game's first five points, led near the break by 10 and headed to the locker room at intermission with a seven-point advantage.
And the fact that both Kareem Jamar and Mathias Ward shared the pine for 16 and 12 minutes respectively because of foul trouble made the halftime score even more encouraging.
And while the rams outboarded Montana 14-1 on the offensive end and 21-10 overall in the first half, you had to realize CSU was not going to put together back-to-back halves of less than 30 percent field goal shooting.
Yet with Kevin Henderson and an ailing Spencer Coleman already with three fouls and Ward, Jamar and Mike Weisner signaled for a pair before intermission, you just could see the writing on the wall.
But even when the Rams built a 10-point lead with 5:47 to go, this young Grizzly team with Ward already fouled out and Jamar to be disqualified three minutes later, kept battling and actually cut it to three around the one-minute mark only to be turned away partially because of a questionable whistle on their defensive baseline.
But there was plenty to be encouraged about with a team minus the league's defender of the year because of the injury to Will Cherry.
Each playing 36 minutes, the sophomore tandem of Jordan Gregory and Keron DeShields didn't have a turnover, connected on eight of 20 from the field, including four of 10 from three-point range, contributed 27 points and were the only Grizzlies in double figures.
While being substantially outrebounded Montana garnered 15 points off of just nine Ram turnovers yet CSU got nine more shots and scored 17 second-chance points.
Montana is back in action at home Wednesday against Metro State.
It appeared early-on that this season's visit to Ft Collins was headed Montana's way as even after a horrendous effort on the offensive glass resulting in numerous second attempts, the Grizzlies scored the game's first five points, led near the break by 10 and headed to the locker room at intermission with a seven-point advantage.
And the fact that both Kareem Jamar and Mathias Ward shared the pine for 16 and 12 minutes respectively because of foul trouble made the halftime score even more encouraging.
And while the rams outboarded Montana 14-1 on the offensive end and 21-10 overall in the first half, you had to realize CSU was not going to put together back-to-back halves of less than 30 percent field goal shooting.
Yet with Kevin Henderson and an ailing Spencer Coleman already with three fouls and Ward, Jamar and Mike Weisner signaled for a pair before intermission, you just could see the writing on the wall.
But even when the Rams built a 10-point lead with 5:47 to go, this young Grizzly team with Ward already fouled out and Jamar to be disqualified three minutes later, kept battling and actually cut it to three around the one-minute mark only to be turned away partially because of a questionable whistle on their defensive baseline.
But there was plenty to be encouraged about with a team minus the league's defender of the year because of the injury to Will Cherry.
Each playing 36 minutes, the sophomore tandem of Jordan Gregory and Keron DeShields didn't have a turnover, connected on eight of 20 from the field, including four of 10 from three-point range, contributed 27 points and were the only Grizzlies in double figures.
While being substantially outrebounded Montana garnered 15 points off of just nine Ram turnovers yet CSU got nine more shots and scored 17 second-chance points.
Montana is back in action at home Wednesday against Metro State.
2012-13 Griz hoops season starts tonight
By Mick Holien on November 9, 2012 2:28 PM
 With a new but veteran coach at the helm, Colorado State off a 20-12 season and an opening victory over the Grizzlies last year, awaits the season opener Friday against Montana.
Larry Eustachy, the youngest coach in the country when he took the helm at the University of Idaho, winning 65 percent of his games in three years and claiming a Big Sky Conference crown in 1993, heads the Rams.
First team All-Mountain West choice Wes Eikmier leads the charge as CSU's leading scorer at 16.6 points a game, while top rebounder Pierce Horning is also in the fold after the Rams come off an NCAA appearance and their third consecutive post-season bid.
A third starter, Dorian Green, also is on hand.
CSU's seven returnees will be bolstered by a pair of D-1 transfers in Colton Iverson from the University of Minnesota and Arizona drop-down Daniel Bejarano who both started in last week's exhibition victory over Metro State.
Dejarano was one of the most highly recruited guards in the country when he opted to initially attend Arizona where he was part of an elite-eight Wildcat team, while Iverson transferred in after playing three years at Minnesota where as a sophomore he joined the Gophers in the NCAA Tournament.
Forecast to finish fourth in the Mountain West, the Rams lost a single home game last season and have won some 93 percent of games in Fort Collins since Moby Arena opened in 1966.
CSU's 13-game home winning streak to end the 2011-12 season currently is the ninth longest in Division-1.
