Grizzly Game Day - 8.22.15

Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015 — A1

2015 BIG SKY CONFERENCE PREVIEW • SATURDAY, AUG. 22, 2015

TAKING AIM Eastern Washington, Big Sky adjusting to life without QB Vernon Adams

KURT WILSON, Missoulian

GRIZ: 2-DEEPS • CONFERENCE: PREVIEW CAPSULES • NUMBERS: FINAL 2014 GRIZ & BIG SKY STATS

! z i r G Go

A2 — Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015

GRIZZLY GAME DAY

Up for grabs?

Transfer of EWU QB Vernon Adams shifts the balance of the Big Sky, but by how much? cornerback Nate Harris felt the day he heard about Adams’s departure. His Griz will never have to face the prolific passer ‌The biggest preseason story again. At the same time, that in college football across the means Adams’s perfect record Pacific Northwest, one that against Montana will have to entangled programs in both the remain so.

FCS as well as FBS, was on the “I’m just bummed out minds of the Grizzlies, too. personally because I never beat It wasn’t discussed every him,” a dejected Harris said. day and most players wouldn’t Adams was 4-0 against the admit to thinking about the latest updates that regularly either. Griz in his career, including a win in the second round of the playBut the pending transfer of Eastern Washington quarterback offs last year. His Eagles were actually 8-0 against the state of Vernon Adams certainly held Montana (3-0 vs. Montana State; an audience.

1-0 vs. NAIA Montana-Western) Adams’s circus lasted from during his three years as starter. early February until just last week when the All-American Eastern Washington QB’s move to the bigs and the coach Beau Baldwin won’t Oregon Ducks became official. shy away from it. Yes, it will With the transfer questions be a major hurdle to replace finally quelled — Adams had Adams this fall. But it was hard to pass a math final for a sumto replace Bo Levi Mitchell as mer course to complete his well. And Matt Nichols. And undergraduate degree at EWU Erik Meyer.

— what’s left may be an even “Our situation is no different greater unknown in the Big Sky than when we’ve lost other Conference.

All-American quarterbacks,” What the heck affect will the said the Eagles’ eighth-year sudden disappearance of one head coach. “In my time at of the Big Sky’s greatest talents Eastern, Vernon, he’s the fourth have on the upcoming season?

All-American quarterback It’s a complicated matter, we’ve lost.” one that ripples off throughout Big Sky coaches and media the league’s other 12 teams.

You’ll see the difference in their members seemed to agree that defenses and on the stat sheets. Baldwin’s recruiting and his What’s just as complex was the way Grizzly senior See ADAMS, Page A4 AJ MAZZOLINI ajmazzolini@missoulian.com‌

Eastern Washington athletic department‌

Junior Jordan West is the heir apparent at quarterback for Eastern Washington after Big Sky Conference record-smashing QB Vernon Adams transferred to Oregon in the offseason.

Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015 — A3

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A4 — Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015

GRIZZLY GAME DAY | FROM PAGE 2

Montana football players celebrate their win over Montana State as fireworks go off at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The Grizzlies defeated the Bobcats 34-7.

Adams Continued

staff’s coaching has EWU ready to bound over this latest obstacle rather unimpaired. The Eagles are preseason favorites (according to the media) to capture at least a share of a fourth straight league title. Conference coaches figured

Montana State had the inside edge, but only by a single vote.

The confidence in Eastern was perhaps easier to place after seeing the heir to Adams’s throne. Junior Jordan West, a 6-foot-4 passer out of Maple Valley, Washington, is coming to the field with more experience than typical for someone who backed up the conference’s single-season (55) and all-time leader

(110) in touchdown passes. He started four games last season.

“For Jordan it was a blessing, knowing how much he played last year,” Baldwin said of West’s relief role while Adams recovered from a foot injury, an ailment that healed just in time for the QB to gash Montana for 410 yards and four scores last November.

“He got time and played well — played

TOM BAUER, Missoulian

very well — and he was one point away from being 4-0 as a starter.”

Eastern’s only Big Sky loss last year, a 28-27 thriller in Flagstaff, Arizona, saw Northern Arizona drive 77 yards in 35 seconds for a TD with just 12 seconds remaining.

West threw for 1,010 yards in those See ADAMS, Page A5

Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015 — A5

GRIZZLY GAME DAY | FROM PAGE 4

KURT WILSON, Missoulian

Montana’s Matt Hermanson gets stiff armed by Eastern Washington’s Cooper Kupp.

Adams Continued

starts with an 8:1 touchdown-tointerception ratio.

“They’re still at the top and playing them is gonna be just as hard as when he was there or if he’s not,” Harris said.

“He was such a prolific passer for our

conference. I loved playing against a guy like that, but I do think they’ll take a couple steps back without him.”

Maybe not back, just back to the pack.

The Big Sky is ripe with combatants as the league searches to put three or more teams in the postseason for a fourth consecutive season and win its first national title since EWU’s crown

Chief among the challengers is Montana State, which unlike Eastern returns its All-American candidate at quarterback in junior Dakota Prukop.

The Bobcats have nine starters back in all on offense in coach Rob Ash’s ninth year in Bozeman and are hoping the defense matches the offense’s productivity in the first year under co-defensive coordinators Jamie Marshall and

Kane Ioane.

“Our conference is full of offensive superpowers,” began Prukop, a 6-2 passer from Austin, Texas. “It’s an offensive league and at the same time it sets up a path way for a team. If a team can come in with a defensive coordinator to be an anchor, that’s a big advantage.”

See ADAMS, Page A8

A6 — Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015

GRIZZLY GAME DAY | 2014 IN PHOTOS

JUKE AND JIVE

Montana tight end Mitch Saylor fights off a tackle by Cal Poly’s Jordan Williams in San Luis Obispo, California.

TOM BAUER, Missoulian‌

Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015 — A7

GRIZZLY GAME DAY | STAT PACK

BY THE NUMBERS ‌1

NCAA Division I football games being played on Saturday, Aug. 29.

The season begins with North Dakota State visiting Montana as part of ESPN’s FCS Kickoff at 1:30 p.m.

348.1

Passing yards per game put up by Idaho State last season, the most in the nation. The Big Sky Conference had four teams in the top 10 in passing offense with No. 2 Eastern Washington (328.2), No. 6 Southern Utah (320.9) and No. 10 Sacramento State (303.0).

23,777

Average attendance for Montana’s seven home games in 2014, the most in the country by almost 4,000 ahead of No. 2 James Madison (19,816).

110

Career passing touchdowns for Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams, a Big Sky record that Adams will not add to after he transferred to FBS Oregon for his final season.

4

Big Sky teams ranked in the preseason top 25 FCS poll released by STATS in August. Eastern Washington leads the way in sixth with Montana State (11th), Montana (13th) and Idaho State (22nd).

0

Career football games at the Division I level as head coach for Bob Stitt, the 36th head coach in Montana program history who was hired this offseason.

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A8 — Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015

GRIZZLY GAME DAY | FROM PAGE 5

MICHAEL GALLACHER, Missoulian‌

Montana receiver Ryan Burke runs after catching a pass against Northern Colorado.

Adams Continued

The Grizzlies hope to join the offensive fray — Big Sky teams averaged 250 yards passing with four climbing into the top 10 in the nation — under first-year head coach Bob Stitt while maintaining their hold as a defensive

power. The Griz have led the league in scoring defense seven times in the past 10 years, including last season.

League polls slotted UM in at No. 3 despite the team breaking in a new coach, quarterback and offensive system.

“I love being under the radar,” Harris said. “That’s why you got to play the games. Otherwise just

give (Eastern Washington) a big fat championship and end the season right now.”

Idaho State is coming off its first winning season in more than a decade and preseason accolades have the Bengals being a team to contend again.

Six players from Pocatello earned allBig Sky preseason honors, most among conference programs.

Along with Eastern (6th), Montana State (11th) and Montana (13th), Idaho State gives the Big Sky four teams ranked in the initial FCS top 25 poll put out by STATS recently.

Darkhorses Northern Arizona and Cal Poly are also just outside the top 25 and give the league at least six teams with a reasonable chance to see postseason life three months from now.

Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015 — A9

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A10 — Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015

GRIZZLY GAME DAY | CONFERENCE CAPSULES

AROUND THE BIG SKY

COMPLIED AJ MAZZOLINI, MISSOULIAN

EASTERN WASHINGTON‌ Forecast: 1st by Big Sky media, 2nd by coaches Last season: 11-3 overall, 8-0 in Big Sky (1st) Starters returning: 13 (7 offense, 6 defense) Coach: Beau Baldwin (Central Washington, ‘96), 67-25 in 8th year at EWU, 77-28 for career

Bottom Line‌ The Eagles are in the midst of their most successful stretch of football in program history with 34 wins over the past three seasons, most in a three-year period by a wide margin (by 7 wins). EWU would be a sure favorite to win the Big Sky Conference for a fourth straight season if not for the transfer of quarterback Vernon Adams this summer, the Big Sky’s singleseason (55) and all-time leader (110) in touchdown passes. As it is, the Eagles may still take the crown with a slew of talented players back that includes the top receiver in the nation in junior Cooper Kupp.

