G2 – Missoulian, Friday, December 18, 2009
GRIZZLY GAME DAY / Cover Story: Marc Mariani
Walking to the
Former walk-on rises to challenge, advances UM to title game By FRITZ NEIGHBOR of the Missoulian
Marc Mariani has had a transformative college career, from an early way-laying by teammate Mike Murphy through last Saturday’s pinnacle in Missoula. Except that it wasn’t the pinnacle for Mariani, the former walk-on out of Havre who is now an All-American receiver for the 14-0 Montana Grizzlies. The 24-17 semifinal win over Appalachian State in his final game at Washington-Grizzly Stadium was just a warm-up for Friday’s game: The NCAA Division I Championship in Chattanooga, Tenn., against Villanova. A year after performing valiantly in a 24-7 title game loss to Richmond in Chattanooga, Mariani and the rest of the Griz are back. They’ve aimed for this moment since last December. “I think as a team, we were so excited just to be there,” said Mariani, who caught seven passes for 172 yards in the championship. “Just to be there. I think we didn’t quite show up Friday night. We actually played one of the worst games we had all year.” The Grizzlies, who’d filled in for 24 departed seniors and won 11 straight games to make the championship, fell behind 7-0, then 14-0 and 21-0. They had their chances: Mariani made a highlight grab of a 47-yard pass on UM’s first possession, and the Griz marched down to a first-and-goal at the 6. A false start and a missed field goal followed. A couple series later the Spiders cashed in a short field. Montana never got on track and ended up 14-2. Many of the current Griz will say the 2009 season began right then. Thirteen TOM BAUER/Missoulian starters were coming back. Mariani was Montana receiver Marc Mariani pulls in a pass against Montana State earlier in the season at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman. Mariani one of them. has 71 receptions, racking up 1,301 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. “That feeling that we all had coming off that field – that we had what we all against South Dakota State began a wild over Stephen F. Austin. Then there wanted in our hands and let it slip – it hit The Grizzlies haven’t lost since, comeback in UM’s first-round playoff was Saturday’s semifinal game against us right in the gut,” he said. “It left a bad winning by blowout and nail-biter, win. The visiting Jackrabbits led 41-14 Armanti Edwards and App State. It taste, and we used it as motivation that with some games including elements of and 48-21, and lost to the Griz 61-48. we would do everything we could not to See MARiani, Page G19 both: Mariani’s 98-yard kickoff return The next win came by a 51-0 score let happen again.”
Missoulian, Friday, December 18, 2009 – G3
G4 – Missoulian, Friday, December 18, 2009
GRIZZLY GAME DAY / Stat pack
BY THE NUMBERS MONTANA (14-0)
Griz
Opp
Scoring average Rushing yards Avg./Rush Passing Passing yards Average per pass Total offense Average per play 3rd-down conversions Time of possession Fumbles-lost Kick returns Punt returns Punting Sacks by-yards
36.9 167.4 4.2 275-457-10 260.2 8.0 427.6 5.9 96-208 29:51 20-9 45-25.4 38-16.2 54-40.6 22-137
18.7 91.4 3.0 344-582-25 255.4 6.1 346.7 4.8 72-212 30:09 21-11 83-18.9 13-6.0 81-37.6 17-130
Montana Opponents
165 117 171 76 59 63
56 64
Villanova (13-1)
CB Trumaine Johnson 49, 28 unassisted
7 0
Tackles for loss DE Severin Campbell 10.5-41 DE Jace Palmer 8.5-37 DT Tyler Hobbs 6-21 DE Bobby Alt 5-16 DT Bryan Waldhauser 4-27 LB Shawn Lebsock 4-11 DT Austin Mullins 4-11
– 516 – 262
Rushing Chase Reynolds 306-1438 (4.7 ypc.), long 54, 22 TDs Thomas Brooks-Fletcher 107-464 (4.3 ypc.), long 26, 3 TDs Peter Nguyen 38-187 (4.9 ypc.), long 57, 1 TD Andrew Selle 43-98 (2.3 ypc.), long 34, 1 TD Gerald Kemp 15-67 (4.5 ypc.), long 15, 0 TDs Justin Roper 23-52 (2.3 ypc.), long 22, 0 TDs Passing Andrew Selle 198-321-6 for 2692 yards, long 68, 25 TDs Justin Roper 78-134-3 for 951 yards, long 84, 8 TDs Gerald Kemp 0-1-1 for 0 yards Receiving Marc Mariani 71-1301 (18.3 ypc.), long 84, 12 TDs Tyler Palmer 37-465 (12.6 ypc.), long 25, 4 TDs Chase Reynolds 33-319 (9.7 ypc.), long 36, 2 TDs Sam Gratton 27-227 (8.4 ypc.), long 45, 2 TDs Stephen Pfahler 27-363 (13.4 ypc.), long 33, 4 TDs Dan Beaudin 27-315 (11.7 ypc.), long 61, 3 TDs
Interceptions CB Trumaine Johnson 5-14, long 11, 0 TDs FS Shann Schillinger 4-6.0, long 24, 0 TDs CB Andrew Swink 3-6.0, long 9, 0 TDs DE Severin Campbell 2-23.0, long 32, 1 TD SS Erik Stoll 2-21.0, long 29, 0 TDs LB Brock Coyle 2-21.0, long 26, 0 TDs DE Jace Palmer 1-57, 1 TD Fumbles forced-recovered DT Tyler Hobbs 2-3 DE Jace Palmer 3-0 DE Severin Campbel 2-1 DT Austin Mullins 2-1 LB Jordan Tripp 0-2 Pass breakups CB Trumaine Johnson 12 FS Shann Schillinger 7 DE Jace Palmer 6 CB Keith Thompson 6
PATs/Field goals Brody McKnight 61-64/15-25, long 54, 3 blocked, 106 points
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– 448 – 190
Rushing Chris Whitney 187-885 (4.7 ypc.), long 45, 6 TDs Aaron Ball 158-743 (4.7 ypc.), long 39, 6 TDs Matt Szczur 94-654 (7.0 ypc.), long 75, 8 TDs Angelo Babbaro 59-394 (6.7 ypc.), long 59, 6 TDs Passing Chris Whitney 149-234-4 for 1794 yards, long 57, 17 TDs Antwon Young 23-40-0 for 222 yards, long 27, 2 TDs Matt Szczur 4-4-0 for 22 yards long 13, 2 TDs
Defensive leaders Tackles LB Terence Thomas 108, 63 unassisted LB Osayi Osunde 80, 37 unassisted SW Fred Maldonado 72, 45 unassisted CB Cortez Gilbert 74, 42 unassisted