One of the strongest offensive teams in the country last season Colorado State shot 47 percent from the field, 40 percent from three and almost 77 percent from the free throw line.
The Rams shot just short of 50 percent in a 20-point exhibition victory in which CSU hit eight of 17 from three-point range.
One positive point for Colorado State is the opportunity they enjoyed in playing against the Bahamas All-Stars in August.
Not only did they play the game against a decent opponent in winning by 15, but by NCAA rules the Rams also were allowed to practice for 10 days in advance of the trip.
That sanctioned pre-official practice is bound to benefit any team but might prove especially valuable with a new coaching staff and several new roster additions.
Pre-game from Fort Collins 6:30 p.m. with tipoff Friday at 7 p.m.
Larry Eustachy, the youngest coach in the country when he took the helm at the University of Idaho, winning 65 percent of his games in three years and claiming a Big Sky Conference crown in 1993, heads the Rams.
First team All-Mountain West choice Wes Eikmier leads the charge as CSU's leading scorer at 16.6 points a game, while top rebounder Pierce Horning is also in the fold after the Rams come off an NCAA appearance and their third consecutive post-season bid.
A third starter, Dorian Green, also is on hand.
CSU's seven returnees will be bolstered by a pair of D-1 transfers in Colton Iverson from the University of Minnesota and Arizona drop-down Daniel Bejarano who both started in last week's exhibition victory over Metro State.
Dejarano was one of the most highly recruited guards in the country when he opted to initially attend Arizona where he was part of an elite-eight Wildcat team, while Iverson transferred in after playing three years at Minnesota where as a sophomore he joined the Gophers in the NCAA Tournament.
Forecast to finish fourth in the Mountain West, the Rams lost a single home game last season and have won some 93 percent of games in Fort Collins since Moby Arena opened in 1966.
CSU's 13-game home winning streak to end the 2011-12 season currently is the ninth longest in Division-1.
One of the strongest offensive teams in the country last season Colorado State shot 47 percent from the field, 40 percent from three and almost 77 percent from the free throw line.
The Rams shot just short of 50 percent in a 20-point exhibition victory in which CSU hit eight of 17 from three-point range.
One positive point for Colorado State is the opportunity they enjoyed in playing against the Bahamas All-Stars in August.
Not only did they play the game against a decent opponent in winning by 15, but by NCAA rules the Rams also were allowed to practice for 10 days in advance of the trip.
That sanctioned pre-official practice is bound to benefit any team but might prove especially valuable with a new coaching staff and several new roster additions.
Pre-game from Fort Collins 6:30 p.m. with tipoff Friday at 7 p.m.
The music starts Friday
By Mick Holien on November 8, 2012 11:48 AM
The Grizzlies blow the lid off a new season Friday night with a potential payback rematch against Colorado State, a team they fell to by six points in Fort Collins in the opener last season.
And the defending Big Sky Conference champion Griz are certainly anxious to get out of the gate against a Mountain West opponent.
All-Conference point guard Will Cherry remains sidelined probably for the month but with All Conference performer Kareem Jamar and returning starter Mathias Ward leading the way, the Grizzlies were projected by both the media and coaches to repeat as the league titlist.
Last season the Grizzlies captured four of the first non-conference tilts before dropping three of the next four, a squeaker at San Francisco and losses to Oregon State and Nevada before winning six straight, four of which opened the league season in spectacular fashion.
Montana you'll remember, lost only once in league against Weber State and fashioned a record 15-1 season to claim the right to host the league tournament which they subsequently won to capture the NCAA bid.
The Grizzlies were favored by all but three of the league's 11 coaches and notched 24 of 32 Media votes .
With the league schedule expanding to 20 games because of the addition of Southern Utah and North Dakota, there is just an eight-game non-conference schedule with just a quartet of home games before the turn of the year.
Minot State is the next home opponent on Wednesday with San Diego scheduled into Dahlberg Arena on Saturday, Nov.24.
Because of a turned ankle, JC transfer Spencer Coleman did not play in the exhibition win over Lewis-Clark State College but should be available to make the Colorado trip and in the pre-season was projected as a starter at small forward.
A half dozen of the league teams tip it all off Friday with Southern Utah traveling to No. 21 Gonzaga, Weber State entertaining Arizona Christian, UC Merced heading into Sacramento State, Pacific of Oregon headed nearby to Portland State and North Dakota in tough at Kansas State.
The era of the league's new coaches, Bill Evans at Idaho State and Jack Murphy at Northern Arizona, begins Saturday with the Lumberjacks at Oregon State and Idaho State at Utah State.
