Home openers for Griz, Cats

It's week two for the Montana Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats. And it's rapidly becoming an interesting start to the season for both teams.

Last week, the Griz opened their season with a narrow, but ugly loss at FBS Wyoming, while MSU didn't particularly play much better in a 37-10 loss at FBS Arkansas State.

Now comes the home-openers for both teams against NCAA Division II teams. Yet, both teams are going to be missing perhaps their best offensive weapons.

Montana State will play its home opener against Black Hills State Saturday night in Bozeman, while the Grizzlies battle Central Washington, a perennial DII power Saturday afternoon in Missoula.

The No. 4 Griz' (0-1) home-opener could be a tight one, considering CWU pushed UM to the brink the last time the two teams met. Brody McKnight kicked a late field goal to lift the Griz to a 38-35 win over CWU in 2008, a season UM went on to play in the FCS national championship game. This Wildcat team comes into the season having gone 7-4 a year ago, and with a new head coach. But like that 2008, squad, they'll have plenty of firepower with FBS dropdowns Jordan Todd and Arthur Burns at running back, former Washington State speedster Austin Pernell at wide receiver and Justin Lane running the Cats' no-huddle fast-paced offense.

Still, a DII team coming to Washington-Grizzly Stadium to play UM in its home opener shouldn't be cause for concern. That is, unless the Grizzlies are without start8ing QB Jordan Johnson. Though Griz' practices are closed to the public throughout the week, it's been rumored that Johnson hasn't practiced and may have suffered an injury in the Griz' 17-12 loss at Wyoming last Saturday. If Johnson doesn't go, senior Shay Smithwick-Hann would get the start against the Wildcats with a shaky offensive line in front of him. The Griz ran for just 42 yards against Wyoming, and that number will have to be better, even against DII Central Washington.

However, Montana's saving grace this weekend could be a stellar defense. The Griz' front four punished Wyoming's quarterback last week, and will be called upon to do the same Saturday.

While Johnson's status for Saturday's game against the Wildcats is anyone's guess, MSU's No. 1 Johnson isn't. The Bobcats will open their home schedule without starting running back and senior leader Shawn Johnson, who is out with a concussion he suffered on an illegal hit at Arkansas State last week.

Still, the No. 20 Cats (0-1), shouldn't have too much to worry about with Black Hills State Saturday night. The Yellow Jackets just recently moved up from the NAIA ranks, so playing the Bobcats will be a major step up.

On the other side of the coin, the Cats can use Saturday night's game to continue to iron out wrinkles, especially new starter Dakota Prukop and a young wide receiver group. Prukop played well at Arkansas State, but MSU's passing game struggled against the super-fast Red Wolves' defense. MSU's defense also played well for a chunk of last Saturday's game but got worn down in the second half. Don't expect that to happen against BHSU, as the Bobcats should have no trouble getting to 1-1 on the season.

Saturday night's game between MSU and Black Hills kicks off at 6 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium. Montana's hope opener against Central Washington kicks off at 3:30 p.m. at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Both games will be broadcast live statewide on ABC-Fox.