Montana Grizzlies
Big Sky
It has been a dozen years since Montana won the national championship. Since then the Grizzlies have made a few great playoff runs, including three losses in the title game. Once again Montana has the tools to make a big run, but this is still not the dominate Montana squad of four or five years ago. The Grizzlies have beaten the teams they should beat, but that is not going to cut it in the playoffs.
2013 Record: 10-2, 6-2
Coach: Mike Delaney
Big Wins: 10/19 Cal Poly (21-14), 11/23 at Montana State (28-14)
Bad Losses: 9/28 at Northern Arizona (16-34), 10/26 Eastern Washington (37-42)
Strengths:
The Grizzlies offense is not nearly as explosive as some other teams in the Big Sky. Quarterback Jordan Johnson did throw for 28 touchdowns while totaling just four interceptions. Johnson does not make many mistakes, but his pass completion percentage could be better. But it is certainly better to throw an incomplete pass than an interception. Ellis Henderson, a 6-0 sophomore, has emerged as the Grizzlies top receiver. He averages about 25 yards per catch and is always a threat to find the end zone. Cam Warren and Jamaal Jones are the other top receivers for Montana. Jordan Canada stepped into a starting role this year and has rushed for 958 yards and 16 touchdowns. Travon Van and freshman John Nguyen are capable change of pace backs. However, it is the big plays of the defense that often sets up the offense. Montana has forced 16 interceptions and recovered 15 fumbles. Zack Wagenmann spends plenty of time in the backfield and Brock Coyle, Matt Hermanson, Jordan Tripp and John Kanongata’a are all big hitters, while Tripp, Nate Harris and Bo Tully combined for nine of the team’s interceptions.
Weaknesses:
In Montana’s loss to Northern Arizona, the Grizzlies lost the turnover battle. The defense is talented, but they do take risks. When those risks do not pay off, they will give up quite a few yards. That is especially true through the air. In Montana’s loss to Eastern Washington, they allowed 457 yards and six passing touchdowns. That one game certainly inflated the overall numbers, but there are going to be other potent passing offenses that Montana has to get past in the playoffs.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Jordan Canada, RB, 958 yards
Passing: Jordan Johnson, QB, 2,999 yards
Receiving: Ellis Henderson, WR, 889 yards
Tackles: Brock Coyle, LB, 113
Sacks: Zack Wagenmann, DE, 7.5
Interceptions: Nate Harris, CB, 3; Jordan Tripp, LB, 3; Bo Tully, S, 3
2013 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 193.0 (33rd in nation, 3rd in conference)
Passing Offense: 258.6 (25, 6)
Total Offense: 451.6 (17, 3)
Scoring Offense: 38.8 (11, 2)
Rushing Defense: 134.3 (31, 3)
Pass Defense: 248.0 (98, 9)
Total Defense: 382.3 (60, 5)
Scoring Defense: 22.0 (21, 2)
Turnover Margin: 1.5 (2, 1)
Sacks: 2.00 (57, 3)
Sacks Allowed: 1.45 (36, 4)
Recent Playoff Appearances:
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 11/16
