Ok, this is what they're saying this week - Part #5

FCS semifinals: Sam Houston hopes to sprint away from Griz

The Sports Network

By Sean Shapiro, FCS Assistant

DATE & TIME: Friday, Dec. 16, 8 p.m. ET

FACTS & STATS: Site: Elliott T. Bowers Stadium (14,000) - Huntsville, Texas. Surface: Real Grass Pro artificial. Television: ESPN. Announcers: Dave Neal, Andre Ware and Quint Kessenich. Home Record: Montana 8-0; Sam Houston State 8-0. Away Record: Montana 3-2; Sam Houston State 4-0. Neutral Record: Montana 0-0; Sam Houston State 1-0. Series Record: Montana (3-1). Last Meeting: Dec. 11, 2004 (Montana def. Sam Houston State, 34-13 at Montana). Series Streak: Montana has won three of the four meetings. Conference: Montana - Big Sky; Sam Houston State - Southland. Nicknames: Montana Grizzlies; Sam Houston State Bearkats. Sports Network/Fathead.com Ranking: Montana (5); Sam Houston State (1). NCAA Playoff Seedings: Montana (4); Sam Houston State (1). Head Coaches: Montana - Robin Pflugrad (second season, 18-6 at Montana and Overall); Sam Houston State - Willie Fritz (19th year, 19-5 at Sam Houston State, 155-57-1 Overall). All-Time Record: Montana (545-462-23); Sam Houston State (459-443-34). FCS Playoff Records: Montana (two national championships in 1995, 2001; 32-18); Sam Houston State (5-4). Previous FCS Playoff Appearances: Montana 20 (1982, 1988-89, 1993-2009); Sam Houston State 4 (1986, 1991, 2001, 2004).
GAME NOTES: Last week, Montana and Sam Houston State coasted to blowout victories in the FCS quarterfinals, demolishing Northern Iowa and Montana State, respectively. Quarterfinal-round demolitions are just the most recent successes of two of the hottest teams in the FCS. Montana has won nine straight, while Sam Houston State is the last undefeated team in the FCS and a winner of a school-record 15 straight games dating to last season.
Against Montana State, the Bearkats rushed for 428 yards, despite only getting 38 yards on 10 carries from Southland Player of the Year Tim Flanders (97.9 ypg). The Bearkats offense relies on multiple sets, running a version of the read option out of shotgun with quarterback Brian Bell and the "Wild Bearkat" with Richard Sincere (70.5 ypg).
While Bell wasn't relied on heavily to throw the ball against Montana State, - he did rush for a 54-yard touchdown - the sophomore is an efficient passer, completing 61 percent of his passes, and has 18 touchdowns to just four interceptions.
For Montana, quarterback Jordan Johnson was a focal point of the attack against Northern Iowa, accounting for four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing). A sophomore as well, Johnson rushed 10 times for 86 yards, and completed 13-of-20 passes for 196 yards. Johnson spreads the ball around evenly, connecting with Jabin Sambrano (43.1 ypg), Sam Gratton (34.8 ypg) and Antwon Moutra (32.8 ypg) at least twice a game.
With the offensive explosions last week, it's easy to overlook the defense. However, both teams have dominant defensive units that have shut down opponents lately. Montana, which ranks in the top 20 for almost every defensive category, has allowed just 51 combined points in its last five games.
The Bearkats overcame a defensive hiccup against Stony Brook, 27 points, and returned to form, which had them ranked as the top-scoring defense before the start of the playoffs. Against Montana State, Sam Houston State yielded 349 total yards and limited the Bobcats to just 2.3 yards per carry.
On special teams, Sam Houston State's Brandon Closner is a dangerous return man and had an 82-yard kick return for a touchdown that sealed the game against Montana State. Montana's Sambrano didn't return a kick for a touchdown, but he had a pair of long punt returns (24 and 30 yards) that set up Montana touchdown drives.
With Sam Houston State's quick-strike, speedy offense and Montana's more methodical, power-based offense, the team that sets the tone will win this game. While Sam Houston State will be comfortable trading scores, like the second half against Montana State, Montana will likely try and slow the game down a bit.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Sam Houston State 31, Montana 27