Grizzly Game Day by Missoulian

NO. 15 MONTANA AT WESTERN ILLINOIS • KICKOFF: 2 P.M. MT • TV: ESPN+ • SATURDAY, SEPT. 15, 2018

A JOURNEYMAN’S Reid Miller making most of 1 year with Grizzlies

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TOMMY MARTINO, Missoulian

Q&A: MICHAEL MCGINNIS • PICKS: THE STAFF PICKS THE BIG SKY • THE EDGE: JUST GIVES THE NOD TO ...

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E2 — Missoulian, Saturday, September 15, 2018

GRIZZLY GAME DAY | GRIZZLY Q&A

A ‘dream come true’

Eastern Montanan McGinnis relishes time as Grizzly want to see those come through this weekend.” Q: What’s it like playing for Hauck? ‌Redshirt freshman safety “It’s awesome. It’s like a Michael McGinnis has only dream come true in a way played football for a few years, because I’ve been a Griz fan my but his Griz fandom dates back whole life. I watched his past to his elementary school days. coaching when he was here. It McGinnis, of Sidney, grew was awesome to know that we up watching Shann Schillinger were going to win pretty much make a name for himself at all the time. Every Saturday Montana at the safety position. Nearly a decade later, McGin- morning I’d wake up, turn on the game and know that coach nis is suiting up at Montana at Hauck would have the team safety and is learning the tricks ready to go. It’s kinda crazy to of the trade from both Schilthink now I’m playing for him linger and coach Bobby Hauck. and I’m playing for one of my McGinnis has played in both games so far this season, record- favorite players, which is coach ing two special teams tackles on Shann. It’s pretty awesome.” Q: What is your favorite punt returns against Drake. And he’s ready to help the No. spot around Missoula to 15 Grizzlies win this weekend on either get food, chill, etc.? “Honestly, I really, really like the road at Western Illinois. Kobe steakhouse. That is my Q: When did you start favorite place to go get food. playing football? I tried it one day after a game “My freshman year of high school. I wasn’t a big sports guy with my family in town and it was pretty awesome. Other than until then. I was only in swimthat, just hiking around. I don’t ming before that. I was a big know what my favorite trail swimmer. I loved swimming.” Q: What strokes did you do? is though.” Q: What’s the music “I did them all. I was in the you go to get pumped up IM, 200 IM, 50 fly, 100 free, 50 free. I tried them all, backstroke, before games? “Classic Kanye, Drake and old 100 back.” school Eminem.” Q: How long did Q: What are your hobbies you swim? outside of football? “Fifth or sixth grade until “Hunting, fishing. I just like my senior year. It kept me in shape. I love swimming. I really being outside. Anything outside. I’m a big tech guy. I like drones enjoyed it.” and all sorts of computer stuff, Q: What are you anything like that. That and initial thoughts on Westbeing outside. They’re kind of ern Illinois? the complete opposite things, “They’re a good team. We’re but I like them both.” excited to play them. We’re Q: Who’s your favorite excited to go on our first road professional athlete? trip and see how well we can “Marcus Mariota, easy. Marcus play on the road. We have a lot Mariota for sure. He’s the best of things to work on — a lot of example of a person I can think things to improve. So we really AMIE JUST 406mtsports.com‌

MICHAEL MCGINNIS No. 14 Year: Redshirt freshman Position: Safety Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 205 Hometown: Sidney Q: What does being a Grizzly mean to you? “It means definitely working as hard as you possibly can and doing everything the hard way. I think that sums it up pretty learn how to cook.” of, of an athlete and a person. good: doing everything the hard Q: Why No. 14? When he was at Oregon, his big“I don’t know. I just picked in it way and doing everything the gest offense was he got a speedright way.” high school and then when I got ing ticket. He wasn’t late to any Q: If you were deserted practices. He was the first one in, here they gave it to me so I just stuck with it. It was the only one on an island and you could the last one out. Great quarterleft in the jerseys when I was like bring three things with you, back, great person. He’s always what would they be? a freshman, so I just picked it.” looking to help people out. You “I’d try to bring a friend. Q: Who was your favorite always see him in the news doing Then I’d bring a water purifier Griz football player growgood things. Then on top of it because that’s going to be necing up? he’s an incredible athlete. He’s essary and then some flint and “Definitely coach Shann. He super fast, mobile quarterback. steel to start a fire.” Fun to play with on Madden and was pretty awesome to watch. Q: What would you do if the old NCAA game. He’s an all- I was here for the Appalachian you won the lottery? State game. It was the semifinal around awesome dude.” “Make sure it was invested to go to the national championQ: Any hidden talents? ship. It was super cold out, com- correctly and then buy that “I can cook all right.” pletely dumped snow at halftime. house on Flathead Lake, the Q: What’s your go-to, island. I’d buy that and live there It was awesome. I sat under the impressive dish? in the summers and then I’d live “I like making a steak and rice scoreboard and I remember all the plays from that game. It was in Big Sky in the winters. Those stroganoff with some mixed are my two favorite places, an awesome game. I’ve always veggies and roasted red potaFlathead and Big Sky.” liked safeties so coach Shann is toes. That’s what I like. I like to one of my favorite Griz players. know how to cook. It’s a good Amie Just covers Griz Also, I can’t leave out some of change up from the Food Zoo. I the hometown guys, Terran Hill- football and Missoula-area didn’t know how to cook at all preps. Follow her on Twitter @ esland and Jon Skinner. I liked until I got done being a freshman in the dorms. I was so tired those guys growing up. Everyone Amie_Just or email her at Amie. Just@406mtsports.com. of the Food Zoo that I wanted to knew who they were in Sidney.” REBECCA NOBLE, Billings Gazette

East safety Michael McGinnis (18) makes an airborne catch over West wide receiver Mitch Roberts (19) during the Montana EastWest Shrine Game at Rocky Mountain College in July 2017.

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E4 — Missoulian, Saturday, September 15, 2018

GRIZZLY GAME DAY | REID MILLER

A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

In roundabout way, appendectomy leads Reid Miller to Montana AMIE JUST 406mtsports.com‌

During Arkansas’ spring football slate earlier this year, safety Reid Miller tackled one of his fellow Razorback teammates. The right side of Miller’s abdomen hurt following the hit. Arkansas’ athletic training staff, who Miller said handled the situation great, initially chalked Miller’s pain up to “abdominal soreness.” The night following the hit, Miller couldn’t sleep. His side still hurt. The pain hadn’t subsided. “I was like, ‘I need to get something done here,” Miller recalled. Miller, now a senior safety at Montana, went in for a CT scan the following day to see if there were any underlying problems. Doctors found one. His appendix was about to explode. “They said, ‘Yeah it’s about to burst. We need to take you to the hospital and you need to have surgery tonight,’” Miller said. “I had surgery. It ruined my spring, but if that hadn’t happened, I might not have been here. I’m sorta glad it happened.” Miller sat out recovering from his appendectomy the rest of Arkansas’ spring. Unfortunately for Miller, it was an important time to make an impression. The previous See MILLER, Page E12 Montana safety Reid Miller runs away with a interception in the second half against Drake.

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E6 — Missoulian, Saturday, September 15, 2018

GRIZZLY GAME DAY

HOW WE SEE THE BIG SKY BILL SPELTZ 406mtsports.com‌

‌There’s a distinct pecking order when it comes to college football in Illinois. Two years of serving as beat writer for Southern Illinois Saluki football taught me that much. There’s Northwestern, Illinois, Northern Illinois, Southern Illinois, Illinois State ... Western Illinois is probably second-to-last on the list of Division I programs, just ahead of Eastern Illinois. I mention it just to put into context how much more important Grizzly football is to residents of this state. In last year’s home opener for the Leathernecks, they drew 5,600 fans. Montana drew five times that many for its opener two weeks ago. There is, however, a football tradition in Macomb that’s worth noting. It has nothing to do with the Leatherneck program. It has more to do with the Leatherneck facilities. For nine years the old St. Louis Rams held training camp at Western Illinois. One of those years was 1999 when Dick Vermeil’s St. Louis team, dubbed the “Greatest Show on Turf,” held camp there before going on to beat the Tennessee Titans in one of the most thrilling Super Bowls ever played. Maybe I’m just mentioning it because I’ll always be a fan of former Rams QB Kurt Warner. He went from working in a grocery store in Iowa in his 20s to guiding the Rams to a Super Bowl and later taking the Arizona Cardinals to the Super Bowl. I love that story. As for the Leathernecks, they’re 0-2 right now and no doubt hungry for their first win. But the Grizzlies have coach Bobby Hauck and a slippery QB in Dalton Sneed and it’s my belief they’ll find a way Saturday, despite a struggling offensive line.

