WCU Preseason Preview: Game #4 - Montana Griz

Throughout this preseason, Purple & Gold will preview all of  Western's 2024 football opponents. For the season's fourth game, the Catamounts travel to Missoula, Montana to face the 2023 Big Sky champions, the Montana Grizzlies. 

 Game #4  - Montana Griz

The Griz completed the 2023 season with a 13-2 overall record and a Big Sky Championship, with a 9-0 record in the Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

      

When: Saturday, September 21, 2023

Time: 3:00 pm (ET) - 1 pm (MT)
Where: Washington-Grizzly Stadium, Missoula Montana
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
   -Play-by-Play: Gary Ayers • Producer: Jeff Bryson

TV/video: ESPN+

Conference: Big Sky

Students:  10,962

Colors:  Maroon and Silver

Nickname:  Grizzlies

Fan Message Board: eGriz.com

The Series: This is the first meeting between the two teams on the football field.

Head Coach: Bobby Hauck became the 37th head football coach at the University of Montana on Nov. 30, 2017. He began his second tenure as the Grizzlies' head coach a day later on December 1, 2017. 2024 will be his 18th year as a college football head coach, his 13th overall year at Montana, and the sixth year of his second stint as Montana's head coach. In 2018 Hauck became the winningest coach in Montana history, surpassing the great Don Read with 86 wins in eight seasons..

Last Season's Record - (Montana 2023): 13-2 overall, 9-0 home, 4-1 away, 0-1 neutral,  7-1 Big Sky

Coming into the 2024 season, Montana ranks No. 3 in HERO Sports’ FCS Preseason Top 25. The Grizzlies finished 13-2 last year, reaching the FCS national championship game before losing 23-3 against South Dakota State.

Montana is set to become a leading contender in the FCS this season, with two uncertainties left, both of which involve key positions. The Grizzlies are in search of a center to complement their experienced offensive line. But, the biggest concern is the selection of a starting quarterback, a role Montana has faced numerous times. 

For the fourth consecutive year, Montana will see a change at the helm of the offense, with quarterbacks Cam Humphrey (2021), Lucas Johnson (2022), and Clifton McDowell (2023) taking turns in the role. McDowell, who joined the transfer list after the national championship game, has committed to McNeese after a short stint at Temple. Sam Vidlak, who took over as the starting quarterback last season, has moved on to Stephen F. Austin. However, the competition for the starting quarterback position is expected to be strong. Montana fans are optimistic about the prospects of redshirt freshman Keali’i Ah Yat, who impressed last season with brief but impactful playing time. Ah Yat, the son of the Griz Hall of Fame quarterback Brian Ah Yat, had a successful season, completing 9 out of 13 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown against Northern Colorado, and 10 out of 15 passes for 131 yards at Portland State.

The Grizzlies are set to field a formidable trio at the running back position. Eli Gillman, who won the Jerry Rice Award last year for his 968 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, is returning. Alongside him, veteran Nick Ostmo, who accumulated 1,398 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns over the past two years, is also on the roster. 

Only four players from its elite 11 defensive line are returning — safety Ryder Meyer ranked second on the team with 91 tackles, linebacker Ryan Tirrell came in fourth with 62 tackles, linebacker Riley Wilson was named to the All-Conference Second Team after making 53 tackles, including 15 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, and safety Jaxon Lee recorded 49 tackles. The Grizzlies are also welcoming back standout cornerback Trevin Gradney, who was a First Team All-Big Sky honoree the previous season with 27 tackles, five interceptions, and seven pass breakups. Safety TJ Rausch and cornerback Ronald Jackson were active players last season, and their numbers will likely grow this year as Montana will be losing three defensive backs: Corbin Walker, TraJon Cotton, and Nash Fouch.

Out of Montana's 15 D1 incoming transfers, 10 are positioned on the defensive end. A number of them left a lasting impact during the spring season. Monmouth transfer, Pat Hayden, is set to contribute significantly to Montana's defensive deep-down left side. The addition of DBs Chrishawn Gordon (Fresno State), Prince Ford (Illinois), and Kenzel Lawler (Utah) to the team is seen as a major boost. Additionally, the San Diego State transfer, Vai Kaho, appears to be slated for the middle linebacker position.

-Returning All-Conference Players: Junior Begen (1st Team; WR), Brandon Casey (1st Team; OL), Trevin Gradney (1st Team; DB), Eli Gillman (2nd Team; RB), Riley Wilson (2nd Team; LB), Journey Grimsrud (Honorable Mention; OL) 

 -Notable Transfers: Andres Lehrmann (Youngstown State; DL), Patrick Hayden (Monmouth; DL), Logan Fife (Fresno State; QB), Chrishawn Gordon (Fresno State; DB), Prince Ford (Illinois; DB), Vai Kaho (San Diego State; LB), Kenzel Lawler (Utah; DB)

2023 Montana Statistics (15 games)

Rushing Offense: 2652 yards
Yards per game: 177
Yards per rush: 4.2 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 147
TDs rushing: 32
Passing Offense: 2967 yards or 198 yards per game
Passing 1st downs: 130
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 410-247-9
TDs Passing: 18
Total Offense: 5619 yards or 375 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 15-6
3d Down Conversions: 91 of 219 (42%)
4th Down Conversions: 12 of 25 (48%)
Field goal-attempts:  18 of 27
PAT-Attempts: 46 of 50
Red Zone Scores: 44 of 54
Red Zone Touchdowns: 34 of 54
On-Side Kicks: 0 - 0
Penalties-Yards: 96 - 926 - Avg. per gm 62
Punts-Yards: 68 - 2708 - Avg. per gm 40