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Home , Brock Coyle, Buck Buchanan Award, Dan Carpenter, Jack Elway, Marc Mariani, Mick Delaney

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2010 Grizzly Football Yearbook

-A record 17 straight FCS playoff Award Candidate appearances. Chase Reynolds -A record 12 consecutive titles.

-Twenty-four winning seasons in a row.

-Ranked in the top 25 since 1993.

-119 wins since the year 2000 •V -31-1 in Big Sky Conference games over the past four seasons.

* Big Sky Conference game #A11 times are mtn. and subject to change. Table of Contents QUICK FACTS Page No. Location: Missoula, Montana UM Coaches and Facilities ...... 2-5 Chartered: February 17,1893 Washington-Grizzly Stadium ...... 6-7 Enrollment: 14,207 Griz in the Pros ...... 8-9 President: Dr. George M. Dennison Athletic Director: Jim O’Day Media...... 10-11 AD Phone: (406) 243-5348 Griz Quick Facts ...... 12 Associate Athletic Director: Jean Gee UM Coaching Staff...... 13-18 Nickname: Grizzlies, Griz ...... 14 Colors: Copper, Silver, Gold, Maroon Mike Hudson, , DickArbuckle ...... 15-16 Stadium: Washington-Grizzly (25,217) Shalon Baker, Bob Beers Sr...... 16 Stadium Surface: Sprinturf Inoke Breckterfield, Mike Breske, Scott Gragg...... 17 Press Row Phone: (406) 243-4167 RobOviatt, Jonathan Smith, Aric Williams ...... 18 Conference: Big Sky 2010 Outlook...... 19-24 Affiliation: NCAA Division I (FCS in FB) Payton/Buchanan Candidates...... 25-28 2009 Overall Record: 14-1 Chase Reynolds, Walter Payton Award Nominee ...... 26 2009 Conference Record/Place: 8-0/1st Andrew Selle, Walter Payton Award Nominee...... 27 : Robin Pflugrad Trumaine Johnson, Award Nominee...... 28 Alma Mater/Year: Portland State, 1979 All-American Candidates...... 29-33 Record at UM/Overall: 0-0 (1st year) Tyler Hobbs...... 30 Assist. Coaches: Mick Delaney Brody McKnight...... 31 (UM-Western, 1964), asst, head coach/ Jabin Sambrano...... 32 running backs; Mike Breske (South Da­ Erik Stoll...... 33 kota State, 1981), defensive coord./safeties; All-American History...... 34 Jonathan Smith (Oregon State, 2001), of­ fensive coord./; Dick Arbuckle Honors Candidates ...... 35-39 (Oregon, 1961), special teams; Shalon Baker Severin Campbell/Brandon Dodson...... 36 (Montana, 1995), wide receivers; Bob Beers Jon Opperud/Alex Shaw...... 37 (Montana, 1970), centers/guards; Inoke /Alex Verlanic...... 38 Breckterfield (Oregon State, 2007), defensive Bryan Waldhauser/Sean Wren...... 39 line; Scott Gragg (Montana, 1995), offensive Geographic Roster...... 40 tackles/tight ends; Mike Hudson (Texas-San Meet the 2010 Griz...... 41-64 Antonio, 1994), linebackers; Aric Williams 2010 Football Signees ...... 58-60 (Arizona State, 2005), . Alphabetical Roster...... £...... 61-62 Football Athletic Trainer: J.C. Weida FB Office Phone: (406) 243-2969 Numerical Roster...... £S|...... 63-64 Ticket Office Phone: (406) 243-4051 2009 Review ...... 1...... 65-82 or (888) MONTANA Game 1: Western State ...... 66 Assoc. AD for External and Media Game 2: at UC Davis ...... 67 Relations/FB Contact: Dave Guffey Game 3: Portland State...... 68 Dave Guffey Phone: (406) 243-5402 Game 4: at Northern Arizona...... 69 Dave Guffey Cell Phone: (406) 370-9435 Game 5: Cal Poly...... 70 Email: [email protected] Game 6: Eastern Washington...... 71 Sports Information Office: (406) 243-6899 Game 7: at Sacramento State...... 72 Fax: (406) 243-6859 Game 8: Weber State...... 73 Web Site: www.montanagrizzlies.com Game 9: at Idaho State ..... 74 Writing and editing:Dave Guffey Game 10: Northern Colorado ...... 75 Design and editing:Renee Valley, Sports Game 11: at Montana State...... 76 Information media editor Game 12: South Dakota State...... 77 Cover designs and Pro page design and Game 13: Stephen F. Austin...... 78 research: Jerek Wolcott, Sports Information Game 14: Appalachian State...... 79 Intern Game 15: Villanova...... 80 Photography: Todd Goodrich, Sports Infor­ 2009 Stats...... 81-82 mation archives or otherwise noted 2010 Opponents...... 83-98 (Special thanks to Sarah Bigelow and Pam Erickson for additional help.) Opponent Series History...... 95-97 Opponent History...... 98 Big Sky Conference ...... 99-102 Griz Records...... 103-115 Griz Awards...... 115-116 Griz Lettermen ...... 117-126 Year-by-Year Scoring and Coaching History...... 127-136 Post-Season History...... 137-141 Grizzly Administration and Staff...... 142-144 2010 Grizzly Football ....

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pp. : '*,#!% Grizzly Athletics Grizzly/Lady Griz Head Coaches UM offers 14 intercollegiate programs in mens and women’s basketball, mens and womens cross country, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, football, womens golf, womens soccer, mens and womens tennis and womens volleyball. The Grizzlies/Lady Griz compete at the . NCAA Division I level and are eligible STEVE ASCHER COURTNEY ROBIN PFLUGRAD KRIS NORD NEIL SEDGWICK for postseason competition, except for Womens Tennis BABCOCK Football Mens Tennis Womens Soccer football, which competes in the NCAA Cross Country Football Championship Subdivision (formerly called Division I-AA), which employs a 16-team playoff system. Montana is a charter (1963) member of the Big Sky Conference, headquartered in Ogden, Utah. There are now nine schools in the Big Sky Conference: fm# I Eastern Washington, Idaho State, Montana, Montana State, Northern BRIAN ROBIN SELVIG JOANNE STEELE WAYNE TINKLE JERRY WAGNER SCHWEYEN Womens Basketball Womens Golf Mens Basketball Womens Volleyball Arizona, Portland State, Sacramento Track & Field State, Weber State and2006-07inaugural member Northern Colorado.

2010 Grizzly Football ANDY HILL BILL EVANS FREDDIE OWENS ANNETTE SHANNON TRISH DUCE Mens Basketball Mens Basketball Mens Basketball ROCHELEAU SCHWEYEN Women's Basketball Womens Basketball Womens Basketball

DICKARBUCKLE SHALON BAKER BOB BEERS MIKE BRESKE INOKE MICK DELANEY Football Football Football Football BRECKTERFIELD Football Football

SCOTT GRAGG MIKE HUDSON ROB OVIATT JON SMITH ARIC WILLIAMS C.J. COOPER Football Football Football Football Football § Womens Soccer

M W M B m

PETER ADAM BORK HARRY CLARK GINA SCHMIDT ALLISON LAWRENCE UNDERWOOD Mens & Womens Men's & Women's Womens Volleyball Womens Volleyball

Women's Soccer. Track & Field Track & Field (Interim)

2010 Grizzly Football 3 DORNBLASER STADIUM WASHINGTON-GRIZZLY STADIUM AT JOHN HOYT FIELD

Dornblaser Stadium is home to track and field.

WEST AUXILIARY GYM (WAG) Washington-Grizzly Stadium accommodates 25,217 fans.