Prediction: 1st Offense‌ The Eagles will be good, but it could be another deep playoff run if Eastern’s replacement for Adams turns out to be another stalwart quarterback. Junior Jordan West takes over the helm, but he’s got more than just Kupp (104 catches in 2014) to throw to. Senior WR Shaq Hill is a three-time all-league honoree and Zach Wimberly is all-Big Sky at tight end.

Defense‌ Eastern’s defense wasn’t great last season and won’t need to be again this time with the way the offense puts up points. The defense is changing looks for 2015, switching to a 4-2-5 base D’ with five defensive backs to increase team speed and help stop the pass. Safeties Zach Bruce and Victor Gamboa will lead a well-used secondary.

Notable: Since the addition of the red “Inferno” turf to Roos Field for the 2010 season, the Eagles have posted a 31-4 record at home. They open the 2015 campaign ranked sixth by STATS in the FCS coaches’ and media polls.

Quotable: “He did amazing things for

Montana State defensive back Robert Marshall, left, tackles Montana running back Jordan Canada.

Eastern Washington and that will never be forgotten and always appreciated.” – EWU coach Beau Baldwin, on the transfer of senior QB Vernon Adams to Oregon.

them in the preseason last year with junior standout Dakota Prukop back under center. The preseason All-America candidate will lead an offensive unit hungry to burst back into the playoffs after an early exit a year ago. If the defense can pick it up — MSU ranked 12th in total defense a year ago after 14 straight years in the top five — this team will be dangerous.

Prediction: 2nd

TOM BAUER, Missoulian‌

Defense‌

Last season was a rough year for the Cats’ defense, giving up on average 468 yards and 33 points a game. Only two starters are back from that unit, both a good thing and a bad. Sophomore defensive back MONTANA STATE‌ Bryson Keeton will lead the group; he was Forecast: 1st by Big Sky coaches, 2nd the team’s third-leading tackler in 2014. by media Notable: The Bobcats have enjoyed Last season: 8-5 overall, 6-2 in Big winning seasons in all eight of Coach Ash’s Sky (tied 2nd) years in Bozeman. MSU opens the season Starters returnOffense‌ ranked 11th by STATS in the FCS coaches’ ing: 11 (9 offense, and media polls.

2 defense) The offense is stacked, returning tons Quotable: “That’s gonna be the hard Coach: Rob Ash of talent for a unit that put up more than part, there’s no surprises now. We’ll have to (Cornell College, 38 points and 488 yards per game a year ‘69), 65-32 in 9th ago. Prukop has three returning starters to be on our best coaching here to stay ahead year at MSU, 241-131-5 for career throw to in Mitch Griebel, Mitchell Herbert of the game and keep throwing wrinkles out there to keep us effective.” — MSU and Justin Paige and a line that features Bottom Line‌ coach Rob Ash, on his evolving offense. four starters back as well, including preseason All-American guard JP Flynn.

The Bobcats won’t have to go through the questions at quarterback that followed See CAPSULES, Page 16

Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015 — A11

GRIZZLY GAME DAY | STAT PACK

MONTANA STATISTICS ‌MONTANA (9-5)

Griz Opp Scoring average 29.6 21.0 Rushing yards 167.9 148.1 Avg./Rush 5-1 3.8 Passing 244-430-7 271-449-14 Passing yards 226.6 211.4 Average per pass 7.4 6.6 Total offense 394.4 359.4 Average per play 6.2 5.0 3rd-down conv.

83-196 81-203 Time of possession 28:09 31:50 Fumbles-lost 7-4 15-11 Kick returns 43-17.4 45-23.0 Punt returns 34-10.8 20-12.2 Punting 72-39.9 71-40.0 Sacks by-yards 46-247 18-108 Montana 105 132 100 78 – 415 Opponents 46 70 74 104 – 294

Special teams leaders

PATs/Field goals Daniel Sullivan 33-34/11-14, long 42, 2 blocked, 66 points Harrison Greenberg 15-16/2-5, long 29, 0 blocked, 21 points Chris Lider 2-2/0-1, long 0, 0 blocked, 2 points Punting Chris Lider 45-40.4, long 60, 12 inside 20, 0 blocked Stephen Shaw 25-42.4, long 64, 8 inside 20, 1 blocked Punt returns John Nguyen 32-9.5, long 60, 1 TD Ellis Henderson 1-4.0, long 4, 0 TDs Addison Owen 1-13.0, long 13, 0 TDs Tucker Schye 0-46.0, long 46, 1 TD Kickoff returns John Nguyen 25-16.9, long 25, 0 TDs Lorenzo Logwood 5-23.4, long 33, 0 TDs Jamaal Jones 5-18.6, long 28, 0 TDs Ellis Henderson 2-20.0, long 23, 0 TDs Connor Strahm 2-8.5, long 17, 0 TDs Van 1-45.0, , long 45, 0 TDS Wilson 1-15.0, long 15, 0 TDs Horner 1-5.0, long 5, 0 TDs Josh Janssen 1-0.0, long 0, 0 TDs

Offensive leaders

Rushing Jordan Canada 216-1,207 (5.6 ypc.), long 74, 11 TDs Travon Van 83-478 (5.8 ypc.), long 71, 7 TDs John Nguyen 33-265 (8.0 ypc.), long 54, 2 TDs Jordan Johnson 61-228 (3.7 ypc), long 43, 2 TDs Lorenzo Logwood 30-121 (4.0 ypc), long 17, 0 TDs Treshawn Favors 16-56 (3.5 ypc), long 8, 0 TDs Ellis Henderson 2-9 (4.5 ypc), long 19, 0 TDs Jamal Wilson 3-1 (0.3 ypc), long 1, 1 TD Josh Janssen 1-1 (1.0 ypc), long 1, 0 TDs Ryan Burke 1-(-2) (-2.0 ypc), long -2, 0 TDs Shay Smithwick-Hann 5-(-3) (-0.6 ypc), long 9, 0 TDs Passing Jordan Johnson 217-382-6, 2,784 yards, long 72, 24 TDs Shay Smithwick-Hann 25-42-1, 312 yards, long 85, 4 TDs Ryan Burke 2-4-0, 76 yards, long 50, 1 TD Brady Gustafson 0-2-0, 0 yards, 0 TDs Receiving Jamaal Jones 67-1,044 (15.6 ypc.), long 72, 8 TDs Travon Van 63-730 (11.6 ypc.), long 85, 5 TDs Mitch Saylor 34-366 (10.8 ypc.), long 38, 5 TDs Josh Janssen 16-266 (16.6 ypc.), long 50, 3 TDs Sean Haynes 16-250 (15.6 ypc), long 44, 1 TD Ryan Burke 15-186 (12.4 ypc.), long 41, 2 TDs Jordan Canada 12-120 (10.0 ypc), long 26, 2 TDs Ellis Henderson 12-110 (9.2 ypc), long 38, 0 TDs Mike Ralston 4-41 (10.2 ypc), long 21, 2 TDs Kevin Berland 3-42 (14.0 ypc), long 21, 1 TD Jamal Wilson 1-10 (10.0 ypc), long 10, 0 TDs Josh Horner 1-7 (7.0 ypc), long 7, 0 TDs

Montana celebrates its last minute win against North Dakota last October.

Defensive leaders

Tackles LB K. Van Ackeren 122, 56 unassisted LB Jeremiah Kose 117, 44 unassisted FS Matt Hermanson 109, 52 unassisted LB Herbert Gamboa 107, 46 unassisted DE Zack Wagenmann 74, 34 unassisted DE Tyrone Holmes 66, 26 unassisted SS Justin Whitted 63, 31 unassisted CB Joshua Dennard 59, 29 unassisted CB Nate Harris 55, 34 unassisted DT Trevor Rehm 55, 7 unassisted NT Tonga Takai 49, 18 unassisted DE Derek Crittenden 32, 8 unassisted DT Zach Peevey 30, 10 unassisted LB Tucker Schye 21, 9 unassisted S Jake Dallaserra 20, 8 unassisted LB Connor Strahm 20, 8 unassisted S Eric Johnson 18, 8 unassisted LB Connor Lebsock 17, 8 unassisted CB JR Nelson 17, 11 unassisted NT Nate Bradley 13, 2 unassisted S Jamaal Anderson 8, 4 unassisted CB Tyrel Garner 8, 1 unassisted DE Ryan Johnson 7, 1 unassisted DE Addison Owen 7, 3 unassisted K Chris Lider 5, 4 unassisted RB John Nguyen 4, 2 unassisted DT Caleb Kidder 3, 0 unassisted WR Josh Janssen 3, 1 unassisted WR Jamaal Jones 3, 2 unassisted CB Chris Parker 2, 2 unassisted DT Bo Harris 2, 0 unassisted LS Aaron Held 2, 1 unassisted CB Shane Moody 2, 2 unassisted K Harrison Greenberg 1, 0 unassisted