WILDCATS’ schedule Sept. 3................................................... at Temple (W, 27-24) Sept. 12................................................... LEHIGH (W, 38-17) Sept. 19...................................................... at Penn (W, 14-3) Sept. 26......................................NORTHEASTERN (W, 56-7) Oct. 3........................................WILLIAM & MARY (W, 28-17) Oct. 10..................................... at New Hampshire (L, 24-28) Oct. 17........................................at James Madson (W, 27-0) Oct. 24.......................................... RHODE ISLAND (W, 36-7) Oct. 31............................................................................open Nov. 7...............................................at Richmond (W, 21-20) Nov. 14...................................................................at Towson Nov. 21.............................................. DELAWARE (W, 30-12) Nov. 28...........................................HOLY CROSS (W, 36-28) Dec. 5........................................NEW HAMPSHIRE (W, 46-7) Dec. 11.....................................WILLIAM & MARY (W, 14-13) Dec. 18............................................................. vs. Montana* *-FCS title game in Chattanooga, Tenn. DE Tim Kukucka 9.5-51 LB Terence Thomas 7.5-56 SS John Dempsey 6-32 SW Fred Maldonado 4-29 Interceptions CB James Pitts 4-4.0, long 16, 0 TDs LB Jacob Wade 3-23.0, long 40, 0 TDs CB Eric Loper 2-0.0, 0 TDs FS Ross Ventrone 2-13.5, long 27, 0 TDs Fumbles forced-recovered SS John Dempsey 4-1, 1 TD DE Tim Kukucka 3-0 CB James Pitts 1-2 SW Ronnie Akins 2-0 CB James Pitts 8 CB Eric Loper 7 SS John Dempsey 7 FS Ross Ventrone 6
Pass breakups
Special teams leaders PATs/Field goals Nick Yako 57-57/11-15, long 45, 1 blocked, 90 points Punting Dominic Scarnecchia 56-37.8, long 61, 21 inside 20, 0 blocked Punt returns Brandyn Harvey 21-6.6, long 33, 0 TDs Kickoff returns
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13.6 67.2 2.3 315-533-18 240.8 6.3 308.0 4.6 87-212 28:52 19-8 65-17.2 17-2.4 75-35.7 35-194
Tackles for loss DE Tim Kukucka 18.5-78 SS John Dempsey 11.5-46 WS Fred Maldonaldo 9.5-47 LB Terence Thomas 9-62
Kickoff returns Jabin Sambrano 23-26.3, long 50, 0 TDs
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32.0 232.4 5.1 176-281-4 145.6 7.3 377.9 5.7 83-185 31:07 20-8 42-23.7 23-7.4 56-37.8 38-233
Receiving Brandyn Harvey 53-694 (13.1 ypc.), long 57, 5 TDs Matt Szczur 47-542 (11.5 ypc.), long 45, 4 TDs Norman White 16-245 (15.3 ypc.), long 31, 2 TDs Dorian Wells 15-186 (12.4 ypc.), long 29, 2 TDs
Special teams leaders
29
Opp
Offensive leaders
Punt returns Marc Mariani 31-16.4, long 82, 1 TD Sam Gratton 1-31, 0 TDs Jabin Sambrano 1-26, 0 TDs Peter Nguyen 5-10.6, long 33, 0 TDs
Tackles LB Shawn Lebsock 98, 36 unassisted SS Erik Stoll 87, 31 unassisted FS Shann Schillinger 82, 33 unassisted LB Alex Shaw 73, 21 unassisted LB Brandon Fisher 71, 23 unassisted DE Severin Campbell 59, 24 unassisted DT Austin Mullins 56, 10 unassisted
VU
Villanova 135 Opponents 30
Punting Sean Wren 53-41.3, long 65, 12 inside 20, 1 blocked
Defensive leaders
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Scoring average Rushing yards Avg./Rush Passing Passing yards Average per pass Total offense Average per play 3rd-down conversions Time of possession Fumbles-lost Kick returns Punt returns Punting Sacks by-yards
Sacks DE Severin Campbell 4.5-27 DE Jace Palmer 4.5-27 DT Bryan Waldhauser 3-26 DT Tyler Hobbs 3-15 DE Josh Harris 2-17 DT Austin Mullins 2-6
Offensive leaders
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Missoulian, Friday, December 18, 2009 – G5
GRIZZLY GAME DAY / Grizzly Q&A
Chase Reynolds
Star running back rewrites record books 47 career total touchdowns trail only Lex Hilliard (4,018, 52) and Yohance Humphrey (4,070, 47). Montana running back Chase For all that, he hasn’t given Reynolds already sits atop the state much thought to where he could high school record book. Now the end up when his Griz career is Drummond native is doing serious over. rewrites on the Grizzlies’. “Records, for me, can be taken Reynolds, a married father of a away from you,” he said. “National 4-year-old son, owns the Montana championships can’t be taken prep record with 5,261 career away from you.” rushing yards. He also scored 114 touchdowns in his four-year, 44Q: You played at Drummond, game career. Reynolds and Griz which plays 8-man football. center Alex Verlanic helped lead How would you describe 8-man Drummond to three straight Class football to someone who has never C football championships. watched it before? Now Reynolds, an all-Big Sky A: It’s a shorter field – 80 selection in 2009 who finished yards. It’s not as wide either. We 12th in the Walter Payton Award had five linemen, a fullback, a balloting, has followed a breakout running back and a quarterback. sophomore season with an equally You’d make a little run outside, impressive junior campaign. make a guy miss and you were With some help from Verlanic gone. he has piled up 1,757 all-purpose yards (1,438 rushing, 319 yards Q: Did you have many receiving) after racking up 1,756 receptions? yards (1,583 rushing, 173 receiving) A: I think I had five or six the last year. whole time I was in high school. His 3,513 career all-purpose We didn’t throw it much at all. yards rank fifth all-time in school Although my first touchdown was history. on a screen. We’d throw once in a With the national great while. championship game still to play, Reynolds has already set several Q: What was the biggest school records this year: most challenge with making the rushes in a season (306), most transition from 8-man football to total touchdowns (24), and points college? (144). He also tied his own record A: I ran sideways a lot my first of 22 rushing touchdowns. His year on the scout team. I’m not 3,021 career yards rushing and fast enough to do that, so I stopped By SCOTT JOHNSON for the Missoulian
No. 34 Year: Junior Position: Running back Height: 6-foot Weight: 195 Hometown: Drummond
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and started running north and south. Q: You were one of the most prolific running backs in the history of Montana high schools, yet the coaching staff moved you to wide receiver and then they eventually moved you back to running back during the spring of 2007. What were you thinking while that was going on? A: I was kind of bummed when they moved me to wide receiver. I just wasn’t doing that well. Then they moved me back because they needed more guys at running back. I was happy even though I had no idea if I would play at all. Q: Is there anything in Chattanooga you’re interested in checking out now that you’re visiting a second time? A: Nope. I’m just looking to help us take the national championship back. I’d sit in my hotel room all the time and study film if I could. I just want Friday to be here. Q: What would winning a national championship mean to you? A: It’s everything we work for. Kind of would be complete, I guess. Q: What does Montana have to do to beat Villanova? A: Just play Montana football.
