| School | Conf | Pct | Overall | Home | Away | Streak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cal Poly | 0-0 | 0.000 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 0-0 | W1 |
| Eastern Washington | 0-0 | 0.000 | 1-0 | 0-0 | 1-0 | W1 |
| Montana | 0-0 | 0.000 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 0-0 | W1 |
| Montana State | 0-0 | 0.000 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 0-0 | W1 |
| North Dakota | 0-0 | 0.000 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 0-0 | W1 |
| Portland State | 0-0 | 0.000 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 0-0 | W1 |
| UC Davis | 0-0 | 0.000 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 0-0 | W1 |
| Idaho State | 0-0 | 0.000 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-1 | L1 |
| Northern Arizona | 0-0 | 0.000 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-1 | L1 |
| Northern Colorado | 0-0 | 0.000 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-1 | L1 |
| Sacramento State | 0-0 | 0.000 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-1 | L1 |
| Southern Utah | 0-0 | 0.000 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-1 | L1 |
| Weber State | 0-0 | 0.000 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-1 | L1 |
Monday, September 3, 2012
2012 Big Sky Conference Football Standings
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Mick Delaney Football Coaches radio show debuts Tuesday, August 28th
Aug. 28, 2012The Mick Delaney Grizzly Football Coaches Show, which airs on the radio every Tuesday during the season, will have its first show of the 2012 season on Tuesday, August 28. It runs from 6:00-7:00 p.m. on the Grizzlies' flagship stations, Missoula's KGVO-AM (1290) and KVWE-FM (101.5).The show can also be heard on most of the 16-station The Grizzly Football Network, which blankets the entire state of Montana.The show is hosted by Mick Holien, the 20-year "Voice of the Grizzlies" along with the UM's two radio color commentators, Scott Gurnsey and Greg Sundberg.The show features insight from the head coach, player interviews, a scouting report on the upcoming opponent, and fans can call in and ask Coach Delaney questions as well.It is broadcast live from Paradise Falls, located at 3621 Brooks Street in Missoula.2012 Grizzly Football Radio NetworkAnaconda/Deer Lodge: KQRV-FM 96.9Billings: KYSX-FM 105.1Butte: KQRV-FM 99.3Glasgow: KTTZ-AM 1240Great Falls: KXGF-AM 1400& 98.3 FMHelena: KCAP-AM 1340Kalispell: KOFI-AM 1180Lewistown : KXLO-AM 1230Miles City: KMTA-AM 1050Missoula: KGVO-AM 1290 & 101.5 FM (Flagship)Plentywood: KATQ-AM 100.1 & 101.1 FMPolson: KERR-AM 750Ronan: KERR-FM 93.9
In the FCS Huddle: FCS more like FC-yes
By Craig Haley, FCS Executive Director
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The "identity crisis" in the Football
Championship Subdivision might be overstated.
After Week 1 of the new season, plenty of people across the nation know just
who plays under the old Division I-AA umbrella, even if the FCS moniker gets
renamed in the future.
Four FCS teams opening their season with an upset of FBS competition is an
eye-catching total.
Maybe they can call the FCS the FC-yes.
McNeese State beat Middle Tennessee, 27-21, and Eastern Washington handled
Idaho, 20-3, on Thursday night, and Youngstown State defeated Pittsburgh, 31-17,
and UT Martin slipped past Memphis, 20-17, on Saturday.
None of the four teams was picked to win its conference title, but each can
be a factor if it can sustain the early high level of play. That hasn't been
easy, however, for many of the teams that upset FBS competition in recent
seasons.
Youngstown State's win was particularly rewarding because it showed the
Penguins can put the results behind the high expectations surrounding their
team.
Eastern Washington, the 2010 FCS national champion, appears back on track
after a disappointing, injury-plagued season a year ago, and new gunslinger Kyle
Padron has his share of wide receiver talent.
McNeese State didn't get Tyrann Mathieu from LSU, but it has its own dynamic
defensive back in safety Malcolm Bronson.
UT Martin's offense can be scary good at times, and with a new defensive
coordinator, the Skyhawks hope to match up on that side of the ball.
