This Week’s Sky Playoff Schedule
The University of Montana Grizzlies are one win away from playing for the 2008 Division I National Championship. Getting to Chattanooga won't be easy. The fourth-seeded Grizzlies take their nine-game winning streak to take on top-ranked and top-seeded James Madison in Harrisonburg, Va., on Friday night. The game begins at 8 p.m. EST, and will be televised live on ESPN2. James Madison, winners of 12 straight, beat Montana 31-21 in the 2004 National Championship Game.
(For more on Friday's matchup click the blue link below)
Friday, Dec. 12....................................................... Time
Location: Harrisonburg, Virginia
Venue: Bridgeforth Stadium (15,500)
Series:James Madison leads 1-0.
Last Meeting: James Madison beat Montana 31-21 in the 2004 National Championship game.
TV: ESPN2/ESPN2 HD
Video Stream: www.espn360.com
About the Schools: The University of Montana is located in Missoula, Mont, and has an enrollment of 14,207. James Madison is located in Harrisonburg, Va. Its enrollment is 17,500.
Playoff Notes
A Big Sky Conference team is in the semifinals for the 18th time in the 31 years of the Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs.
Montana is making its ninth semifinal appearance in the last 20 seasons. Montana is 5-3 all-time in the semifinals. The Grizzlies are 0-2 in road semifinal games, having lost at Georgia Southern in 1989 and Youngstown State in 1994. Montana won home semifinals in 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001 and 2004. UM lost at home to Massachusetts in the 2006 semifinals.
The Grizzlies are 2-3 against teams from the Colonial Athletic Conference in the playoffs. The teams in the CAA formerly played in the Atlantic 10, prior to that the Yankee Conference. Montana lost a first-round game to Delaware 49-48 in 1993 in Missoula. In 2000, Montana beat Richmond 34-20 in a quarterfinal. In 2004, Montana beat New Hampshire 47-17 in a quarterfinal game. Montana lost to UMass 19-17 in a 2006 semifinal. All of those games were played in Missoula. The Grizzlies lost the 2004 National championship game to James Madison 31-21 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
This will be Montana’s first playoff game at a CAA stadium. The Grizzlies, however, have had success this decade on the road against CAA teams. In 2002, Montana beat Hofstra in Hempstead, N.Y. The next season, Bobby Hauck opened his Grizzly coaching career with a victory at Maine.
Montana has won just two playoff games away from Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The Grizzlies won the 1995 national championship over Marshall on the Thundering Herds’ homefield in Huntington, West Virginia. In 2001, Montana beat Furman in the 2001 national championship game in Chattanooga, Tenn. Montana has lost its other 10 playoff games away from Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
This was the third time in five years two Big Sky teams have advanced to the quarterfinals. In 2006, Montana and Montana State both won first-round games. Montana State lost in the quarterfinals, and Montana lost in the semifinals. In 2004 Montana and Eastern Washington both won first-round games. EWU lost in the quarterfinals, while Montana lost the national title game to James Madison.
Montana sophomore running back Chase Reynolds has rushed for at least 100 yards in seven straight games. Reynolds had a career-high 233 yards on 38 carries with two touchdowns in the first-round win over Texas State. The 233 rushing yards was the most by a running back in the first round. Reynolds added 185 yards on 33 carries with two touchdowns in the 24-13 quarterfinal win over Weber State. In his last seven games, Reynolds has rushed for 1,130 yards and 15 touchdowns. Reynold’s 1,403 yards ranks second in single-season school history. His 19 rushing touchdowns are a school single-season record.
Since losing 45-28 to Weber State in Ogden, Utah, on Oct. 4, Montana has won nine straight games. The Grizzlies are a combined 36-4 over the last three seasons with losses to Iowa, UMass, Wofford and Weber State. In the nine games, Montana has outscored its opponents 296-91.
Montana’s defense allowed six touchdowns in the Oct. 4 loss to Weber State. Since that loss, Montana’s defense has allowed a total of eight touchdowns. Northern Colorado is the only team in the span to score more than one touchdown against UM. The Bears scored two in the fourth quarter after UM built a 41-6 lead. UM has allowed just two touchdowns in two playoff games, and five touchdowns in the last six games.
