By this point, it feels like everything that could be written or said about the Montana Grizzlies has been written or said. However, some of you really enjoy these preview articles so I’ll do the standard preview and give you the best information that I can.
Montana (13-1) comes into this one on quite the hot streak as winners of 9 straight. It looked like the season may be a lost early on as the Griz struggled with Butler, D2 Ferris State, and eventually lost at Northern Arizona. They followed that up with a close win over a terrible Idaho State. At that point, many voters had dropped them from their ballot and there was discussion about Bobby Hauck’s future in Missoula. There was a bazar play where a senior offensive lineman seemingly quit on a play and walked off of the field while his quarterback was getting smacked. At that point, I’ll admit that I thought Montana was done. After the Idaho State game, they ditched the two quarterback system and settled on their guy. The rest is history, as the Griz have reeled off the nine wins including the last two in overtime. This team is balanced on offense, has a great defense, and is excellent on special teams. It should be a terrific game!
Offense
Montana’s offensive turnaround has really been impressive after looking lethargic early. They average 32.21 ppg via 186 yards per game on the ground (4.3 ypc) and 197 through the air. The Griz convert on 43% of their 3rd down opportunities and have scored on 43 of 52 attempts in the redzone with 34 being of the touchdown variety. The Griz have given up 36 sacks, lost 4 fumbles, and tossed 8 interceptions.
The man behind this offensive turnaround is #17 Clifton McDowell (6-4, 224). McDowell is a feel good story as he has bounced around college football with Montana being his 4th stop in his collegiate career. It sounds like he was never really given a chance but believed in himself and has really been the catalyst for this Montana offense. On the season he has passed for 1,861 yards and 13 TDs while completing 58% of his passes and has just 3 INT. He is also a major threat with his legs and has 898 gross rushing yards and 9 more TD. He’s dangerous!
The running game features an impressive duo but is led by Jerry Rice Freshman of the Year in #10 Eli Gillman (6-0, 206). Gillman, a Minnesota high school standout, had a terrific regular season totaling 950 rushing yards (5.1 ypc) and 12 TDs while also catching 14 passes for 109 yards. However, Gillman has had a tougher time in the playoffs getting on track. He has just 93 yards from 35 carries (2.66 ypc) but did have 2 TDs against NDSU in the semifinals. #26 Nick Ostmo (6-0, 218) is the second man in this backfield and he brings the power! He has 637 yards (5.1 ypc) and 8 TDs. He also has 19 receptions for 181 yards. The 3rd back is #13 Xavier Harris (5-10, 180) and he will get a few carries in the game. On the season he has 223 yards (5.1 ypc) and 3 TDs.
The wide receiver group is ultra athletic and they all have the ability to take any pass to the house. #6 Keelan White (6-2, 185) leads the group and has 50 receptions for 779 yards and 4 TDs. He has a 97 yard catch and run this season. Dangerous! The phenomenal return man, #5 Junior Bergen (5-11, 180), is also a really good wide receiver. He has 55 receptions for 766 yards and 5 TD. The third receiver is #14 Aaron Fontes (6-1, 170) and he has 41 receptions for 541 yards and 5 TD. This group isn’t super deep but these are three of the best wide receivers you’ll see in the FCS. The only tight end to receive much action in the passing game is #84 Evan Shafer (6-5, 278) and he has just 9 receptions for 82 yards and 3 TD.
The offensive line plays with wider splits than normal. I’m curious to see how the Jacks defensive front 7 align against it. This is an experienced and skilled offensive line that has good size but is not the biggest line the Jacks have faced. From left to right they go: #55 Chris Walker (6-6, 304, R-Sr), #79 Liam Brown (6-5, 301, R-So), #57 AJ Forbes (6-2, 300, R-Sr), #76 Journey Grimsrud (6-3, 291, R-So), and #66 Brandon Casey (6-5, 305, Jr.). Anytime your primary running backs all average over 5 yards per carry, you are doing something right. However, the 36 sacks allowed are concerning if I’m a Montana fan.
Defense
The Montana defense plays a unique 3-3-5 defense that is FAST. On paper it looks like a defense that you should be able to run right at but they somehow shut it off. When teams try to go lateral, they pursue like crazy and have the speed to shut it down. Opponents are averaging just 16.79 points per game via 103 rushing yards per game (3.4 ypc) and 208 yards per game passing. They are terrific on 3rd down and allow opponents to convert on just 28.64% of their attempts. In the redzone, opponents have scored on 26 of 35 trips and only 20 have been touchdowns. Furthermore, this defense has 34 sacks, recovered 6 fumbles, and has 16 interceptions! This will be one of the best defensive tests the Jackrabbits have faced this season.
