Cat-Griz 2015

12

Nov. 20, 2015

www.havredailynews.com

Pride: An up-and-down year won't diminish the meaning of 2015 Cat-Griz game in Bozeman ■ From Page 2 back games to Cal Poly and Liberty. For the Griz’ blasting of an improved North Dakota last month, they also got crushed by Portland State the next week. Now though, UM head coach Bob Stitt, coaching his first Cat-Griz game, hopes to end that trend. The Griz come to Bozeman fresh off a 57-16 drubbing of No. 10 Eastern Washington — Montana’s other big rival. And, if the Griz can somehow strong back-to-back good performances together for the first time all season, they’ll leave Bozeman with an FCS playoff berth, and likely a home game next week in hand. So, while neither the Cats, nor the Griz have had the kind of season fans were expecting — Montana’s win against NDSU raised expectations, while MSU was picked to win the Big Sky — things haven’t changed much when it comes to the stakes surrounding the Brawl of the Wild. Once again, on Saturday in Bobcat Stadium, pride and the playoffs are on the line. And, with these two great programs, that may never change. Here’s a look back at the last five Cat-Griz games contested. Montana State 21, Montana 16 - 2010, Missoula The Griz ran into Washington-Grizzly Stadium in new allblack uniforms but couldn’t catch the Bobcats, who scored on their first three possessions and never trailed.

DeNarius McGhee, MSU’s freshman quarterback, threw touchdown passes to Great Falls’ Tanner Bleskin and C.J. Palmer, and Orenzo Davis provided the winning points with a 17-yard TD run. The Grizzlies stayed in range, answering the Cats’ first two drives with a 59-yard TD burst from Chase Reynolds and a 6-yard scoring run from QB Justin Roper. But UM was turnover-plagued: Both Reynolds and Gerald Kemp fumbled inside the MSU 5-yard line in the second half. Reynolds’ turnover came after a bad punt snap resulted in an MSU safety. The Griz also turned the ball over on downs at MSU’s 15 with 1:23 left. That cinched the Cats’ first win over the Griz and first Big Sky title since 2005. Davis ran for 140 yards for MSU. Reynolds ran for 180 yards for the Griz, who ended up 7-4 and out of the postseason for the first time since 1992. Montana 36, Montana State 10 - 2011, Bozeman It was set up as a coronation for the newly top-ranked Bobcats, but the No. 7 Griz took command in the second half behind Dan Moore and Peter Nguyen. Moore rushed for 116 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown to put UM up 29-7 at 5:37 of the third quarter. Nguyen ran for 123, including a 21-yard run to cap the scoring with 9:28 left, and send many of the record crowd of 20,247 at an expanded Bobcat Stadium for the exits. Griz quarterback Jordan Johnson threw for two touchdowns, one a 2-yard strike to Kavario Middleton on fourthand-goal with 2:15 left in the first half. That put Montana up 12-0. MSU drove to a touchdown to start the second half, DeNarius McGee hitting Elvis Akpla from 7 yards. But the Griz answered on their next offensive snap: Johnson found Jabin Sambrano for 79 yards and a TD to make it 19-7. Montana gained 316 yards of offense in the second half, and rushed for 309 yards against the Big Sky’s top run defense. “I’m very proud and honored to be involved in a game like

this, when it comes down to the great state of Montana for the championship,” second-year Griz coach Robin Pflugrad said. “It’s nice to get on that bus with a win.” Both teams lost at Sam Houston State in the FCS playoffs; the Griz fell 31-28 in the semifinals. And in 2013, as part of NCAA sanctions, the Griz’ victory that day in Bozeman was wiped off the record books. Montana State 16, Montana 7 – 2012, Missoula The second-ranked Bobcats relied on defense, kicker Rory Perez and quarterback DeNarius McGhee to subdue the Griz. Montana led 7-3 after Peter Nguyen’s 47-yard scoring run in the first quarter but didn’t score again. Bobcat defensive ends Caleb Schreibeis (16 tackles and a sack) and Brad Daly shut down the Griz running game; Montana punted eight times after Nguyen’s TD. A record Washington-Grizzly Stadium of 26,210 saw MSU go in front on McGhee’s 15-yard scoring pass to Saco product Kruiz Siewing at 7:54 of the second quarter. McGhee threw for 246 yards and ran four times on a clock-killing drive that ended in Perez’s third field goal with 2:23 left.That made it a two-score game and clinched the Grizzlies’ first losing season since 1985. The Griz, who missed two field goals, finished 5-6. “We knew they were big up front and knew they would be a physical team,” said Schreibeis, who in January became the first Bobcat to win the Buck Buchanan Award for the top defensive player in the FCS. “We just had to weather the storm for a little bit and then let our speed kind of take control.” The Cats improved to 10-1 and finished 11-2 with a loss in the FCS quarterfinals. Montana 28, Montana State 14 — 2013, Bozeman The 5th-ranked University of Montana Grizzlies played perhaps their best defensive game of the season and UM's

offense made key plays when it needed to, as the Grizzlies defeated the host 13th-ranked Montana State Bobcats 28-14 in front of a record crowd in Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman. Montana’s defense held the Bobcat offense, composed of legendary seniors DeNarius McGhee, Cody Kirk and Tanner Bleskin, to just 257 total yards and 14 points. But Shawn Johnson’s 82-yard punt return for a TD in the first quarter set the tone for a low-scoring first half. The Griz tied the game on a Jordan Canada run late in the first half, and it was locked at 7-7 at intermission. Montana added a Travon Van TD early in the third, and a back breaking TD pass from Jordan Johnson to Clay Pierson early in the fourth stanza. MSU tried to rally behind McGhee, but a Kirk fumble near midfield with the score sitting at 21-14, helped UM secure the victory, and Canada sealed it with a TD run on the Grizzlies’ ensuing possession. It was Montana’s fourth straight win in Bobcat Stadium, and the loss was MSU’s third straight to end the season, knocking the Cats out of the FCS playoff picture. Montana 34, Montana State 7 – 2014, Missoula On an unseasonably warm afternoon, and one of the few Cat-Griz games to ever be played almost all under lights, the No. 12 Grizzlies shocked the No. 11 Bobcats on both sides of the ball. Senior quarterback Jordan Johnson was cut loose in a surprise spread-option offensive attack, and the Griz scored on five of their first six possessions to lead 27-0 at halftime. On defense, Montana hounded MSU backup QB Jake Bleskin, in for injured starter Dakota Prukop, and forced an astounding seven turnovers, including five interceptions in front of a record crowd of 26,532 at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. In the 114th meeting of the Griz and Cats, Montana punched its ticket to the FCS playoffs as Johnson threw for 303 yards and rushed for 91 more, while fellow senior Jordan Canada added 119 yards on the ground. During the game, Zack Wagenmann also broke the Griz’ all-time sack record, while the Bobcats amassed just 281 yards of total offense. The win came just days after UM head coach Mick Delaney announced his retirement.

