The Jackrabbits head to Missoula, Montana to take on the Montana Grizzlies.  This will be the third playoff matchup in three years.  In 2023, the Jackrabbits defeated the Grizzlies to win their second consecutive National Championship by a score of 23 to 3.  Last season they met in the second round of the playoffs with the Jacks winning 35-18 in a game that was never really close.  However, the Jacks are a new team and Montana has brought back a lot of the talent that was in Brookings last year with a few players still remaining that contributed to their national runner up finish.

Offense

The Montana offense is pretty darn electric in 2024.  They are scoring 41 points per game and doing it on the ground and through the air.  They rush for 178.5 yards per game (4.9 ypc avg) and pass for 280 per game!  They are good on 3rd down and convert 45.5% of the time and are at 75% on 4th down.  In the redzone they have scored on 45 of 50 trips with 39 being touchdowns.  They don’t hurt themselves either only surrendering 19 sacks, tossing 8 interceptions, and losing 4 fumbles.  They really spread the ball around on offense too with 6 guys who have more than 20 receptions on the season.

For the first time in a while, Montana committed to a quarterback this season and stuck with him through the good and bad.  #8 Keali’i Ah Yat (6-1, 200) was the benefit of that trust and rewarded his team with great season completing 68.7% of his passes for 3,154 yards and 25 TDs to just 8 INTs.  He really showed improved decision making throughout the season.  As a runner, he is more than capable of evading pressure and picking up some yards with his feet.  He had 210 gross rushing yards on the season and 7 TDs with a long of 18 yards.  Again, they likely won’t call a ton of designed runs for him but he’s definitely mobile enough to cause problems.

The running back room features the always impressive #10 Eli Gillman ( 6-0, 208).  He has become one, if not thee, best running back in the FCS.  This year he gained 1,261 yards (6.6 ypc) and scored 17 TDs.  He has also developed as a pass catcher and has 26 receptions for 165 yards and 2 TD.  In the previous two matchups, the Jackrabbits have really bottled Gillman up.  In 2023, he was held to just 7 carries for 18 yards and last season he had 10 carries for 12 yards.  It appears that Gillman has added a gear since last season and I’m sure he will be extra motivated to put those performances behind him.  #21 Stevie Rocker Jr. (6-0, 210) is his primary backup and he has just 43 attempts on the season but has gained 206 yards (4.8 ypc) and scored 2 TD.  Rocker is also able to contribute in the passing game and has 20 receptions for 193 yards and 1 TD.  The room isn’t super deep and because of that they have utilized their star wide receiver #6 Michael Wortham (5-9, 190) on a number of run plays and he has 46 carries for 273 yards and 6 TDs.

The wide receiver room starts with the aforementioned Wortham but it doesn’t end there as the room is really talented.  As a receiver, Wortham has 58 grabs for 825 yards (14.22 avg) and 7 TDs and a long of 76 yards after transferring in after two standout seasons at Eastern Washington.  His catch and run against Sacramento State is a play from this season that has just stuck in my memory and probably why I am so high on him.  Joining him in the starting line up is #3 Brooks Davis (6-0, 174) who has 48 receptions for 611 yards (12.73 avg) and 5 TDs.  Davis is just a redshirt freshman but has been outstanding in his first season in the lineup.  The final starting wide receiver is #4 Blake Bohannon (6-1, 195) who transferred in from Kennesaw State (Yes, it appears he was the son of the former KSU coach Brian Bohannon).  He has 25 receptions for 389 yards (15.56 avg) and 1 TD.  KSU ran the triple option so you know that he knows how to block on the perimeter.  #2 Drew Deck (5-9, 165) provides experienced depth and has had his best season has a 5th year senior.  He has recorded 26 receptions for 360 yards (13.85 avg) and 2 TDs.  #9 Denver Jordan missed the Montana State game but he is a big play threat and has 11 receptions for 197 yards (17.91 avg) and 1 TD.

The tight ends are physically impressive and have been on the field for the last few matchups with the Jacks.  These two are both multifunctional tight ends and are a threat through the air and can really run block.  #81 Josh Gale (6-4, 243) has 12 receptions for 160 yards and 3 TDs.  #84 Evan Shafer (6-5, 270) has 10 receptions for 91 yards and 2 scores.

On the offensive line, they are big and experienced and have two really good tight ends to help them out as needed.  Obviously this group has performed well with such a good rushing attack and only allowing 19 sacks.  The LT, LG, C, and RG have started every game together this season.  That type of continuity is worth something.  From left to right they go:

LT: #69 Cannon Panfiloff (6-6, 294, RSr): 6th year of eligibility. 3rd year in the starting lineup.
LG: #79 Liam Brown (6-5, 316, RSr): 28 starts entering this season and
C: #60 Dillon Botner (6-6, 280, Gr): Was a freshman in 2019.  1st year starter but has spot started in the past.
RG: #76 Patrick Matan (6-4, 295, Gr): Transfer from NC State where he was a reserve for 4 seasons.
RT: #70 Colin Amick (6-6, 292, RFr): 1st year starter and has started in 6 consecutive games.

#62 Everett Johnson (6-7, 301, RSr) had been the starter at right tackle for the first half of the season before being replaced by Amick.

Defense

The Grizzly defense has struggled for most of the season and allowed nearly 400 total yards per game but just 23.5 points per game.  It feels like the ultimate “bend but don’t break” defense.  Opponents are averaging 142.4 yards per game rushing and 256 yards per game passing.  They have however registered 18 interceptions, recovered 4 fumbles, and recorded 29 sacks.  They are solid on 3rd down and opponents have converted on 39.25% of 3rd down opportunities and 50% of their 4th down opportunities.   The Grizzlies play a 3-3-5 defense that loves to send pressure from all over the place.

