A total of 93 in-state products (including Montana senior safety Robby Hauck, who was born in Boulder, Colorado, and prepped in Las Vegas and San Diego but calls Missoula his home town) will play in Saturday’s rivalry showdown at Bobcat Stadim.

A total of 51 players from the No. 12 Grizzlies hail from in-state, the second-most since 2005 behind only last season’s 53 Montanans on Montana. And No. 3 Montana State’s roster features 42 in-state products entering the game on Saturday, up from 38 last season.

The upcoming rivalry game has postseason ramifications for the third year in a row,. In 2019, Montana State routed Montana as the then-No. 8 Bobcats blasted the No. 3 Griz 48-14 in Bozeman. Both teams earned playoff seeds and first-round byes; UM advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2019 FCS Playoffs and MSU advanced to the semifinals that season, marking the first run to the Final Four for the Bobcats since 1984.

Last year, Montana beat Montana State 29-10 in Missoula, snapping a four-game losing streak to MSU and thrusting themselves into a playoff seed again. The loss was Montana State’s only Big Sky Conference loss of the season, yet the Bobcats still received a seed and eventually ended up on the FCS national title game.

The Bobcats enter this year’s game with a 9-1 record, including a 7-0 mark in Big Sky Conference play, identical to a season ago. MSU is certainly into the playoffs for the fourth straight year and the eighth time since 2010. A victory could give Montana State at least a share of its first league title since 2012. A loss and MSU could still get a Top 8 seed and a bye, again.

Montana enters the game on a two-game winning streak to get to 4-3 in league play and 7-3 overall. Montana will certainly be into the playoffs for the third year in a row and the 24rd time since 199 with a win. A loss will mean a 7-4 Griz team would likely need help to get into the 24-team tournament.

During the Big Sky Conference era beginning in 1963, Montana State won the first six rivalry games against Montana and 12 of the first 15. Montana won in 1978 and again in 1981 and 1982 before MSU ripped off its most recent three-game winning streak until the current one between 1983 and 1985.

In 1986, Montana won 59-28 in Missoula, starting an era of domination that reached 16 consecutive victories during a stretch that became known as simply: “The Streak.”

Since Montana State won in Missoula 10-7 in Missoula in 2002, the rivalry is almost dead even with 10 wins for the Griz, nine wins for the ‘Cats. MSU had won four of its last five in Missoula before last year’s loss while Montana had four straight wins in Bozeman between 2007 and 2015 but lost in 2017 and 2019, the last two trips to Bobcat Stadium for the Griz.

When Bobby Hauck first took over at Montana leading up to the 2018 season, the Griz roster boasted 29 in-state players. Now UM has more than 50 for the second year in a row.

Montana State had one of its highest number of in-state products in former head coach Jeff Choate’s four years in 2019 with 46. The 2016 Bobcats had 52 Montana kids while the 2017 team had 46 and the 2018 team featured 45.

This year’s Bobcat team has five offensive starters and four defensive starters from Montana. A total of 16 Montanans dot the Bobcats’ two-deep, a number that could increase by at least one player depending on if junior running back Lane Sumner is a go on Saturday.

“It goes without saying that the magnitude and significance to the people in our state is significant,” Montana State second-year head coach Brent Vigen said. “I could tell that the day I got the job. It matters so much to so many. It’s all the small towns with split loyalties, families with split loyalties, it’s all that which creates a rivalry like we have and it’s a great thing. We have over 40 players from Motnana and I assume they do as well

“I’m sure they have former teammates on the other team in some cases. And to be on the right side of it matters.”

The Griz have as many as three starters on offense and six starters on defense (including Robby Hauck) who claim Montana roots. 13 more in-state products, all on defense, appear on the two-deep. And Montana has an in-state product at punter.

Between the two rosters combined, a total of 62 players (32 for UM, 30 for MSU) played Class AA football in high school. A total of 15 players played in Class A, including 9 for the Griz. A total of nine players cut their teeth in the Class B ranks, including five who play for Montana. And a total of four players prepped in the Class C ranks, including three for the ‘Cats.

Bozeman and Missoula are the two most represented Montana towns. A total of 18 players from Bozeman, including 15 who went to Bozeman Senior High and three more from three-year-old Gallatin, will be a part of Saturday’s rivalry, including 10 former Hawks who are now Bobcats.

A total of 17 Missoula natives will be a part of the game, including 14 who stayed home to play for the Grizzlies. Sentinel is the most well represented with nine alums, including eight Griz. Three former Big Sky players, all Grizzlies, will play and three from Loyola, two Griz and one ‘Cat, are part of the tally. Two from Missoula Hellgate, one on each side, are also part of the rosters.

Billings has 10 players in the game, including six that went to West, two that went to Senior, two that went to Central but none that went to Skyview. Five former Golden Bears are now Bobcats and a sixth is a Griz while one each are former Senior Broncs and Central Rams will suit up.

Helena has seven players in the game, including five who play at Montana. Both Bobcats are former Helena High Bengals while four of the five Griz also played at Helena High. Griz senior Marcus Welnel is the only Capital product in the game.

Great Falls has three former players in the game, including two total from Great Falls High, one on each side, and one CMR alum playing for the Griz. Three former Kalispell Glacier alums, all Griz, will play in the game.

And Butte has seven players in the rivalry, including five for Montana and four that went to Butte High. Montana State has two Mining City natives, both former Bulldogs, on its roster.

Dillon, Hamilton, Laurel and Polson each have a pair of players in the game. Both former Beavers play for Montana State while both former Broncs and both former Pirates play for the Griz. Red Lodge has three alums, including two Bobcats, in the rivalry while and Huntley Project have one each on Cat and Griz rosters.

A total of 26 Montana towns are represented with players from Anaconda, Eureka, Boulder, Fairfield, Havre, Savage, Melstone, Florence, Frenchtown, Phillipsburg and Sunburst are all represented, all making up the fabric of this historic game.

Here’s a look the 51 Montana products on the UM roster headed into the 121^st rendition of the fierce rivalry in Bozeman on Saturday afternoon.

THE STARS

Marcus Welnel, linebacker, senior, Helena — Welnel has been a stud in the middle of Montana’s defense for the last several seasons. He’s also been a stud off the field as well. He’s well on his way to earning All-Big Sky Conference honors for the second year in a row and he’s also closing in on earning two different masters degree’s from Montana’s prestigious school of business.

The former Helena Capital star dreamed of becoming the next from the Capital City to wear the vaunted No. 37 jersey for the Grizzlies. And he’s done it with honor this season after getting the garment passed to him by Townsend’s Jace Lewis.

Welnel is the fifth player from Helena to wear No. 37, joining Jason Crebo, Andy Petek, Ryan Fetherston and Caleb Kidder among the 16 Griz to be immortalized by the legacy number.

On the field, he’s second on the Griz this season with 78 tackles, including 23 solo stops. He has 10.5 tackles for loss, which is the fourth-most in the Big Sky Conference. Over the last two seasons, Welnel has 23 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including 14 sacks. He is one of the best inside blitzers in the history of Griz football and one of the most prolific sack men among inside linebackers that Montana or the Big Sky has seen.

Patrick O’Connell, linebacker, senior, Kalispell — O’Connell is the latest in the long line of overlooked prospects who were productive in high school but didn’t fit a prototype turned ferocious game wreckers after walking on and developing at Montana.

O’Connell was a star at Kalispell Glacier, playing in three football state title games, winning a basketball state title and winning a baseball state title. He didn’t get much of any interest from Bob Stitt’s staff and he did not want to walk on at Montana State, so he spent his first year of college playing baseball and football at the University of Mary.

He returned to Montana when Bobby Hauck did and redshirted in 2018. In 2019, he emerged as the edge player the Grizzlies need in their high-pressure, haphazard defensive attack. As a sophomore, he had 6.5 sacks, the seventh-most in the Big Sky and a harbinger for things to come.

Last season, he had one of the great single seasons in Griz history by a defensive player. The explosive, fast 6-foot-2, 230-pounder had 14 sacks and 21 tackles for loss among his 100 total tackles, helping him earn a top three finish in the voting for the Buck Buchanan Award.

Despite battling injuries, the Big Sky Preseason Defensive Player of the Year has been a one-man wrecking crew again this season. He has a Big Sky-best 12.5 tackles for loss and his eight sacks lead the league as well even though he’s missed two full games and most of Montana’s loss at Weber State as well.

The senior captain is expected to play on Saturday in Bozeman.

Robby Hauck, safety, senior, Missoula — Hauck was born in Boulder, Colorado when coach Hauck was coaching for the Buffs and he played his high school ball in San Diego when Hauck III was coaching at San Diego State. Yet he still claims Missoula as his home town and the family’s roots in the Garden City certainly run deep. The gym at Missoula Loyola, for example, is named after Robert Hauck II, Bobby’s father and Robby’s grandfather.