BILL SPELTZ

KYLE HOUGHTALING

FRANK GOGOLA

AMIE JUST

16-2

17-1

15-3

17-1

24. Kyle: Griz 26, Leathernecks 23. Wagner College at Montana State: The Cats were humbled at South Dakota State last Saturday and then their coach headed to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy. Look for the Cats to bounce back this week, earning a close win over the Seahawks. Bill: MSU 24, Wagner 21. Amie: Montana State 40, Wagner 10. Frank: Montana State 28, Wagner 13. Kyle: Cats 28, Seahawks, 20. No. 23 UC Davis at Stanford: The Aggies made the FCS rankings this week. It’s going to be hard to stay there after this Saturday’s road debacle against the No. 9 Cardinal. Bill: Stanford 66, Davis 10. Amie: Stanford 60, UC Davis 24. Frank: Stanford 49, UC Davis 13. Kyle: Cardinal 48, Aggies 10. Sacramento State at Northern Colorado: Last Saturday’s solid performance at San Diego State is enough to make me give the nod to the Hornets in this one. They lost to the mighty Aztecs, 28-14. Bill: Hornets 35, Bears 28. Amie: Sacramento State 45, Northern Colorado 20. Frank: Sacramento No. 15 Montana at Western Illinois: State 31, Northern Colorado 17. Kyle: The Griz slipped a spot in the rankings Hornets 34, Bears 32. despite moving to 2-0 with a win over No. 6 Eastern Washington at Drake. That shows a lack of respect. My Washington State: This is going to be guess is they’ll have something to say good. Someone asked Cougs coach about it Saturday in Macomb. Montana Mike Leach to comment on Eagles QB will come in prepared and Montana will Gage Gubrud recently and the coach win. Bill: Montana 31, Western Illinois responded with, “Who?” You’re going 21. Amie: Montana 37, Western Illinois to find out Saturday, Leach, although I 21. Frank: Western Illinois 31, Montana have a hunch you already know about

him. I’ll give the Cougs the nod in a close one. Bill: Cougars 35, Eagles 31. Amie: Washington State 51, Eastern Washington 35. Frank: Washington State 34, Eastern Washington 28. Kyle: Cougars 45, Eagles 42. Southern Utah at Arizona: The Wildcats are starving for a win after losing to BYU and Houston. That’s going to make it tough for the Thunderbirds to sneak up on them. Bill: Wildcats 44, Thunderbirds 24. Amie: Arizona 45, Southern Utah 14. Frank: Arizona 35, Southern Utah 17. Kyle: Wildcats 35, Thunderbirds 27. College of Idaho at Portland State: Geez, College of Idaho. Really living dangerously there, Vikings. Bill: Vikings 24, COI 7. Amie: Portland State 12, College of Idaho 3. Frank: Portland State 20, College of Idaho 10. Kyle:

Vikings 60, Yotes 10. Idaho State at Cal: I’ve been noticing the Bengals have been scheduling these ridiculous money games with regularity in recent years. Maybe it would be better to just hold a bake sale. Bill: Cal 55, Bengals 6. Amie: Cal 45, Idaho State 20. Frank: Cal 42, Idaho State 17. Kyle: Golden Bears 42, Bengals 12. No. 20 Northern Arizona at Missouri State: I used to cover college baseball and football in Springfield, back when they were called the Southeast Missouri State Bears. There were lots of pawn shops with neon gun signs. Yikes. This one is going to be close and I’m picking the home team to upset the injury-riddled Jacks. Bill: Bears 24, Jacks 17. Amie: NAU 35, Missouri State 20 Frank: Missouri State 21, Northern Arizona 20. Kyle: Lumberjacks 34, Bears 26. No. 22 South Dakota at No. 11 Weber State: This is going to be a whole lot more interesting than, say, College of Idaho at Portland State. I’ll go with the Wildcats because the game is in Ogden. Bill: Weber 41, USD 35. Amie: Weber State 45, South Dakota 44. Frank: Weber State 35, South Dakota 31. Kyle: Coyotes 22, Wildcats 11. Bill Speltz is the Deputy Sports Editor of the Missoulian. Email him at bill. speltz@406mtsports.com.

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Missoulian, Saturday, September 15, 2018 — E7

GRIZZLY GAME DAY | STRENGTHS

THE EDGE Missoulian reporter AMIE JUST assesses the strengths of both teams

QUARTERBACK: Dalton Sneed’s two games at Montana have been red hot. The junior captain has completed 66 percent of his passes, thrown three touchdowns and passed for 526 yards. Western Illinois returns fifth-year senior Sean McGuire at quarterback. This season is his fourth at the starting position and he’s been a team captain since he was a sophomore. He’s also earned All-Missouri Valley honorable mention for the past two seasons.Through two games, McGuire has completed 65.7 percent of his passes for 440 yards with four touchdowns. He’s also thrown four interceptions. On the flip side, McGuire is very much a pocket passer. OFFENSIVE LINE: Montana’s offensive line is still young and has work to do and losing junior center Cody Meyer midway through the game last week didn’t help. Meyer isn’t on this week’s two-deep and sophomore offensive lineman Dylan Eickmeyer will be shifting over to center in the interim. Western Illinois’ line is also young. Three of its five starters are redshirt freshmen. One, the center, is a sophomore. The only player on the line with much experience is senior left tackle Drew Wagner. He’s played in 34 games dating back to 2015. RUNNING BACK/FULLBACK: Adam Eastwood finally broke free for a long, 37-yard score against Drake, but that touch made up a significant chunk of his 66 yards on the season. Alijah Lee still hasn’t seen much daylight, getting five carries for a gain of six yards. Western Illinois’ main rusher is Steve McShane. McShane has 18 carries for 104 net yards so far this season with one touchdown. Tate’s added seven carries for 77 yards and Norris has contributed 22 carries for 64 yards. WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END: Montana’s depth proved extremely beneficial against Drake after senior wideout Keenan Curran went down with an injury. Samuel Akem and Jerry LouieMcGee both stepped up in his absence. McGuire has done a good job spreading the ball around for Western Illinois, as 11 different offensive players have had at least one catch. The lion’s share of the receiving offense goes through McShane too. DEFENSIVE LINE: Montana’s starters and backups on its defensive line were dominant against Drake. The eight of them racked up 19 tackles, 3½ tackles for loss — 2½ of which were sacks — three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. Western Illinois’ two defensive ends and one nose tackle have made their presence known, but their numbers don’t necessarily reflect that. Khalen Saunders, a senior, leads the starting linemen in tackles with eight. Kyle Williams, a sophomore, has four, and Shabar Wilson, a sophomore, has two. LINEBACKERS: The Leathernecks play four linebackers, and they’re good. Quentin Moon, Zach Gilsan and Pete Swenson, are the top three tacklers for Western Illinois so far this season. The three of them combine for 50 of Western Illinois’ 124 tackles. Montana’s Dante Olson is the reigning STATS FCS national defensive player of the week and two-time reigning Big Sky defensive player of the week. And don’t forget about Josh Buss, who’s making his way back from injury. Montana’s linebackers aren’t to be trifled with. DEFENSIVE BACKS: Dareon Nash grabbed two interceptions against Drake, returning one for a touchdown. Reid Miller and Robby Hauck were tied for second for Montana in tackles with six. Miller also grabbed a pick of his own too. The list goes on. Zach Muniz, one of Western Illinois’ starting corners, has the Leathernecks’ lone interception of the season. He also has one of their three pass breakups. Strong safety Justin Fitzpatrick has the other two. SPECIAL TEAMS: Hard to top Tim Semenza’s efforts last week with two made field goals and six made PATs. Malik Flowers’ kick return game was something special to watch last week too. Tate’s on kickoff return duty for the Leathernecks and he’s racked up 114 yards on four returns. Not too shabby. INTANGIBLES: Montana is on the road for the first time this season and Western Illinois is at home at Hanson Field for the first time. But the Leathernecks averaged just 3,477 in home attendance last year — less than 25 percent of stadium capacity. Grizzly fans might gobble up those tickets, but the game is pretty far away.