2

Nov. 20, 2015

www.havredailynews.com

Plenty at stake in 115th Brawl of the Wild Strange year for both Cats and Griz culminates with a rivalry clash in Bozeman George Ferguson

Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com The annual meeting between the Montana Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats is always about pride. It’s always about bragging rights for players, coaches, alumni and fans. It’s always about who’s better – Maroon and Silver or the Blue and Gold. In recent years, the Brawl of the Wild is usually always about Big Sky Conference championships and playoff positioning too. That’s because the Griz and the Bobcats are two of the premier program’s in the Big Sky Conference. But, the 2015 Brawl of the

Wild, which will kick off Saturday in Bozeman, has a little different feel to it, because, both the Bobcats and Grizzlies have had different seasons. In some ways, both teams have had disappointing seasons, as the Griz come in at just 6-4 and in third place in the Big Sky, while the Cats come into the game at Bobcat Stadium at 5-5 and in a tie for seventh in the conference standings. In Montana State’s case, neither the Big Sky championship nor the FCS playoffs are on the line Saturday, but the pride factor never goes away. The Cats always want to beat the Griz, but, Saturday’s game will be unique, as MSU has a chance to do something pretty special – they can ultimately spoil Montana’s season completely. With their first win against the Griz in Bobcat Stadium since 2005, MSU would end the Griz’ season. That’s because Montana can’t afford to lose, or it will miss the FCS

playoffs for the third time in five years. A 6-5 Griz’ team that finished fourth in the Big Sky would be left out of the playoffs for sure. The Bobcats did the same thing to the Griz back in 2010. Beating Montana in Missoula in that Brawl kept the Griz from earning an atlarge berth to the playoffs. But, Saturday’s game is in Bozeman, which the Griz have turned into their own personal playground over the last decade. So, while MSU’s hopes of making the playoffs were dashed in Bozeman two weeks ago in a loss to Southern Utah, it should have done nothing to inflate how big the 115th Brawl of the Wild is to the Bobcats. On the other side of the coin, Montana’s season has been one of crushing defeats and huge wins. For Montana’s stunning upset of No. 1 North Dakota State back in August, the Griz also lost back-to-

■

See Pride Page 12

11

Nov. 20, 2015

www.havredailynews.com

2015 Cat-Griz By the Numbers No. 17 Montana Grizzlies

Montana State Bobcats

6-4, 5-2

5-5, 3-4

8/29 9/5 9/19 9/26 10/3 10/10 10/24 10/31 11/7 11/14

def. NDSU 38-35 lost to Cal Poly 20-19 lost to Liberty 31-21 def. N. Arizona 23-14 def. UC Davis 27-13 lost to Weber State 24-21 OT def. North Dakota 42-16 lost to Portland State 35-16 def. Idaho State 33-27 OT def. E. Washington 57-16

9/3 9/19 9/26 10/3 10/10 10/17 10/24 10/31 11/14

def. Fort Lewis 45-14 lost to E. Washington 55-50 def. Cal Poly 45-28 lost to N. Arizona 49-41 def. Sac. State 35-13 lost to Portland State 59-42 def. ETSU, 63-7 lost to North Dakota 44-38 def. Idaho State 44-20 MSU Offense

UM Offense

Montana State Bobcats vs Montana Grizzlies Montana State University Location: Bozeman Nickname: Bobcats Colors: Blue/Gold Enrollment: 15,924 2015 record: 5-5 (3-4)

2014 record: 8-5 (6-2) Head coach: Rob Ash (70-28) Stadium: Bobcat Stadium Streak: The Bobcats look to end a two-game slide to the Griz, but more importantly, look to beat the Griz in Bobcat Stadium for the first time since a 2005 victory at home.

Saturday, November 21, 2015 Bobcat Stadium ~ 12:07 pm University of Montana Location: Missoula Nickname: Grizzlies Colors: Maroon/Silver Enrollment: 13, 358 2015 record: 6-4 (5-2)

2014 record: 9-5 (6-2) Head coach: Bob Stitt (6-4) Stadium: WashingtonGrizzly Stadium Streak: The Griz have won four straight meetings in Bozeman. They have also won two straight in the series, including a 37-7 win last year in Missoula.

To say the Griz have been on a roller coaster offensively would be an understatement. UM has had huge outbursts offensively, followed by absolute clunkers. That has led to Bob Stitt’s first-year offense being somewhat of an unknown coming into the Brawl. Of course, three different starting QB’s, and a bevy of injuries at running back and offensive line haven’t helped. UM comes into Saturday averaging 30 points and 428 yards of offense, which are both in the middle of the Big Sky road. The Griz are fifth in passing and just ninth in rushing, but in its last three games, Montana has averaged 220 yards per game on the ground. Turnovers, third down conversion and redzone scoring have also been an issue for what was supposed to be a high-octane offense. The Griz have coughed up 21 turnover’s this season, and convert on just 79 percent of redzone chances, which is 11th in the Big Sky. Still, with a healthy QB, the Griz’ offense might finally be peaking at just the right time. Star Watch: Montana is talented all over its offense, but no one has had a better season than WR Jamaal Jones, who has 55 catches for 966 yards and six scores. Jones has also been a Cat killer, as he 19 catches and 211 yards receiving in his two Brawl’s. Last week, Jones past Matt Wells as UM’s second all-time leading receiver, and could catch Havre’s Marc Mariani before the season is over. Like MSU, UM is star-studded at receiver, with Ellis Henderson, Ben Roberts, Chase Naccarato and Josh Horner all being dangerous threats too. Add to that a strong season catching passes from running back John Nyguen, and the return of Brady Gustafson, who will make his Cat-Griz debut Saturday, and Stitt’s wide-open passing offense is finally starting to resemble what Griz fans fawned over when they beat North Dakota State back in August. UM Defense Heralded throughout the season, UM’s defense is loaded with talent, and nine seniors. The Griz are allowing just 23 points per game and 377 yards of offense, both of which are second to Southern Utah in the Big Sky. Montana has been really good against the pass, ranking first in pass defense, as well as getting turnovers. The Griz have 23 takeaways this season. A key matchup will be in the redzone. UM allows opponents to score just 66 percent of the time, while MSU leads the Big Sky in redzone offense. Pressure on the quarterback has also been a staple at UM, and again, the Griz lead the Big Sky, and the FCS with 40 sacks. So, that’s

another fun matchup to watch as the Griz, and all of their blitzing, will try to slow down the MSU offense. For all of UM’s highlights on defense though, the Griz have shown to be vulnerable to the run and to deep plays this season, but overall, UM brings one of the best defenses in the country into the Brawl.

Star Watch: Montana has so many stars on defense, but none like defensive end Tyrone Holmes. Following right behind Zack Wagenmann, Holmes leads the FCS with 14 sacks and 16.5 TFL’s. The senior standout is a leading candidate for the Buchanan Award, and is having a season unlike any other defensive end in the FCS. UM’s linebackers, Kendrick Van Ackeren, Jeremiah Kose and Herbert Gamboa are also stars, but Van Ackeren is having an incredible year with 85 tackles and two interceptions. In the secondary, corners Nate Harris and J.R. Nelson have emerged as the best tandem in the Big Sky, while hardhitting Arizona transfer Yamen Sanders is an impact player at safety. UM Special Teams

The Griz have had their struggles on special teams since Bobby Hauck left for UNLV. And while the kicking game has again been up and down, Montana has been solid this season. The Griz have converted 75 percent of their field goal tries, and even though Stitt loves to go for it on fourth downs, UM is second in the Big Sky in punting. Kickoff coverage has been a weakness for the Griz this season, and that will be an interesting matchup against the Bobcats. Star Watch: Ellis Henderson could be a game breaker Saturday. He has three career kickoff returns for touchdowns, while also sharing time with John Nyguen returning punts. Chris Lider has also been outstanding punting for the Griz this season, as he averages 39 yards per punt and has downed 17 punts inside the opponent’s 10-yard-line this season. Also, backup linebacker Connor Strahm is a special team’s machine on kick and punt coverage.

