2018 Cat-Griz Preview: Griz excited to begin Hauck era Part II

There's been a lot of highly anticipated seasons in the long, storied history of the Montana Grizzlies but, perhaps, no season in Griz football history has had fans salivating for it to start more than this one.

And there's only one reason why - Bobby's back.

Yes, the return of Bobby Hauck, the winningest coach in Griz' history has been one of jubilation and excitement for Griz Nation. Hauck was hired in December, replacing Bob Stitt, who's contract was not renewed following the Griz' loss to rival Montana State back in November in Bozeman.

And it's not only Griz Nation that's excited to have Hauck back at the helm. The man himself, who led Montana to nine straight Big Sky Conference championships, and three FCS championship game appearances, is just as excited to be home.

"It's been amazing to be back," Hauck said in Havre back in May. "Montana is home for us. I'm a proud, third-generation alum of the University of Montana. So it's a special place for me, and I'm excited."

Excited, as is are all Griz fans, but as No. 24 Montana prepares to open its season Saturday against 10th-ranked Northern Iowa, the Griz will certainly be a work in progress.

After going 7-4 and losing to the hated Bobcats for the second straight season, Hauck was charged with rebuilding the Griz, or as the slogan says, "Returning to Dominance." However, with a young roster, the loss of both starting quarterbacks from last season, and depth issues at several key positions, that task won't be easy. Montana was picked to finish fifth in the Big Sky this season, with powerhouses like Eastern Washington, Weber State and Northern Arizona picked to finish ahead of the Griz. The Big Sky also welcomes back Idaho to the league this fall, so, there's no denying, the large, expanded Big Sky is much different than the days when Hauck's teams seemingly ran roughshod over the rest of the conference.

And still, optimism remains high in Missoula, because the Griz don't just have Bobby back at the controls, they also have a young team with standout players at nearly every position.

Offensively, Montana will turn to junior quarterback Dalton Sneed, who was recruited by Hauck when he was the head coach at UNLV. Sneed, and fellow transfers Cam Humphrey and Wheeler Harris have revamped the Griz' QB room in record time. Humphrey originally played at Boise State, while Harris, a freshman, red-shirt at the famed University of Alabama last season.

"Quarterback is the least of our concerns," Hauck said. "We feel very good about where we're at (with) that position."

In truth, most of the Griz' offense is in good hands. Montana is loaded at running back, led by seniors Jeremy Calhoun and Alijah Lee, along with transfer Adam Eastwood, and young standouts Rey Green and Terron Moses. The Griz are even richer at wide receiver with senior Keenan Curran, junior Jerry Louie-McGee and sophomores Samori Toure and Sammy Akem. True freshman Gabe Sulser of Billings has also been making a splash in fall camp. Hauck's return means the return of tight ends to the Montana offense as well, and the Griz will be good there, especially junior Colin Bingham, who could be one of the best in the Big Sky.

However, as skilled as the Griz will be offensively, the meat of the unit, the OL is a big area of concern. Depth, injuries and attrition could haunt the Griz up front, as Montana lost four of its five starters from a year ago. Junior Angel Villaneueva is back to anchor the group, but overall, Montana will be young and unproven at one of the biggest positions on the roster.

"We're concerned and thin at several positions," Hauck said. "The offensive line is certainly one of them. Linebacker is another area of concern."

The Griz wouldn't be concerned at LB if star senior Josh Buss' health wasn't in question. Buss was an All-American as a junior and has been tabbed the Big Sky Preseason Player of the Year, among many early 2018 accolades, which include being the only FCS player named to the Butkus Award Watch List. The only other proven LBs in the room for Montana are senior Shayne Cochran and junior Dante Olson, and beyond that young players will be asked to step up.

But, as big a concern as linebacker might be for the Griz, overall, Montana's revamped defense, a defense that wants to return to the physical brand of ball the Griz used to be known for, should be outstanding this season. On the line, DE Jesse Simms now wears the famed No. 37 jersey and is poised for a breakout year. Seniors David Shaw and Reggie Tilleman are returning starters, while in the secondary, junior Josh Sandry heads an exciting group that also includes transfer safeties Gavin Robertson (Arizona), Reid Miller (Arkansas) and Robby Hauck (NAU). Add in returning starter Dareon Nash and Justin Calhoun, who has switched from offense to defense, and the new-look secondary has all of a sudden become a strength of a Griz' defense looking to put last year's struggles behind them. Hauck, who is a special teams guru, a job he coordinated at San Diego State before returning to Missoula, should also have the Griz in a much better place there, too. Montana has three outstanding kickers in camp, a returning starter at punter, and with the likes of Louie-McGee, Toure and others returning kicks, the Griz should return to the electrifying special teams days of old.

And that's the point. Montana fans want back the type of program they had grown accustomed to during Hauck's first stint in Missoula. They long for the days of sold-out raucous games at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, and especially playoff games in December, and hopefully into January.

Getting there, however, will take time and Hauck knows that. Montana has been through NCAA probation, and Hauck is now the fourth coach for the Griz since he left for UNLV in 2009.

"It's going to take time, but we'll get this thing going again," Hauck said. "I can't say how long it will take, but I believe we'll get there. I can't say how many games we're going to win this season, but I can tell you we're going to be a football team that plays the right way, a team our fans will be proud of."

In Hauck's first year, Montana may not have to wait long to get back in the fray either. Even with concerns and unproven players at key positions, Montana's schedule lends itself to what could be a strong showing in the Big Sky. Non-conference games against UNI and at Western Illinois will be difficult, but the Griz don't play EWU, Weber or NAU this season, so, key road games at Cal Poly and at Southern Utah, and the return of the rivalry with Idaho, could make or break the Griz' season. And of course, the 118th Brawl of the Wild, which will take place Nov. 17 in Missoula, will, as always, be a big one, not only because the Griz are riding a two-game losing streak in the rivalry, but, also because one of the greatest head coaches in the rivalry's history will be back on the sidelines for a Cat-Griz game.

As mentioned earlier, the anticipation is palpable because Bobby's back, and his Griz are ready and hungry to bring Montana back to Big Sky and FCS prominence.

Montana opens its season Saturday night against Northern Iowa. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The Griz are home again next Saturday to take on Drake.

Montana Grizzlies

Head Coach: Bobby Hauck (99-67)

2017: 7-4, 5-3, T6th in Big Sky

Sept. 13 vs N. Iowa, 7 p.m. SWX

Sept. 8 vs Drake, 1 p.m., SWX

Sept. 15 at W. Illinois, 2 p.m. ESPN+

Sept. 22 vs Sacramento St., 1 p.m. ROOT

Sept. 29 at Cal Poly, 5 p.m., Eleven

Oct. 6 vs Portland State, 2 p.m. SWX

Oct. 13 at North Dakota, 12 p.m. SWX

Oct. 27 vs UC Davis, 2 p.m. SWX

Nov. 3 at Southern Utah, 1 p.m. ROOT

Nov. 10 at Idaho, 4:30 p.m. ROOT

Nov. 17 vs MSU, 12 p.m. ROOT