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January 2005
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Volume 1, Issue 4 |
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Lady Griz New Year's resolutions
January 1 means it's time for New Year's Resolutions. Find out what the Lady Griz have planned for 2005. MORE
2004 Griz football: a year in review
The Griz played in their fifth I-AA title game in the last 10 seasons. Remember the rollercoaster ride. MORE
Top individual performances of 2004
A letter from Athletic Director Don Read
Hi Griz Fans: With a great football season behind us, Lady Griz and men’s basketball are, rightly so, getting the proper attention they deserve. MORE
GSA announcements
Want to know all the hapenings of the Grizzly Scholarship
Association? Check out the announcements for the month. MORE
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Click below for complete statistical capsule
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Lady Griz New Year's resolutions
by Joel Carlson, UM Sports Information |
Robin Selvig wants to have more nights like this ... |
January 1 means it's time for New Year's Resolutions. Grizzly Times caught up with the Lady Griz basketball team on Dec. 31 to find out what the players and coach Robin Selvig have planned for 2005.
Crystal Baird: "Get a good job after I graduate."
Amy Brooks: "Stop biting my fingernails."
Johanna Closson: "Rebound better."
Dana Conway: "Get straight A's."
Laura Cote: "Not trip while shooting a layup ... in warm-ups."
Katie Edwards: "Stop drinking pop. I drink a lot of pop."
... and fewer like this. |
Sara Gale: "I've never had one. I can't stick to things like that, so there's no point in trying."
Juliann Keller: "Take a charge in each game and limit myself to one pop a day."
Mandy Morales: "Play my best at every practice."
Robin Selvig: "Be calm on the sideline."
Michela Schmitz: "Get better grades."
Hillary Tanneberg: "To become stronger and more aggressive."
Hollie Tyler: "Eat better."
[Back to the Grizzly Times]
2004 Griz football: a year in review
by Timothy San Pedro, MontanaGrizzlies.com |
Would it be safe to say that many Grizzly football fans didn’t know exactly what to think of their 2004 football team?
You tell me.
How many of you thought that Montana was going to reach the championship game?
Whatever the answers are to these two meaningless questions, the fact is that the Montana Grizzlies had a goal and despite the loss that sent all Montana fans into a state of temporary football withdrawal and - dare I say – depression, every Grizzly football player and coach reached their goal and then some. To put it into perspective, the Montana Grizzlies were better than 115 programs in the I-AA and probably better than a lot of I-A programs.
No one can dispute that this season was as up and down as a six flags roller coaster without safety belts, yet after every loss, despite whatever negative remarks some of us may have said under our breath, the Grizzlies remained true to their game plan – conquer one game at a time. This philosophy, coupled with a plethora of die hard Griz fans and a winning tradition, spurred the Grizzlies into the playoffs and into the bright nightlights on the, now infamous cow
”pasturesque” field, in Chattanooga, Tenn.
The season opened with a record crowd of 23,228 curious to see what 2004 would bring for the third-ranked Montana Grizzlies. The 27-20 victory over Maine showed that Montana had a mature, confident offense led by a smart, patient quarterback and a young, unweathered defense.
Ochs said after Montana’s second game of the season against Hofstra that “it just shows you how far (the Grizzlies) have progressed on offense. Last year we lived and died by the run and this year we have the ability to throw to the receivers we have and with the o-line blocking the way they do.”
The 41-23 win against Hofstra propelled the Grizzlies into the No. 1 position, but Montana coach Bobby Hauck knew that his defense had a lot of maturing to do.
“I wasn’t really fired up about us giving up a long touchdown ball at the end of the first half,” Hauck said after the Hofstra game. “But that’s who we are a little bit on defense right now. Play great, play great, play great and then we give up a big play.”
That big play was something Sam Houston State was able to exploit in their 41-29 win over the Grizzlies.
The Bearkats put up 512 total yards on offense, 329 of those through the air, in their first win over a No. 1 team in school history.
If only the Grizzlies could have another shot at this team at home, it might have been a different story.
"We know what our liabilities are ... and they showed up tonight in spades," Hauck said after his teams first loss of the season. "There are a lot of the teams with a loss across the country and none of their seasons are over and ours certainly isn’t over either.”
No statement could have been truer.
Adam Hoge had five tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery in the win over Northern Colorado. |
The next week produced another quality opponent for the Grizzlies as they faced a potent offense in Northern Colorado. And although Northern Colorado produced nearly the same total yards of offense as Sam Houston State (506 yards), the Grizzlies had a couple of things going for them.
One: Home field advantage. Montana finished the season 10-0 at home. Before every home game the loud speakers at Washington-Grizzly stadium declared, “No one comes into our house and pushes us around.” What it really meant was that no one comes into our house and can withstand the amount of noise Griz fans produce.
