August 25, 2018 Grizzly Game Day

2018 SEASON PREVIEW • SATURDAY, AUG. 25, 2018

HAUCK’S HOME

Hauck’s return to Big Sky Conference has ripple effect

TOMMY MARTINO, Missoulian

CONFERENCE: PREVIEW CAPSULES • GRIZ: DEPTH CHART • NUMBERS: FINAL 2017 GRIZ & BIG SKY STATS

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E2 — Missoulian, Saturday, August 25, 2018

GRIZZLY GAME DAY | GRIZZLY Q&A

Bobby’s Back League coaches share their takes on Hauck’s return AMIE JUST 406mtsports.com‌

‌SPOKANE — Several big changes hit the Big Sky Conference’s football programs in the past eight months.

North Dakota is now an FCS Independent school. Idaho has rejoined the league. And Bobby Hauck is back leading the Grizzlies.

Hauck’s return to the Big Sky is full of friendly faces.

He’s worked on the same staffs as Idaho State’s Rob Phenicie (UCLA 199192, Montana 2003-09, UNLV 2010-14) and Northern Arizona’s Jerome Souers (Montana 1988-89). He’s also coached against several league skippers, too.

When Hauck led UNLV, he coached against Northern Colorado’s Earnest Collins Jr. in 2014 and faced Souers in 2012. When Hauck was at UM last time, he played Tim Walsh’s Portland State teams four times and Walsh’s Cal Poly team in 2009. Souers’ crews played Hauck’s Montana teams seven times.

Of course, there are some new faces too, like Southern Utah’s Demario Warren — but Warren is well aware of who Hauck is.

“He was the standard when I first got into coaching,” Warren said of Hauck.

“We weren’t in the Big Sky, we were in the Great West, but I knew of him. I didn’t know many FCS coaches but we knew who Bobby Hauck was.”

The following is a Q & A with several head football coaches in the Big Sky Conference about Hauck’s return to the league. Those coaches are Cal Poly’s Tim Walsh, Idaho’s Paul Petrino, Portland State’s Bruce Barnum, Sacramento State’s Jody Sears, Southern Utah’s Demario Warren, UC Davis’ Dan Hawkins and Montana State’s Jeff Choate.

Editor’s Note: All of the interviews in this story occurred during the Big Sky’s

Bobby Hauck tells a player to adjust his helmet during team warm ups during practice recently. football kickoff event in July in Spokane.

test yourself against some of the best coaches, and obviously, he’s one of the What were your initial thoughts when best that’s ever done it.”

Hauck was hired back in December?‌ Choate: “I think (his return will be) probably more impactful in-state with Walsh: “If you’re going to make a coaching change, I think they picked the Montana State because I think what’s going to happen is we’re going to see right person. Bobby Hauck, he undermore intense in-state recruiting battles stands Missoula. He understands the because I know he values Montana kids University of Montana. He’s had great success there in the past. He brings con- and we’ll go toe-to-toe on the best and the brightest in the state. I think that fidence back to the team and the community. I think that’s scary. We all know might be one of the things that changes for us directly at Montana State. I think who Montana is as a football program.” it’s hard to make a rivalry as good as Warren: “When he got hired, it was awesome. We get to compete against one the Montana State-Montana game any of the best coaches that’s ever coached in better, but I do think the emphasis he places on that game and winning the this league. It’s another chance to really

TOMMY MARTINO, Missoulian

in-state recruiting battles and knowing how important that game is and winning those battles will make a great game even better.”

What does Hauck add to the league’s fraternity of coaches?‌

Sears: “He’s proven. He adds leadership. He’s been there, done that. He’s had success. I think all of us, including myself, I think we can all learn by watching how he runs his program and the success that he has. I think it’s a nice added dimension to the conference, obviously to Montana, too. He’s a great See HAUCK, Page E10

GRIZZLY GAME DAY

Missoulian, Saturday, August 25, 2018 — E3

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E4 — Missoulian, Saturday, August 25, 2018

GRIZZLY GAME DAY | CONFERENCE CAPSULES

AROUND THE BIG SKY CAL POLY Forecast: 10th by Big Sky coaches, 11th by media Last season: 1-10 overall, 1-7 in Big Sky (12th) Starters returning: 17 (12 offense, 5 defense) Coach: Tim Walsh (UC Riverside, ‘77), 51-52 in ninth year at Cal Poly, 168-134 for career

Bottom Line Cal Poly returned 53 lettermen for the 2017 season, but the successes of the previous four seasons were not meant to be had. The Mustangs lost their first eight games, and their offensive numbers dropped dramatically due to eight starters missing several games due to injuries.

Cal Poly matched the school record for losses in a season with its 1-10 finish.

The 1964 team went 0-10.

Offense In a conference filled with high-flying passing attacks, Cal Poly is the outlier.

The Mustangs run the triple option with ease and have been consistently at the top of the league in offensive production, Cal Poly athletics even with last year’s injury-riddled season. With 2016 league-leading rusher in Cal Poly fullback Joe Protheroe, right, led the Big Sky Conference with 121.3 yards per game in 2016, but missed last season with Joe Protheroe back for his senior season, an injury. expect even more from the fullback who Bottom Line Our philosophy is to generate a lot of sat out last season with an injury. quarterback Gage Gubrud returns for yards and points on offense, hold onto another season. However, his main target After being overlooked by the FCS Defense the ball for long periods of time and run Playoff committee in Best’s first year, the Nic Sblendorio has run out of eligibil80 or more plays a game, thus helping Eagles have fuel for their fire. The Eagles ity. But Gubrud’s been in these shoes The defense lost Mason Montgomery out the defense. We didn’t do that. ... before. With a quarterback as talented as overcame a rash of injuries to win seven — last season’s ninth-leading tackler in If we clean some things up, we can turn games, and, in some ways, that made the Gubrud, it’s only a matter of time before the Big Sky with 92 tackles — and R.J. things around into a successful season in year extremely special for Best. His debut he finds his next go-to receiver. Look for Mazolewsi — last season’s 26th-leading season was even better than those of pre- senior wideout Nsimba Webster to pick tackler in the league with 66 tackles. No 2018.” — Cal Poly coach Tim Walsh on last season’s woes. up the slack. vious Eagle head coaches Beau Baldwin other Mustang mirrored their defensive (6-5), Paul Wulff (6-5) and Mike Kramer production. It’s not just them who’ve EASTERN WASHINGTON Defense (4-7). There is no shortage of returning departed. The Mustangs lost eight of experience, with a dozen Eagles back their 11 defensive starters from last seaForecast: 1st Led by senior safety and team cowho have earned All-Big Sky Conference captain Mitch Fettig, the Eagles feel son. Expect the Mustang defense to have

by Big Sky media honors in the last two seasons. Nine a few hiccups in navigating the season and coaches their secondary is ready for a big year. without them.

Last season: 7-4 starters are back on offense and eight are Starting senior cornerback Josh Lewis back on defense, but a total of 15 defenNotable: Protheroe was a senior last overall, 6-2 in Big and starting senior rover Cole Karstetter sive players and 17 on offense return with are among the total of 11 returning letseason, but due to his injury, he’s back in Sky (T-3rd) starting experience. Each side of the ball terwinners at defensive back – four with action for one more go. He was tabbed to Starters returning: 17 (9 offense, has 182 starts back. the STATS FCS Preseason All-American 8 defense) starting experience. Fettig was a thirdFirst Team in 2016.

Coach: Aaron Best (Eastern Washingteam All-Big Sky selection as a junior Offense Quotable: “Part of the problems we ton ‘01), 7-4 in second year at Eastern after earning honorable mention as a had on defense was the lack of offense.

Washington, second year as head coach sophomore, and Lewis earned honorable Reigning Big Sky Offensive MVP

Missoulian, Saturday, August 25, 2018 — E5

mention honors in 2017. With eight returning starters, it’s not going to be easy to put up points against them again this season.

Notable: The Eagles finished in a tie for third in the Big Sky and have finished 5-3 or better in the last 11 seasons.

Overall, Eastern has had 20 winning campaigns in the last 22 years.

Quotable: “In the second year of anything, you try to find the kinks in the hose and you work those kinks out. We want to continue to build the base off our first year when we had a new coaching staff and the landscape was different for the players we were coaching. Because ‘17 was ‘17 and it’s a whole different team in ‘18.” — EWU coach Aaron Best on building from last season to this season.