DE Aschan Richards 1, 0 unassisted S Mick Delaney 1, 0 unassisted CB Ryan McKinley 1, 1 unassisted WR Marq Rogers 1, 0 unassisted TE Mitch Saylor 1, 1 unassisted RB Jordan Canada 1, 1 unassisted Tackles for loss DE Wagenmann 22.5-114 DE Holmes 14.0-59 LB Gamboa 10.5-42 LB Kose 9.0-28 NT Takai 7.0-22 DE Crittenden 5.5-12 LB Van Ackeren 5.0-10 DT Peevey 4.5-20 DT Rehm 4.0-19 CB Harris 3.5-12 CB Dennard 3.5-8 SS Whitted 2.5-3 LB Strahm 2.0-3 FS Hermanson 1.0-3 LB Schye 0.5-1 Sacks DE Wagenmann 17.5-100 DE Holmes 7.5-42 LB Gamboa 6.0-32 DE Crittenden 4.0-10 NT Takai 3.5-14 DT Peevey 3.0-18 DT Rehm 1.5-14 LB Kose 1.0-7 LB Van Ackeren 1.0-6 FS Hermanson 0.5-3 LB Strahm 0.5-1

MICHAEL GALLACHER, Missoulian‌

Interceptions FS Hermanson 6-89, long 40, 0 TDs LB Kose 2-0, long 0, 0 TDs SS Whitted 2-(-5), long 1, 0 TDs NT Takai 1-5, long 5, 0 TDs CB Dennard 1-0, long 0, 0 TDs CB Harris 1-0, long 0, 0 TDs Fumbles forced-recovered DE Wagenmann 6-2 DE Holmes 2-0 LB Van Ackeren 1-3 DE Crittenden 1-2 LB Gamboa 1-1 FS Hermanson 1-0 NT Takai 1-0 S Jake Dallaserra 1-0 DT Rehm 0-1 DT Nate Bradley 0-1 Pass breakups CB Dennard 12 CB Harris 8 FS Hermanson 8 LB Kose 6 SS Whitted 5 DE Wagenmann 4 LB Van Ackeren 3 NT Takai 3 LB Gamboa 2 DE Holmes 2 DT Rehm 2 DE Crittenden 1 DT Peevey 1 LB Schye 1 S Dallaserra 1

A12 — Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015

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LG 79 Max Kelly C 70 Ben Weyer RG 71 Devon Dietrich RT 76 David Reese

WR 13 Josh Janssen

15-RETIRED IN HONOR OF DAVE DICKENSON 16-Dalton Daum WR 6-2 180 Fr. Butte, Mont.

17-Makena Simis QB 6-2 205 R-So. Boise, Idaho 18-Tyler Lucas WR 6-4 220 R-Sr. Bellefonte, Pa. 19-Kobey Eaton WR 6-3 190 Fr. Hacienda Heights, Calif.

20-John Nguyen RB 5-7 180 Jr. Seattle, Wash.

21-Joey Counts RB 5-9 215 R-Jr. Mesa, Ariz.

22-RETIRED IN HONOR OF TERRY DILLON 23-Caleb Lyons WR 5-9 175 R-Fr. Lakewood, Wash.

24-Lorenzo Logwood RB 5-8 190 So. Oakland, Calif.

25-Shane Moody CB 5-8 160 R-So. Parker, Colo.

26-Carl Johnson RB 6-0 180 R-Fr. Hardin, Mont.

27-Nico Graham WR 5-10 180 R-So. Missoula, Mont.

28-Jerrin Williams S 6-2 220 Fr. Vancouver, Wash.

29-Brody Martinez RB 5-10 196 Fr. Federal Way, Wash.

30-Evan Epperly S 5-10 180 R-Fr. Kalispell, Mont.

31-Justin Whitted S 6-1 195 R-Sr. Los Angeles, Calif.

32-Zach Vis LB 6-3 205 R-So. Lyden, Wash.

33-Connor Lebsock LB 6-2 205 R-Sr. Billings, Mont.

34-Jamal Wilson DT 5-11 270 R-Sr. Fontana, Calif.

35-Kendrick Van Ackeren LB 6-1 220 Sr. Bellevue, Wash.

36-Herbert Gamboa LB 6-1 215 Sr. San Clemente, Calif.

37-Caleb Kidder DT 6-5 275 R-Jr. Helena, Mont.

38-Jeffrey Salamon WR 5-11 180 Fr. Riverside, Calif.

39-Jake Dallaserra S 5-11 180 R-Sr. Butte, Mont.

40-David Fa’atuiese LB 6-3 240 Fr. Vista, Calif.

41-Mick Delaney S 6-0 193 R-So. Bozeman, Mont.

42-Josh Buss LB 6-2 203 R-Fr. Boise, Idaho 43-Nate Bradley DT 5-10 260 R-So. Billings, Mont.

45-Jeremiah Kose MLB 6-2 230 Oceanside, Calif.

46-Austin Chadderdon DE 6-2 200 R-Fr. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 47-Derek Crittenden DE 6-3 240 R-Sr. Whitefish, Mont.

48-Donald Bedell DE 6-4 245 R-Sr. Fair Haven, N.J. 49-Jesse Sims DE 6-4 235 Fr. Stevensville, Mont.

50-Aaron Held Snaps 6-1 193 R-Jr. Sacramento, Calif.

51-Tucker Schye DE 6-4 225 R-So. Malta, Mont.

52-Nick Mertes DE 6-3 235 R-Fr. Edina, Minn.

53-Dante Olso LB 6-3 220 Fr. Medford, Ore. 54-Gage Smit LB 6-3 215 R-Fr. Whitefish, Mont.

55-Kyle Davis DT 6-1 245 San Diego, Calif.

56-Alex Thomas LB 6-0 215 R-Fr. Great Falls, Mont.

57-Shayne Cochran LB 6-1 210 R-Fr. Culbertson, Mont.

58-Tyler Richtmyer DE 6-2 215 R-Fr. Missoula, Mont.

59-Cy Sirmon LB 6-3 225 Fr. Wenatchee, Wash.

60-Jackson Thiebes OL 6-5 280 R-Jr. Kalispell, Mont.

64-Colin McGillivray OL 6-7 278 Fr. Portland, Ore. 65-Cody Meyer OL 6-3 270 Fr. San Marcos, Calif.

66-Dallas Hart OL 6-5 295 Fr. Cypress, Calif.

67-Joe Paolina, OL 6-7 290 Fr. Poway, Calif.

68-McCauley Todd OL 6-7 295 R-Jr. Cedar Rapids, Iowa 69-Jared Clark OL 6-6 270 Jr. San Diego, Calif.

70-Ben Weyer OL 6-4 270 R-Jr. Bozeman, Mont.

71-Devon Dietrich OL 6-4 270 R-Jr. Woodinville, Wash.

72-Cooper Sprunk C 6-4 250 R-So. Tigard Ore. 73-Angel Villanueva OL 6-5 310 Fr. Duarte, Calif.

74-John Schmaing OL 6-7 290 R-Sr. Billings, Mont.

75-Robert Luke C 6-4 315 So. Tacoma, Wash.

76-David Reese OL 6-7 270 So. Happy Valley, Ore. 77-Cameron Rokich OL 6-5 245 R-So. West Jordan, Utah 78-Clint LaRowe OL 6-5 290 R-Jr. Miles City, Mont.

79-Max Kelly OL 6-7 290 R-Jr. Spokane, Wash.

80-Josh Horner WR 6-5 220 So. Great Falls, Mont.

81-Zach Hollenback WR 5-11 185 R-Fr. Missoula, Mont.

82-Jerry Louie-McGee WR 5-9 170 Fr. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83-Ryan Burke WR 6-4 190 R-Jr. Billings, Mont.

84-Donovan Rooks WR 6-4 185 Fr. Yuma, Ariz.

85-Reese Carlson WR 6-4 215 R-Fr. Gig Harbor, Wash.

86-Ben Roberts WR 6-4 205 R-Sr. Missoula, Mont.

87-Chris Lider K/P 6-1 199 R-Sr. Bellevue, Wash.

88-Colin Bingham WR 6-3 220 Fr. Missoula, Mont.

91-Tyrone Holmes DE 6-4 245 Sr. Eagle Point, Ore. 93-Zach Peevey DT 6-3 255 R-Jr. Missoula, Mont.

94-Harrison Greenberg K 5-8 170 R-Jr. Lake Oswego, Ore. 95-Andrew Harris DE 6-4 215 Fr. Kalispell, Mont.

97-Ryan Johnson DE 6-3 255 R-Jr. Vancouver, Wash.

98-Mike Ralston 6-5 245 R-So. Eugene, Ore. 99-Reggie Tilleman DE 6-4 195 R-Fr. Genesee, Idaho

WR 6 Jamaal Jones

RB 86 Reese Carlson

No.-Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Year Hometown

Punter 87 Chris Lider

WR 7 Ellis Henderson

MONTANASTARTING OFFENSE LG RB

70 20

Ben Weyer, Jr. John Nguyen, Jr.

