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Thursday, December 5, 2013
Hourly Forecast for Saturday - DRESS WARM!
Coastal Carolina football team prepares for icy reception at #4 Montana
by Mark Haggard
The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football team will make the longest road trip in program history when they play in Missoula, Montana in the second round of the FCS Playoffs. #11 CCU will face the #4 Montana Grizzlies (10-2) on Saturday at 2 p.m. (ET) at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Coastal (11-2) will play Montana in below freezing temperatures. WPDE NewsChannel 15 Chief Meteoroligist Ed Piotrowski says the temperature at kickoff will be around five degrees. The Chanticleers are preparing for the game by packing plenty of warm clothing, and holding seminars from experts on how to deal with the chill. Coastal Carolina head coach Joe Moglia admits that the weather gives Montana an advantage, "if you have a team, look at the NFL stuff, you have Miami, they have to play in New England. That's an advantage for New England. There isn't any question about that. That's an advantage for them. (Montana). Another advantage is the Montana home crowd at a stadium that holds 25,217 fans, and a noise level that Coastal Carolina has experienced only one other time this season, in a 70-10 loss at South Carolina. Montana has a lifetime home winning percentage of 87.5 percent at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. They have won two national titles. This will be the first football meeting between the schools. Montana, out of the Big Sky Conference, is making its 21st appearance in the FCS Playoffs, most of any team at this level. The Griz have a 30-18 lifetime record in tournament games. The 30 post season wins are the second most of any team next to Georgia Southern with 45. Coastal Carolina has never advanced past the round of 16 in the FCS Playoffs. The Chanticleers will fly a private charter to Montana on Thursday morning. The driving distance between Conway, South Carolina and Missoula, Montana is 2,546 miles. |
Quarterbacks will be key in FCS playoff game between Coastal Carolina, Montana
By Michael Smith michael.smith@myhorrynews.com | Posted: Thursday, December 5, 2013 11:55 am
As is customary during his weekly press conference, Coastal Carolina coach Joe Moglia wasn't taking anything for granted.
It didn't matter to him that Coastal Carolina holds a nearly 77-yard per game advantage in total team rushing and 48-yard per game edge in total team offense.
Nor did it matter that Montana missed the playoffs last year while Coastal Carolina advanced to the second round.
"You can have a team with good statistics and not have them be a good team," Moglia said. "At the end of the day, if they throw the ball 320 yards a game and rush 180 yards on the ground, that's still 400 yards of total offense."
That said, however, Moglia isn't taking anything for granted with Montana quarterback Jordan Johnson.
In 12 games, Johnson has thrown for 2,999 yards and 28 touchdowns. In November alone, he's thrown for 1,086 yards and six touchdowns, which included an abbreviated 118-yard performance on Nov. 16 against Weber State, which the Grizzlies won 42-6.
"The quarterback can beat you with his arms or his legs," Moglia said.
Well... that's mostly true.
Comparatively speaking, Johnson's passing stats are slightly better than CCU quarterback Alex Ross, who's thrown for 2,706 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Both quarterbacks also have similar pass efficiency ratings. Johnson's rating is 156.6 while Ross stands at 157.2.
But in terms of running, Ross has the advantage.
Ross has is actually the Chants' third-leading rusher behind Lorenzo Taliaferro and DeAngelo Henderson with 541 net yards and six touchdowns. Ross averages 4.4 yards per carry.
Meanwhile, Johnson netted 124 yards. His longest rush is 15 yards and he averages 2.3 yards per carry.
Johnson has not scored a rushing touchdown this season.
Montana weather forecast worsens
As game time approaches, and the weather forecast becomes more clear, it's going to be an absolutely dreadful day in Missoula, Mont., home of the Grizzlies.
As of Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service was predicting highs to only reach 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
What's worse, winds are forecast to be blowing 7 to 17 mph, with gusts to 29 mph. The wind chill is going to be hideous, if not unbearable.
If the mercury hits 5 degrees as predicted, winds of 10 mph will produce a wind chill of -10, according to National Weather Service wind chill charts.
In peak gusts near 29 mph, the wind chill could plunge as low as -19 degrees. At those levels, frostbite sets in within 30 minutes.
Moglia said Wednesday that the team will take several precautions, including wearing skull caps, multiple layers and serving hot soup at halftime.
There'll also be heaters on the sidelines and players have been practicing with cold footballs. Otherwise, Moglia said there's not much more that can be done since he estimated it takes up to six weeks for players used to South Carolina weather to adapt to Montana's polar climate.