Two: Red-zone defense. Montana’s defense developed a bend but don’t break strategy where teams could rack up all the yards they wanted on offense, but once inside the red-zone, Montana refused to give up a touchdown.
“Our red zone defense has been solid and carried us at times," Hauck said. "We continue to make great plays down there."
Northern Colorado managed only score one touchdown in five tries inside the redzone and the explosive offense of Montana propelled past the Bears, 27-16.
With seemingly more Griz fans in Ogden, Utah, then Weber State fans, Montana brought the home field advantage on the road and easily overcame their first conference opponent, 42-21.
At the heart of the season, Montana proved that they knew how to win tight games, but no one expected that two blocked field goals would be the difference in the next two wins.
The first blocked kick ricocheted off the hands of Jonny Varona against Idaho State. With seconds left in the game, Montana held on to their 24-22 lead, preventing Idaho State from its first-ever win at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
Before the week 7 game against Eastern Washington, it looked as if Montana was “statistically” the underdog, although they were ranked ahead of the Eagles. But as Hauck said: “You can’t count out the Montana Grizzlies.”
Shane MacIntyre led the Griz defense with
a team-high 94 tackles in 2004. |
With the Griz up three points and 18 seconds remaining, the Eagles were in position to tie the game with a 28-yard chip shot field goal. But for the second consecutive week, Montana pulled out the win by blocking the kick. This time it was linebacker Shane MacIntyre who stole the glory away from a very good Eastern Washington team, preserving the 31-28 win.
“Today was our best game,” Hauck said. “This validated what we are doing with our football team.”
After the much needed bye week, Montana faced Portland State’s run happy offense. Unknowingly, this game previewed what was to come in the championship game against James Madison.
A dominant PSU ground attack controlled the clock and eliminated any chance for a Griz comeback, the Vikings held on for a 35-32 win at PGE Park in Portland, Ore.
"Losing hurts. We don’t like to lose and we’re not accustomed to it," Hauck said. "We need to make sure that the pain of the loss is put behind us so we can look forward to next week's game and getting back on track."
Fortunately, Montana had the advantage of finishing out the regular season with three home games, the first of which came against Northern Arizona.
Montana quickly erased any doubt placed upon them from the previous week’s loss by scoring 34 unanswered points against the Lumberjacks.
"I thought we hit on all cylinders today," Hauck said. "We just did things right."
Scoring in all six attempts in the red zone, controlling the clock (34:09), committing just three penalties for 15 yards and gaining 445 total yards on offense could be considered "doing things right" for Montana.
The Grizzlies produced a balanced offensive attack, mixing 215 rushing yards with 230 passing yards.
"The next two games are vital," Ochs said. "Hopefully we can use this win as a springboard going into the next two weeks."
Craig Ochs completed 309-of-450 passes for
3,807 yards, 33 TDs and 8 INTs |
Ochs hopes became a reality as they easily overcame Sacramento State 52-21. Ochs was near perfect on the day completing 26 of 31 passes for 300 yards, three passing touchdowns and a 30-yard receiving touchdown on a pass from Jefferson Heidelberger.
“We’re all on the same page,” Ochs said. “When that happens we have so much confidence. It’s a wonderful mentality to have.”
Although the Grizzlies were on a role, anything can happen in the “Brawl of the Wild” against rival Montana State.
"They beat us two years in a row," Heidelberger said. "For the seniors, the last thing we wanted to do was lose to the Bobcats."
With Montana’s offensive line creating problems for the Bobcat defensive front, the Griz reverted to their powerful running game to gain 244 yards on the ground and rocket past the Bobcats. With the win the Griz earned their third-straight share of the Big Sky Championship.
“We’re playing the best ball of the season," Hauck said. "But you never know what might happen in the playoffs."
I don’t think anybody knew how powerful Montana could be in the first three playoff rounds.
Montana beat their first three opponents – Northwestern State, New Hampshire and Sam Houston State – by a combined 137-37 point margin.
Ochs summed up the offensive explosiveness by saying, “We’ve had these runs where we know we can score on offense, if we settle for a field goal, we’re pretty upset.”
Lex Hilliard was UM's leading rusher with
972 yards and 17 TDs. |
Northwestern State gave up four touchdowns to sophomore running back Lex Hilliard three more to Ochs in the lopsided 56-7 victory over Northwestern State.
Montana’s dynamic offense continued under the temporary lights against New Hampshire in the second round of the playoffs. The Griz defeated the Wildcats 47-17 in front of a record setting playoff crowd.
“The last two week s we’ve blown out two very good football teams,” Montana coach Bobby Hauck said. “I never expected to come out and dominate the way we did.”
Redemption was on the minds of the Grizzly football team as they had a chance to face an opponent who handed them their first loss of the season, Sam Houston State.
The Grizzlies were led by sophomore cornerback Tuff Harris who picked off two key passes in the first half to help the Griz defeat the Bearkats 34-13 in front of another record setting crowd of 23,607.
