Game Day Kaimin, October 20, 2007 Students of the Niu Versity of Montana, Missoula

University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Associated Students of the University of Montana Montana Kaimin, 1898-present (ASUM) 10-20-2007 Game Day Kaimin, October 20, 2007 Students of The niU versity of Montana, Missoula Let us know how access to this document benefits ouy . Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/studentnewspaper Recommended Citation Students of The nivU ersity of Montana, Missoula, "Game Day Kaimin, October 20, 2007" (2007). Montana Kaimin, 1898-present. 5053. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/studentnewspaper/5053 This Newspaper is brought to you for free and open access by the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM) at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Montana Kaimin, 1898-present by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Saturday, October 20, 2007 The Kaimin is the daily student newspaper at the University of Montana Kickoff 1:05 PM TThehe original, complete guide to Grizzly athletics GameDayGameDayKaimin FromFrom walk-onwalk-on toto STANDOUTSTANDOUT WearingWearing thethe maroonmaroon andand silversilver isis aa dreamdream comecome truetrue forfor MarcMarc MarianiMariani by JakJakee GrGrilleyilley GD K montmontanaana vs.vs. northernnorthern coloradocolorado www.montanakaimin.com 2 GameDay Kaimin Saturday, October 20, 2007 Tim Kupsick/GameDay Kaimin Grizzly wide reciever Marc Mariani makes a catch against Weber State corner back Jonathan Carrawa. Mariani averages over 15 yards per catch and averages 40 yards for kick returns. Walk-on earns the fruits of determination Jake Grilley pond,” he said. would take me.” to let his size stand in the way of his Mariani said. “I didn’t want to settle GAMEDAY KAIMIN Week one of practice made Although he was uncertain where aspirations and by his junior year of for something and regret not giving Mariani wonder what exactly he had his hard work would take him, high school he was emerging as a this a shot. I didn’t want to go some- arc Mariani stood gotten himself into. Mariani never doubted his decision standout football player. where and always wonder ‘what if I just in front of the “The first week was real scary,” to walk-on for the Griz. Mariani was a first-team All-state could have made it?’ ” Montana end he said. “Being out there, coaches “I felt like I could play, I thought free safety his junior season. It was Mariani was among a handful of zone inside yelling at you, guys getting beat up, I could play and I wanted to prove it during his senior year that Mariani walk-ons competing for a roster Washington- doing tackling drills you have never to myself,” he said. broke out as a wide receiver, setting spot that fall. MGrizzly Stadium. The 6-foot, 174- done before.” Growing up in Havre he envi- the Havre High record in single-sea- “There is not a difference pound sophomore from Havre nerv- After seeing all the talent that sioned himself playing at Montana son receiving yards. between walk-on and scholarship ously awaited the kickoff. His blond Montana had, Mariani knew his someday. These kinds of performances gar- really,” Mariani said. “You just have crew cut and thin frame were all but journey wouldn’t be easy. “For me it was just the top goal,” nered Mariani calls from various to earn respect and earn your spot on hidden beneath his helmet, pads and “There was a lot of question Mariani said. “I am from small town Division II and NAIA programs. the team.” the number 80 University of marks, lots of hard work in front of Montana and this has been the But the one school he wanted to take Part of earning that respect was Montana jersey he had worked so me,” Mariani said. biggest goal that I was shooting for a look at him didn’t seem to notice. taking some knocks. hard to wear. Mariani was willing to put in the as soon as I started playing football. “I wasn’t getting recruited hard “I remember me and a few walk- Just two years prior, Mariani had hard work. He participated in the This is what I dreamed of, this is the by (Montana),” Mariani said. “I on guys got thrown in (a drill),” enrolled at the University of team’s freshman lifting program place I wanted to be.” kinda thought at one point I should Mariani said. “We were getting Montana with intentions of making that began at 5:30 a.m. four days a As sure as he was about his look around. I didn’t think I would screamed at and