Griz Paw off and running
Welcome to the first installment of the Missoulian’s new blog for Grizzly football fans. This is a site for you to discuss your excitement, insights, frustrations and anything else you might want to talk about when it comes to Griz football. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask questions or post comments for Missoulian editors and sports reporters, including Grizzly beat writer Fritz Neighbor.
When it comes to western Montana sports, nothing is bigger than Griz Nation, and this is your chance to take an interactive part. As often as possible, we’ll open up the discussion with a blog entry, and then let you great Griz fans have at it from there. As always, let’s keep it clean and civil, but most of all, have fun and let your voice be heard.
- John Smithers, Missoulian city editor
Homecoming nail-biter – Montana 18, Weber State 10:
It wasn’t pretty, but as they often do, the top-ranked Griz found a way to get it done in their Big Sky Conference opener. Four field goals and a touchdown that was set up by a big interception were enough to beat winless Weber State.
Ever since Montana arrived at the top of the I-AA heap in 1995, winning has become expected. This is a program, that like some of its bigger brethren in FBS (or whatever it’s called now), has arrived at a point where losing is no longer an option. Even winning ugly causes grumbling. But as long as this team keeps winning, it’s hard to point too many fingers.
It was refreshing, however, to hear Montana’s junior quarterback Cole Bergquist stand up and not make any excuses for UM’s poor offensive performance Saturday. It was even better to hear him call himself and his offensive teammates out, and demand that the team start to improve as the league schedule gets under way.
That’s something you will rarely hear Montana’s coaches do. That’s not to say it doesn’t happen in private, but at least from the head man, Bobbie Hauck, public criticism – from anyone – is frowned upon. In fact, any question that might remotely be construed as criticism of Griz players or coaches usually draws a short answer and cold stare from Hauck in the post-game interview room. After the game, I asked Hauck about Weber’s strong defensive effort, particularly against UM’s running game. “They’re a good team,” and a shrug was the extent of the response. Not very fulfilling if you’re trying to understand what happened Saturday, but it will have to do. Hauck isn’t paid by the word, and he probably felt like he was sticking up for his team, which most coaches do on a regular basis. And for all his prickly exterior with the media, Hauck has more than kept the ship afloat in Missoula. For that he deserves plenty of kudos.
But it was nice to hear someone from the inner circle acknowledge that things have to improve. And it was especially nice to hear it from Bergquist, who has shown flashes of brilliance with both his arm and his legs, but will certainly have to be more consistent to get the Griz in the endzone on a regular basis. And, as Bergquist pointed out, it’s not all his fault. There were obvious drops, poor blocking and bad penalties that helped a Weber team that will probably struggle to win two or three games stay in it to the very end.
Let’s move on to a sunnier subject. The Griz improved to 4-0 and now face a tough Eastern Washington team (3-1), despite the Eagles’ surprising collapse against Portland State in Cheney last Saturday.
It will be interesting to see how UM’s offense attacks, especially if running back Lex Hilliard remains on the sidelines, apparently nursing an injured shoulder. Under the current regime, this is a team that seems to be content to win with great defense, great special teams and just enough offense. It’s certainly a formula that’s been successful at a lot of levels in football, even if it doesn’t please point-hungry faithful.
As we march through this season, it will be interesting to see where this defense stacks up historically with some of the better Montana Ds, particularly the 2001 version that dominated the playoffs and championship game that year. The overall quality in FCS is as good this year as it’s been since the days when Nevada, Boise State, Marshall, Georgia Southern and Idaho were running the show, which certainly elevates Montana’s defensive statistics – if they continue their fine play – even more.
Let’s just hope the offense can figure things out before the heavy hitters in the Big Sky and, especially, potential pounders come calling in the playoffs.
Given Bergquist’s determined comments after Saturday’s game, here’s betting they will.
- John Smithers
What is the big deal about the grizzlies? You all get so jacked up on Saturday to watch Montana beat yet another high school team. I’ve seen the Griz play on TV, and I watch to see the crowds at the road games. Its often just empty bleachers. Or sometimes when the Griz play away there are more Montana fans than home team fans, and that just makes me laugh. Nobody cares about Big Sky football except Griz fans. I have yet to see a Grizzly highlight on Sportscenter. The day the Griz go to division-I is the day I become a Griz fan. That will never happen, because then we wouldn’t beat up on every high school team we play. And that’s bad for business. Grizzly football: big fish in a small pond.
