By Ryan Young
CONWAY — One of coach Joe Moglia’s most consistent messages to his Coastal Carolina football team – and to anybody who asks, for that matter – is that he doesn’t concern himself with things that he can’t control.
It doesn’t matter if a stadium is full or empty, he’ll say, or whether it’s raining or sunny or whatever.
But this week, the Chanticleers will most certainly be spending a little extra focus something they can’t control, and that is the frigid forecast that as of Tuesday night was calling for a high of 8 degrees and a low of minus-2 for their NCAA FCS playoff game Saturday at No. 8-seeded Montana.
“I think the No. 1 thing is just an understanding of what the cold really means,” Moglia said Tuesday during practice. “It is not possible for the human body to acclimate to serious freezing temperatures when you’re used to 45 or 50 degrees. So we’re going to need to make sure our guys understand … this is about the prevention of heat loss. So what kind of clothes are we going to wear, how we wear them, how we might protect our skin, how to stay reasonably warm on the sideline, the use of heaters, chicken soup at halftime, things like that.”
Moglia is having Josh Stoner, the team’s director of speed, strength and conditioning, give the players a 10-minute clinic Wednesday on how best to prevent heat loss, and the Chants will be leaving Thursday for Missoula, Mont., in time to hold a couple practices in the environment they’ll face inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
“That won’t fix it, but it will help,” Moglia said. “We’re going to do everything in the world we can to keep our guys as reasonably warm as possible.”
Offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude talked about the adjustment his guys will have to overcome in catching and gripping a cold football, but he is not worried about it affecting the Chants’ production.
“It really just becomes a mental thing more than a physical thing,” he said.
Of course, some of Coastal’s players learned that lesson the hard way a couple years ago when the team visited Stony Brook on a wet, windy and bitterly cold day. The Chants never adjusted and lost that game 42-0.
It was only in the 30s that day – not the single-digits – but the team was ill prepared with equipment to combat the weather, and that’s one key difference the Chants are hoping will serve them better this time.
Senior safety LaDarius Hawthorne, for one, shares Patenaude’s philosophy on the situation.
“I know it’s going to be cold,” he said. “When I think about it, I feel like we’re all created the same. They’re human, just like I’m a human, so if they can go out there and take it, we can go out there and take it.”
Injury report
Sophomore receiver Tyrell Blanks is expected to play this week after leaving with a shoulder injury in the first half Saturday, but he is being brought along slowly.
“[He’s] a little tender still … but I think by game time he’ll be ready to play,” Patenaude said.
Blanks ranks fourth on the team in receiving with 23 catches for 353 yards and three scores, including two grabs for 69 yards and a touchdown last weekend.
Moglia said no other starters were in question for this week.
“Knock wood, but one of the best gifts that we’ve had all year is that we’ve been pretty much injury free,” Patenaude said. “As you look at all of the success that we’ve had, a huge piece of that is that we’ve had the same guys playing week after the week, the same five guys up front and we’re relatively healthy going in.”
Unleashing Sampson
The Coastal defense gave one of its most disruptive efforts of the season against Bethune-Cookman on Saturday while racking up five sacks, 12 tackles for loss and a fumble return for touchdown.
Part of that, defensive coordinator Clayton Carlin said, was because the Chants took a more aggressive approach with blitzes.
“We blitzed a lot. We probably blitzed more than we have all season and [used] different types of blitzes and things they hadn’t seen,” he said.
Specifically, Carlin said, the Chants made sophomore free safety Richie Sampson a focal point of that aggressive approach, and Sampson responded with three tackles for loss (including two sacks), nine total tackles and that forced fumble that set up senior Mike McClure’s 39-yard touchdown return in the first quarter.
Whether or not that approach was simply catered to the matchup with Bethune-Cookman or represents a change in style for the Chants is still unclear, but after his performance Saturday, Sampson is probably in line for more pass-rushing opportunities.