The music starts Friday with the Big Dance the ultimate goal.
Pre game at 6:30 p.m.
And the defending Big Sky Conference champion Griz are certainly anxious to get out of the gate against a Mountain West opponent.
All-Conference point guard Will Cherry remains sidelined probably for the month but with All Conference performer Kareem Jamar and returning starter Mathias Ward leading the way, the Grizzlies were projected by both the media and coaches to repeat as the league titlist.
Last season the Grizzlies captured four of the first non-conference tilts before dropping three of the next four, a squeaker at San Francisco and losses to Oregon State and Nevada before winning six straight, four of which opened the league season in spectacular fashion.
Montana you'll remember, lost only once in league against Weber State and fashioned a record 15-1 season to claim the right to host the league tournament which they subsequently won to capture the NCAA bid.
The Grizzlies were favored by all but three of the league's 11 coaches and notched 24 of 32 Media votes .
With the league schedule expanding to 20 games because of the addition of Southern Utah and North Dakota, there is just an eight-game non-conference schedule with just a quartet of home games before the turn of the year.
Minot State is the next home opponent on Wednesday with San Diego scheduled into Dahlberg Arena on Saturday, Nov.24.
Because of a turned ankle, JC transfer Spencer Coleman did not play in the exhibition win over Lewis-Clark State College but should be available to make the Colorado trip and in the pre-season was projected as a starter at small forward.
A half dozen of the league teams tip it all off Friday with Southern Utah traveling to No. 21 Gonzaga, Weber State entertaining Arizona Christian, UC Merced heading into Sacramento State, Pacific of Oregon headed nearby to Portland State and North Dakota in tough at Kansas State.
The era of the league's new coaches, Bill Evans at Idaho State and Jack Murphy at Northern Arizona, begins Saturday with the Lumberjacks at Oregon State and Idaho State at Utah State.
The music starts Friday with the Big Dance the ultimate goal.
Pre game at 6:30 p.m.
Checking in with the FCS poll
By Mick Holien on November 7, 2012 12:42 PMÂ
North Dakota State is the number one ranked team in FCS football but there's still a plethora of additional teams that picked up first-place votes as the 2012 season heads to fruition and playoff berths will be determined.I have long voted NDSU as the nation's top team even before with their superior defense the Bison really got things rolling.
Being a strong believer in defense wins championships and long believing that the defending champion remains the next season's top team until somebody proves otherwise, until their defeat at the hands of Missouri valley Conference foe Indiana State by a field goal, they were my team to beat.
And as top ranked teams continued to fall, including the Big Sky's Eastern Washington, and was knocked from the pinnacle, NDSU has not only climbed the ladder but done so impressively.
And the Bison stand atop FCS football in total defense and passing defense facing a game this week against 7 and 2 South Dakota State.
But while NDSU claimed the vast majority of the panel's first place votes (more than 72 percent), voters saw fit to award 10 of the top 11, including of course second-ranked Montana State and league leader Northern Arizona, first-place nods.
Seventeen voters including this humble scribe favored the Bobcats as their number one choice while Eastern Washington, although not receiving first-place consideration climbed back into the fifth spot after handling Cal Poly, now losers of two straight after standing as one of just two unbeatens.
Sam Houston - 7 and 2 and a 70-0 winner last week - moves up a spot to third followed by one-loss Old Dominion.
It is always interesting when a lower-ranked team, for example this week Appalachian State, defeats a front runner like the Mountaineers did to second ranked Georgia Southern, and is voted lower than the vanquished program.
The Eagles (7-2 ) fell just to the seventh spot while Appalachian State (7-3) jumped only from No. 15 to No. 12.
While Northern Arizona received a pair of first-place nods after trouncing Idaho State by 40 points, the Lumberjacks still stand just No 11.
Interestingly and probably a sign of national parity there is a sole unbeaten, Lehigh (9-0), but they slipped past one-win Holy Cross by just a point last week.
Central Arkansas claimed the initial automatic bid Saturday by winning the Southland Conference
Being a strong believer in defense wins championships and long believing that the defending champion remains the next season's top team until somebody proves otherwise, until their defeat at the hands of Missouri valley Conference foe Indiana State by a field goal, they were my team to beat.
And as top ranked teams continued to fall, including the Big Sky's Eastern Washington, and was knocked from the pinnacle, NDSU has not only climbed the ladder but done so impressively.
And the Bison stand atop FCS football in total defense and passing defense facing a game this week against 7 and 2 South Dakota State.
