Griz, Cats home for the playoffs

Last Saturday’s 114th Brawl of the Wild was emotional, for both the Montana Grizzlies, who came out on top with a 34-7 win at home, and the Montana State Bobcats, who felt the crushing disappointment of a loss at the hands of their arch rival.

But both teams must now put the emotional Cat-Griz rivalry game behind them, because both teams have home playoff games against unfamiliar opponents to prepare for.

On Saturday, the No. 11 Grizzlies (8-4) will host the San Diego Toreros (9-2) in the first round of the FCS playoffs. Meanwhile, in Bozeman, the No. 17 Bobcats (8-4) the No. 14 South Dakota State Jackrabbits (8-4) in a playoff showdown at Bobcat Stadium.

For the Cats, the plan is simple too. MSU must get over last Saturday’s loss in Missoula, and soldier on. And hopefully, they’ll be going forward with starting quarterback Dakota Prukop, as well as starting running back Shawn Johnson. Both players missed last Saturday’s game, and the MSU offense has suffered in recent weeks without its top two playmakers. But, as of Tuesday, MSU head coach Rob Ash, who has his team back in the playoffs after not getting in a year ago, didn’t know if Prukop would be back. And in fact, backup Jake Bleskin, who threw five interceptions against the Griz, is also hurting. So if neither can go, freshman Quinn McQueary would get the nod.

But MSU’s offense isn’t the only side that needs to regroup. The Bobcat defense finished the regular season second to last in all of the FCS in total defense, and now the Cats face a tough, physical SDSU team that loves to pound the football right at opposing defenses. Led by Walter Payton Finalist Zack Zenner, the Rabbits average over 200 rushing yards per game, and score 32 points per game. Those are good numbers considering SDSU plays in the defensive-minded Missouri Valley Conference.

And while Zenner has talent all around him, he and his offensive line are the keys to game. Zenner has rushed for nearly 1,800 yards and 19 touchdowns this season, and he’s trying to become the first player in FCS history to rush for 2,000 yards in three straight seasons.

So, with a banged up MSU offense, a defense that has taken its lumps all season long, and a tough-minded SDSU team coming to Bozeman, the Bobcats’ backs are certainly against the wall. However, history has shown that MSU, under Ash, has played well in playoff games at home, and there’s no doubt, the Cats will be out to prove something Saturday, especially with a chance to go to three-time defending national champ North Dakota State on the line in the second round.

And despite its dominance of the Cats last weekend, the Grizzlies have plenty to prove Saturday in Missoula. A year ago, UM rolled into the second round of the playoffs as the No. 6 seed, but, on the coldest day a football game was ever played in Washington-Grizzly Stadium, Montana was dropped by Coastal Carolina, a team that hadn’t played a game in weather under 60 degrees all season long.

Now, the Griz are back in the playoffs, back at home, and are playing another warm weather team. Pioneer League champion San Diego is making its first-ever playoff appearance, and the Toreros will play with nothing to lose on Saturday.

San Diego, once coached by now San Francisco head coach Jim Harbaugh, are a high-scoring outfit, averaging 33 points per game and over 400 yards of total offense. They are also balanced, but running back Jonah Hodges, who’s rushed for almost 1,200 yards this season likes to carry the offensive load.

But, as good as USD is, the Toreros haven’t faced a defense, or a team like the Griz. Following its dismantling of MSU last Saturday, the Griz are allowing just 16 points per game, and a mere 12 points per outing inside Wash-Griz. And that, combined with a hostile crowd, will certainly be a daunting task for the visiting Toreros.

However, UM’s offense has also found new life. Montana went back to the zone-read offense and completely caught the Cats off guard with it last week. And while USD will now expect it, it doesn’t mean the Toreros can stop it, especially with a healthy Jordan Johnson using his legs, as well as his arm to beat opposing defenses.

No, this Saturday’s playoff game will have a different tone than when the Griz were upset by Coastal Carolina last December. Montana seems to have found a new confidence, the Griz are playing with a chip on their shoulder, not to mention, every game now could be head coach Mick Delaney’s last, and his players don’t want to see his run come to an end. Factor in a rematch at rival Eastern Washington waiting in the second round, and the Griz will be more than ready to play.

Saturday’s FCS playoff games featuring Montana and San Diego and Montana State and South Dakota State will both kickoff at 2 p.m. Both games can only be viewed live online at ESPN3.com or on ESPN pay per view.