“It was matchup-based and their scheme and maybe just getting Richie more involved,” Carlin said, not tipping his hand for this week. “It takes a skill to blitz. Some guys are good blitzers, other guys are not really good blitzers. We felt Richie was able to create some things back there.”
Coordinators takes
Speaking before practice Tuesday, Carlin offered his general assessment on Montana’s offense.
The Grizzlies average 37.9 points and 444.4 yards per game, led by junior quarterback Jordan Johnson, who has passed for 2,999 yards, 28 touchdowns and four interceptions this year.
“Their quarterback’s very good. He’s very athletic, gets himself out of trouble, makes plays with his legs and his arm,” Carlin said. “[They’re] very big up front, very, very big and strong, and they’ve got great skill. They’re very, very explosive. I’m very impressed.”
Patenaude, meanwhile, broke down the Montana defense – a unit that allows 21.3 points and 373.1 yards of offense per game, led by a senior linebacker in Brock Coyle who has 113 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and two interceptions.
“[They’re] really good up front, strong, hold their gaps really well, physical, run to the ball well. I think that they mix their coverages really well,” Patenaude said. “Not a huge blitz team, more of a disguise, move-around-the-coverage type deal. But they’re really stout up front, solid on the back end – they’re kind of what we expected them to be.”
Coastal comes into the game ranked third at the FCS level in scoring at 43.0 points per game and 10th in total offense (492.7 yards per game).
Taliaferro misses cut
The three finalists for the Walter Payton Award were announced by The Sports Network.
Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams, Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garappolo and Towson running back Terrance West were invited to the FCS Awards Banquet on Dec. 16 in Philadelphia.
Coastal senior running back Lorenzo Taliaferro finished 11th in the award voting, which was based on the regular season. Taliaferro broke a Coastal record this year with 1,572 rushing yards, 24 rushing touchdowns and 26 total touchdowns.
The Walter Payton Award is considered the Heisman Trophy of the FCS level.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Icy temperatures, crowd factor into Coastal Carolina playoff game at Montana
By Michael Smith michael.smith@myhorrynews.com | Posted: Tuesday, December 3, 2013 3:51 pm
If there were any lingering concerns that Coastal Carolina might be negatively impacted by the big loss to South Carolina, the Chanticleers showed no signs of them Saturday in round one of the FCS playoffs.
As they’ve done most games this season, the Chants quickly disposed of No. 12/12 Bethune-Cookman 48-24.
It’d be a stretch to say the Chants locked things up in the first half. But based on what I saw, few teams are capable of recovering from the 21-3 hole Bethune-Cookman found itself in after the first quarter.
Trailing 7-0, the Wildcats quickly fell behind 14-0 after a CCU fumble recovery that led to a touchdown. Matt Hazel’s leaping grab in blown coverage tacked on another seven points after the extra point.
Coastal Carolina cruised from there.
The Chanticleers will need to repeat that sort of play this week against a much tougher opponent, the No. 5/8 Montana Grizzlies.
The CCU-Montana game will be televised on ESPN3, with kick-off slated for noon (MDT) at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
On paper, the Grizzlies (10-2 overall, 6-2 Big Sky Conference) might seem overrated.
No. 4/5 Montana is one of few Top 10 FCS teams without a quality win over an FBS opponent. The Grizzlies also finished third in their division with two conference losses.
But any weaknesses end there.
Montana’s advantages
In reality, the Big Sky Conference is one of the most stacked FCS leagues out there. Thirteen teams belong to the Big Sky.
Four teams are ranked in the FCS Coaches’ Poll (Eastern Washington, Montana, Northern Arizona and Southern Utah). A fifth (Montana State) is also ranked in The Sports Network Poll (16).
The Grizzlies’ two losses came against No. 3/3 Eastern Washington and No. 8/11 Northern Arizona.
The Big South, of which Coastal belongs, is comparatively weak.