All four teams went 6-5 or 5-6 last season, but returned an influential
amount of starters, so better seasons clearly are in the works.
The way the four come back to action next Saturday is quite a contrast.
Eastern Washington (Washington State) and UT Martin (Northern Illinois) take on
more FBS competition, while McNeese State hosts a Division III school (McMurry)
and Youngstown plays a non-scholarship school (Valparaiso) that has lost 33 of
its last 35 games.
TOP 25 SCOREBOARD
A recap of games in The Sports Network FCS Top 25 can be found at
http://tinyurl.com/9cxo47y.
STOCK RISING, STOCK FALLING
Rising: First-year coach Dino Babers' passing attack at Eastern Illinois was
in full flight with seven touchdown passes in a 49-28 win over rival Southern
Illinois. Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 369 yards and five touchdowns with no
interceptions, while Erik Lora caught two touchdowns and threw for one.
Falling: The Walter Payton Award candidacy of Elon wide receiver Aaron
Mellette and Southern Utah quarterback Brad Sorensen - perhaps the FCS' top
senior prospects for the 2013 NFL Draft - took a hit. Elon was embarrassed by
North Carolina, 62-0, and the record-setting Mellette caught only two passes for
nine yards. Sorensen was 12-of-31 for 153 yards and one interception in a 34-3
loss at Utah State.
AROUND THE NATION
Big Sky: New quarterback Trent McKinley was up to the task in his first
career start, a 35-24 rally past South Dakota. McKinley completed 26-of-32
passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. The Hawaiian also
rushed for 65 yards on 13 carries.
Big South: 2012 NFL Draft choice Josh Norman returned to Coastal Carolina to
watch Saturday's 29-13 Chanticleers win over North Carolina A&T. He saw
senior cornerback Dontavais Johnson tie his school record of three interceptions
in a game (Norman's brother Marrio also shares the CCU single-game record with
three picks) ... Brian Hudson appeared to solidify the quarterback position
during Liberty's 20-17 loss at Wake Forest. That's welcome news for new coach
Turner Gill.
CAA Football: The near-miss of Week 1 was William & Mary's 7-6 loss at
FBS Maryland. The host Terps needed a fourth-quarter touchdown to avoid the
upset ... Virginia quarterback Michael Rocco didn't treat his uncle, new
Richmond coach Danny Rocco, so well while throwing for 311 yards and a touchdown
in the Cavaliers' 43-19 win over the Spiders, who have lost nine straight games
... Andrew Pierce became the first Delaware junior to surpass 3,000 career
rushing yards. He has 3,020 after a 41-21 win over West Chester.
Ivy: Cornell's Shane Savage, Kurt Ondash and Luke Tasher ranked 1-2-3 in
receiving yards per game last season, and all three return for quarterback Jeff
Mathews. All Ivy teams open their campaign on Sept. 15.
MEAC: Few endings were more exciting than Morgan State outlasting Sacred
Heart, 30-27, in four overtimes. Ervin Gonzalez's 20-yard field goal was the
difference ... In Norfolk State's first shutout since 2001 - 24-0 over Virginia
State - the Spartans defense registered 17 tackles for loss, seven sacks and
four takeaways. Senior linebacker Jamal Giddens collected seven tackles, 4.5 for
loss, two sacks and two forced fumbles despite missing much of the second half
due to cramps ... It can't get any worse for Savannah State, can it? After
falling to Oklahoma State, 84-0, the Tigers travel to Florida State next
Saturday.
Missouri Valley: Going back to last year's FCS playoffs, defending national
champion North Dakota State has allowed one touchdown in its last four games ...
South Dakota State's Zach Zenner had a 99-yard touchdown run against Kansas.
Northeast: Wagner shut out Florida Atlantic for three quarters before falling
7-3 in its first-ever game against an FBS school. Dominique Williams rushed for
117 yards on 24 carries and safety Pat O'Connor had 10 tackles and a fumble
recovery in the loss.
Ohio Valley: Florida A&M's Darien Fleming was stopped twice on
quarterback sneaks from the Tennessee State 1-yard line, preserving the Tigers'
17-14 win in the final minute of the John A. Merritt Classic ... Eastern
Kentucky fourth-year starting quarterback T.J. Pryor missed the opener against
Purdue because of a hamstring injury.