IDAHO Forecast: 4th by Big Sky coaches, 5th by media Last season: 4-8 overall, 3-5 in Sun Belt (9th) Starters returning: 10 (5 offense, 5 defense) Coach: Paul Petrino (Carroll College, ‘90), 19-41 entering 6th year at Idaho, 6th year as head coach

Bottom Line Idaho is back in the Big Sky Conference since its departure for the FBS in 1996. That leaves a lot in the air, especially outside expectations. The Vandals went 9-4 just two years ago, winning the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. But they also went 4-8 last season. They return 10 starters, five on offense and five on defense — with senior linebacker/tight end combo Kaden Elliss tearing up both sides of the ball.

Offense After losing senior quarterback Matt Linehan from last season, Coach Petrino’s son, Mason Petrino, is now Idaho’s starting quarterback. Linehan’s main targets from last season — Alfonso Onunwor and Jacob Sannon — have run out of eligibility as well. And so has Idaho’s lone 1,000-yard rusher from last year, Aaron Duckworth. Look for the offense to run through senior running back Isaiah Saunders and senior wide receiver David Ungerer.

Defense Idaho’s defense will be a force to be reckoned with. The Vandals return their top three tacklers from last season

— Tony Lashley who had 123 total tackles (a mark in the top 11 of the FBS last season), Ellis and Ed Hall, who had three interceptions. Watch out for that trio.

Notable: Dubbed “Mr. Everything,” Ellis was the first FBS player to have a sack and a touchdown reception in the same game since 2013 in Idaho’s game against Missouri last season. He did it again against ULM. Quotable: “He’s such a good player, and so smart. You’d like to be able to steal him and play him all the time on offense, but he’s so valuable on defense.

You’ve got to be able to pick your times.”

— Idaho head coach Paul Petrino on his two-way senior star, Kaden Ellis.

IDAHO STATE Forecast: 13th by Big Sky media, 13th by coaches Last season: 4-7 overall, 2-6 in Big Sky (9th) Starters returning: 16 (8 offense, 7 defense) Coach: Rob Phenicie (Memphis ‘89), 4-7 entering second year at ISU, second year as head coach

Bottom Line The Phenicie-led Tigers moved up from dead last in nearly almost every statistical category kept by the Big Sky to around the middle of the pack in some.

Idaho State has a new offensive coordinator in Mike Ferriter, so expect even more offensive production by the Tigers this season.

Offense Idaho State’s offensive production last year was around the middle of the pack.

The Tigers scored an average of 28.1 points per game in their spread offense.

But it’s not certain what new schemes Ferriter will implement. Quarterback Tanner Gueller is back under center and his two seasons of experience, paired with the connection with his brother, first-team All-Big Sky wide receiver Mitch Gueller, will make Idaho State more of a threat than in years past.

Defense The defense was also near the bottom of the league, averaging 485.8 yards per game. That mark ranked 121st out of the 122 teams in the entire FCS. It doesn’t help matters that linebacker Mario Jenkins — who was tied for the lead in total tackles among the Big Sky — has run out of eligibility. Look for Idaho

State’s defense to get torched yet again this season.

Notable: Former Montana wide receivers coach Mike Ferriter was hired

by Phenicie to be Idaho State’s offensive coordinator after UM coach Bobby Hauck didn’t renew Ferriter to Hauck’s staff at Montana.

Quotable: “I’m just using the Bobby Hauck model for how we’re doing things here at Idaho State. The organization and the structure and the consistency and just having a yearly plan. I was fortunate to be with Bobby for that. That’s helped me a lot.” — ISU coach Rob Phenicie on how he’s structuring his team.

MONTANA STATE Forecast: 8th by Big Sky coaches, 8th by media Last season: 5-6 overall, 5-3 in Big Sky (6th) Starters returning: 14 (6 offense, 8 defense) Coach: Jeff Choate (Montana Western ‘93), 9-13 in third year at Montana State and overall

Bottom Line In the third year under the direction of Jeff Choate, the pieces seem to be clicking for the Bobcats. They return 14 of their 21 offensive and defensive starters from last season, including the reigning Big Sky Freshman of the Year in running back Troy Andersen, who could very well start at quarterback and linebacker for the Bobcats. The Bobcats head into the season coming off a big win in Bozeman against the Griz, so expect Choate and Co. to use that momentum as much as possible.

Offense

KURT WILSON, Associated Press

Northern Arizona defender Khalil Dorsey breaks up a throw to Montana receiver Justin Calhoun during the two teams’ game 2016 in Flagstaff, Ariz.

of 25.0 points to be scored and 406.9 yards to be picked up, marks high atop the league last season. A big contributor to that success? Linebacker Mac Bignell.

But he’s run out of eligibility. His presence will be sorely missed, but look for junior defensive back Brayden Konkol to pick up the slack.

Notable: It was announced in July that Bobcats’ starting quarterback Chris Murray would miss the 2018 season due to an “academic issue.”

Quotable: “I call him Secretariat. He will be a real challenge for opponents.

He’s just such an exceptional athlete.

He’s got size, he’s got a good brain, he’s going to be one of the fastest guys in this league.” — MSU defensive coordinator Ty Gregorak on Andersen.

One key piece returns on offense: Andersen. One key piece does not return: Chris Murray. But it seems that Montana NORTHERN ARIZONA State will do just fine without him.

Forecast: 3rd by Last season, the Bobcats had one of the Big Sky coaches, 3rd worst offenses in the conference — only by media averaging 25.3 points and 396.9 yards Last season: 7-5 per game. On the flip side, their rushing overall, 6-2 in Big average of 249.5 yards per game was Sky (5th) at the top of the league. Look for the Coach: Jerome Souers (Oregon, ‘83), Bobcats, with Andersen in the backfield, 119-108 in 20th year at NAU and overall to elevate that rushing production Bottom Line even more.

Northern Arizona has the offensive Defense weapons to be a contender for the Big Sky title this season. Even though the Where Montana State’s offense may have faltered last year, the defense picked up the slack. The Cats allowed an average See BIG SKY, Page E6

E6 — Missoulian, Saturday, August 25, 2018

Big Sky

with five tackles for loss. He nearly doubled the defensive production from the second-highest tackler last year in Tyler Foreman, who ran out of eligibility.

Also, look for Artuz Manning to step up in the secondary. He only played in nine games last year but had 57 tackles.

Notable: Portland State has only made the playoffs twice, losing in the first round to Delaware in 2000 and to Northern Iowa in the second round in 2015.

Quotable: “The offense will be different. Losing Steve (Cooper) to Nebraska, I am stepping back in the (offensive) room.

You are going to see a lot more like when I was a coordinator from 2010-15. That will be new to this group of guys.” — PSU coach Bruce Barnum.

Continued

Lumberjacks only scored an average of 30.2 points per game last season, the pieces are really coming together for NAU as its starting quarterback and wide receiver are hauling in national awards.

Expect the same for them by the end of the year.

Offense The Lumberjacks yet again return their All-American offensive duo in quarterback Case Cookus and wide receiver Emmanuel Butler. The chemistry between these two used to be through the roof, but Butler suffered a season-ending injury last year two games into 2017.

Cookus threw for 3,413 yards last season without Butler in his arsenal. Expect them to torch through defenses again this season.

Defense Watch out for senior safety Wes Sutton. He started all 11 regular-season games last year as a junior at strong safety and racked up 72 tackles, good for 27th in the league.

Notable: Souers is in his 20th season with the Lumberjacks and is the winningest coach in conference history.

Quotable: “Now that I am going into my last year and I am this close to breaking every record, I kind of expect myself to break all the records and finish strong.

But I am more focused on just helping these guys win a championship, that’s really the reason I came back.” — NAU wide receiver Emmanuel Butler

SACRAMENTO STATE

TOMMY MARTINO, Missoulian

Sacramento State’s Manny Anderson, left, pursues Montana’s John Nguyen dyring the Grizzlies’ 68-7 victory over the Hornets in 2016 at Washington–Grizzly Stadium.

Offense

and media Northern Colorado slipped a bit in Last season: offensive production from 2016, scoring 0-11 overall, 0-8 in 37.8 points per game and gaining an averBig Sky (13th) age of 386.6 yards per game. Senior wide Starters returnreceiver Alex Wesley was the Bears’ lone ing: 10 (3 offense, representative on the Preseason All-Big 7 defense) Sky team after hauling in 1,010 receiving Coach: Bruce Barnum (Eastern Washyards as a junior. Expect senior running ington, ‘87), 12-22 in fourth year at PSU back Trae Riek to carry the brunt of the and overall load on the ground.

Defense

Keifer Morris and Henry Stelzner will be anchors on the defense this season as NORTHERN COLORADO the Bears look to better their defensive Forecast: 11th by efforts, especially after losing Stone Big Sky coaches, 12th Kane, the league’s fourth-leading tackler from last year. Last season, Northern by media Last season: 3-7 Colorado allowed opponents to rack up 474.7 yards per game and allowed their overall, 2-6 in Big opponents to score an average of 34.1 Sky (10th) points per game.