CCU and Liberty are the only two remaining traditional Big South powerhouses.
Stony Brook left the conference after last season.
Gardner-Webb has been inconsistent while VMI and Presbyterian rarely contend. The same was true of Charleston Southern prior to this season.
Montana also has one of the largest FCS stadiums out there, capable of seating more than 26,000 fans.
In their last home game Nov. 16, the Grizzlies had an announced attendance of 23,609 and are averaging 25,552 fans per game, according to the Montana athletics website.
The Grizzlies have won their last four games and seven of their last eight.
Noise will be a factor.
Cold will also be an issue.
On Saturday, high temps are forecast to only reach 14 degrees Fahrenheit in Missoula, Mont., home of the Grizzlies, according to the National Weather Service.
In contrast, 69 degrees is the forecast high in Conway.
That’s why I think the FCS playoff seeds are playing a pivotal role.
As the No. 9 seed, CCU was forced to play Nov. 30 and travel to the tundra on Dec. 7. Had CCU drawn the No. 8 seed, the Chants would’ve had a week off in preparation for a game in beach weather.
No matter what Coach Joe Moglia or the players say, that’s a huge difference. Clearly Montana has the edge in terms of weather and fan support.
In Coastal’s favor
Although this will be Coastal’s toughest test of the season, I believe the Chants can win. Coastal Carolina emerged victorious in a similarly hostile environment on Oct. 19, defeating the No. 26 Liberty Flames 55-52 in double overtime.
That game was played before an announced crowd of 18,911. CCU trailed 28-16 at the half and 42-30 after three quarters, yet came from behind to win.
Liberty is no slouch.
The Flames rallied late this season, blowing out Charleston Southern and nearly cracking the Top 25 in the Sports Network poll.
Coastal Carolina also matches well statistically against Montana on offense and defense, according to the NCAA.
The Chants are ranked 10th in total offense (492.7) while Montana is 21st (444.4).
CCU gets the edge in rushing yards, coming in at No. 7 (262.5) vs. No. 39 for the Grizzlies (186.5).
Montana, however, is a better passing team. The Grizzlies are ranked 26th (257.9). CCU is 48th at 230.2.
Neither CCU nor Montana are ranked in the Top 50 in total defense, though CCU has defeated four of the FCS’ top 10 defensive teams (S.C. State, 1; Bethune-Cookman, 3; Gardner-Webb, 6; and Liberty, 9). Advantage Chanticleers.
If there were any lingering concerns that Coastal Carolina might be negatively impacted by the big loss to South Carolina, the Chanticleers showed no signs of them Saturday in round one of the FCS playoffs.
As they’ve done most games this season, the Chants quickly disposed of No. 12/12 Bethune-Cookman 48-24.
It’d be a stretch to say the Chants locked things up in the first half. But based on what I saw, few teams are capable of recovering from the 21-3 hole Bethune-Cookman found itself in after the first quarter.
Trailing 7-0, the Wildcats quickly fell behind 14-0 after a CCU fumble recovery that led to a touchdown. Matt Hazel’s leaping grab in blown coverage tacked on another seven points after the extra point.
Coastal Carolina cruised from there.
The Chanticleers will need to repeat that sort of play this week against a much tougher opponent, the No. 5/8 Montana Grizzlies.
The CCU-Montana game will be televised on ESPN3, with kick-off slated for noon (MDT) at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
On paper, the Grizzlies (10-2 overall, 6-2 Big Sky Conference) might seem overrated.
No. 4/5 Montana is one of few Top 10 FCS teams without a quality win over an FBS opponent. The Grizzlies also finished third in their division with two conference losses.
But any weaknesses end there.
Montana’s advantages
In reality, the Big Sky Conference is one of the most stacked FCS leagues out there. Thirteen teams belong to the Big Sky.
