Big Sky Conference

FIRST LOOK: Grizzlies prepare for 116th Cat-Griz showdown

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A midseason high that made the Montana Grizzlies look like one of the best teams in the nation has devolved into late season tailspin during Bob Stitt’s second year in Missoula. Three losses in their last four games have the Grizzlies on the outside of the playoff picture looking in.

Montana is a fresh off a 28-25 loss to Northern Colorado. For the Bears it was their first win over Montana in their last 15 tries, a streak that dated back to 1976. For the Griz it was an unthinkable loss with their postseason fate hanging in the balance, and the first time the former FCS power finished conference play without a league road win.

Montana head coach Bob Stitt/ by Jason Bacaj

Montana head coach Bob Stitt/ by Jason Bacaj

The outcome also seemed unthinkable in the sense that over a month ago, Montana was on the heels of back-to-back 60 point games, a first for a program that won its first title with a cutting-edge offense that produced points like a rolodex used to produce phone numbers. But those wins came against teams with a combined 3-17 record and in the confines of Washington-Grizzly Stadium, where the Griz added another 60-point outing in a defeat of Idaho State.

When Montana hit the road, the inconsistencies of youth and an overhauled roster eventually cost the Griz. In each of their road losses, big plays sunk Montana’s chances. Cal Poly, Northern Arizona, Eastern Washington and Northern Colorado each hit big plays in the passing game with the Bears adding a blocked punt to aid in their win.

Montana is in its second season under Bob Stitt. An offensive-minded coach who came from Division II Colorado School of Mines, mentored an offense averaging 500 yards and 41.7 points, both of which place the Griz inside the top six nationally. A new, aggressive defense was dominant early, but slipped late in the season. Despite the numbers it allowed over the final five weeks, Montana led the conference in yards allowed (344) and ranked fourth in points allowed (27.3)

 

 

QUICK HITS

Location: Missoula, Montana

Nickname: Grizzlies

Founded: 1893. The second-largest school in the Montana University System, sits at the bottom of Mount Sentinel in a sea of trees that persuaded Rolling Stone to name it America’s most scenic campus. Missoula won a legislative vote for the state’s new university in 1893 and the school formally opened in 1895. Since then it has 28 Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, 14 Goldwater Scholars and 40 Udall Scholars.

Enrollment: The student body totals 10,329. The school’s 2015 endowment was $166,391,500 according to U.S. News.

Stadium: In it’s 30th year of existence, Washington-Grizzly Stadium has developed a reputation as one of the best in the FCS. With a capacity of 25,217, the stadium has stretched to seat as many as 26,427 in Montana’s nationally-televised season-opening upset of then No.1 North Dakota State. Five times since 2000, the stadium attendance has led the FCS. Montana is 192-28 in Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

THE TEAM (3-4 in the Big Sky, 6-4 overall in 2016)

The Coach: Bob Stitt, second season at Montana. In his time in Missoula, the Grizzlies are 14-9 and reached the second round of the FCS playoffs last fall. Stitt was 8-5 in his first season with Montana, with wins over five-time reigning national champion North Dakota State and rivals Eastern Washington and Montana State. Montana’s playoff win came in a first-round victory over South Dakota State. Stitt was the head coach at Colorado School of Mines for 15 years with a record of 108-63. His .635 win percentage is the best in the history of the program.

WHO TO WATCH — THE OFFENSE

3_Brady_GustafsonBrady Gustafson, quarterback, 6-7, 235 – In his second year as starter, Gustafson has thrown for 2,593 yards and 24 touchdowns despite missing the last two weeks with an injury. He has throw for more than 300 yards five times this season including back-to-back games of more than 400. Gustafson had a four-week stretch of four touchdown games.

John Nguyen, running back, 5-7, 184, senior– Despite sharing the load with three different backs, Nguyen is Montana’s leading rusher at 640 yards on 140 carries. His one touchdown came on an 81-yard run against Sacramento State. Productive in the run game, Nguyen has also caught 24 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown.

16_Jerry_Louie_McGeeJerry Louie-McGee, wide receiver, 5-9, 168, freshman — Jerry Louie-McGee first introduced himself to Griz fans during spring and fall practices and then to the nation during the Grizzlies’ 20-14 win over Northern Iowa. Louie-McGee weaved through the UNI special teams for an 81-yard return. Since then he has become a highlight waiting to happen. Despite missing three games, Louie-McGee has caught 67 passes for 622 yards and three touchdowns.

Keenan Curran, wide receiver, 6-2, 201, sophomore – Tasked with replacing Jamaal Jones, Curran emerged as a threat on the outside with a 75-yard touchdown in Montana’s season-opening 41-31 win over St. Francis. Since that 4-catch, 107-yard outing, Curran has hauled in 30 more balls for 426 yards and nine touchdowns. He tied a school record with four touchdowns in Montana’s 62-44 win over Idaho State.

9_Justin_CalhounJustin Calhoun, wide receiver, 5-10, 168, freshman – The other Calhoun last year during his season with the scout team while his twin brother, Jeremy played for the varsity, Calhoun has been a steady threat for Montana. He is third on the team with 41 catches for 567 yards and five touchdowns. He had a season-best eight catches for 133 yards and a score in a loss to Northern Arizona.

 

 

WHO TO WATCH — THE DEFENSE

37_Caleb_KidderCaleb Kidder, 6-5, 259, defensive end, senior — The preseason Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year has lived up to what was expected of him. A constant presence in opposing team’s backfield, Kidder has 5.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss despite being the focus of opposing team’s game plans and spending just a season at defensive end after a move from defensive tackle. The Helena Capital product has nine sacks in career.

Ryan Johnson, 6-3, 245, defensive end, senior — The compliment to Kidder, Johnson has become a strong presence on the other side of the line in his first full season as a starter. He is third on the team with 10.5 tackles for loss, with games of two and three TFLs. His six sacks lead the Grizzlies.

42_Josh_BussJosh Buss, 6-2, 204, linebacker, sophomore — Montana’s leader in tackles with 70 and tackles for loss with 17.5, the latter of which leads the league, Buss has been as disruptive as any linebacker in the conference. During a four-game stretch in October and November, Buss racked up 11.5 tackles for loss. He also has 4.5 sacks.

Connor Strahm, 6-0, 241, linebacker, junior – Named Montana’s hardest hitter last season, Strahm has been a steady quarterback in the middle of the Grizzlies defense and given it a toughness that has frustrated opponents throughout the season. His 60 tackles are third on the team as are his 4.5 sacks.

JR Nelson, 6-2, 171, cornerback, junior – Despite missing six games as part of a suspension levied by the NCAA for a failed drug test, Nelson resumed his spot as Montana’s shut down corner. He broke up eight passes in his first three games despite being paired up with some of the Big Sky Conference’s best wide receivers. Nelson is coming off a season where he earned honorable mention All-Big Sky.

About Kyle Sample

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