Upfront the Grizzlies are again a bit undersized for a 3 man front (in my opinion) but it appears to be the body types that they want. #56 Hunter Peck (6-2, 252, RSr) is the leader of the group from his end spot and he has 33 total tackles, 6.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, and 4 QBHs.  He transferred in from NAIA perennial powerhouse Carroll and has really performed well in his final season.  At Carroll he was a 2nd Team All-American and won numerous other awards.  The other end is #47 Kellen Detrick (6-3, 240, RSr) and he has  32 tackles, 7 TFL, 4 sacks, and 1 QBH.  He is a first year starter.  The nose is #90 Jareb Ramos (6-4, 287) and he has 24 tackles and 2 sacks this year as a first year starter.  Minnesota transfer #97 Hayden Schwartz (6-4, 248, RJr) is a key reserve at end and he has 25 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 INT, and 3 QBHs.  The other reserve end is #57 Jake Mason (6-2, 250, RSo) and he has 21 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 1 sack, and 2 QBHs. #98 Matai Mata’afa (6-1, 236) is another reserve defensive end that will see action.  He has 11 stops, 3 TFL, and 1 sack.   #99 Braydon Bailey (6-2, 280, RJr) has 8 tackles and 1.5 TFLs as the reserve nose guard.

The linebackers are traditionally the strength of this defense and that appears to again be the case.  #11 Elijahwah Tolbert transferred in from Eastern Illinois and has really had a big season for Montana.  He’s the leading tackler with 65 stops but just 6 came in the last 4 games of the season and he did not play against Portland State and he was not listed on the depth chart against Montana State but did play.  He also has 2.5 TFL, .5 sack, 4 PBUs, 2 QBH, and a forced fumble.  Portland State transfer #32 Peyton Wing (6-0, 229) struggled early this season but really turned it around and finished the year 3rd in tackles with 59 stops, 6.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 3 INT, 1 PBU, and 4 QBHs.  He’s probably their best player on defense and will certainly need to be watched. #37 Clay Oven (6-2, 216) has registred 45 tackles, 2 sacks, 1  PBU, and 3 QBHs from his starting LB spot.  USC transfer #58 Solomon Tuliaupupu (6-3, 247) is the other listed starter and he has 32 tackles, 2 TFl, 1 sack, and 2 forced fumbles.  Tuliaupupu may be the starter but he has been out performed by #45 Caleb Otlewski (6-4, 241) who has 53 tackles, 8 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 INT, and 2 PBU.  #31 Geno Leonard (5-11, 230) has 20 total stops, .5 sack, 1 INT, and 1 PBU as a key reserve.

Like most teams that run a 4-2-5 or 3-3-5, the nickel corner is asked to do a lot.  The guy for Montana is #24 Diezel Wilkinson (6-0, 193) and he is second on the team with 60 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 3 sacks, 3 PBUs, and 1 QBH.  The outside corners are #6 Prince Ford (5-11, 170) and #8 Kenzel Lawler (6-0, 190).  Ford and Lawler are both new to the starting lineup after being key reserves in 2024.  Lawler has 45 stops, 2.5 TFL, 2 INT, 10 PBU, and 2 QBH.  Ford has 26 total stops, 1 INT, and 2 PBU.  These 3 do not leave the field as the three backups on the depth chart have combined for 15 stops and 0 other statistics.

Missoula native #10 TJ Rausch (6-3, 208) earned a starting spot this season after a few seasons as a key special teams player and he has 57 total tackles, 1 TFl, 2 INT, 1 PBU, and 1 QBH.  Next to him is #2 Micah Harper (5-10, 194) and he has 34 stops, 2 INT, 5 PBUs and a TFL.  Harper transferred in from BYU where he had a great start to his career and he was named an Honorable Mention Freshman All-American but injuries appear to have taken a toll.  #17 Kade Boyd has 30 stops and 2 INT as a key reserve and #29 Tanner Huff (6-0, 207) has 21 stops on the season.

Special Teams

Montana’s special teams is usually a team strength. #36 Ty Morrison is handling all three phases and he has a 43.28 yard average on his punts with a long of 65 on 47 attempts.  He’s had just 5 touchbacks, forced 15 to be faircaught, landed 17 inside the 20 and booted 7- 50+ yards. Those are pretty good numbers.  Opponents are averaging less than 5 yards per return on 15 attempts and have a long return of just 16 yards.

In terms of field goals, this is where he appears to struggle.  He is 6 for 11 on the season and is just 1-5 on kicks from 40+ yards with a long of 42.  He has also had one field goal blocked.  On kickoffs, he has a 62.7 yard average on 70 attempts with 43 touchbacks.  Opponents have not any luck when they do return his kicks with just a 19 yard return average and a long of 36.

In the return game, the Grizzlies are dangerous.  #2 Drew Deck has 19 punt returns and a 12.63 yard average including a long of 60.  #6 Michael Wortham has also returned punts this season and has an 11.43 yard average and a long of 41 yards on 7 attempts.  Wortham is also the primary kick returner and he has a 27 yard return average on 26 attempts with a long of 50 yards.  I would hope that we do not kick him the ball.

Prediction

The Jackrabbits just played their best game of the season with the return of Chase Mason.  Was that due to the lesser competition of the CAA or has this team truly figured it out?  I think they figured it out and I think Coach Jackson is correct, this team wants to continue to play for one another this season.  The key will be the Jackrabbits ability to finish drives against this defense and to limit the explosive plays for Montana.  They have game breakers all over on offense so how did the Jackrabbits slow them down?  Also, this will be a tremendous atmosphere and the team will have to weather the energy and initial surge from the crowd.  I think they find a way and advance to the quarter finals.

Jackrabbits 42- Grizzlies 32

Go Jacks!

Matt