MISSOULA, MONTANA — With 10 starters back on the defensive side of the football, expectations are higher than ever for the University of Montana Grizzlies as they rapidly approach their 12-game 2013 season.
The team had practice number 12 this morning (Thursday, Aug. 15) in Washington-Grizzly Stadium, and were greeted with a comfortable temperature of 57 degrees on a day which was projected to reach high into the upper 90's.
Despite numerous veterans and starters back on the “D,” most of those close to the football program would more-than-likely say that the heart-and-soul of that group is Montana’s linebackers core.
And why not? Seniors Brock Coyle, Jordan Tripp, and John Kanongata’a were Montana’s first, second, and third leading tackles last season, and combined for 31 starts. That trio accounted for 274 of 912 total tackles, or 30.0% of UM’s stops.
Defensive coordinator Ty Gregorak might be considered a little biased when it comes to that position, as he has coached Montana’s linebackers the past decade.
“Yea, I am biased,” said Gregorak following UM’s morning workout on Thursday. “It’s never perfect, but with those three it’s close to perfect every day. Those three stayed all summer, and they’re about as good as it gets as far as off-the-field leadership and grabbing the young guys and teaching them the way to be Grizzlies. I just can’t say enough about the three of them, and the group in general.
“Those three seniors, and Bryce and Jordan, will get a lot of the pub, and rightly so,” Gregorak said. “But, John Paul Kanongata’a is one of the finest outside linebackers in our league. Those three are playing hard and having a great camp.”
It is obvious what their teammates think highly of them as well, prior to the start of the season as Coyle and Tripp were chosen to serve as the Grizzlies’ 2013 defensive co-captains.
“It’s true the linebackers are the middle of the defense, but our defensive front is phenomenal, and we wouldn’t make a lot of plays without them, and just working as a unit,” said Tripp, a Missoula native and third generation Griz football player. “Obviously Brock and I are captains, but a lot of those other guys are leaders too.”
Coyle (6-2, 245, 3V) started all 11 games and had a team-high 107 total tackles, along with 6.5 stops for loss and two forced fumbles. He averaged 9.73 tackles per game, tying him for 28th in the nation. Coyle was an honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference selection last season, and he was also the recipient of UM’s Golden Helmet Award (hardest hitter) last year.
Tripp (6-3 ½, 237, 4V) was second on the team with 95 tackles in 11 starts, and had a team-high 13.5 tackles for loss for 1.23 a game, which tied him for 25th in the FCS in that category.
Last year Tripp was named to several All-America teams, and was a first team All-Big Sky pick. He was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS defensive player of the year) last season, finishing 10th in the voting.
Kanongata’a (5-11, 215, 3V) started in nine games and was third on the squad with 72 tackles, and tied for the team lead with two fumble recoveries. He was named all-conference honorable mention.
“I’ve said it before, that I would not trade those three for any three linebackers at any level, FCS or FBS, and I know that sounds like a huge statement,” Delaney said earlier this season. “That is just a tremendous threesome at linebacker. They have tremendous work ethic.”
The Griz have very good depth at linebacker as well, with the likes of Jeremiah Kose (6-2, 230, So., JC/RS), Connor Lebsock (6-2, 205, So., SQ/RS), Kelsey Lippert (6-0, 212, S., SQ), Addison Owen (6-2, 220, So., 1V), and Kendrick Van Ackeren (6-1, 215, So., TR).
“Jeremiah is going to be a really, really good player for us,” Gregorak said. “Addison Owen is everything you look for in a linebacker. It’s his third year and he needs to become a dude. He’s going to get quality reps. That’s where we weren’t good enough last year, and where I erred and played those starting three too much.
“You know how I like to coach, and that is rotate players back-and-forth, but I just didn’t feel like I had that quality depth like I do this year,” Gregorak said. “I think it’s there now, and Kenderick and Connor add a nice boost too. I think we’ve got seven linebackers who will all see the field a lot this year. Overall I am very pleased with the play of those guys in the first 10 days of fall camp.”
“I definitely feel like our defense is making strides, but we have a lot of work to do and a lot of camp left,” Tripp said. “We have a lot of game prep to work on to get ready for Appy. (sic) State and get ready to where we need to be. Every day we’ve got to get better and correct mistakes, and take a step forward every single day and not go back at all.
“As far as team morale and jelling among the team, we’re closer than any team I’ve been on since I’ve been here, and this is my fifth year,” Tripp said. “I’ve been on championship teams before, and they were close, but not as close as us. It has a different feel and everybody believes what we can do and how we prepare. If you believe in what you prepare that’s definitely a step in the right direction and part of that team morale and playing together as one unit.”
CAMP NOTES: What is getting to be a regular occurrence in fall camp, QB Jordan Johnson’s pass to sophomore transfer Jamaal Jones was good for a 60-yard touchdown. In the previous play, sophomore safety Justin Whitted had a diving pass break-up to thwart a potential TD by the offense. In team drills Johnson hit sophomore wide receiver Ellis Henderson for a 40-yard completion. Junior offensive tackle Trevor Poole returned to practice after missing a few days because of an injury.
Thursday morning’s practice ended on another fun drill. This one had the offensive line and defensive line competing against each other in fielding punts. The offense edged the “D” 5-4. Senior offensive co-captain Danny Kistler Jr. probably had the most impressive grab, making the catch with his hands. The defense had a chance to tie the competition, but D-line coach Legi Suiaunoa barely missed his attempt, which was on the last punt of the day.
The team practices in the stadium again today at 7:45 p.m. The second (and possibly last) scrimmage of fall camp is slated for Saturday, Aug. 17, starting around 10:10 a.m. in WGS and is open to the public.
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