Montana?

[donovan]

Which one of you was a Montana Griz fan?

I seem to remember someone having a huge signature graphic for them and such.

Big game next week, Montana @ Cal Poly, for the first time in... six years?

I go to Cal Poly and just covered the game at San Diego State this weekend.

How 'bout a little I-AA talk in these parts? :D

[RZ]

Which one of you was a Montana Griz fan?

I seem to remember someone having a huge signature graphic for them and such.

Big game next week, Montana @ Cal Poly, for the first time in... six years?

I go to Cal Poly and just covered the game at San Diego State this weekend.

How 'bout a little I-AA talk in these parts? :D

That would be me. I live right here in Missoula. Griz Season Ticket and proud member of the Boom Krew!

Na, the last time Montana and Cal Poly played, it was the 2006 Season (11/4/2006). The game was here in Missoula and the Griz won 10-9. That was Cal Poly's last year in the Bigsky Conference. The Year before that (the 05 season), Montana won the regular season game, but lost to Cal Poly in the first round of the playoffs here in Missoula.

btw, I need to update my Siggy.. 4 of the players in this sig are now in the NFL lol

http://www.football-junkies.net/sigs/rzgriz.gif

[RZ]

btw, watch for #25 Brandon Fisher. He is Jeff Fisher's (Head coach of the Tennessee Titans) son. He plays Safety (mainly FS) and on Special Teams.

[Madturk]

btw, watch for #25 Brandon Fisher. He is Jeff Fisher's (Head coach of the Tennessee Titans) son. He plays Safety (mainly FS) and on Special Teams.

Does he sport a porn stache like the old man?

[SoCalRaider]

Another sub-forum.... I'm lost.... How did I get here again? :D

[donovan]

Ah, sweet.

What I meant by the several years comment was since Montana came out here. I remember when it was announced the Grizzlies would be playing in SLO, everyone out here got all excited about that. A far cry from the freeze of those late-season/playoff games. ;)

What kind of team does UM have?

The big difference since the last time CP played you guys is that now the Mustangs run this tricky triple option, and they're totally stacked. Last year they were second to only Appalachian State in total offense in the FCS and brought back 10 starters on that side of the ball, including wide receiver Ramses Barden, a Walter Payton Award candidate I compare to Marques Colston when he came out of the FCS ranks. (In the press box Saturday, there were scouts from the Steelers, Lions, Jaguars, Texans, Jets and Giants, and Barden was easily the best prospect in the game.)

They also have about three very good backs to give the ball to, and the quarterback can run, too. Then once in a while they take some shots down the sideline.

Defensively, Cal Poly has some issues, particularly in the secondary. The Mustangs are starting a true freshman at one corner spot and a sophomore, converted wide receiver at the other spot.

[RZ]

Does he sport a porn stache like the old man?

http://web.montanagrizzlies.com/mtgriz/images/roster_images/football_men/brandon_fisher.jpg

[RZ]

Ah, sweet.

What I meant by the several years comment was since Montana came out here. I remember when it was announced the Grizzlies would be playing in SLO, everyone out here got all excited about that. A far cry from the freeze of those late-season/playoff games. ;)

What kind of team does UM have?

The big difference since the last time CP played you guys is that now the Mustangs run this tricky triple option, and they're totally stacked. Last year they were second to only Appalachian State in total offense in the FCS and brought back 10 starters on that side of the ball, including wide receiver Ramses Barden, a Walter Payton Award candidate I compare to Marques Colston when he came out of the FCS ranks. (In the press box Saturday, there were scouts from the Steelers, Lions, Jaguars, Texans, Jets and Giants, and Barden was easily the best prospect in the game.)

They also have about three very good backs to give the ball to, and the quarterback can run, too. Then once in a while they take some shots down the sideline.

Defensively, Cal Poly has some issues, particularly in the secondary. The Mustangs are starting a true freshman at one corner spot and a sophomore, converted wide receiver at the other spot.

Ah, ya... that make more sense... its been awhile since we've play there. And ya, I am sure they are excited to get the Griz @home... should be a good matchup.

Well, the Team is pretty young.. took some big hits with the losses of Key SRs last year.. (3 of them drafted this year and a few others in the CFL and AFL)

I'll write a little bit more on the team situation tomorrow. I am too burned out to write lol

[RZ]

btw, watch for #25 Brandon Fisher. He is Jeff Fisher's (Head coach of the Tennessee Titans) son. He plays Safety (mainly FS) and on Special Teams.