Comment by David Schlatter — October 4, 2007 @ 8:34 am
To answer David’s question about the Griz fans maybe a look at the roster of players we have will answer why we follow and love our team so much. Check out the home towns of our boys. We recruit so many in state boys that it’s hard not to like our team. Now look at your precious FBS division and try to figure out where that team hails from just by the roster. Even check out our rival Cat’s roster and see how many 406 boys are on their roster. Nowhere near as many.
Comment by veteran griz — October 5, 2007 @ 7:20 am
Hi David-
Couple things. Firstly, we play, and beat, alot of good teams. High school, you say? Do your homework. The division that we play and often dominate contains alot of highly respected and accomplished programs. Secondly if you’re going to come into a forum that’s for fans, you should at least get your facts and lingo down: sportscenter? You bet your rear. Obviously not before the postseason, but we get there. And since when is that the measure of a team’s success on any level, anyway? Maybe for an armchair critic like you.
Are you really a college ball fan, or just someone, like so many others whose team(s) have been badly dominated by UM over time, who harbors resentment (do I smell a ‘Cat fan)? Because clearly, you don’t know much. I guess you really are a Griz fan, though, because UM is Division I, smartguy. I hope you return after this fledgling blog has been established, so we can all then pounce on your ignorant butt.
Griz faithful need to step in here in a hurry, and and get this thing started off right.
Hey Missoulian- good job!
Go Griz!
Comment by Kerry Patton — October 5, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
I’m really excited that the Missoulian has provided this site for Griz fans. Yes, I am part of that group of fans who look forward to the Griz doing well against the teams who come to Washington-Grizzly stadium. After having followed the Griz for the last seventeen years I have come to expect excellence but not perfection. I expect excellence because that is what has been demonstrated to me over that time span. The fan base of the Griz has responded by supporting the school/team to an extrodinary degree. Just look at the Washington/Grizzley stadium and the massive number of supports who fill it game after game. Having said all that I find myself in a bit of a quandry. My quandry is that I am disappointed in certain aspects of the performance of the team. I’m thrilled the team is doing well. However,I suspect my frustration is shared by other Griz fans – if the number of boos I heard at the last two games is of any measure. Issues of play calling come to mind, three and out in the second half is not ball control, frequent calls of “up the middle” especially in the first half are some of my frustrations. Anybody else? Go Griz!
Comment by Rolland Ellisd — October 9, 2007 @ 11:19 pm
I want to thank all the GRIZ players for their time and dedication to this great football program, and all programs and players included, but I am a football fan foremost. A comment on the Boos, I hope that the players don’t for one moment think that the boos are directed at them! I believe the fans are upset with the play calling and as arm chair quarterbacks, we think that we know best. Many times the fans don’t know the behind the scenes info and get upset with the lack of production by some of the plays. That will never change, but if something doesn’t work, do we keep trying it until it does? The players put in a lot of time, often times 12 months of the year in preparation to achieve the excellence they display on the field, not to mention their academic demands of achieving a college degree. Congrats to ALL atheletes and “GO GRIZ”
Comment by Calvin Mertes — October 11, 2007 @ 4:45 am
Rolland, you share the frustrations of many many Griz fans. I, like you have been a fan for many years. I have not missed any home game for 13 years, and attended many before that. We watched Don Read build this program to what it is today. We are watching the current coaches take us to mediocrity, despite the deepest talent ever assembled at Montana. Nothing has changed for the past 5 years. Our talent is not fully utilized, our offensive “scheme” is ridiculously simple and unimaginative, and we are being carried on the talent of players, alone. To expect Hilliard to make yards “up the middle” time after time as a lone back is absurd. Teams collapse on him, key on him and basically can figure out where the play is going just like you and I can.
I have refrained from booing the coaches, as it affects the players, as well. But I am just as upset as those who do.
We will never be rid of these yahoos, as no one else will hire them. They will have to be fired, but will that happen until we have a losing season?
I am saddened by what I see on field. I long for the exciting offenses of years past. An offense that is not only more talented than the opponent, but that is able to fool the opponent over and over again.
Comment by Ken Cook — October 11, 2007 @ 12:01 pm
Kerry-
I mention SportsCenter because it features the nation’s respected teams. The griz are never on it because they play a bunch of nobodys.
I flipped on the griz game today to see Sac State’s home crowd, and once again there was NOBODY at the game. No decent football player with any talent would want to play in an environment like that. How can you see these empty bleachers the Griz play in front of and still take them seriously? Montana plays highly respected and accomplished programs you say? Dream on.