DAHLBERG ARENA

' ' ' ...... The West Auxiliary Gym (WAG) has seating for 1,000 volleyb;

SOUTH CAMPUS SOCCER STADIUM Dahlberg Arena has a seating capacity of 7,321

ROBERT O. LINDSAY TENNIS CENTER

Lindsay Tennis Center, home of Griz Tennis. South Campus Soccer Stadium has seating for 1,000 soccer fans. 2010 Grizzly Football 5 , ...... theswimmingGrizzly pool open is I is home to the Lady Griz golf and men’s andwomenss cross and men’s home golf Griztothe is Lady homethe ofAthletic Grizzly Department. Adams Center, Center, Adams GRIZZLY POOL GRIZZLY As part of UM Campus Recreation, Recreation, Campus UM of part As to the public, has lanes, seven a weight ^oom and sauna. are Classes of­ andfered ages for all abilities. UM GOLF COURSE The UM Golf Course Course Golf UM The ■ »,«»■ >y» is homeis to the countryteams open and also is to the nine-hole a is public. It course and the old- includes a climbing wall and state-of-the thletic/Recreation Facilities A mpus Recreation Recreation mpus The 7,000-square foot Athletic Performance Center Center foot Performance Athletic 7,000-square The Griz student-athletes and is geared to enhance performancethe the of teams. overall athletic est course in Missoula, established in 1924. Ca artequipment exercise along with outdoor gear rentals. ATHLETIC PERFORMANCEATHLETIC CENTER CAMPUS ANDOUTDOOR RECREATION ADAMS CENTER 2010 Football Grizzly r r rr ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥

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* ■ Player Year Team Player Year Team Player Year Team Steve Sullivan 1922 Evansville Mike Hagen* 1982 LeifThorsen 2001 B.C. Lions (1st Round) Ted lllm an 1926 W ilson's W ildcats Mickey Sutton* 1983 Pittsburgh Maulers Thatcher Szalay* 2002 "W ild" Bill Kelly 1927 Brooklyn Professionals Brian Salonen 1984 (10th round) Calvin Coleman* 2002 New York Giants Len Noyes 1937 Brooklyn Dodgers Mike Rice 1987 (8th round) Drew Miller* 2002 Detroit Fury Milton Popovich 1937 Chicago Cardinals Brent Pease 1987 (11th round) Etu M olden* 2002 Chicago Rush Paul Szakash 1937 Larry Clarkson 1988 (8th round) Spencer Frederick* 2002 Aldo Forte 1938 Detroit Lions Pat Foster 1988 Los A ngeles Rams (9th round) Dylan McFarland 2003 (7th Round) Bill Lazetich 1938 Cleveland Rams Tim Hauck* 1989 New England Patriots Jon Skinner* 2003 Chargers John Dolan 1941 Buffalo Indians Jay Fagan* 1989 Washington Redskins Chris Snyder* 2003 Detroit Lions Harold Maus 1953 Detroit Lions (30th round) Kirk Scrafford* 1989 Cincinnati Bengals Justin Green 2004 (5th Round) Stan Renning 1959 Edmonton Eskimos Grady Bennett 1991 British Columbia Lions Andy Petek 2004 H am ilton Tiger Cats John Lands 1960 Indianapolis Warriors M att Clark 1991 British Columbia Lions Cory Procter*# 2005 Dallas Cowboys Gary Schwertfeger 1961 British Columbia Lions MikeTrevathan 1991 British Columbia Lions Craig Ochs* 2005 San Diego Chargers Bob O'Billovich 1962 Ottawa Rough Riders Brad Lebo* 1992 Cincinnati Bengals Leva nder Sega rs 2005 Montreal Allouettes Terry Dillon 1963 M innesota Vikings Sean Dorris* 1992 Houston Oilers Willie Walden* 2005 Mike Tillem an 1964 Todd Ericson* 1994 Indianapolis Colts Trey Young# 2005 Calgary Stampeders Bryan Magnuson 1967 Washington Redskins Carl Franks 1994 Toronto Argonauts Brad Rhoades* 2006 Maceo Gray 1969 Baltim ore Colts Scott Gragg* 1995 New York Giants (2nd Round) Tuff Harris* 2007 Dave Urie 1969 Houston Oilers Scott Gurnsey* 1995 Toronto Argonauts Josh Swogger* 2007 Kansas City Chiefs Tim G allagher 1971 Dallas Cowboys Shalon Baker* 1995 British Columbia Lions Ryan Bagley* 2008 Saskatchewan Roughriders Willie Postler 1972 British Columbia Lions Marc Lam b* 1995 New York Jets Kroy Bierm ann# 2008 (5th Round) Steve Okoniewski 1972 Atlanta Falcons Keith Burke 1995 Ottawa Rough Riders Cody Balogh* 2008 Chicago Bears Roy Robinson 1972 Saskatchewan Roughriders * 1996 Calgary Stampeders Dan Carpenter*# 2008 Miami Dolphins W alt Brett 1975 Atlanta Falcons (4th round) Matt Wells* 1996 Saskatchewan Roughriders Lex Hilliard# 2008 Miami Dolphins (6th Round) Ron Rosenberg 1975 Cincinnati Bengals (13th round) Blaine McElmurry* 1997 Houston Oilers *# 2009 M innesota Vikings Barry Darrow 1974 Joe Douglass* 1997 New York Jets Colin Dow* 2009 Cincinnati Bengals Greg Harris* 1976 New York Jets David Kem pfert* 1997 Seattle Seahawks J.D. Quinn* 2009 Miami Dolphins Doug Betters 1977 Miami Dolphins Jeff Zellick* 1997 New York Giants Michael Stadnyk 2009 Saskatchewan Rough Riders Terry Falcon 1977 New England Patriots Jason Baker* 1998 (2nd Round) Greg Anderson 1979 M ontreal Jason Crebo* 1998 Buffalo Bills Cole Bergquist*# 2009 Saskatchewan Rough Riders Tim Hook 1979 Saskatchewan Roughriders Brian Ah Yat* 1999 Winnipeg Blue Bombers Shann Shillinger# 2010 Atlanta Falcons (6th round) Carm Carteri 1979 Ottawa Rough Riders Scott Curry 1999 (6th Round) Marc Mariani# 2010 Tennessee Titans (7th Round) Guy Bingham 1980 New York Jets (10th round) Kris H eppner* 2000 Seattle Seahawks Levi Horn*# 2010 Chicago Bears Pat Curry* 1982 Seattle Seahawks Dallas Neil* 2000 Atlanta Falcons Steve Pfahler*# 2010 Tennessee Titans Rocky Klever 1982 New York Jets (9th round) Jeremy Watkins* 2000 New York Giants Rich B urtness 1982 Dallas Cowboys (12th round) Jimmy Farris* 2001 San Francisco 49ers Note: Year listed is the player's first as a pro and the team he was originally drafted by or signed with. *Signed as free agent #Active at press time

IIP NFL

Steven Pfahler is trying to make the Titans Cory Proctercurrently with Miami Dolphins. roster. (Photo by Jerek Wolcott) (Photo courtesy Dallas Cowboys) 2010 Grizzly Football Marc Mariani's first NFL catch in a preseason game in Seattle on Aug. 14th, Dan Carpenter was named to the 2009 . (Photo 2010. (Photo byJerek Wolcott) courtesy Miam i Dolphins)

Tuff Harris played with three teams during his , currently with the Atlanta Tim Hauck played for 13 years in the NFL and time in the NFL (Photo by J. Pat Carter, AP) Falcons. (Photo courtesy Atlanta Falcons) now is an assistant coach for the Tennessee Titans. (Photo courtesy Philedelphia Eagles)