Coach: EarNotable: Northern Colorado assistant nest Collins Jr. (Northern Colorado, coach Brandon Maguire is a former ‘96), 24-52 in 6th year at UNC, 31-65 Grizzly. Maguire played for the Grizzlies for career from 2009-13.

Bottom Line Quotable: “We have a three-headed monster in the backfield right now that Northern Colorado enters the fall in the midst of the best era in the program’s we know can get it done for us. That is going to be important to complement our FCS history. The Bears have had backpass game as we break in new receivers to-back winning seasons for the first aside Alex.” — UNC coach Earnest time in their Division I era and finished Collins Jr. .500 or above in league play for the first time since 2012. The Bears also defeated PORTLAND STATE the Montana Grizzlies for the first time since moving to Division I. Forecast: 13th by Big Sky coaches

Bottom Line

Portland State lost every game last season, but they did come close to knocking off Oregon State in Corvallis.

Both their offense and their defense were at or near the bottom of the league in nearly every statistical category the Big Sky keeps track of. The Vikings can only go up from here.

Offense Portland State’s biggest weapon is junior tight end Charlie Taumoepeau who made the preseason All-Big Sky squad. As a sophomore last season, Taumoepeau had 673 yards receiving on 45 receptions with three touchdowns — leading the Vikings’ receiving efforts alongside Darnell Adams, who graduated last year. Look for Taumoepeau to take over Portland State’s aerial assault.

Defense Portland State’s leading tackler from last season is back for more as senior.

Kasun Jackett had 91 tackles as a junior

Forecast: 5th by Big Sky coaches, 7th by media Last season: 7-4 overall, 6-2 in Big Sky (3rd) Starters returning: 15 (7 offense, 8 defense) Coach: Jody Sears (Washington State, ‘91), 18-26 entering fifth year at Sac St., 22-45 for career

Bottom Line Sacramento State skyrocketed from finishing ninth in the league in 2016 to third in 2017. They return 15 starters, including explosive wide receivers Andre Lindsey and Jaelin Ratliff, as well as preseason All-American safety Mister Harriel. Expect Sacramento State to be contenders this season.

Offense Sacramento State had two of the top wide receivers in the country last season with Lindsey and Ratliff. Lindsey led the country in yards per reception, averaging 30.24 yards per catch and Ratliff was right behind him at No. 2 nationwide, bringing in 26.52 yards per catch. Both players return for their senior seasons this fall and look to elevate the Hornets’ receiving game. They’ll be finding the end zone, too, just like they did last year to bring Sacramento State’s scoring offense to the top of the league.

Defense Harriel will be a force to be reckoned with in the secondary after his breakout season last year. He led the team with 87 tackles and was second on the team in interceptions. But a defense consists of 11 guys, not one. That was noticeable

Missoulian, Saturday, August 25, 2018 — E7

WEBER STATE

last year. Sacramento State’s defense was among the top in the league, allowing just 408.0 yards per game and 29.7 points per game.

Notable: After Sacramento State’s successful season last year, Sears signed a multi-year extension.

Quotable: “When he first got here, we didn’t have a ton of talent and I didn’t know where to play him because he did everything really well. Shoot, we had him at receiver, running back and safety, but I’m very proud of the way he’s developed and the kind of player that he’s evolved into. — Sacramento State head coach Jody Sears on Mister Harriel.

Forecast: 2nd

by Big Sky coaches and media Last season: 11-3 overall, 7-1 in Big Sky (T-1st) Starters returning: 14 (7 offense, 7 defense) Coach: Jay Hill (Utah, ‘00), 26-23 entering fifth year at WSU and overall

Bottom Line The Wildcats’ 2017 campaign was one of the best seasons in school history for Weber State. The Wildcats ran out to the third round of the playoffs, falling in a very close game to eventual runner-up James Madison. Weber State was ranked No. 8 in the STATS FCS preseason poll. Expect the Wildcats and their five returning All-Americans to continue their success this season.

SOUTHERN UTAH Forecast: 6th

by Big Sky coaches and media Last season: 9-3 overall, 7-1 in Big Sky (T-1st) Starters returning: 14 (9 offense, 4 defense) Coach: Demario Warren (UC Davis ‘08), 15-8 in third year at Southern Utah and overall

Bottom Line Southern Utah shocked the Big Sky last season, winning the league in a tie with Weber State and advancing to the second round of the playoffs in what was the most successful season in Southern Utah history. The Thunderbirds return 11 All-Big Sky athletes, including first team offensive lineman Zach Larsen.

Offense Southern Utah’s offensive production was in the middle of the pack last season with an average of 33.6 points scored and 437.4 yards per game. But they’re without quarterback Patrick Tyler, who ran out of eligibility after last season.

TOMMY MARTINO, Missoulian

Montana’s Ellis Henderson nabs a 45-yard pass from Montana quarterback Chad Chalich over Weber State’s Taron Johnson in the second quarter Oct. 10, 2015, at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. league with Montana’s Bobby Hauck and Weber State’s Jay Hill.

Quotable: “They’ve got to come together as a group, all four guys have to work together. We have to be able to stop the pass. If we can stop the pass, the run is going to take care of itself. We’ve got to learn how to control our emotions, get out here and get to work as a whole secondary.” — SUU head coach Demario Warren on his youthful secondary.

UC DAVIS

Forecast: 9th

by Big Sky media and coaches Last season: 5-86 overall, 3-5 in Big Sky (8th) Defense Starters returnWarren’s defensive mind was definitely ing: 13 (7 offense, 6 defense) Coach: Dan Hawkins (UC Davis ‘84), at work last season as the Thunder5-6 entering second season at UC Davis, birds were near the top of the league 116-68-1 overall record in 16 seasons in interceptions, rushing defense and total defense. Defensive leaders Mike Bottom Line Needham, Taylor Nelson Taylor Pili, Chance Bearnson and Tyler Collet were Dan Hawkins is entering his second all seniors last season, so look for some season at his alma mater, and he has two youthful and inexperienced mistakes of the most talented offensive players in across the board on defense. the country, let alone the league, in his Notable: Southern Utah coach arsenal. Keelan Doss could have been Demario Warren is one of the youngest selected in the NFL Draft last season, but head coaches in Division I football at 32. he’s returning for his senior season. And Despite his youthfulness, Warren signed the quarterback who he has that increda contract extension in February. His ibly chemistry with, Jake Maier, is in his base salary is tied for the highest in the junior year.

Offense Wideout Keelan Doss led all Division I, not just the FCS, in receiving yards per game last season, hauling in an average of 136.3 yards per contest as a junior. He was also one yard shy of reaching 1,500 receiving yards — a mark good enough for second-most in the FCS. (The guy ahead of him played in three more games.) The guy throwing those passes, Jake Maier, racked up 3,669 yards passing in 11 games for an average of 333.5 per contest. Watch for these two ballers to continue their ways this season.

Defense UC Davis is without its leading tackler from last season in Ryan Bua who had 93 takedowns and three fumble recoveries as a senior. One silver lining among the returnees is junior Nas Anesi. As a sophomore, he had 65 tackles and four tackles for loss. There are a lot of questions here ahead of the season.

Notable: Keelan Doss’ first carry of his college career was a 42-yard touchdown run last season against Sacramento State.

Quotable: “You’ve gotta be able to do it all. I want to show people that I can do it all.” — UC Davis wide receiver Keelan Doss, who set single-season program records in receiving yards, receptions, and 100-yard receiving games (9) in 2017.

Offense Stefan Cantwell was an unknown last season, but he didn’t stay that way for long. Cantwell had nearly 3,000 passing yards and was second in the league in passing efficiency — as a senior. Jake Constantine has taken snaps with the ones during preseason practices, but nothing is set in stone at quarterback. Weber State does return three offensive All-Americans and two other All-Big Sky nominees, including first-team All-American Rashid Shaheed.

Defense Weber State is coming off a stellar defensive season. The Wildcats had the best scoring defense in the league, holding opponents to an average of 17.6 points per game in 2017. Their total defense led the league, too, allowing foes to rack up just 343.3 yards per game. Their rushing defense led the league. Their pass defense was second in the league. The list goes on. Leading tackler LeGrand Toia is back for 2018, but league interceptions leader Xequille Harry is not.

Notable: Hill and Co. face off against Hill’s alma mater, Utah, on Thursday, Aug. 30 at 6 p.m.

Quotable: “I’m excited about it. It will be fun. That’s such a special place to me and has been since I was a player a long time ago, and then I coached in a lot of games in that stadium.” — WSU head coach Jay Hill on playing against Utah.