No. 1 Bama flashing explosive passing game with Tagovailoa JOHN ZENOR Associated Press

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama can still send a number of talented tailbacks and bruising blockers at opposing defenses, but now they’ve got to be equally wary of the collection of wide receivers. The top-ranked Crimson Tide’s offense has produced bushels of yards and points — and a number of deep balls — in quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s first two starts. “We pride ourselves on running the football, but when we’re able to distribute the ball like we’ve been doing — everybody’s touching it, they don’t know who’s going to get it — it’s very tough to stop,” Tide tight end Irv Smith Jr. said. Alabama (2-0), which opens Southeastern Conference play Saturday night at Mississippi (2-0), has combined for 108 points and 1,118 yards in romps over Louisville and Arkansas State . Sure, better defenses await, but there’s little question this offense can be more diverse with Tagovailoa’s ability to spread the ball around, his accuracy downfield and his mobility. But it’s not all Tagovailoa. Two-year starter Jalen Hurts has played extensively in the first two games and passed for two touchdowns against Arkansas State. It also helps that the Tide has multiple receiving threats after Calvin Ridley accounted for about half the wide receivers’

“We pride ourselves on running the football, but when we’re able to distribute the ball like we’ve been doing — everybody’s touching it, they don’t know who’s going to get it — it’s very tough to stop.” Irv Smith Jr., Alabama tight end total catches last season. The result has been 12 catches of 20-plus yards already. Sophomores Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith and Henry Ruggs III and freshman Jaylen Waddle have all turned in big plays. So has Irv Smith, who already has six catches. “It’s a great unit and I think that’s really critical for us as an offense, is we don’t just have one really explosive guy that can make a lot of plays,” left tackle Jonah Williams said. “We have a whole plethora of them. That makes our job easier as an offense. It makes the defense’s job harder, trying to stop our running backs and defend all those receivers. It definitely poses a challenge for them.” The sophomore trio has ably filled in after the loss of Ridley, Cam Sims and Robert Foster:  Jeudy, a five-star recruit from south Florida, has 151 receiving yards and See ALABAMA, Page E13

E8 — Missoulian, Saturday, September 15, 2018

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GRIZZLY GAME D

Prosuodr of p S on idz GrizK

‌MONTANA ROSTER No. Name Year Pos. Hgt. Wt. Hometown 2 Cam Humphrey R-So. QB 6-2 192 Issaquah, Wash. 2 Gavin Robertson R-So. S 6-1 222 Auburn, Wash. 3 Justin Calhoun R-Jr. CB 5-10 176 Long Beach, Calif. 4 Nash Fouch Fr. S 6-2 192 Woodinville, Wash. 4 Rey Green R-So. RB 5-11 205 Vancouver, Wash. 5 Kobey Eaton R-Jr. CB 6-3 180 Vancouver, Wash. 5 Garrett Graves Fr. QB 6-3 196 Eureka, Mont. 6 Keenan Curran Sr. WR 6-2 200 Federal Way, Wash. 6 Jackson Pepe Fr. S 6-0 196 Kalispell, Mont. 7 Dareon Nash R-So. CB 6-2 190 Covina, Calif. 7 Gabe Sulser Fr. WR 5-9 161 Billings, Mont. 8 Jeremy Calhoun Sr. RB 6-0 210 Long Beach, Calif. 8 Lewis Cowans R-So. CB 6-1 195 Mission Viejo, Calif. 9 Brennan Corbin R-So. TE 6-5 240 Anaheim, Calif. 9 David Koppang Fr. S 6-0 200 Missoula, Mont. 10 Reid Miller Sr. S 5-10 208 Hollidaysburg, Pa. 11 Dalton Sneed R-Jr. QB 6-1 207 Scottsdale, Ariz. 12 Caleb Hill Sr. TE 6-4 241 Brenham, Tex. 13 Josh Sandry R-Jr. S 6-1 210 Bigfork, Mont. 13 Tanner Wilson R-Fr. QB 6-2 210 Polson, Mont. 14 Seamus Hennessy Fr. QB 6-2 182 Corvallis, Ore. 14 Michael McGinnis R-Fr. S 6-3 205 Sidney, Mont. 15 RETIRED IN HONOR OF DAVE DICKENSON 16 Jerry Louie-McGee R-Jr. WR 5-9 180 Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 17 Wheeler Harris R-Fr. QB 6-3 203 Mesa, Ariz. 17 Robby Hauck R-Fr. S 5-10 179 Missoula, Mont. 18 Samuel Akem R-So. WR 6-4 196 Broken Arrow, Okla. 19 Malik Flowers R-Fr. WR 6-2 195 Fontana, Calif. 20 Gavin Crow R-So. CB 6-1 202 Kennewick, Wash. 21 Lamarriel Taylor R-Jr. WR 6-2 195 Chula Vista, Calif. 22 RETIRED IN HONOR OF TERRY DILLON 23 Josh Egbo R-So. CB 6-2 195 Gilbert, Ariz. 24 Alijah Lee R-Sr. RB 5-6 196 Los Angeles, Calif. 25 Adam Eastwood R-Fr. RB 6-1 215 Del Mar, Calif. 27 Kadeem Hemphill R-Jr. CB 6-0 187 Chicago, Ill. 29 Nick Fouch So. WR 6-0 170 Woodinville, Wash. 30 Evan Epperly R-Sr. S 5-10 197 Kalispell, Mont. 30 Jackson Groff Fr. WR 5-10 180 Phoenix, Ariz. 31 Trase Le Texier R-So. FB 62 247 Boulder, Mont. 32 Drew Turner Fr. RB 60 210 Kalispell, Mont. 33 Dante Olson R-Jr. LB 6-3 237 Medford, Ore. 34 Jace Lewis R-So. LB 6-1 230 Townsend, Mont. 35 Eric Williams Sr. KP 6-0 188 Missoula, Mont. 36 Levi Janacaro Fr. FB 6-0 226 Missoula, Mont. 37 Jesse Sims R-Jr. DE 6-4 270 Stevensville, Mont. 38 Caleb Mitchell R-So. LS/S 6-1 187 North Bend, Wash. 39 Brandon Purdy R-Jr. KP 5-10 176 Kalispell, Mont. 41 Gabe Peppenger Jr. KP 6-0 220 Missoula, Mont. 42 Josh Buss R-Sr. LB 6-2 220 Boise, Idaho 43 Jake Olsen Fr. TE 6-6 210 Great Falls, Mont. 44 Randy Rodriguez R-So. DE 6-3 250 Peoria, Ariz. 45 Vika Fa’atuiese R-Jr. FB 6-3 230 Vista, Calif. 46 Jed Nagler R-So. DE 6-4 230 Whitefish, Mont. 47 Cole Rosling R-So. DE 6-4 250 Helena, Mont. 48 Devin Maua R-So. DE 6-3 250 Billings, Mont. 49 Matthew O’Donoghue R-So. LS 6-1 255 Santa Ana, Calif. 50 Cody Meyer R-Jr. OL 6-3 282 San Marcos, Calif. 51 Cole Sain Fr. OL 6-4 277 Bellflower, Calif. 52 Michael Matthews R-Fr. LB 6-2 210 Camas, Wash. 53 Lorenzo Brown Fr. DE 6-4 238 Las Vegas, Nev. 54 Tyler Flink Fr. LB 5-11 210 Missoula, Mont. 55 Kyle Davis R-Sr. DT 6-1 270 San Diego, Calif. 56 Marcus Welnel R-Fr. LB 6-0 220 Helena, Mont. 57 Shayne Cochran R-Sr. LB 6-1 225 Culbertson, Mont. 58 Patrick O’Connell So. LB 6-2 220 Kalispell, Mont. 59 Milton Mamula Fr. DE 6-3 216 Newtown Square, Penn. 60 Cody Hartsoch Fr. OT 6-5 284 Kalispell, Mont. 61 Adam Wilson Jr. KP 6-0 181 San Diego, Calif. 62 Dylan Eickmeyer R-So. OG 6-4 301 Tucson, Ariz. 63 Trevor Welnel Fr. OT 6-4 247 Helena, Mont. 65 Gerrit Bloemendaal Fr. OL 6-3 291 Great Falls, Mont. 66 Cy Sirmon R-Jr. OL/DT 6-3 272 Wenatchee, Wash. 67 Tyler Ganoung Fr. OL 6-5 336 Hillsboro, Ore. 68 Cody Kanouse Fr. OT 6-6 335 Gig Harbor, Wash. 70 Skyler Martin R-Fr. OT 6-5 272 Vancouver, Wash. 71 Payton Stoner So. OL 6-6 282 San Diego, Calif. 72 Conor Quick Fr. OL 6-3 273 Helena, Mont. 73 Brandon Scott R-So. OT 6-7 321 Owasso, Okla. 74 Angel Villanueva R-Jr. OL 6-5 324 Duarte, Calif. 75 Sean Anderson Fr. OT 6-7 318 Litchfield Park, Ariz. 76 Colton Keintz R-Fr. OL 6-8 287 Missoula, Mont. 77 Dallas Hart R-Jr. OL 6-5 305 Cypress, Calif. 78 Conlan Beaver R-So. OT 6-5 295 Fredericksburg, Va. 79 Esai Longoria R-So. OL 6-3 315 Caldwell, Idaho 80 Mitch Roberts R-Fr. WR 6-1 191 Missoula, Mont. 81 Matt Rensvold R-Fr. TE 6-4 235 Polson, Mont. 82 Samori Toure R-So. WR 6-3 193 Portland, Ore. 83 Nick Germer Fr. WR 6-2 190 Missoula, Mont. 84 Max Morris Fr. TE 6-4 219 Kalispell, Mont. 85 Danny Burton So. WR 5-10 175 Helena, Mont. 86 Colten Curry Fr. TE 6-7 215 Valier, Mont. 87 Bryson Deming R-Fr. TE 6-4 245 Billings, Mont. 88 Colin Bingham R-Jr. TE 6-3 245 Missoula, Mont. 89 Tim Semenza R-Jr. K 5-7 150 San Diego, Calif. 91 Eli Alford Fr. DT 6-1 285 Park City, Utah 92 Jace Schneider Fr. LB 5-8 176 Bellevue, Wash. 93 Braydon Deming R-Fr. DE 6-4 252 Billings, Mont. 94 Nathaniel Ferguson Fr. P 6-1 234 Butte, Mont. 95 Andrew Harris R-Jr. DE 6-2 220 Kalispell, Mont. 96 David Shaw Sr. DT 6-5 290 Spring Grove, Pa. 97 RJ Nelson R-Fr. DE 6-4 231 Hillsboro, Ore. 98 Alex Gubner Fr. DT 6-3 295 West Hills, Calif.