Montana has enjoyed 23 straight winning seasons. The Grizzlies have been ranked in the Sports Network Top 25 Poll for 147 consecutive weeks.
Montana has outscored opponents 99-22 in the third quarter of games this season.
This will be Montana’s first round game since Nov. 8 when the Grizzlies beat Portland State 29-12. Montana 4-1 on the road this season with the loss coming at Weber State on Oct. 4.
Montana QB Cole Bergquist is 30-5 as a starter at Montana. His 30 wins ranks second in school history, behind only Dave Dickenson, who guided Montana to the 1995 national championship.
James Madison ranks second in the nation in scoring offense and is fourth in rushing offense. Montana ranks seventh in the nation in scoring defense, and is 28th in the nation in rushing defense.
James Madison QB Rodney Landers only attempts 13.3 passes per game, so he doesn’t have enough attempts to qualify among the national leaders in passing efficiency. However, Landers has an efficiency rating of 173.35, which would put him first in the nation. He is completing 64.2 percent of his passes for 1,519 yards with 21 touchdowns and four interceptions. Landers has 1,686 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns.
Montana QB Cole Bergquist ranks eighth in the nation in passing efficiency at 155.9. He’s completing 61.4 percent of his passes for 2,756 yards with 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He’s also rushed for 322 yards and eight touchdowns.
During Montana’s nine-game winning streak, the Grizzlies are allowing 10.1 points per game, and allowing 315.9 yards of offense per game. Montana’s offense is averaging 217.1 rushing yards per game, and the Grizzlies have held the ball for an average of 33 minutes and 22 seconds in those games. Montana is +21 in turnover margin during the streak.
Montana is averaging 300 rushing yards per game in the playoffs, compared to 279 for James Madison. Montana’s rush defense is allowing 107.7 rushing yards per game in two playoff games. James Madison is allowing 191 rushing yards per game. The Grizzlies have allowed one rushing touchdowns in two playoff games, while James Madison has allowed seven.
Montana’s Chase Reynolds leads all players with 418 rushing yards in two playoff games. Rodney Landers of JMU has 309 rushing yards in two games.
UM ranks fourth among the 16 team playoff field in total offense with an average of 445 yards per game. James Madison is sixth at 429.
Around the Big Sky
SMITH CAPS AMAZING SEASON: Weber State junior running back Trevyn Smith capped one of the most prolific offensive seasons in Big Sky history in last Saturday’s playoff loss to Montana. Smith rushed for 104 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown, and also caught seven passes for 129 yards to finish with 233 all-purpose yards. It was the second time in Smith’s career that he had 100 rushing and 100 receiving yards in the same game. It was just the third time in WSU history. Smith finished the season by rushing for at least 100 yards in his last seven games, and reached the century mark in 10 of Weber State’s 14 games this season. Smith’s touchdown gave him 28 for the season, tying him for the conference single-season record. Eastern Washington’s Jesse Chatman scored 28 touchdowns in 2001, and Weber State’s Geoff Mitchell scored 28 touchdowns in 1991. Smith finished the season with 1,585 yards, 21 rushing touchdowns on 295 carries. He averaged 113.2 rushing yards per game and 5.4 yards per carry. His 1,585 rushing yards ranks 11th in Big Sky single-season history. Smith became just the second back in league history to lead the league in average rushing yards per game three consecutive seasons. Idaho’s Sherridan May was the first to accomplish the feat from 1992-94. Smith will enter his senior season ranked sixth on the Big Sky’s all-time rushing list with 4,028 yards. He needs just 457 yards to move into third place. Smith will enter his senior season with 19 100-yard rushing games, which currently leads all players who will return next season. Smith also caught 62 passes for 778 yards and seven touchdowns. Smith finished the season with 2,363 all-purpose yards, which ranks third in Big Sky single-season history behind NAU’s Archie Amerson’s 2,432 (1996) and Sacramento State’s Charles Roberts (2,430). Smith has 5,127 all-purpose yards after three seasons. He needs 5,316 to break the league’s all-time top 10 list. He’ll need 1,986 all-purpose yards in 2009 to surpass Charles Roberts (7,112) as the league’s all-time leader.
