Grizzlies, Bobcats face must-win games against Big Sky contenders

The Montana Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats are coming into Saturday’s Big Sky Conference slate of games both reeling from bitter losses. And yet, things not only don’t get any easier for either, they might be even tougher.

In the case of the Grizzlies (2-2, 4-3), they return from the bye week having suffered back-to-back losses, including an embarrassing 41-14 loss at North Dakota two weeks ago. Now, UM is in danger of missing the FCS playoffs for the third straight season, and with no margin for error Montana is faced with having to win a home game Saturday against perhaps the best opponent its seen this season — the UC Davis Aggies.

The Aggies come to Washington-Grizzly Stadium ranked No. 6 in the FCS, the highest-ranked team to come to Missoula since No. 1 North Dakota State in 2015. And while the Aggies, of legendary head coach Dan Hawkins, might not be the Bison, they’re an offensive juggernaut led by certain NFL draft picks Jake Maier (QB) and Keelan Doss (WR).

“Obviously, it’s a big week for us,” Montana head coach Bobby Hauck said. “We’ve got a top 10-ranked opponent coming in who’s played really well in recent weeks. They’re at the top of the league standings. They’re going up and down the field on people. They’re playing well on defense. Certainly, we’ll have our hands full.”

Hands full could be gross understatement. The Aggies are Top 10 in the FCS in scoring, total offense and passing offense. They play a fun, fast brand of offense football and, across the board, they’re loaded with talent. So, no doubt Montana’s bruised and battered defense, led by Buck Buchanen nominees Dante Olson and Josh Buss, will have their toughest test to date.

“Obviously, UC Davis is a great team; they’re a great offense,” Olson said. “It’s a must-win for us. We need to go 1-0 this week. I’m excited to get back out there this week and get ready for Saturday.”

Not only will the Griz’ defense be challenged, but so too will a struggling Grizzly offense. In its last two games, Montana has turned the ball over an absurd 11 times, and during losses to UND and Portland State, the Griz are averaging just 17 ppg. With the high-powered Aggies coming to Missoula, the Griz will need all hands on deck and, perhaps, have to play their best game of the season to escape with a much-needed win.

And speaking of offensive struggles, that’s what caused Montana State head coach Jeff Choate to make major coaching changes earlier this week. The Cats are fresh off a 34-24 loss at now No. 4 Weber State, a game in which the Cats led 17-14 at halftime, but managed just 58 yards of offense the rest of the way. So with that performance Choate promoted WR coach Matt Miller to offensive coordinator, demoted OC Brian Armstrong, and removed QB coach Bob Cole all together.

Choate said the offense needed a spark, and new direction, and the Cats (2-2, 4-3) sorely need that in a hurry because Saturday MSU heads to Idaho State (3-1, 4-3) to face one of the top offenses in the FCS. The Bengals average 41 ppg and are third in all of the FCS in total offense at 541 yards per outing.

ISU, under former Griz head coach Rob Phenicie, have exploded this season, behind QB Tanner Gueller, WR Mitch Gueller and the two-headed running back monster of James Madison and Ty Flanagan.

While Montana State’s defense is no slouch and should be the toughest defense the Bengals have seen all season, if MSU is going to have a chance in Pocatello Saturday, it’s going to come down to the offense.

The Cats are averaging 28 ppg, but they are 12th in the Big Sky in total offense, sixth in rushing and 11th in passing. Choate also said this week that he’s sticking with sophomore Troy Andersen at QB, but that he hopes the change in coaching strategies will help the MSU offense get moving in the right direction, especially since the Cats, like the Griz, are likely one more loss from being out of playoff contention.

“If I felt like making a change a quarterback was going to provide the spark that I felt like we needed, clearly that would have been the decision,” Choate said. “Our team believes in Troy, and a big part of that is because we know that he’s going to give us everything he’s got.

“I just felt like there was a lack of progress on the offensive side of the ball,” Choate added of the coaching moves. “Regardless of our circumstances there, it needs to be better than it is.”

The Bobcats meet Idaho State at 3:30 p.m. Saturday inside Holt Arena in Pocatello. The game can be viewed on Eleven Sports. Saturday’s game in Missoula between Montana and UC Davis kicks off at 2 p.m. and will be televised statewide on SWX Montana.