Griz poised to attack the Big Sky, FCS

The Montana Grizzlies looked like they might have their best team in a decade as the 2020 season approached. Unfortunately, they never got to find out.

The 2020 Big Sky Conference season was scrapped due to COVID-19, and while the Grizzlies did play to spring games last April, it's been since December of 2019 that they finished a full season, and much has changed in that time frame.

Except for the fact that longtime head coach Bobby Hauck believes he still has a very good, very talented and very promising football team as the Griz being 2021 with Saturday night's game at Pac-12 powerhouse, Washington.

"I think it's a complete team. We have good players at every position and into our two deep," Hauck said after a recent fall camp practice.

Indeed, the No. 9 Grizzlies are deep and in many areas, experienced, even though they lost star quarterback Dalton Sneed and stellar wide receivers Samori Toure and Jerry Louis-McGee.

The passing game however, shouldn't be an issue. Montana will elevate Cam Humphrey to starting quarterback, after he played as Sneed's backup for two seasons. The Griz also return All-American Sammy Akem at WR, as well as stars Mitch Roberts and Gabe Sulser. Montana also has a host of up-and-coming receivers, as well as a loaded group of tight ends, meaning their passing game could be second-to-none in the Big Sky.

On the ground, the Griz return what Hauck terms "one of the best offensive lines" the Griz have had in some time. However, the running game did take a hit when All-American Marcus Knight suffered a knee injury last spring, so youngsters Nick Ostmo, Xavier Harris and FBS transfer Isaiah Childs will have to shoulder the load.

Still, the Griz should be an offensive machine this season, and that will be countered by what will be a vastly-improved defense.

All-American and Buck Buchanen nominate Jace Lewis is back at linebacker, and will wear the coveted No. 37 jersey for his senior year. All-American Robby Hauck returns at safety as does fellow safety Gavin Robertson. The secondary will be a strength for the Griz with Oregon State transfer Omar Hicks-Onu, Louisville transfer Justin Ford, and returning starter Corbin Walker manning the corner positions as well.

Up front, the Griz have Arizona transfer Shane Belknap ready to break out at defensive end, while returning tackles Eli Alford and Alex Gubner will join star DE Patrick O'Connell to give the Griz what should be an excellent front in their unique 3-3-5 scheme.

As always, Hauck will run the special teams, where the Griz are breaking in new kickers an punters, but do return All-American returner Malik Flowers.

Of course all of that adds up to the Griz having a chance to be just what Hauck thinks they'll be - a complete team. And, in the Big Sky they'll need to be.

While Montana, which tied for second in 2019 and reached the FCS quarterfinals, doesn't play four-time defending champion Weber this season, the Griz do have to travel to Eastern Washington, as well as arch rival Northern Arizona. The Grizzlies also visit the Kibbie Dome for a game against a much-improved Idaho team, and they travel to a completely revamped Northern Colorado squad.

Home games start with a non-conference game next week against Missouri Valley powerhouse Western Illinois, while the Griz will also host Dixie State in an non-conference tilt in October. Montana opens Big Sky play Sept. 25 against Cal Poly, and will also host Sacramento State and Southern Utah. Of course, the biggest home game of the year will come Nov. 20 when the Griz host the Montana State Bobcats, having lost four straight in the Brawl of the Wild series.

For now though, Montana won't look too far ahead. The Griz start with Washington, and Hauck is just excited to get going, and excited to see what his fully loaded Grizzlies will do. And if beating of Central Washington and Portland State back in the spring are any indication, the Griz are going to be very dangerous this season.

"When you get something you love taken away from you - whether you're a player or coach or anybody that's out here involved with us - when that gets taken away from you, I think there's a little more excitement to get back at it. And I think to a man, everyone here is excited," Hauck said. "Everybody is enthused about getting going.

"I like our depth in almost every position. I don't think there is a huge drop-off. We tend to forget about that, but when we're in late October, November, December, we might be talking about guys that then we are in September. If we're getting to play late in the year and play well, it's probably because we've got good depth," he added.

Montana opens its season at the Washington Huskies at 6 p.m. Saturday night in Seattle.