— Compiled by Amie Just Amie Just covers Griz football for the Missoulian, among other things. Follow her on Twitter @Amie_Just or email her at Amie.Just@406mtsports.com.

E8 — Missoulian, Saturday, August 25, 2018

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d Prosuor of n o Sp zKidz Gri

‌‌MONTANA ROSTER

No. Name Year Pos. 2 Cam Humphrey R-So. QB 2 Gavin Robertson R-So. S 3 Justin Calhoun R-Jr. CB/WR 4 Nash Fouch Fr. S 4 Rey Green R-So. RB 5 Kobey Eaton R-Jr. CB 5 Garrett Graves Fr. QB 6 Keenan Curran Sr. WR 6 Jackson Pepe Fr. S 7 Dareon Nash R-So. CB 7 Gabe Sulser Fr. WR 8 Jeremy Calhoun Sr. RB 8 Lewis Cowans R-So. CB 9 Brennan Corbin R-So. TE 9 David Koppang Fr. S 10 Reid Miller Sr. S 11 Dalton Sneed R-Jr. QB 12 Caleb Hill Sr. TE 13 Josh Sandry R-Jr. S 13 Tanner Wilson R-Fr. QB 14 Seamus Hennessy Fr. QB 14 Michael McGinnis R-Fr. S 15 RETIRED IN HONOR OF DAVE DICKENSON 16 Jerry Louie-McGee R-Jr. WR 17 Wheeler Harris R-Fr. QB 17 Robby Hauck R-Fr. S 18 Samuel Akem R-So. WR 19 Malik Flowers R-Fr. WR 20 Gavin Crow R-So. CB 21 Lamarriel Taylor R-Jr. WR 22 RETIRED IN HONOR OF TERRY DILLON 23 Josh Egbo R-So. CB 24 Alijah Lee R-Sr. RB 25 Adam Eastwood R-Fr. RB 26 Terron Moses R-Fr. RB 27 Kadeem Hemphill R-Jr. CB 29 Nick Fouch So. WR 30 Evan Epperly R-Sr. S 30 Jackson Groff Fr. WR 31 Trase Le Texier R-So. FB 32 Drew Turner Fr. RB 33 Dante Olson R-Jr. LB 34 Jace Lewis R-So. LB 35 Eric Williams Sr. KP 36 Levi Janacaro Fr. FB 37 Jesse Sims R-Jr. DE 38 Caleb Mitchell R-So. LS/S 39 Brandon Purdy R-Jr. KP 41 Gabe Peppenger Jr. KP 42 Josh Buss R-Sr. LB 43 Jake Olsen Fr. TE 44 Randy Rodriguez R-So. DE 45 Vika Fa’atuiese R-Jr. FB/LB 46 Jed Nagler R-So. DE 47 Cole Rosling R-So. DE 48 Devin Maua R-So. DE 49 Matthew O’Donoghue R-So. LS 50 Cody Meyer R-Jr. OL 51 Cole Sain Fr. OL 52 Michael Matthews R-Fr. LB 53 Lorenzo Brown Fr. DE 54 Tyler Flink Fr. LB 55 Kyle Davis R-Sr. DT 56 Marcus Welnel R-Fr. LB 57 Shayne Cochran R-Sr. LB 58 Patrick O’Connell So. LB 59 Milton Mamula Fr. DE 60 Cody Hartsoch Fr. OT 61 Adam Wilson Jr. KP 62 Dylan Eickmeyer R-So. OG 63 Trevor Welnel Fr. OT 65 Gerrit Bloemendaal Fr. OL 66 Cy Sirmon R-Jr. OL/DT 67 Tyler Ganoung Fr. OL 68 Cody Kanouse Fr. OT 70 Skyler Martin R-Fr. OT 71 Payton Stoner So. OL 72 Conor Quick Fr. OL 73 Brandon Scott R-So. OT 74 Angel Villanueva R-Jr. OL 75 Sean Anderson Fr. OT 76 Colton Keintz R-Fr. OL 77 Dallas Hart R-Jr. OL 78 Conlan Beaver R-So. OT 79 Esai Longoria R-So. OL 80 Mitch Roberts R-Fr. WR 81 Matt Rensvold R-Fr. TE 82 Samori Toure R-So. WR 83 Nick Germer Fr. WR 84 Max Morris Fr. TE 85 Danny Burton So. WR 86 Colten Curry Fr. TE 87 Bryson Deming R-Fr. TE 88 Colin Bingham R-Jr. TE 89 Tim Semenza R-Jr. K 91 Eli Alford Fr. DT 92 Jace Schneider Fr. LB 93 Braydon Deming R-Fr. DE 94 Nathaniel Ferguson Fr. P 95 Andrew Harris R-Jr. DE 96 David Shaw Sr. DT 97 RJ Nelson R-Fr. DE 98 Alex Gubner Fr. DT 99 Reggie Tilleman R-Sr. DE

Hgt. 6-2 6-1 5-10 6-2 5-11 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-0 6-2 5-9 6-0 6-1 6-5 6-0 5-10 6-1 6-4 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-3

Wt. 192 222 176 192 205 180 196 200 196 190 161 210 195 240 200 208 207 241 210 210 182 205

Hometown Issaquah, Wash.

Auburn, Wash.

Long Beach, Calif.

Woodinville, Wash.

Vancouver, Wash.

Vancouver, Wash.

Eureka, Mont.

Federal Way, Wash.

Kalispell, Mont.

Covina, Calif.

Billings, Mont.

Long Beach, Calif.

Mission Viejo, Calif.

Anaheim, Calif.

Missoula, Mont.

Hollidaysburg, Pa. Scottsdale, Ariz.

Brenham, Tex. Bigfork, Mont.

Polson, Mont.

Corvallis, Ore. Sidney, Mont.

5-9 6-3 5-10 6-4 6-2 6-1 6-2

180 203 179 196 195 202 195

6-2 5-6 6-1 5-7 6-0 6-0 5-10 5-10 6-2 6-0 6-3 6-1 6-0 6-0 6-4 6-1 5-10 6-0 6-2 6-6 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-1 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-4 5-11 6-1 6-0 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-5 6-0 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-5 6-6 6-5 6-6 6-3 6-7 6-5 6-7 6-8 6-5 6-5 6-3 6-1 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-4 5-10 6-7 6-4 6-3 5-7 6-1 5-8 6-4 6-1 6-2 6-5 6-4 6-3 6-4

195 Gilbert, Ariz.

196 Los Angeles, Calif.

215 Del Mar, Calif.

171 Vian, Okla.

187 Chicago, Ill. 170 Woodinville, Wash.

197 Kalispell, Mont.

180 Phoenix, Ariz.

247 Boulder, Mont.

210 Kalispell, Mont.

237 Medford, Ore. 230 Townsend, Mont.

188 Missoula, Mont.

226 Missoula, Mont.

270 Stevensville, Mont.

187 North Bend, Wash.

176 Kalispell, Mont.

220 Missoula, Mont.

220 Boise, Idaho 210 Great Falls, Mont.

250 Peoria, Ariz.

230 Vista, Calif.

230 Whitefish, Mont.

250 Helena, Mont.

250 Billings, Mont.

255 Santa Ana, Calif.

282 San Marcos, Calif.

277 Bellflower, Calif.

210 Camas, Wash.

238 Las Vegas, Nev. 210 Missoula, Mont.

270 San Diego, Calif.

220 Helena, Mont.

225 Culbertson, Mont.

220 Kalispell, Mont.

216 Newtown Square, Penn.

284 Kalispell, Mont.

181 San Diego, Calif.

301 Tucson, Ariz.

247 Helena, Mont.

291 Great Falls, Mont.

272 Wenatchee, Wash.

336 Hillsboro, Ore. 335 Gig Harbor, Wash.

272 Vancouver, Wash.

282 San Diego, Calif.

273 Helena, Mont.

321 Owasso, Okla.

324 Duarte, Calif.

318 Litchfield Park, Ariz.

287 Missoula, Mont.

305 Cypress, Calif.

295 Fredericksburg, Va. 315 Caldwell, Idaho 191 Missoula, Mont.

235 Polson, Mont.

193 Portland, Ore. 190 Missoula, Mont.

219 Kalispell, Mont.

175 Helena, Mont.

215 Valier, Mont.

245 Billings, Mont.

245 Missoula, Mont.

150 San Diego, Calif.

285 Park City, Utah 176 Bellevue, Wash.

252 Billings, Mont.

234 Butte, Mont.

220 Kalispell, Mont.

290 Spring Grove, Pa. 231 Hillsboro, Ore. 295 West Hills, Calif.

265 Genesee, Idaho

LAST YEAR’S START MONTANA STARTING OFFENSE

WR 80 Josh Horner

QB 2 Gresch Jensen RB 8 Jeremy Calhoun

WR 6 Keenan Curran

LT 76 David Reese

LG 74 Angel Villanueva

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Mesa, Ariz.