Robby Hauck has been one of the most durable players in the Big Sky Conference and the FCS over the last four seasons. He has note missed a single game, making 48 consecutive starts entering Saturday’s contest.

He is Montana’s leading tackler once again with 87 total stops. He has already moved into the all-time lead on Montana’s career tackles list since tackles became an official stat. He needs 19 more tackles to move past Vince Huntsberger for total tackles counting playoff games in Griz history and he needs 23 more tackles to become the all-time leading tackler in Big Sky Conference history.

He was a Freshman All-American, second-team All-Big Sky selection as a sophomore, a first-team all-league and third-team All-American selection as a junior and entered his senior season as a preseason All-American on the Buck Buchanan Award watch list. Not bad for one of the smallest defensive players in the Big Sky.

Junior Bergen, wide receiver, sophomore, Billings —Bergen technically hasn’t made an offensive start at wide receiver yet in his Griz career, which in itself could be a sort of referendum on Montana’s inconsistent offensive performances this season. And he is averaging less than two catches per game.

But the former Billings Senior stud is one of the most electrifying players in the Big Sky with the ball in his hands. His touchdown catch against Idaho was the No. 1 play on SportsCenter’s Top 10 the following week. And his 74-yard punt return for a touchdown against Porltand State was one of the highlights of the year.

He’s been in and out of the lineup with a busted up hand and he has technically been Keelan White’s backup. But Bergen single-handedly sparked the Griz to victory last season, scoring a 74-yard touchdown on the second play of the game and dominating in the return game to lead the Griz to a 29-10 victory.

This season, he has 16 catches for 210 yards and four touchdowns. He is

Mitch Roberts, wide receiver, senior, Missoula — The legacy Griz — his mom, Cheri Bratt was the first Lady Griz basketball player to win league MVP back in 1984 — went from under recruited quarterback at Missoula Senintel to mutliple-year starting wide receiver at Montana.

He’s been one of Montana’s steadiest players over the last three seasons. He had 37 catches for 420 yards in 2019, 55 catches for 683 yards last season and enters Saturday’s game with 42 catches for 498 yards this year. he caught one touchdown each in 2019 and 2021, but has added significantly to that total, scoring five times this season.

He and the Griz wide receivers against an inconsistent secondary is one of the matchups of the game.

THE STARTERS

Braxton Hill, linebacker, junior, Anaconda — Hill gray shirted as a walk-on after having shoulder surgery after his standout senior basketball season at Anaconda ended. No one knew just how much he would develop over the next few years.

His rise has been mercurial and he has emerged as one of Montana’s most consistent and explosive defensive players. He had 27 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks last season in spot duty. This year, as a starter when healthy, he has 39 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 more sacks.

He was knocked out of the Portland State game and was limited the next month. But he’s been back to full reps the last three weeks and has 21 tackles over that span.

Garrett Graves, safety, junior, Eureka — Graves has shown great versatility after joining Montana following one of the most decorated small-school prep careers in recent years in the Treasure State. The multiple time state champion in football and in wrestling came to the Griz as a quarterback. He moved to wide receiver while also emerging covering kicks on special teams.

His bone-jarring hit against Eastern Washington bascially solified him on defense permanently and he’s been good while playing safety next to Hauck and Nash Fouch. He has 23 tackles, three tackles for loss plus a forced fumble and an interception. He still has good ball skills as well, evidence in his 77-yard kick return in last week’s 63-7 beatdown of Eastern Washington.

Levi Janacaro, linebacker, junior, Missoula — The former high school quarterback turned college fullback turned bruising linebacker has continued to earn respect with his abilities in the weight room while weighting his turn for reps on the field.

When Hill went down in Montana’s Big Sky opener, Janacaro got his opportunity. The Missoula Big Sky product has thrived ever since. He had double-digit tackles against Idaho, Sac State and Weber State plus eight more against EWU last week. He has 71 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble during this breakout junior year.

Patrick Rohrbach, punter, freshman, Kalispell — Rohrbach only punted once in the last two weeks as Montana rolled up 124 unanswered points at one point of its recent offensive resurgence. When Rohrbach was not used during the Cal Poly game, a media member joked in the press box, “We didn’t even get to see the best player for the Griz today.”

Bobby Hauck said Rohrbach was one of the most talented Montana high school specialists he’d ever seen in recruiting, which is saying something considering Hauck recruited and coached Dan Carpenter, who played for a decade in the NFL.

He has been so good this season, it seems like a distant memory that Brian Buschini, an All-American as a freshman, transferred to Nebraska in the off-season. Rohrbach has averaged nearly 47 yards per punt and has Montana ranked among the FCS leaders in net punting.

Journey Grimsrud, offensive line, freshman, Huntley — The former state champion discus thrower and standout wrestler was a raw, intriguing prospect when he signed with the Griz out of one of Class B’s most solid programs. He toiled on the defensive line as a redshirt freshman before switching to offensive line last off-season.

He broke into the starting lineup in place of Liam Brown three games ago and has thrived. He was highlighted on Voice of the Griz Riley Corcoran’s weekly coaches show as the Montana Club Montana Player Spotlight. He’s been great at right guard, helping Montana rush the ball prolifically the last few weeks.

THE CONTRIBUTORS

Tyler Flink, linebacker, junior, Missoula — Flink has been a rotational player but has played with his hair on fire every opportunity he’s received. The former walk-on had sacks against South Dakota and Indiana State. His flying QB pressure against Idaho State is one of the photos of the year. And his touchdown on a Levi Janacaro blocked punt gave the Missoula Big Sky duo one of the moments of the season as well.

Ryan Simpson, wide receiver, sophomore, Bozeman — The former state champion basketball player has evolved into a solid option on the outside. At 6-foot-6, he’s one of the tallest receivers in the Big Sky. He has 10 catches for 107 yards and two scores this season.

Drew Deck, wide receiver/punt returner, redshirt freshman, Kalispell —The shifty slot receiver has also emerged as a primary option at punt returner, where he started last week. The Glacier product has four catches for 31 yards and five returns for 35 yards so far this season.

David Koppang, safety, redshirt junior, Missoula — The Missoula Loyola product has been a stalwart on special teams and has pushed for time in the safety rotation. He has four tackles this season.

Ryan Tirrell, linebacker, sophomore, Missoula — Tirrell is also a Loyola product (the Rams play for the Class B state title against defending champion Florence on Saturday) and has worked his way into the linebacker rotation. Bobby Hauck’s nephew and Robby’s cousin has 12 tackles and a tackle for loss this season.

Henry Nuce, defensive line, sophomore, Kalispell — Nuce, a Glacier product, has battled injuries this season. But he had his first career sack against Eastern Washington last week.

Kris Brown, quarterback, sophomore, Bozeman — The former Bozeman High standout has had his ups and downs when called upon for the Griz. He went 3-1 as a starter last season but then got pulled after just a few series in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs, a game Montana lost 28-6 to James Madison.

Brown was called upon again when starter Lucas Johnson was on the wrong end of a cheap shot targeting penalty in what ended up as as 31-24 overtime loss to Sac State. Brown started the next week against Weber State as well and managed to guide the Griz offense to just 114 yards of total offense in a 24-21 loss.

The sophomore is a talented athlete who throws a nice ball and remains a promising prospect for the Griz.

Jaxon Lee, safety, sophomore, Phillipsburg/Missoula — Lee was a Class C star playing for the Flint Creek co-op of Drummond -Phillipsburg as a sophomore and junior in high school. He transferred to Sentinel for his senior year and helped the Spartans to their first of what is now as streak of four straight semifinals appearances in the Class AA playoffs.

For the Griz, Lee has been a solid reserve, playing on special teams and sometimes in the safety rotation. He has seven tackles this season.

Trevin Gradney, cornerback, sophomore, Billings — Gradney was a first-team all-conference selection as a special teams ace last season. He worked his way up the depth chart and is essentially Montana’s fourth corner, although the Griz have heavily relied on Justin Ford, Corbin Walker and Jayden Dawson primarily this season. The won of former Bobcat Joe Gradney has eight tackles and two pass breakups this season.

Colter Janacaro, running back, redshirt freshman, Missoula — Levi’s younger brother has seen a few reps late in Montana’s recent blowout wins. He has 17 carries for 35 yards and scored his first career touchdown against Indiana State earlier this season.

Carson Rostad, linebacker, sophomore, Hamilton — The former Montana Gatorade Player of the Year was a four-year starter at quarterback at Hamilton, while also standing out on defense. His 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame made it difficult for the coaching staff to not try him on special teams and once they did, he was moved to linebacker. He’s made nine tackles covering kicks over the last two seasons.