MONTANA STARTING OFFENSE

WR 18 Samuel Akem

TE 88 Colin Bingham QB 11 Dalton Sneed

LT 78 Conlan Beaver

RB 25 Adam Eastwood

LG 74 Angel Villanueva C 62 Dylan Eickmeyer

RG 51 or 66 Cole Sain o Cy Sirmon RT 76 Colton Keintz

WR 81 Samori Toure

WR 16 Jerry Louie-McGee

K 89 Tim Semenza

MONTANA BACKUPS ON OFFENSE QB WR RB WR WR TE

2 80 24 6 85 87

K LT LG C RT

Cam Humphrey, So. Mitch Roberts, R-Fr. Alijah Lee, Sr. Keenan Curran, Sr. Danny Burton, So. Bryson Deming, R-Fr.

39 75 79 70 71

Brandon Purdy, Jr. Sean Anderson, Fr. Esai Longoria, So. Skyler Martin, R-Fr. Payton Stoner, So.

MONTANA STARTING DEFENSE S 17 Robby Hauck

CB 3 Justin Calhoun

NB 13 Josh Sandry

DE 97 R.J. Nelson

LB 33 Dante Olson

DT 96 David Shaw

S2 Gavin Robertson LB 42 Josh Buss

DT 49 Jesse Sims

DE 99 Reggie Tilleman

CB 7 Dareon Nash

P 35 Eric Williams

MONTANA BACKUPS ON DEFENSE LB LB DE DE DT

56 34 46 44 91

Marcus Welnel, R-Fr. Jace Lewis, So. Jed Nagler, So. Randy Rodriguez So. Eli Alford, Fr.

NB CB CB S S

14 20 8 10 30

Michael McGinnis, R-Fr. Gavin Crow, So. Lewis Cowans, So. Reid Miller, Sr. Evan Epperly, Sr.

Missoulian, Saturday, September 15, 2018 — E9

DAY MATCHUPS WESTERN ILLINOIS STARTING DEFENSE CB 6 Xavier Rowe

OLB 58 Riggs Baxter MLB 39 Quentin Moon

DE 91 Kyle Williams

FS 11 Eric Carrera

WLB 37 Zach Glisan

NT 99 Khalen Saunders

OLB 50 Pete Swenson

DE 96 Shabar Wilson

SS 30 Justin Fitzpatrick

P 89 Adam Fellner

CB 21 Zach Muniz

WESTERN ILLINOIS BACKUPS ON DEFENSE OLB 23 DE 41 NT 56 DE 44 OLB 47 WLB 13

MLB 22 CB 12 SS 24 FS 4 CB 15

Eryk Preston, So. Joe Turk, Jr. Nathan Oguendo, Sr. Lacale London, Jr. Michael Bishoff, Sr. Greg Benton Jr., Fr.

Tom Rehfeld, Jr. Darron Wheeler, Jr. Mike Viti, Jr. Andre Whitley, R-Fr. Cameron Clemons, So.

WESTERN ILLINOIS STARTING OFFENSE WR 10 Brandon Gaston

RT 75 Austin Hopp

FB 25 Clint Ratkovich

RG 74 Jared Ross C 73 Kyle Sanft

QB 18 Sean McGuire

RB 5 Steve McShane

LG 66 Michael Ross LT 76 Drew Wagner TE 83 Adam Conrady WR 2 Isaiah LeSure

PK 32 Sam Krosa

WESTERN ILLINOIS BACKUPS ON DEFENSE LT LG C RG RT QB

72 64 65 63 68 8

Reno Rosene, Jr. Thomas Kirsch, Sr. Matt Ricketts, R-Fr. Chris Zobrist, Jr. TJ Kennedy, Fr. Connor Sampson, So.

TE TE RB WR WR

87 47 35 15 1

Laquay Brown, Sr. Nathan Karsjens, R-Fr. Max Norris, Jr. John Brunner, Jr. Tony Tate, So.

Find it in the

HUNTING

September 23

t Sale f a r C

WESTERN ILLINOIS ROSTER No. Name 1 Tony Tate 2 Isaiah Lesure 3 Timothy Smith 4 Andre Whitley 5 Steve McShane 6 Vick Akinyemi 6 Xavier Rowe 7 Daymon Murray 8 Connor Sampson 9 Victavious Johnson 10 Brandon Gaston 11 Eric Carrera 11 George Wahee 12 Darron Wheeler 13 Greg Benton Jr. 14 Eli Watson 15 John Brunner 15 Cameron Clemons 17 Deshon Gavin 18 Sean McGuire 19 Trey McJunkin 19 Josh Shodipo 20 Isaiah Cherrier 21 Izaiah Fuller 21 Zach Muniz 22 Tom Rehfeld 23 Eryk Preston 24 Mike Viti 25 Clint Ratkovich 26 Jack Anderson 27 Tre Hendon 28 Lavall McNulty Jr. 29 Jared Drake 29 Cole Tandy 30 Justin Fitzpatrick 31 Ziare Williams 32 Sam Crosa 33 Nathan Erickson 34 Larry Harleston 35 Max Norris 36 Herschel Blankenship 37 Zach Glisan 38 Gavin Fuchs 39 Quentin Moon 40 Jalen Powe 41 Joe Turk 42 Nick D’Ambra 43 Korby Foxall 43 Isaiah Morrison 44 Lacale London 45 Derriyon Shaw 46 Jaren Jackson 47 Michael Bischoff 47 Nathan Karsjens 48 Josh Franke 49 Demetri Royer 50 Pete Swenson 51 Hunter Mason 52 Alijah Burno 53 Hunter Varga 54 Rahsul Katumbusi 55 Cole Watts 56 Nathan Oquendo 57 Justin Allen 57 Fawaz Ayoola 58 Riggs Baxter 59 Delonte Jones 61 Caden Buettner 62 Brandon Malkow 63 Chris Zobrist 64 Thomas Kirsch 65 Matt Ricketts 66 Michael Ross 68 TJ Kennedy 72 Reno Rosene 73 Kyle Sanft 74 Jared Ross 75 Austin Hopp 76 Drew Wagner 77 Elijah Elkerton 80 Aaron Morrison 81 Cam Taylor 82 Matt Clark 83 Adam Conrady 84 Nolan Bielskis 85 Jack Whyte 86 Sam Barkalow 87 Laquay Brown 88 Chris Age 89 Adam Fellner 90 Malik Burns 91 Kyle Williams 92 Tristan Pfeiffer 93 Jake Detiveaux 94 Grant Kasal 95 Luis Torres 96 Shabar Wilson 97 Derrell Grisby 98 Luke Terrill 99 Khalen Saunders