Once again, the Bobcats have been one of the most prolific offenses in all of FCS. Offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey has the high-powered Cats averaging 43 points and 521 yards of offense per game, both rank first in the Big Sky and in the Top 10 nationally. MSU is second in the Big Sky in passing and fourth in rushing, which means the Cats are extremely hard to defend. They’re also efficient, as they rank second in the league in picking up third downs and fourth downs, as well as second in the Big Sky in redzone scoring. MSU does have some hangups on offense, as the Cats are only sixth in the league in turnover margin, and because they score fast, they are eighth in time of possession. Star Watch: No question junior quarterback Dakota Prukop drives the Cat offense. He has thrown for 2,712 yards and 25 touchdowns, while also ranking ninth in the Big Sky with 750 rushing yards and 10 more touchdowns. Prukop is a finalist for the Walter Payton Award as well. He’ll also be out to make a statement Saturday as he missed last year’s Cat-Griz game with a knee injury. Prukop is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, while deep threats Justin Paige, Mitchell Herbert and Jayshawn Gates, along with the reliable Mitch Greibel, h-back Gunnar Brekke and tight end Beau Sandland give MSU as deep a receiving corps as there is in the FCS. Prukop is also MSU’s leading rusher, but junior bruiser Chad Newell has come on strong as of late behind MSU’s veteran offensive line, which includes four seniors and All-American junior J.P. Flynn.

MSU Defense The MSU defense has been much maligned this season, and for good reason. The Cats rank 121st in the FCS in total defense, as they allow 466 yards per game. MSU also allows 32 points per

game, but, against Big Sky opponents, the Bobcats are giving up nearly 40 points per contest. MSU has especially struggled against the run, allowing nearly 200 yards per game, and three times this season, the Cats have given up over 400 yards rushing, and a 200-yard rushing game. MSU is also near the bottom of the Big Sky, allowing opponents to convert third downs at a 41 percent clip, while the young defense, which includes just three seniors, has only gotten 12 takeaways all season long, and just two interceptions. That is also aided by the fact that MSU has struggled to rush the passer this season, as the Cats have just 21 sacks, and that from a defense that is two years removed from have back-to-back Buck Buchanan Award winners in Caleb Schreibeis and Brad Daly. Star Watch: While there haven’t been a lot of bright spots on the defense, two stars for the Bobcats are, senior defensive tackle Taylor Sheridan and sophomore linebacker Mac Bignell. Sheridan has been the emotional leader of the MSU defense all season, and in his last five games, he has nearly 10 tackles for loss. Bignell has emerged as MSU’s newest star linebacker. In a group of three new starters, Bignell, known for his ferocious hitting, has 89 tackles and 15 TFL’s on the season. And he will need to be even better Saturday against UM’s wide open passing attack.

MSU Special Teams In recent years, MSU has had its special team’s troubles, but, they have been outstanding in all phases in 2015. MSU ranks first in covering kicks, first in PAT’s and second in the Big Sky in field goal percentage. Montana State also loves to go for two-point conversions, as well as trying onside kicks to surprise teams as well. So don’t be surprised to see both from the Cats this Saturday. Star Watch: Kicker Luke Daly is by no means having a sophomore slump. He’s a perfect 50-50 on PAT’s this season, and 8-of-9 on field goals with a long of 52. Also, watch for Gunnar Brekke or freshman Logan Jones to break a big kickoff return against a loose UM kick coverage team.

10

Nov. 20, 2015

www.havredailynews.com

Bobcats Numerical Roster No.Name 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 10 11 12 12 13 14 14 15 16 17 18 18 19 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

Demonte King Jake Bleskin Shiloh LaBoy Bryson Keeton Justin Paige Brandon Brown Braelen Evans Dakota Prukop Desman Carter Jordan Hoy Will Krolick Manny Kalfell Tavon Dodd Bryson McCabe Tanner Roderick Ben Folsom Khari Garcia Mitch Griebel Brady McChesney Toti Moeakiola Austin Barth Zach Hutchins Chad Newell Wyatt Christensen Devon Tandberg Jayshawn Gates Marcus Tappan Nick LaSane Bryce Alley Zach Stern Tre'Von Strong Gunnar Brekke Logan Jones West Wilson Trevor Bolton Ty Robbie Brayden Konkol Sam Plucker Jessie Clark Blake Braun Morris Gates Chris Harris Sidney Holmes Trace Timmer Noah James Dylan Stenseth Blake Sylvester Grant Collins Joey Michael Walker Cozzie Koni Dole Luke Daly Woody Brandom Keegan Bray Tanner Hoff Mac Bignell Nate Bignell B. J. Ojo Robert Walsh Monte Folsom John Weidenaar Rocky Hogue Tyrone Fa'anono Josh Hill Fletcher Collins Dylan Mahoney

Pos.

DB QB/P DE CB WR WR CB QB DB QB WR WR RB DB WR QB DB WR QB LB TE DL RB LB K WR LB RB CB LB DB RB RB DB K/P LB S LB DE LB CB DB DB DB RB FB LB LB LB LB LB K TE DL S LB DE LB LB OL OL LS DL LB LB OL

Ht. Wt. Year

6-0 6-1 6-4 6-2 5-11 6-0 5-11 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-1 6-2 5-8 6-0 6-2 6-2 5-10 5-11 5-11 6-0 6-5 6-3 6-1 6-0 5-10 5-8 6-2 5-11 5-11 6-2 6-1 5-11 5-9 5-11 5-10 5-11 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-2 5-9 6-2 5-11 6-0 6-1 6-0 6-0 6-4 6-3 6-1 6-0 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-1 6-1 6-2 6-2 5-11 6-2 6-8 6-3 6-2 6-0 6-2 6-6

190 200 250 190 175 180 190 200 190 187 190 200 180 205 205 198 195 190 170 215 250 215 225 215 170 155 235 220 175 200 190 200 175 200 195 210 201 230 245 220 185 190 190 185 205 245 200 215 205 220 210 185 224 218 200 205 290 225 225 300 290 225 250 200 220 275

Rf. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. Jr. Rf. Jr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Rf. So. Sr. Fr. So. Sr. Fr. R-Fr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr. So. So. So. So. Jr. Fr. Jr. Fr. So. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Rf. R-Fr. Rf. Rf. Sr. Fr. Rf. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Sr. Fr. Sr. So. Sr. So. So. Fr. Jr. So.