Jace Klucewich, safety, redshirt freshman, Frenchtown/Sentinel — Klucewich was a standout in every way possible at Frenchtown, playing both ways and also starring in track and field. He transferred to Sentinel his senior year and helped lead the Spartans to their first football and first boys’ state track titles in more than 50 years. At Montana, he has waited his turn but has started to play a little more recently. He had four tackles against Cal Poly and three more against Eastern Washington, bringing his total to eight this season.

Matt Rensvold, tight end, junior, Polson — Rensvold was catching touchdowns as a freshman and looked like Montana’s tight end of the future. Then he blew out his knee multiple times and had every reason to walk away from the game. Instead, he’s stuck around and has seen spot reps this season. He caught a 12-yard pass against Idaho.

THE MONTANANS

Gabe Longin, safety, redshirt freshman, Great Falls High

Camden Capser, kicker, redshirt freshman, Billings Central

Ryder Meyer, safety, redshirt freshman, Fairfield

Kaden Huot, quarterback, freshman, Helena High

Joey Visser, safety, freshman, Boulder

Chase McGurran, safety, freshman, Helena

Padraig Lang, safety, freshman, Bozeman

Brady Lang, safety, freshman, Bozeman

Beau Dantic, running back, freshman, Laurel

TJ Rausch, safety, redshirt freshman, Missoula Sentinel

Drew Klumph, cornerback, freshman, Missoula Sentinel

Tanner Huff, wide receiver, redshirt freshman, Butte

Geno Leonard, linebacker, redshirt freshman, Missoula Sentinel

Tyson Rostad, safety, freshman, Hamilton

Asher Croy, linebacker, redshirt freshman, Bozeman

Marcus Evans, linebacker, freshman, Helena High

Kellen Detrick, defensive end, redshirt freshman, Havre

Zac Evans, defensive tackle, redshirt freshman, Helena High

Braunson Henriksen, Defensive end, freshman, Polson

Corby Mann, defensive end, redshirt freshman, Red Lodge

Dillon Botner, offensive line, redshirt sophomore, Whitefish

Gerrit Bloemendaal, offensive line, junior, Great Falls CMR

Ian Finch, wide receiver, freshman, Missoula Hellgate

Joe Weida, tight end, freshman, Missoula Sentinel

Jake Olson, tight end, redshirt freshman, Butte

Sloan McPherson, defensive line, redshirt freshman, Savage

Dylan Smith, defensive line, redshirt freshman, Whitehall

Adam Botkin, punter, senior, Frenchtown

Photo Gallery by Brooks Nuanez, Jason Bacaj & Blake Hempstead. All Rights Reserved.

For the first time several years, close to 100 Treasure State products will suit up for the rivalry game between Montana and Montana State. The No. 8 Bobcats feature 46 Montana products on its roster. No. 3 Montana features 48 in-state athletes.

The game also has postseason amifications for both teams for the first time 2014, the last time Montana and Montana State each qualified for the FCS Playoffs in the same season.

The Bobcats enter the game with a 8-3 record that includes a 5-2 mark in Big Sky Conference play. Win or lose, MSU will likely make a second straight playoff appearance.

The Bobcats have also won three straight games against the Griz for the first time since 1983 until 1985. Montana started “The Streak” the following season, defeating MSU 16 straight times. Since MSU won in Missoula in 2002 to end “The Streak”, Montana has captured the Great Divide Trophy nine times and Montana State has won eight rivalry contests.

The recent Bobcat winning streak has coincided with denying Montana playoff berths three years in a row. But the Griz don’t have to worry about being shut out of the postseason again. UM brings a 9-2 record into the game, including a 6-1 Big Sky mark that gives the Griz a chance to claim their first official conference title since 2009.

When Hauck took over, Montana’s roster featured 29 in-state players. He has added nearly 20, including his son Robby who lists his hometown as Missoula despite going to high school in San Diego.

Montana State also has one of its highest number of in-state products in Choate’s four years. The 2016 Bobcats had 52 Montana kids while the 2017 team had 46 and the 2018 team featured 45. Choate has had more Montana players on his roster than the Griz have in each of the last four rivalry matchups against UM, until this season.

MSU’s starting lineup has featured 17 Treasure State players at one point or another this season. Montana has started 13 in-state players.

Between the two rosters combined, a total of 55 players (30 for UM, 25 for MSU) played Class AA football in high school. A total of 18 players played in Class A, including 12 for Montana State. A total of 15 players cut their teeth in the Class B ranks, including eight who play for Montana. And a total of five players prepped in the Class C ranks, including three for the Griz.

Missoula is the only city with double-digit representation. A total of 16 players hail from the Garden City, including Hauck and 11 others who chose the Griz. Missoula Sentinel has seven alums playing on Saturday while Missoula Big Sky has five. Missoula Loyola has two players on the Grizzlies and one on the Bobcats.

Bozeman High and Kalispell Glacier have the highest representations of any school with alums playing Saturday. Nine former Hawks, including seven who stayed home to play for the Bobcats, will suit up. Kalispell Glacier also has nine alums competing, including five who play for Montana State.

Helena has 11 representatives, including six Capital High products that play for the Griz and one for the ‘Cats. Three of the four players from Helena High are Bobcats.

Billings, Montana’s largest city, has 10 representatives from the Class AA ranks, including five from Billings West and four former Golden Bears who play for the Grizzlies. Billings Senior has a pair of players on each side. MSU tight end Ryan Davis is the lone representative from Billings Skyview. Three players, all Bobcats, come from Billings Central

Four players hail from Great Falls, including two who play at MSU. That’s just one more than hail from Billings Central and Dillon (all Bobcats) and the same number as Whitefish. Four former Bulldogs are on the rosters, including three who play at UM.

Other Class A towns like Belgrade have two Bobcat reps while Butte has a pair of natives, one on each team, one from Butte High (UM offensive linemen Dallas Cook) and one from Butte Central (Bobcat defensive end Marcus Ferriter).

Huntley Project, Bigfork and Boulder are the only Class B school with two players in the game. Both former Red Devils play for the Bobcats while one Bobcat and Griz each hail from Jefferson County High in Boulder and the Flathead County (Bigfork), respectively.

Sidney, Stevensville and Polson round out the Class A towns with all three playing for the Griz. Anaconda, Big Timber, Choteau, Eureka, Fairfield, Townsend, Whitehall, Sunburst, White Sulphur Springs, Savage and Valier each have a native son representing in one of the oldest rivalries in college football.

Here’s a look the 48 Montana products on the UM roster headed into the 119th rendition of the fierce rivalry in Bozeman on Saturday afternoon.

THE STARS

Jesse Sims, defensive tackle, fifth-year senior, Stevensville — The three-year starter and former FBS recruit (he initially committed to Oregon State to play tight end) is in his second year wearing Montana’s fabled No. 37.

Montana head coach Bobby Hauck has said each of the last two weeks that Sims is playing the best football of his career in his final season playing for the Griz. His numbers bear that out.

Sims has one sack in three of the last four games. He had a season-high seven tackles in a 42-17 win over Idaho. He’s also notched a tackle for lost in each of the last four games. He also forced a fumble in the win over the Vandals.

Robby Hauck, safety, sophomore, Missoula — The hard-hitting son of Montana’s head coach plays very similar the way his uncle, Tim Hauck, played for the Griz in the late 1980s on the way to a 13-years NFL career.

Robby Hauck is only 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds but he flies around and smacks people as often as any player in the Big Sky. Hauck played all four of his high school years in San Diego while Bobby was finishing his tenure as the head coach at UNLV and during three years as the special teams coordinator at San Diego State.

But Robby Hauck still lists his hometown as Missoula. And he might be the heir apparent to Sims for the No. 37.

His origin point might not fit the bill — a Montana native — but his production and the passion he plays with certainly do.

Hauck has double-digit tackles in eight games this season. His 108 total tackles is the third-best number in the league.  

Colin Bingham, tight end, fifth-year senior, Missoula Big Sky— The son of Griz Hall of Famer Guy Bingham left Montana’s 35-16 win over Weber State last weekend with what appeared to be a right hand injury. He will certainly figure out a way to play if that is even slightly possible.

Bingham came to Montana as a tight end only to see former head coach Bob Stitt eliminate the position and put most of UM’s tight ends at “H” wide receiver. Bingham thrived in the role as a redshirt freshman in 2016, catching 28 passes for 332 yards and four touchdowns.

During his second season playing the position, Bingham struggled with injuries and did not catch a pass. With the return of Hauck, Bingham returned back to his natural position and has thrived.

He is Montana’s best in-line blocker and has played a huge role in helping boost up a previously struggling and now thriving Montana offensive line. Bingham has also produced when called upon, catching 25 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns over the last 22 games.