Year R-So. Sr. Sr. R-Fr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Jr. R-So. R.-So. R-Jr. R-Jr. Gr. Jr. Fr. R-Fr. R-Jr. R-So. Fr. Sr. R-So. Fr. R-Fr. Sr. Sr. R-Jr. R-So. Jr. R-So. Fr. R-So. R-So. R-Jr. Fr. Sr. Fr. R-Jr. Jr. Sr. R-Jr. Fr. R.-Jr. Fr. Sr. Jr. R-Jr. Fr. So. Fr. Jr. R-So. R-Fr. Sr. R-Fr. R-So. R-Jr. Sr. Fr. R-So. Sr. R-Fr. R-Fr. Sr. Fr. R-Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Jr. Sr. R-Fr. R-Fr. Fr. R-Jr. R-So. R-Fr. R-Fr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Jr. R-Jr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Sr. R-So. R-So. R-Fr. R-So. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. So. R-Fr. R-Fr. Sr.

Pos. WR WR DB DB RB WR DB DB QB RB WR DB WR DB LB WR WR DB DB QB QB DB RB WR DB LB DE DB RB LB LB LB RB LB DB DB K P/K RB RB LB LB RB LB LB LB LB TE DB DL LB DB LB TE RB DB LB LB DL LS DL LB DL LB OL LB LB OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR WR WR TE WR OL TE TE TE P DL DE DL DL DL K DT DL DT DL

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

Wt. Hometown 170 Dekalb,Ill. 180 Mount Horeb, Wis. 200 Chicago, Ill. 200 St. Louis, Mo. 185 Freeport, Ill. 210 South Holland, Ill. 190 Oak Park, Ill. 210 Rubonia, Fla. 210 Belleville, Mich. 210 Cookeville, Tenn. 185 Glenwood, Ill. 200 St. Louis, Mo. 180 Norfolk, Va. 190 Ypsilanti, Mich. 230 Elkridge, Md. 202 Warner Robins, Ga. 200 Clearwater, Fla. 180 St. Louis, Mo. 180 Joliet, Ill. 228 Franklin, Wis. 200 Visalia, Calif. 180 Lisle, Ill. 209 Mound, Minn. 200 Cincinnati, Ohio 175 St. Louis, Mo. 225 Chicago, Ill. 228 Harvey, Ill. 190 Camp Hill, Penn. 210 Crete, Ill. 220 Minneapolis, Minn. 222 Peoria, Ill. 210 Crete,Ill. 230 Columbus, Ohio 220 Normal, Ill. 200 O’Fallon, Mo. 180 Aurora, Ill. 155 Columbus, Ohio 205 New Berlin, Wis. 226 Racine, Wis. 207 Greenwood, Ind. 225 Plainfield, Inc. 224 Abingdon, Ill. 200 Forreston, Ill. 232 Indianapolis, Ind. 215 Gurnee, Ill. 250 Missourie City, Texas 210 Glen Ellyn, Ill. 215 Macomb, Ill. 175 Chicago, Ill. 280 Peoria, Ill. 245 Swuannee, Ga. 185 Marengo, Ill. 217 Elk Grove Village, Ill. 255 Ackley, Iowa 346 Litchfield, Ill. 200 Clearwater, Fla. 230 Mason City, Iowa 215 Nevada, Mo. 250 Harrisburg, Pa. 249 Harmon, Ill. 280 Chicago, Ill. 226 St. Petersburg, Fla. 290 Chicago, Ill. 210 Huntley, Ill. 300 Chicago, Ill. 215 Thorntown, Ind. 205 Harvey, Ill. 285 La Salle, Ill. 300 Beloit, Wis. 280 Troy, Ill. 310 Hartland, Wis. 265 Galesburg, Ill. 320 Lombard, Ill. 315 Lee’s Summit, Mo. 330 Venura, Calif. 286 Bartlett, Ill. 300 Wichita, Kan. 280 Minnetonka, Minn. 312 Tiffin, Iowa 290 Blaine, Minn. 210 Summit, Ill. 170 Dayton, Ohio 200 Prospect, Ky. 200 Rochester, Ill. 180 Byron, Ill. 230 Glen Ellyn, Ill. 230 Forreston, Ill. 250 Atlantic City, N.J. 238 Newnan, Ga. 220 Ozark, Mo. 235 Marbury, Md. 265 Lebanon, Ind. 240 Grain Valley, Mo. 290 Hampshire, Ill. 265 Westmont, Ill. 185 Blue Island, Ill. 195 Memphis, Tenn. 300 Chicago, Ill. 320 Lebanon, Ind. 310 St. Louis, Mo.

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E10 — Missoulian, Saturday, September 15, 2018

GRIZZLY GAME DAY | CONFERENCE CAPSULES

AROUND THE BIG SKY No. 23 UC Davis (2-0) at FBS No. 9 Stanford (2-0)

Wagner (1-1) at Montana State (1-1)

Sacramento State (1-1) at Northern Colorado (0-2)

Idaho State (1-0) at California (2-0)

Saturday, Noon MT Stanford, California Stanford Stadium (50,424 Grass) Pac-12 Network Series History: Stanford leads the alltime series, 2-1. Last Meeting: Stanford won, 45-0, in 2014. The Coaches: Dan Hawkins is in his second season coaching UC Davis. David Shaw is in his eighth year as Stanford’s head coach. Notes: UC Davis rolled past recent FCS playoff team San Diego, 54-21, after beating FBS San Jose State, 44-38, in its opener. The test gets much tough this week against Stanford, a top-10 team in FBS which has limited two opponents to 13 total points.

Saturday, 1 p.m. MT Bozeman, Montana Bobcat Stadium (17,777 FieldTurf) SWX | MSU Bobcat All-Access Series History: This is the first meeting between Wagner and Montana State. Last Meeting: Montana State and Wagner have never played each other before. The Coaches: Jason Houghtaling enters his fourth season as Wagner’s head coach. Jeff Choate, a Montana Western alum, is in his third season coaching Montana State. Notes: Wagner faces its first FCS competition following a 40-23 win over Division II Bowie State and a 62-10 loss to FBS Syracuse. Montana State returns home as it searches for its quarterback and tries to rebound from a 45-14 blowout loss at South Dakota State.

Saturday, 2 p.m. MT Greeley, Colorado Nottingham Field (8,533 Grass) Eleven Sports | Pluto TV Series History: Sacramento State leads the all-time series, 10-2. Last Meeting: Sacramento State won, 50-21, in 2017. The Coaches: Jody Sears begins his fifth season leading Sacramento State. Earnest Collins enters his eighth year at Northern Colorado, his alma mater. Notes: Sacramento State faces its first FCS competition after a 55-7 win over NAIA St. Francis and a 28-14 loss to FBS San Diego State. Northern Colorado has lost two games to then-ranked teams: 17-14 vs. McNeese at home and 43-28 at South Dakota. This is a non-conference game.

Saturday, 4 p.m. MT Berkeley, California Memorial Stadium (62,467 FieldTurf) Pac-12 Network Series History: This is the first meeting between Idaho State and California. Last Meeting: Idaho State and California have never played each other before. The Coaches: Rob Phenicie is in his second season as Idaho State’s head coach. Justin Wilcox is back at California for his second season. Notes: Idaho State is coming off a bye week but has to travel to Pac-12 land after having only played a Division II team so far, posting a 45-10 win. Cal is off to a 2-0 start in tight games against FBS competition, beating North Carolina, 24-17, and BYU, 21-18.