2010 Grizzly Football

a ® 2 GriziMedia Services

MONTANA MEDIA INFORMATION AND POLICIES SPORTS INFORMATION FALL PRACTICE OFFICE Regular-season practices begin Monday, August 30, starting at approximately 3:15 p.m., usually at the Riverbowl site, located kitty-corner from the Campus Recreation building, located next door to Adams Center. There will be a short window for athlete interviews prior to practices Monday through Wednesday, from about 3:00-3:15 p.m. The media is encouraged to conduct any in-depth player/head coach interviews at UMs weekly (Tuesday) press conferences (see below). Practices are closed when the team moves from the Riverbowl site to Washington-Grizzly Stadium on Thursday afternoons, and the entire practice session on Fridays are closed. All video/still photography is limited to the first 30 minutes of practices, unless otherwise arranged through Media Relations or Head Coach Robin Pflugrad. INTERVIEW POLICY Three-to-four student-athletes and head coach Robin Pflugrad will be available every Tuesday during the season from 1:30-2:00 p.m. in the Max and Betty Swanson Grizzly Sky Club located on the third floor of the Adams Center. Players and coaches will also be available for a limited time before or after practice Monday through Wednesday on a first-come, first-served basis, but quarterbacks are available on Tuesdays only. Please contact the Media Relations Office for all additional interview requests. Dave Guffey Associate A.D., PRESS/PHOTO CREDENTIALS External & Media Relations All media credentials and photography passes should be requested from Associate Athletic Director Dave 33rd year Guffey. Credentials will be available at the Media Relations Office in Adams Center from Thursday at noon (406) 243-5402 - W . 370-9435 - C until Friday at 4:00 p.m. Credentials not picked up by that time are available at the Will Call window at the [email protected] Adams Center Box Office from 9:00 a.m. until kickoff on game day. Photographers must comply with NCAA guidelines. STAFF VISITING MEDIA All visiting media should make credential/parking requests through the visiting SID. PARKING Media parking is available on a limited basis to visiting media in several lots, all of which are located a short walking distance from Washington-Grizzly Stadium. DIRECTIONS TO STADIUM Stadium from Interstate 90: The stadium is located on the north end of the UM campus on Campus Drive. From 1-90 take the Van Buren Street Exit. Proceed to Broadway Avenue and turn right at the light. Take a left Joel Carlson at the next light and proceed over the Madison Street Bridge. Veer left and then turn left on South Sixth Street Assistant Sports East (a one-way street). Proceed for two blocks and veer left on Van Buren (you cannot turn right). Information Director PROFESSIONAL SCOUTS Pro scouts please contact Dave Guffey to obtain a press box credential. Press box seating is not available for all games. POSTGAME INTERVIEWS The postgame interview room is located in the Max and Betty Swanson Sky Club in the Adams Center. The visiting SID or a representative from UMs Sports Information Office will escort the visiting head coach and a minimum of two players to the interview room. As per Big Sky Conference rules, locker rooms are closed to the media. POSTGAME MEDIA WORK AREA Renee Valley Sports Information Media Editor Media members may use the media area of Sports Information located in Adams Center room 137 to file stories. Coach and player quotes are available if requested during the week prior to the game.

VISIT: montanagrizzlies.com the official web site of the Montana Athletic Department Jeff Cincoski Sports Information Intern

2010 Grizzly Football COVERING THE rso tbilC COVERING THE Mick Holien - the Voice of the Grizzlies - and KXGZ-FM Mick Holien is in his 18th year as the “Voice of the Grizzlies” and his 26th season overall as the play-by-play announcer at The for KXGZ Ra­ dio (Griz Country 101.5 FM) and KGVO Radio (1290 AM). He has been selected the National Sportswriters and Sports Broadcasters Associations “Montana Sports Broadcaster of the Year” nine times. Holien and his wife, Carleen, reside in Poison. Mick has two children, a son, Chris, and a daughter, Stephanie Landers, and two stepchildren, Eric Olson and Breanne Loewen, and four grandchildren.

Derek Buerkle and KPAX-TV Derek Buerkle became the sports director at KPAX in the summer of 2010, and will spend his first season as the television play-by-play an­ nouncer for Montana Grizzly football in the fall. He previously worked as the KPAX weekend sports anchor and Grizzly sideline reporter for the past 3 seasons. The team of Mick Holien, the Voice of Derek grew up in Big Timber, Montana and graduated from Sweet the Grizzlies, and color commentator Geoff Sutton photos Grass County High School in 2002. He then came to the University of Scott Gurnsey, “Gurnz,” begins its 13th season together on local radio station KXGZ-FM and statewide affiliates. Montana and received a bachelors degree in Broadcast Journalism in 2006.

MONTANA MEDIA Fritz Neighbor and the Missoulian NEWSPAPERS Ravalli Republic Fritz Neighbor is in his seventh season covering Grizzly football for the Missoulian. A native of Harlowton, Mont., Fritz attended Arizona State Missoulian Hamilton, Montana Phone: (406) 363-3300 and The University of Montana, studying journalism and art. Missoula, Montana He began his professional career as a part-time sports writer at the Fritz Neighbor, Football Writer ELEVISION Missoulian in 1987; he returned to the Missoulian in 2004 from the Bill­ Phone: (406) 523-5265 ings Gazette, where he spent 13 years, the last two covering Big Sky Con­ [email protected] KECI-TV (NBC) Missoula, Montana ference athletics. Billings Gazette Kayla Anderson, Interim Sports Dir. Scott Gurnsey, Football Color Commentator Billings, Montana Phone: (406) 721-5642 Scott Gurnsey is now in his 13th season as color commentator for Mike Zimmer, Sports Editor [email protected] Phone: (406)657-1291 Grizzly football. sports@billingsgazette. com KPAX-TV (CBS) “Gurnz” is a former (1991-94) Griz receiver and punter. He is ranked Missoula, Montana second in school history with 2,574 career receiving yards. Scott has a five- Daily Interlake Derek Buerkle, Sports Director year old son, Cameron. Kalispell, Montana Phone: (406) 542-4455 Dave Lesnick, Sports Editor [email protected] WIRE SERVICE • Associated Press • Helena, Montana Phone: (406) 755-7000 Amy Hanson • Phone: (800) 221-0094 • [email protected] [email protected] KTMF (ABC/Fox) Missoula, Montana Great Falls Tribune Ben Conn, Sports Director Great Falls, Montana Phone: (406) 251-1360 George Geise, Sports Editor [email protected] Phone: (406) 791-1470 [email protected] RADIO KBGA-FM Independent Record The University of Montana Helena, Montana Phone: (406) 243-6426 Jeff Windmueller, Sports Editor [email protected] Phone: (406) 447-4065 [email protected] KGVO-AM/KXGZ-FM Missoula, Montana Montana Kaimin Pete Deneault, Sports Director The University of Montana Phone: (406) 523-9809 Phone: (406)243-4020 petedenault@gapbroadcasting. com [email protected] Northern Sports Network Montana Standard Billings, Montana Butte, Montana Rocky Erickson, Sports Director Bruce Saylor, Sports Editor Phone: (406) 252-6661 Phone: (406) 496-5535 rerickson@northernbroadcasting. [email protected] A com Mike B ashor photo 2010 Grizzly Football 11 QUICK FJJTBJLIT FACTS

DID YOU KNOW THAT THE MONTANA

• Have had 24 winning seasons in a row, dating back to 1986, and have 244 wins during that time, for an average of 10.2 victories per year!? • Added to their on-going record with their 17th straight (since 1993) FCS playoff appearance in 2009. (The old record was 10 by Eastern Kentucky from 1986-95)? • Have 30 playoff victories - the second most in FCS history (Georgia Southern has 38)? • Have played in the FCSs championship game seven out of the past 15 seasons. • Have participated in the playoffs a record 20 times out of the years they have been held? (Eastern Kentucky is second with 19 appearances, while Appalachian State is third with 17). • Have won (or shared) a record 12 straight Big Sky Conference titles? • Won 38 straight regular-season games from 2006-09? • Since 1993, have won or shared 15 (of the last 17) league championships; has an overall record of 192-41 (.824); and are 111-16 (.874) in conference games? • With their conference crown in 2009 have the second longest skein in FCS or FBS history, trailing only Oklahoma, which won 14 straight conference titles from 1946-59? • Were the first team to earn 100 victories during this decade (the Grizzlies won their 100th game of the millennium on Nov. 8, 2008, a 29-12 victory at Portland State? • Have 119 wins since 2000, which are 18 more than Appalachian State, which is second with 101 victories? • Lead all Division teams (FCS and FBS) with those 119 victories, and are followed by Boise State (112), Texas (110), Oklahoma (1109), and USC (102). • Have a winning percentage of .838 (119-23) is the third best in all of Division I football, behind only Boise State (.868,112-17) and Texas (.852,110-19)? • Led the FCS in attendance in 2009 by averaging 24,417 fans in nine home games? • Have gone 31-1 (.969) in the Big Sky over the past four seasons - the most in a four-year span by any team in league history? • Are 52-8 in league contests and 91-20 overall the last eight seasons (since 2002). • Have won 11 or more games eight times in the past 10 seasons. • Have been ranked in the Sports Networks top 25 for 165 weeks in a row.

