Big Sky suspends EWU Running Back

OGDEN, UTAH (Sept. 12, 2011) - The Big Sky Conference has suspended Eastern Washington running back Mario Brown one game for fighting.

Brown, a 5-foot-9, 185-pound sophomore from Berkeley, Calif., threw a punch after Eastern Washington’s 30-17 loss at South Dakota on Saturday, Sept. 10

By rule, Brown will be suspended for Eastern Washington’s conference opener on Saturday, Sept. 17 against the University of Montana.

Eastern Washington also suspended Brown for the punch. The suspensions will run concurrent.

“I commend Eastern Washington Athletics Director Bill Chaves and Eagle football coach Beau Baldwin for issuing a suspension,’’ said Big Sky Conference Commissioner Doug Fullerton. “By rule, the league must also issue a suspension.’’

Montana’s McSurdy, Sambrano named Big Sky Players of the Week

Kaimin Sports

OGDEN, UTAH (Sept. 12, 2011) -

The Big Sky Conference announced its football Players of the Week today for game played on Saturday, Sept. 10.

 University of Montana linebacker Caleb McSurdy is the defensive Player of the Week, while Grizzly return man Jabin Sambrano is the Special Teams Player of the Week.  Montana State running back Cody Kirk is the offensive Player of the Week.

McSurdy, a 6-1, 242-pound senior from Boise, Idaho, tied his career-high with 17 tackles and also had a forced fumble in Montana’s 37-23 victory over Cal Poly. McSurdy registered five solo stops and 12 assisted tackles. Led by McSurdy, Montana’s defense stifled Cal Poly’s offense in the second half, limiting the Mustangs to two field goals. McSurdy is averaging 15 tackles per game through two games, ranking second in the nation. This is McSurdy’s first career Player of the Week honor.

Sambrano, a 5-11, 175-pound senior from Temecula, Calif., returned the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown in Montana’s 37-23 win over Cal Poly. It was the fifth-longest return in school history. Sambrano finished the game with five kick returns for 165 yards, one punt return for 9 yards, and also caught five passes for 70 yards to finish with 244 all-purpose yards. Sambrano hauled in a 58-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter to give UM a 21-20 lead.  He is currently ranked second in the nation in all-purpose yards with 210.0 per game.  This is Sambrano’s first career Player of the Week award.

Kirk, a 5-foot-10, 214-pound sophomore from Frenchtown, rushed 22 times for a career-high 155 yards and scored two touchdowns in Montana State’s 38-14 victory over UC Davis.  Kirk finished the game with 209 all-purpose yards, and averaged 7.0 yards per carry. This is Kirk’s first career Player of the Week award.

Others Nominated for Weekly Awards

OFFENSE – Nicholas Edwards, WR, Eastern Washington; Rodrick Rumble, WR, Idaho State; Jordan Johnson, QB, Montana; Ify Umodu, WR, Northern Arizona; Quintin Hildreth, RB, Northern Colorado; Bryan Hilliard, RB, Sacramento State

DEFENSE – Matt Johnson, S, Eastern Washington; Basim Hudeen, LB, Idaho State;  Darius Jones, CB, Montana State; Isaac Bond, DE, Northern Arizona; Elliott Dorsey, FS, Northern Colorado; Ryan McMahon, LB, Sacramento State; Anthony Morales, LB, Weber State

SPECIAL TEAMS – Jake Miller, P, Eastern Washington; Jamaal Perkins, Ret., Northern Arizona; Josh Kealamakia, P, Weber State

Sports Editor: Go To The Griz Game

By Daniel Mediate

Go to the game Saturday.

Long after you and I walk the Oval here, memories will bend and classes will fade, but the colors of Griz football games on Saturdays, if anything, will grow sharper.

Inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium on Saturday, you’ll see a well-liked and well-respected head coach pace the sidelines for Montana, you’ll witness a young quarterback bud on the gridiron and you’ll note the swiftness of a cornerback wearing No. 2, who is well on his way to a career on Sundays in the National Football League.

No. 37: Fetherston leads Griz

By Court Weston

The most significant number when it comes to the University of Montana football program may have nothing to do

Kaimin photo staff

with national championships or statistics. Perhaps the most meaningful number associated with the Grizzlies is the number on a jersey.

Only one player each year can don this number, and this year, that player is senior defensive end Ryan Fetherston.
Fetherston was chosen to represent No. 37 by Carson Bender, who wore the number from 2008-10.

“For Carson to call me and ask me to wear the number, you can’t really describe it,” Fetherston said. “It’s unbelievable. I’m really honored Carson chose me.”

Originally from East Helena, Mont., Fetherston did not initially set his sights on college football.

The 2007 Helena High graduate was a three-season athlete who, in addition to playing football, wrestled, ran the 100-meter and threw javelin.

Fetherston To Wear No. 37, Griz Captains Named

LB McSurdy

MISSOULA – The legacy continues.  The University of Montana’s Ryan Fetherston has been chosen to wear the number 37 during the 2011 football season.

Griz head coach Robin Pflugrad made the announcement last night at a team meeting following Thursday’s final practice in Missoula before the team leaves for Knoxville for their season opener against the University of Tennessee, Saturday, Sept. 3.

Fetherston, a 6-4, 235-pound senior defensive end from East Helena, got a call from the former Griz player who wore that number, Carson Bender, yesterday as Coach Pflugrad was talking to his squad in the stands in Washington-Grizzly Stadium after practice.

