MISSOULA, Montana — Last season, Bobby Hauck’s first back at the helm for his alma mater, came with an intricate, unorthodox defensive scheme coordinated by veteran defensive coordinator Kent Baer and influenced by Hauck’s time coaching under Rocky Long at San Diego State.
One of the key elements to the hybrid, difficult to discern 3-3-5 stack defense is the synchronicity of the defensive secondary. Hauck inherited a roster weak in depth at cornerback and weak in talent at safety.
To remedy that situation, Hauck made abrupt changes. Justin Calhoun, a very productive receiver during his first two years at Montana, flipped to cornerback right away. He found himself slated to play opposite Dareon Nash, a converted wide receiver who spent the last month of Bob Stitt’s last season playing on defense.
Hauck also brought in his son, Robby, as a transfer safety from Northern Arizona. He also added Gavin Robertson, a transfer from Pac 12 Arizona, and Reid Miller, a graduate transfer from Arkansas of the SEC.
Because of that influx and transition of talent, Josh Sandry also had to learn a new position despite his position as one of the steadiest returners on the Griz defense entering last season.
Last fall, Montana’s secondary showed flashes but also proved to be inconsistent in Hauck’s first season back. In Baer’s defense, the versatility and athleticism of the safeties is crucial. The cover ability of the corners, particularly in man situations, is also crucial. And the harmony between the five members of the secondary is essential.
In 2018, Montana showed great peaks but also detrimental valleys on the back end defensively. Last week in a 47-27 win over Monmouth, the Griz allowed Kenji Bahar to throw for 393 yards. But that statistical measurement belies the harmony the Griz secondary is now playing with.
“We have grown a lot in the past year,” said Sandry, a three-year starter from Bigfork. “We have really gelled together. We are really good friends off the field. We have great chemistry on the field and it makes it a lot of fun to go out there together.
“I think it’s an interesting defense for sure and I don’t think a lot of teams typically play it. It’s very challenging.”
Sandry mostly lines up at a Rover-type position in which he sometimes plays on the boundary (narrow) side of the field. He also sometimes lines up over the slot like a defacto nickel back. He sometimes plays in the box for support against the run. And Sandry sometimes lines up like a traditional safety.
Robby Hauck’s role in the defense basically centers upon being aggressive and fearless. He executed exactly that role as a redshirt freshman last season. He piled up 95 tackles and finished as a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, the trophy given to the best freshmen in the FCS. But at times, Hauck struggled in pass coverage.
Miller provided singularly athletic displays — the 5-foot-9, 210-pound muscle hamster got a mini camp invite from the New Orleans Saints — but also was not in sync at times.
Robertson, who played a fair amount of outside linebacker his final season at Arizona, came to Missoula at 229 pounds. Sandry praised his progress — “He’s made major strides”— but also made fun of his conditioning.
“Boy had a little bit of a keg on him,” Sandry laughed. “He has lost some weight (he dropped 21 pounds to get down to 208 in the off-season) and he is moving his feet well. He is moving well in general.”
Robertson notched his first career interception in Montana’s 61-17 victory over North Alabama as part of a 45-point second half explosion. UNA entered halftime leading 17-16 thanks to a pair of long bombs for touchdowns. In the second half, the Griz forced multiple turnovers and closed out the Lions.
“That’s something we talked about at halftime about was how our secondary guys felt about their ability to cover their receivers,” Hauck said following the game. “Everybody was pretty positive about being able to stay with them.”
That communication is one indication of the improvement in the synchronicity of Montana’s secondary. Robby Hauck has continued improving in pass coverage. And the ever-competitive duo of Calhoun and Nash have improved in every aspect. Despite Bahar’s yardage last weekend, Montana’s back end is operating at a much higher level.
That communication will also be tested on Saturday. The Griz play at No. 4 UC Davis, the top offense in the country led by reigning Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year Jake Maier, UCD’s third-year starting quarterback.
It will be the biggest test of Montana’s improvements yet this season.
“I think knowing where everyone else is at on the field, what they are doing in their assignments and then playing from there have been key,” Sandry said. “It’s been an interesting adjustment. It hasn’t been anything crazy. And it’s a fun position to play.
“The changes have been good for all of us.”
Photos by Brooks Nuanez. All Rights Reserved.
