Griz masters of halftime adjustments
The Daily Inter Lake
Halftime adjustments won the University of Montana-Weber State University football game Saturday for the Grizzlies.
If there was any doubt prior to Saturday's game in Odgen, Utah, the Griz are firmly cemented in their reputation as a third-quarter team.
Having outscored opponents 67-10 in third quarters coming into Saturday's game, the Griz limited Weber to just 31 yards and one first down while outscoring the Wildcats, 14-0, in the third quarter to rally for their second straight three-point victory.
… And WSU's offense held the ball for 1 minute, 40 seconds longer than the Grizzlies' O in the third quarter.
The nation's second-ranked team remains unbeaten in the Big Sky Conference with games against Idaho State, Northern Colorado and Montana State left on the league schedule.
"Everybody's in our rearview mirror," UM coach Bobby Hauck said.
Everybody could remain in the Grizzies' rearview mirror if defensive coordinator Kraig Paulsen and Hauck continue their success of tinkering with their game plans at halftime.
Weber State had 236 yards of offense in the first half, with quarterback Ian Pizarro throwing for 137 yards. Then the Griz defense held the Wildcats to 36 offensive yards for the next 28 minutes before a WSU two-minute drill netted 82 yards and a touchdown.
Surprisingly, it was a conservative defensive appoach that made the difference.
"In the third quarter, we played a little more zone and less pressure, and we got movement up front," Hauck said. "We didn't play well enough the first half on defense. But we came out of the locker room (after halftime) and played well."
Without applying pressure, UM linebackers Kyle Ryan of Billings West and Shawn Lebsock of Billings Skyview made the big plays that Dillon free safety Torrey Thomas got interceptions on and combined returns for 78 yards that both set up Brady Green's UM touchdowns.
On the third play of the third quarter, Pizarro threw to receiver Terry Larson and the ball glanced off of him as Ryan made the hit. Thomas grabbed the carom and ran 51 yards to the WSU 1-yard line.
Then the Wildcats' first drive of the fourth quarter ended when WSU receiver Marky Filipe tried to make a diving catch. As Filipe rolled, the ball popped out of his hands and Lebsock kept it alive with a tip that Thomas came up with and ran 27 yards to the WSU 28-yard line.
"It was the middle linebackers," Thomas said. "They did it and I just happened to be right there."
The Griz have now outscored opponents 81-10 in third quarters.
Next up: Idaho State (1-3 in the Big Sky, 2-5 overall) in Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
MSU's Jefferson continues to shine
Michael Jefferson swept Monday's weekly Player of the Week awards, earning Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week, Sports Network Co-Offensive Player of the Week, and I-AA.org National Weekly All-Star honors.
The 6-2, 205 lb senior from El Paso, Tex., caught six passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns at Idaho State Saturday, and rushed twice for 67 yards and a pair of scores. He also returned a kickoff 31 yards, giving him a school-record 305 all-purpose yards. Jefferson's five touchdowns ties a school record, and earns him Big Sky and Sports Network awards for the second time this season.
Montana State also stands 24th in The Sports Network and College Sporting News I-AA polls, released Monday.