MONTANA BACKUP DEFENSE FS 9 Yamen Sanders

CB 2 Ryan McKinley

OLB 42 Josh Buss

DE 97 Ryan Johnson

MLB 10 Connor Strahm

DT 43 Nate Bradley

SS 39 Jake Dalassera OLB 33 Connor Lebsock

P 87 Chris Lider

DT 93 Zach Peevey

DE 46 Austin Chadderdon CB 1 Markell Sanders

MONTANA BACKUPS ON DEFENSE

Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015 — A13

DAY MATCHUPS

BIGGEST JACKPOT PAYOUT IN THE REGION

MONTANA STARTING DEFENSE CB 11 Nate Harris

FS 8 Manu Rasmussen

OLB 35 Kendrick Van Ackeren DE 47 Derek Crittenden

MLB 45 Jeremiah Kose

DT 34 Jamal Wilson DT 37 Caleb Kidder

SS 31 Justin Whitted

OLB 36 Herbert Gamboa

DE 91 Tyrone Holmes

MONTANA STARTING DEFENSE

MONTANA BACKUP OFFENSE WR 83 Ryan Burke

HB 18 Tyler Lucas

RT 68 McCauley Todd RG 78 Clint LaRowe C 75 Robert Luke

QB 11 Chad Chalich

MONTANA‌

Forecast: 3rd by Big Sky coaches and media Last season: 9-5 overall, 6-2 in Big Sky (tied 2nd) Starters returning: 13 (7 offense, 6 defense) Coach: Bob Stitt (Doane, ‘87), 0-0 in 1st year at UM, 108-62 for career

Bottom Line‌ The Grizzlies are breaking in a new head coach, new quarterback and new offensive system, hopefully in time for the season opener — a tough one in preseason No. 1 and four-time defending FCS national champion North Dakota State. The Griz have two pounding stretches in their schedule against four opponents in the preseason top 25 and will need to go at least .500 there to find themselves in the hunt for the postseason.

That’s doable if the offense finds itself and the defense maintains its stance. Prediction: 3rd Offense‌ Coach Stitt’s quick-paced, pass-heavy offense keys on the quarterback making smart decisions. The graduation of three-year starter Jordan Johnson left a hole that 6-foot-7 junior Brady Gustafson is trying to fill.

He’s got the smarts for it, a must according to Stitt, and more than ample weapons on the outside to pass to led

by WRs Jamaal Jones, Ellis Henderson and Ryan Burke.

K 5 Daniel Sullivan

CB 18 JR Nelson

MONTANA CAPSULE

RB 24 Lorenzo Logwood

LG 69 Jared Clark

Defense‌ Montana has its entire starting linebacking unit back, the anchor in the middle. The Griz also have a few returning highlights on the line in Tyrone DE Holmes and DT Caleb Kidder while the defensive backfield will rely on the experience of SS Justin Whitted and CB Nate Harris. The Griz led the Big Sky in scoring defense for the seventh time in the past 10 years in 2014.

Notable: The Grizzlies have posted winning seasons in 27 of the past 28 years — 2012 the lone exception — with FCS playoff appearances in 20 of 22. The Griz are ranked 13th in the preseason STATS FCS top 25 poll.

Quotable: “I always think that we’re the cream of the crop.” — UM senior CB Nate Harris, on his team’s place in the Big Sky. Schedule‌

LT 60 Jackson Thiebes WR 5 Chase Naccarato WR 86 Ben Roberts

K 12 Danny Peoples

SACRAMENTO STATE BACKUPS ON OFFENSE LG 75

Robert Luke

Aug. 29 No. 1 North Dakota State 1:30 p.m.

Sept. 5 No. 28 Cal Poly 7 p.m.

Sept. 12 Bye Sept. 19 @ No. 15 Liberty 5 p.m. (MT) Sept. 26 No. 32 Northern Arizona 2 p.m.

Oct. 3 @ UC Davis 2 p.m. (MT) Oct. 10 Weber State 2 p.m.

Oct. 17 Bye Oct. 24 North Dakota 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 31 @ Portland State 3 p.m. (MT) Nov. 7 @ No. 22 Idaho State 2:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 No. 6 Eastern Washington 1:30 p.m.

Nov. 21 @ No. 11 Montana State noon

(preseason rankings)

Announcing the

Giving Back at Griz Games Contest

Visit our website at www.missoulafcu.org for contest details.

McQuiRk tEaM

Bill McQuirk

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A14 — Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015

GRIZZLY GAME DAY | STAT PACK

BIG SKY CONFERENCE STATISTICS TEAM STATISTICS

SCORING OFFENSE

G TD XP 2XP DXP FG Saf Pts Avg EWU 14 84 73 1 0 13 0 678 44.1 ISU 12 64 52 3 0 14 0 484 40.3 Sac St. 12 60 56 0 0 14 0 458 38.2 MSU 13 66 51 4 0 13 1 496 38.2 Cal Poly 12 58 52 0 0 2 0 406 33.8 Montana 14 54 50 0 0 13 1 415 29.6 NAU 12 40 37 1 0 12 0 315 26.2 Davis 11 39 37 0 0 5 0 286 26.0 PSU 12 34 33 0 0 17 1 290 24.2 S.Utah 12 37 31 1 0 7 1 278 23.2 Weber 12 32 28 3 0 12 0 262 21.8 UNC 11 27 20 2 0 8 2 214 19.5 UND 12 20 17 2 0 16 1 191 15.9 RUSHING OFFENSE

G Att Yds Avg TD Yds/G Cal Poly 12 764 4221 5.5 44 351.8 MSU 13 614 3178 5.2 43 244.5 ISU 12 457 2567 5.6 25 213.9 PSU 12 458 2500 5.5 17 208.3 EWU 14 552 2593 4.7 32 185.2 Sac St. 12 431 2145 5.0 21 178.8 Montana 14 463 2350 5.1 23 167.9 NAU 12 445 1774 4.0 15 147.8 Davis 11 317 1585 5.0 12 144.1 Weber 12 414 1627 3.9 12 135.6 UND 12 443 1397 3.2 10 116.4 UNC 11 380 1184 3.1 9 107.6 S.Utah 12 383 1248 3.3 11 104.0 SCORING DEFENSE

G TD XP 2XP DXP FG Saf Pts Avg Montana 14 36 31 1 0 15 0 294 21.0 NAU 12 38 35 2 0 13 1 308 25.7 UND 12 40 36 0 0 12 1 314 26.2 Cal Poly 12 43 41 1 0 14 0 343 28.6 UNC 11 40 36 1 0 19 1 337 30.6 Weber 12 46 40 1 0 16 1 368 30.7 EWU 14 57 46 3 0 15 0 439 31.4 ISU 12 51 45 1 0 8 0 377 31.4 MSU 13 55 44 2 0 17 2 433 33.3 PSU 12 53 52 1 0 12 0 408 34.0 S.Utah 12 58 57 1 1 6 0 427 35.6 Sac St. 12 57 51 1 0 12 1 433 36.1 Davis 11 55 53 0 0 11 0 416 37.8 RUSHING DEFENSE

G Rushes Yards Avg. TD Yds/G UND 12 461 1230 2.7 12 102.5 Montana 14 549 2073 3.8 16 148.1 PSU 12 442 1930 4.4 23 160.8 EWU 14 501 2456 4.9 24 175.4 Cal Poly 12 446 2158 4.8 17 179.8 ISU 12 487 2204 4.5 23 183.7 Sac St. 12 430 2270 5.3 25 189.2 MSU 13 463 2508 5.4 25 192.9 Davis 11 448 2197 4.9 26 199.7 UNC 11 455 2301 5.1 19 209.2 NAU 12 476 2555 5.4 20 212.9 Weber 12 532 2579 4.8 25 214.9 S.Utah 12 568 2868 5.0 26 239.0 PASS OFFENSE

Att Cmp Int Pct. Yds Avg TD Yds/G ISU 535 325 10 60.7 4177 7.8 39 348.1 EWU 527 340 9 64.5 4595 8.7 45 328.2 S.Utah 490 315 15 64.3 3856 7.9 25 321.3 Sac St. 455 284 10 62.4 3636 8.0 34 303.0 NAU 420 257 11 61.2 3285 7.8 23 273.8 Weber 432 253 14 58.6 2994 6.9 19 249.5 MSU 347 228 13 65.7 3175 9.1 21 244.2 Davis 343 221 10 64.4 2564 7.5 26 233.1 UNC 329 214 8 65.0 2552 7.8 15 232.0 Montana 430 244 7 56.7 3172 7.4 29 226.6 PSU 423 216 17 51.1 2408 5.7 15 200.7 UND 290 142 13 49.0 1655 5.7 6 137.9 Cal Poly 182 109 3 59.9 1571 8.6 14 130.9 TOTAL OFFENSE