But while NDSU claimed the vast majority of the panel's first place votes (more than 72 percent), voters saw fit to award 10 of the top 11, including of course second-ranked Montana State and league leader Northern Arizona, first-place nods.
Seventeen voters including this humble scribe favored the Bobcats as their number one choice while Eastern Washington, although not receiving first-place consideration climbed back into the fifth spot after handling Cal Poly, now losers of two straight after standing as one of just two unbeatens.
Sam Houston - 7 and 2 and a 70-0 winner last week - moves up a spot to third followed by one-loss Old Dominion.
It is always interesting when a lower-ranked team, for example this week Appalachian State, defeats a front runner like the Mountaineers did to second ranked Georgia Southern, and is voted lower than the vanquished program.
The Eagles (7-2 ) fell just to the seventh spot while Appalachian State (7-3) jumped only from No. 15 to No. 12.
While Northern Arizona received a pair of first-place nods after trouncing Idaho State by 40 points, the Lumberjacks still stand just No 11.
Interestingly and probably a sign of national parity there is a sole unbeaten, Lehigh (9-0), but they slipped past one-win Holy Cross by just a point last week.
Central Arkansas claimed the initial automatic bid Saturday by winning the Southland Conference
Hats off to Peter Nguyen
By Mick Holien on November 6, 2012 11:58 AM
Griz senior running back Peter Nguyen continued his under-the-radar assault on the Montana record books and a young Montana defense continues to dominate as the Grizzlies head into the last game of the 2012 season with plenty to prove besides a victory over their cross-state rival.
With consecutive wins in the book, Montana has chance to figure into the league's championship race with a closing home victory over Montana State to possibly eliminate the Cats.
But that of course is after a bye week and with a bit of a hiatus to examine just what the diminutive Nguyen has done in his four-year Griz career.
Saturday at Weber in sharing mainstay-running back duties with Jordan Canada, Nguyen went over the Century mark in rushing for the fifth time this season and the seventh time in his career to move past both his coach, Justin Green (1995-97), Monty Bullerdick (1978-79) and Josh Branen (1995-97) into sixth on the career rush list.
And likewise with 88 reception yards, including a 72 yarder to go along with a 40-yard run, the Bellevue Wash product also added 191 all-purpose yards to move past Jabin Sambrano into sixth on the all-time list.
What is most impressive to me - and I've written about this often - is the workmanlike unpretentious way he goes about his business.
Nguyen will be a great ambassador for Grizzly football and from one of the most fabled high school programs in the nation that can do nothing but be a benefit to recruiting a hotbed of high school football.
And the defense, which allowed Weber State but 238 total yards, racked up another five sacks - Montana was second in FCS football in that regard coming into the game - and forced and recovered three quarterback Mike Hoke fumbles.
Zach Wagenmann continues to impress with two sacks, two tackles for loss, and a pair of forced fumbles with six tackles.
Junior linebacker Brock Coyle again turned in a double-figure tackle afternoon with a dozen and fellow backer Jordie Tripp had a sack, a tackle-for-loss and a forced fumble to compliment his eight stops.
And while on special teams the 100-yard Wildcat return certainly was a downer, remember the Grizzlies blocked a pair of roll-out punts in the early going to gain valuable field position although they didn't make the most of the scoring opportunities.
Just a great time to rock n' roll!
With consecutive wins in the book, Montana has chance to figure into the league's championship race with a closing home victory over Montana State to possibly eliminate the Cats.
But that of course is after a bye week and with a bit of a hiatus to examine just what the diminutive Nguyen has done in his four-year Griz career.
Saturday at Weber in sharing mainstay-running back duties with Jordan Canada, Nguyen went over the Century mark in rushing for the fifth time this season and the seventh time in his career to move past both his coach, Justin Green (1995-97), Monty Bullerdick (1978-79) and Josh Branen (1995-97) into sixth on the career rush list.
And likewise with 88 reception yards, including a 72 yarder to go along with a 40-yard run, the Bellevue Wash product also added 191 all-purpose yards to move past Jabin Sambrano into sixth on the all-time list.
What is most impressive to me - and I've written about this often - is the workmanlike unpretentious way he goes about his business.
Nguyen will be a great ambassador for Grizzly football and from one of the most fabled high school programs in the nation that can do nothing but be a benefit to recruiting a hotbed of high school football.
And the defense, which allowed Weber State but 238 total yards, racked up another five sacks - Montana was second in FCS football in that regard coming into the game - and forced and recovered three quarterback Mike Hoke fumbles.