Missoula, Mont.

Broken Arrow, Okla.

Fontana, Calif.

Kennewick, Wash.

Chula Vista, Calif.

C 72 Cooper Sprunk RG 75 Robert Luke

WR 9 Justin Calhoun

RT 51 Mike Ralston

WR 16 Jerry Louie-McGee

K 39 Brandon Purdy

MONTANA BACKUP OFFENSE

WR 17 Makena Simis

QB 12 Caleb Hill RB 24 Alijah Lee

WR 18 Samuel Akem

LT 67 Thayne Jackson.

LG 73 Brandon Scott C 50 Cody Meyer OR 62 Dylan Eickmeyer RG 77 Dallas Hart

WR 5 Kobey Eaton

K 89 Tim Semenza

RT 78 Conlan Beaver

Z WR 82 Samori Toure

Missoulian, Saturday, August 25, 2018 — E9

TERS AND BACKERS

a

Find it in the

HUNTING

September 23

MONTANA LOOKAHEAD

MONTANA STARTING DEFENSE

AMIE JUST 406mtsports.com‌ FCB 1 Markell Sanders

SS 13 Josh Sandry

OLB 36 James Banks DE 43 Chris Favoroso

MLB 10 Connor Strahm

NT 96 David Shaw DT 49 Jesse Sims

FS 30 Evan Epperly

OLB 42 Josh Buss

DE 37 Tucker Schye

MONTANA BACKUP DEFENSE

CB 8 Lewis Cowans SLB 33 Dante Olson

DE 44 Randy Rodriguez NT 92 Myles McKee-Osibodu DT 99 Reggie Tilleman DE 40 Cy Sirmon

CB 7 Dareon Nash

MLB 45 Vika Fa’atuiese

Forecast: 7th by Big Sky coaches, 4th by media. Ranked No. 24 in STATS FCS preseason Top 25.

Last season: 7-4 overall, 5-3 in Big Sky (T-3) Starters returning: 9 (3 offense, 6 defense) Coach: Bobby Hauck (Montana, ‘88), 80-17 in eighth* year at Montana, 95-67 for career. *2018 is the first year Hauck’s coached at Montana since 2009.

Bottom Line‌

P 35 Eric Williams

BCB 2 Ryan McKinley

Montana‌

SS 12 Korey Alexander

FS 5 Justin Strong

Montana will look incredibly different from last season. With a new head coach in Bobby Hauck and new coordinators in Timm Rosenbach and Kent Baer, all three phases of the game will be different. And many of the key players in all areas will be different. Of the four returning offensive starters, one is on the offensive line and two are wide receivers. Of the six returning defensive starters, the status of AllAmerican linebacker Josh Buss is undetermined at this time.

Offense‌ WLB 33 Dante Olson

Regardless of who starts at quarterback for Montana this season, they’ll be new to the program. Starting contenders Dalton Sneed and Cam Humphrey are both junior college transfers who’ve been at Division I FBS programs. The wide receivers/tight ends and running backs/fullbacks

rooms are deep with talent. But the offensive line will be the key. It’s a very young room with minimal experience. Whomever starts in the pocket might not have much time to make decisions to begin the season.

3015 Paxson next to Southgate Mall

Defense‌ Montana’s linebacking corps and cornerbacks group are thin, but the defensive line returns two starters with David Shaw and No. 37 Jesse Sims.

The line’s experience is a big plus for the defense.

As are the safeties. Montana added three safeties from Division I programs — Arkansas’ Reid Miller, Arizona’s Gavin Robertson and Northern Arizona’s Robby Hauck.

Paired with returning starters Evan Epperly and Josh Sandry, that part of the defensive backfield is loaded.

Notable: Of the 13 members of the football staff, only five were at Montana last season.

Quotable: “My expectation for us is to win championships here.

We’re going to do that.

The only variable is time.

I don’t know how long it’s going to take. I will have to get out on the field with our team to give you a more exact assessment of how long that’s going to take. But, we’re going to win championships here.” — Montana coach Bobby Hauck on his expectations.

Amie Just covers Griz football and Missoulaarea preps. Follow her on Twitter @Amie_Just or email her at Amie.

Just@406mtsports.com.

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E10 — Missoulian, Saturday, August 25, 2018

Hauck Continued from E2

friend except for one day of the year when we battle it out. Lot of great experience and leadership for sure.”

Barnum: “Professionalism.

He’s been FBS. He’s been to all the different levels of college football and he’s had success already. I know why they interview for head coaching jobs, I know why they say ‘Head coaching experience required’ because there’s so much that you learn in that first time. He’s already learned it at Montana.

He made a run at it back then.

I’m glad he’s back. I know Timm Rosenbach (Montana’s offensive coordinator). It’ll be a different, tactical game. But playing Montana, that’s not going to change.

You’ve got Griz Nation. They’re a proud program.”

Walsh: “Everybody has a lot of respect for Bobby. I think there’s a lot of mutual respect.

No offense to some of the guys who are newer coaches, but there was a group of us that became good friends. It’s a good atmosphere for college athletics because it broods the fact that, ‘I respect you. You respect me.’

The old thing about sportsmanship and those things. I think it’s created by getting to know people and know who they are as people as well as coaches. I’ve gotten to know Bobby over the years and I have a lot of respect for him, not only as a football coach but as a person, a family man, a father.”

Warren: “He has a ton of experience and a ton of winning.

He adds a winning culture. You have him and Dan Hawkins who have won, I don’t know how many games now. Getting to compete against those type of coaches and you have Tim Walsh who’s another guy that’s been around. Paul Petrino.

There’s some great coaches in this conference and now Jay Hill is coming up as one of the new, young coaches. Each week you’re getting a chance to challenge yourself against the latest schemes, the best schematic coaches, the best

Montana head coach Bobby Hauck leaps into the air following a play in Montana’s game against Sacramento State in 2006. game-management coaches.

It’ll be exciting to see him, along with the other coaches in the conference.”

Hawkins: “I think it’s great.

He brings a lot of credibility. He has a great resume, strong ties to Montana. Then you have Paul Petrino coming in as well. The experience level, the success level, the credentials, it ups the whole league. You start looking

around here, there’s darn good coaches with darn good resumes in this league.”

Choate: “I think there’s a lot of exceptional coaches in this league. The league’s very different than when Coach Hauck was here originally. I think it’ll be interesting to see how the changes within the conference maybe affect him more. I don’t think he’s going to be any

different. I think he is who he is.

He’s got a success track record at that university and knows the brand of football he wants to play and how he wants to go about his business.”

Petrino: “He’s won in this league before, so he knows how to get it done. He’s had experience. He has a bunch of Montana ties, so that’s going to help greatly in recruiting.

TOM BAUER, Missoulian

Everyone knows his family in that state. He’s going to bring all sorts of experience and ties in all aspects. The Grizzlies are really lucky to have him back and he’s going to do a great job there.”

Amie Just covers Griz football and Missoula-area preps. Follow her on Twitter @ Amie_Just or email her at Amie.

Just@406mtsports.com.

Missoulian, Saturday, August 25, 2018 — E11

GRIZZLY GAME DAY

Hauck quotes: Montana coach talks coaching, camp ahead of 2018 season lot into this. It’s pretty encompassing to their days, weeks and years. That’s hard on them.”

AMIE JUST 406mtsports.com‌

‌When Bobby Hauck was hired to be Montana’s next football coach in December, he vowed to be a positive example for the community and also to bring Montana football back to dominance.

Hauck’s first stint at Montana was chock full of victories and on-the-field success. But it’s been nearly 10 years since the Big Timber product skippered the Grizzlies.

Camp entered its second week on Monday with an off day. But the team is slowly working at getting back to the “dominance” Montana fans were witness to in the 2000s.

Montana hasn’t won a Big Sky Championship since 2011, but that title was vacated. The last time Montana won a title the league recognizes was in 2009 — Hauck’s last season with UM. Following are quotes Hauck offered about his football team both at the Big Sky Kickoff media event in July and through the first week of camp. The No. 24 Griz begin their season at home on Sept. 1 against No. 13 Northern Iowa.

On Idaho being back in the league:‌ “I think it’s great. I think it makes the league much more competitive. I picked them No. 1. They’ve been recruiting to an FBS-level program for the last however many years. I think they’re going to be really good and be a real challenge to anybody in this league to try to beat them.”