GRIZ IN 2009 NCAA TEAM RANKINGS 2nd in Scoring Offense: 35.8 ppg 5th in Kickoff Returns: 24.64 5th in Punt Returns: 15.82 ypr 7th in Passing Efficiency: 149.45 7th in Turnover Margin +1.20 9th in Total Offense: 427.4 ypg 14th in Passing Offense: 267.2 ypg 18th in Sacks Allowed: 1.27 pg 19th in Rushing Defense: 108.67 ypg 22nd in Scoring Defense: 19.0 ppg

GRIZ IN 2009 INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS 4th in Passing Eff.: Andrew Selle: 157.31 T-4th in Scoring: Chase Reynolds: 9.60 ppg 5th in Rec. Yards Per Game: Marc Mariani: 98.6 ypg 5th in Punt Returns: Mariani: 15.84 ypg 8th in Net Punting: 37.47 ypg 11th in Rushing: Reynolds: 100.13 ypg 14th in All-Purpose Yards: Mariani: 145.67 ypg T-15th in Punting: Sean Wren: 41.19 ypp 20th in Kickoff Returns: Jabin Sambrano: 24.82 ypr

2010 Grizzly Footba 12

Head Coach Ro HEAD COACH ROBIN PFLUGRAD Pflugrad is a 1980 graduate of PSU with a degree in business adminis­ tration. He was a and team captain as a senior in 1979 for the Robin Pflugrad was named the Vikings. head football coach at Montana on Robin and his wife Marlene have a son, Aaron, and a daughter, Amanda. Dec. 31, 2009. Aaron is a junior wide receiver at Arizona State. Pflugrad (pronounced: flew-grad) is UMs 34th head football coach. This past season he returned to Montana, where he served as the wide receivers coach and assisted with the offense. In 2009, Montanas offense was ranked second in the nation in scor­ ing (35.8 ppg), ninth in total offense (427.40), and 14th in passing (267.2 ypg). Senior wide receiver Marc Mar­ iani was named to several All-American teams and set numerous UM re­ cords. Pflugrad is a veteran coach who was a mentor in the prestigious Pac-10 Conference for 13 seasons with stints at Oregon, Washington State, and Arizona State. He has been a coach for 30 seasons overall and has worked 27 of those years at the college level. He came to UM from the University of Oregon where he served as the wide receivers coach for three seasons (2006-08). Prior to his stint in his hometown of Eugene, Rob coached the tight ends and served as assistant head coach and the recruiting coordinator for five seasons (2001-05) at WSU. He was the wide receivers and recruiting coordinator at ASU from 1995-2000. During his career, he has been instrumental in the development of nu­ merous quarterbacks and wide receivers who have received All-American recognition, along with several all-conference honorees, academic all-con­ ference athletes, and academic All-Americans. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, PSU, in 1980. A year later he had a one-year stint at South Eugene High School and then re­ turned to the college ranks. He came to Montana in 1986 when was named the UMs head coach. Pflugrad was an assistant coach for the Griz from 1986-94. While at UM he worked with the quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers and was promoted to assistant head coach in 1991. THE PFLUGRAD FILE: Among the Grizzly standouts he worked with was Dave Born: Nov. 29,1957 in Portland, Ore. Dickenson, who won the Walter Payton Award in 1995, broke 25 school Education: B.A. in Business Administration, Portland State, 1980 records, three national marks, and guided Montana to the national cham­ Overall Coaching Experience pionship (1995). 2009: Montana, Wide Receivers (Advanced to FCS Title Game) 2006-08: Oregon, Wide Receivers: 2006: Las Vegas Bowl (BYU 38, Oregon 8); 2007: Sun Bowl (Oregon 56, South Florida 21); 2008: : (Oregon 42, Oklahoma State 31). 2001-05: Washington State, Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordina­ tor/Tight Ends: 2001: Sun Bowl; 2003: Rose Bowl; 2003 (Dec. 30): Holiday Bowl. 2001: Northern Arizona, Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coord. (First Round FCS Playoffs) 1995-2000: Arizona State, Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coord.: 1997: Rose Bowl; 1997 (Dec. 31): Sun Bowl; 1999: Aloha Bowl; 2000: Aloha Bowl. 1986-94: University of Montana, Wide Receivers/Running Backs (1991- 94) and Wide Receivers/Running Backs (1986-90): 1989: Division I-AA Semifinal; 1993: I-AA First Round; 1994: I-AA Semifinal. 1983-85: Portland State, Wide Receivers/Tight Ends; 1982: Portland State, Director of Football Operations. 1981: South Eugene High School, Wide Receivers. 1980: Portland State, Graduate Assistant.

2010 Grizzly Football G riziCoachi ng7Staff

Prior to coaching at Mike Hudson, Linebackers CSU, Delaney was at Western Mike recently completed his fifth season at Montana (head coach, 1991- Montana. 92); served as athletic direc­ He has coached several positions for the Griz­ tor at Montana Tech (1983- zlies, and this will be his first season of working 85); and was an assistant with the linebackers. football coach at Montana Last year he served as UMs director of foot­ State (1976-80). He began his ball operations, and for the second season in a coaching career at Butte Cen­ row he coached the secondary. Last season Griz tral High School (1964-67). senior free safety Shann Schillinger and sopho­ He then moved on to Great more Trumaine Johnson were named Falls High School (1969-76). to the All-Big Sky Conferences first team. He coached at Montana Hudson was Montanas associate head coach for four seasons from in 1968 and 1969. He earned 2005-08, and has also coached the running backs and cornerbacks during his B.A. in education at UM- Western (Western Montana his tenure at UM. College) in 1964. He is an Mike just completed inaugural inductee into the his 22nd year of coach­ Western Montana College ing at the college level. Sports Hall of Fame. For the past 19 sea­ Mick and his wife Cheri sons he has coached have three children, son teams at the FCS level. Mike, daughters Shauna Hudson came to Mon­ Basile and Melissa Ossello, tana after a two-year and nine grandchildren. stint at Sam Houston State (2003-04) where he was the defensive Dick Arbuckle, Special Teams coordinator for the A veteran mentor, Arbuckle joined the Griz­ Bearkats for a season zly football staff as the special teams coach after a and the defensive line short hiatus from the college coaching ranks. coach the year prior to that. He then returned to Texas State-San Mar­ cos and had numerous coaching and adminis­ trative responsibilities while there from 1995-2002. He began his collegiate coaching career at Texas State-San Marcos, For the previous five years he was a volunteer working there from 1987-91. He also had coaching stints at the University assistant coach at Sheldon High School in Eugene, of New Mexico (1994) and Trinity University (1992-1993). Ore., working with the special teams, defensive Hudson earned a B.S. degree in kinesiology from the University of Tex­ 0 ends, and quarterbacks. During his five-year span, as at San Antonio in 1994. the Sheldon Irish football team posted a 57-game “Hud” was born in Bryan, Texas, and raised in San Antonio. He played winning streak in league and won two 6A state collegiate football at Angelo State University in 1983 and 1984, and his c84 championships (2007 and 2009). squad was the Lone State Conference champion. Mike and his wife Dyan Arbuckle has 19 years of experience as a have two children, Lee, 14, and Loryn, 11. head coach at the college and high school levels and 15 years as an assistant coach in the Pac-10 Conference, including stints at Arizona State, Cal, Or­ Mick Delaney, Assoc. Head Coach/RBs egon State, and Oregon. Delaney is in his third season as an assistant Most recently he was at Arizona State, under the tuteledge of the late coach at Montana. Bruce Synder, and worked with the tight ends and special teams there from Last season he was elevated to assistant head 1992-2000. coach and continued to work with the running Prior to his stint at ASU, he worked for Snyder, a former college team­ backs. He has been instrumental in the develop­ mate at Oregon, at California in 1991-92, coaching the wide receivers and ment of running back Chase Reynolds, who has special teams. rushed for 3,085 yards and 44 touchdowns the Before coaching at Cal, Arbuckle spent three seasons (1987-89) at Boise past two seasons. State where he served as both offensive coordinator and recruiting coordi­ Delaney is beginning his 43rd year in the nator. Previous to Boise State, he spent two years (1985-86) at Oregon State coaching ranks and his 28th at the collegiate where he served as recruiting coordinator and assisted with the offensive level. Originally from Butte, he came to Mon­ line. tana from Colorado State where he was an assistant coach for former head Arbuckle worked as a head coach at the Oregon Institute of Technology, (Continued on page 16) coach for 15 years (1993-2007). going 8-3 in 1981 and 8-2 in 1982, en route to two league titles. He then moved to Western Oregon State College for two years (1983-84). His first 2010 Grizzly Football stint in the college ranks was at his alma mater, Oregon, where he coached outside linebackers and special teams, 1974-76. The early part of his coaching career was spent at the prep level in Or­ egon. He was the head coach at Sheldon High School for 13 seasons from ...... Coaching