Jace Lewis, inside linebacker, junior, Townsend — Lewis has burst onto the scene after a standout sophomore year and is in line for All-Big Sky honors as a junior. He is also one of Robby Hauck’s biggest competitors to take over for Sims as Montana’s No. 37.

Lewis split snaps with Josh Buss last year, playing alongside consensus All-American Dante Olson. He piled up 62 tackles and was a demon on kick teams, earning second-team All-Big Sky honors on special teams.

This season, Lewis has emerged as a true star. He has double-digit tackles in four of Montana’s last seven games, including a career-high 17 stops against Sacrametno State. He was a beast in a 38-23 win over Portland State, notching three sacks in the victory.

All told, the former Class B two-way star and state champion has 104t tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and four sacks this season.

Josh Sandry, safety, fifth-year senior, Bigfork — The former Class B star has seen his responsibilities in the Montana secondary evolve as much as anyone over the last two years.

As a sophomore, Sandry was a key playmaker for the Griz defense from his strong safety position. He had 49 tackles and ranked eighth in the Big Sky Conference with three interceptions, including one he took back for a touchdown against Washington.

When Hauck took over, Sandry shifted to a Rover position that acts as UM’s third safety. He has to make more tackles in space than in the box. He sometimes gets matched up in man coverage against slot receivers. And he’s taken the transition in stride, thriving in his final season.

Last season Sandry had 61 tackles, seven pass breakups and two interceptions. This season, he has 43 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and an interception. He had a tackle for loss and a pick last week against Weber State.

Patrick O’Connell, linebacker/edge, sophomore, Kalispell Glacier — O’Connell tried to recruit himself to Montana out of Kalispell but that fell flat to Montana’s former coaching staff. After playing a year at the University of Mary, he against tried to join the Griz, this time getting a chance to walk on.

He sat out last season and has blossomed this season, playing UM’s REB position, a hybrid standup outside linebacker/edge specialist. He currently leads the Griz with 6.5 sacks, the fifth-best total in the league.

THE STARTERS

Mitch Roberts, wide receiver, sophomore, Missoula Sentinel — The former high school quarterback has acclimated well to wide receiver, even pushing All-Big Sky candidate Samori Toure for a starting position all off-season.

When called upon, Roberts has been clutch. He had five catches and 80 yards against Monmouth in a Griz win that keeps looking better and better now that MU has nine wins this season. Roberts has seven catches for 86 yards over the last two weeks, givng Montana valuable snaps with junior Sammy Akem out with a foot injury.

Bryson Deming, tight end, sophomore, Billings West — The former second-team all-state quarterback, all-state basketball player and state champion track and field thrower has acclimated to his new position at tight end quite nicely.

This season, he leads Montana’s tight ends with 15 catches for 148 yards and three touchdowns, including two scoring receptions against Monmouth.

Braydon Deming, tight end, sophomore, Billings West — Bryson Deming’s twin brother has similar high school accolades, accept he was a star defensive player in his prep days. And despite battling an ailing knee all season, he’s an emerging star on the inside of Montana’s defensive front.

Last season, Deming had two sacks among his four tackles for loss, the most by a Griz defensive linemen. This season, he’s been solid again, notching up 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks on a suddenly deep front line.

Brandon Purdy, kicker, junior, Kalispell Glacier — Purdy was a third-team All-Big Sky selection as a sophomore in 2017 then missed last season with a knee injury.

This season, he is 9-of-12 kicking field goals, including makes from 43, 46 and 47 yards. The 47-yarder against North Alabama tied his career high.

Dylan Cook, offensive tackle, junior, Butte High – Cook has one of the wildest stories in the Big Sky Conference. The former high school quarterback and basketball standout played quarterback at Montana State-Northern.

The 6-foot-6, 285-pounder joined Montana as a walk-on last winter. He has risen to the point that he has started at right tackle four times this season and consistently rotated in at both tackle spots.

Colton Keintz, offensive line, sophomore, Missoula Big Sky — Keintz, who is up to 310 pounds on his 6-foot-8 frame, got thrown to the Wolves last season as a redshirt freshman. This season, he has improved and also has benefited from Cook’s presence and the ability to platoon.

THE CONTRIBUTORS

Ryder Rice, edge, fifth-year senior, Savage — The graduate transfer from Rocky Mountain College has proved he belongs at the Division I level. He has been good on third downs and as a designed blitzer, notching 22 tackles and three tackles for loss while also piling up an array of quarterback pressures.

Garrett Graves, quarterback/special teams ace, redshirt freshman, Eureka — The former multi-sport Class B star has thrived at multiple positions already. He is UM’s third quarterback but also a special teams ace who blocked a punt against Weber State. He also caught his first pass playing wide receiver last weekend. He has eight tackles on special teams.

Michael McGinnis, safety, redshirt sophomore, Sidney — McGinnis has been a standout on special teams, totaling 12 tackles and a tackle for loss.

Gabe Sulser, wide receiver, sophomore, Billings Senior — Sulser is likely done for the year. The former Montana Gatorade Player of the Year played in six games this season, catching nine passes for 82 yards and carrying the ball four times for 28 yards.

Jed Nagler, edge, junior, Whitefish — Nagler has only played in four games after suffering a knee injury last season but has seven tackles.

Marcus Welnel, linebacker, sophomore, Helena Capital — Welnel has played a similar if less prolific role as Lewis did last year as UM’s third inside linebacker. He has 21 tackles and two tackles for loss.

Drew Turner, running back, redshirt freshman, Kalispell Glacier – Turner has taken advantage of limited opportunities. He has 15 carries for 99 yards and scored his first career touchdown against North Alabama.

Braxton Hill, linebacker, freshman, Anaconda — After grey shirting while healing from shoulder surgery, the former Anaconda quarterback and basketball star has been a special teams standout this season. He carried out the hammer during the pre-game tunnel run as part the internal special teams player of the week. He has four tackles in nine games this season.

Matt Rensvold, tight end, sophomore, Polson — Rensvold caught three touchdowns last season and looked primed for another good year before suffering a season-ending injury against Oregon. He caught three passes for 16 yards in three games.

TREASURE STATE NATIVES

Danny Burton, wide receiver, junior, Helena Capital

Ryan Arnston, running back, junior, Helena High

Gabe Peppenger, kicker, junior, Missoula Sentinel

Levi Jancarro, fullback, redshirt freshman, Missoula Big Sky

Trase Le Texier, fullback, junior, Boulder

Cole Rosling, defensive line, junior, Helena Capital

Gerrit Bloemendaal, offensive line, redshirt freshman, Great Falls CMR

Conor Quick, offensive line, redshirt freshman, Helena Capital

Jackson Pepe, safety, redshirt freshman, Kalispell Glacier

David Koppang, safety, redshirt freshman, Missoula Loyola

Tyler Flink, linebacker, redshirt freshman, Missoula Big Sky

Trevor Welnel, offensive line, redshirt freshman, Helena Capital

Colten Curry, tight end, redshirt freshman, Valier

Jesse Owens, wide receiver, redshirting, Billings West

Ryan Simpson, wide receiver, redshirting, Bozeman

Jace DeWalt, wide receiver, redshirting, Missoula Sentinel

Kris Brown, quarterback, redshirting, Bozeman

Trevin Gradney, cornerback, redshirting, Billings West

Elias DeWaters, cornerback, redshirting, Missoula Sentinel

Ryder Meyer, safety, redshirting, Fairfield

Max Feight, safety, redshirting, Whitehall

Ryan Tirrell, linebacker, redshirting, Missoula Loyola

Garrison Poetzl, defensive line, redshirting, Billings Senior

Dillon Botner, offensive line, redshirting, Whitefish

Carver Gilman, kicker/punter, redshirting, Whitefish

Noah Ambuehl, tight end, redshirting, Great Falls Central

Brian Buschini, kicker, redshirting, Helena Capital

Photos by Brooks Nuanez. All Rights Reserved.

For the first time several years, close to 100 Treasure State products will suit up for the rivalry game between Montana and Montana State. The No. 8 Bobcats feature 46 Montana products on its roster. No. 3 Montana features 48 in-state athletes.

The game also has postseason amifications for both teams for the first time 2014, the last time Montana and Montana State each qualified for the FCS Playoffs in the same season.

The Bobcats enter the game with a 8-3 record that includes a 5-2 mark in Big Sky Conference play. Win or lose, MSU will likely make a second straight playoff appearance.

The Bobcats have also won three straight games against the Griz for the first time since 1983 until 1985. Montana started “The Streak” the following season, defeating MSU 16 straight times. Since MSU won in Missoula in 2002 to end “The Streak”, Montana has captured the Great Divide Trophy nine times and Montana State has won eight rivalry contests.