Rush Pass Plys Yds Avg TD Yds/G ISU 2567 4177 992 6744 6.8 64 562.0 EWU 2593 4595 1079 7188 6.7 77 513.4 MSU 3178 3175 961 6353 6.6 64 488.7 Cal Poly 4221 1571 946 5792 6.1 58 482.7 Sac St. 2145 3636 886 5781 6.5 55 481.8 S.Utah 1248 3856 873 5104 5.8 36 425.3 NAU 1774 3285 865 5059 5.8 38 421.6

PSU 2500 2408 881 4908 5.6 32 409.0 Montana 2350 3172 893 5522 6.2 52 394.4 Weber 1627 2994 846 4621 5.5 31 385.1 Davis 1585 2564 660 4149 6.3 38 377.2 UNC 1184 2552 709 3736 5.3 24 339.6 UND 1397 1655 733 3052 4.2 16 254.3 PASS DEFENSE

Att Cmp Int Pct. Yds Avg TD Yds/G NAU 312 171 9 54.8 2127 6.8 15 177.2 UNC 323 191 18 59.1 2310 7.2 19 210.0 Montana 449 271 14 60.4 2959 6.6 17 211.4 Weber 365 214 8 58.6 2776 7.6 20 231.3 Cal Poly 377 231 11 61.3 2808 7.4 25 234.0 UND 357 227 7 63.6 3023 8.5 23 251.9 EWU 510 305 19 59.8 3730 7.3 32 266.4 Sac St. 426 271 11 63.6 3322 7.8 30 276.8 Davis 342 235 7 68.7 3100 9.1 27 281.8 PSU 452 264 6 58.4 3388 7.5 25 282.3 S.Utah 397 244 11 61.5 3444 8.7 29 287.0 ISU 474 279 19 58.9 3493 7.4 22 291.1 MSU 479 285 8 59.5 3820 8.0 28 293.8 TOTAL DEFENSE

Rush Pass Plys Yards Avg TD Yds/G UND 1230 3023 818 4253 5.2 35 354.4 Montana 2073 2959 998 5032 5.0 33 359.4 NAU 2555 2127 788 4682 5.9 35 390.2 Cal Poly 2158 2808 823 4966 6.0 42 413.8 UNC 2301 2310 778 4611 5.9 38 419.2 EWU 2456 3730 1011 6186 6.1 56 441.9 PSU 1930 3388 894 5318 5.9 48 443.2 Weber 2579 2776 897 5355 6.0 45 446.2 Sac St. 2270 3322 856 5592 6.5 55 466.0 ISU 2204 3493 961 5697 5.9 45 474.8 Davis 2197 3100 790 5297 6.7 53 481.5 MSU 2508 3820 942 6328 6.7 53 486.8 S.Utah 2868 3444 965 6312 6.5 55 526.0 TURNOVER MARGIN Gained Lost

G Fum Int Tot Fum Int Tot Mar Per/G Montana 14 11 14 25 4 7 11 +14 1.00 ISU 12 7 19 26 6 10 16 +10 0.83 Cal Poly 12 4 11 15 4 3 7 +8 0.67 EWU 14 9 19 28 11 9 20 +8 0.57 UNC 11 6 18 24 13 8 21 +3 0.27 Sac St. 12 10 11 21 9 10 19 +2 0.17 UND 12 15 7 22 8 13 21 +1 0.08 S.Utah 12 7 11 18 4 15 19 -1 -0.08 Davis 11 5 7 12 7 10 17 -5 -0.45 MSU 13 10 8 18 11 13 24 -6 -0.46 NAU 12 2 9 11 7 11 18 -7 -0.58 Weber 12 7 8 15 11 14 25 -10 -0.83 PSU 12 8 6 14 9 17 26 -12 -1.00 SACKS BY

G Sacks Yards Montana 14 45 241 UND 12 34 256 ISU 12 29 171 EWU 14 27 141 PSU 12 26 171 S.Utah 12 23 127 NAU 12 21 121 Weber 12 20 130 MSU 13 19 123 Sac St. 12 19 104 Davis 11 19 129 Cal Poly 12 14 84 UNC 11 13 69 SACKS AGAINST

G Sacks Yards PSU 12 10 82 Davis 11 14 90 ISU 12 15 92 Cal Poly 12 15 81 Sac St. 12 17 120 Montana 14 18 108 MSU 13 23 153 Weber 12 26 193 UND 12 27 157 NAU 12 29 208 S.Utah 12 38 190 EWU 14 45 206 UNC 11 49 268 PENALTIES

G No Yds Avg/G Davis 11 49 485 44.1 Montana 14 73 634 45.3

NAU 12 62 559 46.6 Cal Poly 12 62 582 48.5 UND 12 71 604 50.3 S.Utah 12 67 611 50.9 MSU 13 76 723 55.6 EWU 14 89 850 60.7 ISU 12 74 730 60.8 PSU 12 84 731 60.9 UNC 11 77 695 63.2 Weber 12 90 809 67.4 Sac St. 12 88 862 71.8 OPPONENT PENALTIES

G No Yds Avg/G ISU 12 101 986 82.2 Sac St. 12 90 850 70.8 Weber 12 85 751 62.6 UNC 11 71 688 62.5 Davis 11 72 664 60.4 EWU 14 87 809 57.8 PSU 12 79 685 57.1 S.Utah 12 72 678 56.5 Montana 14 83 766 54.7 UND 12 71 645 53.8 MSU 13 72 614 47.2 NAU 12 62 542 45.2 Cal Poly 12 51 453 37.8 TIME OF POSSESSION

G Total Time Avg/G NAU 12 384:54 32:04 MSU 13 413:01 31:46 Cal Poly 12 380:14 31:41 EWU 14 439:36 31:24 Sac St. 12 372:52 31:04 UNC 11 327:44 29:47 UND 12 356:44 29:43 Weber 12 345:29 28:47 PSU 12 344:32 28:42 ISU 12 340:07 28:20 Montana 14 394:01 28:08 Davis 11 308:33 28:03 S.Utah 12 323:42 26:58

‌INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING

G Att Yds Avg TD Lg P/G Xavier Finney, ISU 12 259 1495 5.8 14 53 124.6 C. Brown, Cal Poly 12 249 1265 5.1 17 57 105.4 Mnznrs, UC Davis 9 149 831 5.6 5 53 92.3 Prukop, MSU 11 170 966 5.7 13 60 87.8 Garcia, Cal Poly 12 157 1039 6.6 7 52 86.6 Canada,Mont.

14 216 1207 5.6 11 74 86.2 Howe, Cal Poly 12 183 867 4.7 10 70 72.2 Robinson, SacSt 12 158 863 5.5 5 42 71.9 Garman, UND 12 171 857 5.0 7 78 71.4 Jahn, NAU 12 185 834 4.5 4 31 69.5 INTERCEPTIONS

G Int Yds TD Long Int/G Hermanson,Mont. 14 6 89 0 40 0.43 Griffin, UNC 11 4 114 1 84 0.36 Beckstead, ISU 12 4 60 0 32 0.33 Peko, ISU 12 4 0 0 0 0.33 Collins, ISU 9 3 -1 0 0 0.33 Alford, NAU 11 3 88 1 67 0.27 Risner, UNC 11 3 42 0 39 0.27 Florence, WSU 11 3 29 0 29 0.27 Killebrew, SUU 12 3 105 1 85 0.25 Horn, NAU 12 3 45 0 38 0.25 PASSING AVG/GAME

G Att Cp Int Yds TD P/G Arias, ISU 12 522 318 10 4076 38 339.7 Safron, SacSt 12 432 269 10 3490 34 290.8 Olsen, SUU 12 380 241 10 3049 21 254.1 Prukop, MSU 11 263 171 6 2559 18 232.6 Johnson,Mont. 13 382 217 6 2784 24 214.2 Rubalcaba, UNC 10 236 160 61 935 11 193.5 Green, WSU 11 318 194 82 055 11 186.8 McDonagh, PSU 10 301 154 13 1742 12 174.2 Brown, Cal Poly 12 171 102 3 1465 12 122.1 Kraght, PSU 10 97 50 3 521 2 52.1

P ASS EFFICIENCY

Att Cp Int Pct. Yds TD Eff. Prukop, MSU 263 171 6 65.0 2559 18 164.8 Safron, SacSt 432 269 10 62.3 3490 34 151.5 Brown, Cal Poly 171 102 3 59.6 1465 12 151.3 Rubalcaba, UNC 236 160 6 67.8 1935 11 147.0 Arias, ISU 52 2 318 10 60.9 4076 38 146.7 Olsen, SUU2 380 241 10 63.4 3049 21 143.8 Johnson,Mont.