(Arbuckle continued from page 15)

1965-73 and 1977-1980. During that span at Sheldon he moved to the col­ also played in the CFL for the Edmonton Eskimos from 1995-97 and was lege ranks and coached special teams and outside linebackers for head coach named “Outstanding Rookie” in ‘95. His first coaching stint was at Desert Don Read at Oregon for three seasons (1974-76). Before that he was the Mountain High School in Scottsdale, Ariz., where he was the offensive co­ head coach at Oregon City High School in 1963-64. He began his coaching ordinator in 2003 and 2004. career as an assistant at North Eugene High School from 1961-63. He earned his B.A. degree at UM in business administration and a He played at Oregon from 1958-60 and was a two-year for the master’s in business administration in sports management at Canterbury Ducks, playing safety University in 1998. Shalon has three daughters: Kailyn, 15; Quincy, 11; and and quarterback He Kendal, 7. was a starter at safety for Oregon in the 1960 Bob Beers Sr., Centers/Guards . Born in Los Angles, Bob returns to his alma mater (1970) after he graduated from Or­ numerous years as a scout in the National Foot­ egon in 1961 with a ball League. Most recently (2007-present) he has degree in physical edu­ been a Western Regional Scout for the Houston cation. He received a Texans. From 2003-07 he was a regional scout masters degree from for the Detroit Lions. Oregon in physical edu­ He served as the head coach for the Colorado cation in 1966. He co­ Crush of the in 2003 and authored a book called also scouted for the during that “Special Teams: The time. He was the offensive coordinator for the i Winning Edge.” Amsterdam Admirals in the Spring of 1995, then Dick and his wife, joined the Broncos later that year as their West Coast Regional Scout. Sherry, have three chil­ In 1993-94, he was the head coach and athletic director at Western dren, Vicki, Becki, and Montana College (UM-Western). He was the offensive coordinator for Joe, and five grandchildren. the of the NFL’s World League for head coach from 1991-93. Beers was the Grizzlies’ assistant head coach for mentor Don Read from 1986-90. Shalon Baker, Wide Receivers He coached in the prep ranks from 1977-85 in Montana and Oregon. He began coaching on the collegiate level at Montana for head man One of the most prolific receivers in Grizzly (1970-72). After that he was the at history, Shalon, who is originally from Vancou­ Montana Tech (1971-73). ver, Wash. (Evergreen High School), played at As a standout Grizzly linebacker, he was a two-time All-American Montana (1991-94) when Coach Pflugrad served (1967 and 1968). He was the inaugural recipient of UMs Golden Helmet as an assistant for Don Read. Award (team’s hardest hitter) in 1967. He earned his degree at UM in He returns to his alma mater (1994) from 1970, majoring in history and health, physical education. Chandler High School (Ariz.) where he has been Bob and his wife Janelle have three children, son Bobby, the athletic the passing game coordinator/wide receiver director at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mont., and two daughters, coach since 2006. Cari, a principal in Eureka, Mont., and daughter Joey, a student at UM. Baker is ranked third in Montana history in Bobby is the athletic director at Rocky Mountain College in Billings. Bob career receptions (182), fifth in career receiving and Janelle have three granddaughters: Milynn, Megan, and Emily. yards (2,561), and tied for second in career receiving TDs (26). He was a team captain in 1993 and 1994. He was one of three recipients of UMs Steve Carlson Award (MVP) at Montana in 1994. The 5-7,185-pound-er was a wide receiver/line­ backer in the Arena Foot­ ball League from 1998- 2005, playing for the San Jose (Calif.) SaberCats. He also coached with the SaberCats from 2003-05, working with the offense and wide receivers. Bob Beers,who was the Grizzlies’ assistant head coach from In seven seasons in 1986-90, returns to his alma mater. the AFL, he had 261 catches for 3,551 yards and 61 touchdowns. He

2010 Grizzly Football 16 oimvi GrizlCoachingStaff

Inoke Breckterfield, Defensive Line Breske was an all-conference cornerback and team captain at South Da­ kota State, playing there from 1976-80. Former All-Pac-10 defensive standout He earned a bachelors degree at SDSU in 1981 and a masters at North­ Inoke (pronounced ee-no-key) Breckterfield ern Iowa in 1982. Mike and his wife Tami have three children, Cari, Adam, brings playing experience from both the profes­ and Taylor. They have four grandchildren: two granddaughters, Mikayla sional and college levels to his position as the de­ and Katelyn, and two grandsons, Bryson and Dylan. fensive line coach. Breckterfield comes to UM from fellow Big Sky Conference member Weber State where he served as the defensive line coach for the 2009 season. Prior to his stint in Ogden, he spent two seasons under head coach Mike Riley at his alma mater, Oregon State. He was a graduate assistant coach for the Beavers in 2008 and 2007 and was a volunteer coach in 2006, working with the defen­ sive line. He was a standout for the Beavers and named first team in the Pac-10 and a third team all-American (Associated Press) at defensive end as a se­ nior in 1998. Also following his senior year he was voted team MVP; the Morris Trophy Award recipient (the best defensive lineman in the league as voted on by Pac-10 offensive linemen); selected to play in the Hula Bowl; and named Oregon States “Male Athlete of the Year.” As a junior at OSU, he was named second team Pac-10, team MVP and honorable mention all-American. He was honorable mention all-league as a sophomore and chosen OSU s “Rookie of the Year” on defense as a fresh­ man. Breckterfield left OSU as the schools career leader in tackles for loss (55.5) and sacks (19.5), and is currently ranked second in both categories Mike Breske, Griz assistant coach from 2000-02, returns to UM after serving at the school. recently at North Dakota State as defensive coordinator and secondary coach. Following his college career, he played in the for five seasons for the Toronto Argonauts (1999-2000) and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2001-03). He worked in the private sector in Aiea, Hawaii, Scott Gragg, Offensive Tackles/TEs from 2003-06 and then returned to OSU to attend school and serve as a Scott was one of the most outstanding foot­ volunteer assistant coach. ball players in Grizzly history, playing offensive He earned an undergraduate degree in liberal studies from OSU in tackle. He returns to the Garden City after serv­ 2007. ing a four-year stint as the head football coach at Breckterfield and his wife, Carol, have a nine-year-old son, Kalevi. Car­ his old high school in his hometown of Silverton, ol earned All-Pac-10 honors in soccer at USC, playing from 1996-98. Ore. He took his Silverton teams to the state play­ offs twice (2007 and 2008). His 2008 prep squad won a first-round playoff game, the school’s first Mike Breske, Defensive Coord./Safeties since 1995. Mike is no stranger to Grizzly football, as he He is the only player in school history to was the assistant head coach/defensive coordina­ receive Montana’s Paul Weskamp Award (Out­ tor/secondary coach at Montana for head coach standing Offensive Lineman) three times, earning the award in 1992,1993, Joe Glenn from 2000-2002. The Grizzlies won the and 1994. He was a three-year starter for the Grizzlies and started in 38 Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA) na­ games in a row, his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. He was an All- tional championship in 2001, was a runner-up in Big Sky Conference selection all three of the seasons that he started. Gragg 2000, and a quarter-finalist in 2002. was also a three-time Big Sky all-academic team pick. Breske (pronounced bress-key), has 29 He started in the 1994 East-West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl, years of coaching experience. He most recently and to date he is the only Montana player ever selected to play in the Se­ served a one-year stint as the defensive coordina­ nior Bowl. He was named to several All-American teams following his tor/secondary coach at North Dakota State. junior and senior campaigns. Prior to his stint at NDSU he served as the assistant head coach/de- “Lurch” played 11 seasons in the with the fensive coordinator and secondary coach for Glenn at the University of New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and New York Jets. He started in Wyoming from 2003-08. In 2006 the Cowboys were ranked ninth in the 151 NFL games, including 112 in a row. He was named to the NFL’s All- nation in total defense, while they were 22nd in 2007. Pro team in 2002 and received the Bobb McKittrick Award (Outstanding He was the defensive coordinator for Northern Colorado’s powerhouse Offensive Lineman) while playing for the 49ers. teams from 1987-99. He was also the defensive coordinator at Wayne State Scott was a second round NFL draft pick in 1995 by the Giants. College (Neb.) from 1983-87; the secondary coach at Yankton (S.D.) Col­ He is a graduate of Montana (1995) with a degree in mathematics. He lege in 1982-83, and was a graduate assistant coach at Northern Iowa from attained his Masters in Teaching in 2009 at George Fox University in 1981-82. Newberg, Ore. Scott and his wife Toni have a daughter, Anna, 12, and a son, Brian, 10. 2010 Grizzly Football 17