The recent Bobcat winning streak has coincided with denying Montana playoff berths three years in a row. But the Griz don’t have to worry about being shut out of the postseason again. UM brings a 9-2 record into the game, including a 6-1 Big Sky mark that gives the Griz a chance to claim their first official conference title since 2009.

When Hauck took over, Montana’s roster featured 29 in-state players. He has added nearly 20, including his son Robby who lists his hometown as Missoula despite going to high school in San Diego.

Montana State also has one of its highest number of in-state products in Choate’s four years. The 2016 Bobcats had 52 Montana kids while the 2017 team had 46 and the 2018 team featured 45. Choate has had more Montana players on his roster than the Griz have in each of the last four rivalry matchups against UM, until this season.

MSU’s starting lineup has featured 17 Treasure State players at one point or another this season. Montana has started 13 in-state players.

Between the two rosters combined, a total of 55 players (30 for UM, 25 for MSU) played Class AA football in high school. A total of 18 players played in Class A, including 12 for Montana State. A total of 15 players cut their teeth in the Class B ranks, including eight who play for Montana. And a total of five players prepped in the Class C ranks, including three for the Griz.

Missoula is the only city with double-digit representation. A total of 16 players hail from the Garden City, including Hauck and 11 others who chose the Griz. Missoula Sentinel has seven alums playing on Saturday while Missoula Big Sky has five. Missoula Loyola has two players on the Grizzlies and one on the Bobcats.

Bozeman High and Kalispell Glacier have the highest representations of any school with alums playing Saturday. Nine former Hawks, including seven who stayed home to play for the Bobcats, will suit up. Kalispell Glacier also has nine alums competing, including five who play for Montana State.

Helena has 11 representatives, including six Capital High products that play for the Griz and one for the ‘Cats. Three of the four players from Helena High are Bobcats.

Billings, Montana’s largest city, has 10 representatives from the Class AA ranks, including five from Billings West and four former Golden Bears who play for the Grizzlies. Billings Senior has a pair of players on each side. MSU tight end Ryan Davis is the lone representative from Billings Skyview. Three players, all Bobcats, come from Billings Central

Four players hail from Great Falls, including two who play at MSU. That’s just one more than hail from Billings Central and Dillon (all Bobcats) and the same number as Whitefish. Four former Bulldogs are on the rosters, including three who play at UM.

Other Class A towns like Belgrade have two Bobcat reps while Butte has a pair of natives, one on each team, one from Butte High (UM offensive linemen Dylan Cook) and one from Butte Central (Bobcat defensive end Marcus Ferriter).

Huntley Project, Bigfork and Boulder are the only Class B school with two players in the game. Both former Red Devils play for the Bobcats while one Bobcat and Griz each hail from Jefferson County High in Boulder and the Flathead County (Bigfork), respectively.

Sidney, Stevensville and Polson round out the Class A towns with all three playing for the Griz. Anaconda, Big Timber, Choteau, Eureka, Fairfield, Townsend, Whitehall, Sunburst, White Sulphur Springs, Savage and Valier each have a native son representing in one of the oldest rivalries in college football.

Here’s a look the 48 Montana products on the UM roster headed into the 119th rendition of the fierce rivalry in Bozeman on Saturday afternoon.

THE STARS

Troy Andersen, quarterback/running back/linebacker, junior, Dillon — The superlatives are running out for Montana State’s diverse, tough, athletic, transcendent two-way talent. Last season, Andersen moved to quarterback after winning Big Sky Freshman of the Year as a running back and linebacker. All he did was set the league’ single-season record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 1,421 and set Montana State’s single-season record for rushing touchdowns in a season with 21.

Andersen has battled injuries throughout the entire calendar year of 2019, missing spring football after having off-season shoulder surgery and battling an ailing ankle since the first month of the season. Even though he’s never been close to 100 percent, Andersen is still one of the most electrifying and mystifying players in America.

He has scored a touchdown and notched a tackle for loss in four of the last five games. He is currently tied for fifth in the league with 6.5 sacks and his 11.5 tackles for loss. He also leads the Bobcats with seven rushing touchdowns.

Brayden Konkol, safety, fifth-year senior, Belgrade — Konkol makes no bones about the fact that he LOVES the rivalry game. He has consistently talked smack on Twitter throughout the last three years, reminding anyone that will listen that MSU has won the Great Divide Trophy three years in a row.

Konkol had his own coming out party at Washington-Grizzly Stadium as a freshman in 2016. He smashed Montana’s Mr. Electricity, slot receiver Jerry Louie-McGee twice to set the tone for a 24-17 MSU upset win.

In 2017, Konkol was a maniac, rolling up 16 tackles and sharing a sack as Montana State won for the first time in Bozeman in more than a decade, 31-23. Last season, Konkol had seven tackles and a tackle for loss as part of a stalwart defensive effort that helped MSU rally from a 22-0 deficit in a 29-25 victory.

This season, Konkol might’ve played his best game last week, totaling a team-high seven tackles and snaring his first pick of the season in a 27-17 win over UC Davis. Konkol has 51 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and six pass breakups as a senior.

Mitch Brott, offensive tackle, fifth-year senior, Billings West — Coming out of Billings West, Brott received just a partial scholarship from Montana State. He has worn that chip on his shoulder brashly, transforming into a real deal NFL prospect.

Brott enters Saturday’s rivalry game with 45 consecutive starts on a Bobcat offensive line that has paved the way for several historic rushing seasons. The Bobcats are leading the Big Sky in rushing yards per game for the second time in the seasons. The team also leads the league by allowing just one sack per game.

The 6-foot-6, 295-pounder was a second-team All-Big Sky selection last season and is an All-American candidate as a fifth-year senior captain for the Bobcats.

Derek Marks, defensive tackle, fifth-year senior, Belgrade — Marks has never been big enough. But he’s always been tough enough, smart enough and consistent enough on the way to etching a memorable career for his (nearly) hometown team.

The 6-foot-2, 255-pounder was thrust into duty as a true freshman in 2016 and led the Bobcats in sacks, including 1.5 sacks against the Griz. As a sophomore, he was a utility man who rotated up and down the front, notching 8.5 tackles for loss and four sacks.

He played a similar role last season, rolling up five tackles for loss and two sacks. But perhaps the most memorable moment of Marks’ career came when Chase Benson blew up Montana’s offensive line, Tucker Yates and Grant Collins crushed Adam Eastwood, forcing fumble on the goal line that Marks recovered with eight seconds left to secure one of the most epic wins in the history of the rivalry.

As a senior, Marks has moved to defensive tackle full time and has continued excelling. He does not have a sack (the Bobcats have 27) but he does have 11 tackles for loss among his 40 tackles.

Logan Jones, running back, fifth-year senior, Kalispell Glacier — Montana State could not keep the explosive mighty mite off the field as a true freshman in 2015. He took a kick 100 yards for a touchdown at Portland State to earn All-Big Sky honors.

But he largely toiled in a jam-packed MSU backfield. He rushed for 251 yards combined by the end of his junior year. Last season, Jones missed the first eight games. He returned for the final four games of the regular season, scoring three touchdowns, including one against Montana.

The 5-foot-7, 186-pounder shut it down before the playoffs, using a new NCAA rule that allows the preservation of a redshirt if an athlete plays in four games or less.

 In his fifth year, Jones has taken full advantage. He is averaging 6.9 yards per carry, leads the Bobcats with 667 yards and ha scored seven total touchdowns.

Josh Hill, linebacker, fifth-year senior, Kalispell Glacier — Hill, a former Class AA Defensive Player of the Year, earned Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week in his first rivalry game start by notching eight tackles, one tackle for loss and a pick in MSU’s 2016 win.

In 2017, he rolled up six tackles and a tackle for loss. In 2018, he missed the game, just like all the other games last season save MSU’s playoff game at North Dakota State.

The MSU coaching staff have slow played Hill so far this season up until the last month. Since then, the Bobcats have unleashed the active, aggressive 5-foot-11, 215-pound tackling machine on the rest of the league.

This month, Hill had eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble against Southern Utah. Hill had 10 tackles and two tackles for loss against Northern Colorado. And he had six tackles, all solo, against UC Davis last week.

THE STARTERS

Chase Benson, defensive tackle, junior, Helena High — Benson gets less headlines and fields less media requests for interviews than the rest of Montana State’s defensive linemen the last two years among a group of charismatic characters.

But the MSU coaching staff have praised Benson all season. His ability to destroy the interior of opposing offensive lines has been a key in MSU piling up 84 tackles for loss. Benson has four of those tackles for loss, including three sacks among his 47 total tackles.

Lane Sumner, running back, redshirt freshman, Huntley Project — The former Class B state sprinting champion has never actually started a game for the Bobcats.