Four teams are ranked in the FCS Coaches’ Poll (Eastern Washington, Montana, Northern Arizona and Southern Utah). A fifth (Montana State) is also ranked in The Sports Network Poll (16).
The Grizzlies’ two losses came against No. 3/3 Eastern Washington and No. 8/11 Northern Arizona.
The Big South, of which Coastal belongs, is comparatively weak.
CCU and Liberty are the only two remaining traditional Big South powerhouses.
Stony Brook left the conference after last season.
Gardner-Webb has been inconsistent while VMI and Presbyterian rarely contend. The same was true of Charleston Southern prior to this season.
Montana also has one of the largest FCS stadiums out there, capable of seating more than 26,000 fans.
In their last home game Nov. 16, the Grizzlies had an announced attendance of 23,609 and are averaging 25,552 fans per game, according to the Montana athletics website.
The Grizzlies have won their last four games and seven of their last eight.
Noise will be a factor.
Cold will also be an issue.
On Saturday, high temps are forecast to only reach 14 degrees Fahrenheit in Missoula, Mont., home of the Grizzlies, according to the National Weather Service.
In contrast, 69 degrees is the forecast high in Conway.
That’s why I think the FCS playoff seeds are playing a pivotal role.
As the No. 9 seed, CCU was forced to play Nov. 30 and travel to the tundra on Dec. 7. Had CCU drawn the No. 8 seed, the Chants would’ve had a week off in preparation for a game in beach weather.
No matter what Coach Joe Moglia or the players say, that’s a huge difference. Clearly Montana has the edge in terms of weather and fan support.
In Coastal’s favor
Although this will be Coastal’s toughest test of the season, I believe the Chants can win. Coastal Carolina emerged victorious in a similarly hostile environment on Oct. 19, defeating the No. 26 Liberty Flames 55-52 in double overtime.
That game was played before an announced crowd of 18,911. CCU trailed 28-16 at the half and 42-30 after three quarters, yet came from behind to win.
Liberty is no slouch.
The Flames rallied late this season, blowing out Charleston Southern and nearly cracking the Top 25 in the Sports Network poll.
Coastal Carolina also matches well statistically against Montana on offense and defense, according to the NCAA.
The Chants are ranked 10th in total offense (492.7) while Montana is 21st (444.4).
CCU gets the edge in rushing yards, coming in at No. 7 (262.5) vs. No. 39 for the Grizzlies (186.5).
Montana, however, is a better passing team. The Grizzlies are ranked 26th (257.9). CCU is 48th at 230.2.
Neither CCU nor Montana are ranked in the Top 50 in total defense, though CCU has defeated four of the FCS’ top 10 defensive teams (S.C. State, 1; Bethune-Cookman, 3; Gardner-Webb, 6; and Liberty, 9). Advantage Chanticleers.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Tailgate #7 (PLAYOFFS!) – December 7, 2013 (Pearl Harbor Day), Opponent Coastal Carolina
Let us not forget Pearl Harbor Day!
Game Time: 12:00 pm
Game day Weather:
Cold with Sun and clouds
Game time temperature: 12 degrees at kickoff, warming up to a balmy 16 at halftime and then dropping to 11 degrees at the end of the game. Thankfully no wind is in the forecast.
5) Hot Cocoa
Thank you and Go Griz!!!!
Doug
Game Time: 12:00 pm
Game day Weather:
Cold with Sun and clouds
Game time temperature: 12 degrees at kickoff, warming up to a balmy 16 at halftime and then dropping to 11 degrees at the end of the game. Thankfully no wind is in the forecast.
This weekend's main course is Dead
Animal Soup!
Here is a list of items that are needed for this week's tailgate:
1) Dead Animal Soup!!!
2) Dunking Bread
3) BEER DIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Inside joke.
4) Adult beverages to warm you inside out
Here is a list of items that are needed for this week's tailgate:
1) Dead Animal Soup!!!
2) Dunking Bread
3) BEER DIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Inside joke.