“Having Carson call during the team meeting meant a lot to all of us, especially Ryan,” Pflugrad said.  “We all feel that it is a deserving honor, and I know for a fact that he has the blessing of the coaching staff and our entire football team to continue the legacy of wearing that number.  It will be great to see number 37 on the field again this fall.”

Bender, who wore number 37 from 2008-10, is now a teacher in Helena.  The 6-foot-4, 280-pound defensive tackle from Deer Lodge, had his promising career cut short prior to the 2010 season because of a leg injury.  Bender was chosen to wear number 37 by former Griz linebacker Loren Utterback from Fort Benton, who wore the number from 2004-07.

The tradition began back in the mid-80′s and was started by former player Kraig Paulson, a fullback from Plentywood, who was number 37 from 1983-86.  Paulson handed down the number 37 to Tim Hauck in 1987.

Hauck (1987-89) raised the bar high for those who don the number 37.  The former defensive back from Big Timber was a two-time All-American while at Montana, and then he went on to play in the National Football League for 12 seasons.

Other players who have worn number 37 include linebacker Jason Crebo (1994-97, from Helena), defensive back Todd Ericson (1990-93, from Butte), defensive end Andy Petek (1998-200, from Helena), and defensive end Ciche Pitcher (2001-03, from Anaconda).

McKnight, McSurdy, Opperud named Griz Captains

Kicker/punter Brody McKnight, linebacker Caleb McSurdy, and offensive tackle Jon Opperud have been selected team captains for The University of Montana for the 2011 season, announced Griz head coach Robin Pflugrad.

Pflugrad added that two players, Bobby Alt and Sam Gratton, were chosen as alternate captains.  He also said that there will be on additional captain for each contest, with that honor going to the “player of the game” against the Grizzlies’ most recent opponent.

“The team votes on our team captains, and they did well in choosing these student-athletes to represent the University of Montana and our football team this season,” Pflugrad said.

Last season McKnight, a senior from Vancouver, B.C., made 14-of-18 field goals and was a second team All-Big Sky Conference pick at placekicker.  He was the co-recipient of UM’s annual Steve Carlson Award (MVP).  McKnight also punted for the Grizzlies last season, averaging 38.5 yards per attempt.  He was ranked 16^th (tie) in the FCS with 1.27 field goals per game, and 22^nd in scoring (7.55 ppg).

A returning starter, McSurdy had a team-high 112 tackles last season and was fourth with 7.5 tackles for loss.  He was a second team All-Big Sky selection.  The senior from Boise, Idaho, has been an all-league academic team pick for the third year in a row.

Opperud is starting for the third season in a row.  Last year the senior from Portland, Ore., started in 10 of 11 games at left tackle.  He started at guard as a sophomore.  He is one of the main reasons the Grizzlies have been ranked among the offensive leaders in the FCS the past two seasons.

Alt, a senior from Ontario, Calif., is starting at defensive end for the second year in a row.  He started in nine games last season and was the Grizzlies’ 10^th (tie) leading tackler with 40 stops.  He is also an outstanding student, and was named to the All-District 7 academic team, maintaining a 3.90 grade point average.

A junior wide receiver from Billings, Gratton is also starting for the second season in a row.  He was fifth on the team with 28 receptions and tied for third on the squad with the most touchdown catches (four).  He was named to All-Big Sky’s academic team a year ago.

Montana Griz: Position Breakdown

Photo by Tim Goessman / Montana Kaimin

Griz position-by-position breakdown

Daniel Mediate

Donning the maroon and silver practice jerseys, players showed flashes of brilliance this fall camp – a comforting sight for a team that finished a dismal 7-5 last year and missed the playoffs for the first time in nearly two decades.

With the 2011 season opener at SEC powerhouse Tennessee in Knoxville looming, the University of Montana football team looks for redemption and to navigate a path back to the top of the Big Sky Conference and FCS. The Grizzlies boast talent on the depth charts, but lack experience with the departure of a lauded senior class last season.

Quarterbacks:

Despite the season opener nearing, the quarterback situation is still murky as a bevy of antsy young signal-callers aim to take the first snap behind center Stephen Sabin.

Sophomore Jordan Johnson looks to have the edge as starter with solid footwork and a smooth throwing motion. Junior Gerald Kemp, who saw time as a running back last season, is also competing for the quarterback spot. Kemp, arguably Montana’s best athlete on offense, presents a dual-threat at QB – an effortless throwing motion and the speed to compliment it – and is possibly the Grizzlies best counter to Montana State’s do-it-all quarterback Denarius McGee this year.

Griz ranked 12th in FCS coaches’ preseason poll

The Montana Grizzlies are ranked 12th in this year’s FCS coaches’ preseason poll released Monday.

Defending national champion Eastern Washington is the top ranked team in the preseason poll of Football Championship Subdivision coaches.

The Montana State Bobcats are ranked sixth.

Eastern Washington received 23 first-place votes while Appalachian State received one and was ranked second. Georgia Southern has three first-place votes and is ranked third, followed by William & Mary.

The top-ranked Eagles will get both hungry teams from the Treasure State early this year.

Montana will play host to Eastern Washington in a Big Sky Conference clash on Sept. 17, as the Griz’ league opener, while Montana State travels to Cheney, Wash., to play the Eagles on Sept. 24.

Big Sky teams Sacramento State, Northern Arizona and Weber State also received votes in the poll.