In last Sunday's Great Falls Tribune, Sports Editor George Geise summed it best with the following comments: "Did you hear them? They were out there, in the shadow of Mount Sentinel. The boo-birds were flying low on a cool November afternoon, at an almost sacred place where such creatures are seldom seen or heard."Derisive hoots were noticeable Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, and to be sure, those catcalls weren't directed at the opposing team. It isn't often that Montana Grizzly fans turn on their own football team, which has won almost 90 percent of its home games the past 21 years, usually by comfortable margins."
The number of "boo-birds" at Washington-Grizzly Stadium was a little disheartening to many people last week, including members of the Grizzly football team. It also put a damper on the celebration of an important 10-9 victory against the No. 6 ranked Mustangs of Cal Poly - virtually the same squad that knocked the Griz out of the playoffs last year, and one that defeated Division I foe San Diego State one week earlier.
Fans may intend that their criticism be for coaches or play-calling, but in truth, the result is felt by the entire squad. Imagine being the proud parent of a 20-year-old football player at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, or the wife of a coach, and hearing boos and heckling directed at your family and your own team. Imagine being a Cal Poly coach or player, realizing that the hostile conditions usually reserved for opponents in Washington-Grizzly Stadium were, instead, being targeted at the Griz - what an incredible momentum shift and boost that must be for the visitors.
There are always two teams on the field any given Saturday; thus some of the credit should be given to a talented Cal Poly defense. We should take great pride in the fact that Saturday was the first time since 2000 that a Cal Poly football team was held to zero touchdowns. More importantly, the win gave UM an 8-1 record for the year and all but assured the Griz of a record 14th straight appearance in the Division I-AA playoffs.
With eight straight victories heading into Saturday's game at Northern Colorado, the Grizzlies have one of the longest winning streaks in the nation, and a triumph over the Bears would guarantee Montana at least a tie for the Big Sky Conference title for the ninth consecutive year.
As we head down the home stretch, now is the time to rally around this UM football team. Let's show our true sportsmanship colors when the Bobcats come to town next week, and get behind the maroon and silver - both offense and defense. Together, we can build a positive attitude about this upcoming intrastate rivalry that will decide the BSC championship.
n In an effort to enhance its image, and with the belief it will create a more marketable product, the label Division I-AA will no longer exist after December 15, and instead, will from that point forward be referred to as the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
Likewise, Division I-A will be called the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). These new labels were generated as a collective effort of the Division I membership as well as the NCAA staff to establish terms that are expected to be more positive, while also reinforcing the differences between the two subdivisions.
The reason for the change: In recent years, the I-AA and I-A labels were perceived to cause a significant amount of concern and confusion among the membership. Many schools felt the labels were confusing and misapplied by the public, boosters and media when referring not only to their football programs but their overall athletics programs. Discussions to adopt name changes began last year, and were officially approved by the NCAA Division I Board of Directors in August. Leading up to the I-AA - or the FCS - Championship game, you'll begin to see more and more references to the name change.
n There is renewed talk about a 12th game option for schools playing in the Football Championship Subdivision, formerly Division I-AA. Last month, members of the FCS Division I Board of Directors declined to reconsider an earlier decision to allow a 12th regular-season game.
However, because enough institutions requested an override, a vote will be taken by the FCS membership at the January NCAA Convention in Orlando. Last year, the Football Bowl Subdivision schools agreed to a proposal allowing a 12th game. This allowed schools such as Iowa and West Virginia to schedule opponents such as Montana and Eastern Washington at a late date.
For questions, please contact Jim O'Day at The University of Montana, 406.243.5348, or via e-mail at o'dayjm@mso.umt.edu.
|
 |
 |
Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)