Q: Be honest, before last week did you know in what city Villanova is located? A: No (laughs). I’m not up to date on any of that stuff. Q: So, you know where it’s located now though, right? A: Virginia? Q: It’s in Philadelphia. A: I knew it was in that area, but I wasn’t positive. I just know they’re going to be in Chattanooga. Q: How is your body holding up? A: Well, this is the healthiest I’ve been in the last six weeks. Q: Which defense was the toughest you went up against this year? A: I’d have to say the Cats or South Dakota State. I remember just not having too much running room against those teams. Q: What’s been your personal highlight this season? A: Shoot. I don’t have any personal highlights. I’ll say winning last week’s game. Q: Could you run for mayor of Drummond and win? A: (laughs) I’m not really sure. Maybe. Q: Griz wide receiver Marc See REynolds, Page G8
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Villanova junior left tackle Ben Ijalana (6-foot-4, 320 pounds) is a big reason why the Wildcats average 269.7 yards per game on the ground in the playoffs. Montana senior left tackle Levi Horn (6-7, 315) is a big reason why the Griz average 267.7 yards per game passing in the playoffs. Both men are All-Americans. He’s back, and no, we’re not talking about Santa Claus. After his yardage was limited the three previous weeks, Chase Reynolds went off for 193 yards and two touchdowns in a huge semifinal win over Appalachian State last week. Villanova’s top rusher is also their top passer: QB Chris Whitney.
Montana
The Grizzlies have won the national championship twice and both times they had Montana natives at quarterback: Dave Dickenson (1995) and John Edwards (2001). They are 0-4 with out-of-staters under center. Dare I remind folks that junior QB Andrew Selle is a Billings product. Watch out Villanova, watch out.
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For as much as I gush about the greatest Griz receiver of all time it hurts me to say this, but Marc Mariani will share the spotlight with Villanova’s Matt Szczur this week. The two most dangerous play-makers on the field each earned All-America honors at this position.
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Austin “Big Mitts� Mullins blocked a field goal and latched onto that squirrelly Armanti Edwards character for Montana’s only sack last week. Both plays were clutch my friend. But what does a future music promoter do for an encore? A finale, duh. Out of 108 total tackles this year ’Nova junior Terence Thomas (No. 54) has 63 solo tackles. That’s 63 times he’s stopped a ball-carrier by himself – and 7 of those were for a loss (behind the line of scrimmage). D-end Tim Kukucka is called “The Wolf� but Thomas, who also has 7.5 sacks, seems like the real hunter. Griz cornerback Keith Thompson’s lick on App State receiver Matt Cline (he de-cleated Cline) was No. 1 on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays last Saturday. As someone who is also small in stature, I like watching Thompson play. Like my driver’s license, he too is generously listed at 5-foot-9.
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Statistically Montana has the better punter and kicker, but this phase of the game will be another showdown between Mariani and Szczur, who was named the Colonial Athletic Association’s special teams MVP. Punt and kickoff return are another shot at the end zone for these two studs.
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Through 25 years Villanova’s Andy Talley is the winningest coach in CAA history, but the Wildcats have never been to a championship. Bobby Hauck is the third-winningest coach in Big Sky Conference history, but he’s making his third appearance in the chipper. It’s all about experience.
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G8 – Missoulian, Friday, December 18, 2009
GRIZZLY GAME DAY / Grizzly Q&A
Reynolds
Continued from Page G5
snowmobile? A: By Fish Creek out past Alberton.
Mariani has 2,528 fans on Facebook. Your Facebook fan page has only 1,170 followers as of Monday afternoon. Is it difficult to get decent Internet service in Drummond or can we just attribute this to Marani’s hometown of Havre having nearly 10,000 more residents ? A: I would just say Mariani’s a stud. I’m a fan of his.
Q: Your brother is a freshman running back on the roster. What is something he can do better than you on or off the football field? A: Hmm, I’ve never thought about this before. I don’t know. Maybe he runs harder than me on the football field. I’ll give him that.
Q: What would you say is your biggest asset on the football field? A: I guess I’ve got the don’tgive-up attitude.
Q: What were your thoughts about the Walter Payton Award voting? A: I think they’ve got great guys in the final round. Just being mentioned the in the same sentence as Walter Payton is a great honor. Obviously it’s going to a great athlete.
Q: Are you the only player on the team that is married? A: Dan Beaudin. He got married this summer. Q: You and your wife Kila have a 4-year-old son named Talen. Where did you come up with that name? A: I used to motocross with a kid who’s little brother was named Talon. It’s always been one of my favorite names and when the time came I thought it was perfect. I think he was spelled o-n, but I liked it with the e-n. Q: What was the biggest challenge with raising a baby or toddler while you were making the transition from high school
KURT WILSON/Misoulian
Montana’s Chase Reynolds stretches to get into the end zone to tie the game at 48 during a dramatic comeback against South Dakota State in the first round of the FCS playoffs in Missoula. to college football? A: Just not being able to spend all day with him. It gets pretty tough during the season. Q: Who has changed more diapers, you or your wife? A: That’s a toss-up. It’s probably pretty close, but she probably changed more. Q: You’re involved with
the Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program. How did you become involved with that? A: Some guy called me last summer and wanted to know if I’d help out. They just wanted me to be kind of the face of it and be a good role model I guess. And obviously not chew. Hopefully it helps a few people. Q: Who would you say you’re
Congratulations on a GREAT Season!!
closest with on the team? A: That’s a toss-up. I’ve gotten pretty close with the other running backs: Thomas Brooks-Fletcher. Kevin Klaboe and Beau Donaldson. Q: What’s your favorite winter recreation activity? A: Snowmobiling. Q: Where do you like to go
Q: Do you watch any realitybased programs? A: No. Q: What’s your favorite movie? A: Gran Torino. Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? A: Maybe Italy. Q: What do you like to do in your free time? A: Spend time with Talen.
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G10 – Missoulian, Friday, December 18, 2009
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Missoulian, Friday, December 18, 2009 – G11
GRIZZLY GAME DAY / Villanova focus
Villanova quarterback Chris Whitney rushes past William & Mary safety Robert Livingston during the FCS semifinal game on Friday in Philadelphia.