Hometown

Bellflower, CA Great Falls, MT Honolulu, HI Bakersfield, CA Katy, TX Austin, TX Frisco, TX Austin, TX Pomona, CA Rockwall, TX Anchorage, AK Bozeman, MT Houston, TX Spirit Lake, IA Bozeman, MT Jackson, MT Pomona, CA Littleton, CO Kalispell, MT Euless, TX Columbia Falls, MT Las Vegas, NV Billings, MT Fountain Valley, CA Auburn, WA Palo Alto, CA Pasadena, CA Dallas, TX Houston, TX Tarzana, CA Billings, MT Helena, MT Kalispell, MT Columbia, MO Great Falls, MT Park City, MT Belgrade, MT Appleton, WI Kimberly Amite, LA Riverside, CA Palo Alto, CA Lake Elsinore, CA Silsbee, TX Great Falls, MT Kalispell, MT Lewistown, MT Corvallis, MT Bozeman, MT Cashmere, WA Helena, MT Huntley Project, MT Billings, MT Corona, CA Spokane, WA Hot Springs, MT Drummond, MT Drummond, MT Marvel, TX Twin Bridges, MT Dillon, MT Manhattan, MT Merced, CA Oxnard, CA Kalispell, MT Seattle, WA Great Falls, MT

No.Name

61 62 63 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99

Byron Rollins Mitch Brott Kyle Godecke Doug Hanson Bryan Wilkes Jake McFetridge Garrett Gregg Justin Rock Above Joel Horn Alex Eekhoff Colin Hammock Caleb Gillis Wade Webster JP Flynn Kash Perry Chris Robinson Curtis Amos, Jr. Alex Tennant Mitchell Herbert Hunter Mahlum Cameron Sutton Beau Sandland Keon Stephens Connor Sullivan John D'Agostino Wilson Brott Taylor Sheridan Robert Wilcox Tucker Yates Matt Brownlow Devin Jeffries Joe Naotala Zach Wright Connor Thomas Riley Griffiths Marcus Ferriter

Pos.

DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL DL TE WR WR WR WR TE WR WR WR TE DL DL DT DT DL DT DL DT DL DL

Ht. Wt. Year

6-3 6-6 6-6 6-4 6-3 6-5 6-2 6-0 6-4 6-7 6-3 6-6 6-5 6-5 6-6 6-3 6-0 6-3 6-4 6-1 6-5 6-5 6-1 6-4 6-1 6-5 6-4 6-1 6-0 5-9 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-4

230 270 325 280 252 295 255 250 325 280 230 275 290 320 310 252 220 180 205 205 190 250 190 230 185 240 285 260 310 305 250 275 250 285 260 220

Fr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Fr. So. Rf. Jr. Fr. Fr. Rf. Fr. So. Rf. Fr. Sr. Fr. Rf. Rf. Rf. Sr. Jr. R-Fr. So. So. Jr. Rf. Jr. Fr. Fr.

2015 Bobcat Coaching Staff Rob Ash Head Football Coach Jamie Marshall Assistant Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Secondary Tim Cramsey Assistant Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Kane Ioane Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Bo Beck Assistant Coach/Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator Daniel DaPrato Assistant Coach/Tight Ends/Special Teams Coordinator Michael Rider Assistant Coach/Cornerbacks Michael Pitre Assistant Coach/Running Backs Cody Kempt Assistant Coach/Wide Receivers Garrett Becker Video Coordinator Jason Eck Assistant Coach/Offensive Line

Nov. 20, 2015

www.havredailynews.com

Big Sky Conference Standings

Hometown

Missoula, MT Billings, MT Dillon, MT Trabuco Canyon, CA Great Falls, MT Huntington Beach, CA Afton, WY Billings, MT Kalispell, MT Reno, NV Missoula, MT Glenn, MT Bettendorf, IA Bettendorf, IA Utica, MT Pasadena, CA Burleson, TX Littleton, CO Eugene, OR Missoula, MT Norco, CA Simi Valley, CA Rancho Cucamunga, CA Ennis, MT Bozeman, MT Billings, MT Littleton, CO Frisco, TX Colstrip, MT Missoula, MT Kalispell, MT Carlsbad, CA New Braunfels, TX Kalispell, MT Issaquah, WA Butte, MT

3

Southern Utah Portland State Northern Arizona Montana Eastern Washington North Dakota Weber State Montana State Cal Poly Northern Colorado Idaho State Sacramento State UC Davis

Conf. Overall WL WL

6-1 5-2 5-2 5-2 5-2 4-3 4-3 3-4 3-4 3-5 1-6 1-6 1-6

Saturday's Games Montana at Montana State Northern Colorado vs Abeline Christian Idaho State at Weber State Portland State at Eastern Washington Northern Arizona at Southern Utah North Dakota at Cal Poly UC Davis at Sacramento State

7-3 8-2 7-3 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-4 5-5 4-6 5-5 2-8 2-8 1-9

FCS Coaches Top 25 Rec. 1. Jacksonville State (24) 9-1 2. McNeese State (2) 9-0 3. North Dakota State 8-2 4. Coastal Carolina 9-1 5. South Dakota State 8-2 6. Illinois State 8-2 7. William & Mary 8-2 8. Charleston Southern 9-1 9. Chattanooga 8-2 10. James Madison 8-2 11. Portland State 8-2 12. Sam Houston State 7-3

Pts 648 616 592 559 544 531 486 464 440 408 368 327

Rnk 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 16 18

13. North Carolina A&T 9-1 14. Fordham 9-2 15. Northern Iowa 6-4 16. Richmond 7-3 17. Montana 6-4 18. Southern Utah 7-3 19. Eastern Washington 6-4 20. Northern Arizona 7-3 21. Harvard 8-1 22. Bethune-Cookman 8-2 23. Dartmouth 8-1 24. The Citadel 7-3 25. Central Arkansas 7-3

312 295 256 229 188 185 184 138 114 111 93 92 70

14 17 19 12 22 15 10 25 13 23 24 20 NR

Others receiving votes: : Grambling State 59, Dayton 29, Villanova 20, Youngstown State 19, Eastern Kentucky 16, North Dakota 15, Eastern Illinois 13, Alcorn State 7, Towson 5, New Hampshire 5, Penn 4,

Big Sky Conference Individual Leaders For 2015

Passing: Jordan West, EWU, 300 ypg Receiving: Cooper Kupp, EWU, 151 ypg Receptions: Cooper Kupp, EWU 10 rpg Rushing: John Santiago, UND, 134 ypg Tackles: Darnell Sankey, SAC, 14 tpg Sacks: Tyrone Holmes, UM, 14 sacks INT's: P.J. Onuwasur, PSU, 9 INT's

4

Nov. 20, 2015

www.havredailynews.com

Montana Grizzlies Offensive Starters

Montana State Bobcats Defensive Starters

Griz Offensive Numbers

Cats Defensive Numbers

Scoring: 30 ppg, 7th in Big Sky Total offense: 466 ypg, 5th in Big Sky

Scoring: 32 ppg, 6th in Big Sky Ellis Henderson #7, 6-0, 195 Receiver

Trace Timmer #38, 6-0, 183 Cornerback

Passing: 276 ypg, 5th in Big Sky

Total defense: 466 ypg, 11th in Big Sky Pass defense: 212 ypg, 7th in Big Sky

John Schmaing #74, 6-7, 290 Left tackle Chase Naccarato #5, 5-7, 166 Receiver

Bob Stitt UM Head Coach Bob Stitt was formally introduced as the 36th head football coach in University of Montana history on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014. He signed a three-year contract, which will take him through the 2017 season. He comes to Montana after a 15-season stint as the head football coach at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) where he had an overall record of 108-62 and 13 winning seasons.

