University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Associated Students of the University of Montana Montana Kaimin, 1898-present (ASUM) 9-8-2007 Game Day Kaimin, September 8, 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, September 8, 2007" (2007). Montana Kaimin, 1898-present. 5025. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/studentnewspaper/5025 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, September 8, 2007 The Kaimin is the daily student newspaper at the University of Montana Kickoff 1:05 PM TheThe original,original, completecomplete guideguide toto GrizzlyGrizzly athleticsathletics FREE GameDayKaimin BandBand ofof BrothersBrothers Montana’sMontana’s tight-knittight-knit ofofffensiensivvee lineline playsplays anan oftenoften thanklessthankless positionposition byby JakeJake GrilleGrilleyy GD K montanamontana vs.vs. fortfort lewislewis www.montanakaimin.com 2 GameDay Kaimin Saturday, September 8, 2007 ‘You get the glory when you get it’ Tim Kupsick/GameDay Kaimin Senior offensive tackle Cody Balogh blocks Southern Utah defensive tackle Aaron Fernandez from getting to Jeff Larson last Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Jake Grilley The offensive line started an such as rushing yards, passing other team is going to do on game “On the field we know each GAMEDAY KAIMIN annual summer camping trip to yards, effectively running the foot- day.” other’s quirks,” Michel said. “It bring the offensive linemen closer ball and protecting the passer also When offensive line coach Pete keeps us loose, if we can crack a laying offensive line together off the field. They also help to define an efficient offen- Kaligis was asked about his offen- joke.” can be humbling. have a weekly dinner and an occa- sive line. sive line he answered definitively. Hillesland echoed this. Each game day, fans sional poker night. Grading Montana’s offensive “Don’t talk to me about the “We are the jokesters of the pack Washington- “If you don’t like the guy next to line by those statistics draws a offensive line,” Kaligis said. “Talk team,” he said. “Other guys will be PGrizzly Stadium to you, you won’t work as hard,” vastly different conclusion. to the guys, they are the ones serious, listening to music – we try cheer on their beloved Dow said. “We love being around Montana was first in rushing doing the work.” to be laid back. We like to have Montana Grizzlies. Whenever the each other and love playing for offense in the conference in 2006 ••• fun.” Griz make a big play, the decibel each other.” and second in passing offense. Russum believes the more hard The offensive line enjoys doing level inside the stadium increases The offensive line epitomizes its “We measure our success in work they put in, the better they things that the average fan might exponentially as 23,000-plus fans “team-within-a-team” mentality. It wins,” Michel said. “Also how we will be come Saturday. not expect. collectively cheer. The definition has its own separate meeting area come together with things on the “It is all about preparation, put- On their nights out it wouldn’t of a big play is a rather broad one and its own section of the locker line.” ting in the time and knowing the be out of the ordinary seeing the to most fans. A long run will get room. The offensive line knows even defensive tendencies,” he said. members of the offensive line fans on their feet. An acrobatic “We are a unit,” said junior right with success in passing and rush- “When you are prepared it is just dancing or singing karaoke togeth- reception will surely get people to tackle Russum. “As our coaches ing and putting up wins it will like starting a car, you just put the er. put their hands together. tell us, everything starts with the receive heat if it doesn’t give up key in.” ••• How about a well-executed base front five.” fewer sacks. The players agree it takes a cer- Even though fans don’t often block? The offensive line finds that “That’s the great thing about tain type of personality to play on compliment the offensive line in Colin Dow, Cody Balogh, Eric when things go right it doesn’t see being 6-5 and over 250 pounds,” the offensive line. terms of its singing and dancing Michel, Terran Hillesland and much of the credit, but when Dow said. “We have the broad “You have to be tough, hard- abilities, the players do appreciate Brent Russum, the starting offen- things go south it often has to shoulders to take the criticism.” nosed and bring it on every when fans notice their hard work. sive line for the Montana shoulder much of the blame. Other than giving up fewer down,” Michel said. “You can’t “The support the offensive line Grizzlies, don’t expect much of a “We try not to worry about how sacks, the offensive line has set take a play off. You are in there on does get can go unnoticed at reaction – and they are OK with other people think about our play,” goals it wants to achieve this sea- every play.” times,” Dow said. that. said senior left guard Michel. “It is son. Balogh said it comes with the He wanted to recognize those “No one notices us,” senior left lose-lose at times.” Each player said getting senior territory. fans that have supported the offen- tackle Balogh said. “That’s why ••• running back Lex Hilliard the uni- “It takes a special breed to get sive line and he and the rest of the we are the offensive line.” According to stats from last sea- versity record in rushing yards is hit on every play,” he said. players appreciate all their sup- Junior center Dow echoed the son, fans have a reason to direct his number one priority. Another unique aspect that the port. sentiment. criticism toward the offensive line. “Our goals are based on other offensive line faces that other Still, the offensive line tends to “Sometimes it can be a pain in In 2006, the Grizzlies were last people’s achievements,” Balogh positions don’t is that all five guys shy away from the limelight and the ass,” he said. “You want to be in the Big Sky Conference for giv- said. must play as one. instead gravitates toward one recognized, but you are condi- ing up sacks. The team surren- The linemen each had individ- “The coolest part is that five another. tioned to appreciate the recogni- dered 49 sacks for 290 yards. ual goals for the season such as not guys have to be in sync and know “It is a humble position,” tion you get from other players “We want to move to first in the being called for a false start or what the other guys are going to Russum said. “You get the glory and coaches.” conference,” said sophomore right holding and not allowing their do,” Dow said. when you get it.” The five starters on the offen- guard Hillesland. “It is something man getting in on a sack or a solo Balogh said it takes a total team Balogh especially likes the fam- sive line agree that you don’t play we worked on during spring and tackle. effort. ily atmosphere of the line. offensive line for the praises. fall camps.” The players agree that their suc- “You give it all you have,” “We are all brothers, we are the “We do it for the team,” Balogh Russum agrees with Hillesland cess correlates directly to their Balogh said. “It takes all five guys first to get in each others face and said. “You do it for the guy next to and noted sacks are a fair way to coaches. doing the right thing all at once for we are the first to congratulate,” you.” judge the offensive line. “Our coaches prepare us for the it to work.” Balogh said. “We are close, we are The group, as Balogh put it, “is But Russum and the rest of the defensive schemes,” Balogh said. The close-knit offensive line the kind of guys that can call each a team within a team.” offensive line believe other factors “We pretty much know what the likes to keep its sense of humor. other at 3 a.m.” 3 Montana vs. Fort Lewis Five Big Sky teams soldier on, four rest Amber Kuehn a game to Southern Oregon. UC Davis (a member of the Portland State and new head out NAU just yet. The ISU will take on the Red Great West Athletic Conference) coach Jerry Glanville are look- Lumberjacks could be the next GAMEDAY KAIMIN Raiders from Southern Oregon comes to PGE Park off a disap- ing to bounce back after last Mountaineers, and perhaps inside the confines of Holt pointing loss, falling 28-21 to weekend’s defeat, and this Arizona is their Michigan. Only five of the nine Big Sky Arena. It is the first of six home Division II Western Washington seems like the perfect opportu- Upset? Probably not. But no one Conference teams will take the games for the Bengals, the first last weekend. But the Vikings nity to do so victoriously.