Cat-Griz Extra: Another wild ride expected in Griz land

Some considered the Montana Grizzlies’ 2013 season a bounce-back year. Others just saw it as a success. But with a head-scratching loss to Coastal Carolina in the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs on a chilly December day in Missoula, many saw it as a roller coaster of a season with a disappointing end.

But whatever way you looked at 2013, it was a fun, wild ride in Missoula. And, as the Grizzlies get set to take on FBS Wyoming in their season-opener Saturday afternoon, the 2014 season might just be even tougher to figure out.

After going 10-2 in the regular season and finishing second in the difficult Big Sky Conference, the No. 5-ranked Grizzlies start 2014 with optimism, plenty of firepower, but with plenty of question marks, too.

“We hope that we're a little bit ahead of where we were a year ago," said Griz head coach Mick Delaney “The kids are comfortable now with where we're at and what we're doing.”

The Griz are certainly comfortable with the return of some big names. Though graduation hit UM hard, with losses like starting linebackers Jordan Tripp, Brock Coyle and J.P. Kanongata’a, as well as three starting offensive linemen who are now on NFL rosters, the Griz have quarterback Jordan Johnson back for his senior year. Johnson (6-1, 195), is in his third year of starting for the Griz, and his second in the pro-style offense. He’s a Walter Payton Award nominee already this season, and is as battle-tested as any QB in the FCS.

Offensively, Johnson has plenty of help from his friends, too. Montana has a deep stable of running backs, led by starter Jordan Canada (5-9, 190), who rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored 16 touchdowns last fall. Also back is fellow senior Travon Van (5-11, 195), who, when healthy, is one of the most explosive players on the Grizzly team. Youngsters John Nguyen, Treshawn Favors and Lorenzo Logwood should also figure into UM’s rushing attack, while junior fullback Jamal Wilson (5-11, 245) is one of the best in the business.

Montana figured to be loaded at wide receiver this season, too. Juniors Ellis Henderson (6-0, 185) and Jamal Jones (6-1, 188), are two of the best in the Big Sky, and Henderson is a returning FCS All-American. However, he’s out indefinitely with a stomach illness, and junior Taylor Walcott and senior Sean Haynes are also sidelined with injuries. That means the likes of junior Chase Naccarato, and youthful players like Josh Janssen, Marq Rogers and Ryan Burke will be called upon to steady the wide receiver group, while tight ends Mitch Saylor and Mike Ralston will also play key roles.

But receiver isn’t Delaney’s big concern. It’s the offensive line. A dominant o-line has been a tradition at Montana, but 2014 could be different. The recent loss of starting left tackle John Schmaing to academics, and the loss of right tackle Trevor Poole to a back injury leaves UM scrambling. The Griz have no returning starters on the front five, though Jordan Hines, Logan Hines and Ben Weyer do have plenty of game experience. But with a lack of experience and depth, as well as size, the Griz’ offensive line will need to grow up in a hurry.

On the other side of the ball, Montana doesn’t seem to have to worry about size, depth or talent. Like at the skill positions, the Griz return plenty of big names on defense, and some large men.

Senior Zack Wagenmann (6-3, 250) is a returning All-American and a Buck Buchanan Award nominee. Now wearing the famed No. 37 jersey, Wagenmann is regarded as the best defensive player in the Big Sky after recording 25.5 sacks and nearly 40 tackles for loss in the last two-plus seasons.

“He's doesn't take days off, and he doesn't take plays off,” Delaney said. “That's why he's such a great football player.”

On the other side, junior Tyrone Holmes is a star in the making, while senior defensive tackle Tonga Takai (6-2, 301) is a returning All-Conference performer and a three-year standout. Caleb Kidder, Trevor Rehm, Derek Crittenden, Addison Owen and Zach Peevey also help to give Montana perhaps the deepest and most talented defensive line in the conference.

While the front four is of no concern to Delaney, the linebacking crew doesn’t seem to be either … despite losing three starters, all of who are now playing professional football. Juniors Herbert Gamboa, Jeremiah Kose and Kendrick Van Ackeran appear ready to step into starting roles, while junior Connor Lebsock has game experience, and red-shirt freshmen Tucker Schye of Malta and Connor Strahm of Oregon are stars in the making.

The secondary is led by a big name as well, as All-American candidate Matt Hermanson starts at safety for the fourth straight season. Corners Nate Harris, Josh Dennard and JR Nelson all saw time a season ago, while junior Justin Whitted and sophomore Jake Dellaserra will both play the other safety position.

Montana will go with Chris Lider as the place kicker this season, though Harrison Greenburg and Daniel Sullivan will both be ready to step as well. Junior Stephen Shaw is one of the top punters in the FCS, while the Griz have plenty of speed with Henderson, when he's healthy, Van, Canada and others in the return game.

So, with that roster, even with losses and injuries, the Griz appear loaded for another run at the FCS playoffs, and further. But the schedule, and an even better Big Sky Conference stand in Montana’s way.

The Griz open with an NCAA DI game at Wyoming, then play two FCS stalwarts back-to-back in September. After opening their home schedule against DII Central Washington, the Griz host Joe Glenn and South Dakota Sept. 13, then make their long-awaited trip to three-time defending FCS national champion North Dakota State the following week. From there, Big Sky play begins and the Griz face a brutal road schedule. Between Oct. 4 and Nov. 15, UM plays road games at North Dakota, Cal Poly, Eastern Washington and Southern Utah. EWU is a favorite to win the Big Sky this season and SUU was a playoff team a year ago. So that back-to-back road trip might make or break Montana’s season, while the Griz return home to close out the schedule with the annual Brawl of the Wild at Washington-Grizzly Stadium Nov. 22.

As daunting as the schedule is for the Grizzlies, and no matter the setbacks Montana has already faced, even before its game with the Cowboys on Saturday afternoon, the 2014 Griz believe in themselves. They believe they have the pieces in place to win the Big Sky Conference and perhaps much, much more. And though Delaney won’t prognosticate, he knows his team has put in the work and that’s a big part of the battle.

“You can’t ever guarantee wins or anything like that because those are not easy obviously,” Delaney said. “But certainly you want to do everything you have control over and I think these guys have done that by the way they’ve worked.”

2013: 10-3, 6-2 in the Big Sky (2nd), Lost to Coastal Carolina in FCS playoffs.

2014: No. 5 in FCS preseason Poll. Picked to finish 2nd in Big Sky

Head Coach: Mick Delaney

2014 Schedule

Aug. 31 at Wyoming, 2 p.m.

Sept. 6 vs C. Washington, 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 vs South Dakota, 7 p.m.

Sept. 20 at NDSU, 1:30 p.m.

Sept. 27 vs N. Colorado, 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 at North Dakota, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 vs UC Davis, 12 p.m.

Oct. 25 at Cal Poly, 7 p.m.

Nov. 1 vs Sac. State, 12 p.m.

Nov. 8 at E. Washington, 1 p.m.

Nov. 15 at Southern Utah, 1 p.m.

Nov. 22 vs Montana State, 3 p.m.