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Week 8 - (RV) SAC (4-3, 3-1 Big Sky) vs. (#4) Montana (7-0 3-0 Big Sky)
- Thread starter Kadeezy
- Start date
Kadeezy
Active member
We have 5 games left:
vs. UM
@ EWU
@PSU
vs. Idaho
@UCD
If we end up 7-5, with our last two losses against UM and UCD, I don't think we make the playoffs. But, if we beat either UM or UCD and end up 7-5, we have a shot.
I think we have to finish 4-1 in these last 5 which means we either need to clip UM or UCD. That would leave us at 8-4 with a Top 10 win. That is hosting round 1 territory.
Go 5-0, we are 9-3, possibly CO-Big Sky champs, two top 10 wins, and a lock for a seed.
vs. UM
@ EWU
@PSU
vs. Idaho
@UCD
If we end up 7-5, with our last two losses against UM and UCD, I don't think we make the playoffs. But, if we beat either UM or UCD and end up 7-5, we have a shot.
I think we have to finish 4-1 in these last 5 which means we either need to clip UM or UCD. That would leave us at 8-4 with a Top 10 win. That is hosting round 1 territory.
Go 5-0, we are 9-3, possibly CO-Big Sky champs, two top 10 wins, and a lock for a seed.
Last edited:
The 4th ranked Montana Pandas (7-0, 3-0 BSC)...err I mean Grizzlies come to town for their 2nd road game of the year for an ESPN2 Friday night matchup. The Griz had a comeback 24-23 win against 16th ranked North Dakota in week 3, a dominant 41-30 win over 8th ranked Idaho in week 5, a second half 28-9 comeback win against Cal Poly 2 weeks ago, and come into this game off of a big 43-21 win over Sacred Heart last week. Montana is in a very strong position to make a run at the BSC title.
Offensively, quarterback Kealii Ah Yat (155/227, 2042 yds, 14 TD, 6 INT, 40 car, 92 yds, 3 TD) is a scrappy player that has done a good job of managing the offense. Ah Yat excels at extending plays with his legs and is quick and shifty enough to pose a threat on the RPO. Ah Yat has a good arm and good accuracy on the quick short throws that keeps the chains moving. Receivers Michael Wortham (42 rec, 610 yds, 5 TD, 28 car, 134 yds, 3 TD) and Brooks Davis (26 rec, 350 yds, 2 TD) are the main targets in the passing game. Five other players have at least 11 receptions). In the backfield, Eli Gillman (122 car, 776 yds, 11 TD, 15 rec, 116 yds, 2 TD) is their big play running back with Stevie Rocker Jr (31 car, 195 yds, 2 TD, 14 rec, 125 yds) getting notable carries. Wortham and Gilman are playmakers and the Griz get creative in getting the ball into their hands. The Griz run a lot of short quick hitter passes and then work in some shots down the field to stretch the defense. This approach helps the Griz offensive line who are decent but not nearly as good as past Griz teams the Hornets have seen in recent past.
On defense, Montana has been pretty stingy and has only given up 30 or more points twice this season. They are able to give a bunch of different looks from their 3-3-5 alignment. The Griz are an aggressive front that pursues the ball well and has forced 11 turnovers (9 INT, 2 fum) and has 15 sacks on the year. Linebacker Elijawah Tolbert (50 tak, 2.5 TFL, 0.5 sac) leads UM in tackles and defensive end Hunter Peck (20 tak, 5 TFL, 3.5 sac) is constantly in the backfield as he leads the defense in tackles for loss and sacks. Linebacker Peyton Wing (30 tak, 2.5 TFL, 0.5 sac, 2 INT) leads the defense in interceptions.
On special teams, kicker Ty Morrison (5/7 FG, 34/34 PAT) struggles with accuracy beyond 40 yards but has a long of 42 on the year. Morrison also punts and he averages 43 yards per punt. In the return game, Wortham is a dangerous returner who is averaging almost 27 yards a return.
The Hornets will have their hands full on both sides of the ball. The Hornet defense has a propensity of giving up big plays and UM has the players that can make a house call on any given play. I think the Hornet defensive front is up to the task of clogging up the running lanes on the interior but the quick pass plays will limit the opportunities for the Hornets to get sacks.
On offense, the Hornets are going to need to pass the ball to keep the UM defense honest. Otherwise they will load the box and make it hard to run the ball. It does appear to be a favorable matchup for the Hornet offensive line, but the quickness of the linebackers will make things interesting.
Preseason I had this as a Montana win, but there has been too much smack talk and vitriol to not pick the Hornets in an all or nothing game like this. There is some rain in the forecast so weather may come into play on Friday night. The atmosphere should be electric, looking forward to an entertaining game.
Stingers Up!
Offensively, quarterback Kealii Ah Yat (155/227, 2042 yds, 14 TD, 6 INT, 40 car, 92 yds, 3 TD) is a scrappy player that has done a good job of managing the offense. Ah Yat excels at extending plays with his legs and is quick and shifty enough to pose a threat on the RPO. Ah Yat has a good arm and good accuracy on the quick short throws that keeps the chains moving. Receivers Michael Wortham (42 rec, 610 yds, 5 TD, 28 car, 134 yds, 3 TD) and Brooks Davis (26 rec, 350 yds, 2 TD) are the main targets in the passing game. Five other players have at least 11 receptions). In the backfield, Eli Gillman (122 car, 776 yds, 11 TD, 15 rec, 116 yds, 2 TD) is their big play running back with Stevie Rocker Jr (31 car, 195 yds, 2 TD, 14 rec, 125 yds) getting notable carries. Wortham and Gilman are playmakers and the Griz get creative in getting the ball into their hands. The Griz run a lot of short quick hitter passes and then work in some shots down the field to stretch the defense. This approach helps the Griz offensive line who are decent but not nearly as good as past Griz teams the Hornets have seen in recent past.
On defense, Montana has been pretty stingy and has only given up 30 or more points twice this season. They are able to give a bunch of different looks from their 3-3-5 alignment. The Griz are an aggressive front that pursues the ball well and has forced 11 turnovers (9 INT, 2 fum) and has 15 sacks on the year. Linebacker Elijawah Tolbert (50 tak, 2.5 TFL, 0.5 sac) leads UM in tackles and defensive end Hunter Peck (20 tak, 5 TFL, 3.5 sac) is constantly in the backfield as he leads the defense in tackles for loss and sacks. Linebacker Peyton Wing (30 tak, 2.5 TFL, 0.5 sac, 2 INT) leads the defense in interceptions.
On special teams, kicker Ty Morrison (5/7 FG, 34/34 PAT) struggles with accuracy beyond 40 yards but has a long of 42 on the year. Morrison also punts and he averages 43 yards per punt. In the return game, Wortham is a dangerous returner who is averaging almost 27 yards a return.
The Hornets will have their hands full on both sides of the ball. The Hornet defense has a propensity of giving up big plays and UM has the players that can make a house call on any given play. I think the Hornet defensive front is up to the task of clogging up the running lanes on the interior but the quick pass plays will limit the opportunities for the Hornets to get sacks.
On offense, the Hornets are going to need to pass the ball to keep the UM defense honest. Otherwise they will load the box and make it hard to run the ball. It does appear to be a favorable matchup for the Hornet offensive line, but the quickness of the linebackers will make things interesting.
Preseason I had this as a Montana win, but there has been too much smack talk and vitriol to not pick the Hornets in an all or nothing game like this. There is some rain in the forecast so weather may come into play on Friday night. The atmosphere should be electric, looking forward to an entertaining game.
Stingers Up!
