Big Sky Breakdown

Kickers, defense shines in first Griz scrimmage

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MONTANA SPORTS INFORMATION & SKYLINE SPORTS

A little over an hour before the Montana Grizzlies emerged from the tunnel for the team’s first scrimmage of fall camp, the kicking and punting corps trotted out of the locker room to warm up, becoming the first players to set foot on the brand new turf inside Washington Grizzly Stadium.

The extra warm-up time paid dividends as the kickers produced highlights in a scrimmage where the offensive, defensive and special teams units each had a strong showing.

Redshirt freshmen Tim Semenza thumped two field goals, one from 49 yards, the other from 48 yards, and fellow redshirt freshmen Brandon Purdy swatted a field goal from 47 yards to make the Griz 3-of-3 on field goals for the day. Semenza and Purdy also each converted PATs to give the kickers a perfect outing.

Sophomore punter Eric Williams brought boomed a 59-yard punt followed up by a 56-yard boot.

“People have been asking me about kickers for the whole off season and I had no comment, and now I have a comment,” Montana second-year head coach Bob Stitt said. “We’ve got a couple of really nice kickers and a nice punter, and we’re excited to take these guys through the next couple weeks and see who really rises to the top.

“I’m happy with the way they played today because they had a little pressure. They’ve been practicing very well, but today they had a little pressure with the fans, and they came through in a big way.”

Senior Chad Chalich and junior Reese Phillips each threw touchdowns as the duo took the bulk of the quarterback reps. Senior starter Brady Gustafson played just one series. Chalich, a former Idaho transfer, and Phillips, who transferred from Kentucky in the off-season, split the rest of the 16 drives during what amounted to a 90-play session.

Chalich threw a long touchdown to redshirt freshman Justin Calhoun but also threw interceptions to junior safety Mick Delaney and sophomore cornerback Markell Sanders. Phillips threw a three-yard scoring strike to true freshman wide receiver Dareon Nash but also threw interceptions to redshirt freshman safety Jerrin Williams and Wisconsin transfer cornerback T.J. Reynard.

“I think both of them had some really good moments out there, and both got some really good checks,” Stitt of his backup quarterbacks. “They came out, got aggressive and went after some deep balls which I want to see because our defense is very aggressive, and if you sit back and try to be conservative they’re going to eat you up.

“We’re going to go in and evaluate those guys right now because in the next scrimmage Brady has to get the bulk of the one reps. We’ve got to get him ready to go, but we wanted to give the two backups reps today with the No. 1 offensive line.”

Chalich’s second drive stalled near midfield, setting up Semenza’s 49-yard field goal. On the following drive, Redshirt freshmen Jesse Sims and Cy Sirmon each notched touch sacks, setting up Williams’ 59-yard punt.

Senior defensive end Caleb Kidder, the preseason Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year, shared a sack with senior defensive tackle Zach Peevey and shared another with defensive end Ryan Johnson. Reggie Tilleman registered the Griz defense’s fourth sack.

The Griz will have four more days of practice before taking the field again for the second scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday, Aug. 20. That scrimmage is scheduled for 9 a.m. inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium and is open to the public.

Montana opens the 2016 campaign on Sept. 3 against Saint Francis, under the lights at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

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