382 217 6 56.8 2784 24 135.6 Kniffin, SacSt2 22 15 0 68.2 146 0 123.9 Green, WSU 318 194 8 61.0 2055 11 121.7 McDonagh, PSU 301 154 13 51.2 1742 12 104.3 TOTAL OFFENSE

G Rush Pass Total Yds/G Safron, SacSt 12 751 3490 4241 353.4 Arias, ISU 12 29 4076 4105 342.1 Prukop, MSU 11 966 2559 43525 320.5 Olsen, SUU 12 277 3049 3326 277.2 Johnson,Mont. 13 228 2784 3012 231.7 Brown, Cal Poly 12 1265 1465 2730 227.5 Rubalcaba, UNC 10 107 1935 2042 204.2 McDonagh, PSU 10 254 1742 1996 199.6 Green, WSU 11 -116 2055 1939 176.3 Finney, ISU 12 1495 0 1495 124.6 PUNT RETURN

G Ret Yds TD Long Avg Tillman, UND 12 14 237 1 95 16.9 Nguyen,Mont. 14 32 303 1 60 9.5 Kehano, WSU 12 26 243 0 29 9.3 Holmes, NAU 12 13 95 0 34 7.3 Onic, UNC 11 11 66 0 24 6.0 Closs, PSU 10 11 59 0 27 5.4 Measom, SUU 11 13 64 0 21 4.9 KICK RETURN AVG

G Ret Yds TD Long Avg Brekke, MSU 13 27 732 0 74 27.1 Hill, EWU JR 12 21 569 1 90 27.1 Onic, UNC 11 31 832 1 100 26.8 Bolen, WSU 11 22 568 1 94 25.8 Long, PSU 11 12 308 0 91 25.7 Marks, NAU 11 16 388 0 36 24.2 Hennie, SacSt 11 31 7 37 1 89 23.8 Wright, UC Davis 11 21 487 1 89 23.2 Brown, SUU 12 12 267 0 37 22.2 O’Georgia, NAU 11 13 268 0 45 20.6 RECEIVE YDS/GAME

G Rec Yds TD Lg Avg/C P/G Mangum, ISU 11 83 1234 10 45 14.9 112.2 Carter, SacSt 12 99 1321 17 61 13.3 110.1 Kupp, EWU SO 13 104 1431 16 61 13.8 110.1 Agude, SacSt 12 70 1156 10 75 16.5 96.3 Kehano, WSU 12 82 976 8 59 11.9 81.3 Stimphil, UNC 11 60 870 7 85 14.5 79.1 Williams, ISU 12 65 922 10 72 14.2 76.8 Jones,Mont.

14 66 1041 8 72 15.8 74.4 Robinson, SUU 12 60 880 8 79 14.7 73.3 Livingston, WSU 12 57 856 1 52 15.0 71.3 PUNTING

G Punt Yds Lg Avg Loomis, PSU 12 75 3450 65 46.0 Miller, EWU SR 14 52 2333 70 44.9 Bolton, MSU 12 40 1775 63 44.4 O’Neill, WSU 12 62 2737 74 44.1 Lewis, SUU 12 71 3079 80 43.4 Wadman, Davis 11 54 2282 65 42.3 Reyes, ISU 12 62 2528 61 40.8 Lider,Mont.

13 45 1816 60 40.4 Heath, SacSt 12 49 1938 53 39.6 Bolduc, UND 12 82 3202 59 39.0 ALL PURPOSE

Rush Rcv PR KR Yds Avg/G Finney, ISU 1495 119 0 0 1614 134.5 Kupp, EWU SO 10 1431 162 17 1620 124.6 Manzanares, UC Davis 831 271 0 0 1102 122.4 Carter, SacSt 4 1321 69 1 1395 116.2 Hill, EWU JR 35 756 0 569 1360 113.3 Mangum, ISU 0 1234 0 0 1234 112.2 Brown, Cal Poly 1265 23 0 0 1288 107.3 Bolen, WSU 515 89 0 568 1172 106.5 Brekke, MSU 424 204 4 732 1364 104.9 McSurdy, ISU 781 20 0 448 1249 104.1

SCORING (KICK)

PATs FGs Pts Pts/G Cornish, SacSt 56-59 14-17 98 8.2 Johnson, ISU 52-55 14-19 94 7.8 McNannay, EWU JR 48-55 11-11 81 7.4 Gonzales, PSU 33-33 17-24 84 7.0 Daly, MSU 51-55 13-19 90 6.9 Hawkins, NAU 37-38 12-16 73 6.1 Sullivan,Mont.

33-34 11-14 66 5.5 Taubenheim, UND 17-18 16-21 65 5.4 Schottenfeld, Cal Poly 51-54 1-1 54 5.4 Kealamakia, WSU 28-29 12-17 64 5.3 TACKLES (All positions)

P Solo Ast Total Avg/G Sack Dzubnar, Cal Poly LB 73 94 167 13.9 3.0 Ahanonu, SUU 76 76 152 12.7 1.0 Sankey, SacSt LB 40 60 100 11.1 2.0 Singleton, MSU LB 86 50 136 10.5 2.0 Jenkins, ISU LB 48 72 120 10.0 2.0 Beckstead, ISU LB 40 77 117 9.8 3.0 Ontko, Cal Poly LB 47 54 101 9.2 1.0 Manu, ISU DB 60 50 110 9.2 2.0 Ratelle, UND 45 61 106 8.8 2.0 Frnndez,SacSt LB 29 77 106 8.8 0.0 Tela, WSU LB 46 33 79 8.8 2.5 V.Ackrn, Mont. LB 56 66 122 8.7 1.0 Hamlin, EWU LB 73 39 112 8.6 0.5 Killebrew, SUU 62 39 101 8.4 0.0 Kose,Mont. LB 44 73 117 8.4 1.0 Kendall, SacSt DB 40 51 91 8.3 2.5 Sorensen, ISU DB 48 47 95 7.9 1.0 Hermanson,Mont. 52 57 109 7.8 0.5 Gamboa,Mont. LB 46 61 107 7.6 6.0 Zamora, EWU LB 54 48 102 7.3 1.5 Horn, NAU 61 27 88 7.3 0.0 Hasquet, NAU 38 49 87 7.2 1.0 Kariya, SUU 40 47 87 7.2 0.0 Lutali, PSU LB 46 40 86 7.2 0.0 Cowser, SUU 50 35 85 7.1 11.5 Woods, WSU LB 38 46 84 7.0 2.5 Lewis, NAU 35 41 76 6.9 0.5 Rich, UND 30 52 82 6.8 1.0 Smith, UNC DL 35 37 72 6.5 1.0 Graves, ISU LB 36 42 78 6.5 9.0 Lenoir, UNC DB 36 34 70 6.4 0.0 Pili, SUU 40 36 76 6.3 0.0 Risner, UNC DB 37 32 69 6.3 1.0 Moore, MSU LB 57 24 81 6.2 2.0 SACKS

P Solo Ast Yds Total Avg/G Wagenmann, Mont.

DE 16 3 100 17.5 1.25 Cowser, SUU DE 11 1 65 11.5 0.96 Graves, ISU LB 7 4 43 9.0 0.75 Totty, SacSt DL 6 1 41 6.5 0.54 Ebukam, EWU SO DL 7 1 43 7.5 0.58 Holmes,Mont. DE 5 3 36 6.5 0.46 Coe, MSU DL 5 2 49 6.0 0.46 Gamboa,Mont. LB 6 0 32 6.0 0.43 Torgerson, SUU LB 6 0 28 6.0 0.50 Martin, WSU DE 4 2 37 5.0 0.42 FUMBLES FORCED

G Num Avg/G Wagenmann,Mont. 14 6 0.43 Sankey, SacSt 9 3 0.33 Killebrew, SUU 12 4 0.33 Barron, UC Davis 11 3 0.27 Reineke, UND 12 3 0.25 Martin, WSU 12 3 0.25 Cowser, SUU 12 3 0.25 Ahanonu, SUU 12 3 0.25 Sheridan, MSU 13 3 0.23 McDonald, EWU 14 3 0.21 FUMBLES RECOVERED

G Num Avg/G Beckstead, ISU 12 3 0.25 Marshall, MSU 13 3 0.23 McDonald, EWU 14 3 0.21 VanAckeren,Mont. 14 3 0.21 Crowder, PSU 11 2 0.18 Ratelle, UND 12 2 0.17 Idowu, UND 12 2 0.17 Carrothers, UND 12 2 0.17 Sims, SUU 12 2 0.17 Martin, WSU 12 2 0.17

Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015 — A15

Pattee Creek Market has USDA Choice Black Angus Beef so good that you’ll want to tailgate every meal.

Kick off the season with some local flavor.

7 D ay s a We e k • 7 0 4 S . W. H i g g i n s • 7 A M - 1 0 P M • 5 4 3 - 5 1 7 4

A16 — Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015

GRIZZLY GAME DAY| CAPSULES FROM PAGE 10

AROUND THE BIG SKY CAL POLY‌ Media Forecast: 4th by Big Sky coaches, 5th by media Last season: 7-5 overall, 5-3 in Big Sky (tie 5th) Starters returning: 16 (9 offense, 7 defense) Coach: Tim Walsh (UC Riverside, ‘77), 39-30 in 7th year at Cal Poly, 116-122 for career

passing attacks, Cal Poly is the outlier.

