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.
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