Patriot: With a 55-0 shutout of Lock Haven, Fordham became the 15th Division
I school to reach 750 wins and the fifth FCS team to do so ... Don't overlook
Georgetown senior linebacker Robert McCabe, who was tremendous last season and
collected 17 tackles, including three for a loss, in the Hoyas' 35-14 win at
Davidson.
Pioneer: Not to be lost in Marist's 4-7 record last season is the Red Foxes
led the 10-team league in total defense and ranked third in scoring defense.
Coach Jim Parady apparently has another stout unit as it routed Bryant, 35-10,
on the road while limiting Bulldogs running back Jordan Brown (1,815 yards last
season) to 43 yards on 22 carries.
Southern: Samford got a jump-start on the conference race with a 24-21
victory over Furman. Cameron Yaw kicked a game-winning 27-yard field goal with
37 seconds left - the 53rd of his career. Head coach Pat Sullivan, who has been
dealing with a bout of pneumonia, returned to the team, but did not do his
coaching from the sideline ... The FCS' top-three rushing teams of a year ago
came out in force on Saturday. Wofford rushed for 402 yards, Georgia Southern
went for 557 and The Citadel had 479.
Southland: Nicholls' postponed game at Oregon State (travel after Hurricane
Isaac) will be played Dec. 1 depending on the postseason schedule of both teams.
SWAC: The West Division race has taken on an interesting feel with defending
conference champion Grambling State and Prairie View A&M both suffering SWAC
losses to open their campaign ... Arkansas-Pine Bluff beat Langston, 17-14, on
Tyler Strickland's 27-yard field goal with one second remaining.
Extra point: New FCS head coaches combined on a 7-6 record in Week 1.
Columbia's Pete Mangurian and Yale's Tony Reno will make their debuts on Sept.
15.
A LOOK AHEAD
An exciting Week 1 gets an encore next Saturday with many more non-conference
matchups and FCS opportunities against FBS competition.
No game stands out more on than Montana's visit to Appalachian State, which
has the feel of Armageddon considering their program histories and large fan
bases. The two national powers have never met in the regular season, but twice
previously in the FCS playoffs, with Montana winning both times at home (2000
and 2009).
"It's almost like a playoff game, only it's happening the second week of the
season," Montana coach Mick Delaney said.
The FCS-vs.-FBS menu features defending national champion North Dakota State
at Colorado State and New Hampshire at Minnesota. Illinois State has a shot at
Eastern Michigan, while UC Davis returns to San Jose State, where the Aggies won
two years ago.
Other big non-conference games include Central Arkansas at Murray State, Old
Dominion at Hampton, Chattanooga at Jacksonville State, Norfolk State at
Liberty, Montana State at Drake in Bobcats coach Rob Ash's return to the school
where he is the all-time wins leader, and Jackson State vs. Tennessee State in
the Southern Heritage Classic at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn.
The inside track to the MEAC title could be gained in the Bethune-Cookman at
South Carolina State matchup. In the Southern Conference, Georgia Southern
visits The Citadel in a rematch of last year's 14-12 GSU win.
Oh, yes, No. 1 Sam Houston State also kicks off its season against Incarnate
Word, a future rival in the Southland Conference.
Notebook: Stonewall Griz: Kanongata’a, Tripp harry USD offense
11 hours ago •
In between, there was a blip or two for Montana’s defense Saturday against South Dakota. But to hold the Coyotes to 233 net yards and just two first downs in the second half was significant for a unit with just two returning starters.
“These are new kids but they’re not new football players, they’re really good football players,” South Dakota coach Joe Glenn said of Montana’s nine new starters on defense. “Montana didn’t lose much from last year I don’t think. And they’ll just get better and better.
“It’s a reload deal. (LB John) Kanongata’a is really a good football player. Jordy (Tripp) is back just in time for us. I hate that. I know how good he is.”
The final stats reflect how Tripp, a Missoula Big Sky grad, and Kanongata’a make life extremely difficult for an opponent looking to attack the edges. The outside linebackers combined for 18 tackles in Saturday’s 35-24 victory.
