GREELEY, Colo. – The #9 Montana Grizzlies return to action this week when they travel to Greeley to take on Northern Colorado.
Montana (5-2, 2-1 Big Sky) is back in the FCS top 10 and the team is coming off a breather after its first seven games.
“I think we took advantage of our bye week really well,” senior safety Ryder Meyer said. “We’ve had our bumps and bruises, and we’re ready to do it again. We’re 5-2, and I don’t think we’ve played our best football yet. I think that’s still to come. And we’re excited for the opportunity to go to Greeley this weekend.”
Now it’s Montana’s longest road trip of the regular season, in weeks starting with the Bears, the team is 1-6, but two weekends ago they pulled off a ranked win to snap an 18-game losing streak against Weber State. series and gave head coach Ed Lamb his first win in the program. This was the week after the Wildcats upset the Griz in Missoula.
“I think they’re going to play really hard,” UM head coach Bobby Hauck said. “They’re doing well and we’ve had two weeks to prepare. So it’s going to be a good test this weekend. They’re taking Weber, who just beat us here, to a big win. That’s certainly in our focus.”
Statistically, Northern Colorado is near the bottom of the Big Sky Conference in many categories and recently settled for fourth after shuffling that position most of the season.
“You know, the thing that comes up the most is multiple formations,” Hauck said. “You know, they’re moving a lot, they’re shifting, the moves are trying to get you out of sorts. And then you combine that with the quarterback play, and they’re going to cause some problems.”
Hauck added of their defense: “We’re seeing them do similar things this year (as last year). They made a lot of plays against Weber and won the ball, did a really good job of that, and then we did. (last year).
“They’re big up front, they do a good job hanging off the ball, so it’s hard for them to run the ball.”
The Bears have lost a lot of close games this stretch, so it’s all about how they keep their momentum going after a win and a bye last week.
Last year when these two teams met, Montana beat Northern Colorado State 40-0 in Missoula, and Bobby Hauck has never lost to the Bears as the Griz head coach, going 7-0.
On the Grizzlies’ side, with UM on its way to the playoffs and a tough schedule to start the season, Montana is ready to start the back half with a bang.
“I don’t think we’ve played well yet, and I think we’re willing to work to improve, and when you do that, you have a chance to play well,” Hauck said. “I think we’ve got a team that likes to battle, compete hard, play physical, and we’re ready to work at it week in and week out. That’s why we’re just a competitive group.”