“We’re playing our best football,” Hauck said. “We played better darn near every week. It’s fun to be on this role we’re on. We need to finish the job next week.”
How do you end a successful season recap story with a bitter ending? Would it be wrong to not talk about the championship game? I don’t think so. Maybe I’m still in a state of withdrawal. Whatever the case, it would be best to let Hauck and Ochs have the final say.
"Congratulations to our team,” Hauck said after the 31-21 loss to James Madison. “Our kids did an amazing job - our seniors did a great job of leading a bunch of young kids on our team. I've never been around a team that came as far from September 1 to the end of the season."
"It's an absolutely great year for us,” Ochs said. “It's been an honor to play with these guys. It's been a fabulous team. We came up a little bit short tonight, but it's a year I'll always remember and have fond memories of."
On behalf of the Grizzly nation, thanks for the ride Grizzlies. It was fun to grow with you.
[Back to the Grizzly Times] |
| THE BIG FIVE: Top individual performances of 2004 |
No. 5 - Lex Hilliard
November 27, 2004, vs. Northwestern State (Missoula, Mont.)
Sophomore running back Lex Hilliard rushed for a career-high 171 yards on 14 carries and tied a school record with four rushing touchdowns in one game in the 56-7 drubbing of Northwestern State in the first round of the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula. Hilliard, who was named first team All-Big Sky, finished 2004 as UM's leading rusher, running for 972 yards and 17 touchdowns. Others with four rushing touchdowns in one game: Justin Green, 2003 vs. Eastern Washington; Yohance Humphery, 2001 vs. Weber State; Arnie Blancas, 1969 @ Weber State.
No. 4 - Lindsay Winans
September 26, 2004, vs. New Mexico (Missoula, Mont.)
Sophomore forward Lindsay Winans scored all three of Montana's goals in the 3-1 non-conference victory over New Mexico at South Campus Stadium in Missoula. Winans' hat trick was UM's first since the 2001 season when Amy Wronski recorded three goals in a 3-0 win over Portland State on October 26, 2001. Winans, who recorded a team-best 62 shots (29 on goal), finished 2004 with a league-high 10 goals en route to being named Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
No. 3 - Julie Deming
March 20, 2004, vs. Louisiana Tech (Missoula, Mont.)
On a national stage and in front of a sold-out Dahlberg Arena, senior forward Julie Deming had a career game, scoring 29 points in No. 12-seed Montana's 81-77 loss to No. 5-seed Louisiana Tech in an NCAA Women's Basketball Championship Mideast Region first-round game. Deming, who led the Lady Griz in scoring and earned All-Big Sky Conference honors as a senior, hit 11-of-18 shots and added five rebounds, three steals and two assists in just 22 minutes. Earlier in the season she became just the 22nd player in UM history to eclipse 1,000 career points.
No. 2 - Craig Ochs
December 17, 2004, vs. James Madison (Chattanooga, Tenn.)
Senior quarterback Craig Ochs threw for career-highs in completions and yards, connecting on 29-of-38 passes for 371 yards and three touchdowns in the 31-21 loss to James Madison in the NCAA Division I-AA championship game at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tenn. The first team All-Big Sky selection ended 2004 having completed 309-of-450 pass attempts (68.7) for 3,807 yards, 33 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. The versatile Ochs also caught a 30-yard touchdown pass (from Jefferson Heidelberger) and ran for 185 yards and one rushing touchdown in his senior campaign.
No. 1 - Scott McGowan
June 12, 2004, NCAA Outdoor Track Championships (Austin, Texas)
At the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, senior Scott McGowan ran a 3:46.34, less than two seconds off the winning time, to finish seventh in the 1,500 meters and earn his fourth career All-America honor. McGowan, who won 2004 Big Sky Conference titles in the indoor mile and outdoor 800 meters and 1,500 meters, also earned an invitation to the USA Track & Field Olympic Trials in Sacramento, Calif. Competing against 30 of the nation's top middle-distance runners, McGowan was one of just 12 to advance to the finals. Just days before the Trials, McGowan ran a career-best 3:37.43 1,500 meters.
HONORABLE MENTION (alphabetical order)
Jasi Acharya
September 14, 2004, Colorado State Ptarmigan Classic (Fort Collins, Colo.)
Carded a three-round total of 220 to tie for seventh place (only Big Sky golfer in top 10).
Carla Breuer
May 13, 2004, Big Sky Championships (Ogden, Utah)
Scored 4,993 points, 552 more than second place, to become UM's first heptathlon conference champion.
Allie Brosh
October 30, 2004, Big Sky Championships (Bozeman, Mont.)
Earned All-Big Sky Conference honors with an eighth-place finish at the conference championship.
Kamarr Davis
February 25, 2004, vs. Sacramento State (Missoula, Mont.)