But he has played a pivotal role in helping MSU lead the league in rushing despite the limited availability of Andersen, starting running back Isaiah Ifanse, and Wildcat QB/receiver Travis Jonsen, Sumner has been crucial.

Sumner is averaging 8.1 yards per carry and has rushed for 349 yards total. He rushed for 1143 yards and two touchdowns against Norfolk State, 90 yards and two touchdowns against Southern Utah and 72 yards with a score against Northern Colorado. He has five of MSU’s 33 rushing touchdowns.

Callahan O’Reilly, inside linebacker, sophomore, Bozeman — The former high school quarterback switched to linebacker, endured a learning curve, and is one of Montana State’s most improved players.

O’Reilly is Montana State’s leading tackler this season. He rotated pretty heavily the first five games of the season. But he was the go-to Mike linebacker against Cal Poly’s triple option, wracking up a career-high 16 tackles. He had 11 tackles each of the next two weeks.

He has 66 total tackles, a sack and 3.5 tackles for loss this season.

Jered Padmos, punter, senior, Boulder — Padmos, a former three-sport athlete from Jefferson County High, has been a consistent and unsung hero for the Bobcats the last four years.

Over his first three seasons, he gave up less than two yards per return on 178 punts. And this season, he is averaging a career-high 45 yards per punt. He has 16 punts over 50 yards, a long of 76 and has pinned opponents inside the 20 12 times. Padmos is again giving up 1.9 yards per punt return.

Michael Jobman, linebacker, junior, Huntley Project — Jobman played on the edge early in his career before moving to inside linebacker last season. He finished third on the team with 73 tackles.

Before injuring his knee about a month ago, Choate said Jobman was playing his best football. He missed five weeks after rolling up a career-high 13 tackles against Cal Poly but returned to the lineup, at least on the participation report, last week. Jobman has 39 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble this season.

Denver Krone, center, junior, Choteau — The former walk-on from Augusta who prepped at Choteau bounced back from a serious knee injury that nearly ended his career to start the first three games of this season. He also started Montana State’s conference opener against NAU.

Krone has consistently rotated on the interior of MSU’s offensive line, start or not, spelling Zach Redd or bumping Redd to left guard.

Marcus Ferriter, defensive lineman, Butte Central — Ferriter has worn the stamp as MSU’s lone Mining City product with great pride during his five-year career.

The former Class A Defensive MVP redshirted. Like Marks, because of an insane number of injuries on the MSU defensive front in Choate’s first fall camp, Ferriter was thrust into the starting lineup as a redshirt freshman.

Ferriter compiled 19 tackles, four tackles for loss and a sack his first year. He had 10 tackles his sophomoreyear. He barely played as a junior. But his perseverance has paid off. He has 13 tackles and a sack this season and has played a significant role on a defensive line that rolls players through the game.

Jake Sessions, offensive tackle, junior, Colstrip — Against Southern Utah, starting right tackle Connor Wood went down with a knee injury. Sessions entered the game and played well.

Sessions pushed Taylor Tuisosopo for the starting left guard spot all off-season. He brings versatility and depth because he can also play tackle. He started at right tackle each of the last two weeks in place of Wood, who could return before the end of this season.

Ryan Davis, tight end, junior, Billings Skyview — Because of his toughness and aptitude, Davis played as a true freshman. The family legacy player — his oldest brother, Leo, was a starting offensive tackle at MSU while Stephen, played hoops for the Bobcats and Matt played football for a few years — has been a key cog in Montana State’s league-leading rushing attack.

The lone Billings Skyview product in the game is still awaiting his first catch. But he has contributed heavily on special teams and as an in-line blocker the last three seasons.

Nolan Askelson, inside linebacker, redshirt freshman, Billings Senior — The former Class AA Defensive Player of the Year won a starting job in fall camp.

He has rotated pretty frequently but has been solid, notching 29 tackles and a tackle for loss.

THE CONTRIBUTORS

Lance McCutcheon, wide receiver, junior, Bozeman — The local product caught passes of 59 and 65 yards his true freshman yard among his three catches. Last year he caught 15 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown, including a 10-yard catch against the Griz.

McCutcheon has caught 11 passes for 106 yards this season, including four for 39 against Cal Poly and three for 44 against Southern Utah.

Kyle Finch, Buck end/long snapper, junior, Dillon — Over the last two seasons as a depth guy, Finch has notched 17 tackles and a tackle for loss.

Walker Cozzie, inside linebacker, fifth-year senior, Helena Capital — Cozzie has started when called upon and performed well in those roles. He had 20 tackles last season and has eight tackles in four games this campaign.

Byron Rollins, defensive lineman, sophomore, Missoula Sentinel — Rollins sat in no-mans land early this season when it came to the MSU travel roster. But once MSU decided to redshirt junior college transfer Tyson Regimbal, Rollins has played about 20 plays per game this month.

The 2015 MSU recruit who skipped two years of eligibility burning has played in three games and has four tackles this season.

R.J. Fitzgerald, fullback, sophomore, Dillon — Like Ryan Davis, Fitzgerald does not show up in the stat column. But he has been a welcome addition as a blocker in the hole for a rushing attack that leads the Big Sky.

He has four tackles on special teams this season.

Mark Estes, wide receiver, redshirt freshman, Kalispell Glacier — Estes, a former state champion at the Class C and Class AA levels in track and field, rose to the occasion in the only opportunity in his career thus far.

With a collection of MSU offensive standouts banged up, Estes had two catches for 24 yards and rushed once for 25 yards against North Dakota. Two weeks ago against Northern Colorado, the former Drummond product rushed three times for 11 yards.

Jacob Hadley, tight end, junior, Billings Central — Hadley has been an athlete filled with diverse potential since he arrived at Montana State. The high school corner and wide receiver started his MSU career as a safety, then moved to Sam linebacker, then moved to Buck end.

But a season-ending knee injury in the spring leading up to the 2017 season has hindered him since. He has battled other nagging injuries ever since. Last week, in his fourth game this season, he caught his first career pass for an eight-yard gain.

Karl Tucker II, running back, senior, Great Falls CMR — Tucker played right away as a true freshman, serving as a perimeter blocker for an offense that struggled to throw the ball and as a special teams stalwart.

Last year, he switched to running back but served mostly as a personal protector instead of a ball carrier. He had seven carries for 21 yards.

This season, Tucker carried the ball eight times for 25 yards and his first career touchdown against Southeast Missouri State before suffering an injury. He will take a redshirt and return for a fifth year next season.

TREASURE STATE NATIVES

Luke May, safety, junior, Whitefish

Tadan Gilman, linebacker, sophomore, Kalispell Glacier

Keaton Anderson, safety, sophomore, Billings Senior

Peyton Hanser, wide receiver, sophomore, Billings Central

Jarrett Kessler, tight end, sophomore, Kalispell Glacier

Jory Choate, linebacker, redshirt freshman, Bozeman

Logan Kleinhans, wide receiver, redshirt freshman, Bozeman

Rylan Wilcox, defensive end, redshirt freshman, Missoula Big Sky

Joey McElroy, offensive lineman, redshirt freshman, Missoula Loyola

Treyton Pickering, tight end, redshirt freshman, Sunburst

Rylan Ortt, safety, redshirting, Missoula Sentinel

Tanner Trafton, wide receiver, redshirting, Lewistown

Blake Thelen, quarterback, redshirting, Great Falls High

Ryan Lonergan, tight end, redshirting, Bozeman

Joe Olson, running back, redshirting, Bozeman

Logan Gilliard, tight end, redshirting, Bigfork

Alex Johnson, linebacker, redshirting, Helena High

Justus Perkins, offensive line, redshirting, Bozeman

Holden Sampson, offensive line, redshirting, Helena High

Jack Galt, linebacker, redshirting, White Sulphur Springs

Marcus Wehr, defensive end, redshirting, Billings Central

Ethan Bullock, tight end, redshirting, Big Timber

Photos by Brooks Nuanez. All Rights Reserved.

After each experiencing rough October slates, Montana and Montana State have each won twice in November to enter Saturday’s rivalry showdown in Missoula with identical records. Montana is 4-3 in Big Sky Conference play and 6-4 overall after winning consecutive road games against Southern Utah and Idaho. Montana State is also 4-3 in league, 6-4 overall after a pair of home victories over Cal Poly and Northern Colorado.

The winner of Saturday’s game could snap a playoff drought if the chips fall in an advantageous fashion around the conference and the Football Championship Subdivision.

Montana has not made the playoffs since 2015. The Griz will gun for their 22^nd playoff bid since 1993 while trying to beat the Bobcats for the 73^rd time.

“I’m not fit to be around the week of this game,” said Montana head coach Bobby Hauck, who went 5-2 against the Bobcats during his first stint at his alma mater between 2003 and 2009. “I have a love-hate relationship with this game. I love winning it and I detest losing it.”