The Mustangs run the triple option to perfection and featured two 1,000-yard rushers last year in senior QB Chris Brown (1,265) and junior back Kori Garcia (1,039). The Mustangs have led the country in rushing the past two years (351 ypg in 2014).

Defense‌ The defense will be without linebacker and leading tackler Nick Dzubnar (167 tackles), who graduated, but this unit’s strength could be in the secondary. Returning starters Chris Fletcher and Karlton Dennis, both seniors, give Bottom Line‌ the Mustangs experience at the corner positions.

Cal Poly reeled off a string of five Notable: Cal Poly is searching for its straight Big Sky wins last season, including Ws over league powers Montana and first playoff appearance since 2012, the team’s first year in the Big Sky when the Montana State, but couldn’t hold the momentum and missed out on the post- Mustangs tied for the league title with season. After a stretch against title con- Eastern Washington.

Quotable: “We have to finish — fintenders MSU, EWU and ISU this fall, the ish our games a lot better and finish the Mustangs close out the season against season.� Cal Poly quarterback Chris the lower half of the league. Stealing a win or two early will keep Cal Poly in the Brown, on his team’s struggles late in the year. hunt for a league championship.

Prediction: 4th Offense‌ In a conference filled with high-flying

IDAHO STATE‌ Forecast: 4th by Big Sky media, 6th by coaches Last season: 8-4 overall, 6-2 in Big Sky (tie 2nd) Starters returning: 15 (9 offense, 6 defense) Coach: Mike Kramer (Idaho, ‘77), 14-32 in 6th year at ISU, 91-107 for career

Offense‌ Arias led a passing attack that ranked first in the country a year ago. Ready to fill his shoes is junior Michael Sanders, a transfer from Scottsdale Community College. Making the transition a little easier is senior RB Xavier Finney, who with even a modest season should be the school’s all-time rushing leader.

Defense‌ Idaho State surrendered about 475 yards per game last season, forcing its offense to win in shoot-out fashion. The team did force a ton of turnovers in 2014 though, 26 total, second Bottom Line‌ in the Big Sky. Linebacker Mario Jenkins and defensive back Taison Manu each had 100After just six total wins in Coach plus tackles.

Kramer’s first three seasons at Idaho Notable: Idaho State posted its first winState, the Bengals stunned the Big Sky ning record last season since an 8-4 mark by reeling off eight in 2014 with six wins in 2003, going undefeated in home game against Big Sky opponents. The Bengals will have almost every player back in their at 6-0. The team is ranked 22nd by FCS media and 24th by the coaches in the STATS high-powered offense, save quarterback preseason polls.

Justin Arias. ISU won’t drop off much Quotable: “I don’t think we’ve proven there, but the Bengals can’t expect to be a playoff team without some improvement anything yet. We stood on the threshold but couldn’t push ourselves through.� — ISU in one of the worst defensive units in the coach Mike Kramer. conference. Prediction: 5th

See CAPSULES, Page A17

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Travon Van sprints by North Dakota defenders last season.

MICHAEL GALLACHER, Missoulian‌

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Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015 — A17

GRIZZLY GAME DAY| CAPSULES FROM PAGE 16

AROUND THE BIG SKY NORTHERN ARIZONA‌ Forecast: 5th by Big Sky coaches, 6th by media Last season: 7-5 overall, 5-3 in Big Sky (tie 5th) Starters returning: 13 (7 offense, 6 defense) Coach: Jerome Souers (Oregon, ‘83), 100-93 in 18th year at NAU and overall

Bottom Line‌ The Lumberjacks enter their 100th season of football play looking to complete a fourth straight winning campaign and a return to the playoffs — they lost their final two games to miss out in 2014. Jordan Perry appears to have emerged as starting quarterback despite fellow senior Kyren Poe having started games in each the last two years. If one or the other can provide consistent play, a return to the postseason is well within reach.

Prediction: 6th Offense‌ Whomever is taking the snaps for

Jamal Jones makes a touchdown grab last season against UC Davis in front of Patrick Wells.

TOM BAUER, Missoulian‌

NAU will have a very experienced offensive line guarding him with three starters back, including Eric Rodriguez who started all 12 games as a sophomore in 2014. Perry has already shown big chops, leading the Jacks to a comeback win over Eastern Washington last year in spot duty.

Defense‌ Marcus Alford is one of the top shutdown corners in the league, returning for his senior season after picking off three passes and breaking up 10 more throws last season. Alford is among five returning seniors that will be at the core of this defense after ranking first in the Big Sky against the pass in 2014.

Notable: Coach Souers is creeping up on the Big Sky’s all-time wins mark. Souers has 100 career wins as a head coach, second only to Chris Ault of Nevada (1979-91). His 67 wins in league play is second to Ault’s 68.

Quotable: “He’s been in the program for five years, though he hasn’t had much of a chance to play yet.” — NAU coach Jerome Souers, on QB Jordan Perry, a redshirt senior who is expected to start this year.

SOUTHERN UTAH‌ Forecast: 8th by Big Sky coaches and media Last season: 3-9 overall, 3-5 in Big Sky (tie 8th) Starters returning: 13 (7 offense, 6 defense) Coach: Ed Lamb (Brigham Young, ‘96), 37-43 in 8th year at SUU and overall

Bottom Line‌ Coming off the team’s first-ever appearance in the FCS playoffs in 2013, Southern Utah took a major step backward last year when the defense fell apart as a whole. The defense can’t be as bad this time around, especially at stopping the run, and senior quarterback Ammon Olsen returns after a 3,000-yard junior campaign as the Thunderbirds hope to climb back up the Big Sky standings.

Prediction: 7th Offense‌ Southern Utah’s running game was

M.I.A. in 2014, forcing Olsen to pass, pass, pass after joining the starting lineup in Week 4. He topped 400 yards twice, including a gashing of Idaho State for 528 with three TDs. The O’ will need more production from its backfield, though, and senior Malik Brown. SUU had the worst rushing attack in the league a year ago.

Defense‌ Senior James Cowser is a wrecking ball off the outside edge. The defensive end is the league’s preseason MVP by unanimous poll having totaled 85 tackles with a Big Sky record 28.5 for loss as a junior.

There are 11 men on defense though and the Birds need some others to pull their weight in a unit that ranked second-tolast in total defense in the nation last year, 120th of 121 FCS programs.

Notable: Linebacker Chinedu Ahanonu, the Big Sky’s second-leading tackler from last season (152), will sit out the 2015 season while going on an LDS Mission.

Quotable: “There’s a lot to be learned from a losing season — if you don’t let it destroy you.” — SUU defensive end James Cowser.

See CAPSULES, Page A20

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A18 — Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015

GRIZZLY GAME DAY | 2014 IN PHOTOS

STOP RIGHT THERE

Montana’s Jeremiah Kose tackles San Diego running back Jonah Hodges.

TOM BAUER, Missoulian‌

Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015 — A19

GRIZZLY GAME DAY | 2014 IN PHOTOS

DOG PILE!

Montana defenders Trevor Rehm, Zack Wagenmann and Kendrick Van Ackeren collide around Sac State quarterback Garrett Safron.

KURT WILSON, Missoulian‌

A20 — Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015

GRIZZLY GAME DAY | CAPSULES FROM PAGE 17

AROUND THE BIG SKY NORTH DAKOTA‌ Forecast: 9th by Big Sky coaches and media Last season: 5-7 overall, 3-5 in Big Sky (tie 8th) Starters returning: 14 (6 offense, 8 defense) Coach: Bubba Schweigert (Jamestown, ‘85), 5-7 in 2nd year at UND, 26-27 for career

end of 2014 with a leg injury. The nowjunior wasn’t exactly tearing it up before checking out though. He threw for 900 yards and three scores across those eight games. With running back Jer Garman graduated and converted LB Kyle Norberg the team’s top returning rusher (255 yards), Mollberg will need to see great improvements.

Defense‌ Last year, linebacker Will Ratelle became the first UND defender in a decade to reach 100 tackles, leading Bottom Line‌ North Dakota’s most stingy Big Sky In a league full of offensive juggernauts, defense. NoDak gave up 354 ypg, tops in North Dakota is a rare program still thriv- the league, while boasting an impressive run-stopping front that limited oppoing on its defense. North Dakota had the Big Sky’s top defense a year ago and eight nents to 102.5 ypg, best in the Big Sky. Notable: NoDak is renewing its rivalry players on that side of the ball return for with North Dakota State this year, the 2015. The offense will need to replace first meeting between the schools since some key parts to keep pace or else the Green and White could be facing another 2003 when NDSU jumped to FCS from Division II. sub-.500 season.