Nova QB takes it to the Whitney leads blue-collar team to first championship appearance
record for wins this season (131), and are playing in their first FCS national-title game, Friday VILLANOVA, Pa. – In the last night against Montana (14-0) in quarter-century under Andy Chattanooga, Tenn. Talley, Villanova has had more Score one for old-time than its fair share of prolific football. quarterbacks. “It is ironic,” Whitney said Chris Whitney, a junior, plays with a smile. “If you look at the more like a linebacker sometimes. past, all the great players they’ve Yet the Wildcats set a program had here putting up big numbers, By Mike Kern Philadelphia Daily News
you wonder, ‘How did none of those teams ever go there?’ We don’t always look pretty. We’re just a blue-collar, working-class group of guys who wanted to play Villanova football, do whatever it takes to get to our goal. “You don’t have to look pretty to win games. I think that’s what our team is about.” Under Talley, the Wildcats
Michael Perez/Associated Press
were usually a throw-first team. That’s changed. And now they have a defense, which hasn’t always been the case. In other words, they’re better equipped to succeed, especially in December. Still, it has to start somewhere. And as is often the case, it’s with the guy getting the ball on most every snap. See Whitney, Page G17
G12 – Missoulian, Friday, December 18, 2009
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No. Name Pos Hgt Wgt Year 2 – Trumaine Johnson CB 6-3 197 So. 3 – Andrew Swink CB 5-9 175 Sr. 4 – Erik Stoll S 6-2 203 Jr. 5 – Donny Lisowski CB 5-11 195 So. 6 – Aaron Roberts WR 5-11 170 Fr. 7 – Jeff Larson WR 6-4 210 Jr. 8 – Sam Gratton WR 6-0 197 Fr. 9 – Mike McCord S 6-0 195 So. 10 – Shawn Lebsock LB 6-0 225 Sr. 11 – Brandon Dodson CB 5-8 170 Jr. 12 – Andrew Selle QB 6-2 219 Jr. 13 – Josh Pelczar CB 5-9 180 Fr. 14 – D.J. Zapata QB 6-3 175 Fr. 14 – Steven Rominger S 5-10 185 Fr. 15 RETIRED IN HONOR OF DAVE DICKENSON 16 – Jabin Sambrano WR 5-11 170 So. 17 – Gerald Kemp QB 6-2 215 Fr. 18 – Justin Roper QB 6-6 215 Jr. 19 – Sean Murray CB 6-1 190 Fr. 20 – Nick Haynes CB 5-10 180 So. 21 – Keith Thompson CB 5-9 175 Sr. 22 RETIRED IN HONOR OF TERRY DILLON 23 – Levi Buckles WR 6-2 215 Fr. 24 – Thomas Brooks-Fletcher RB 5-10 210 Sr. 25 – Brandon Fisher SLB 5-10 205 Sr. 26 – Russell Schey K 6-1 190 So. 27 – Tel Reynolds RB 6-0 190 Fr. 28 – Peter Nguyen RB 5-8 175 Fr. 29 – Bryce Carver WR 6-1 170 Fr. 30 – Mike Cummings SS 6-1 200 So. 31 – Tim Anderson SS 6-0 205 Sr. 32 – Alex Shaw LB 6-1 232 So. 33 – Cole Lockwood SLB 6-1 215 So. 34 – Chase Reynolds RB 6-0 195 Jr. 35 – Dan Moore RB 5-11 225 So. 36 – Sean Connors S 6-0 185 Fr. 37 – Carson Bender DT 6-4 280 Jr. 38 – Ryan Nelson SS 5-11 200 Sr. 39 – Shann Schillinger FS 6-1 199 Sr. 40 – Caleb McSurdy LB 6-1 245 So. 41 – Kurt Stoll RB 5-11 180 So. 42 – Jace Palmer DE 6-3 240 Sr. 43 – Brooks Nuanez DB 6-2 205 Fr. 44 – Jordan Tripp LB 6-2 210 Fr. 45 – Beau Donaldson RB 6-1 233 So. 46 – Clay Pierson S 6-3 212 Fr. 47 – Severin Campbell DE 6-4 210 Jr. 49 – Kevin Klaboe FB 6-2 225 Sr. 50 – Bryan Waldhauser DT 6-4 242 So. 51 – Chris Bradford DT 6-2 255 Fr. 52 – Ty Timmer LB 6-2 205 Fr. 53 – Josh Stuberg SLB 6-2 216 Fr. 54 – Austin Mullins DT 6-2 273 Sr. 55 – Ethan Tweet OG 6-2 270 Fr. 56 – Brock Coyle LB 6-2 215 Fr. 57 – Charles Burton OG 6-5 310 So. 58 – Andrew Glueckert DE 6-3 225 Fr. 60 – Blake Lebeau C 6-5 285 Fr. 61 – Jake Raynock OG 6-2 255 Fr. 63 – Brett Brauer G 6-2 260 Fr. 65 – Ty Rogers G 6-2 240 Fr. 66 – Russell Piette G 6-4 310 Jr. 70 – David Arndt OT 6-5ďŹ 280 So. 71 – Alex Verlanic C 6-2 282 Jr. 72 – Levi Horn OT 6-7 315 Sr. 73 – Bob DeBruycker OL 6-5 235 Fr. 74 – Jon Opperud G 6-7 305 So. 75 – Chris Dyk OT 6-8 297 Sr. 77 – Terran Hillesland G 6-7 320 Sr. 78 – Kyle Kmet C 6-5 271 Fr. 79 – Kyle Hofmann OT 6-4 280 Fr. 80 – Marc Mariani WR 6-0 185 Sr. 81 – Tyler Palmer WR 6-3 210 Sr. 82 – Jacob Haas TE 6-5 225 Fr. 83 – Brody McKnight K 6-0 194 So. 84 – Bobby Hirsch TE 6-4 210 Fr. 85 – Connor Smith WR 6-3 198 Fr. 86 – Greg Hardy TE 6-5 245 Fr. 87 – Dan Beaudin TE 6-5 252 Sr. 88 – Steven Pfahler TE 6-5 246 Sr. 89 – Robert Overton TE 6-6 240 Jr. 90 – Ryan Fetherston DE 6-4 218 So. 91 – Bobby Alt DE 6-3 260 So. 92 – George Mercer DE 6-3 241 Sr. 93 – Braydon Schilling DT 6-2 270 So. 94 – Sean Wren P 6-6 210 So. 95 – Ray DeBruycker DE 6-4 210 Fr. 96 – Josh Harris DE 6-5 231 Fr. 97 – Mike Sylvestre DT 6-2 275 Fr. 98 – Brett Hutter DT 6-3 260 So. 99 – Tyler Hobbs DT 6-4 265 Jr.
Hometown Stockton, Calif. Rowland Heights, Calif. Sandpoint, Idaho Seattle Spokane, Wash. Cut Bank Billings Phoenix Billings Tulare, Calif. Billings Billings San Marcos, Calif. Missoula Oceanside, Calif. San Diego Buford, Ga. Corona, Calif. Butte Porterville, Calif. Post Falls, Idaho Bellevue, Wash. Franklin, Tenn. Billings Drummond Seattle Dillon Scottsdale, Ariz. Missoula Spokane, Wash. Missoula Drummond Tucson, Ariz. Seattle Deer Lodge Wright, Wyo. Baker Boise, Idaho Sandpoint, Idaho Missoula Missoula Missoula Missoula Twin Bridges Denver Billings Huntley Project San Bernardino, Calif. Great Falls Helena Great Falls Fort Benton Bozeman) Long Beach, Calif. Helena Union City, Calif. Billings Missoula Missoula Vancouver, Wash. Highlands Ranch, Colo. Drummond Spokane, Wash. Choteau Portland, Ore. Dillon Sidney Bonita, Calif. Orcas Island, Wash. Havre Missoula Portland, Ore. Vancouver, B.C. Belgrade Missoula Fairview Noxon Frenchtown San Leandro, Calif. Helena Ontario, Calif. Libby Gillette, Wyo. Yorba Linda, Calif. Choteau Kalispell Phoenix Ontario, Calif. Spokane, Wash.