“They’re fast and they read well,” Coyotes’ quarterback Josh Vander Maten said. “It’s tough when you have good linebackers like that. We tried everything we could.”
Kanongata’a made arguably the biggest defensive play of the game late in the third quarter with his team trailing, 24-22. He intercepted a pass and returned it 7 yards to the South Dakota 34. Three plays later the UM offense capitalized on Dan Moore’s 14-yard go-ahead touchdown.
“Really it was just a great job by our D-line,” Kanongata’a said. “They got to the quarterback. He just threw it up, basically. I was right there.”
Montana finished particularly strong in the final period, holding South Dakota to zero points and just one first down. Afterwards, Tripp talked about what it meant to be back in the lineup after sitting most of last season with an injury.
“It felt great to be back out there with all the guys,” said the junior. “It was a long time coming.”
****
Nice capper
Tripp’s finest play might have been his final one of the game, when South Dakota was facing third-and-12 from its own 24.
Vander Maten, a speedy QB, was flushed from the pocket and then looked to scramble around the left side – but Tripp, a 244-pounder, was able to trip him up for a sack and a loss of 2.
“We were just in a base, four-man rush,” Tripp said. “The two inside guys got a really good push. I thought he was going to pull it and cut through the pocket, but he bailed.
“I took off and he was a lot faster than I thought. I was lucky to clip an ankle. I’m happy to be on that end of it, and not being chewed out on Monday.”
****
Happy return
Glenn, who coached the Grizzlies from 2000-02, was upbeat about the experience of returning to Missoula with another team, and about UM’s talent and coaching.
Especially a certain UM offensive coordinator.
“Timm Rosenbach called a great game,” Glenn said. “They beat on us in the middle, and when we kind of cinched it down to try and shore that up, he’s screen it out. Then he threw a double-pass – what a terrific call that was.
“Hat’s off to ‘Beav,’ as I knew him when he was in the ninth grade. His dad (the late Lynn Rosenbach) and I coached together here in 1980 and Timm was a favorite of ours.”
Glenn added that he walked the river trail with his team on Friday, circling the Carousel and coming up through downtown.
“We did walk by Red’s and Mo Club and I stuck my head in and hollered at everybody – and I think I knew most everybody at both places,” he said. “What’s that say about me?”
Then he answered: “I like hamburgers.”
Glenn plans to be back in two weeks when the 2001 Montana team that won the Division I Football Championship is inducted into the Grizzly Hall of Fame.
****
Nguyen rallies
Peter Nguyen not only had his third 100-yard rushing game, he grabbed four passes for 23 yards.
He also dropped a booming punt that set South Dakota up with a short field. The Coyotes ended up kicking a field goal.
“I just had bad technique,” said the senior, who had 4 yards in punt returns and 63 on kickoffs. “I did feel really bad for the defense, but they really stuck it out. They really held strong.”
The offense did the rest. Nguyen scored Montana’s final TD on a 3-yard run.
“The linemen just had a great day,” said Nguyen, who made a one-handed grab of a screen after his bobble. “The hole was wide open and there was one defender to my right who actually came in late. I just had to break his arm tackle to score.”
Nguyen also had praise for quarterback Trent McKinney.
“I thought Trent did a great job,” he said. “First game, first start. I’m proud of him. He had a great day. He made great reads - I felt like he handed the ball off at the right time. And those bubbles (screens), those were great reads also.
“He gave me the ball at the right time, every time.”
Sustained by broad shoulders, promising QB
10 hours ago •
This time it was different. Something the men in maroon could control between the lines with ironclad will.
When you lose your head coach and your reputation takes a savage hit, there’s not much to do but shut up and regroup. Lose your star quarterback, same deal.
One thing the Grizzlies never lost was their pride. What a beautiful thing it was watching it on full display once again. Watching young men rise like a phoenix when faced with an eight-point deficit in the third quarter.
You can’t teach that kind of inner belief. Some teams simply believe they should win and collectively act like it. Credit the Ghosts of Griz Past with an assist. Embrace the spirit of the warriors’ present.