No. 20 Northern Arizona (1-1) at Missouri State (1-1) Saturday, 1 p.m. MT Springfield, Missouri Plaster Stadium (17,500 Synthetic Turf) ESPN3 Series History: This is the first meeting between Northern Arizona and Missouri State. Last Meeting: Northern Arizona and Missouri State have never played each other before. The Coaches: Jerome Souers, the longest-tenured coach in the conference, enters his 21st season at the helm. Dave Steckel is in his fourth season as the head coach of Missouri State. Notes: Northern Arizona suffered its first loss last week, but its bigger loss may have been quarterback Case Cookus leaving early in that game with an injury. Missouri State gets its first taste of FCS action after losing 58-17 to FBS Oklahoma State and beating Division II Lincoln, 52-24.

No. 15 Montana (2-0) at Western Illinois (0-2) Saturday, 2 p.m. MT Macomb, Illinois Hanson Field (16,368 Matrix Turf) ESPN+ | GoGriz.com Series History: Western Illinois leads the all-time series, 2-1. Last Meeting: Western Illinois beat Montana, 43-40, in double overtime in 2003. The Coaches: Bobby Hauck is in his first year back with Montana after coaching the Griz from 2003-09. Jared Elliott was elevated from co-offensive coordinator to head coach in January. Notes: Montana is coming off an uninspiring win over Drake and will face the challenges of the road for the first time, taking on a Missouri Valley Conference foe. Western Illinois comes off two road losses to start the year, falling 26-23 at Montana State and 34-14 at FBS Illinois.

College of Idaho (0-3) at Portland State (0-2)

No. 6 Eastern Washington (2-0) at Washington State (2-0)

Saturday, 6 p.m. MT Pullman, Washington Saturday, 3:05 p.m. MT Martin Stadium Portland, Oregon (32,952 FieldTurf) Hillsboro Stadium Pac-12 Network (7,200 FieldTurf) Series History: Pluto TV Washington State leads Series History: This is the all-time series, 3-1. the first meeting between Last Meeting: Portland State and College Eastern Washington of Idaho. won, 45-42, in 2016. Last Meeting: Portland The Coaches: Aaron State and College of Idaho Best is in his second seahave never played each son leading the Eastern other before. Washington program. The Coaches: Mike Mike Leach is in year No. Moroski is in his fifth year 7 as Washington State’s as College of Idaho’s head head coach. coach. Bruce Barnum is in Notes: Eastern his fourth season coaching Washington heads to the Palouse sportPortland State. ing a 2-0 record after pulling out a 31-26 Notes: College of Idaho dropped its win at Northern Arizona, which lost its first three NAIA games by 3, 20 and 7 starting quarterback early in the game. points and hasn’t scored more than 28 Washington State, which lost to FCS points. Portland State has been outscored teams in 2015 and 2016, has started its 134-33 in two games against FBS opposeason by taking down FBS opponents nents but will potentially get some easier Wyoming and San Jose State by a comcompetition in College of Idaho. bined score of 72-19.

Missoulian, Saturday, September 15, 2018 — E11

GRIZZLY GAME DAY No. 22 South Dakota (1-1) at No. 11 Weber State (1-1) Saturday, 6 p.m. MT Ogden, Utah Stewart Stadium (17,500 FieldTurf) Pluto TV Series History: South Dakota leads the all-time series, 1-0-1. Last Meeting: South Dakota won, 52-49, in double overtime in 2016. The Coaches: Bob Nielson is in his third season coaching South Dakota. Jay Hill is in his fifth season guiding the Weber State program. Notes: South Dakota took down Northern Colorado, 43-28, one week after nearly pulling off a road upset at FBS Kansas State, and quarterback Austin Simmons was named the Missouri Valley co-offensive player of the week. Weber State had to hang on late for a 24-17 road win at Cal Poly after being obliterated by FBS Utah, 41-10, in its opener.

Southern Utah (0-2) at Arizona (0-2) Saturday, 9 p.m. MT Tucson, Arizona Arizona Stadium (55,675 FieldTurf) Pac-12 Network Series History: This is the first meeting between Southern Utah and Arizona. Last Meeting: Southern Utah and Arizona have never played each other before. The Coaches: Demario Warren enters his third year at the helm of Southern Utah. Kevin Sumlin was named Arizona’s head coach in January after he spent six seasons as Texas A&M’s head coach. Notes: Southern Utah has struggled early on with losses to North Alabama, which moved up from Division II, and FBS Oregon State, and things don’t get easier this week. Arizona has lost to BYU and Houston, and quarterback Khalil Tate’s status was in question at press time.

No. 10 Washington knows it must be better on offense vs Utah “They’ve got some really good players that have played for them for a long time. They’re extremely aggressive. This is one of the best defenses in our league, for sure, if not the best.”

those five guys getting real reps, it takes a while to get into that rhythm. So, yeah. But we better get it figured out, because this is a significantly different, better run SEATTLE — Whether it was the inability defense than we’ve seen.” to get the run going or the mistakes a fourBrowning threw for 313 yards and year starter like Jake Browning should not a pair of touchdowns against North be making, No. 10 Washington could not Dakota, but it was his two interceptions have looked more unimpressive in what and several missed open receivers that turned out to be a 42-point victory. Not playing well and beating an FCS Chris Petersen, Washington coach drew his own blunt criticism and the ire of fans. It probably didn’t help Browning school is one thing. Not playing well on that backup Jake Haener was 7 of 7 for Saturday at Utah in the Huskies’ Pac-12 110 yards and a touchdown in a mop-up Conference opener could lead to trouble. early problems, noting the reduced “They’re a good team, a good program. amount of contact during training camps role in the fourth quarter. Browning called his performance now can lead to blocking issues. This defense is as good as I’ve seen and “subpar” after the game. “It makes sense, because how do you they’re always known for defense in “I thought Jake, it’s always different practice the run game in the offseason? terms of what they’re doing,” Washingon tape,” Petersen said. “I thought he did You can’t,” he said. “You practice the ton coach Chris Petersen said Monday. some really nice things in the pocket and pass game all the time. You can throw “They’ve got some really good players there’s probably three or four throws he’d that have played for them for a long time. all the time. But to practice really the probably like to have back.” They’re extremely aggressive. This is one running game and put pads on and have of the best defenses in our league, for sure, if not the best.” Petersen knows Washington’s 45-3 win over North Dakota looks better on paper than it did on the field. The Huskies made plays when they should have, but it was far from the crisp domination expected from a top-10 program facing an FCS opponent. Most galling was the lack of a running game, at least until the fourth quarter. Washington managed just 79 yards rushing through three quarters. Myles Gaskin averaged just 3.5 yards per carry. Salvon Ahmed continued to be used only sparingly with four carries. Only the combo of backups Sean McGrew and Kamari Pleasant seemed to find success and that was in the fourth quarter when North Dakota’s defense was worn down. Petersen said the blocking needs to be better, especially going against a Utah defense that allowed 117 yards rushing to Northern Illinois last week, but only 2.7 yards per attempt. Washington is familiar with early struggles running the ball. A year ago, the Huskies stumbled early, getting held under 100 yards rushing as a team in two of their first three games. It wasn’t until the Pac-12 opener a year ago at Colorado that the Huskies discovered their ground game, rushing for 260 yards as a team. Washington topped 100 yards as a team in nine of its final 10 games. Petersen seemed to understand the TIM BOOTH Associated Press

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E12 — Missoulian, Saturday, September 15, 2018

GRIZZLY GAME DAY | REID MILLER

Miller Continued

coaching staff had been let go and the new staff under head coach Chad Morris began its assessments of the Razorbacks. “I respect coach Morris, but was tough for me when coach (Bret) Bielema left,” Miller said. “But with my appendectomy, I was sorta like, ‘Wow. I can’t really prove to the coaching staff what I’m about.’” Miller never really announced to anyone he was officially leaving the Razorbacks of the SEC — he’s not a big social media guy — but he was officially introduced to Montana and the Grizzly football program in the early summer. “I started talking to coach Shann. They set up a visit and I loved it,” Miller said. “I couldn’t say no.” Through two games at Montana, Miller has racked up 15 tackles, an interception, two passes defended and a pass breakup. Miller’s takedown total is currently second on the team behind two-time reigning Big Sky defensive player of the week Dante Olson. “He’s done a nice job,” Montana coach Bobby Hauck said. “He had a good game last Saturday for sure.” Against Drake, Miller grabbed his first career interception, as well as six tackles. “It was an unbelievable feeling,” Miller said of his first official pick. “When you catch it and can celebrate with your teammates on the sideline, it’s a feeling that you really can’t replicate anywhere else. It was awesome. It was a cool experience.” Miller has technically caught two interceptions as a Montana Grizzly — both against Drake — but one was called back due to a penalty. Miller started playing flag football when he was eight, beginning as a running back.