Stephen Keebler, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Wilmington, N.C., said those precautions should help guard Coastal Carolina players and coaches against frostbite, even if the wind chill dives below -15.
But, he said, the Chants will be at a distinct disadvantage at kickoff.
"There's no way to simulate those bitter cold conditions," Keebler said. "They’ll be at a tremendous disadvantage because of that shock value."
There is, however, some warmth at the end of the tunnel.
Barring a Furman upset over No. 1 North Dakota State, if the Chants win and advance to face the nation's top team in their stadium, which is indoors.
And in the unlikely event that Furman scores a major upset (Furman did beat Georgia Southern, which scored a stunning upset over FBS foe Florida on Nov. 23), the hypothetical quarterfinal against the Paladins would be played at Brooks Stadium on Dec. 14.
As is customary during his weekly press conference, Coastal Carolina coach Joe Moglia wasn't taking anything for granted.
It didn't matter to him that Coastal Carolina holds a nearly 77-yard per game advantage in total team rushing and 48-yard per game edge in total team offense.
Nor did it matter that Montana missed the playoffs last year while Coastal Carolina advanced to the second round.
"You can have a team with good statistics and not have them be a good team," Moglia said. "At the end of the day, if they throw the ball 320 yards a game and rush 180 yards on the ground, that's still 400 yards of total offense."
That said, however, Moglia isn't taking anything for granted with Montana quarterback Jordan Johnson.
In 12 games, Johnson has thrown for 2,999 yards and 28 touchdowns. In November alone, he's thrown for 1,086 yards and six touchdowns, which included an abbreviated 118-yard performance on Nov. 16 against Weber State, which the Grizzlies won 42-6.
"The quarterback can beat you with his arms or his legs," Moglia said.
Well... that's mostly true.
Comparatively speaking, Johnson's passing stats are slightly better than CCU quarterback Alex Ross, who's thrown for 2,706 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Both quarterbacks also have similar pass efficiency ratings. Johnson's rating is 156.6 while Ross stands at 157.2.
But in terms of running, Ross has the advantage.
Ross has is actually the Chants' third-leading rusher behind Lorenzo Taliaferro and DeAngelo Henderson with 541 net yards and six touchdowns. Ross averages 4.4 yards per carry.
Meanwhile, Johnson netted 124 yards. His longest rush is 15 yards and he averages 2.3 yards per carry.
Johnson has not scored a rushing touchdown this season.
Montana weather forecast worsens
As game time approaches, and the weather forecast becomes more clear, it's going to be an absolutely dreadful day in Missoula, Mont., home of the Grizzlies.
As of Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service was predicting highs to only reach 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
What's worse, winds are forecast to be blowing 7 to 17 mph, with gusts to 29 mph. The wind chill is going to be hideous, if not unbearable.
If the mercury hits 5 degrees as predicted, winds of 10 mph will produce a wind chill of -10, according to National Weather Service wind chill charts.
In peak gusts near 29 mph, the wind chill could plunge as low as -19 degrees. At those levels, frostbite sets in within 30 minutes.
Moglia said Wednesday that the team will take several precautions, including wearing skull caps, multiple layers and serving hot soup at halftime.
There'll also be heaters on the sidelines and players have been practicing with cold footballs. Otherwise, Moglia said there's not much more that can be done since he estimated it takes up to six weeks for players used to South Carolina weather to adapt to Montana's polar climate.
Stephen Keebler, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Wilmington, N.C., said those precautions should help guard Coastal Carolina players and coaches against frostbite, even if the wind chill dives below -15.
But, he said, the Chants will be at a distinct disadvantage at kickoff.
"There's no way to simulate those bitter cold conditions," Keebler said. "They’ll be at a tremendous disadvantage because of that shock value."
There is, however, some warmth at the end of the tunnel.
Barring a Furman upset over No. 1 North Dakota State, if the Chants win and advance to face the nation's top team in their stadium, which is indoors.
And in the unlikely event that Furman scores a major upset (Furman did beat Georgia Southern, which scored a stunning upset over FBS foe Florida on Nov. 23), the hypothetical quarterfinal against the Paladins would be played at Brooks Stadium on Dec. 14.
Coastal Carolina copes with Montana’s frozen-tundra advantage in FCS playoffs
Jeff Hartsell
WHEN: 2 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Washington-Grizzly Stadium, Missoula, Montana
TV/INTERNET: ESPN3
WHO: Furman (8-5) at No. 1 North Dakota State (11-0)
WHEN: 3:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Fargodome, Fargo, N.D.