My favorite part of Saturday’s 35-24 win over South Dakota was the play of quarterback Trent McKinney. His first game as a collegiate and he connects on 26 of 32 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns.
He threw the ball with zip and impressive accuracy. He ran for 65 yards on 13 carries. He proved he could take a big hit. He responded like a champ when one of his passes bounced off the hands of a receiver and went for a pick-six.
“I thought he did a terrific job,” South Dakota coach Joe Glenn said. “Those bubble screens, you guys would think that’s a gimme. But it’s not.
“It’s a hard-to-throw ball. For the receiver to catch it and keep his momentum, that ball has got to be perfect.”
McKinney was nervous when he took the field Saturday. He didn’t get much sleep the night before.
“I was anxious,” he said of Friday night. “I tried to force myself to go to sleep. Didn’t work out.
“Come this morning my phone is getting blown up with a bunch of messages. I didn’t check any of the messages but one from Jordy Johnson, the only one I end up reading,” he continued, referring to Montana’s 2011 starting QB, who has been charged with rape. “He’s telling me to relax. That feels good, to have one of your big brothers – he’s still one of us – to have one of your big brothers texting you and telling you he’s still behind you 100 percent.”
Armed with the support of his teammates and 25,000 loyal fans at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, McKinney showed significant poise when his troops were on the wrong end of a 24-16 score. He completed three straight passes in guiding Montana to the South Dakota 39-yard line. Then he flicked a difficult bubble lateral to tight end Greg Hardy, who turned and threw to a wide-open Bryce Carver for a touchdown.
“After the play I had to go talk to Hardy and tell him quit showing me up,” McKinney joked.
Suddenly Montana was back in business, trailing 24-22 late in the third quarter. Even then you had the feeling the maroon wave was bound to drown the Coyotes.
It did.
Lightning-quick linebacker John Kanongata’a, Montana’s version of Troy Polamalu, intercepts a pass and returns it to the South Dakota 34-yard line. Montana pile-drives the Coyotes’ defense on three straight run plays, the last resulting in a Dan Moore touchdown.
The rest is history. Turns out this powerhouse program we were all concerned about is just fine.
“I respect the heck out of this place,” said Glenn, who led the Griz to a national title in 2001. “So proud for (UM coach) Mick Delaney. Perfect guy to come in and settle down the situation.
“I thought his kids responded to him and the coaching staff real well ... We kind of caught the Griz on the way up and they’re going to get a lot better.”
Take heart, Griz Nation. All is well on the field.
Bottom line
Montana 35, South Dakota 24
Crowd: 25,126.
Conditions: 78 degrees and sunny.
Elapsed time of game: 3:06.
Records: UM is 1-0; South Dakota fell to 0-1.
Next up: The Griz play at No. 6 Appalachian State next Saturday. The game will kick off at 4:30 p.m. Mountain and air on ESPN GamePlan. The Mountaineers lost at East Carolina 35-13 in their season opener.
Key stat: The Griz ran 98 plays Saturday, gaining 568 yards.
Key moment: With 7:11 left in the third quarter, Griz tight end Greg Hardy took a lateral pass and lofted a 39-yard bomb to Bryce Carver for a TD. UM went on to score the last 19 points of the game.
Quotable: “This offense we have right now, that Coach (Timm) Rosenbach is running, will be dynamic. As we get going it will get better and better.” – Griz coach Mick Delaney
Crowd: 25,126.
Conditions: 78 degrees and sunny.
Elapsed time of game: 3:06.
Records: UM is 1-0; South Dakota fell to 0-1.
Next up: The Griz play at No. 6 Appalachian State next Saturday. The game will kick off at 4:30 p.m. Mountain and air on ESPN GamePlan. The Mountaineers lost at East Carolina 35-13 in their season opener.
Key stat: The Griz ran 98 plays Saturday, gaining 568 yards.
Key moment: With 7:11 left in the third quarter, Griz tight end Greg Hardy took a lateral pass and lofted a 39-yard bomb to Bryce Carver for a TD. UM went on to score the last 19 points of the game.
Quotable: “This offense we have right now, that Coach (Timm) Rosenbach is running, will be dynamic. As we get going it will get better and better.” – Griz coach Mick Delaney
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