McCauley Todd #68, 6-7, 295 Left guard

Jessie Clark #33, 6-3, 245

Defensive End

Mac Bignell #49, 6-0, 190 Linebacker Khari Garcia #12, 5-10, 178 Free Safety

John Nyguen #20, 5-7, 100 Running Back

Brady Gustafson #3, 6-7, 235 Quarterback

Robert Luke #66, 6-4, 315 Center

Taylor Sheridan #90, 6-4, 280 Defensive tackle

Grant Collins #41, 6-4, 220 Linebacker Desman Carter #6, 6-2, 190 Strong Safety

Devon Dietrich #71, 6-4, 270 Right guard

Tucker Yates #92, 6-0, 303 Nose tackle

David Reese #76, 6-7, 270 Right tackle

Tyrone Fa' anono #57, 6-2, 261 Defensive end

Blake Braun #34, 6-4, 227 Linebacker

Ben Roberts #86, 6-4, 205 Receiver Daniel Sullivan #5, 5-10, 175 Kicker

Chris Lider #87, 6-1, 199 Punter

Jamaal Jones #6, 6-1, 188 Receiver

Bryson Keeton #3, 6-2, 190 Cornerback

9

Nov. 20, 2015

No. Name

1 1 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 15 16 17 18 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 28 29 30 31 33 34 35 36 37 38 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 59 60 64 65 66 67 68 69 70

www.havredailynews.com

Grizzlies Numerical Roster Yr. Pos.

Treshawn Favors R-So. RB Markell Sanders R-Fr. CB Ryan McKinley R-So. CB Brady Gustafson R-Jr. QB Eric Johnson Sr. S Chris Parker R-So. CB Holden Ryan Fr. WR Chase Naccarato R-Jr. WR Daniel Sullivan Sr. K Jamaal Jones R-Sr. WR Ellis Henderson R-Jr. WR Jeremy Calhoun Fr. RB Manu Rasmussen R-Fr. S Justin Calhoun Fr. WR Yamen Sanders R-Jr. S Eric Prater R-Fr. QB Connor Strahm R-So. LB Chad Chalich Jr. QB Nate Harris R-Sr. CB Danny Peoples Fr. K Willy Pflug Fr. QB Joshua Janssen R-So. WR Josh Sandry Fr. S Will Weyer R-Fr. QB Retired in Honor of Dave Dickenson Dalton Daum Fr. WR Makena Simis R-So. QB Tyler Lucas R-Sr. WR JR Nelson R-Jr. CB Kobey Eaton Fr. WR John Nguyen Jr. RB Joey Counts R-Jr. RB Retired in Honor of Terry Dillon Caleb Lyons R-Fr. WR Lorenzo Logwood So. RB Shane Moody R-So. CB Carl Johnson R-Fr. RB Jerrin Williams Fr. S Brody Martinez Fr. RB Evan Epperly R-Fr. S Justin Whitted R-Sr. S Connor Lebsock R-Sr. LB Jamal Wilson R-Sr. DT Kendrick Van Ackeren Sr. Herbert Gamboa Sr. LB Caleb Kidder R-Jr. DT Tyrel Garner Jr. CB Jeffrey Salamon Fr. WR Jake Dallaserra R-Sr. S David Fa'atuiese Fr. LB Mick Delaney R-So. S Josh Buss R-Fr. LB Nate Bradley R-So. DT Nolan Timmons Fr. S Jeremiah Kose R-Sr. LB Austin Chadderdon R-Fr. DE Derek Crittenden R-Sr. DE Donald Bedell R-Fr. DE Jesse Sims Fr. DE Aaron Held R-Jr. C Tucker Schye R-So. DE Nick Mertes R-Fr. DE Dante Olson Fr. LB Gage Smith R-Fr. LB Kyle Davis R-Fr. DT Alex Thomas R-Fr. LB Shane Cochran R-Fr. LB Cy Sirmon Fr. LB Jackson Thiebes R-Jr. OL Colin McGillivray Fr. OL Cody Meyer Fr. OL Dallas Hart Fr. OL Joe Paolina Fr. OL McCauley Todd R-Jr. OL Jared Clark Jr. OL Ben Weyer R-Jr. OL

*Cut and take to the game!!

Ht.

5-9 6-2 6-1 6-7 6-2 6-0 6-3 5-7 5-10 6-1 6-0 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-4 6-2 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-5 Sr. 6-1 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-3 5-7 5-9 Sr. 5-9 5-8 5-8 6-0 6-2 5-10 5-10 6-1 6-2 5-11 LB 6-1 6-5 6-2 5-11 5-11 6-3 6-0 6-2 5-10 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-1 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-1 6-0 6-1 6-3 6-5 6-7 6-3 6-5 6-7 6-7 6-6 6-4

Wt.

Hometown

190 Glendale, Ariz. 185 Renton, Wash. 188 Anthem, Ariz. 230 Billings, Mont. 180 San Francisco, Calif. 180 Sioux Falls, S.D. HS 220 Billings, Mont. 166 Spokane, Wash. 165 Mill Creek, Wash. 192 Spanaway, Wash. 195 Vancouver, Wash. 190 Long Beach, Calif. 180 Tigard, Ore. 175 Long Beach, Calif. 210 Inglewood, Calif. 205 Lake Havasu City, Ariz. 235 Eugene, Ore. 205 Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 180 Chino, Calif. 185 Butte, Mont. 185 Portland, Ore. 195 Missoula, Mont. 190 Bigfork, Mont. 208 Bozeman, Mont. 180 Butte, Mont. 205 Boise, Idaho 210 Bellefonte, Pa. 177 Hacienda Heights, Calif. 185 Vancouver, Wash. 180 Bellevue, Wash. 215 Mesa, Ariz. 175 Lakewood, Wash. 190 Oakland, Calif. 160 Parker, Colo. 180 Hardin, Mont. 200 Vancouver, Wash. 196 Federal Way, Wash. 180 Kalispell, Mont. 195 Los Angeles, Calif. 205 Billings, Mont. 270 Fontana, Calif. 6-1 215 Bellevue, Wash. 215 San Clemente, Calif. 275 Helena, Mont. 190 Henderson, Nev. 170 Riverside, Calif. 180 Butte, Mont. 240 Vista, Calif. 193 Bozeman, Mont. 203 Boise, Idaho 260 Billings, Mont. 250 Billings, Mont. 225 Oceanside, Calif. 200 Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 245 Whitefish, Mont. 240 Fair Haven, N.J. 235 Stevensville, Mont. 193 Sacramento, Calif. 225 Malta, Mont. 235 Edina, Minn. 225 Medford, Ore. 210 Whitefish, Mont. 265 San Diego, Calif. 215 Great Falls, Mont. 225 Culbertson, Mont. 225 Wenatchee, Wash. 280 Kalispell, Mont. 278 Portland, Ore. 265 San Marcos, Calif. 320 Cypress, Calif. 290 Poway, Calif. 295 Cedar Rapids, Iowa 280 San Diego, Calif. 270 Bozeman, Mont.