On redshirts and the new redshirt rule:‌

On redshirts: “Right now we don’t have any thought on that. None of them are redshirting at this point. They get a chance to compete like everybody else.

Obviously they start behind. It’s just their situation with the other guys haven’t had spring ball and such. But nobody’s redshirting at this point.”

On the redshirt rule: “We’ll see how that plays out. I’m not sure how that’s going to work. I’ve got some thoughts on it. As for any new, sorta drastic rule change we all figure that out after we go through a cycle.”

On camp:‌

On “Return to Dominance“ slogan:‌ “The goal at Montana is to win championships. Period.”

On his coaching philosophy:‌ “To summarize in a brief answer, my coaching philosophy is to develop four core values: Toughness, discipline, work ethic and character. Everything else takes care of itself.”

On his coaching staff:‌ “You have to have cohesion. In order to have cohesion, people have to check their egos at the door. We have to work together to achieve. If you do that, then you’re going to have a good coaching staff. We’re going to do that. We’re on our way. We’re enjoying each other’s company and expertise and it’s been a lot of fun.”

MICHAEL GALLACHER, Missoulian

Running back Lex Hilliard gets a hug from former Montana coach Bobby Hauck after a three-touchdown day in a 2007 win over Montana State in Bozeman.

On offensive coordinator Timm Rosenbach: “He’s a real bright guy. He has a good way with the players. He knows football in and out. He grew up in a football household. His dad coached here, among other places. His own experience has been great. And the familiarity of working together. I knew that was going to be a good match. I’m just pleased he agreed to give up a head coaching job to come join us.”

That’s what gives us a chance. We don’t have to completely re-start because everybody’s been receptive. Otherwise you have to start all over, play all young guys. That’s not ever productive.”

On the senior class and them having three different head coaches:‌

“It’s a small class. There aren’t very many of them. I think that’s common in that situation. They’re quality guys.

Frankly, I have a lot of respect for our seniors because they’ve been so receptive On what he likes about his players, so far:‌ and willing to listen and do what we’re asking them to do.

“The attitude is what I like. They’re “It’s a difficult thing. These guys put a receptive to what we’ve been pushing.

On Day 1: “We spent some time diagnosing what we thought would be the exact, appropriate amount of plays, practices, periods to work before the first game. That being said, we need every minute. It’s going to be urgent. We just need to get ready to get to work and get ready for September.”

On Day 5: “It’s an evolution. We have to come to work every day. We have to improve every day. We don’t want to be out here trying to survive. We want to be out here trying to improve and the days that we don’t have as good of day, we’re kind of in survival mode and the days we have better days, everybody’s trying to improve.”

Amie Just covers Griz football and Missoula-area preps. Follow her on Twitter @Amie_Just or email her at Amie.

Just@406mtsports.com.

E12 — Missoulian, Saturday, August 25, 2018

BY THE NUMBERS 3‌

Three Big Sky Conference teams kick off their seasons on Thursday. The first league team to get 2018 underway is No. 8 Weber State. The Wildcats play at Utah at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

Montana State hosts Western Illinois at 7 p.m. and UC Davis travels to San Jose State, starting at 8 p.m.

136.3‌ Average number of receiving yards recorded per game

by UC Davis’ Keelan Doss last season. That was top mark in not just the FCS, but among all Division I players.

30.24‌ Average number of yards per catch hauled in by Sacramento State’s Andre Lindsey last season. That was the top mark for any wide receiver among the FCS ranks.

23,535‌ Average home attendance for Montana last season.

Despite being down by an average of 1,842 people from 2016, that was the highest in the Football Championship Subdivision. James Madison checked in at No. 2 with an average home attendance of 21,724.

3‌ Number of Big Sky Conference teams in the STATS FCS Top 25. Weber State has the highest preseason ranking at No. 8, followed by Eastern Washington at No. 10 and Montana at No. 24.

97‌ Career football games at Montana for coach Bobby Hauck. And only two of those games were at home losses during the regular season.

— Compiled by Amie Just

KURT WILSON, Missoulian

Montana running back Jeremy Calhoun goes over the top of Weber State’s Adam Rodriguez before being upended during a run. Calhoun had 66 yards on 17 carries in 2017.

GRIZZLY GAME DAY

Missoulian, Saturday, August 25, 2018 — E13

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E14 — Missoulian, Saturday, August 25, 2018

GRIZZLY GAME DAY | MATCHUPS

BIG SKY STATISTICS ‌2017 BY THE NUMBERS ‌‌MONTANA (7-4)

Griz Opp Scoring average 35.0 29.0 Rushing yards 1648 1865 Avg./Rush 3.7 4.1 Passing 252-416-16 216-391-16 Passing yards 3361 2778 Average per pass 8.1 7.1 Total offense 5009 4643 Average per play 5.8 5.5 3rd-down conv.

74-179 65-172 Time of possession 27:40 32:20 Fumbles-lost 15-10 12-7 Kick returns 46-18.0 59-20.6 Punt returns 21-7.4 10-13.2 Punting 53-40.1 68-36.2 Sacks by-yards 40-293 20-111 Montana 93 113 85 94 - 385 Opponents 64 102 59 94 - 319

‌OFFENSIVE LEADERS

‌Rushing *Jeremy Calhoun 158-684 (4.3 ypc.), long 24, 7 TDs *Alijah Lee 131-509 (3.9 ypc.), long 33, 6 TDs Gresch Jensen 53-203 (3.8 ypc.), long 22, 6 TDs Makena Simis 22-105 (4.8 ypc.), long 12, 1 TD Treshawn Favors 24-67 (2.8 ypc.), long 14, 1 TD ‌Passing Jensen 177-294-10, 2531 yards, long 81, 20 TDs Reese Phillips 57-80-3, 652 yards, long 63, 4 TDs Caleb Hill 12-23-2, 134 yards, long 29 Simis 6-15-1, 44 yards, long 33 ‌Receiving *Jerry Louie-McGee 50-645 (12.1 ypc.), long 64, 3 TDs *Keenan Curran 38-803 (21.1 ypc.), long 66, 7 TDs *Justin Calhoun 32-505 (15.8 ypc.), long 56, 4 TDs *Samori Toure 31-553 (17.8 ypc.), long 81, 5 TDs *Lee 23-130 (5.7 ypc.), long 19 Josh Horner 22-218 (9.9 ypc.), long 29, 1 TD *Samuel Akem 18-207 (11.5 ypc.), long 41, 2 TDs *Je. Calhoun 13-84 (6.5 ypc.), long 17 Simis 12-112 (9.3 ypc.), long 23, 2 TDs

‌DEFENSIVE LEADERS

‌Tackles LB James Banks 111, 39 unassisted *LB Josh Buss 94, 50 unassisted LB Connor Strahm 88, 42 unassisted DE Tucker Schye 54, 29 unassisted *S Josh Sandry 49, 25 unassisted CB Ryan McKinley 48, 31 unassisted DE Chris Favoroso 44, 20 unassisted *DT Jesse Sims 43, 12 unassisted S Justin Strong 41, 26 unassisted *LB Dante Olson 38, 16 unassisted *S Evan Epperly 36, 17 unassisted CB Markell Sanders 28, 15 unassisted ‌Tackles for loss DE Schye 15.5-75 LB Strahm 11.0-35 LB Banks 15.5-49 *DT Sims 6.0-25 *LB Buss 13.5-74 *DT Rodriguez 5.0-36 DE Favoroso 13.0-58 *DT David Shaw 3.5-14 ‌Sacks DE Schye 8.5-57 *DT Rodriguez 3.0-28 DE Favoroso 6.0-42 *DT Tilleman 1.5-11 *LB Buss 5.5-53 *DT Shaw 1.5-12 *DT Sims 3.5-17 LB Strahm 1.5-12 ‌Interceptions S Strong 3-116, 1 TD *S Epperly 2-(-6) *S Sandry 3-114, 1 TD S Korey Alexander 1-55 CB Markell Sanders 1-9 CB McKinley *WR Curran 1-2 2-58, 1 TD *S Dareon Nash 1-0 *LB Buss 2-21 ‌Fumbles forced-recovered DE Schye 3-3 *LB Shayne *DT Rodriguez 0-1 Cochran 1-0 LB Strahm 1-1 S Korey Alexander 1-0 *S Sandry 1-1 LB Banks 0-1 DE Favoroso 1-0

CB McKinley 13 *LB Buss 5 *S Nash 5

‌Pass breakups CB Sanders 4 *S Epperly 3 DE Schye 3

‌SPECIAL TEAMS LEADERS

‌PATs/Field goals *Brandon Purdy 44-47/15-17, long 47, 89 points ‌Punting *Eric Williams 53-40.1, long 58, 19 inside 20 ‌Punt returns *Louie-McGee 20-150 (7.5 ypr.) long 48, 1 TD *Olson 1-6 ‌Kickoff returns *Toure 21-379 (18.0 ypr.) long 31 *Kobey Eaton 12-217 (18.1 ypr.) long 28 *Louie-McGee 6-151 (25.2 ypr.), long 42 *Gavin Crow 2-27 (13.5 ypr.), long 20 McCombs 2-32 (13.5 ypr.), long 20 *Je. Calhoun 1-1 Banks 1-17 Schye 1-4 *=RETURNING FOR 2017-18

‌ BIG SKY TEAM LEADERS

‌Total Offense

G Plays Yds Yds Pg UC Davis 11 855 5,332 484.7 Eastern Wash.