m u m GrizjCoaching7Staff

Rob Oviatt, Strength Coach OSU to an 11-1 record en route to the Pac-10 championship. He was also instrumental in a 41-9 win over Notre Dame in 2001 in the 30th annual Rob Oviatt (pronounced oh-vee-ott) brings a Fiesta Bowl when he was named the game MVP, and the Beavers’ number wealth of experience to The University of Mon­ four ranking in the final Associated Press poll. tanas football program. This is his first season at He set career records (since broken) in most passing yardage (9,680), UM. total offense (9,209), and touchdown passes (55). He ended his career He has been involved in strength and condi­ ranked third all time in Pac-10 history in passing yards and total offense. tioning for the past 30 years at several different He also set OSU single-season marks (since broken) in 2001 for passing universities, including 19 in the Pac-10 Confer­ yards (3,053) total offense yards (2,957) and touchdown passes (20). Smith ence. also set the single-game record (which has since been broken) for passing His most recent job was assistant athletic direc­ with 469 yards against Washington in 1998. tor for strength and conditioning at Washington He earned a B.S. degree in liberal studies at OSU in 2001. State University from 2000-08. During his Jonathan is married to the former Candice Huddle, and they have two time with the Cougars, they had three consecutive 10-win seasons, and children, son Robert and daughter Bella. appeared in the Rose, Sun, and Holiday Bowls. He received the Admiral Ulysses Grant Sharp Award at the 2003 Holiday Bowl, which was voted on Aric Williams, Cornerbacks by WSU players. Prior to his stint in Pullman, he was the director of strength and condi­ A former collegiate standout at cornerback, tioning at Louisiana State University (1999) and the head strength coach Aric was named the cornerbacks coach at Mon­ for football at Kentucky (1995-98). He was chosen the SEC Strength Coach tana in December of 2009. of the Year in 1997 and 1998. Williams came to Montana from Arizona His first stint in the Pac-10 was at Oregon State, where he was the direc­ State University, where he oversaw defensive tor of strength and conditioning for all sports including football from 1985 quality control and assisted with cornerbacks to 1994. and special teams last season. He has also worked in the strength and conditioning field at the Uni­ Prior to his position at ASU, he was an as­ versity of Houston (1984), Texas A&M (1983), and the University of Mis­ sistant coach in his hometown at Diamond Bar sissippi (1981-82). He began his career as a voluntary assistant strength High School in California in 2007-08. While coach at the University of Alabama, working for the legendary Paul “Bear” there he worked with the defensive backs, wide Bryant. receivers, and kickoff and punt returners. Oviatt is a member of the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coach­ Williams was a standout cornerback at Oregon State and four-year let- es Association and served as president of that organization from 2004-08. terman, playing there from 2001-04. He was a first team All-Pac-10 selec­ He was selected to the USA Strength & Conditioning Coach Hall of tion at cornerback for the Beavers his senior year in 2004 when he had 56 Fame in June of 2002. He received the Master Strength and Conditioning tackles, 5 , and 14 pass break-ups. Coach Award in May of 2001. He was a second team all-conference pick his junior season at corner- He earned a B.S. degree in education at Alabama in 1980. He received a back and as a kick-off returner. That year he had 39 tackles, 4 interceptions, M.E. in education at Mississippi in 1982. and 12 pass deflections. His wife’s name is Kathleen. Rob has four children: daughters Lindsay, Following his playing days at OSU, he played for the Philadelphia Ea­ Allison, April and son William. gles for a season (2005) and then played in NFL Europe for the Cologne Centurions (2006). After that he played two seasons of Arena Football for the Philadelphia Soul (2007) and Arizona Rattlers (2008). Jonathan Smith, Offensive Coord./QBs Williams earned his B.A. degree at OSU in fine arts with an emphasis in graphic design in 2005. He is single. Jonathan came to Montana from the Univer­ sity of Idaho, where he had coached the quarter­ backs for the previous six seasons. During his Brad Sternberg, Dir. of Video Operations tenure at UI he worked for three different head Brad began his Griz football career in 2006 coaches (, ), and Nick as a player, playing offensive lineman. Due to in­ Holt. juries, he took over the video operations depart­ Last season Idaho’s (8-5) offense finished ment in 2007. He is in charge of coordinating all ninth in the nation in total offense (451.38 ypg), opponent film, Griz practices and games along 12th in passing offense (286.69 ypg), and 20th with making weekly motivational tapes for the in scoring (32.69 ppg). In 2009, Vandal quar­ players. terback was ranked fifth in the Originally from Helena, Mont., Brad played nation in passing efficiency (157.28). Idaho went to it’s first in on the football, wrestling and track teams for 12 years in 2009 and defeated Bowling Green 43-42 in the Humanitarian Helena High School. He graduated in 2006. He Bowl. was all-state in football his junior and senior Before his six-year stint at Idaho, Smith, was a graduate assistant at Or­ years. His high school coach was ex-Griz quarterback Tony Arnston. egon State under Erickson and Mike Riley at his alma mater from April Brad is currently a student at UM pursuing an undergraduate degree in 2002 to December of 2003. management information systems. He is engaged to Allison Anderson, a Smith, who went from walk-on to a four-year starter at Oregon State, recent graduate from UM’s School of Pharmacy. Allison is stationed at Fort set numerous school records. He was 24-14 as a starter for the Beavers Lewis, Wash. and served as a team captain his junior and senior seasons. In 2001, he led

2010 Grizzly Football 18

i i T i i y Senior Quarterback 2010iSeasonOutlook"