LT 72 Levi Horn LG 74 Jon Opperud QB 12 Andrew Selle K 83 Brody McKnight
C 71 Alex Verlanic
RG 77 Terran Hillesland RT 75 Chris Dyk
DE Jo WR 80 Marc Mariani
TE 88 Steven Pfahler
OFFENSIVE BACKUPS
CB 1 James P
QB 17 Gerald Kemp WR 23 Levi Buckles WR 7 Jeff Larson WR 8 Sam Gratton LT 70 David Arndt LG 57 Charles Burton
C 18 Justin Roper RG 66 Russell Piette RT 79 Kyle Hofmann RB 24 T. Brooks-Fletcher TE 87 Dan Beaudin
MONTANA STARTING DEFENSE
WR 3 Brandyn Harvey
CB 3 Andrew Swink
WLB 32 Alex Shaw
DE 42 Jace Palmer DT 99 Tyler Hobbs
SS 4 Erik Stoll MLB 10 Shawn Lebsock
DT 54 Austin Mullins
DE Se Ca
P 94 Sean Wren
DEFENSIVE BACKUPS DE 91 Bobby Alt LB 56 Brock Coyle DT 37 Carson Bender DE 90 Ryan Fetherston MLB 40 Caleb McSurdy SLB 53 Josh Stuberg
FS 39 Shann Schillinger
SLB 25 Brandon Fisher
WLB 44 Jordan Tripp CB 21 Keith Thompson CB 11 Brandon Dodson FS 9 Mike McCord SS 30 Mike Cummings
MATCHUPS Villanova STARTING DEFENSE
WR 16 Jabin Sambrano
r r
Missoulian, Friday, December 18, 2009 – G13
Way to go Griz!
CB 28 Eric Loper
Villanova ROSTER LB 54 Terence Thomas
DE 56 Tim Kukucha
FS 14 Ross Ventrone
LB 9 Marquis Kirkland
NG 94 Phil Matusz
P 45 Dominic Scarnecchia
WS 2 Fred Maldonado
E 58 Marlon ohnson LB 23 Osayi Osunde SS 21 John Dempsey
Pitts Donald Davis 98 DE Thomas Weaver 55 NG Mario Johnson 57 DE Jacob Wade 42 LB
DEFENSIVE BACKUPS Anthony Johnson 18 LB Devon Bridges 44 LB Kelvin Johnson 26 CB Josh Potts 27 CB Martel Moody 13 FS Ronnie Akins 6 WS
Villanova STARTING OFFENSE WR 8 Norman White
K 49 Nick Yako
RT 70 Jonathan Bugli RG 50 Dan Shirey C 60 Brian Brannigan
QB 17 Chris Whitney
LG 67 Brant Clouser
s
RB 25 Aaron Ball
LT 71 Ben Ijalana
E 47 everin ampbell TE 82 Chris Farmer CB 2 Trumaine Johnson Antwon Young 5 QB Angelo Babbaro 22 RB Dorian Wells 84 WR Kenny Miles 87 WR
WR 4 Matt Szczur
OFFENSIVE BACKUPS Larry Jackson 11 WR Josh Bucci 75 RT Michael Sheridan 60 C Eric Predatsch 85 TE
No. Name 1 – James Pitts 2 – Frederick Maldonado 3 – Brandyn Harvey 4 – Matt Szczur 5 – Antwon Young 6 – Ronnie Akins 7 – Jarred Corey 8 – Norman White 9 – Marquis Kirkland 10 – Tom Teel 11 – Larry Jackson 12 – Christian Culicerto 13 – Martel Moody 14 – Ross Ventrone 15 – Dominic Scarnecchia 16 – Marlon Calbi 17 – Chris Whitney 18 – Anthony Johnson 19 – Chris Johnson 20 – Mikey Reynolds 21 – John Dempsey 22 – Angelo Babbaro 23 – Osayi Osunde 24 – Lawrence Doss 25 – Aaron Ball 26 – Kelvin Johnson 27 – Joshua Potts 28 – Eric Loper 29 – Mike Mayock 30 – John Nelson 31 – Nick Hurley 32 – Tony Canci 33 – Aaron Conaway 34 – Louis Adeyemi 35 – Angel Clybourn 36 – Vince Peterson 37 – Matthew Fritz 39 – George Siracuse 40 – Jonathan Toroni 41 – Aaron Grey 42 – Jacob Wade 43 – Delano Ferguson 44 – Devon Bridges 45 – Connor Nelson 46 – Jeremy Rodriguez 47 – Sean Morrissey 48 – Will Thompson 49 – Nick Yako 50 – Dan Shirey 51 – Joe Makoid 52 – Rakim Cox 53 – Miller Edwards 54 – Terence Thomas
Pos DB DB WR WR QB DB DB WR LB DB WR QB DB DB DB QB QB LB QB WR DB RB LB RB RB DB DB DB DB PK WR RB RB RB LB DB DB LB PK RB LB LB LB LB DB LS LS PK OL DL DL LB LB
Hgt 6-0 5-11 6-4 5-11 6-4 6-0 5-10 6-3 5-10 5-10 6-4 5-9 5-11 5-8 5-10 5-11 6-2 5-10 6-1 5-6 6-0 5-9 6-1 5-7 5-9 5-10 5-10 5-11 6-1 5-5 5-10 5-11 5-7 5-10 6-1 5-11 5-10 5-11 5-6 5-9 5-11 6-0 5-11 6-2 6-1 6-2 6-1 6-0 Fr. 5-10 6-4 6-0 6-0
55 – Thomas Weaver 56 – Tim Kukucka 57 – Mario Johnson 58 – Marlon Johnson 59 – Patrick Haggerty 60 – Brian Brannigan 61 – Michael Sheridan 65 – Gene Oakley 67 – Brant Clouser 70 – Jonathan Bugli 71 – Benjamin Ijalana 74 – Chris Otten 75 – Josh Bucci 76 – Ryan Bennett 77 – Travis Poston 79 – Chidozie Ekweozor 80 – Ramin Mobasseri 81 – Joe Price 82 – Chris Farmer 83 – Zach Ugarte 84 – Dorian Wells 85 – Eric Predatsch 86 – John Jackson 87 – Kenny Miles 88 – Blaise Butler 89 – Brennan Erbeznik 91 – Tamai Young 92 – Sean Miller 93 – Mark Hamilton 94 – Phil Matusz 95 – Conor Maher 96 – Chris Halcovage 97 – Alex Behm 98 – Donald Davis
DL DE DE DE LB OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR WR TE P WR TE TE WR DL TE DL P P NG LB WR DL DL
6-1 6-3 6-2 6-2 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-5 6-4 6-1 6-5 6-4 6-6 6-5 6-0 6-2 6-5 5-11 5-9 6-4 6-3 5-11 6-6 6-5 6-2 6-3 5-10 6-2 6-2 5-11 6-1 6-4
Wgt Year 180 So. 190 Jr. 205 Sr. 195 Jr. 225 Sr. 190 Fr. 170 Jr. 210 So. 250 Jr. 205 Jr. 205 Fr. 190 So. 185 Jr. 190 Sr. 195 So. 180 So. 230 Jr. 215 Jr. 220 Fr. 165 So. 205 Jr. 195 Jr. 245 Sr. 180 So. 200 Jr. 185 So. 175 So. 180 Fr. 190 Fr. 160 Jr. 175 Fr. 200 Sr. 175 Fr. 210 Jr. 220 Jr. 190 Fr. 190 Sr. 210 Fr. 180 So. 180 So. 235 Jr. 205 Fr. 220 Fr. 220 So. 225 So. 200 Sr. 225 Sr. 215 Fr. 6-2 280 265 Fr. 240 Fr. 225 So. 230 Jr. 295 250 250 245 205 285 300 290 290 295 320 295 330 300 330 305 195 180 260 205 180 245 250 185 250 230 260 185 160 300 215 175 230 250
Jr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Fr. So. Fr. So. Sr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. Jr. Sr.