Quotable: “One thing that hurt us in Prediction: 8th a number of games last year was not only Offense‌ giving up those third-down plays, but it changed the field position.” — UND QB Joe Mollberg started the first eight coach Bubba Schweigert games of the season but missed the tail

SACRAMENTO STATE‌ Forecast: 7th by Big Sky coaches and media Last season: 7-5 overall, 4-4 in Big Sky (7th) Starters returning: 10 (5 offense, 5 defense) Coach: Jody Sears (Washington State, ‘91), 7-5 in 2nd year at Sac St., 11-24 for career

Offense‌ Sophomore Daniel Kniffin, who appeared in all 12 games in 2014 as the team’s holder, gets the promotion to starting QB this year. He passed for just 146 yards on 22 attempts in mop-up duty last season with no scores.

Defense‌ Senior LB Darnell Sankey is fully healthy again after missing part of last season with a knee injury. Even in only nine game in 2014, Sankey piled up 100 tackles, the third-best per game average in the league. The rest of the D’ will have Bottom Line‌ to step up as well after surrendering The Hornets will be looking to replace 36.1 points per game last season, second worst in the league. a quarterback in Garrett Safron who Notable: Sacramento State was threw for 3,500 yards and 34 touchthe most penalized team in the league downs and led the Big Sky in 2014 in last year, averaging 71.8 yards in flags total offense thanks to his 751 rushing per game. yards. Without a passer who can help Quotable: “Offensively we’ve been keep games within reach, it could be a tough season for Sac State, which ranked pretty prolific in the conference the past couple years. However, that guy’s not second to last in the league in points back there pulling the trigger for us anyallowed (36.1) a year ago. more.” — Sac St. coach Jody Sears Prediction: 9th

PORTLAND STATE‌ Forecast: 9th by Big Sky coaches, 12th by media Last season: 3-9 overall, 2-6 in Big Sky (tie 10th) Starters returning: 14 (6 offense, 8 defense) Coach: Bruce Barnum (Eastern Washington, ‘87), 0-0 in 1st year at PSU and overall

starts at QB, but he lost the job at the end of the year to Josh Kraght. Now a senior, it’s his spot for the taking again.

He has 6,894 yards of total offense in his career, fifth most in school history.

Kraght and Paris Penn will challenge for playing time though.

Defense‌ Most of Portland’s starting defense from last year returns, with 19 total players back who saw at least one start.

Cornerback Aaron Sibley and linebacker Jeremy Lutali lead a unit that Bottom Line‌ ranked third in rushing defense (160.8 ypg) in 2014, but toward the bottom Bruce Barnum leads the Vikings this of the Big Sky in passing defense season in an interim role as head coach after the school fired coach Nigel Burton (282.3 ypg).

Notable: Portland State has not last November after five seasons. Barnum was offensive coordinator all five of those made the playoffs in 15 years since a first-round loss to Delaware in 2000, years under Burton, ranking near the the school’s only postseason appearmiddle of the pack in scoring and total ance since joining the Big Sky in 1996. offense. The Vikes will need to shoot a Quotable: “I didn’t like the culture little higher to help Barnum retain his and that was the first thing that needed position in a more permanent manner. to be done. Change the culture.” — Prediction: 10th PSU coach Bruce Barnum, on tryOffense‌ ing to change the acceptance of losing at Portland State.

Kieran McDonagh has 29 career

WEBER STATE‌ Forecast: 10th by Big Sky media, 11th by coaches Last season: 2-10 overall, 2-6 in Big Sky (tie 10th) Starters returning: 14 (8 offense, 6 defense) Coach: Jay Hill (Utah, ‘00), 2-10 in 2nd year at WSU and overall

— both now juniors — combined for close to 3,000 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Green has the inside edge again (2,000 of those yards were his) and will take snaps from behind a line that features fouryear starter Joe Hawkins at center.

Defense‌ Weber won two of its final three games of 2014 thanks to its two best defensive outings of the season. WSU held North Dakota to 12 points (the Wildcats allowed 30.7 on average) before shutting down Bottom Line‌ Northern Colorado the next week. The Weber State floundered to two wins last talent is still young on defense, headlined by sophomore LB Emmett Tela. season, the third straight two-win camNotable: Weber State has one of the paign for the Wildcats, but second-year coach Jay Hill is working to move his pro- more difficult road slates you’ll find, visiting FBS Oregon State and preseason gram back to Big Sky prominence. From 2005-2011, Weber never finished outside FCS No. 1 North Dakota State before the top four in the league. The Cats won’t going to Montana, Northern Arizona and Eastern Washington. get back there this year though.

Quotable: “I feel like this team can go Prediction: 11th a long ways. We’ve just got to slow down Offense‌ on the penalties (on offense) because our defense is looking good.” — WSU senior Billy Green got most of the starts at QB last year, though he and Jadrian Clark C Joe Hawkins.

Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015 — A21

GRIZZLY GAME DAY| CAPSULES FROM PAGE 20

AROUND THE BIG SKY UC DAVIS‌

NORTHERN COLORADO‌

Forecast: 11th by Big Sky media, 12th by coaches Last season: 2-9 overall, 1-7 in Big Sky (13th) Starters returning: 14 (5 offense, 9 defense) Coach: Ron Gould (Oregon, ‘88), 7-16 in 3rd year at Davis and overall

Forecast: 13th

by Big Sky coaches and media Last season: 3-8 overall, 2-6 in Big Sky (tie 10th) Starters returning: 9 (5 offense, 4 defense) Coach: Earnest Collins Jr. (Northern Colorado, ‘96), 9-36 in 5th year at UNC, 17-48 for career

Bottom Line‌ The Aggies are a perfect example of the old coach’s adage that any team can beat any other team on any given day. Davis’s lone Big Sky win last year came on the road against Cal Poly on the second-tolast week of the season and helped derail the Mustangs’ playoff run. If Davis can shore up a defense that ranked last in the league in 2014 in scoring (37.8 ppg), the Aggies could steal a few more in 2015.

Prediction: 12th

Bottom Line‌ Only once since making the move to FCS and the Big Sky in 2006 have the Bears won more than three games in a season (five in 2012) and the fifth year of coach Earnest Collins Jr.’s tenure is another of perpetual rebuilding. No team in the conference lost more starters than UNC (13 total) and few had as little to work with in the first place. Expect another long season in Greeley.

Prediction: 13th

Offense‌ Quarterback Ben Scott had a massive second half of the season, throwing for 18 touchdowns and almost 1,700 yards in the final six games after attempting just five passes in the first five games. He’s back for his junior season and Davis will need more of that to help replace graduate RB Gabe Manzanares.

Offense‌ If the Bears have a position of strength, it’s wide receiver. Experienced upperclassmen senior Malcolm Whye, senior Sean Leslie and junior Stephen Miller combined for 94 catches and more than 1,100 yards in 2014. Junior QB Jon Newsom started four games in relief of Sean Rubalcaba and will inherit the starting job this fall.

Defense‌ The Aggies will be much more experienced on defense after 2014’s trying campaign. Injuries pressed young players into duty and in turn opponents racked up the points. Davis allowed a leagueworst 49-percent conversion rate for opponents on third down.

Notable: Coach Gould is a known running back guru, mentoring future NFL pros Marshawn Lynch, Jahvid Best, Shane Vereen and Justin Forsett during his 16 years working at California.

Quotable: “My philosophy as a coach is to create an environment where each and every young man can optimize their potential in the classroom, in the community and on the field.” — UC Davis coach Ron Gould.

TOM BAUER PHOTOS, Missoulian

Montana quarterback Jordon Johnson leads a crowd of UC Davis defenders into the end zone.

Defense‌ Four starters are back but a cavalry of linebackers will return to action. Linebackers Leilon Willingham, Jaqueal Walker and Boobie Sanders all suffered season-ending injuries in 2014. Their return will help buoy a unit that ranked in the Big Sky’s top third in defensive scoring a year ago.

Notable: Since joining the Big Sky from Division II in 2006, Northern Colorado has the worst winning percentage of any Big Sky team at .178.

Quotable: “This should be the culmination for everything we’ve been working for, building our program up and getting Montana running back Jordan Canada outruns Southern Utah defensive backs Tyler our young men to play for each other.” — Collet, left, and Miles Killebrew on his way to a 56-yard touchdown.

UNC coach Earnest Collins Jr.

A22 — Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015

GRIZZLY GAME DAY | 2014 IN PHOTOS

FUMBLEROOSKI!

Montana defensive end Tyrone Holmes causes Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams to fumble the ball.

KURT WILSON, Missoulian‌

Missoulian, Saturday, August 22, 2015 — A23

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‌ . Griz defensive end Zack Wagenmann 1 set the program record for career sacks last season. How many sacks did he have? a) 17.5 b) 30 c) 37.5 d) 40.5 2. First-year Montana head coach Bob Stitt got his coaching start under which former Grizzly head man? a) Joe Glenn b) Don Read c) Bobby Hauck d) Larry Donovan 3. Washington-Grizzly Stadium’s official capacity is 25,217. What is the top attendance mark in stadium history? a) 25,217 b) 25,629 c) 26,019 d) 26,352 Answers: 1. c; 2. a; 3. d (vs. Montana State, 2014)

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