The Griz have have maybe the best nose guard in the country in #99 Alex Gubner (6-3, 284). His play is reminiscent of Caleb Sanders. He doesn’t have huge statistics but he certainly has the respect of Big Sky coaches as he was voted the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year. He has 39 total tackles, 9.5 TFL, 3 sacks, and 2 more QBH. He just wrecks things! The two ends are undersized for a 3 man front but they make it work. #48 Hayden Harris (6-5, 252) has 32 total tackles, 4.5 TFL, and 2 sacks. #0 Kale Edwards (6-5, 235) has 32 of his own tackles, 9.5 TFL, and 4.5 sacks. #56 Garrett Hustedt (6-2, 245) rotates in at end and has 22 tackles and 2.5 sacks. #47 Kellen Detrick (6-3, 244) is the backup nose and he has 9 tackles and a sack. The physical makeup of this defensive line and the downhill attacking style of the next group, the linebackers, reminds me more of SIU than Villanova. It is just odd to see such undersized defensive ends in a successful 3 man front.
The linebackers are the heart and soul of this defense. They make plays all over the field and get off of blocks really well. In addition, this crew will blitz from all over the place and loves to create havoc in the backfield. #35 Braxton Hill (6-2, 225) is one of the best in the business. He leads the team with 116 total tackles, 6.5 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 INT, 3 PBUs and has 7 QBH. He’s a great one! Hill is flanked by #54 Tyler Flink (5-11, 225) who has 77 total tackles, 5.5 TFL, and 2 sacks. Flink splits time with #44 Ryan Tirrell (6-2, 230) and he has 77 total tackles, 1.5 TFL, and 1 sack. Another linebacker is #37 Levi Janacaro (6-0, 235) and he has 57 tackles, 10 TFL, and 2 sacks along with 4 more QBH. #42 Riley Wilson (6-2, 224) also sees plenty of action and he has 48 tackles, 14 TFL, and a team leading 8.5 sacks with 5 more QBH.
The secondary for Montana is once again experienced. The starting corners are #8 Corbin Walker (5-11, 183) #27 Trevin Gradney (6-0, 188) and #3 TraJon Cotton (6-1, 204). Walker has 35 tackles and 2 INT along with 8 more PBU. Gradney has 24 tackles and a team leading 5 INT and 7 PBU. Cotton has 28 total tackles and 2 INT from his spot as the nickel. #2 Ronald Jackson (6-1, 190) is the primary sub and he has 23 tackles and an INT. #39 Jace Klucewich (5-10, 171) has 17 tackles.
The safety duo is highlighted by the diminutive #13 Ryder Meyer (5-9, 184). He is actually second on the team with 84 total tackles, 3 TFL, 1 INT, and 4 PBU. #4 Nash Fouch (6-2, 207) and #25 Jaxon Lee (6-1, 211) rotate at the free safety position with Fouch leading the way with 50 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT, and 5 PBU. Lee has pitched in with 46 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2 INT, and 1 PBU. Reserve #5 Garrett Graves (6-3, 210) has 27 tackles and 2 PBU.
Special Teams
The return game is maybe the highlight of this playoff run from Montana. Junior Bergen has become a household name in FCS circles. He has 27 punt return attempts for a 15.67 yard average and a sensational 3 TDs, including 2 in the playoffs. He just has a knack for finding the crease and getting to top speed. On kickoffs, he has 13 returns for a 29 yard average and 1 TD. As has been said countless times over the last few weeks, I don’t see why the Jacks would kick to him if they can help it. Montana has blocked one punt this season and does frequently send a rush which speeds punters up and I’m assuming causes some of the errors of kicking to Bergen.
The kicking game has certainly been up and down for Montana. The punter is #28 Travis Benham and he has 61 punts for a 40 yard average. Opponents have just a 4 yard return average on 11 attempts. The kicking duties are split between #83 Nico Ramos and #97 Grant Glasgow. Ramos has gone 9 of 12 on the season with a long of 43. He has had 1 kick blocked. Glasgow is the long field goal specialist and he is 8 of 14 with a long of 49 and he has had 2 blocked. Glasgow seems to handle the kickoff duties and he has 66 kickoff attempts that have resulted in 45 touchbacks. Opponents have just a 20 yard return average on the ones they have brought out.
Prediction
Anything can happen in the National Championship. Last year the Bison felt like a team that was limping to the finish line and I felt that the outcome was never really in doubt. This year, Montana is hot and has a ton of momentum. The Jacks have felt like a certainty for much of the year to at least make it to the National Championship and have been expected to repeat. Anything other than a Championship this year feels like a wasted season and I expect the Jackrabbits to eventually wear down the Montana defensive line, much like NDSU just a few weeks ago.
Jackrabbits 31- Grizzlies 10
Go Jacks!
Matt