Montana Grizzlies
Big Sky
During his first year at the helm in Montana in 2015, Coach Bob Stitt led the Grizzlies to the playoffs. He has done the same in year two. This time around the Grizzlies hope to avoid North Dakota State in the second round. Last season NDSU easily handled Montana by a score of 37-6 following the Grizzlies narrow 24-17 victory over South Dakota State.
2016 Record: 6-5, 3-5
Coach: Bob Stitt
Big Wins: 9/3 St. Francis (41-31), 9/10 at Northern Iowa (20-14)
Bad Losses: 10/22 at Northern Iowa (34-45), 11/12 at Northern Colorado (25-28)
Strengths:
Montana has a very potent pass offense led by quarterback Brady Gustafson. In nine games he threw for 2,785 yards and 25 touchdowns. The 6-7 senior is a very experienced signal caller and he also has a great stable of wide receivers to work with in 2016. Perhaps the most surprising is freshman Jerry Louie-McGee. Despite playing in just eight games, Louie-McGee leads the team with 73 receptions. Justin Calhoun, Keenan Curran and James Homan are all deeper threats and Gustafson has thrived with so many quality options at his disposal. If John Nguyen or Jeremy Calhoun are able to create at least the threat of a ground game, Montana’s offense is very tough to stop.
Weaknesses:
The defense has played very well this season too, but there have been some exceptions, most notably in the 42-41 loss at Cal Poly and the 45-34 loss at Northern Arizona. Cal Poly’s option offense is always tough for teams to defend, but the Mustangs were able to grind out plenty of first downs on the ground and plenty of big plays through the air. Northern Arizona only totaled 406 yards against Montana, but their balanced attack was efficient and effective. Normally Montana’s defense is very good in the red zone, but that was not the case against the Lumberjacks. Another balanced offense that can avoid mistakes could give this defense trouble and then it is up to the offense to keep up.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: John Nguyen, RB, 679 yards
Passing: Brady Gustafson, QB, 2785 yards
Receiving: Jerry Louie-McGee, WR, 651 yards
Tackles: Josh Buss, LB, 43
Sacks: Ryan Johnson, DE, 6.0
Interceptions: Justin Strong, S, 3
2016 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 160.0 (54th in nation, 8th in conference)
Passing Offense: 333.9 (4, 2)
Total Offense: 499.9 (6, 2)
Scoring Offense: 41.7 (6, 2)
Rushing Defense: 129.1 (25, 2)
Pass Defense: 216.1 (55, 2)
Total Defense: 345.2 (31, 1)
Scoring Defense: 27.3 (56, 4)
Turnover Margin: 0.20 (52, 5)
Sacks: 2.60 (22, 1)
Sacks Allowed: 2.30 (79, 11)
Recent Playoff Appearances:
2015 First Round Defeated South Dakota State
2015 Second Round Lost to North Dakota State
2014 First Round Defeated San Diego
2014 Second Round Lost to Eastern Washington
2013 Second Round Lost to Coastal Carolina
2011 Second Round Defeated Central Arkansas
2011 Quarterfinals Defeated Northern Iowa
2011 Semifinals Lost to Sam Houston State
2009 First Round Defeated South Dakota State
2009 Quarterfinals Defeated Stephen F. Austin
2009 Semifinals Defeated Appalachian State
2009 Championship Lost to Villanova
2008 First Round Defeated Texas State
2008 Quarterfinals Defeated Weber State
2008 Semifinals Defeated James Madison
2008 Championship Lost to Richmond
2007 First Round Lost to Wofford
2006 First Round Defeated McNeese State
2006 Quarterfinals Defeated Southern Illinois
2006 Semifinals Lost to Massachusetts
2005 First Round Lost to Cal Poly
2004 First Round Defeated Northwestern State
2004 Quarterfinals Defeated New Hampshire
2004 Semifinals Defeated Sam Houston State
2004 Championship Lost to James Madison
2003 First Round Lost to Western Illinois
2002 First Round Defeated Northwestern State
2002 Quarterfinals Lost to McNeese State
2001 First Round Defeated Northwestern State
2001 Quarterfinals Defeated Sam Houston State
2001 Semifinals Defeated Northern Iowa
2001 Championship Defeated Furman
2000 First Round Defeated Eastern Illinois
2000 Quarterfinals Defeated Richmond
2000 Semifinals Defeated Appalachian State
2000 Championship Lost to Georgia Southern
1999 First Round Lost to Youngstown State
1998 First Round Lost to Western Illinois
1997 First Round Lost to McNeese State
1996 First Round Defeated Nicholls State
1996 Quarterfinals Defeated East Tennessee State
1996 Semifinals Defeated Troy
1996 Championship Lost to Marshall
1995 First Round Defeated Eastern Kentucky
1995 Quarterfinals Defeated Georgia Southern
1995 Semifinals Defeated Stephen F. Austin
1995 Championship Defeated Marshall
1994 First Round Defeated Northern Iowa
1994 Quarterfinals Defeated McNeese State
1994 Semifinals Lost to Youngstown State
1993 First Round Lost to Delaware
1989 First Round Defeated Jackson State
1989 Quarterfinals Defeated Eastern Illinois
1989 Semifinals Lost to Georgia Southern
1988 First Round Lost to Idaho
1982 First Round Lost to Idaho
*all team stats through 11/12