Netted 24 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in 37 minutes of action to lead UM to its fifth straight win.
Claudia Houle
November 15, 2004, vs. Gonzaga (Spokane, Wash.)
Had 32 kills and 27 digs, both season highs, in season-ending victory over Gonzaga.
Brooklynn Lorenzen
February 5, 2004, vs. Portland State (Portland, Ore.)
Matched the Montana single-game record with 15 assists in 90-62 win over the Vikings.
Colin Mascall
October 10, 2004, UM Fall Invitational (Missoula, Mont.)
Won all five matches in straight sets, including a 6-4, 6-3 win over teammate Varun Giri in the singles final.
Hollie Tyler
December 29, 2004, vs. Florida State (Missoula, Mont.)
Scored a career-high 27 points and earned MVP honors as Montana upset Florida State to win the Lady Griz Holiday Classic.
[Back to the Grizzly Times]
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| A letter from Athletic Director Don Read |
Montana A.D. Don Read |
Hi Griz Fans:
With a great football season behind us, Lady Griz and men’s basketball are, rightly so, getting the proper attention they deserve. So let’s talk about these two quality programs that provide us good reason to be proud.
Larry Krystkowiak and staff have the men’s team playing hard and well despite a most difficult pre-season schedule. One can’t help but admire the leadership and quality of coaching our Grizzly staff exhibits every time their warriors do battle. You can be sure this season’s U of M basketball team is playing near its’ potential thanks to the guidance and help these young student-athletes are getting from our coaches. The men’s team currently has won four of its’ last five. No doubt this group will improve and serve as the foundation for the Krystkowiak era of Grizzly basketball to come. The near win over Santa Clara and the huge victory over Cal State Northridge brought men’s basketball forward at our great University.
The Lady Griz led by Robin Selvig are doing what they always do: Getting after the opposition. The University of Montana is most fortunate to have one of the most successful coaches in America directing our women’s basketball program. This year’s team looks good, real good. As of this letter, our Lady Griz are 5 -3 following an extremely challenging pre-season schedule. Always fun to watch, the Lady Griz are popular, as well as prosperous.
Yes, Grizzly basketball, men and women’s, is ever moving forward in the quest for greatness. We believe in these two programs totally and unconditionally. These coaches do things right and so it is with the student-athletes who make up the rosters of these teams.
As we observe our Griz (men and women) do their thing on the hardwood, let’s support their efforts as we have been doing with our fall sports. These squads are committed to excellence and it is this attitude that will always make the difference to the stability and improvement of these programs.
Where our women and men’s teams end up at the conclusion of the season is dependent upon many factors. We should, however, realize these young folks will play their hearts out to win ‘em all. Excitement and consistency of performance will be present at all games. You can count on it because it is the Krystkowiak/Selvig way. As long as we have Larry and Robin heading up our basketball programs, the future looks bright. This is not a hopeful statement but rather a matter of fact.
So, friend of the Griz, have faith and believe in the future of Grizzly Basketball. There are many reasons to do so.
GO GRIZ!
Don Read -
Athletic Director
[Back to the Grizzly Times] |
| Grizzly Scholarship Association announcements |
GSA apparel available
Grizzly Scholarship Association apparel is available at the GSA offices in the Adams Event Center. Stop by to check out the selection and help support the Montana Grizzly Scholarship Association.
GSA Truck Raffle in progress
The second annual Grizzly Scholarship Association Truck Raffle is underway. Tickets for this year's drawing are $10 each, or 15 for $100. Proceeds go toward funding scholarships for UM student-athletes. The Ford F-150, custom-detailed truck will be drawn at this year's Griz-Cat men's basketball game in Missoula. Tickets are available at the GSA office in the Adams Center, as well as from members of the Missoula GSA Board of Directors and members of the State GSA Board of Directors. For more information, contact the GSA at 406.243.6485.
GSA sponsoring 'Griz Prowl' fundraiser
The Montana Grizzly Scholarship Association has launched the Grizzly Prowl, an effort that uses art to raise money for athletic scholarships for student-athletes.
The Grizzly Prowl is similar to other fund-raisers/art exhibits that have been started around the country. Chicago used cows in its exhibits, Seattle had pigs and Billings had horses. Missoula, of course, will use grizzlies.
Calendar, post cards and posters are still available, but the Thirty-five life-size, fiberglass grizzly bear sculptures have been purchased. Each bear is six feet long, three feet high and 20 inches wide. Once the bears are given the artistic touch, they will find their homes in area businesses that have sponsored them. In 2005, the bears will be available for purchase during an auction. For more information, visit the following web site: http://grizzlyprowl.com or call C.J. Peterson at 406.531.9444. Also, information is available at the Grizzly Scholarship Association at 406.243.6485.
[Back to the Grizzly Times] |
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