“It was an unbelievable feeling. When you catch it and can celebrate with your teammates on the sideline, it’s a feeling that you really can’t replicate anywhere else. It was awesome. It was a cool experience.” Reid Miller, on his first official interception But he eventually decided he’d rather tackle people than be the one getting tackled. In high school in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, Miller played on both sides of the ball — lining up as a safety and as a running back. Miller had 32 carries and 431 yards as a running back during his sophomore campaign as a Golden Tiger. On defense he added 40 tackles and five pass breakups. By the time his junior year rolled around, Miller totaled 94 tackles, two interceptions and 10 forced fumbles. That statistic line garnered national attention, including looks from the IMG Academy in Florida. “They recruit just like any private school. Their defensive coordinator had a family up in the Pittsburgh area,” Miller said. “Just from film and stuff, contacted me and I took a visit down there. I liked it. I left halfway through my junior year. Basically through basketball season. I stopped playing basketball, went down there and just started playing football.” Miller didn’t show up to the Bradenton, Florida, campus in 100 percent shape. Miller joined the Ascenders on crutches with a broken big toe. “I got tackled in football season from behind and my big toe rolled up in my shoe,” Miller said. “I had surgery on it and was sorta damaged goods when I got there, but I healed up.” Miller said attending IMG Academy was a big adjustment from traditional high school living. It’s more similar to college

than to what most high school kids are used to. “You live by yourself. You live in a dorm with a roommate. You have class from 8-12 and you have football from 1:30-6 every day,” Miller said. “It’s definitely a big adjustment from normal high school but I enjoyed every minute of it.” The IMG Academy Miller is familiar with doesn’t look the same as it does now. Back in those days, the locker room was made up of trailers. The new, pristine facilities were finally finished for the end of his senior year of high school.” “I was the first class to be in those facilities, which was nice. I was fortunate, very fortunate.” Miller, who had his eyes set on playing collegiate football since his junior high days, had already been in contact with multiple FBS college coaches. But luck wasn’t on his side. Bill O’Brien had been recruiting Miller to Penn State, took Houston Texans head coaching job in 2014. Paul Chryst wrapped up his coaching career at Pittsburg in 2014, leaving to coach at his alma mater Wisconsin in 2015. Neither O’Brien nor Chryst’s successors continued recruiting Miller. “I was sorta open after that,” Miller said. “’I’ll go anywhere in the country.’ Then Arkansas came up, and like I said, the rest is history. I just picked up and left again.” Arkansas came to IMG Academy to recruit one of Miller’s close friends, Hjalte Froholdt. But Miller caught Bielema’s eye too.

Miller ended up walking on at Arkansas. “It was weird how it happened,” Miller said. “Right place, right time, just like the football field, right place, right time, usually it’ll work out all right.” It didn’t take long for Miller to stand out. Miller played in 12 of Arkansas’ 13 games as a true freshman. Toward the end of fall camp before his sophomore season, Bielema gave Miller a scholarship. “It was at the end of practice one day at the end of fall camp actually, he had us stand up, me and a tight end, he just said we were the newest scholarship members of Arkansas,” Miller recalled. “It was pretty cool. Nothing really big. I wouldn’t like anything big. It was simple. “It was nice. It was cool to tell my parents and stuff, but yeah, it was a very emotional day. But a day I’ll remember forever.” Miller primarily played on special teams for Arkansas, played in all 12 games as a junior, racking up nine tackles and recovered one fumble. Miller also played in all 13 of Arkansas’ games as a sophomore and totaled nine tackles. While playing in the SEC, Miller suited up in all of the nationally renowned stadiums. “It was a cool experience. Growing up you see them on TV, but then when you get to playing in them, it’s a different animal. It’s something I’ll never forget,” Miller said of playing college football in SEC country. “The atmosphere is something else, but I’ll tell you what, Washington-Grizzly Stadium, I can say that’s the loudest I’ve ever heard. Especially in the north endzone, I couldn’t even hear my own thoughts. That was unbelievable. That ranks up with the Tennessees and the Alabamas.” He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management with a management minor in May

REID MILLER

No. 10 Year: Senior Position: Safety Height: 5-foot-10 Weight: 208 Hometown: Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania from Arkansas. Miller is currently working on his Master’s in Business Administration at Montana. Miller is one of three Grizzly football players — with Reggie Tilleman and Eric Williams — and one of 36 Big Sky Conference football players who are playing with their undergraduate degree in hand. Miller’s tenure at Montana won’t be a long one — he only has one season of eligibility left — but he’s making the most of every moment he has as a Grizzly. He’s embraced it. “To be honest, I know the fight song here. I know everything about the university here and at Arkansas, we didn’t,” Miller said. “It wasn’t a culture like that. I like it here. The guys here, the scenery’s beautiful, we don’t have this in Pennsylvania or Arkansas. It means a lot to me. The relationships I’ve developed. They’ll last a lifetime.” 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, September 15, 2018 — E13

GRIZZLY GAME DAY | STAT PACK

BY THE NUMBERS ‌MONTANA (2-0) STATISTICS

Griz Opp Scoring average 37.0 19.5 Rushing yards 192 182 Avg./Rush 3.4 2.4 Passing 59-89-0 40-88-4 Passing yards 557 451 Average per pass 6.3 5.1 Total offense 749 633 Average per play 5.2 3.8 3rd-down conv. 11-32 13-37 Time of possession 29:22 30:38 Fumbles-lost 1-1 7-2 Kick returns 4-28.8 8-16.1 Punt returns 8-10.8 5-1.4 Punting 15-40.1 17-41.8 Sacks by-yards 9-66 2-8

Montana 19 17 21 17 - 74 Opponents 0 3 14 22 - 39

‌Offensive leaders

‌Rushing Dalton Sneed 28-123 (4.4 ypc.), long 21, 2 TDs Adam Eastwood 20-69 (3.3 ypc.), long 37, 2 TDs Alijah Lee 5-6 (1.2 ypc.), long 3 Rey Green 1-(-1) ‌Passing Sneed 57-86-0, 526 yards, long 33, 3 TDs Cam Humphrey 1-2, 6 yards Keenan Curran 1-1-0, 25 yards, 1 TD ‌Receiving Jerry Louie-McGee 18-184 (10.2 ypc.), long 33, 1 TD Samuel Akem 11-138 (12.5 ypc.), long 33, 1 TD Samori Toure 9-78 (8.7 ypc.), long 13, 1 TD Eastwood 8-25 (3.1 ypc.), long 5 Curran 7-74 (10.6 ypc.), long 19 Colin Bingham 3-40 (13.3 ypc.), long 25, 1 TD Lee 2-12 (6.0 ypc.), long 7 Mitch Roberts 1-6

‌Defensive leaders

‌Tackles LB Dante Olson 29, 10 unassisted

Alabama Continued

has taken half his eight catches for touchdowns. He capped both of Alabama’s opening drives with touchdown catches, including a 58-yarder against Arkansas State. “We’ve got good chemistry, me and Tua,” Jeudy said. DeVonta Smith and Tagovailoa showed their chemistry with that 41-yard game-winning connection against Georgia in the national championship game . Smith has accounted for five of the early 20-yard plays. He and his fellow receivers have had plenty to celebrate after those first two games. “When someone makes a play, we’ll all be happy,” he said. “We’ll laugh at the things that are on film when good things happen. It’s just a fun group to