Zach Wagenmann continues to impress with two sacks, two tackles for loss, and a pair of forced fumbles with six tackles.
Junior linebacker Brock Coyle again turned in a double-figure tackle afternoon with a dozen and fellow backer Jordie Tripp had a sack, a tackle-for-loss and a forced fumble to compliment his eight stops.
And while on special teams the 100-yard Wildcat return certainly was a downer, remember the Grizzlies blocked a pair of roll-out punts in the early going to gain valuable field position although they didn't make the most of the scoring opportunities.
Just a great time to rock n' roll!
Holding on against Weber State
By Mick Holien on November 5, 2012 12:42 PM
It was by no means an easy proposition - It never seems to be in Ogden - but for the first time in the 2012 season, the Grizzlies put consecutive games in the win column.
The season winds down to a single game against the Bobcats after the bye week but still with an opportunity remaining to register a 28th straight winning season.
But one-win Weber State kept things interesting and just when you might have believed this one was in the books with Montana sporting a 10-point advantage at the four-minute mark, eight seconds later after freshman Cordero Dixon went 100 yards down the Griz sideline it was back to a knuckle-buster outcome.
But Montana put a top on the contest by running out the last three minutes and 41 seconds with seven run plays safely moving just 25 yards from their own 21-yard line to balance their season mark at 5 and 5 and win at Stewart Stadium for the first time since 2006.
Several times Saturday it seemed as if Montana might have an easier time with the Wildcats but a pair of missed field goals among five other successful trips into the Weber red zone kept the game close.
And when Montana culminated an 80-yard 14-play almost six minute fourth-quarter drive with a nine-yard TD reception by Bryce Carver and subsequent two-point conversion from Shay Smithwick-Hann to Sam Gratton in the back of the end zone, the largest lead of the afternoon seemed to probably be enough.
But a sideline return by the Florida freshman who hadn't previously touched the ball this season altered any sense of a comfort zone.
But Weber could stop the clock just twice and the Grizzlies gained just enough yardage and a pair of first downs to stifle any late-game Weber heroics and send the Grizzlies to the west stands to sing the fight song to the faithful throng.
Montana again rushed for more than 200 yards and the retooled defense stuffed Weber's offense by controlling quarterback Mike Hoke in the zone-read - sacking him four times and forcing his three fumbles - to move to 3 and 4 in the Big Sky Conference.
And the bye week awaits.
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The season winds down to a single game against the Bobcats after the bye week but still with an opportunity remaining to register a 28th straight winning season.
But one-win Weber State kept things interesting and just when you might have believed this one was in the books with Montana sporting a 10-point advantage at the four-minute mark, eight seconds later after freshman Cordero Dixon went 100 yards down the Griz sideline it was back to a knuckle-buster outcome.
But Montana put a top on the contest by running out the last three minutes and 41 seconds with seven run plays safely moving just 25 yards from their own 21-yard line to balance their season mark at 5 and 5 and win at Stewart Stadium for the first time since 2006.
Several times Saturday it seemed as if Montana might have an easier time with the Wildcats but a pair of missed field goals among five other successful trips into the Weber red zone kept the game close.
And when Montana culminated an 80-yard 14-play almost six minute fourth-quarter drive with a nine-yard TD reception by Bryce Carver and subsequent two-point conversion from Shay Smithwick-Hann to Sam Gratton in the back of the end zone, the largest lead of the afternoon seemed to probably be enough.
But a sideline return by the Florida freshman who hadn't previously touched the ball this season altered any sense of a comfort zone.
But Weber could stop the clock just twice and the Grizzlies gained just enough yardage and a pair of first downs to stifle any late-game Weber heroics and send the Grizzlies to the west stands to sing the fight song to the faithful throng.
Montana again rushed for more than 200 yards and the retooled defense stuffed Weber's offense by controlling quarterback Mike Hoke in the zone-read - sacking him four times and forcing his three fumbles - to move to 3 and 4 in the Big Sky Conference.
And the bye week awaits.
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Montana vs. Weber State
By Mick Holien on November 2, 2012 12:45 AMÂ
 The Grizzlies altered their travel schedule and headed out on the road Thursday in preparation for Saturday's matchup with Weber State.
The Grizzlies are bound from Pocatello today for about a 90-minute hop down the road to Ogden where they'll walk-thru at Stewart Stadium mid-Friday afternoon.
The Grizzlies have had their challenges in Ogden, losing in the last two games on the road against the Wildcats and prevailing by just a field goal in 2006.
