Griz prepare for Jackrabbits
South Dakota State nearly took Montana to OT last season
The paycheck from the Iowa Hawkeyes didn't bounce, so now the University of Montana football team can immerse itself into the I-AA gridiron.
And western Montanans can gather in Missoula.
South Dakota State comes to Washington-Grizzly Stadium Saturday for the Grizzlies' season home opener at 1:05 p.m.
The Jackrabbits came to Missoula last season and quasi-stunned The Garden City when the Griz beat them only 7-0. That was after a last-minute SDSU touchdown was called back.
SDSU is part of the Great West Conference - the same as Cal Poly - and is searching for win No. 500.
This will be the sixth meeting between the two teams. The Griz have never lost and have shut out the Jackrabbits three times (58-0 in 1969, 24-0 in 1970 and last year).
SDSU is halfway through its transition, which started in 2004, into I-AA from NCAA Division II. Pending final approval from the NCAA, SDSU will be eligible for postseason play in 2008.
But judging by last week's performance, their transition could be tough.
The Jackrabbits lost to NCAA Division III Wisconsin-La Crosse, 17-3, at home on the "worst field I've ever seen in my life," SDSU coach Jon Stiegelmeier said. The Jackrabbits share their field with a couple of high schools, which played on the field the night before in pouring rain. "There were places on the field that players sunk four to five inches," Stiegelmeier said.
At any rate, the Griz won't take that SDSU loss lightly.
"We were very shocked by the outcome of their game last weekend," UM coach Bobby Hauck said. "We won't be fooled by the video tape of their game. They have a good footb all team, as evidenced last season with a very tight game here, a very close and high-scoring game against Georgia Southern and another good game at Texas State."
After last weekend's blowout at the hands of I-A Iowa, the Griz are champing at the bit.
"We took a loss, and I guess the positive is this team has gotten a sense of urgency," UM coach Bobby Hauck said.
More positives that can be taken from that Big Ten blowout is that the Griz trailed by only 10 points at halftime. The Griz D held Iowa running back Albert Young to less than 100 yards to snap his seven-game streak of doing so. The Griz O held the ball on offense for 29 minutes, 36 seconds - only 24 seconds from evening the Hawkeyes for time of possession. And quarterback Josh Swogger, while running for his life, completed 57 percent of his 28 passes.
Last year, the Griz D held the Jackrabbits to 108 total yards in a constant rain. It turned into a nailbiter when Griz punter Tyson Johnson had a punt blocked halfway through the fourth quarter and the Jackrabbits drove down for a first-and-goal from the Griz 4-yard line. SDSU quarterback Andy Kardoes hit Johnny Davis for a 16-yard TD on second down, after the first-down shotgun snap sailed high, but Kardoes was flagged for being past the line of scrimmage when he threw the ball. (Kardoes was flagged twice for the same thing in the loss to UW-Lacrosse.) Kardoes's final two passes fell incomplete.
Senior punter Neal Bainbridge was instrumental in SDSU's upset bid in that game. He averaged 44.8 yards on eight punts and nailed the Griz inside their own 10-yard line four times with three of them inside the 5-yard line.
The Jackrabbits return 13 starters from last season's 6-5 team - seven on offense, four on defense and both kickers. They have some prolific skill position players back as well as three linemen and their tight end.
Senior running back Anthony Watson and junior Cory Koenig return as a pair of 900-yard rushers from last season. Koenig rushed for 156 yards in last week's loss while Watson was suspended. At quarterback, Kardoes splits time with sophomore Ryan Berry. They both threw for more than 700 yards last year and had two interceptions last week.
Only four players return for the 'Rabbits on D, but one of those is junior linebacker Andrew Hoogeveen. He had 12 tackles, a sack and fumble recovery last year against the Griz.