Big Sky’s Career Rushing Leaders
Player, School Years Yards
1. Charles Roberts, Sacramento State 1997-2000 6,553
2. Charles “Chip” Dunn, Portland State 1997-2000 6,007
3. Charvez Foger, Nevada 1985-1988 4,484
4. Cedric Minter, Boise State 1977-1980 4,475
5. Jesse Chatman, E. Washington 1999-2001 4,173
6. Trevyn Smith, Weber State 2006- 4,028
7. Lex Hilliard, Montana 2003-05, 07 4,016
8. Sherriden May, Idaho 1991-94 3,748
9. Ryan Fuqua, Portland State 2001-04 3,709
10. Ryan Johnson, Montana State 1999-2002 3,646
STREAK CONTINUES:Thanks to a Weber State loss to Eastern Washington on the final weekend of the regular season, the Montana Grizzlies were able to clinch a share of their 11th straight Big Sky Conference regular-season title. Montana beat Montana State 35-3 to finish 7-1 in conference. Weber State lost 33-26 at home to Eastern Washington to finish 7-1 in league. Weber State won the head-to-head meeting against Montana 45-28, earning the automatic bid to the playoffs. Montana and Weber State will be recognized by the league as co-champions. Montana’s string of 11 straight conference championships now ranks as the second-longest streak of conference titles in history. Brigham Young won or shared 10 straight WAC titles from 1976-85. Oklahoma won 14 straight conference titles from 1946-59. Montana went 23-1 in conference the last three seasons, and since the string of conference titles started in 1998, Montana is 72-11 in conference play.
NOT BAD FOR A SOPHOMORE: Weber State’s Cameron Higgins shinned in his first full season as a starter, leading the Wildcats to the playoffs for the first time since 1991, and to the program’s first conference title in 40 seasons. Higgins finished his season with 270 passing yards against Montana, giving him a single-season Big Sky record 4,477 passing yards. Higgins was helped by playing 12 regular-season games, and having his two playoff games count in statistics. Prior to 2002, playoff statistics did not count in the season stats. Higgins led all FCS quarterbacks in passing yards this season, and finished second in the nation with 36 touchdown passes. The 36 TD passes are a Weber State single-season school record, and rank third in Big Sky single-season history. Higgins threw at least one TD pass in every Weber State except for Saturday’s playoff loss. Higgins finished his sophomore season completing 304-of-464 passes (65.52 percent) for 4,460 yards with 36 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
ETEUATI CAPS CAREER: Another Weber State star who won’t be returning is wide receiver/return man Bryant Eteuati, who finished his career in the playoff loss to Montana. Eteuati finished his career with a Big Sky record 100 kick returns, surpassing former Weber State star Wiley King, who had 98. Eteuati also finished with a Big Sky record 2,644 career kick return yards. Eteuati also had 117 punt returns for 1,206 yards in his career. He returned two kicks and two punts for scores. Eteuati finished his career with 5,326 all-purpose yards, which ranks ninth in Big Sky history. Eteuati had 2,283 all-purpose yards as a junior, which ranked third in Big Sky single-season history, but now ranks fourth after he was surpassed this season by teammate Trevyn Smith. Eteuati missed three games during the 2008 season.
BUCHANAN FINALISTS: Eastern Washington’s Greg Peach, Montana’s Colt Anderson, Northern Arizona’s K.J. Gerard, and Portland State’s Andy Schantz are on the final ballot for the Buck Buchanan Award. Peach is considered a leading candidate as he leads the nation in sacks (18) and tackles for loss (22). Peach also has 17 total tackles His 18 sacks rank second in Big Sky single-season history behind Montana’s Andy Petek, who had 19 in 2000. Peach’s 22 tackles for loss rank fourth in league single-season history. Montana’s Kroy Biermann, now of the Atlanta Falcons, won the Buchanan in 2007. Idaho State’s Jared Allen, now of the Minnesota Vikings, won the Buchanan in 2003. Anderson enters the playoffs with 85 total tackles. Schantz finished his season with 115 total tackles, including 14 for loss. Gerard intercepted five passes and broke up a league-high 14 passes.
