Griz hoping for a return to dominance

Montana all-american corner Trumaine Johnson (right) returns an interception during a Big Sky Conference football game at Northern Colorado last fall. After missing the FCS playoffs for the first time in 19 years, the talented Grizzlies should rebound this season.

They didn't just lose the Big Sky Conference championship for only the second time in over a decade, they finished third, and of course, they missed the FCS playoffs for the first time since 1992. It was a lot to for Griz fans to digest, and now, with even bigger question marks surrounding the winningest program in NCAA Division I over the last 11 years, Montana will try to return to the promised land.

Head coach Robin Pflugrad is now in his second season at the helm, and Montana seems to be in a better place as far as the systems and what's expected of the players. However, as the Griz prepare to open the season with a brutal four-game stretch which includes this Saturday's trip to SEC powerhouse Tennessee, as well as back-to-back home games against Cal Poly and defending FCS national champion Eastern Washington, there are certainly some unknowns in Missoula.

And no unknown is bigger than in the backfield.

Montana has had a four-quarterback competition this fall with sophomore Jordan Johnson and junior Gerald Kemp emerging as the front runners. Notre Dame transfer and the son of NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana, Nate Montana has also been in the mix as has Kalispell redshirt freshman Shay Smithwick-Hann. The battle has been close, and Pflugrad still has yet to name a starter heading into Saturday night's game against the Vols. But one thing is for sure, coming off a shaky season, Montana is still in new territory not having a proven QB. Johnson seems to be slightly ahead in the race as he played last year as a true freshman, but Kemp has kept Pace, and it's likely that for much of the early part of the season, both will see plenty of action.

The Griz don't have a starter at running back either after Chase Reynolds' historical run as a Griz came to an end last year. Montana has two top candidates in junior Peter Nguyen and freshman Jordan Canada while as well as Brett Kirschner and Dan Moore are capable ball-carriers in UM's "zone/read" scheme. Both Nguyen and Canada are short in stature but both are speedsters with good pass-catching ability, while Moore is a power back with a nose for gaining tough yards.

Offensively, the Griz were in the Top 20 in the FCS in scoring a year ago, but still, things were somewhat inconsistent, especially turnovers, an area the Griz have excelled at under former head coach Bobby Hauck.

This season, ball security will be key as the experienced part of the Griz offense comes in the form of the offensive line and the receivers. Montana will be huge again up front, averaging around 6-5 and 310 pounds on the line. The Griz have all-american candidates in tackles Jon Opperud and Charles Burton, both seniors who can anchor the front.

Out wide, the Griz may possess some of the best playmakers in the Big Sky. Former UCLA transfer Antwon Moutra led UM in receiving a year ago, while senior Jabin Sambrano may be one of the fastest and best receivers in the Big Sky when healthy. Sam Gratton, Bryce Carver and C.J. Atkins add to an already deep group. UM is also loaded at tight end with Greg Hardy, Kavario Middleton and Jacob Haas all in the mix.

And if the Griz can get back to being the powerful offense that once led them to back-to-back FCS title-game appearances just two years ago, they might just be in for a bounce back season. And the top reason why is defense.

The Griz will start 10 seniors and one junior defensively, led by First-Team FCS All-American and Buck Buchanan Award nominee Trumaine Johnson. Johnson has started at corner for the Griz since his freshman season and he is fourth on UM's all-time interceptions list with 14. He's also regarded as one of the top NFL prospects in the Big Sky Conference.

Montana is also loaded at linebacker with all three starters back. Jordan Tripp is the lone junior, while Caleb McSurdy is a two-time all-conference pick, and Alex Shaw is a three-year starter. Depth at linebacker is also a strength for the Griz with backups Brock Coyle, Josh Stuberg and John Kanongata'a waiting in the wings. UM is also strong at end with returnees Ryan Featherston and Bobby Alt, while three-year starter Bryan Waldhauser leads a huge group of tackles.

Senior kicker Brody McKnight will also play a key role for the Griz. McKnight has been steady for three straight seasons now and had multiple game-winning field goals in his career.

There's no doubt Montana has the depth and talent to reclaim its stranglehold on the Big Sky this season, but the Griz have a host of challengers. EWU is the defending champion and a trip to Sacramento State in the fourth game of the season could make or break the Griz' year. As always, Montana wraps up its year with the annual Cat/Griz game which will be played in Bozeman Nov. 19.

Montana opens its season Saturday at 4 p.m. M.S.T. against the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. The game is expected to feature the largest crowd any Big Sky team has ever played in front. Television for the game is set for ESPN Game Plan pay-per-view only. The rest of Montana's games this season can be seen statewide either on the Montana Television Network or local CW channels.