Montana Grizzlies
Overall Rank: #12
#3 Big Sky
Montana Team Page
2010 Record: (7-4, 5-3)
2010 Postseason: none
Coach: Robin Pflugrad (7-4 at Montana, 7-4 overall)
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Gerald Kemp, QB, 224 yards
Passing: Jordan Johnson, QB, 44 yards
Receiving: Antwon Moutra, WR, WR, 600 yards
Tackles: Caleb McSurdy, LB, 112
Sacks: Bryan Waldhauser, DT, 5.0
Interceptions: Trumaine Johnson, CB, 4
Coaching change or not, Montana expects to make the playoffs. The 2010 campaign was the first time they missed out on the postseason since 1992. The 2010 Grizzlies were pretty young and injuries did not help, but the time for excuses is over. Coach Robin Pflugrad has this team ready to start another long streak of playoff appearances.
Strengths:
The defense played their part last season and will once again lead this team. The unit ranked first in the conference in total defense and they will aim for that mark again in 2011. The linebackers are very strong, led by Caleb McSurdy, who tallied 112 tackles last year, and Jordan Tripp, a versatile outside linebacker. Alex Shaw, the other starter, is also back making this one of the best group of linebackers in the nation. The defensive line has some retooling to do, but with tackle Bryan Waldhauser back to stuff the run and wreak havoc in the backfield, the unit should be fine. Getting a little more production out of ends Ryan Fetherston and Bobby Alt would be helpful. Fetherston tallied 4.0 sacks in 2010 and could be in for a big senior season. Like the line, the secondary has some new faces to fit into the system. Gone are Erik Stoll and Jimmy Wilson. Stoll and Wilson are big losses, but the Grizzlies have plenty of talent in the secondary. All-everything cornerback Trumaine Johnson will lead the unit. He should get some help on the corners from a host of new faces and some decent returning talent. Free safety Mike McCord tallied 45 tackles in 2010 and is ready to step into a full-time starting role.
Weaknesses:
While the defense reloads, the offense will have to do a little rebuilding. Running back Chase Reynolds is gone and quarterbacks Justin Roper and Andrew Selle are too. That leaves some big holes to fill. Reynolds led this team in rushing over the last three years and there is not an obvious answer to replace him. Dan Moore and Peter Nguyen, who is also a great returnman, are not very proven, but they are the most experienced backs on the team. The quarterback situation is not settled yet either. Jordan Johnson threw a few passes as a freshman last season and looked pretty good, albeit in mop up duty. The entrance of Nate Montana, son of Joe and transfer from Notre Dame, has turned this into a big battle. Montana has a good arm, but his accuracy on the deep ball can be an issue. Either way, the quarterbacks will likely miss Roper, but there is a ton of potential with Johnson and Montana. The good news is most of the receiving options return, making life much easier for the new quarterback. Antwon Moutra is the big play receiver, but Jabin Sambrano is just as dangerous of a receiver. With Greg Hardy and Kavaro Middleton, a transfer from Washington, the tight ends are very strong as well. If the down field game is a problem, at least the Griz can look short to Hardy and Middleton.
The Bottom Line:
What will make the offense better than it was last year is the line. Led by left tackle Jon Opperud, the line should pave the way for a decent running game and provide the new quarterback with plenty of time to find the talented pass catchers. UNLV transfer Kjelby Oiland should find a spot on the offensive line and join Opperud and two other returning starters. As long as the offense can be balanced, they will not need to put up big numbers. This is a Montana team that can take advantage of their opportunities and let the defense make a majority of the big plays. That may not lead to a Big Sky title, but it will lead to playoff berth.
Projected Postseason: FCS Playoffs
2010 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 139.91 (66th in nation, 6th in conference)
Passing Offense: 233.55 (28, 4)
Total Offense: 373.45 (40, 6)
Scoring Offense: 31.73 (16, 3)
Rushing Defense: 149.82 (56, 4)
Pass Defense: 140.00 (3, 1)
Total Defense: 289.82 (10, 1)
Scoring Defense: 22.09 (40, 2)
Turnover Margin: -.64 (98, 8)
Sacks: 2.64 (18, 2)
Sacks Allowed: 1.82 (58, 6)
Madness 2011 FCS Football Recruit Rankings:
#68 Trent McKinney