MSU is gunning for its first three-game winning streak over Montana since 1983, 1984 and 1985. In 1986, Montana won for the first of 16 times. Since Montana State broke “The Streak” with a 10-7 win in Missoula in 2002, Montana has claimed the Great Divide Trophy nine times and the Bobcats have claimed it seven.

“Our guys know exactly what this game is all about and how important this game is to the people in Montana and the people at this university,” said MSU head coach Jeff Choate, who is 2-0 against the Griz.

As is the case every year, this year’s contest features a collection of players from around the Treasure State. Montana State’s roster features 45 in-state players, down from 46 in last season’s game. Montana’s roster has 42 Treasure State products if you include Hauck’s son, Robby, who lists his hometown as Missoula on UM’s roster despite attending high school in San Diego. The Griz had 29 Montana natives in last year’s game.

Montana State has seen 16 in-state products start at one time or another while UM’s starting lineup has featured 12 in-state starters.

Missoula is Montana’s most represented city with 15 players suiting up, including 10 who stayed home to play for the Griz. Kalispell is next with 13 players, including eight for the Griz. All 13 players went to Glacier High. Billings is the third city with double-digit representations with seven Bobcats and four Grizzlies hailing from the Magic City.

Helena has eight natives playing in this year’s Cat-Griz game, including five Capital High alums who play for Montana. Two from Helena High are among the three playing at MSU. Bozeman High has seven players in the game, all seven playing for the hometown Bobcats. Butte has three players in the game, including two players in their first seasons at Montana. Just two players from Great Falls, both Charles M. Russell High alums, will suit up, both for the Griz.

Of players from Montana’s small towns, Dillon leads the way with three players, all Bobcats, competing in Missoula on Saturday. Colstrip, Whitefish, Boulder, Belgrade, Huntley Project and Polson all have two but only Whitefish and Boulder have a player competing on each side.

Augusta, Bigfork, Conrad, Culbertson, Ennis, Eureka, Glendive, Sidney, Stevensville, Sunburst, Townsend and Valier all have representation.

Here’s a look the 45 Montana products on the MSU roster headed into the 118th rendition of the fierce rivalry in Missoula on Saturday afternoon.

The Stars

Troy Andersen, quarterback, sophomore, Dillon — Despite spending the spring developing as a linebacker after a freshman season that saw him star as a running back and edge defensive player, Andersen is among the leading candidates for Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year honors.

The former quarterback and champion sprinter at Beaverhead County High plays his current position one of the most unorthodox styles you will find. He is 6-3 as a starter despite throwing for just 75 yards per game. He has thrown two touchdowns and six interceptions.

But the designed runs out of the shotgun that MSU calls about 10 times a game have paid huge dividends. Andersen is averaging 7.9 yards per rush and 109.2 yards per game, including 125 yards per game from the quarterback position during conference play.

He has scored six touchdowns of at least 49 yards, five additional touchdowns of at least 34 yards and a total of 13 touchdowns of more than 24 yards. When the darting, powerful 6-foot-3, 230-pounder gets in the open field, he can bowl over and through tacklers. When he sees open space, he’s almost always taking the opportunity to the house.

Andersen is one of just four quarterbacks in league history to rush for more than 1,000 yards. He has 1,092 yards and has scored 16 touchdowns, the top total in the league.

Tucker Yates, nose tackle, senior, Colstrip — The former multiple-time state champion wrestler came to Montana State as a partial scholarship player. The 6-foot, 290-pounder will finish his career with his 33^rd regular-season start on Saturday.

The preseason All-Big Sky selection seems to be closing in on fulfilling that accolade in the postseason. He has 7.5 tackles for loss among his 38 tackles. His knockoff and brute strength on the inside of the defensive line makes MSU’s front four one of the best units in the Big Sky Conference.

Mitch Brott, offensive tackle, junior, Billings — The former half-scholarship player from Billings West hasn’t missed a beat in his first year as MSU’s starting left tackle. He started at both right and left tackle as a redshirt freshman, then started 11 games at right tackle last season. The 6-foot-5, 295-pounder will make his 11^th straight start at left tackle on Saturday in Missoula. 

Grant Collins, inside linebacker, senior, Bozeman — With two-year starter Josh Hill on the shelf for the year after off-season back surgery, Collins has had to carry the load in an otherwise inexperienced linebacker unit.

The former Class AA Defensive MVP has endured a spat of shoulder injuries that have forced him to have four different shoulder surgeries. Yet Saturday will mark his 37^th career start, including his 24^th start at Mike linebacker. He also started 13 games at Buck end during his sophomore and the beginning part of his junior season.

The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder is second on the Bobcats and 20^th in the Big Sky this season with 60 tackles, including three tackles for loss. Choate often refers to Collins’ ability to “puncture the line of scrimmage”, which helps him perform particularly well against power run teams.

During a four-game run against four of the Big Sky’s most effective rushing attacks— Idaho, Weber State, Idaho State and triple option Cal Poly — Collins had 10, 11, 13 and 10 tackles, respectively.

Brayden Konkol, safety, junior, Belgrade — Konkol has shown his impressive versatility over the last three seasons. His breakout game came in his second career start in Missoula in the season-finale for the 2016 season. That afternoon, the safety spied electric Montana slot receiver Jerry Louie-McGee, tackling the shifty speedster for a loss on two separate occasions in MSU’s 24-17 victory.

Last season, Konkol notched 82 tackles while playing Will linebacker as a sophomore. This season, he has made eight starts at strong safety and two more at Sam linebacker. The 6-foot-2, 218-pounder leads the Bobcats with 71 tackles, the 13^th-best total in the league. He has a team-high 45 solo tackles, along with two tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and two fumble recoveries. 

The Starters

Derek Marks, defensive end, junior, Belgrade — Marks has not technically started a game this season. But he is playing 40-plus snaps a game, lining up all along MSU’s defensive front.

The two-year starter has had to take a non-starter role because of the addition of Washington transfer Bryce Sterk, a 6-foot-5, 255-pounder who’s second in the Big Sky with 13 tackles. Marks has come in to spell Sterk, senior end Tyrone Fa’anono, senior defensive tackle Zach Wright and has played both inside and outside in MSU’s third down packages.

This season, the 6-foot-2, 250-pounder has 26 tackles, 18 solo tackles 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. He’s also broken up two passes at the line of scrimmage.

Conner Sullivan, tight end, senior, Ennis — MSU has often employed two and three tight end sets this season, putting Sullivan along with fellow seniors Curtis Amos and Wilson Brott in motion, trading them with each other and deceiving the defense before the snap, a huge factor in Andersen’s big-time production.

Sullivan has been the best pass catcher of the group. The former wide receiver is third on the team with 15 catches for 141 yards.

Logan Jones, running back, senior, Kalispell — The former Class AA state champion at Glacier on the same team as Hill, Jones played right away as a true freshman in 2015. Before this season began, he tore an abductor in his abdomen, an injury that cost him the first seven games.

Because Jones did not return until the final month of the season, he has been playing with borrowed eligibility. He will return next season because players are still allowed a redshirt if they play in four or less games.

Jones has scored receiving touchdowns in consecutive weeks. He has 18 touches total and 112 yards from scrimmage in three games.

Michael Jobman, middle linebacker, sophomore, Huntley Project — Jobman spent last season as a reserve Buck end that played 15-20 snaps a game in certain packages. He switched to inside linebacker before the spring.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder started MSU’s first two games at Mike linebacker and the next two at Will linebacker. He reentered the starting lineup at Will three weeks ago, bringing his string of starts to seven.

Choate called Jobman’s seven-tackle performance against Idaho State probably his best performance as a Bobcat. Playing next to Collins, Jobman has 21 tackles, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble over the last three weeks.

Lance McCutcheon, wide receiver, sophomore, Bozeman — The local product basically just ran streaks in certain situations last season as a true freshman.

This season, the 6-foot-3, 190-pounder has been more involved although MSU’s passing game has been largely irrelevant. He ahs 13 catches for 177 yards and one of MSU’s seven receiving touchdowns this season.

Jered Padmos, punter, junior, Boulder — MSU leads the league in net punting for the third straight year thanks to Padmos’ rugby punting, a style that basically negates all returns.

In league play, Padmos has punted 32 times and opponents have returned the kicks for 54 yards, an average of 1.7 yards per return. This season, Padmos has punted 50 times for an average of 41.8 yards, the fifth-best distance average in the league.

Jacob Hadley, outside linebacker, sophomore, Billings — Hadley missed quite a few snaps during spring football after missing last season with a torn ACL suffered last spring. The Billings Central product struggled with his lateral quickness early on, then suffered a sprained AC joint in his shoulder that cost him a start. He returned to the lineup last week against Northern Colorado.

