PDF versionTHE GAME: The second-ranked (Sports Network) University of Montana Grizzlies (8-0/5-0 Big Sky Conference) continue their Big Sky slate on the road to face the Idaho State Bengals (0-9/0-6) in a league contest on Saturday, Nov. 7th.
KICKOFF: Kickoff is at 3:35 p.m. (Mtn.) in ISU’s Holt Arena (12,000, Artificial surface).
GOING FOR A DOZEN: A win at ISU would give Montana its 12th Big Sky title (or share) in a row -- the second most by an FCS or FBS team. Oklahoma has the record with 14 straight Big Eight Conference championships from 1946-59.
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 its affiliate stations in the state of Montana. KPAX-TV’s sports director Phil Buck will call the action, KPAX-TV’s Bob Hermes provides in-booth color, and UM’s Dave Guffey will be on the sidelines.
GRIZ LAST WEEK: at #2 Montana 31, #14 Weber State 10: Running back Chase Reynolds rushed 33 times for a career-high 241 yards and a touchdown, and the defense stymied one of the top offenses in the FCS in a pivotal Big Sky game.
TOUGH D: The Grizzly defense limited the Wildcats to 299 total yards (56 rushing, 243 yards passing), and picked off four passes. Montana racked up 506 total yards (52 rushes for 288 yards and 218 yards passing), and had 11 more (24 to 13) first downs. The Wildcats had entered the contest ranked fourth in the FCS in passing yards a game (307.0 ypg ) and eighth in total offense (440.8 ypg).
“TRUE” LEADS THE WAY: Sophomore cornerback Trumaine Johnson, UM’s Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week nominee, had a team-high 8 tackles, along with a pair of interceptions and two pass deflections.
REYNOLDS NAMED POW: Reynolds, who rushed 21 times for 193 yards in the second half, was named the Big Sky’s “Player of the Week” for the first time this season and the third time in his career. The 6-0, 195-pound junior from Drummond had a previous career-high of 233 yards rushing against Texas State in a first round FCS playoff game in 2008. It was his fourth 100-yard rushing game of 2009 and the 12th in his career.
SELLE SOLID: Junior QB Andrew Selle was 13-of-26-0 for 214 yards and two TDs.
24 WINNING SEASONS 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: Montana set a Washington-Grizzly Stadium attendance record for the fifth time in five home games in 2009 with 25,811 fans at the UM-WSU game.
BENGALS LAST WEEK: at Montana State 41, Idaho State 10: The Bengals struggled on the ground, gaining just 17 yards on 27 (0.6-yards per rush) carries. MSU outgained ISU 488 to 144 in total yards, and 236 to 17 on the ground.
THE SERIES: Montana leads the series 38-13 and has won 22 of the last 24 meetings, 13 of the last 14, and five in a row. ISU’s last win over Montana was 43-40 in double overtime in Pocatello in 2003.
GRIZ TRAVEL PLANS: The team will depart for the game via Beach Bus on Friday morning, Nov. 6, with lodging at the Holiday Inn-Pocatello (208-237-1400). The team will return home ASAP after the game on Saturday, Nov. 7, with ETA around midnight.