S Reid Miller 15, 6 unassisted S Robby Hauck 12, 4 unassisted DT Jesse Sims 11, 1 unassisted LB Jace Lewis 10, 2 unassisted LB Josh Buss 10, 5 unassisted DE Reggie Tilleman 9, 2 unassisted CB Justin Calhoun 9, 7 unassisted DE RJ Nelson 7, 4 unassisted DT David Shaw 7, 2 unassisted S Josh Sandry 6, 1 unassisted ‌Tackles for loss LB Olson 4.5-29 DT Shaw 1-0.4 LB Buss 2.5-10 DE Braydon Deming 1.0-6 LB Lewis 1.5-8 DE Jed Nagler 1.0-6 DT Sims 1.5-3 S Hauck 0.5-2 CB Calhoun 1.0-11 DE Nelson 1.0-7 DE Randy Rodriguez 0.5-1 ‌Sacks LB Olson 3.0-23 DT Shaw 1.0-4 LB Buss 1.5-9 DE Nagler 1.0-6 CB Calhoun 1.0-11 LB Lewis 1.0-7 DE Deming 0.5-6 ‌Interceptions CB Dareon Nash 2-40, 1 TD LB Olson 1-26 S Miller 1-25 ‌Fumbles forced-recovered LB Olson 1-0 DT Sims 1-0 CB Nash 0-1 CB Calhoun 1-0 DT Shaw 1-0 LB Buss 1-1 ‌Pass breakups S Hauck 1 CB Calhoun 3 LB Olson 2 S Sandry 1 CB Nash 2 S Miller 1

S Evan Epperly 1

‌Special teams leaders

‌PATs/Field goals Tim Semenza 8-9/4-4, long 42, 20 points ‌Punting Eric Williams 14-588 (42.0 ypp.), long 57, 6 inside 20 ‌Punt returns Louie-McGee 8-86 (10.8 ypr.), long 46 ‌Kickoff returns Malik Flowers 4-115 (28.8 ypr.), long 40

be around.” Ruggs, who had six touchdown catches last season, scored on a 31-yarder against the Red Wolves. Of Tagovailoa, he said, “He’s developing his confidence as the game goes.” Tagovailoa’s emergence has been a big part of the success. Tide coach Nick Saban pointed out his touchdown throw to DeVonta Smith was improvised after he realized a safety didn’t cover him “and he wasn’t even supposed to be reading that side of the field.” “He does a nice job of keeping his eyes downfield, stepping up in the pocket,” Saban said. “There’s a couple of third-down plays where he bought some time, stepped up in the pocket and we’re able to convert on throws. He’s well prepared but he’s also very instinctive and he does a good job of keeping his eyes downfield to find people in the middle.”

WESTERN ILLINOIS (0-2) STATISTICS ‌Defensive leaders WIU Opp Scoring average 18.5 30 Rushing yards 267 434 Avg./Rush 3.6 5.0 Passing 46-73-4 26-45-1 Passing yards 459 219 Average per pass 6.2 4.9 Total offense 678 628 Average per play 5.1 4.9 3rd-down conv. 6-27 6-27 Time of possession 31:34 28:26 Fumbles-lost 1-1 0-0 Kick returns 5-25.8 6-26.3 Punt returns 4-4.5 6-11.8 Punting 12-42.3 14-38.7 Sacks by-yards 1-8 7-36 W. Illinois 14 6 14 3 - 37 Opponents 3 17 24 16 - 50

‌Offensive leaders

‌Rushing Steve McShane 18-105 (5.8 ypc.), long 23, 1 TD Tony Tate 8-77 (9.6 ypc.), long 18 Max Norris 22-64 (2.9 ypc.), long 8 Larry Harleston 1-3 Khalen Saunders 1-1 Clint Ratkovich 1-(-2) Sean McGuire 10-(-28) (-2.8 ypc.), long 6 ‌Passing McGuire 44-67-4, 440 yards, long 49, 4 TDs Connor Sampson 2-6, 19 yards, long 16 ‌Receiving George Wahee 6-104 (17.3 ypc.), long 31, 1 TD Ratkovich 9-95 (10.6 ypc.), long 40 Tate 3-68 (22.7 ypc.), long 49, 1 TD McShane 12-66 (5.5 ypc.), long 18, 2 TDs John Brunner 5-54 (10.8 ypc.), long 17 Isaiah LeSure 3-34 (11.33 ypc.), long 17 Jared Drake 4-15 (3.8 ypc.), long 7 Brandon Gaston 1-8 Adam Conrady 1-6 Chris Age 1-6 Victavious Johnson 1-3

‌Tackles Quentin Moon 21, 16 unassisted Zach Glisan 19, 10 unassisted Pete Swenson 10, 9 unassisted Justin Fitzpatrick 8, 7 unassisted Riggs Baxter 8, 8 unassisted Khalen Saunders 8, 6 unassisted Eric Carrera 7, 4 unassisted Zach Muniz 6, 5 unassisted Joe Turk 6, 2 unassisted Xavier Rowe 5, 4 unassisted ‌Tackles for loss Swenson 1.5-5 Saunders 1.0-2 Turk 1.0-2 Michael Bishoff 1.0-4 Shabar Wilson 1.0-2 Moon 0.4-5 Andre Whitley 0.5-1 Grant Kasal 0.5-0 ‌Sacks Swenson 0.5-4 Moon 0.5-4 ‌Interceptions Muniz 1 ‌Fumbles forced-recovered None. ‌Pass breakups Fitzpatrick 2 Muniz 2

‌Special teams leaders

‌PATs/Field goals Sam Crosa 4-5/1-1, long 38, 7 points Nathan Erickson 0-0/0-1 ‌Punting Adam Fellner 10-471 (47.1 ypp.), long 58, 1 inside 20 McGuire 1-36 ‌Punt returns LeSure 1-18 McShane 3-0, long 3 ‌Kickoff returns Tate 4-114 (28.8 ypr.), long 63 Whitley 1-15

‌STATS FCS POLL

‌ he top 25 teams in the 2018 STATS Football Championship Subdivision poll, with first-place T votes in parentheses, records through Sept. 3, points and preseason rank: Record Pts 1. North Dakota State (154) 1-0 3970 2. James Madison (2) 1-1 3744 3. South Dakota State 1-0 3602 4. North Carolina A&T (3) 3-0 3280 5. Sam Houston State 1-0 3217 6. Eastern Washington 2-0 3097 7. Kennesaw State 1-1 2931 8. Wofford 2-0 2673 9. Samford 1-1 2557 10. Villanova 2-0 2436 11. Weber State 1-1 2332 12. Jacksonville State 1-1 2026 13. Nicholls 1-1 1959 14. Elon 1-1 1842 15. Montana 2-0 1819 16. McNeese 2-0 1471 17. Maine 2-0 1388 18. Central Arkansas 1-1 1305 19. Illinois State 2-0 1100 20. Northern Arizona 1-1 845 21. UNI 0-1 761 22. South Dakota 1-1 730 23. UC Davis 2-0 617 24. Stony Brook 1-1 498 25. Rhode Island 2-0 358 Others: Austin Peay 225, Colgate 184, Delaware 154, Yale 115, New Hampshire 88, Sacramento State 71, Furman 39, Montana State 36, Richmond 33, Butler 27, Monmouth 17, Tennessee State 16, North Alabama 14, Western Illinois 13, San Diego 13, Idaho 11, Prairie View A&M 11, Chattanooga 10, North Dakota 9, Southern Utah 8, Southeastern Louisiana 7, Southern Illinois 5, Lehigh 4, Western Carolina 2, Northwestern State 2, Sacred Heart 2, Howard 1.

Pvs‌ 1 2 3 5 4 6 7 8 9 12 10 13 11 15 14 16 22 17 19 18 21 23 NR 24 NR

E14 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Missoulian, Saturday, September 15, 2018

GRIZZLY GAME DAY FANCY FEET

Montana wide receiver Samuel Akem tip-toes to a touchdown as Drake defenders look to make a stop in the second half.

TOMMY MARTINO, Missoulian

Missoulian, Saturday, September 15, 2018 — E15

GRIZ TRIVIA ‌1. Montana hits the road to play Western Illinois this week. When was the last time Montana played a game east of the Mississippi River? A. B. C. D.

2012, Appalachian State 2015, Liberty 2017, Savannah State 2016, Mississippi Valley State

2. What is Montana’s all-time record against Western Illinois? A. B. C. D.

1-2 2-2 3-0 0-0 (They’ve never played.)

3. Western Illinois has already played a Big Sky team this season. What team did the Leathernecks play? Eastern Washington Northern Arizona Montana State Idaho Answers: 1. B; 2. A; 3. C

A. B. C. D.

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