In six starts, Hadley has 16 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and a fumble recovery this season.

Balue Chapman, outside linebacker, sophomore, Bozeman — Chapman suffered a leg injury in MSU’s opener, missed more than a month and returned to start against Idaho State. He started against Cal Poly but is not listed in the participation report against Northern Colorado last week. MSU’s official stats list him with two tackles in three games this season.

Contributors

Chase Benson, defensive tackle, sophomore, Helena — One of just two Helena High players in this game and the only one who will play — safety Kaleb Winterburn is redshirting — Benson has provided quality snaps as a backup to both Wright and Yates.

This season, the 6-foot-4, 265-pounder has 18 tackles and a reputation as one of the Bobcats’ most impressive weight lifters.

Wilson Brott, tight end, senior, Billings — Mitch Brott’s older brother and one of four Billings West alums in the game caught his second career pass for a 15-yard gain last week in a 49-42 win over Cal Poly. The 6-foot-5, 265-pounder plays a power tight end position that has been effective for MSU’s power rushing attack. 

Kyle Finch, defensive end, sophomore, Dillon — The 6-foot-4, 222-pounder has solidified himself enough in the rotation to get 10-15 plays a game at Buck end behind Bryce Sterk. This season, he has four tackles and half a tackle for loss.

Lane Sumner, running back, true freshman, Huntley Project — Because of massive attrition and Andersen playing quarterback instead of running back, the former Class B sprint champion rose to No. 2 on MSU’s depth chart at running back. He made his first career start against Idaho but will still be able to because he’s only appeared in three games. He has four yards on three carries this season. 

Karl Tucker II, running back, junior, Great Falls CMR — In his first year at running back after spending his first two seasons at wide receiver, Tucker II has five carries for four yards and five catches for 23 yards.

Walker Cozzie, inside linebacker, junior, Helena Capital — With Collins still recovering from the shoulder injury that ended his 2017 season, Cozzie started the first three games of the year at Will linebacker. He’s gotten sporadic snaps since. The 6-foot, 215-pounder has 20 tackles and a tackle for loss this season. 

Marcus Ferriter, defensive end, junior, Butte Central — A starter as a redshirt freshman, the only Butte Central Catholic alum in the game has appeared in six games and notched two tackles this season.

Colin Hammock, offensive line, senior, Missoula Sentinel — The fourth-year junior walk-on will forego his final football season as he pursues becoming a Rhodes Scholars.

Keaton Anderson, defensive back, redshirt freshman, Billings Senior — The 2016 Class AA Defensive MVP has carved out a role on MSU’s kickoff team. He has five tackles in seven games, including a forced fumble against Cal Poly

Callahan O’Reilly, inside linebacker, redshirt freshman, Bozeman — Because of the injury rash in the MSU linebacker corps, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound converted quarterback is Collins’ backup at Mike linebacker. He has two tackles this season.

Injured veterans

Josh Hill, inside linebacker, junior, Kalispell Glacier — One of Montana State’s top defensive players had off-season back surgery and missed the entire season. 

John D’Agostino, wide receiver, senior, Bozeman — D’Agostino caught two passes before suffering a season-ending injury for the third straight season.

R.J. Fitzgerald, fullback, sophomore, Dillon — After standing out on special teams as a true freshman last season, Fitzgerald has not played this year because of an undisclosed injury.

Denver Krone, offensive line, sophomore, Augusta — MSU’s backup center from last season suffered a season-ending knee injury in the off-season. 

Other Montanans

Tadan Gilman, inside linebacker, redshirt freshman, Kalispell Glacier

Jarrod Asche, offensive line, sophomore, Glendive

Jake Sessions, offensive line, sophomore, Colstrip

Peyton Hanser, wide receiver, redshirt freshman, Billings Central

Luke May, safety, sophomore, Whitefish

Ryan Davis, tight end, sophomore, Billings Skyview

Clark Judisch, tight end, sophomore, Conrad

Jacob Byrne, kicker, redshirt freshman, Missoula Loyola

Kaleb Winterburn, safety, true freshman, Helena High 

Jory Choate, linebacker, true freshman, Bozeman

Nolan Askelson, linebacker, true freshman, Billings Senior

Rylan Wilcox, defensive end, true freshman, Missoula Big Sky 

Jarrett Kessler, offensive line, sophomore, Kalispell Glacier

Byron Rollins, defensive line, true freshman, Missoula Sentinel

Joe McElroy, offensive line, true freshman, Missoula Loyola

Mark Estes, wide receiver, true freshman, Kalispell Glacier but from Drummond

Logan Kleinhans, wide receiver, true freshman, Bozeman  

Treyton Pickering, tight end, true freshman, Sunburst

With National Signing Day fast approaching — on February 7 new UM head coach Bobby Hauck will add to the class that already includes 15 signees from the early period — Montana football hosts 11 previously committed in-state recruits this weekend.

The visitors this weekend to the Garden City include Montana Gatorade Player of the Year Gabe Sulser from Billings Senior, Western AA Offensive MVP Levi Janacaro from Missoula Big Sky and at least for one day, Eureka standout Garrett Graves, a two-time state champion quarterback who might have to leave the official visit early as he tries to defend his Class B 182-pound state wrestling title.

The group will also include a trio from Kalispell Glacier High — running back Drew Turner, safety Jackson Pepe and tight end Max Morris — and another local product in Missoula Sentinel wide receiver Nick Germer. Missoula Loyola athlete David Koppang will also make time in his busy basketball schedule — Germer plays hoops for the No. 1 team in Class AA as well — to hang out with his future teammates.

Also joining the group will be a few Helena Capital offensive linemen, Conor Quick and Trevor Welnel, both who learned under Capital OL coach Ryan Fetherston, a former standout Griz defensive end. Quick committed before the football season last fall while Welnel just pledged to Hauck as a preferred walk-on earlier this week. Colten Curry from Valier, the first six-man player to join the Griz in more than a generation, will round out the group. Curry is the son of former Griz All-American offensive lineman Scott Curry.

For more on each Montana recruit, click on each name below.

• Gabe Sulser, Billings Senior wide receiver
• Levi Janacaro, Missoula Big Sky fullback
• Garrett Graves, Eureka quarterback
• Drew Turner, Kalispell Glacier running back
• Jackson Pepe, Kalispell Glacier safety
• Max Morris, Kalispell Glacier tight end
• Nick Germer, Missoula Sentinel wide receiver
• David Koppang, Missoula Loyola athlete
• Conor Quick, Helena Capital offensive lineman
• Colten Curry, Valier tight end
• Trevor Welnel, Helena Capital offensive lineman

Photos attributed. All Rights Reserved. 

Below is a list of the prospects who have signed with new head coach Bobby Hauck and the Montana Grizzlies.

MONTANA GRIZZLIES’ SIGNEES (in order of arrival of NLOI)

Colten Curry, tight end, Valier — Valier’s Curry hopes to enrich family legacy with Griz

Conor Quick, offensive line, Helena Capital — Helena Capital’s Quick thrilled to become a Griz 

Nick Germer, wide receiver, Missoula Sentinel — Germer follows father’s footsteps, commits to Griz

Garrett Graves, quarterback, Eureka — Versatile Eureka QB Graves attains goal, commits to Griz

Drew Turner, running back, Kalispell Glacier — Glacier’s RB Turner chooses Griz

Jackson Pepe, safety, Kalispell Glacier — Glacier S Pepe relieved by commitment to the Griz 

Levi Janacaro, fullback, Missoula Big Sky — Missoula Big Sky’s Janacaro commits to the Griz

Gabe Sulser, wide receiver, Billings Senior – After magical last season, Senior stars shift to opposite sides of the rivalry

Nash Fouch, safety, Woodinville, Washington — Woodinville safety Fouch fulfills dream, commits to Griz

Dalton Sneed, transfer quarterback, Fort Scott CC — Former UNLV QB Sneed transferring to Montana

Max Morris, tight end, Kalispell Glacier — Glacier tight end commits to Hauck, Griz

Sean Anderson, offensive line, Buckeye, Arizona

Tyler Ganoung, offensive line, Vancouver, Washington

Growing up outside Eureka, Montana on a farm made some of those dreams difficult to chase. Eureka, a town of just over 1,000 residents nine miles south of the Canadian border in the Northwest part of the Treasure State, did not have a youth program when Garrett reached the age old enough to try out tackle football. But Garrett told his folks that playing college football was among his ultimate goals.

For his sixth grade year, Joel or Leslie drove Garrett the 66 miles south to Kalispell for youth football practices. Once Garrett reached high school, he quickly rose to stardom, playing nearly every position and helping a high school once a non-factor in the Class B ranks rise to unprecedented heights.

Photos courtesy of the Graves family. All Rights Reserved.