But ironically Montana has won 17 of the last 20 meetings and are 17-7 in Ogden but you know it's what happened most recently that you remember the most.
With the suspensions, the offensive line will be retooled with Logan Hines moving in at center with mammoth redshirt freshman John Schmaing taking over at left tackle.
Senior Josh Stuberg will take over at the Mike backer with Addison Owen backing Jordie Tripp at the Sam backer and Brian Maus and Kelsey Lippert standing by.
Meanwhile the Wildcats have been away from home for the better part of the month and are 0 and 3 in the friendly confines.
Weber's sole win was 24-22 over Southern Utah in Cedar City while the Thunderbirds upended Montana at Washington Grizzly Stadium, then lost the next week before beating No 1 Eastern Washington so go figure.
The Grizzlies, of course, are trying to keep from suffering their first losing season in 28 years by claiming the last two games of the season to finish 6-5.
But Montana also seeks to win consecutive games for the first time in the 2012 season, while the Wildcats broke a seven-game losing streak with the two-point decision over Southern Utah.
Weber State junior kicker Tony Epperson, who was leading the nation in punting at 48 yards a game, is lost for the season with an MCL tear but freshman Tyler McNannay came on last week to post a 51.6-yard average, the fourth best performance in Weber history.
Headed by Jody Sears, a teammate of Griz offensive coordinator Tim Rosenbach at Pullman (Wash.) High School, the Wildcats have about as balanced an offensive attack as Montana has seen this season.
But except for senior center Tytan Timoteo the offensive line is comprised of a pair of freshman and two sophomores.
They've rushed the football 313 times (3.2 average) while attempting 270 passes gaining about 209 yards a game.
But quarterback Mike Hoke also is a capable running threat and like the Grizzlies will run a zone-read offensive sets while completing just 57 percent for as many TDs (8) as he has interceptions.
Defensively Weber is giving up 10 more points a game in league than they are scoring and opponents have rushed for an average of five yards a carry.
But you can bet it promises to be a wild one on the turf at Weber.
Kickoff is the usual 1:40p.m. at Stewart Stadium.
The Grizzlies are bound from Pocatello today for about a 90-minute hop down the road to Ogden where they'll walk-thru at Stewart Stadium mid-Friday afternoon.
The Grizzlies have had their challenges in Ogden, losing in the last two games on the road against the Wildcats and prevailing by just a field goal in 2006.
But ironically Montana has won 17 of the last 20 meetings and are 17-7 in Ogden but you know it's what happened most recently that you remember the most.
With the suspensions, the offensive line will be retooled with Logan Hines moving in at center with mammoth redshirt freshman John Schmaing taking over at left tackle.
Senior Josh Stuberg will take over at the Mike backer with Addison Owen backing Jordie Tripp at the Sam backer and Brian Maus and Kelsey Lippert standing by.
Meanwhile the Wildcats have been away from home for the better part of the month and are 0 and 3 in the friendly confines.
Weber's sole win was 24-22 over Southern Utah in Cedar City while the Thunderbirds upended Montana at Washington Grizzly Stadium, then lost the next week before beating No 1 Eastern Washington so go figure.
The Grizzlies, of course, are trying to keep from suffering their first losing season in 28 years by claiming the last two games of the season to finish 6-5.
But Montana also seeks to win consecutive games for the first time in the 2012 season, while the Wildcats broke a seven-game losing streak with the two-point decision over Southern Utah.
Weber State junior kicker Tony Epperson, who was leading the nation in punting at 48 yards a game, is lost for the season with an MCL tear but freshman Tyler McNannay came on last week to post a 51.6-yard average, the fourth best performance in Weber history.
Headed by Jody Sears, a teammate of Griz offensive coordinator Tim Rosenbach at Pullman (Wash.) High School, the Wildcats have about as balanced an offensive attack as Montana has seen this season.
But except for senior center Tytan Timoteo the offensive line is comprised of a pair of freshman and two sophomores.
They've rushed the football 313 times (3.2 average) while attempting 270 passes gaining about 209 yards a game.
But quarterback Mike Hoke also is a capable running threat and like the Grizzlies will run a zone-read offensive sets while completing just 57 percent for as many TDs (8) as he has interceptions.
Defensively Weber is giving up 10 more points a game in league than they are scoring and opponents have rushed for an average of five yards a carry.
But you can bet it promises to be a wild one on the turf at Weber.
Kickoff is the usual 1:40p.m. at Stewart Stadium.