What did I tell ya.. 3rd play of the game, Brandon Fisher stops the option for no gain forcing a PUNT.

Griz block the punt and first play on Offense score a 34 yard TD!

7-0 Griz..

[RZ]

Holy Shit, this is going to be a shoot out lol.. Cal Poly just sorced..

7-7 right out of the gate! lol

[RZ]

#5 Montana Griz - 30
#11 Cal Poly Mustangs - 28

What a GREAT game!

Cal Poly had a chance to win it with 30 seconds left on the clock, but the FG attempt was wide left from 23 yards out..

Even with the loss, Cal Poly should at least maintain its 11th Ranking. They are a Top 10 Team in the FCS ..

[CrossBones]

WOW...fun game to watch.

Looks like the WA Huskies got hosed. Hehe. Did you see the "excess celebration" penalty with no time left on the clock? Kinda sucks for the Huskies. Never should have been called.

[RZ]

WOW...fun game to watch.

Looks like the WA Huskies got hosed. Hehe. Did you see the "excess celebration" penalty with no time left on the clock? Kinda sucks for the Huskies. Never should have been called.

ya, that was total BS! I've never seen a more stupid call!

[RZ]

Grizzlies prevail in road test against Cal Poly
by: Tim San Pedro of MontanaGrizzlies.com
Saturday, 09/06/2008

The fifth-ranked University of Montana football team opened the 2008 season with a key road win over 11th-ranked Cal Poly on Saturday night, a 30-28 victory at Alex G. Spanos Stadium in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

The Grizzlies, up by just two points, no timeouts, and 38 seconds left on the game clock, watched as Cal Poly kicker Andrew Gardner, lined up for a 27-yard field goal attempt. Gardner, who hit the game winner against San Diego State last week, wasn’t able to do it again when he pulled it wide left, and the Griz earned their first win of the 2008 season.

Montana relied on the legs of senior running back Andrew Schmidt who carried the ball 26 times for 145 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Cole Bergquist completed 13-of-22 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns, both scoring strikes to receiver Mike Ferriter.

Cal Poly quarterback Jonathan Dally completed 16-of-23 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Ramses Barden caught both those touchdown passes and most of those yards as he caught seven balls for 131 yards.

Montana began their 2008 campaign hitting on all cylinders early in the game when the defense forced Cal Poly to punt on its first possession.

Griz special teams showed their strength when Schmidt blocked the game’s first punt, giving his offense great field position on Cal Poly’s 39-yard line.

Montana’s first offensive play resulted in a quick six points when Bergquist connected with Ferriter in the flat. Ferriter collected 34 yards after catch, streaking up the sideline and into the endzone for the game's first score.

The Mustangs quickly fired back with a score of their own when Dally connected with Barden up the middle on a play action pass, tying the game at 7-7 late in the first quarter.

Bergquist put Montana up 14-7 after scampering 15 yards for a score on a quarterback draw. The scoring drive followed a Cal Poly shanked punt which set the Grizzlies up with excellent field position.

Barden, at 6-foot-6, caused some trouble for the Montana secondary in the first half. Dally threw a strike to Barden on a skinny post for their second touchdown of the game, tying Montana again at 14-14 early in the second quarter.

Cal Poly took its first lead of the game with six minutes left in the first half when wingback James Noble easily ran into the end zone from two yards out, making it 21-14.

Coming out of halftime, Montana relied on the legs of Schmidt, who rushed eight times for 54 yards on the first drive of the half, to get the Grizzlies within striking distance. Bergquist then connected with Ferriter from 20 yards out to tie the game at 21-apiece. The 12-play, 80-yard drive that took 5:50 off the clock was kept alive by Bergquist who was able to convert two huge fourth down runs.

After Montana’s special teams pinned the Mustangs deep in their territory, Grizzly defensive tackle Craig Mettler stripped the ball out of Dally’s hands, where Cal Poly recovered in the endzone resulting in a safety. The safety gave Montana a two-point lead at 23-21.

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 for a short gain that looked short, but, in fact, resulted in a first down by mere inches. The next play, Bergquist went to the air for a 26-yard completion to Marc Mariani giving them a first-and-goal from the five yard line. Schmidt capped off the drive with a five-yard rush, snaking through the middle to put the Griz up 30-21.

