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THE GAME: The second-ranked (Sports Network) University of Montana Grizzlies (7-0/
4-0 Big Sky Conference) continue their Big Sky slate, hosting the 14th-ranked Weber
State Wildcats (5-3-5-1) in a pivotal league contest on Saturday, Oct. 31st.
KICKOFF: Kickoff is at 1:05 p.m. (Mtn.) in UM’s Washington-Grizzly Stadium (25,200,
Sprinturf) at John Hoyt Field.
RADIO/TV: The game can be heard on flagship stations KGVO Radio (1290-AM) and
KVWE Radio (101.5 FM) of Missoula and throughout the state of Montana on Grizzly
Football Network stations. Mick Holien calls the play-by-play, Scott Gurnsey provides
color, and Greg Sundberg serves as the sideline announcer.
The game will be televised live by KPAX-TV of Misssoula and carried by its affiliate
stations in the state of Montana. KPAX-TV’s sports director Phil Buck will call the
action, former Griz quarterback Grady Bennett provides in-booth color, and KPAX’s
Derek Buerkle will be on the sidelines.
PRESEASON FAVORITES: Montana was picked first by both the media and the league
coaches in the preseason polls, while Weber State was picked second by both factions.
The Griz had seven first-place votes by the coaches and the Wildcats had one,
and UM barely out-pointed WSU 283 to 261 in the media voting.
GRIZ LAST WEEK: Montana 45, at Sacramento State 30: Running backs Chase
Reynolds and Thomas Brooks-Fletcher combined for a total of 245 rushing yards and
four touchdowns to lead the second-ranked Grizzlies, and the high-scoring Big Sky
victory kept Montana undefeated.
Montana had 471 yards of total offense (235 rushing, 236 passing). Quarterback
Andrew Selle started the game and was 9-of-15-0 for 109 yards and a touchdown.
Justin Roper rotated at quarterback, going 9-of-11-1 for 127 yards and a score.
Brooks-Fletcher had 22 carries for a career-high 133 yards – his fourth career 100-
yard game. Reynolds had 20 totes for 112 yards and three TDs, and he has 11 career
100-yard rushing games (three this year), and has rushed for 11 TDs this season.
Marc Mariani had four catches for 36 yards and a TD, while fellow wide receiver Jabin
Sambrano had four grabs for a team-high 114 yards. Tight ends Dan Beaudin and
Steve Pfahler had two grabs each.
Cornerbacks Donny Lisowski and Brandon Dodson had a team-high seven tackles
each, as did linebacker Shawn Lebsock. Dodson also had a sack, a forced fumble
and a pass deflection.
24 IN A ROW!: Montana’s victory over Eastern Washington on Oct. 17th gave the
Grizzlies their 24th winning season in a row, dating back to 1986.
RECORD CROWD AGAIN: For the fourth time in four games this season a record crowd
(25,751) was on hand at the Griz-Eagle game on Oct. 17th.
WILDCATS LAST WEEK: Weber State 28, at Northern Colorado 20: The Bears had five
plays of 20 or more yards and took the 15th-ranked Wildcats to the wire, but WSU held
on to improve to 5-1 in league action. WSU redshirt freshman Bo Bolen rushed 37
times for 207 yards. Wildcat quarterback Cameron Higgins was 25-of-37-0 passing for
292 yards and three touchdowns, while wide receiver Joe Collins had nine catches for
80 yards and two touchdowns.
THE SERIES: Montana leads 36-12 and has won 19 of the last 22. WSU’s only win in
Washington-Grizzly Stadium was 29-26 in 1987.