No. Name

71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 82 84 85 86 87 88 89 91 93 94 95 96 97 98 99

Devon Dietrich Cooper Sprunk Angel Villanueva John Schmaing Robert Luke David Reese Cameron Rokich Clint LaRowe Max Kelly Josh Horner Zach Hollenback Keenan Curran Jerry Louie-McGee Donovan Rooks Reese Carlson Ben Roberts Chris Lider Colin Bingham Tim Semenza Tyrone Holmes Zach Peevey Harrison Greenberg Andrew Harris Patrick LeCorre Ryan Johnson Mike Ralston Reggie Tilleman

Yr. Pos.

R-Jr. R-So. Fr. Sr. So. So. R-So. R-Jr. R-Jr. So. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Fr. R-Sr. R-Sr. Fr. Fr. Sr. R-Jr. R-Jr. Fr. Fr. R-Jr. R-So. R-Fr.

OL OL OL OL C OL OL OL OL WR WR WR WR WR WR WR K/P WR K DE DT K DE K/P DE DE DE

Ht.

6-4 6-4 6-5 6-7 6-4 6-7 6-5 6-5 6-7 6-5 5-11 6-2 5-9 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-1 6-3 5-7 6-4 6-3 5-8 6-2 6-0 6-3 6-5 6-4

Wt.

285 270 330 290 310 275 260 300 290 220 185 200 170 185 205 215 205 220 155 250 265 170 215 190 255 260 251

2015 Grizzly Coaching Staff Bob Stitt Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator Ty Gregorak Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Mike Ferriter Inside Receivers Chad Germer Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Joe "JB" Hall Jr. Cornerbacks/Defensive Quality Control Brian Hendricks Defensive Ends Justin Green Running Backs/Recruiting Coordinator Andrew Selle Quarterbacks/Offensive Quality Control Jason Semore Secondary/Special Teams Coordinator Lawrence Suiaunoa Defensive Line Nolan Swett Pass Game Coordinator/Outside Receivers Colin Bonnicksen Director of Football Operations Matt Nicholson Strength & Conditioning Coach; Lennard Manke Video Coordinator.

Hometown

Woodinville, Wash. Tigard, Ore. Duarte, Calif. Billings, Mont. Tacoma, Wash. Happy Valley, Ore. West Jordan, Utah Miles City, Mont. Spokane, Wash. Great Falls, Mont. Missoula, Mont. Federal Way, Wash. Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Yuma, Ariz. Gig Harbor, Wash Missoula, Mont. Bellevue, Wash Missoula, Mont. San Diego, Calif. Eagle Point, Ore. Missoula, Mont. Lake Oswego, Ore. Kalispell, Mont. Edina, Minn. Vancouver, Wash. Eugene, Ore. Genesee, Idaho

8

Nov. 20, 2015

www.havredailynews.com

One last Brawl for the voice of the Griz From the Fringe...

George Ferguson Sports Editor It’s Brawl of the Wild Week. It’s the 115th meeting between the Montana Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats. It’s Cat-Griz or Griz-Cat, or simply the game. It’s the one day each year where Montana is truly divided. And, when it comes to this annual football feud, there are a lot of constants. And, at least for Montana fans, and fans who still like to get their football games via one of the most traditional mediums ever – radio, a constant on Cat-Griz Saturday has been the voice of Mick Holien. If you’re a fan of the Montana Grizzlies, then there’s nothing better than hearing Mick’s famous “Touchdown Montana” and the only thing better to Griz fans that hearing his call when the Grizzlies score, is when the Grizzlies score against the Bobcats. Well Griz fans, if you’re listening to Mick when the Griz and Bobcats meet this Saturday in Bozeman, get your fill, and hope the Griz score in bunches, because the last time Mick says “Touchdown Montana” or, the last time he goes to commercial break saying, good guys, followed by the score, will be the last time Griz fans get to hear it. When Mick signs of from Bozeman late Saturday afternoon, it will be the final time the famed sports-

caster calls a Cat-Griz game in his amazing, and long career. And, as a fellow journalist, as someone who has had the pleasure of meeting Mick on several occasions, and someone who appreciates good broadcasting, the fact that this is Mick’s last Cat-Griz game is disappointing on a number a level. First and foremost, Mick wasn’t planning on Saturday’s Brawl being his last. Admittedly, Mick has probably considered retiring sooner than later. But, this being his last season as the Voice of the Montana Grizzlies wasn’t his choice. Instead, Grizzly Sports Properties, a division of Learfield Sports, which is in charge of Montana sports broadcast and marketing rights, announced back in October that Holien’s contract wasn’t being renewed, and no reason was given, only that the they wanted to go in a new direction. And for many Griz fans, of both football and basketball, that’s too bad, and it’s hard to understand why the 31 years of Holien at the mike was the right direction, and now it’s not. It’s equally hard to understand that, after all Mick has given to the University of Montana, that he wasn’t allowed the courtesy of announcing his own retirement. He wasn’t allowed the honor of signing off when he chose to sign off. I’m well aware that Montana Grizzly sports is a big business these days, and I don’t have a problem with it being a business. That’s the world of college athletics now, and Montana isn’t immune to it. But, some things are bigger than the bottom line, and I feel this is one of those times. And to me, the right thing for them to do, no mat-

ter what direction they want to take the broadcast of Grizzly athletics in, would have been to let Mick sign off the air on his terms. But, no matter who’s terms it’s on, the sad fact is, Saturday will be Mick’s last Cat-Griz game, and this winter, will be his last calling Griz and Lady Griz basketball. It will be the end of a brilliant 31-year career that started in 1984 and saw him call 23 seasons of calling Griz football. That’s 23 seasons of not having Saturday’s off, 23 years of getting in a car to drive to place like Pocatello, Idaho or Cheney, Washington, or on a plane and traveling to places like Flagstaff, Arizona and San Luis Obispo, California, or anywhere else the Griz were traveling that weekend. Mick spent 23 years of his life being the “Voice of the Montana Grizzlies”. He was with the Grizzlies in December 1995 in West Virginia when they captured the school's first national title and was there in Tennessee when the Griz won another title in 2001. He has called all seven of the Grizzlies' national championship appearances and was on the radio in March 2006 when the Griz topped Nevada for Montana's second NCAA basketball tournament win. He also called the Lady Griz's defeat of Wisconsin during the 1986 NCAA women's basketball tournament. And Mick loved every minute of it. Known to anyone who doesn’t love the Griz as a huge Griz homer, Mick certainly found exuberance in announcing Montana wins over the years. "It’s about those teams and about those coaches and about all the peo-