11 839 5,244 476.7 Southern Utah 11 895 5,010 455.5 Montana 11 860 5,009 455.4 Northern Ariz.

11 874 4,932 448.4 Sacramento St. 11 745 4,860 441.8 Idaho St. 11 823 4,784 434.9 Portland St. 11 857 4,719 429.0 Weber St. 11 757 4,493 408.5 Montana St. 11 720 4,366 396.9 Northern Colo. 10 664 3,866 386.6 North Dakota 11 713 4,247 386.1 Cal Poly 11 843 3,873 352.1 ‌Rushing Offense

G Car RuYD Tds Yds Pg Montana St. 11 482 2,744 20 249.5 Cal Poly 11 668 2,549 16 231.7 Sacramento St. 11 496 2,484 26 225.8 Weber St. 11 468 2,161 24 196.5 Southern Utah 11 488 1,986 28 180.5 Idaho St. 11 476 1,962 19 178.4 North Dakota 11 386 1,895 17 172.3 Portland St. 11 415 1,866 18 169.6 Eastern Wash. 11 388 1,719 20 156.3 Montana 11 444 1,648 21 149.8 UC Davis 11 383 1,501 18 136.5 Northern Ariz. 11 397 1,498 18 136.2 Northern Colo. 10 307 1,057 13 105.7 ‌Passing Offense

G Att Cp InL Yds Tds Yds Pg UC Davis 11 472 318 10 3,831 29 348.3 Eastern Wash. 11 451 278 14 3,525 29 320.5 Northern Ariz. 11 477 273 7 3,434 23 312.2 Montana 11 416 252 16 3,361 24 305.5 Northern Colo. 10 357 195 12 2,809 19 280.9 Southern Utah 11 407 260 15 3,024 21 274.9 Portland St. 11 442 231 14 2,853 17 259.4 Idaho St. 11 347 198 11 2,822 22 256.5 Sacramento St. 11 249 131 5 2,376 22 216.0 North Dakota 11 327 184 13 2,352 12 213.8 Weber St. 11 289 178 7 2,332 20 212.0 Montana St. 11 238 121 9 1,622 16 147.5 Cal Poly 11 175 81 7 1,324 10 120.4 ‌Scoring Offense

G FG Pts Avg Sacramento St. 11 14 414 37.6 Weber St. 11 16 393 35.7 Southern Utah 11 12 390 35.5 Montana 11 15 385 35.0 Eastern Wash. 11 10 379 34.5 UC Davis 11 8 370 33.6 Northern Ariz. 11 12 353 32.1 Idaho St. 11 9 309 28.1 Northern Colo. 10 11 278 27.8 Montana St. 11 5 278 25.3 North Dakota 11 15 277 25.2

Portland St. Cal Poly

11 3 256 23.3 11 7 203 18.5 ‌Total Defense

G Plays Yds Yds Pg Weber St. 11 712 3,720 338.2 Northern Ariz.

11 773 4,147 377.0 Montana St. 11 821 4,476 406.9 Sacramento St. 11 844 4,488 408.0 Southern Utah 11 803 4,525 411.4 Montana 11 848 4,643 422.1 Cal Poly 11 706 4,755 432.3 North Dakota 11 811 4,984 453.1 UC Davis 11 824 5,053 459.4 Eastern Wash.

11 892 5,114 464.9 Northern Colo. 10 806 4,747 474.7 Idaho St. 11 817 5,344 485.8 Portland St. 11 798 5,426 493.3 ‌Rushing Defense

G Car Yds TD Yds Pg Weber St. 11 345 1,290 8 117.3 Cal Poly 11 358 1,527 11 138.8 Southern Utah 11 378 1,599 22 145.4 Sacramento St. 11 437 1,701 20 154.6 Montana St. 11 433 1,842 20 167.5 Montana 11 457 1,865 18 169.5 North Dakota 11 468 2,064 27 187.6 Eastern Wash. 11 492 2,119 28 192.6 Idaho St. 11 471 2,269 21 206.3 Northern Ariz. 11 476 2,284 24 207.6 UC Davis 11 483 2,308 21 209.8 Northern Colo. 10 506 2,480 21 248.0 Portland St. 11 519 2,846 36 258.7 ‌Team Passing Efficiency Defense

G Att Cp DInt Yds Tds Pts Weber St. 11 367 188 16 2,430 12 108.92 Northern Ariz. 11 297 166 16 1,863 11 110.03 Southern Utah 11 425 248 14 2,926 14 120.47 Montana 11 391 216 16 2,778 18 121.93 Montana St. 11 388 241 5 2,634 11 125.92 Sacramento St. 11 407 247 14 2,787 20 127.54 Eastern Wash. 11 400 242 6 2,995 21 137.72 Northern Colo. 10 300 185 11 2,267 20 139.81 UC Davis 11 341 193 9 2,745 24 142.16 North Dakota 11 343 228 10 2,920 21 152.36 Portland St. 11 279 169 6 2,580 18 155.24 Idaho St. 11 346 221 8 3,075 27 159.65 Cal Poly 11 348 226 7 3,228 30 167.29 ‌Scoring Defense

G Saf Pts Avg Weber St. 11 0 183 16.6 Montana St. 11 0 275 25.0 Southern Utah 11 0 306 27.8 Northern Ariz. 11 0 315 28.6 Montana 11 0 319 29.0 Sacramento St. 11 1 327 29.7 Cal Poly 11 0 352 32.0 UC Davis 11 1 354 32.2 Eastern Wash. 11 0 367 33.4 Northern Colo. 10 1 341 34.1 North Dakota 11 0 381 34.6 Idaho St. 11 1 391 35.5 Portland St. 11 0 473 43.0 ‌Net Punting

G Yds Punts Net Montana St. 11 142 50 39.04 Weber St. 11 86 47 38.81 Eastern Wash.

11 42 50 38.24 Cal Poly 11 105 70 38.23 Southern Utah 11 140 62 37.44 North Dakota 11 90 52 37.29 Northern Colo.

10 70 59 36.53 Montana 11 132 53 36.11 Northern Ariz.

11 227 51 34.84 Idaho St. 11 149 64 34.78 Sacramento St. 11 134 75 33.03 UC Davis 11 259 54 32.50 Portland St. 11 166 60 31.88 ‌Kickoff Returns

G No KRYd Avg Weber St. 11 32 805 25.16 Eastern Wash.

11 37 899 24.30 UC Davis 11 45 978 21.73 Southern Utah 11 31 650 20.97 Northern Ariz.

11 26 545 20.96

Sacramento St. 11 35 725 20.71 North Dakota 11 52 1,062 20.42 Portland St. 11 73 1,385 18.97 Idaho St. 11 32 604 18.88 Cal Poly 11 38 700 18.42 Montana 11 46 827 17.98 Montana St. 11 28 492 17.57 Northern Colo.

10 34 591 17.38 ‌Punt Returns

G PRYd Yds Avg North Dakota 11 11 204 18.55 Weber St. 11 26 349 13.42 Portland St. 11 10 88 8.80 Southern Utah 11 22 183 8.32 UC Davis 11 24 181 7.54 Montana 11 21 156 7.43 Idaho St. 11 10 73 7.30 Northern Ariz.

11 19 132 6.95 Eastern Wash.

11 17 116 6.82 Northern Colo.