yelled at and had no the Grizzlies as a walk-on. week. dream, he was just as uncertain be able to do it.” clue what was going on. I think in Mariani said his first day step- He tried not to worry about what about it ever happening. Despite not being heavily sought the first week I got absolutely taken ping on the practice field was an he couldn’t control. “I was more of a basketball play- after by the Grizzlies, Mariani out by Mike Murphy.” overwhelming experience. “I just had fun with it, I didn’t er growing up,” he said. “I was decided to take his best shot at play- Sophomore wide receiver and fel- “It was a quick transformation know where it was going to go,” he always the small guy (on the foot- ing for the two-time national low walk-on at the time Bryan from being a big fish in a small pond said. “I just worked as hard as I ball team.)” champs. to being a small fish in a huge could and waited to see where it But Mariani was determined not “I just wanted to push myself,” MARIANI continued on page 3 3 Montana vs. Northern Colorado Griz 6-0 despite low performance numbers Bill Oram son meltdown. you this, I think their scheme is Our coaches are tired of losing, tion. GAMEDAY KAIMIN “I’m not into numbers other good, they’re very well coached, but it’s not from a lack of effort,” “That team at Montana knows than the ‘W’ in the left-hand col- they’re technically very sound.” he said. how to win,” he said. “Sometimes The University of Montana umn,” Montana head coach Downing said he didn’t think Just a week removed from being maybe they don’t win by the point football team is ranked No. 3 in Bobby Hauck said Tuesday. the Grizzlies had been under-pro- ranked No. 1 in The Sports margin that people want them to the nation. Yet when compared to Today the Griz will look to ducing in recent weeks, rather that Network’s top 25, the Grizzlies win by, but we don’t get any style teams in their own conference, the improve on their marginal num- other teams were playing up to are in a completely opposite situa- points for margin of victory.” Griz have put up numbers that bers when they host a team that is Montana’s level. could best be described as middle- also familiar with futility. The “I think one of the things that of-the-road. Northern Colorado Bears are win- probably catches up with a team The Griz have been out-gained less on the season, but also played like Montana, like I’ve said nearly 2-to-1 each of the last two a grueling preseason schedule that before, they’ve got a big target on weeks in total offense, and have included games at Hawaii, San their chest,” he said. “They’re the been forced to rely on big, game- Diego and Cal Poly. But the Bears top team in the league and one of saving plays in the fourth quarter also lost a home game to Division the top teams in the nation.” to squeeze out wins against II Chadron State, who also Senior offensive tackle Cody Eastern Washington and knocked off Montana State last Balogh said the Grizzly offense Sacramento State. season in Bozeman. was planning to spend this week Despite having arguably the The highly regarded Grizzlies in practice regrouping and trying most talented group of running can expect a challenge from the to find a rhythm. backs in the conference, the Griz Bears, Hauck said. “Northern Colorado’s a good are ranked second to last in rush- “Northern Colorado will come team, but we’re going to focus on ing yards per game in the Big Sky, in hungry, they’re playing hard,” us this week,” Balogh said. and their pass offense ranks dead he said. “I’ve watched every game “We’ve got some stuff we’ve got last in the nine-team league. in some form or fashion that to take care of, and hopefully it Tim Kupsick/GameDay Kaimin Against Eastern Washington, they’ve played this year. Their will end up in a good way on Grizzly defense knocks Eastern Washington running back Dale Harris out of bounds on Oct. 6. Grizzlies the Eagles posted a gaudy 565 coaches have them playing hard, Saturday.” beat the Eagles 24-23. offensive yards, while the Griz that’s what we expect. They have Hauck cautioned that the Griz mustered just 289. As an encore, not come out in the win column couldn’t overlook the Bears. the Grizzlies were doubled-up like they wanted to in numerous “They’re a team that we can offensively when Sac State had games.” beat if we go out and play well,” 346 yards – exactly twice as many Despite concerns surrounding he said.

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