ple that I’ve been around the leagues and the non conference all of these years, all those relationships that I never would have got to do before," Holien told the Missoulian’s Kyle Sample not long ago. "I mean, I’ve been to Hawaii seven times and I’ve never paid for a ticket, I’ve always gone with a team -- it’s a hell of gig, man." And while the gig has been special, those of us who listen to Grizzly games on the radio have really been the lucky ones. And there was a time when, at least for Griz’ away games, that the only thing that got me through those games was Mick’s voice. As a student at Montana during the glory years of 1994-1996, those were the days when only a handful of Griz games were on TV, and there was certainly no Twitter or internet streaming. So, for Griz away games, Mick was all we Griz fans had, and Mick’s calls in those years were ones I’ll never forget. And that’s why this being Mick’s last Cat-Griz game is truly disappointing, because my favorite call I’ve heard of Mick’s was the 1997 Brawl of the Wild – one of the few Brawl’s I couldn’t make in the last two-plus decades. That was the game where the Cats were going to snap Montana’s winning streak, and all appeared lost for the Griz in the muck of Reno H. Sales Stadium in Bozeman. Yet, somehow, the Griz came back from the dead again, and listening to Mick call Chris Heppner’s game-winning kick was something I’ll absolutely remember for the rest of my life. Now, it’s not lost on me that times change. It’s not lost on me that things can’t stay the same forever, and though for a time, it seemed

like Mick would broadcast Griz games forever, we all knew there would be a day when we wouldn’t hear “Touchdown Montana” any more. For me, it’s just too bad it has come so soon. In my humble opinion, I don’t think Grizzly football broadcasts, and for that matter, Cat-Griz games on the radio, will ever be the same again. I have no doubt Montana will hire an excellent broadcaster for Griz football, and I’m sure he or she will do an excellent, professional job. After all, there are a lot of great broadcasts journalists out there, and like Mick said, the Griz’ job is one hell of a gig. But, no matter who is in the booth high above Washington-Grizzly Stadium next November when the Griz and Bobcats meet in the 2016 Brawl of the Wild, it won’t be Mick Holien, and that’s a shame. Like many other things Cat-Griz, Mick is part of the legacy and tradition of this great football rivalry in our state. Mick has been a staple for Griz fans from Sidney to Libby, and anywhere else in the state that carries the Grizzlies on the radio, for over two decades. And thinking about it now, I can picture people glued to their radios, listening to Mick call the annual meeting between the Bobcats and Grizzlies. I can picture Montanans young and old, jumping and hollering as Mick calls another Griz’ score, or, feeling the pain and sorrow of hearing Mick tell them the Bobcats just crossed the goal line. So, for Griz fans all over, hopefully, the Griz ring up plenty of scores on Saturday at Bobcat Stadium, so all of you can hear “Touchdown Montana” a few more times.

5

Nov. 20, 2015

www.havredailynews.com

Montana Grizzlies Defensive Starters

Montana State Bobcats Offensive Starters Cats Offensive Numbers

Griz Defensive Numbers

Scoring: 43 ppg, 1st in Big Sky

Scoring: 23 ppg, 3rd in Big Sky J.R. Nelson #18, 6-2, 177 Cornerback

Total defense: 377 ypg, 4th in Big Sky

Justin Paige #3, 5-11, 166 Receiver

Total offense: 522 ypg, 1st in Big Sky Passing: 303 ypg, 2nd in Big Sky

Pass defense: 185 ypg, 1st in Big Sky

Alex Eekhoff #71, 6-6, 286 Right tackle

Ryan Johnson #97, 6-3, 275 Defensive end Herbert Gamboa

#36, 6-1, 220 Linebacker

Yamen Sanders #9, 6-4, 210 Free Safety

Caleb Kidder #37, 6-5, 275 Defensive tackle Jeremiah Kose #45, 6-3, 240 Linebacker

Justin Whitted #31, 6-1, 195 Strong Safety

Jamal Wilson #34, 5-11, 270 Nose tackle Kendrick Van Ackeren #35, 6-1, 220 Linebacker

Tyrone Holmes #91, 6-4, 245 Defensive end

Rob Ash MSU Head Coach

Kyle Goedecke #63, 6-5, 316 Right guard

Joel Horn #70, 6-4, 330 Center

Dakota Prukop #5, 6-2, 195 Quarterback

Chad Newell #17, 6-1, 220 Running back

JP Flynn #75, 6-5, 304 Left guard

John Weidenaar #55, 6-7, 280 Left tackle

Mitch Greibel #13, 5-10, 193 Receiver

Ash is in his ninth season at MSU, after coaching at Drake for 17 seasons. Ash has 65 wins in Bozeman, the most by any coach in MSU history. He's also led the Bobcats to four Big Sky Conference titles and five playoff appearances. His coaching career began at Cornell as an assistant, and he was also the head coach at Juanita for eight seasons.

Beau Sandland #85, 6-6, 250 Tight end

Nate Harris #11, 5-10, 180 Corner

Mitchell Herbert #82, 6-4, 205 Receiver

Trevor Bolton #30, 5-10, 199 Punter

Luke Daly #45, 6-2, 185 Kicker

6

Nov. 20, 2015

www.havredailynews.com

7

Nov. 20, 2015

www.havredailynews.com

Successful Ash now a Brawl veteran A dream job, and a wild season Winningest coach in Bobcat history hoping for better fortunes against the Grizzlies George Ferguson

Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com Even with a win in the 115th Brawl of the Wild Saturday inside Bobcat Stadium, the Montana State Bobcats won’t be a part of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs next week. And that’s a bit shocking considering the Bobcats were picked to win the Big Sky Conference back in the summer, and have one of the best offenses in all of the FCS. But, there’s no need to think the Cats are just going to lay down and be a red carpet for their hated rival, the Montana Grizzlies, to make the playoffs. No, this is Cat-Griz, and MSU’s up-and-down, and somewhat disappointing season has no baring on how the Cats will play against the Griz come Saturday. No, MSU is playing for pride, and a lot more than that. The Bobcats haven’t beaten Montana in Bozeman since 2005, and while MSU head coach Rob Ash has done almost everything else in his nine years in Bozeman, one thing he knows he hasn’t done enough is, beat Montana. The Cats are just 2-6 in Brawl’s coached by Ash. However, don’t let the record fool you. Ash knows and understands what it means to beat the Grizzlies. And though, like his counterpart on Saturday, UM head coach Bob Stitt, Ash isn’t a native Montanan, after eight Cat-Griz games, he might as well be now. “It’s one chance, once a year, to go play this game,” Ash said. “Yeah, the stakes are very high. But that’s what makes it exciting. That’s why you sign up for this job.” Ash, an Iowa native, was an outsider to the rivalry when he was hired at MSU in 2007 after spending 18 seasons at Drake. It took him four tries to beat the Griz when the Bobcats finally prevailed 21-16 in Missoula in November 2010. His other win in the series was also on the road, a 16-7 victory in 2012 in which quarterback DeNarius McGhee became just the second quarterback in Big Sky Conference history to win twice at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Outside of those two wins in Missoula, the Griz have certainly had the upper hand against Ash-coached Bobcat teams. And, three different Montana head coaches have beaten the Bobcats in that span, including the now retired Mick Delaney, who led UM to a current two-game winning streak in the Brawl, with a road win in Bozeman in 2013 and a 34-7 shellacking of the Cats last November in Missoula. In fairness though, Ash has had some bad luck when it comes to the Cat-Griz rivalry. In four different meetings with the Griz, a backup quarterback has had to start, or