4) Adult beverages to warm you inside out
5) Hot Cocoa
6) BEER!!!!!!!!!!! Contact Tim at
549 - 1293 or http://www.wordens.com/ for information
about a keg.
7) Desserts
7) Desserts
8) Anything you can think of to keep people warm!!!
Thank you and Go Griz!!!!
Doug
Isn't this interesting: In the FCS Huddle: Bison get a reminder
By Craig Haley, FCS Executive Director
Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - The first play shown on Sunday in
North Dakota State's film room should not come from Furman's first-round win on
Saturday.
It should be the shot heard 'round the sports world on Saturday: Chris Davis'
stunning return of a missed field goal to lift Auburn over Alabama on the game's
final play.
In a flash, Alabama's bid to win a third straight BCS national championship
likely was gone.
It can happen to North Dakota State as well. Not that coach Craig Bohl and
his assistants will let the Bison overlook this possibility.
But all of the pressure is on them this postseason because it's been national
championship or bust from day one. No ifs, ands or buts about it, anything less
and the Bison won't fulfill their mission of capturing a third straight FCS
national title.
It's been 13-plus months and 20 games since NDSU last lost a game, and that
could become a negative in a tight game, with the Bison freezing up in the
moment and playing not to lose instead of to win.
To their credit, the Bison, who host Furman in the second round next weekend,
and need four wins to earn the title three-peat, never coasted through the
regular season even though the postseason is going to decide everything for
them. They kept their play high to rightfully earn the chance to host three
playoff games to get back to Frisco, Texas.
Sometimes a loss in the regular season can be the best thing to happen to a
team. In the postseason, it's the worst thing.
PLAYOFF FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
A roundup of FCS first-round playoff games can be found at
http://tinyurl.com/p8on4ma. .
HOPING FOR A BETTER SECOND ROUND
None of the eight first-round games was decided by fewer than 10 points. The
winning teams won by as many as 41 points - Jacksonville State over Samford,
55-14 - and by an average of 25.5 points.
GAME BALLS
Offense I - Fordham quarterback Michael Nebrich was 32-of-51 for 413 yards
and three first-half touchdowns with one interception, and he rushed for another
38 yards and a touchdown, in the Rams' 37-27 victory over Sacred Heart.
Offense II - South Dakota State running back Zach Zenner went untouched on an
87-yard touchdown sprint and added a 34-yard scoring play to total 249 yards on
30 carries as the Jackrabbits sprung a 26-7 victory at Northern Arizona.
Defense I - It was many happy returns for Furman's Jairus Hollman. He scored
on a school-record 90-yard punt return and a 34-yard interception return with 11
tackles (nine solo), including three tackles for loss, in the Paladins' 30-20
win at South Carolina State.
Defense II - It wasn't all offense for Fordham in its win over Sacred Heart.
Levon Williams set up the offense with two fumble recoveries and an
interception, along with eight tackles.
Special Teams - Northern Arizona didn't want to face long scoring drives with
its quarterbacks, and South Dakota State punter Ethan Sawyer pinned the
Lumberjacks inside their 20-yard line four times on his seven punts. He averaged
44.6 yards per punt with a long of 50 yards.
CONFERENCE SCOREBOARD
Tennessee State and Jacksonville State both won games on a day the Ohio
Valley Conference ended a 13-year, 19-game streak of playoff losses.
Records of the 11 FCS conferences in the FCS playoffs:
Ohio Valley - 2-0
Big South - 1-0
CAA - 1-0
Missouri Valley - 1-0
Southland - 1-0
Patriot - 1-1
Southern - 1-1
Northeast - 0-1
Pioneer - 0-1
Big Sky - 0-2
Mid-Eastern Athletic - 0-2
FCS AWARDS
The winners of the four major awards in the FCS - the Walter Payton
(outstanding player), Buck Buchanan (outstanding defensive player), Jerry Rice
(FCS freshman of the year) and Eddie Robinson (FCS coach of the year) - will be
announced on Dec. 16.