Hometown Montclair, N.J. West Chester, Pa. Spring Valley, Calif. Erma, N.J. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Lansdale, Pa. Davie, Fla. Hammonton, N.J. Syracuse, N.Y. Dumont, N.J. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Charlotte, N.C. Tampa, Fla. Pittsburgh Youngstown, Ohio Montclair, N.J. Warminster, Pa. Atlanta Philadelphia Moorestown, N.J. Secane, Pa. Canfield, Ohio Bloomsburg, Pa. Bellflower, Calif. Los Angeles Philadelphia Harrisburg, Pa. Sicklerville, N.J. Newtown Square, Pa. Newtown, Conn. Wheeling, W.Va. Brookhaven, Pa. Columbia, Md. Los Angeles Mays Landing, N.J. Warren, Ohio Gilbertsville, Pa. Dingmans Ferry, Pa. Berwyn, Pa. Lake Forest, Calif. Silver Spring, Md. Silver Spring, Md. Upper Marlboro, Md. Holmdel, N.J. Laureldale, Pa. Rockville, Md. Glen Arm, Md. Cleveland Feasterville, Pa. Warminster, Pa. San Diego Springfield, Ill. Plainsboro, N.J. Irvington, N.J. Wall, N.J. San Francisco Baltimore Shillington, Pa. Clementon, N.J. Cleveland Harrington Park, N.J. Altoona, Pa. Newburyport, Mass. Hainseport, N.J. Ardmore, Pa. Beaver, Pa. Somerville, N.J. Horsham, Pa. Spring Valley, Calif. King of Prussia, Pa. Havertown, Pa. Philadelphia Ocklawaha, Fla. West Covina, Calif. Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Warrington, Pa. Buena, N.J. Ardmore, Pa. Santa Monica, Calif. Ewing, N.J. Egg Harbor Township, N.J. Gaithersburg, Md. Greenville, Pa. Stony Point, N.Y. Pottsville, Pa. Los Angeles Glassboro, N.J.
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G14 – Missoulian, Friday, December 18, 2009
GRIZZLY GAME DAY / FCS playoff capsule
Playoff picture Compiled by BILL SPELTZ/Missoulian
No. 3 Montana (14-0) vs. No. 2 Villanova (13-1) TV: ESPN2, ESPN2HD Radio: KVWE FM 101.5; KGVO AM 1290; KERR AM 750 Kickoff: 6:05 p.m. MST Venue: Finley Stadium (20,066), Chattanooga, Tenn. Forecast: 41 degrees at game time with a 40 percent chance of rain The matchup: This is the first meeting of the teams ... Montana’s offense has been more pass-oriented and Villanova’s more runoriented. The Griz have passed for 3,643 yards, which is more than 1,500 more than the Wildcats. Villanova has rushed for 3,253 yards, which is more than 900 more than Montana ... Villanova’s defense has been slightly better against the run and pass ... The Wildcats have allowed an average of 13.6 points per game and the Griz an average of 18.7 points per contest ... Of the 14 games Villanova has played, it has trailed in just four. Other than its lone loss to New Hampshire on Oct. 10 (28-24), the Wildcats have trailed in victories over Temple (27-24), Richmond See Playoff, Page G16
Appalachian State running back Devon Moore scores a touchdown last Saturday during a loss to Montana in the FCS semifinal game in Missoula.
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G16 – Missoulian, Friday, December 18, 2009
GRIZZLY GAME DAY / FCS playoff capsule
Playoffs
Continued from Page G14
(21-20) and in Friday’s 14-13 win over William & Mary ... Much has been made all season long about Villanova’s threeheaded monster rushing attack of junior quarterback Chris Whitney, junior running back Aaron Ball and junior wide receiver Matt Szczur. In 14 games this season, the trio has combined to rush for 2,282 yards and 20 touchdowns ... Villanova has set a school record for the most rushing touchdowns in a season with 34. That is partly because of the team’s ability to offer a number of different threats to score on the ground. Four different players have rushed for at least six scores, including Szczur (eight rushing TDs), Whitney (six) and junior running backs Angelo Babbaro and Ball (six each) ... Montana is attempting to become just the fourth undefeated and un-tied team to win the national championship. Eastern Kentucky (1982), Georgia Southern (1989) and Marshall (1996) are the only other teams to accomplish the feat. Youngstown State went 14-0-1 en route to the 1994 national title ... Montana is averaging 45.3 points per game in the playoffs and allowing 21.7 ... The Griz have a playoffhigh nine interceptions and a turnover margin of +9 ... Villanova has not turned the ball over in any of its first three playoff games and the team’s 12 total turnovers currently rank as the fewest in a single season in school history ... The Grizzlies outscored their playoff opponents 98-0 over a span of 95 minutes, 45 seconds. The barrage included 40 straight points in a 61-48 come-from-behind win over South Dakota State in the first round, a 51-0 win over Stephen F. Austin the quarterfinals, and the first seven points against Appalachian State last Saturday ... Montana has scored on 17 of its 18 red-zone possessions in the playoffs, with 13 touchdowns and four field goals ... Grizzly quarterback Andrew Selle has an efficiency rating of 137.2 in the playoffs. He’s completing 57 percent of his passes for 761 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions ... Montana running back Chase Reynolds has scored seven touchdowns in the playoffs, most among players in the field ... Montana has been outscored 64-56 in the first quarter in its 14 games this season. UM has outscored opponents, 460-198, over the final three quarters ... The Grizzlies have not allowed a fourthquarter point in the playoffs, and just 21
Villanova wide receiver Norman White catches a pass over William & Mary’s Wes Steinman during their FCS semifinal game Friday in Philadelphia. Villanova won 14-13. Michael Perez/Associated Press
points in the second half ... Villanova has dominated the first quarter and the first half of games this season. The Wildcats have outscored their opponents, 13530, in the first quarter of games through their first 14 contests and own a scoring margin of 259-81 in the first half of games this year. During its current eight-game winning streak, Villanova has allowed
points in the first quarter in just one of the contests, versus Holy Cross in the first round of the playoffs ... Villanova has a play-making wide receiver in senior Brandyn Harvey. Entering play versus William & Mary, Harvey had career totals of 131 receptions for 1,835 yards and 11 touchdowns ... The 193 yards by Reynolds last week is the single-game
high in the 2009 playoffs ... Wildcats junior safety John Dempsey tallied his second interception of the season in the win over William & Mary last Friday night. It was the 18th interception of the season registered by the Villanova defense ... With a win, Montana will finish 15-0, tying the 2001 national championship team for most wins in a season in school history.