The University of Montana Grizzlies will To say Montana has been among college foot- begin the 2010 football season in familiar terri­ balls elite this decade is an understatement. Go­ tory, tabbed as one of the top ranked squads in ing into the 2010 season the Grizzlies have won the Football Championship Subdivision and the 119 games this past decade, which is the most favorite to win yet another Big Sky Conference by any FCS or Football Bowl Subdivision team. title. Montana has the highest winning percentage in That’s what first-year head coach Robin Pflu­ the FCS at .838 (119-23), and has the third best grad and his Grizzlies have facing them, but overall percentage in the FCS and FBS, trailing after-all, in 2009 the Grizzlies added to their just Boise State (.868, 112-17) and Texas (.852, record FCS playoff appearances with their 17th 110-19). in a row and won a league-record 12 straight However, the Griz have just nine starters back Big Sky championships, so those lofty expecta­ in 2010 -- four on offense and five on defense tions are surely no surprise to anyone. Montana (both the kicker and punter also return) from a also advanced to the FCS championship game a 14-1 team that was a perfect 8-0 in the Big Sky. year ago, losing to Villanova 23-21. That was the Montana was 14-0 until losing to the Wildcats Grizzlies’ seventh trip to the title game in the last in the 2009 FCS title game. Overall, UM returns 15 seasons. 41 letterman — 19 on defense, 19 on offense, and UM has now won (or shared) the conference three kickers. crown every season since 1998, and finished Lost to graduation on offense are record-set­ first 15 of the past 17 seasons. The Grizzlies’ FCS ting wide receiver and returner Marc Mariani, as playoff run now stretches from 1993-2009. well as all-league offensive linemen Chris Dyk, There are huge shoes to fill this season if the Terran Hillesland, and Levi Horn. Grizzlies plan to continue their record skeins of Also graduated are four-year lettermen and playoff berths and league championships. the starting tandem at tight end, Dan Beaudin The Grizzlies were ranked second in the na­ and Steve Pfahler (who combined for 61 recep­ tion in the final Sports Network and the FCS tions and 7 touchdowns last year). Also gone is coaches poll. They have been ranked in the wide receiver Tyler Palmer, who was third on Sports Networks top 25 for 163 consecutive the team with 37 catches and 4 TDs. UM must weeks. UM was ranked 57th in the nation in the replace 63 percent of its receptions from last sea­ final Jeff Sagarin Rankings (which includes FCS son. and FBS teams). Mariani, who was named to numerous All- American teams, set a UM mark with 1,479 yards receiving, along with team-highs of 80 receptions and 13 touchdowns last season. “Ev­ ery single time Marc touched the football great things happened,” Pflugrad said. Hillesland and Horn were first team all­ Senior Quarterback Andrew Selle (Mike Bashor league picks last season; Pfahler was a second photo) teamer, and all of the other starters on offense received a minimum of honorable mention sta­ 294 career tackles, while Schillinger is 20th with tus. 257. Montana had one of the top-ranked offenses Fisher, Mullins, and Palmer were second in the FCS in 2009. They were ranked second in team all-league choices, and Swink was named scoring (35.8 ppg), ninth in total offense (427.4 honorable mention. The Grizzlies must replace ypg), and 14th in passing (267.2 ypg). almost half of their total tackles from the 2009 “We have some big holes to fill on offense, season. that’s for sure,” said Pflugrad. “We lost three all­ Mariani and Schillinger were NFL draft se­ league linemen and need to look long and hard lections, signed and chosen by the Tennessee for replacements there. We need some other Titans and the Atlanta Falcons, respectively. guys to step up for us as well. We have a cou­ The Grizzly defense was an opportunistic and ple young players coming in who could help us stingy one, and ranked seventh in the nation in there. We also lost both our tight ends which are turnover margin at +1.20, picking off 26 passes a key component to any O-line.” and recovering 11 , and 22nd in scoring The defense must replace end Jace Palmer, defense, allowing 19.0 points a game. tackle Austin Mullins, linebackers Brandon Despite the graduation of 15 players who re­ Fisher and Shawn Lebsock, cornerbacks Keith ceived at least honorable mention all-league rec­ Thompson and Andrew Swink, and free safety ognition in 2009, the Grizzlies return a handful Shann Schillinger. of talented, experienced players. Lebsock, who had a team-high 104 tackles On offense it all begins with senior running last season, and Schillinger, who was third with back Chase Reynolds and senior quarterback 90 stops, were both first team all-league picks. Andrew Selle, UMs tandem Walter Payton Sophomore wide receiver Sam Gratton Lebsock finished ninth in school history with Award candidates. 2010 Grizzly Football 20 2010X$eason 'Outlook • i rtrJ**r M i l

Two key players back on offense are part- leaders the past three seasons, and was ranked time starters at wide receiver, Jabin Sambrano, a fifth in the FCS last season at 15.84 yards a re­ junior, and Sam Gratton, a sophomore. Sambra­ turn. no had 31 catches for 5 touchdowns, and scored Kickoff returners Sambrano and sophomore four of his TDs in the playoffs, while Gratton running back Peter Nguyen are both back, and had 28 grabs and a pair of scores. averaged 24.8 and 23.7 yards per kickoff return a Senior All-American candidate Erik Stoll is year ago. an anchor from his strong safety position, and THE OFFENSE was second on the team a year ago with 98 tack­ les in 15 starts. QUARTERBACK: Selle and fellow senior Justin Junior cornerback Trumaine Johnson begins Roper went head-to-head for the starting berth the year as a candidate last season. That is not the case this year, but and was a first team All-Big Sky pick in 2009. He Roper won both his starts (at UC Davis and ver­ has had nine career picks the past two seasons. sus Portland State) last season, and passed for Johnson saw limited time at wide receiver this 951 yards and 8 touchdowns in 12 games. past spring and may also see action on special “I was around Justin at Oregon (Pflugrad was teams. an assistant coach at UO from 2006-08 and was Senior tackle Tyler Hobbs and junior line­ the wide receiver coach at Montana last season) backer Alex Shaw each started all 15 games last when he won a bowl game for us,” he said. “He season. Senior end Severin Campbell (15 starts) was a starter for a awhile but unfortunately suf­ missed spring drills due to surgery, and he may fered an injury, and was slowed down. He had not be able to play early in the season. an outstanding spring for the most part, he Last year Shaw was Montanas fourth leading just needs to become more consistent. I am not tackier (79), while Campbell was sixth (60), and afraid to play him, and I will play him.” Johnson was eighth (54). Also back is sophomore Gerald Kemp, who “It is pretty much the same scenario on de­ rushed for 67 yards last season and was moved fense,” Pflugrad said. “We lost a lot of talent and to running back this fall. “We are excited to see what Gerald can do,” Sophomore running back Peter Nguyen leadership on that side of the football. Jace was one of our all-time sacks guys; Austin Mullins Pflugrad said. “I’ve never seen him healthy in Reynolds rushed for 1,502 yards and tied the had an outstanding year; Bran­ school record that he set in 2008 with 22 rushing don and Shawn were two of touchdowns. He was also second on the team our main leaders; I think Keith with 38 receptions. Reynolds was ranked 11th Thompson was one of the best in the FCS averaging 101.1 rush yards a game. players on our defense; and He was 12th in the balloting for the 2009 Payton Shann was an extraordinary Award. player and leader.” Selle was ranked fourth in the country in “Our number one concern passing efficiency, throwing for 3,043 yards and (on defense) is size,” Pflugrad 28 touchdowns, with only six interceptions, and said. “Were concerned about the completed 62.9 percent of his attempts. size of our D-line, although last “Andrew Selle had an outstanding season and year we did a nice job rotating was a very accurate passer, especially down the players there and keeping them stretch,” Pflugrad said. “He had some receiv­ fresh. Were still looking for a ers and tight ends who helped that accuracy couple of players to help us at and made some big-time catches, and those that position.” are things we need to replace. Andrew is such A plus for the Grizzlies is the a great leader, has tremendous skills, and has return of both Bro­ command of the huddle.” dy McKnight and punter Sean Veteran senior and all-league center Alex Wren, both honorable mention Verlanic will provide leadership. While junior all-league picks last year and Jon Opperud is UMs other returning starter, both juniors. McKnight made and was moved from guard to tackle last spring. 15-of-25 field goals with a long Opperud has been unable to practice this fall, of 54, and hit the game-winner and his playing status this season is unknown. in a 12-10 victory at Idaho State. “We know that we have a lot of big holes to Wren averaged 41.2 yards a punt fill, not only from a personnel standpoint, but and 17 of his 58 attempts were from a leadership standpoint as well,” Pflugrad inside the opponents 20-yard said. “It starts with the offensive line, then we line. lose two outstanding tight ends, and you just It will be impossible to re­ cannot replace a player like Marc Mariani, pe­ place Mariani as a punt returner, riod.” as he was among the national Senior runningback Chase Reynolds

