Griz, Cats face Homecoming tests

Coming off of heartbreaking defeats against the top two teams in the FCS, the Montana Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats are set to bounce back.

Saturday, the No. 7 Grizzlies (2-2) open Big Sky Conference play with a homecoming game against the 1-3 Northern Colorado Bears at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Also Saturday, the No. 13 Bobcats (2-2) open league play as well, hosting the University of North Dakota at Bobcat Stadium.

The Cats game with UND (2-2) is also a homecoming affair, though MSU is playing its fourth straight contest in Bozeman. It will also be a special day at MSU as the school honors the 1984 Division 1-AA national championship MSU team, and the Cats will wear throwback uniforms to honor the 30-year anniversary of that historic team.

But the emotions of a special day in Bozeman won't mask the fact that MSU is looking to get over the sting of last Saturday's gut-wrenching 52-21 loss to No. 2 Eastern Washington. In control almost the whole way, MSU gave up three fourth-quarter touchdowns on its way to a devastating loss.

Still, one thing that became even more clear from last Saturday's epic game with the Eagles is MSU's offense is a force to be reckoned with. The Cats come into Saturday's game averaging 40 points and 485 yards of offense per contest. With running backs Shawn Johnson and Anthony Knight leading the way, MSU is averaging a stellar 245 yards on the ground. But really making the Bobcat engine go is sophomore quarterback Dakota Prukop, who has rushed for 338 yards and scored seven total touchdowns this season. Prukop is off to a fast start as MSU's new quarterback, and his ability to run only makes the Cats' passing attack more dangerous.

But MSU will get tested Saturday. UND has a much-improved defense, and it comes in allowing just 23 points per game. UND is also tops in the Big Sky in pass defense thus far and has forced nine turnovers in four games this season. However, to keep up with MSU and help its defense out, UND must score, and that's something it hasn't done this season. UND averages just nine points per game, and quarterback Joe Mollberg has really struggled following the loss of several big-play receivers from last season. So for MSU, the formula is simple, play sound defense, and continue to do what the Cats have been doing on offense.

However, MSU head coach Rob Ash isn't taking anything for granted, and says UND presents a whole different set of challenges from last week's thriller against EWU.

"The pace, the tempos and the styles are so completely different it won't feel like that game at all," said Ash. "North Dakota is a more conventional offensive team. They're very strong, very big and come right at you. It's really a different preparation and it's gonna be a different mind set."

The Montana Grizzlies' mind set will be different, too. Like MSU, they must get over the sting of a tough loss against a national power and regroup and win a game they are heavily favored in. UM is coming off a 22-10 defeat at the hands of top-ranked North Dakota State last Saturday, and now must shift gears and not overlook Big Sky bottom-dweller Northern Colorado.

One way for Montana to get over the loss to the Bison, and to start Big Sky play on the right foot is to run the football. The Griz really struggled in the run game a week ago and have somewhat struggled to do so all season, especially behind an offensive line that boasts five new starters. But head coach Mick Delaney knows the offensive line can be an excuse no longer, and starting with Saturday's game, he says the Griz have to get the running game, which features star backs Jordan Canada and Travon Van going. By doing that, it will give UM quarterback Jordan Johnson, and his dangerous group of receivers more room to operate, which is the exact opposite of what happened at NDSU as the Griz were bottled up all day long.

"The number one thing is that we've got to figure out a way to run the football against really good teams," Delaney said. "We haven't been able to do that yet, and we've got to figure out a way to get that done."

And though the Bears will likely struggle in conference play this season, their defense might not. So far, including a close loss at FBS UNLV, Northern Colorado has been staunch on defense. The Bears are second in the Big Sky against the run, and fourth in total defense. They've also forced nine turnovers this season.

On offense, however, UNC has struggled without the services of graduated quarterback Seth Lobato. Sean Rubalcaba is now in that role, and UNC's offense hasn't clicked the way it did with Lobato at the helm. Still, UNC receiver and return man Dimitri Stimphill is a threat to score every time he touches the ball, so Montana's defense, which is ranked No. 1 in the Big Sky in most categories must be ready for anything the Bears will throw at them.

And Delaney says that's the case. He says Montana will not overlook UNC Saturday, instead, the Griz will treat it just like they treated last week's game at NDSU. He says, while disappointed with the loss in what was a close battle with the Bison, the Griz have moved on and have nothing but rival Bears on their minds.

"Coach (Ernest) Collins has done a really nice job, and his teams are getting better year-by-year and week-by-week. They've got a lot of new players from two years ago, which is the last time we played them," Delaney said. "They're getting better athletes, and they're going to beat some people, and we can't let that be us. We've got to prepare for them just like we did last week for North Dakota State and our three games before that one."

Saturday's homecoming game in Missoula between Montana and Northern Colorado kicks off 1:40 p.m. and can be seen nationally on Root Sports. The homecoming game in Bozeman between Montana State and North Dakota kicks off at 2:05 p.m. and is televised statewide on ABC-Fox affiliates.