With 8:32 remaining in the game, the Mustangs refused to go away as they put together an impressive 12-play, 72-yard drive that was capped off by a 2-yard touchdown run by Noble, bringing his team within two points at 30-28.

With 5:47 remaining, Montana went for it again on fourth down. This time, Cal Poly came up big by sacking Bergquist and giving their offense a chance to take back the lead.

Down by only two, the potent and experienced Mustang offense knew they were in great position to win the game as they drove down the field to Montana’s 9-yard line with just 38 seconds left on the clock. Montana forced Cal Poly to kick a field goal from 27 yards away. Gardner pulled the kick left, sending the Montana sideline into a frenzy as they knew all the offense had to do was run out the clock and take their first win of the 2008 season.

Montana (1-0) plays Southern Utah at Washington-Grizzly stadium next Saturday. Kickoff is slated for at 1:05 p.m. (MTN).

[CrossBones]

ya, that was total BS! I've never seen a more stupid call!I mean really. That same kind of stuff happens on almost every scoring play. It wasn't excessive. The ball didn't go very high in the air and at that point of the game that was BS. Oh well another nail in Whittingham's coffin.

[donovan]

#5 Montana Griz - 30
#11 Cal Poly Mustangs - 28

What a GREAT game!

Cal Poly had a chance to win it with 30 seconds left on the clock, but the FG attempt was wide left from 23 yards out..

Even with the loss, Cal Poly should at least maintain its 11th Ranking. They are a Top 10 Team in the FCS ..

Agreed... crazy how close it is sometimes. Kicker makes that field goal and Cal Poly's definitely top five in the rankings. Miss, and top-15ish.

The story of the game to me was Montana's offensive line, at least run blocking. They were just blowing everyone away. It was a classic match-up of road graders VS. a quick front seven.

Cal Poly's kicking situation was a disaster last night all-around.

Here are some highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLQjgOboRL8

There was a Raiders scout in the press box last night, by the way.

[donovan]

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080906/SPORTS13/809060220/1001/Sports

[donovan]

One last thought...

It was classic heartbreak-at-home for Cal Poly. For some reason they have a penchant for totally demoralizing collapses you can't explain.

Homecoming '06: Cal Poly has a 28-6 lead over South Dakota State with 7:55 left; South Dakota State scores 23 unanswered to close out the game and win 29-28

Homecoming '07: Give up 28-9 lead over North Dakota State (No. 1 or No. 2 at the time, I forget) with 9:36 left to lose 31-28:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3XO4QBO4iY

[RZ]

Agreed... crazy how close it is sometimes. Kicker makes that field goal and Cal Poly's definitely top five in the rankings. Miss, and top-15ish.

The story of the game to me was Montana's offensive line, at least run blocking. They were just blowing everyone away. It was a classic match-up of road graders VS. a quick front seven.

Cal Poly's kicking situation was a disaster last night all-around.

Here are some highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLQjgOboRL8

There was a Raiders scout in the press box last night, by the way.

Ya, that offensive line of Montana's is pretty solid.. one of the names SHOULD sound familiar (JD Quinn) ... no doubt in my mind JD will be drafted.

[RZ]

You still around donovan? Griz vs Cal Poly coming up soon!

[CrossBones]

Griz any good this year Z?

I don't follow this shit until later in the year. and then I forget most of what I saw by April. :D

[RZ]

Griz any good this year Z?

I don't follow this shit until later in the year. and then I forget most of what I saw by April. :D

Well, they are 2-0 so far.. I felt about the same as I do this year as I did last year and they went all the way to the National Championship game (and then lost it :o ) .. so I dunno.. need a few more games to see I guess.

[RZ]

5-0 and beat Cal Poly today 38-23 during a fridged Homecoming Day in the Zoo..

[RZ]

Well, they are 2-0 so far.. I felt about the same as I do this year as I did last year and they went all the way to the National Championship game (and then lost it :o ) .. so I dunno.. need a few more games to see I guess.

well, they are now 14-0 and face 13-1 Villanova for the Div I FCS National Championship this Friday (Game is on ESPN2 for anyone that is interested in watching it).

GO GRIZ!!!

PS.. Met Jon Ritchie 2 weeks ago when he was in Missoula calling the Quarter Finals Game. Chatted about the Raiders for about 10 minutes. Very nice guy to talk to. He is now an avid Griz Fan! :D