2010 Grizzly Football (M l _ 21 2 OlOMSeason'Outlook

my time here. I recently watched his high school Juniors Moore and Beau Donaldson, both highlight tape, and he is a very gifted athlete.” powerful running backs weighing around 230 Senior wide receiver Jeff Larson played quar­ pounds each, will also contribute and share terback his first three seasons at UM, and could time at fullback, although Donaldson has been be pressed into duty if necessary. Also in the slowed this fall with an injury. wings is redshirt freshman D.J. Zapata. OFFENSIVE LINE: Some questions remain RUNNING BACK: Reynolds has been one of here as the Griz began fall drills, but two starters the premier backs in the FCS the past two years, return, along with some key lettermen, two ju­ rushing for more than 3,000 yards and 44 touch­ nior college transfers, and some talented fresh­ downs. men. Nguyen will hopefully fill the shoes of un­ “We’ve talked long and hard on the offensive derrated Thomas Brooks-Fletcher as Reynolds line,” Pflugrad said. “We are relying on two very back-up. “TBF” rushed for 464 yards and three strong coaches in Bob Beers and Scott Gragg scores last season as a senior. Nguyen gained to get that area solidified,” Pflugrad said; “and 187 yards and scored once as a true freshman try to do some things with a limited amount of last year. numbers and being a little unsure of our talent “I think Pete Nguyen had an outstanding level. That’s obviously been a target for us in the spring,” Pflugrad said. “We didn’t have Chase recruiting process, and will be a target again in run the football a whole bunch during spring this year’s recruiting class.” ball, and did a little more with him as a receiver. Verlanic was a second team All-Big Sky selec­ We already know how talented he is running tion at center, while Opperud was a honorable with the football. Dan Moore also showed some mention pick at guard and will now start at left positive signs this spring, and played with more tackle, although he’s been slowed by injury. consistency. At the right guard spot, senior Russell Piette ended spring drills as the starter, while at left guard JC transfer (Scottsdale CC) Stephen Sabin should get the nod. Junior and two-year letterman Charles Burton will start at right tackle. Sabin is also Ver- lanic’s back-up at center. Adding depth at guard is junior col­ Senior offensive guard Russell Piette lege transfer (Scottsdale CC) Jake Hen­ drickson. Vying for “PT” at tackle are TIGHT END: Sophomore Greg Hardy ended sophomore letterman Blake Lebeau and spring drills as the starter. Senior Rob Overton redshirt freshman Kyle Hoffman, along and sophomore Jacob Haas will see time too. with promising frosh Danny Kistler, Jr., “Hardy had an outstanding spring, and Rob who came to UM in the winter semester, was solid but needs consistency,” Pflugrad said. but was unable to play last spring due to “How we use the tight ends will be geared on injury. how productive they are and how well they are WIDE RECEIVER: Sambrano and Grat­ playing. Again, Greg had an outstanding spring ton are the only veterans at this position, and I am looking forward to seeing how much along with Larson. Sophomore Bryce he can improve during two-a-days.” Carver was primarily used on special FULLBACK: Moore and Donaldson should teams last year, but had a solid spring at make this position solid, depending on Donald­ receiver. Fellow sophomore Levi Buck­ sons health. les looks like he can contribute as well, as “In the two-back schemes that we ran last could redshirt freshman Aaron Roberts. year I thought it was smart what we did with “We don’t have the guys who have our personnel, and I’d like to mirror that some­ played a great number of reps or made what this season,” Pflugrad said. “We lost a very big plays for us,” Pflugrad said. “We are good one in fullback Kevin Klaboe, and it really young, and the one thing we need to es­ comes down to Dan Moore and Beau Donald­ tablish is depth. Jeff Larson is back; he’s son, being our two bigger backs who can play a good athlete; he’s a very good player on that position, and/or using the tight end there. I special teams; and we need him to pro­ like having that in our package.” duce at whatever position he is playing. The neat thing about him is he’s willing to THE DEFENSE play anywhere.” DEFENSIVE LINE: An All-American candidate True freshman and 6-foot-5 Mitch this season, Hobbs (15 starts) had a team-high Saylor could be in the mix right away, (tie) three forced fumbles, was third on the team along with a pair of transfers. with six stops for loss, and is UMs sixth-leading Junior running back and special teams standout Dan M oore returning tackier (39 total tackle/TT).

2010 Grizzly Football 22 2010ISeasoriT0utlook

“Fetherston is a great person and a “Dodson had a great spring, and I just love fun player to have on the team,” Pflu­ his energy and how he attacks the game of foot­ grad said. “He needs to understand that ball,” Pflugrad said. “Trumaine is multi-talented this has got to be his year. Severin might and multi-gifted. If he really wants to get better miss the first game or two, but he is a - and I know that he can - it’s on him.” guy who can really put pressure on the Redshirt freshmen Sean Murray and Josh quarterback and cause some havoc in Pelczar are also competing for playing time, and the backfield, and we need him in our UM added three players at this position prior to line-up. The rest of the guys we will fall drills. look at and see how many reps they can SAFETY: Stoll fits the mold of a long line of out­ get in a game and show us that they can standing safeties at Montana. Junior Mike Mc­ be productive players.” Cord, who was moved from corner to safety last LINEBACKERS: Shaw and Caleb Mc- season, emerged as the starter at free safety after Surdy, who both played as true fresh­ spring drills. men two seasons ago, are now the “vet­ “Erik Stoll is going to be a marquee player for erans” at this position, and are projected us,” Pflugrad said. “Hes one of those Montana to start at the “will” and “mike” line­ safeties who could possibly get an opportunity backer spots. Shaw is the team’s second to potentially make some money at the game at leading returning tackier (79 TT), while the next level. Hes a great leader; a great physi­ McSurdy is tied for seventh (32 TT) de­ cal player; and he runs well enough to be able spite no starts last season. to cover slots, or backs out of the backfield, or UM’s other honors candidate along tight ends. McCord had a nice spring and even with Shaw, and the third projected though he was injured, he hung in there and did starter, is sophomore Jordan Tripp. not miss a day, and I appreciated his effort. Tripp was a big-play guy on special “Bo Tully out of Spokane (Mead HS) is a teams a year ago as a true frosh; saw very smart player,” Pflugrad said. “Coaches’ sons action at “sam” linebacker; and is the often have a high football IQ, and he is one of Grizzlies’ 11th leading returning tack­ ier (23 TT). Sophomore Brock Coyle is UM’s 10th leading tackier (30 TT), but will redshirt in 2010 due to off-season surgery. Junior tackle Bryan Waldhauser has gone “Alex has been a steady force for us, and I from walk-on to honors candidate and is the liked the way Caleb McSurdy played in the mid­ Grizzlies’ fifth-leading returning tackier (45 TT), dle this spring,” Pflugrad said. “Jordan Tripp had despite not starting a year ago. a great special teams effort for us last fall and now, “Waldhauser had an excellent spring as far as as he just needs more reps and game experience, his ability to finish plays, and he plays with great and he will improve game-by-game. I am also ex­ energy,” Pflugrad said. “He made it hard on our cited about a couple of the young guys we have offensive line this past spring just by effort alone. coming in.” Hobbs is very consistent, and we really like the Sophomore Josh Stuberg adds quality depth. leadership that he brings to us.” Stuberg is tied with McSurdy as the team’s sev­ Senior Carson Bender and junior Braydon enth leading returning tackier (32 TT). -* Schilling were the only returnees back at tackle Redshirt freshman Ty Timmer is also vying with any experience, and Bender will be unable for playing time. A pair of talented preps could to play this season. see action right away. * With Campbell on the “IR”, two-year letter­ CORNERBACK: Johnson is one of the most man Ryan Fetherston, a junior, emerged as the talented corners to ever play for the Grizzlies. m starter at one defensive end spot, while sopho­ He had a team-high five interceptions a year ago more Josh Harris earned that role on the other and was the team’s eighth-leading tackier last * side, but Harris is now out for the season due season with 54 stops, and missed four games m to an injury in 2010 fall camp. Junior Bobby Alt with an injury. may get a starting nod. Senior Brandon Dodson saw considerable Campbell, who had a team-high 10.5 tackles action a year ago after coming to Montana for loss last season and is the team’s third-lead­ from the JC ranks and ended spring drills the m ing returning tackier (60 TT), may also miss the other starter. Two-year junior letterman Donny m first couple of games due to off-season surgery. Lisowski is a solid back-up. Depth at end should be provided by redshirt Senior Jimmy Wilson returns after a three- freshman Ethan Pateman, while Clay Pierson, year hiatus and should be in the mix for playing also a redshirt frosh, has been unable to play be­ time, if not a starting role. cause of an injury. Sophomore linebacker Josh Stuberg

2010 Grizzly Football 23