10 15 88 5.87 Montana St. 11 12 53 4.42 Sacramento St. 11 14 39 2.79 Cal Poly 11 10 14 1.40

‌BIG SKY INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

‌Leading Rushers

G Car RuYD Tds Yds Pg Mohamed,CalPly 11 267 1,165 4 105.9 Murray,MontSt 11 191 1,124 10 102.2 Madison,Ida.St 10 185 933 5 93.3 Felila,SoUtah 9 174 694 8 77.1 Custer Jr,E Wash 11 157 776 10 70.5 Flanagan,Ida.St 9 125 634 11 70.4 Young,N.Ariz 11 132 739 8 67.2 Santiago,NDak 11 119 717 5 65.2 Calhoun,Montna 11 158 684 7 62.2 Garrett,WebrSt 11 120 671 6 61.0 Logan,N.Ariz 11 136 650 6 59.1 Riek,NoColo 9 131 523 6 58.1 Oliveira,NDak 11 111 637 3 57.9 Williams,UCDvis 11 131 607 8 55.2 Green,SoUtah 11 124 595 13 54.1 ‌Leading Passers

G Att Cp InL Yds Tds Pts Cantwell,WebrSt 11 262 165 5 2,255 18 154.1 Maier,UCDvis 11 446 306 10 3,669 26 152.5 Jensen,Montna 10 294 177 10 2,531 20 148.2 Gueller,Ida.St 11 325 188 9 2,754 22 145.8 Gubrud,E Wash 10 422 261 12 3,342 26 143.0 Tyler,SoUtah 10 344 224 12 2,667 20 142.5 Cookus,N.Ariz 11 433 253 5 3,235 21 134.9 Studsrud,NDak 10 257 153 11 1,887 8 122.9 Murray,MontSt 11 233 120 9 1,597 15 122.6 Regan,NoColo 9 182 91 6 1,305 10 121.8 ‌Receiving Yards Per Game

G Ct ReYd RecYD Doss,UCDvis 11 115 1,499 136.3 Marks,N.Ariz 10 71 1,170 117.0 Wesley,NoColo 10 55 1,010 101.0 Gueller,Ida.St 9 36 871 96.8 Sblendori,E Wash 11 72 912 82.9 Curran,Montna 11 38 803 73.0 Adams,PortSt 10 44 705 70.5 Lindsey,Sac.St 11 25 756 68.7 Dean,Ida.St 11 52 754 68.5 Ratliff,Sac.St 10 25 663 66.3 Webster,E Wash 11 59 693 63.0 Taumoepea,PortSt 11 45 673 61.2 Wanzek,NDak 11 52 648 58.9 Riley,PortSt 11 55 647 58.8 Louie-McG,Montna 11 50 645 58.6 Preece,UCDvis 10 36 568 56.8 Stephens,NoColo 9 27 500 55.6 ‌Total Offense

G Plays Yds Yds Pg Gubrud,E Wash 10 504 3,578 357.8 Maier,UCDvis 11 492 3,648 331.6 Tyler,SoUtah 10 437 2,978 297.8 Cookus,N.Ariz 11 478 3,216 292.4 Jensen,Montna 10 347 2,734 273.4 Gueller,Ida.St 11 412 2,861 260.1 Murray,MontSt 11 424 2,721 247.4 Cantwell,WebrSt 11 395 2,655 241.4 Studsrud,NDak 10 336 2,100 210.0

Regan,NoColo

9 204 1,304 144.9 ‌Field Goals

G FG FGA Pct PG Tuttle,WebrSt 11 16 19 .000 1.45 Purdy,Montna 11 15 17 .000 1.36 Taubenhei,NDak 11 15 19 .000 1.36 Medeiros,Sac.St 11 14 17 .000 1.27 Root,NoColo 10 11 14 .000 1.10 Berz,SoUtah 11 12 16 .000 1.09 Roehler,N.Ariz 11 12 19 .000 1.09 Alcobenda,E Wash 11 10 15 .000 .91 O’Rourke,UCDvis 11 8 11 .000 .73 Sublette,CalPly 11 7 9 .000 .64 Peppenger,MontSt 9 5 8 .000 .56 ‌Scoring

G PAT A FG FGA Pts Avg Tuttle,WebrSt 11 44 16 19 97 8.8 Medeiros,Sac.St 11 53 14 17 94 8.5 Purdy,Montna 11 47 15 17 89 8.1 Flanagan,Ida.St 9 0 0 0 66 7.3 Green,SoUtah 11 0 0 0 78 7.1 Roehler,N.Ariz 11 45 12 19 77 7.0 Taubenhei,NDak 11 32 15 19 77 7.0 Alcobenda,E Wash 11 47 10 15 76 6.9 Berz,SoUtah 11 45 12 16 76 6.9 Custer Jr,E Wash 11 0 0 0 72 6.5 O’Rourke,UCDvis 11 47 8 11 70 6.4 Root,NoColo 10 31 11 14 63 6.3 Murray,MontSt 11 0 0 0 66 6.0 ‌Interceptions Per Game

G InG Yds TD IPG Aguirre,Ida.St 11 5 43 0 .5 Terrell,Sac.St 11 5 20 0 .5 Preator,WebrSt 10 4 60 1 .4 Doubs,SoUtah 11 4 46 1 .4 Johnson,N.Ariz 11 4 90 1 .4 Johnson,WebrSt 9 3 59 0 .3 Swopes,NoColo 10 3 16 0 .3 Collet,SoUtah 11 3 0 0 .3 Culberson,UCDvis 11 3 26 0 .3 Davison,N.Ariz 11 3 46 1 .3 Dorsey,N.Ariz 11 3 3 0 .3 Harriel,Sac.St 11 3 8 0 .3 Harry,WebrSt 11 3 64 0 .3 Lewis,E Wash 11 3 0 0 .3 Russell,SoUtah 11 3 32 0 .3 Sandry,Montna 11 3 114 1 .3 ‌Punt Returns

G PRYd Yds Avg Harry,WebrSt 11 16 301 18.8 Louie-McG,Montna 11 20 150 7.5 Measom,SoUtah 11 17 126 7.4 Eagle,E Wash 11 17 116 6.8 Thomas,UCDvis 11 22 148 6.7 Onic,NoColo 10 13 62 4.8 Hennie,Sac.St 11 14 39 2.8 ‌Kickoff Returns

G No KRYd Avg Shaheed,WebrSt 11 17 539 31.7 Modise,UCDvis 11 19 534 28.1 Dorton,E Wash 10 22 603 27.4 Marks,N.Ariz 10 12 279 23.3 Santiago,NDak 11 35 766 21.9 Capoocia,Sac.St 10 12 259 21.6 Dotson,Sac.St 11 19 403 21.2 Dawson,PortSt 11 54 1,064 19.7 Toure,Montna 11 21 379 18.0 Yancy,Ida.St 11 23 412 17.9 Burgess,MontSt 11 24 426 17.8 Deggs,NoColo 9 18 313 17.4 ‌Punting

G Punts Avg Dascalo,E Wash 11 47 42.6 Padmos,MontSt 9 39 42.5 Arnson,N.Ariz 10 37 41.6 Miller,SoUtah 11 62 41.3 Cheney,Ida.St 11 61 40.9 DeMaio,WebrSt 11 44 40.8 Sublette,CalPly 11 69 40.3 Williams,Montna 11 53 40.1 Dussold,NDak 11 52 39.8 Glau,NoColo 10 56 38.5 Cowden,PortSt 10 50 38.2 Cuzzopoli,Sac.St 11 72 36.8

Missoulian, Saturday, August 25, 2018 — E15 Missoulian, Saturday, August 26, 2017 — E19

GRIZ TRIVIA 1. Only once has a Montana player ‌1. Bobby HauckPayton isn’t the only coach earned the Walter Award as the to lead the Grizzlies twoyear separate offensive player ofinthe on thestints.

FCS Who other level.was Whothe was it? coach? a) Dahlberg A. George Marc Mariani b) Read B. Don Ellis Henderson c) C. Doug JustinFessenden Green d) D. Mick DaveDelaney Dickenson 2. Bobby Hauck’s first as Who was the last Biggame Sky Conference Montana’s head coach yearsas ago. player to earn the Jerrywas Rice15 Award the Who was the opponent and what was top freshman on the FCS level? result?

A. QB Vernon Adams, Eastern Washington a) to NorthKupp, Dakota State,Washington 25-24 B. Loss WR Cooper Eastern b) at Maine, 30-20Northern Arizona C. Win QB Case Cookus, c) overLevi Sam Houston State,Washington 38-14 D. Win QB Bo Mitchell, Eastern d) Win over Idaho, 41-28 3. Who holds the record for Big Sky 3. What iscoaching Bobby Hauck’s Conference wins atregular 112? season home record?

A. Chris Ault, Nevada a) B. 43-0 Don Read, Montana b) C. 37-0 Tim Walsh, Cal Poly/Portland State c) D. 35-6 Jerome Souers, Northern Arizona d) 41-2 Answers: 1. D, 2. C, 3. D.

Answers: 1.c 2.b 3.d

GRIZZLY GAME DAY

E16 — Missoulian, Saturday, August 25, 2018

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