Missoulian, Friday, December 18, 2009 – G17
GRIZZLY GAME DAY / Villanova focus “I’ve been playing pretty much the same way since high school, where I played defense, too. I was used to hitting people. That’s still somewhat my mentality. I’m willing to put everything on the line, to get that extra yard. That’s my way. If that means hitting some guy who’s 30 pounds heavier than me head-on or finding an open man when things break down ...” – Chris Whitney, Villanova quarterback
Whitney
Continued from Page G11
“He’s surrounded by probably the best team we’ve had,” said Talley. “But he’s a winner. He has the intangibles. And that’s really what you measure a quarterback by. He’s going to get it done.” By any which way possible. “A lot of plays out there, he leaves on the drawing board,” Talley said. “But then he has that uncanny ability to make something happen. It looks like he’s getting knocked out of bounds, and somehow he’ll sidestep a guy and get past the (first-down) marker. So you don’t worry about him. He can drive you nuts, but you give him the benefit of the doubt. Because he’s proven himself, in the toughest situations. Even when it looks like he’s having a bad game. “You never give up on him.” In last week’s semifinal win over William & Mary, the other school that Whitney was considering, Nova trailed 10-0 at the half. And had all of two first downs. The Cats won, 14-13. Whitney scored the winning touchdown. The Cats also came back from 10-0 after two quarters in the opener against Temple, and from 20-14 down in the fourth period at No. 1 Richmond in early November. “If you’ve never seen us before, that’s just what we do,” Whitney said. “We just stick together, all do our part and eventually it’ll work out. It doesn’t matter who’s getting the ball. We depend
Michael Perez/Associated Press
A pass intended for Villanova’s Lawrence Doss is broken up by William & Mary’s Robert Livingston during their FCS semifinal game on Friday in Philadelphia. Villanova quarterback Chris Whitney, No. 17, looks on. on each other. It’s how you finish that counts. We always stress that. “We have so many people we can turn to, the offense doesn’t shut down if one person’s not having a good game. That makes my job easier. We’re comfortable with what we’re doing.” Whitney, who made first-team All-Colonial Athletic Association, has
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completed 149 of 234 passes for 1,794 yards and 17 touchdowns, with four interceptions. He’s also the team’s top rusher, with 885 yards and five scores on 187 attempts. So he’s not Chris Boden, or Brett Gordon. He is one win away from a ring. This from someone who wasn’t supposed to play as a freshman. Then
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Antwon Young went down with an injury. So Whitney started the final five games. In the first, the Cats lost at Top 5 Massachusetts in four overtimes. They won three of the next four, narrowly missing out on their first playoff trip since 2002. Last season Whitney replaced Young in the third game, which the Cats won in OT at Penn. The next week they beat topranked Richmond at home. They’ve lost three times since, twice to the same No. 1 (James Madison) a year ago and at Top 5 New Hampshire in early October, each by four points. Nothing ugly about that. “I’ve been playing pretty much the same way since high school, where I played defense, too,” Whitney said. “I was used to hitting people. That’s still somewhat my mentality. I’m willing to put everything on the line, to get that extra yard. That’s my way. If that means hitting some guy who’s 30 pounds heavier than me head-on or finding an open man when things break down ... “I don’t say a lot of inspirational stuff. I have to stay on an even keel out there. But if I see there’s a lane and nobody’s open, I’m going to tuck it and run. A lot of it’s not planned. It’s just me reacting to the play. If I have it in my head to get five yards, that’s just instinct. And I’m not sliding. Coach yells at me to get down, but people know that’s just how I am. I don’t think I’ve ever slid. I’m just thinking get the first down and move on to the next play.”
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G18 – Missoulian, Friday, December 18, 2009
GRIZZLY GAME DAY / FCS picks
HOW WE SEE THE TITLE GAME FRITZ NEIGHBOR
Season record: Fritz 9-4, Bill 8-5, Nick 11-2, Michael 11-2
BILL SPELTZ
That loss kept the Dukes unbeaten and set them up as the No. 1 seed, and it was at home that JMU beat Villanova 31-27 in a Now we take the show on the road. quarterfinal rematch. The Montana Grizzlies ran (and Tough place to play. So it was a little passed) through three home playoff games surprising when Montana went to JMU to get where they are now: Headed for the and pinned a 35-27 “upset” on the Dukes NCAA Division I Football Championship, less than a week later. Friday at 6 p.m. MST in Chattanooga, So, what do you make of these Tenn. Wildcats? Well, they went through this It’s their seventh trip to the title game, regular season with just one loss, and and sixth by the home, home and home nailed down a top two seed and three formula. Three home games can be a boon, home playoff games. They avenged their as Villanova – the Grizzlies’ foe on Friday lone loss in the quarterfinals, thumping – can attest. New Hampshire 46-7. The Wildcats were excellent a year ago They’re a rough bunch, with blue and lost a home game to James Madison, collars to match their uniforms. 23-19 on a 35-yard Hail Mary pass as time Chris Whitney is a tough tackle at ran out. QB, Brandyn Harvey is a big-play, bigBy FRITZ NEIGHBOR of the Missoulian
NICK LOCKRIDGE
period (6-foot-4) receiver, Aaron Ball and Angelo Babbaro are talented runners, Tim Kukucka is a beast at defensive end, John Demspey is all over the place at strong safety and Terence Thomas and Osayi Osunde are mobile linebackers. Oh, and “receiver” Matt Szczur has the ability to go big in many different ways. And he has the best name for a Villanova athlete since Kerry Kittles. Which isn’t to say football has taken over Philadelphia’s Main Line. I can remember as a 7-year-old watching – and rooting for – Villanova to beat UCLA in the 1971 NCAA basketball championship. I was strictly about uniforms then: Nova’s were nicer (in 1975 the same rule made me root for UCLA against Montana; that was before
I figured out those Texas Orange Griz uniforms were so ugly they were cool). I also rooted for Ed Pinkney and his bunch against Georgetown in the 1985 Final Four. I thought Rollie Massimino might expire during every game, but as much as I didn’t like the Big East, I liked Villanova and St. John’s. So what we have here is a basketball school getting its props in football. If by “props” you mean the football team averaging less fans – 7,531 – than it’s men’s hoops team (9,838 last season; 9,404 so far this season) for home games. I believe the Griz will travel better and play better Friday. I believe in Chase Reynolds and the offensive line, in Andrew Selle and the tight ends, in Shann Schillinger, Trumaine Johnson and the secondary. I have faith in the Grizzlies’ excellent D-tackles and ends, and “Beef” Lebsock and the rest of the backers. And of course I really believe in Marc Mariani. Here’s to the Griz coming back from Chatty unbeaten, and with the program’s third FCS crown.