TV/INTERNET: ESPN3
Chicken soup is good for the soul, they say. It might also be good for the core body temperature of Coastal Carolina football players this weekend.
FCS PLAYOFFS
WHO: Coastal Carolina (11-2) at No. 8 Montana (10-2)WHEN: 2 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Washington-Grizzly Stadium, Missoula, Montana
TV/INTERNET: ESPN3
WHO: Furman (8-5) at No. 1 North Dakota State (11-0)
WHEN: 3:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Fargodome, Fargo, N.D.
TV/INTERNET: ESPN3
Serving soup in the locker room during Saturday’s FCS playoff game at Montana is just one of the steps Chanticleers coach Joe Moglia is contemplating to combat the cold expected at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
Forecasts for Saturday’s 2 p.m. (noon Mountain Time) quarterfinal playoff game call for a high of 6 degrees (and a low of -4) with a 10 percent chance of snow.
What’s it like to play football in that kind of cold?
Montana running back Jordan Canada explained to reporters this week.
“Your hands and arms get numb, so you have to focus a little bit more on it,” said Canada. “You can’t feel the ball in your arms if it’s really cold. One play, your hand or arm goes numb and the next play you might not necessarily be aware of the ball.”
Moglia, whose Chanticleers departed from Myrtle Beach on a charter flight Thursday — when temperatures on the Grand Strand reached a balmy 77 degrees — is well aware of the challenge.
“We’re kidding ourselves if we make believe we’re going to acclimate to the cold weather in 48 hours,” he said this week. “It takes weeks to do it right. Hopefully, we’re going to have a good heating system on the sideline.”
The 11-2 Chants are doing what they can to get ready. Moglia will have his strength coach give the players a clinic on preventing heat loss, and the team is using cold footballs in practice. The school has purchased extra cold-weather gear, and the team is leaving early enough to hold a couple of practices in Missoula.
“Any piece of fabric we have in the equipment room, we’re bringing it with us,” said sports information director Mike Cawood.
Montana will provide two sideline heaters, but Coastal Carolina is bringing some extra firepower. Moglia’s even talked about having chicken soup in the locker room at halftime.
“At the end of the day, it’s about understanding that you don’t want to lose your body heat,” he said. “If we’re able do that … I mean, it’s going to be cold, we know that, but we have to be able to handle it.”
The Montana Grizzlies are 10-2 with a proud history in the FCS playoffs — championship game appearances in 2004, 2008 and 2009 and national titles in 1995 and 2001.
And Montana players love the idea that the weather gives them a home-tundra advantage.
“We look forward to it,” defensive end Zach Wagenmann told reporters. “I know some of the guys on defense don’t mind it when the running backs get a really cold, hard ball and have to run into any one of our three linebackers. Bring on the cold — fine by us.”
Montana has won seven straight home playoff games and nine of its last 11. Dating back to 1989, the Grizzlies have won 19 of 20 home playoff games against a team from the South.
But the Chanticleers don’t have to look too far to find inspiration. Wofford, from sunny Spartanburg, went to Montana in 2007 and came away with a 23-22 victory.
It was 13 degrees that day.
$20 playoff tickets on sale/GSA Tailgate moves inside
$20 TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR GRIZ-CCU FCS PLAYOFF GAME DEC. 7TH/GSA’S PRE-GAME TAILGATE HAS BEEN MOVED INSIDE
MISSOULA, MONTANA (12/5/13) – There are $20 tickets available for the University of Montana’s home FCS playoff game against Coastal Carolina this Saturday, Dec. 7, with kick-off at 12:05 p.m. in Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
Also, the Grizzly Scholarship Association will hold its pre-game tailgate inside the East Auxiliary Gym located in Adams Center before the Griz-CCU game. The tailgate, which is open to the public, will be open from 10 a.m. until noon. The tailgate will not be open at halftime.
The $20 tickets for Saturday’s game are located on the East side of WGS, in sections 118, 119, 120, and 121, where there are no actual seats, just cement blocks. They can be purchased at the Adams Center Box Office or at any GRIZTIX outlets.
Or to buy your Montana-CCU playoff tickets via the phone, you may call 406-243-4051 OR 1-888-MONTANA (1-888-666-8262).
GSA MOVES TAILGATE INSIDE FOR FCS PLAYOFF GAME
The Grizzly Scholarship Association will hold its pregame tailgate in the East Auxiliary Gym of the Adams Center on Saturday before the Griz host Coastal Carolina in the second round of the FCS playoffs at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The tailgate, which is open to the public, will be open from 10 a.m. until noon. The game kicks off shortly after noon. The tailgate will not be open at halftime.
