The third-ranked Grizzlies held off No. 11 Maine 27-20 Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in a season opener that was part football game, part freshmen mixer. And while the Griz offense, spurred by a rejuvenated passing attack, had its share of good moments, the overcast afternoon's most encouraging development may have been on the defensive side of the ball - where some of the gang are still exchanging "how-do-you-dos."
"They played very experienced out there today," said Maine coach Jack Cosgrove of a Griz defense that, early in the fourth quarter, had five freshmen on the field. "They did their jobs. I don't think they busted a coverage. They played with enthusiasm, they played hard, they hit our guys. And my hat's off to them."
The defensive line, anchored by veteran tackles Jonny Varona, Blake Horgan, John Cahill and Alan Saenz, held firm, and that established a base for everybody else.
One of Maine's three touchdowns was a gift, courtesy of a Montana fumble at its own 1-yard line. Maine's longest march, an 84-yarder on nine plays, came in the final minutes when Montana's defense was in more of a prevent than an attack mode. Whitcomb's 7-yard scoring pass to tight end Josh Radulski trimmed the score to 27-20 with 33 seconds left, but the Griz recovered an onside kick to seal the deal.
"I think they executed well, for how young they were," said Griz receiver Jon Talmage, tipping his helmet to the defense. "This was a big learning experience for most of those guys. I think the next game will be a whole heck of a lot better."
On this defense, even the old was new.
Junior linebacker Shane MacIntyre had a team-high eight tackles - in his first career start. Junior Lance Spencer, getting new life after returning from knee surgery, celebrated his return to defensive end with a sack.
The true newcomers didn't do so badly either. Sophomore strong safety Van Cooper Jr., who has been billed as a rising star, had seven tackles in his first collegiate game. Alex Hawthorne, a freshman backup linebacker, recorded a sack. So did sophomore end Dustin Dlouhy, making his first start.
Cosgrove said he went in thinking that Montana's secondary might be exploitable. It made sense, considering that the starting cornerbacks - junior Kevin Edwards and sophomore Tuff Harris - had a combined seven collegiate starts between them. But Edwards, a converted safety, picked off two interceptions, including the one that set up Montana's final touchdown. Harris had six tackles on the other side, rotating with true freshman Jimmy Wilson.
"They did a great job of reducing our speed at wide receiver, and at the same time keeping it competitive with Marcus (Williams)," Whitcomb said. "They didn't go so much man (man-to-man coverage). And they backed off, and they kinda said, 'Take your shots downfield and we'll be right there with you.' ''
Whitcomb's first long pass, on the second series of the game, was intercepted by Edwards. Later, the 5-foot-11 Wilson drew an offensive pass interference call while battling Maine's 6-3 Christian Pereira.
Montana rotated fresh players at every position. So early in the fourth quarter, with the Griz nursing a 13-6 lead, you could look out and see - gulp - Wilson at one corner; Torrey Thomas, a true freshman, at safety; and three redshirt freshmen at the linebacker spots: Hawthorne, Kyle Ryan and Loren Utterback.
"We're going to play a lot of guys on defense because we expect them to play at a certain tempo," said Montana second-year coach Bobby Hauck. "Freshmen is what we've got, so we're going to play them."
"I'm excited about our defense," Hauck added. "Not necessarily for being a refined unit right now, but for the potential they've got."
The rookies are going to make mistakes, that's a certainty. But you have to admire their spirit.
"I slept a little bit last night, not much," admitted Wilson, who at this time last year was playing high-school ball in San Diego. Then he added, with a chuckle: "I was scared. The whole time, I'm lying there in bed, man, thinking, what am I gonna do tomorrow? I didn't want to mess up."
And now?
"I think we found out we can handle it, me and the other young guys," Wilson said. "We're not getting the shakes. We're expected to do the job, and we'll do it."
Rial Cummings can be reached at 523-5255 or rcummings@missoulian.com. His column appears Sundays.
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