play for MSU. And against a Montana team that seems to always peak in November, no matter who the coach is, that’s not an easy task. “The first couple years we were rebuilding, trying to start the program up and Montana was on quite a role at that point in time,” Ash said. “Then we sort of took over and won two out of three and knocked them out and had a chance to be the dominating team for a while. And then the last couple times the injuries at the quarterback position have really hurt us.” While beating the Griz means so much to MSU fans, and fans don’t think the Cats have done it enough lately, again, Ash has had his high moments too. With a win Saturday, the Bobcats will have still never had a losing season under Ash. He’s also won more games in his MSU career than any other coach in Bobcat history, he’s led MSU to 70 wins, and his teams have among the highest APR rates in the Big Sky Conference every year. Yes, under Ash’ watch, the Cats have never been so good, so consistently. The Cats have captured or shared three Big Sky championships under Ash, they’ve won 68 percent of all their games, and they’ve reached the FCS playoffs four times, including a stretch of three straight years, from 2010-2012, and they went back to the playoffs again last fall. Outside the lines, the program continues to thrive too. Bobcat Stadium got a beautiful expansion during Ash’ time in Bozeman, season tickets are always sold out, and Montana State has been in the Top 5 in FCS attendance in each of the last five seasons. So, it’s no wonder that it was a no-brainer for the school to extend Ash’ contract for another three years. He signed the extension back in the summer, and it will keep him as MSU’s head coach through at least the 2018 season. So, even with what some fans consider a down year for the Bobcats, the football program at MSU has never been in better shape than it has with Ash at the helm. And that’s not surprising considering Ash was already Drake’s all-time winningest coach when he arrived in Bozeman back in 2007. But, for all the shine and spotlight on MSU these days, there’s one thing left for Ash to do before his time in Bozeman is up, at least from a passionate fan-base perspective, and that’s beat the Grizzlies a little more often, and perhaps a little more consistently. And while it might not seem like it to some, Ash knows and wants to do that badly. After all, after nine seasons at MSU, Ash is a Montanan now, and he’s a big a part of the CatGriz rivalry as any coach that’s come before him. And, no matter what his record is against the Griz prior to Saturday’s 115th meeting in Bozeman, he cherishes the rivalry, and understands why it means so much to so many. “This is a year-long rivalry,” Ash said. “You win it, you get 365 days of being a winner. You don’t win it, then it’s 365 days of trying to win the next one. That’s the way it works.”

Huge wins, gut-wrenching losses have led UM's Bob Stitt to his first career Brawl of the Wild George Ferguson

Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com

Dean Hendrickson Montana State University head coach Rob Ash has won more games than any head coach in Bobcat history. He's also led the Cats to eight straight winning seasons, three Big Sky titles and four playoffs berths. But, starting Saturday, Ash is hoping to improve upon his 2-6 record against in-state rival Montana.

When Bob Stitt was announced the Montana Grizzlies new head coach last December, he talked about this being his dream job. But, it’s highly unlikely Stitt could have dreamt of a first season like the one the Grizzlies have had. Heading into his first Brawl of the Wild, Saturday in Bozeman, Stitt’s Grizzlies are on the verge of making the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. But, at 6-4, a loss to the Bobcats would likely eliminate the Griz from those playoffs. And that’s why Stitt’s crazy journey from Colorado Mines in the NCAA DII playoffs a year ago, to Saturday’s Cat-Griz showdown in Bobcat Stadium is so interesting. Because in many ways, this first season in Missoula has been one where nobody has known what to expect. Expectations were high when Stitt, considered an offensive innovator and somewhat of a maverick coach was announced at UM. He talked openly about trying to run 100 plays per game, about hating to punt and kick field goals, and most importantly, about embracing those high expectations at UM. “This program has set the bar very high,” Stitt said while on a summer tour that included a stop in Havre back in the summer. “The fan base always has high expectations for the program, and I love that about this place. There’s a lot of pressure to win here, because they’ve done it a lot. But, that’s exciting to me. I like that challenge.” Stitt also embraced the challenge of playing four-time FCS national champion North Dakota State in his first game at Montana. The buildup was immense, especially given the game was going to be televised nationally on ESPN, as the first college football game of 2015. But even with high expectations, and all the excitement surrounding the game, few saw Montana’s last-play 38-35 win over the Bison coming. And that’s when things got even crazier for the head coach, and his first-year team. Montana’s win over NDSU vaulted the ceiling for the Griz’ season to new levels. Talk of a national championship began to pick up steam, and Stitt was getting national exposure based off the upset win. Seven days later however, on a rainy summer night in Washington-Grizzly Stadium, everything changed, as Montana lost to Cal Poly on a last-second field goal, and two weeks after that, the Griz lost their starting quarterback, and a road game at Liberty, and all of a sudden, Stitt was 1-2 three games into his Griz’ career. The Griz would bounce back against the following week against Northern Arizona, but the injury big at quarterback, and the

AP Photo Montana first-year head coach Bob Stitt cheers on his team during a game against Cal Poly back in September in Missoula. Since coming to UM from NCAA Division II Colorado-Mines, Stitt has guided the Grizzlies to some monumental wins, but has also experienced some tough loss. Still, if the Griz can win in Stitt's first Brawl of the Wild, they'll make the FCS playoffs.

rollercoaster had already been set in motion. Stitt’s first season in Missoula has also included a shocking overtime loss at home to Weber State, a Halloween beatdown at the hands of Portland State, and a miracle finish in overtime at hapless Idaho State. All with backup quarterbacks in the game. However, when the schedule came out, most Griz fans would have immediately picked two losses on the schedule – NDSU and Eastern Washington. But, Stitt went 2-0 in those games, after the Griz blasted the rival Eagles 57-16 last Saturday in Missoula. A healthy Brady Gustafson back at quarterback was key to Montana’s win over EWU, something the Griz hadn’t done in four years. And now, health is why Stitt feels the roller coaster is starting to level off. “If you’re healthy at the end of the season, you can make a run,” Stitt said after the win over EWU. “We’re finally healthy again, and we feel like we have a chance to make a run,

to extend our season.” But to extend their season, Stitt and the Grizzlies will have to do something none of his last three predecessors did, which is win their first Cat-Griz game. Bobby Hauck, Robin Pflugrad and Mick Delaney all lost to the Bobcats in their first try. And in order for Stitt to reverse that trend, his team will have to do something they haven’t done yet this season either, follow a home win with one on the road. But, the win over EWU, and the return of Gustafson, have Stitt and the Griz feeling good heading into Saturday’s battle, which Stitt can’t wait for considering he’s never been a part of the intensity that is the Cat-Griz rivalry. "I think it's going to be similar to me walking into the stadium the first game against North Dakota State,” Stitt said of his first Brawl. “You really don't know what to expect, and it's ten times greater than you ever imagined it being

"It means a lot to the people in this state,” he added. “That's why we gotta go win the ball game. For our fans and the passion they have. We can't let 'em down.” It’s been a first season Bob Stitt could have never imagined he would have in Missoula when he so passionately talked about how excited he was to the Griz’ new head coach almost a year ago. But now, that wild season, much like the offense he envisions running at UM, is down to the annual Brawl of the Wild. And though Stitt has never coached in a Cat-Griz game before, judging by the comments above, it sounds like he already gets it. It sounds like he already understands just what this particular game is all about. And, from the man who has so many dreams and visions for what he wants the Griz’ program to look like, and accomplish in the future, understanding the Cat-Griz rivalry is all Griz’ fans needed to hear.