The FCS Awards can be found at http://tinyurl.com/yhv6oh8.
THE PICKS
Week 14 Record: 8-2 (.800)
Season Record: 623-219 (.740)
Saturday Dec. 7
All Times ET
FCS Playoff Second Round
Fordham (12-1) at X-No. 7 seed Towson (10-2), 1 p.m. (ESPN3). Back in the day
- yeah, 1997-2003 - these two teams played together in the Patriot League.
Towson's cornerback duo of Jordan Love and Tye Smith face a difficult
assignment.
Tennessee State (10-3) at X-No. 2 Eastern Illinois (11-1), 2 p.m. (ESPN3) -
You don't want to face a rested EIU offense.
X-Coastal Carolina (11-2) at No. 8 Montana (10-2), 2 p.m. (ESPN3) - Hah,
think anybody in Missoula will notice this pick?
X-New Hampshire (8-4) at No. 5 Maine (10-2), 2 p.m. (ESPN3) - Wildcats are
hot at the right time of the season.
Furman (8-5) at X-No. 1 North Dakota State (11-0), 3:30 p.m. (ESPN3) - As
long as the Bison don't attempt a 57-yard field goal.
South Dakota State (9-4) at X-No. 3 Eastern Washington (10-2), 4 p.m. (ESPN3)
- Zach Zenner is 56 rushing yards shy of a second straight 2,000-yard campaign.
Jacksonville State (10-3) at X-No. 6 McNeese State (10-2), 7 p.m. (ESPN3) -
Visiting Gamecocks were the most impressive team in the first round.
X-Sam Houston State (9-4) at No. 4 Southeastern Louisiana (10-2), 8 p.m.
(ESPN3) - Let the offensive fireworks begin.
SWAC Championship Game
X-Southern (8-4) vs. Jackson State (8-3) at Houston's Reliant Stadium, 2 p.m.
(ESPNU) - Jackson State and the East Division ruled in the regular season, but
West Division teams have won the last five championship games (although Texas
Southern later vacated the 2010 title).
Griz football mentor Mick Delaney given one-year contract extension
The University of Montana has extended head football coach Mick Delaney's contract to go through the 2014 football season, announced UM's Director of Athletics, Kent Haslam today (Wednesday, Nov. 27). Delaney's contract goes to Jan. 31, 2015, pending approval by the Montana Board of Regents.
For complete story clickHERE.
Greg Sundberg
Associate Athletic Director, External Operations
Executive Director - Grizzly Scholarship Association
The University of Montana
AUCTION! AUCTION! AUCTION!
So you want a piece of Montana Football History?
http://gogriz.cstvauctions.com/auctiondisplay.cfm?auctionnbr=82868
http://gogriz.cstvauctions.com/auctiondisplay.cfm?auctionnbr=82868
THE STATE BOARD NEEDS SOME HELP WITH THE BIG MGSA TAILGATE!!!!!!
Good morning everyone!
What a great weekend for our Griz! With the Griz earning the #8 seed in the FCS Playoffs we have secured a home game in the second round of the playoffs. We will be playing Saturday, December 7th with a noon kickoff. That being said we need to gear up for another tailgate. Tailgate will start at 10:00am and run until just before kickoff and then we will have our standard halftime of 15 minutes or so. To make sure we have enough people to cover the tailgate I am asking all chapters to see if you could help out for a little bit on the 7th. Please check with your chapter members and let me know if you or any of them can give us a hand.
Playoff tailgates are an added bonus for the GSA and we expect a great crowd. Thanks in advance for signing up to help out on December 7th.
Go Griz!
Jared Amoss
Assistant Director
Grizzly Scholarship Association
Adams Center Room 139
The University of Montana
Missoula, MT 59812
Phone: 406-243-5405
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)