weberwildcat
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http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/news/news.aspx?id=4195514
(interesting, 2 seeds picked to lose)
WEBER STATE AT MONTANA
Montana fans have been hankering for a rematch between these two opponents ever since Weber State whacked out a 45-28 victory in early October on the way to the Big Sky automatic bid.
The No. 12-ranked Wildcats hadn't beaten Montana anywhere since 1998 and haven't won a game in Missoula since before Washington-Grizzly Stadium existed in 1987. Montana also knows it has only been beaten twice by one team in the same season, by Idaho in 1982 and 1988. So the No. 4-seeded Grizzlies are confident they can earn some revenge on Saturday.
But this is a Weber State squad that has been changing perceptions all season. WSU fields one of the most explosive offenses in FCS with Cameron Higgins at quarterback, two-time Big Sky rushing leader Trevyn Smith in the backfield and a host of big-play receivers that include Tim Toone, Bryant Eteuati and tight end Corey Nakamura, to go with an improving defense.
In the first meeting, Montana took a 21-10 lead midway through the second quarter as Weber State mismanaged opportunities. But the Wildcats scored three times the rest of the half to take a 31-21 advantage and never looked back.
Weber State dominated on both sides of the line in the second half, sacking Montana quarterback Cole Bergquist seven times and forcing four turnovers. The Grizzlies were also 2-of-8 on third-down conversions.
The Wildcat win snapped a streak of 25 consecutive regular-season victories and 16 Big Sky triumphs for the Grizzlies.
"It's not like we barely beat them, we beat them pretty convincingly," said safety Scotty Goodloe, who had two fumble recoveries. "We knew to give us a good chance to win, we had to force some turnovers."
Montana is obviously an improved team since suffering its only loss of the season, winning eight games in a row since then. The offense has jelled around its strong line, Bergquist's efficient results, the big-play capacity of receivers Marc Mariani and Mike Ferriter and the emergence of running back Chase Reynolds.
The Grizzly defense showed up big in a showdown victory at Eastern Washington a week later and has performed at a high level ever since. But Montana hasn't played an offense with Weber State's game-breaking capacity.
Weber State stumbled in its final regular-season game, losing to Eastern Washington, 33-26. That's why this game is being played in Missoula, instead of Ogden, UT. But the Wildcats turned things around with an impressive 49-35 road win at Cal Poly last week.
Big Sky teams haven't met in the playoffs since 1990. Four times, the teams that won the first meeting won again in the postseason and three times, the first-game loser came back to win the rematch.
This game is likely to be decided on how well Weber State adapts to the tough environment of Washington-Grizzly Stadium. If the Wildcats can avoid turnovers, they can score on almost anyone.
Montana will try to control the ball with Reynolds' running, but WSU held him to 13 carries for 30 yards in the first meeting. The Grizzlies need Reynolds to continue his recent success and to play error-free offense to keep the game close and help Bergquist have time to throw.
After watching the dominance of Weber State's offensive and defensive lines in the first game, I have a hard time thinking that Montana will win this one, even with so much history on its side.
(interesting, 2 seeds picked to lose)
WEBER STATE AT MONTANA
Montana fans have been hankering for a rematch between these two opponents ever since Weber State whacked out a 45-28 victory in early October on the way to the Big Sky automatic bid.
The No. 12-ranked Wildcats hadn't beaten Montana anywhere since 1998 and haven't won a game in Missoula since before Washington-Grizzly Stadium existed in 1987. Montana also knows it has only been beaten twice by one team in the same season, by Idaho in 1982 and 1988. So the No. 4-seeded Grizzlies are confident they can earn some revenge on Saturday.
But this is a Weber State squad that has been changing perceptions all season. WSU fields one of the most explosive offenses in FCS with Cameron Higgins at quarterback, two-time Big Sky rushing leader Trevyn Smith in the backfield and a host of big-play receivers that include Tim Toone, Bryant Eteuati and tight end Corey Nakamura, to go with an improving defense.
In the first meeting, Montana took a 21-10 lead midway through the second quarter as Weber State mismanaged opportunities. But the Wildcats scored three times the rest of the half to take a 31-21 advantage and never looked back.
Weber State dominated on both sides of the line in the second half, sacking Montana quarterback Cole Bergquist seven times and forcing four turnovers. The Grizzlies were also 2-of-8 on third-down conversions.
The Wildcat win snapped a streak of 25 consecutive regular-season victories and 16 Big Sky triumphs for the Grizzlies.
"It's not like we barely beat them, we beat them pretty convincingly," said safety Scotty Goodloe, who had two fumble recoveries. "We knew to give us a good chance to win, we had to force some turnovers."
Montana is obviously an improved team since suffering its only loss of the season, winning eight games in a row since then. The offense has jelled around its strong line, Bergquist's efficient results, the big-play capacity of receivers Marc Mariani and Mike Ferriter and the emergence of running back Chase Reynolds.
The Grizzly defense showed up big in a showdown victory at Eastern Washington a week later and has performed at a high level ever since. But Montana hasn't played an offense with Weber State's game-breaking capacity.
Weber State stumbled in its final regular-season game, losing to Eastern Washington, 33-26. That's why this game is being played in Missoula, instead of Ogden, UT. But the Wildcats turned things around with an impressive 49-35 road win at Cal Poly last week.
Big Sky teams haven't met in the playoffs since 1990. Four times, the teams that won the first meeting won again in the postseason and three times, the first-game loser came back to win the rematch.
This game is likely to be decided on how well Weber State adapts to the tough environment of Washington-Grizzly Stadium. If the Wildcats can avoid turnovers, they can score on almost anyone.
Montana will try to control the ball with Reynolds' running, but WSU held him to 13 carries for 30 yards in the first meeting. The Grizzlies need Reynolds to continue his recent success and to play error-free offense to keep the game close and help Bergquist have time to throw.
After watching the dominance of Weber State's offensive and defensive lines in the first game, I have a hard time thinking that Montana will win this one, even with so much history on its side.
