http://www.championshipsubdivisionnews" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. ... &tb=1&pb=1
09/10/08 , CSN West, CSN Columns
CSN West: No Rebuilding Necessary
By Kent Schmidt, CSN West Columnist
“Take that FCS World.”
Those likely are the words out of the mouths of Montana players, coaches and fans after the Grizzly’s 2008 season opener resulted in victory at Cal Poly. For those expecting Montana to be down this year, the Grizzlies showed that they can rebuild and keep winning.
All looked dismal for Montana as early as last Thanksgiving weekend. The Grizzlies lost to Wofford in the opening round of the playoffs and also lost 14 starters from that unbeaten regular-season team.
And looking at this year’s opener, the Grizzlies had to visit perennial power Cal Poly, a team that just beat FBS San Diego State on the road to begin its season, and a team that returned 20 starters.
How did the Grizzlies win in San Luis Obispo?
They combined a resurgent second-half running game with a crucial Cal Poly fumble to build a lead, then held on 30-28 when Mustangs’ kicker Andrew Gardner missed a 27-yard field goal in the final minute - the same kicker that propelled Cal Poly to victory in the last seconds at San Diego.
“I was so proud of our kids,” Montana coach Bobby Hauck said. “I really was unsure coming into this game. A lot of games I feel pretty confident, and know what’s going on. I had some real doubts whether we could handle this team.”
Montana trailed 21-14 at halftime and opened the second half using the talents of runningback Andrew Schmidt, who rushed eight times for 54 yards on the third quarter’s initial drive, to move the Grizzlies within striking distance. Quarterback Cole Bergquist then connected with receiver Mike Ferriter from 20 yards out to make it 21-21.
After Montana’s special teams pinned the Mustangs deep, Grizzly defensive tackle Craig Mettler stripped the ball out of a runningback’s hands, where Cal Poly recovered in the end zone resulting in a Montana safety. The safety gave Montana a 23-21 advantage.
Early in the fourth quarter, Montana, for the third time in the game, went for it on fourth down. Schmidt pounded it up the middle that looked short of the first down, but it resulted in one by inches. The next play, Bergquist went to the air for a 26-yard completion to Marc Mariani giving it a first-and-goal from the five. Schmidt capped the drive with a five-yard TD run, snaking through the middle to put the Griz up 30-21.
Halfway in the fourth quarter, the Mustangs cut the margin to 30-28 when James Noble scored on a two-yard run.
On the Grizzlies’ ensuing possession, Montana went for it on a fourth down deep in Mustang territory. This time, Cal Poly came up big by sacking Bergquist and giving its offense a chance to regain the lead.
Down by two, Cal Poly drove to Montana’s 9 with 38 seconds left. Montana, however, forced Cal Poly to attempt a 27-yard field goal that was wide left, sending Montana home with its first victory of the season.
“That’s what happens when you’ve got two good football teams playing against each other,” Hauck said. “It was a fun game to coach in because they are well-coached. They were making all the right moves, and so were our assistant coaches.”
While it can be argued the victory came with a little luck, Montana still played toe to toe with a top FCS opponent on the road.
Who might provide a challenge for Montana later on?
The Grizzlies host two Great West teams in Southern Utah this week and UC Davis the following week, then host DII Central Washington before beginning Big Sky play.
The Grizzles play at Weber State (Oct. 4), then visit Eastern Washington the following week.
The other Big Sky road games include Northern Colorado (Oct. 25) and Portland State (Nov..
The Grizzly home conference games are Sacramento State (Oct. 18), Northern Arizona (Nov. 1), Idaho State (Nov. 15), and they finish against rival Montana Sate (Nov. 22).
The game that looms as an obstacle for the Grizzlies could be UC Davis in the out-of-conference. The Aggies are 0-2 but easily could be 2-0 after narrow defeats to FBS San Jose State and Central Arkansas.
Another 0-2 team that might give the Grizzlies a battle is Eastern Washington. The Eagles nearly defeated the Big 12’s Colorado Saturday and played Texas Tech close the week before.
But any one of the Big Sky opponents might cause Montana trouble. Sacramento State nearly defeated FBS Colorado State last week and Weber State led Hawaii at the half so the Big Sky as a whole might be stronger than a year ago.
But Montana has proved that one can never count it out regardless what it might look like on paper. I won’t be surprised if the Grizzlies win the Big Sky and make the playoffs for a continued record 16th straight season. There is a lot of season left but this victory proved that Montana is back again - to possibly the chagrin of the rest of FCS fans that might have to face it down the road.
And I can hear it now from Montana fans saying, “We told you so.”