HIGGINS ON THE PAYTON BALLOT: Weber State sophomore quarterback Cameron Higgins was on the final ballot for the Walter Payton Award. Higgins guided Weber State to its first conference title in 40 years, and its first playoff appearance since 1991. Higgins finished the regular season ranked third in the nation in passing efficiency and is fourth in the nation in total offense. Higgins completed 67.5 percent of his passes for 3,808 yards with 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. His 3,808 passing yards were the third-most in FCS, and he tied for the third most passing touchdowns. Higgins’ 3,808 passing yards ranked sixth in Big Sky single-season history. Four of the five quarterbacks (Dave Dickenson, Jamie Martin, John Freisz, and Erik Meyer) ahead of him on the list claimed the Walter Payton Award. Higgins’ 34 passing touchdowns rank fourth in Big Sky single-season history. Six Big Sky Conference Players have claimed the Walter Payton Award, more than any other conference in FCS history. The votes were cast prior to the start of the playoffs, but in the playoff win over Cal Poly, Higgins threw for 399 yards and two touchdowns. Higgins now has 4,207 passing yards, which ranks third on the the Big Sky single-season list. Higgins finished sixth in voting. He earned three first-place votes and 79 total points. The top three vote-getters are Appalachian State QB Armanti Edwards, James Madison QB Rodney Landers, and Western Illinois running back Herb Donaldson. The winner will be announced on Dec. 18.
SCHANTZ SELECTED TO POST-SEASON ALL-STAR GAME: Portland State linebacker Andy Schantz has been invited to participate in the third annual Texas vs. The Nation All-Star Challenge game on Jan. 31 in El Paso, Texas. Schantz will be one of dozens of college players from around the nation competing in the game at the Sun Bowl on the campus of Texas-El Paso. The Viking senior just completed his Portland State career and is looking to impress NFL scouts. In the past two seasons, PSU has put linebackers in the NFL. Adam Hayward is a second-year player with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Jordan Senn is a rookie with the Indianapolis Colts. Schantz was recently named Portland State team Most Valuable Player and second team All-Big Sky Conference. He is also a candidate for the Buck Buchanan Award, given annually to the top defensive player in the nation at the NCAA I FCS level. Schantz led the Vikings with 115 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, nine pass breakups, and had an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble this season.
MONTANA SMASHES ATTENDANCE MARK: Montana drew a Washington-Grizzly Stadium record 25,629 fans to the Montana-Montana State game on Nov. 2. The Grizzlies drew a Big Sky Conference record 174,236 fans in seven home games. The previous mark was 163,532 set by Montana in seven home games in 2007. Montana’s single-game average of 24,891 is also a Big Sky single-season record, breaking the 23,537 set by Montana in 2005. Montana owns the conference record for largest crowd in a non-conference game, set earlier this season with 25,326 watched the Central Washington game. Montana ranks second in the FCS in average attendance and overall attendance.
OFFENSE WONT MISS THEM: The Big Sky Conference said so long to three of the top tacklers in league history on Nov. 22 as Montana State’s Bobby Daly, Northern Colorado’s Cristian Sarmento and Sacramento State’s Cyrus Mulitalo completed their collegiate careers. Daly, who battled injuries much of his senior season, finished his career with 382 tackles, ranking second in league history. The tackle stats only go back to 2000, the year the NCAA began officially recognizing tackles as a stat. Sarmento, who only played three seasons in the Big Sky, finished fourth on the career list with 358 tackles. Mulitalo finished sixth on the list with 336 career tackles.
Career Total Tackle Leaders
Player, School, Years GP Solo Assist Total
1. Kane Ioane, MSU 2000-03 48 242 229 471
2. Bobby Daly, MSU 2005-08 47 182 201 382
3. Pago Togafau, ISU 2003-06 45 132 232 364
4. Cristian Sarmento, NC 2006-08 33 182 172 358
5. Matt McFadden, WSU 2000-03 41 152 198 350
6. Cyrus Mulitalo, SAC 2005-08 45 147 189 336
7. Joey Cwik, EWU 2002-05 47 150 182 332
8. Brett Shelton, SAC 2004-07 44 179 147 326
9. Jordan Senn, PSU 2004-07 43 154 166 320
10. Matt Logue, SAC 2002-05 44 179 127 306