I grew up watching the Colorado Buffs and I’ve seen them do everything from winning a national championship against Notre Dame to failing miserably last year with a record of 2-10 (losing one game to Montana State I might add). I would much rather watch my team’s highs and lows through the years than watch them play in a crappy leauge and win every game. This league that the griz “dominate” is simply too easy for them. Don’t you ever get bored of watching the Griz just roll through every season??
However, I do have to admit the Griz games are a lot of fun to go to. I just wish they played some better teams in a more talented league. It would make for more meaningful games that would be much more fun. The Griz need to move up!!
Comment by David Schlatter — October 13, 2007 @ 6:39 pm
David-
Just do Missoula and all of Montana a favor and go back to Colorado.
Comment by Griz fan in Texas — October 16, 2007 @ 9:34 am
Good one.
Comment by David Schlatter — October 17, 2007 @ 12:34 am
As far as the BigSky being a weak conference,not true, you
always have bottom feeders in any conference and some seem content to stay there.Bigsky’s top three can play with anybody bobcat/furman eastern/southern ill, ect,however with the addition of the Dakota schools the Gateway is very
deep and probably the strongest conference in FCS. I would
rank Bigsky #3. We have the talent,in some areas,to move up
but not the coaching.
Comment by ninemile — October 17, 2007 @ 7:26 am
I think Monte ought to make a mini-movie out of this!!!
_________________
I wanna be a Griz Star
(Sung to Nickleback’s ‘I wanna be a Rock Star’)
I’m through standin’ in line to an empty stadium,
It’s like the locker room of vice and I’m never gonna win, this
Life hasn’t turned out quite the way I want it to be.
(tell me what you want)
I want a brand new team not on an episode of COPS
And a ball team I can be proud of again,
And a king-sized field big enough for 10 plus me
(tell me what you need)
I need a recruiting class with a few legal limits
And a big fury jet with a bathroom in it,
Gonna join the Winners’ club up at 37,000 feet
(been there, done that)
I want a new booster bus full of old Griz in it
A new Champ trophy with my name carved in it
Somewhere between Lex and Colin Dow is fine for me
(so how ya gonna do it)
I’m gonna trade this life for fortune and fame,
I need to lose this blue jersey and forget the shame,
‘Cuz we all just wanna be big Griz stars,
Live in riverside housing, driving 400 yards
The grades come easy and the drugs are for creeps
We’ll all stay winners ‘cuz we just don’t cheat
We’ll hang out in the coolest cars,
With the M-V-P and the movie stars,
Every Griz gold winner’s gonna wind up there
Every Big Sky honey with their bleach blonde hair
Hey, hey, I wanna be a Griz star
Hey, hey, I wanna be a Griz star
I wanna be great like Beirman with no missed tackles,
I already got my buddies like to beat up cat-holes,
Sign a couple autographs so I can eat my meals in peace
(I’ll have the crab benedict)
I’m gonna dress up fast in the new Griz fashion
Get a front door key to the mayor’s mansion
I’m gonna trade this life for fortune and fame,
I need to lose this blue jersey and forget the shame,
‘Cuz we all just wanna be big Griz stars,
Live in riverside housing, driving 400 yards
The grades come easy and the drugs are for creeps
We’ll all stay winners ‘cuz we just don’t cheat
We’ll hang out in the coolest cars,
With the M-V-P and the movie stars,
Every Griz gold winner’s gonna wind up there
Every Big Sky honey with their bleach blonde hair
And we’ll hide out in the old Bear dens
With the latest Game Day program of today’s ‘Whose Who’
They’ll get you anything with that great bear smile,
Everybody’s got a Griz Fan on speed dial
Hey, hey I wanna be a Griz star
I’m gonna sing that song
That offends defenders
Gonna keep getting’ victories. Call me ‘kitty dispenser’
I’ll get past Griz ballers to review my play
Great to have Bags around to save the day!
‘Cuz we all just wanna be big Griz stars,
Live in riverside housing driving 400 yards
The grades come easy and the drugs are for creeps
We’ll all stay winners ‘cuz we just don’t cheat
We’ll hang out in the coolest cars,
With the M-V-P and the movie stars,
Every Griz gold winner’s gonna wind up there
Every Big Sky honey with their bleach blonde hair
And we’ll hide out in the old Bear dens
With the latest Game Day program of today’s ‘Whose Who’
They’ll get you anything with that great bear smile,
Everybody’s got a Griz Fan on speed dial
Hey, hey I wanna be a Griz star
Hey, hey I wanna be a Griz star
Comment by The Bear — October 17, 2007 @ 4:28 pm