The pick Fritz: Griz 30, Nova 16. Nick: Griz 27, Nova 21. Bill: Griz 35, Nova 21.
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Missoulian, Friday, December 18, 2009 – G19
GRIZZLY GAME DAY / Cover story: Marc Mariani
Mariani
Continued from Page G2
came down to the final play, an Armanti Edwards incompletion in the end zone, before the Griz could punch their ticket to Chattanooga. Which is a long way of saying, this hasn’t been easy. “We’ve worked our butts off,” said Mariani, who has 71 catches this season for 1,301 yards and 12 touchdowns. “But you know we’ve also put ourselves in some pretty bad situations. Like the NAU game (41-34 in overtime), and Eastern (41-34 again) and ISU (12-10). And obviously South Dakota State.” Yet the Grizzlies found a way. “If we don’t win those games, maybe we don’t get home field advantage, don’t get the No. 1 seed,” Mariani said. “All those things kind of fell our way. We feel fortunate to be where we’re at, and we’re definitely ready to get things done on Friday.” Mariani counts both his parents, Steve and Julie, as athletes, but he said a major reason he’s where he’s at now – with 31 career touchdowns, including
“If we don’t win those games, maybe we don’t get home field advantage, don’t get the No. 1 seed. All those things kind of fell our way. We feel fortunate to be where we’re at, and we’re definitely ready to get things done on Friday.”
to play doubles. The track coach came calling; the speedy Mariani kept playing tennis. “We still think, me and a few of the other guys, that we could’ve put together a better four-by-four team than they – Marc Mariani, Griz wide receiver had,” Mariani joked. He and Wagner teamed up to win two State A doubles three returning punts or kicks – is less Julie came to Havre on a job interview titles. because of genetics and more about at the hospital. She was downtown, and attitude. Steve had just got done playing some In the background were his parents, “They’re both very competitive – my fastpitch, and was possibly enjoying an who never pushed him to one sport or whole family is that way,” said Marc, adult beverage. another – well, except Steve groomed who has two sisters. “There is nothing “I was prospecting, I guess,” he said. Marc to be a point guard – and supported – a game of cards, a board game – that They’ve been married 26 years. his decisions. doesn’t get really competitive. So my “Her family is a bunch of big, strong “They were awesome in so many competitive nature comes from them.” cheese heads,” says Steve, who runs a ways,” Marc said. “They didn’t hold me Some genetics are there too: Mom was construction company. “Her brothers back from anything I wanted to do.” a track standout in her native Wisconsin; are all big men: 6-3, 6-4. She’s 5-9 and So in 2005, when their 160-pound son Dad was good at basketball. definitely Type-A. I think Mom should decided to walk on at Montana despite “My dad maybe … didn’t maximize his get lots of credit. All three of the kids are scholarship offers at smaller schools – talents,” says Marc, laughing. “He was a hard-workers, and she’s just motivated with Wagner playing QB, Mariani caught little bit of a renegade.” all the time: Go, go, go.” 48 passes for 1,237 as a senior for the ’04 “I was more interested in cards and Steve contributed in one way by taking State A champion Blue Ponies – they – things,” counters Steve. “My dad didn’t Marc three blocks to the tennis courts. It said, go ahead. have much, and four kids. I pretty much wasn’t pretty. “It wasn’t hard,” said his father. “Our got a job. I was up at 5 a.m. to deliver milk “For the first few years he just opinion is that you can’t spend your life door-to-door; then after school I went whooped me and whooped me and going, ‘Woulda, coulda, shoulda.’ He was back and got the truck set up for the next whooped me until I took my racket and I like, ‘Dad, I think I can play at this level. I morning. walked home,” said Marc. need to give it a shot.’ “But I had a nice car and a little cash in Soon he caught up, and in high school the bank.” he teamed with best friend Gary Wagner See Mariani, Page G22
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G20 – Missoulian, Friday, December 18, 2009
GRIZZLY GAME DAY / Griz storm past Mountaineers, 24-17
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TOM BAUER/Missoulian
Chase Reynolds runs for yards with a boost from tackle Chris Dyk against Appalachian State during last Saturday’s FCS semifinal game at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
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Missoulian, Friday, December 18, 2009 – G21
GRIZZLY GAME DAY / Griz storm past Mountaineers, 24-17
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G22 – Missoulian, Friday, December 18, 2009
GRIZZLY GAME DAY / Cover story: Marc Mariani
Mariani
Continued from Page G19
“Mike Van Diest (of Carroll College, where Wagner has been the starting QB) was pretty much all over him. He just set his sights higher.” He was, in a word, motivated. When the aforementioned Murphy lit him up on a screen play in practice, he was motivated more. “One of the things he did the best over the last four years is the work in the weight room,” noted Montana coach Bobby Hauck. “He’s made himself durable enough to survive out there. Four years ago he wouldn’t have been physical enough to handle all the carries he’s had, the last two years.” The last two years have been unreal: 2,609 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns, on 140 catches. Now 185 pounds, he has surpassed the likes of Mike Erhardt, Shalon Baker and Scott Gurnsey despite playing after the Don Read and Mick Dennehy eras, when the Griz typically threw more than 60 percent of the time. “He’s a special player,” said Hauck. “I don’t say that too often, but he’s a special player.”
behind Mariani’s block on the Mountaineers’ Cortez Gilbert. Eventually safety Mark LeGree came over for the stop, after a 33-yard gain. The Griz kicked a game-tying field goal. “That was right in front of us, over there in the parents’ section,” said Steve Mariani. “That was awesome. He was drawing a lot of heat, and once Chase got by that first wave it helped, because then they had to chase him down.” Mariani isn’t all about catching passes and returning kicks, though he’s supremely talented at both. Receivers’ coach Robin Pflugrad will tell you: If you don’t block, you don’t play. Mariani plays. “He knows what his role is,” says his dad. “Sometimes your role is to block or take a couple guys with you. Somebody’s going to be open.” Saturday against App State it was Jabin Sambrano; he hauled in a perfect pass in one-on-one coverage for the game-winner. That plus a defensive stand put the Griz back in the title game. Friday will be the last game for 19 seniors, including Marc Mariani. “There’s no more, ‘Who’s coming, who are you going to play next week,’ ” he said. “A huge percentage, if not all of us, will graduate this spring or even this fall. We never lost to the Bobcats; we won every Big Sky championship we could. “We just have one goal left to accomplish. It’s kind of a dream-come-true season, and there’s one thing left we have to do.”
Mariani had 12 catches for 172 yards against SDSU and six for 111 against Stephen F. Austin. App State saw that and gave him some extra attention, and he made three catches for 39 yards, all in the first half. Yet late in the third quarter, he made a major contribution. Teammate Chase Reynolds took a handoff and popped into Fritz Neighbor can be the App State secondary at reached at 523-5247 or at midfield, cut right and then left, and right, and left, all fneighbor@missoulian.com.
Montana’s Marc Mariani grabs an 18-yard touchchdown pass from Andrew Selle in the end zone during a game against Sacramento State earlier this season. TOM BAUER/Missoulian
Missoulian, Friday, December 18, 2009 – G23
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