Montana hosts Coastal Carolina in 2nd-round FCS game Dec. 7
THE GAME: The 4th/5th-ranked (Sports Network & FCS Coaches polls) University of Montana Grizzlies (10-2) host the 11th-ranked Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (11-2), Saturday, Dec. 7 in a second-round 2013 NCAA Division I FCS game in Washington-Grizzly Stadium (25,217). Kickoff is at 12:05 p.m. (Mountain Time).
GRIZ RADIO: Veteran Mick Holien is in his 21st season calling the play-by-play as the “Voice of the Grizzlies.” Scott Gurnsey provides in-booth color, while Greg Sundberg serves as the sideline reporter. UM’s flagship station is KGVO 1290 AM & 101.5 FM.
TV/WEB CAST: The UM-CCU game is available on ESPN GamePlan and via the internet on ESPN 3, Trey Bender is calling the play-by-play, and Al Groh is serving as the color analyst.
AUDIO STREAMING: gogriz.com/all-access.
LIVE STATS: ncaa.com/mediastats. PASS CODE: ncaamedia.
TWITTER: @umgrizzlies_fb & umgrizzlies_sid.
PLAYOFF VETS: Montana is “officially” making its 21st appearance in the FCS/Division I-AA playoffs -- the most in division history. The Griz are 30-18 in tournament games. Montana’s 30 playoff wins are the second most by any team (45, Georgia Southern). UM had a record 17 playoff berths in a row (1993-2009). (See add 13-13-13 for Montana’s playoff scores/results).
LAST GAME (Montana 28, at Montana State 14): The 5th-ranked Griz played stellar defense to defeat the host and 13th-ranked Montana State Bobcats in a Big Sky contest in the 113th meeting of one of the nation’s longest rivalry games on Nov. 23.
GRIZ “D” SHINES: Montana’s defense held MSU’s offense to just one touchdown, and 277 total yards, and sacked MSU quarterback DeNarius McGhee four times. Griz senior linebacker Brock Coyle had a game-high 14 tackles, along with two stops for loss, a couple of forced fumbles, and a sack, and was named the league’s “Player of the Week” on defense.
BOTH JJ’S EXCEL: In the final three quarters junior quarterback Jordan Johnson completed 20-of-29-0 passes for 253 yards and a TD. Sophomore wide receiver Jamaal Jones had game-highs of 7 catches for 120 yards.
CANADA IN THE RECORD BOOKS: Junior halfback Jordan Canada’s 16 TD runs this season tie him for the fifth most in a season, while his 958 rushing yards rank him 14th. He needs 42 yards to become the 11th Griz player to rush for 1,000 yards. (See add 1-1-1).
GRIZ HAVE FOUR FIRST TEAM ALL-LEAGUERS: Montana had four teams named first team all-conference: senior offensive tackle Danny Kistler Jr., senior linebackers John (J.P.) Kanongata’a and Jordan Tripp, and junior defensive end Zack Wagenmann. Kistler, Tripp, and Wagenmann were first team picks last season. (See add 26-26-26 for UM’s all-league picks).
WINNING WAYS: Montana’s win at Sacramento State earlier this season (Nov. 2), gave the Grizzlies their 27th winning season in the past 28 years (since 1986).
BIG SKY HAS RECORD FOUR TEAMS IN PLAYOFFS: For the first time, four Big Sky
teams were selected to play in the 24-team FCS playoffs. Eastern Washington got the league’s automatic bid, while the Griz, Northern Arizona and Southern Utah earned at-large bids.
SERIES: This is the first meeting between the teams in football. The Griz played the Chanticleers in men’s basketball in the 1991-92 season in Missoula, UM winning 74-52.
CCU LEADERS: CCU senior halfback Lorenzo Taliaferro (6-2, 230), has rushed for 1,572 yards and 24 TDs (the third most in the FCS), is a Walter Payton candidate, and was chosen the Big South MVP on offense. Sophomore QB Alex Ross (6-1, 200) is 203-of-311 (65.3%) for 2,796 yards and 22 touchdowns. Senior receiver Matt Hazel (6-3, 190) has 58 catches for 881 yards and 8 TDs. Junior linebacker Quinn Backus (5-10, 215) has a team-high 126 tackles, is a Buck Buchanan Award candidate, and named the league’s MVP on defense. (See add 26-26-26 for more CCU information).
GRIZ VERSUS BIG SOUTH: This is the first time Montana has played a football game against a member of the Big South Conference. CCU has never played a team from the Big Sky.
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