Upstart. Spoiler. Giant killer. Hauck says that's not an easy team to prepare for.
“When you're playing a team in their shoes, you have to be ready for anything,” Hauck said as his No. 2 Grizzlies prepared to face the Bears at 12:05 p.m. on UNC's Nottingham Field. “Just because we don't know what to expect out of these guys. They've got quarterback injury problems - we don't know which quarterback we'll see - so we've practiced all kinds of stuff.
The Grizzlies, 8-1 on the season, could use a little dose of conventional while they go for their ninth straight win. They struggled past the unorthodox and talented Cal Poly Mustangs 10-9 last weekend, likely sewing up their 14th straight Division I-AA playoff berth.
A victory Saturday would clinch at last a share of UM's ninth straight Big Sky Conference crown and all but assure a first-round playoff game at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
The Griz are going against a team that ranks either eighth or ninth in the nine-team Big Sky in several categories. The Bears do have a decent running attack, led by 205-pound senior Andre Wilson, who has 752 yards on the season and 3,256 for his career.
Wilson is a good enough weapon to make UNC formidable. But who will play quarterback is a mystery, after 6-foot-6, 245-pound starter Dominic Breazeale went down with a knee injury in the Bears' 13-10 loss at Montana State last week.
Northern Colorado put T.J. Swanson, who'd been moved to receiver during fall camp when top receiver Eric Birkel was injured, back at quarterback to finish the MSU game. As of midweek UNC head coach Scott Downing wasn't sure who he'd have at QB; freshman Brian Wiedeman still hadn't been cleared to play after suffering a concussion two weeks ago.
“We're actually trying to give people reps in practice and hold them together with tape and bailing wire,” Downing said. “Dominic could play. Really, it's whoever is healthiest.”
Whoever does will trigger an offense that could give UM headaches. The Bears typically play two running backs, Wilson and Patrick Ealy, but often line up Ealy wide. That could catch the defense a defensive back short.
Ealy, a sophomore, has 58 catches. Wilson has another 17.
“You don't know when they're in the huddle what personnel groups they'll play,” Hauck said. “It's a good theory, especially since they're so banged-up at wide receiver.
“You get into a little guessing game with them.”
After Ealy and Wilson, 6-3, 235-pound sophomore Brian Barmann has 14 receptions.
Montana's defense has been at the least sound, and at best, suffocating. The Griz are first in total defense, rush defense and scoring defense in the league. Defensive ends Kroy Biermann, Mike Murphy and Dustin Dlouhy have dialed up their already impressive play. The linebacker crew, led by top tackler Kyle Ryan, is speedy and deep.
“They fly around,” Downing said. “Their two corners are as good as anyone in the league. Those guys on the edge can play. There are very, very few weaknesses or things that you see and go, ‘OK, there's something we can take advantage of.' ”
The Bears' young defense has been led by sophomore linebacker Cristian Sarmento. Hauck figures UNC will continue to zone blitz. That likely means more zone coverage for the Griz receivers.
“We just have to find the open holes,” said Colorado Springs native Eric Allen, the Grizzlies' second leading receiver. “The last few weeks we've been playing a lot of man-to-man teams. That's the hardest thing - running man-to-man routes instead of just settling down.”
Defensive end Matt West, one of a handful of seniors in the starting lineup, figures a superlative effort will be necessary against the Griz.
“It's going to be fun playing the No. 2 team in the country,” said West, a 225-pounder out of Montrose, Colo. “They're a great team. They have everything. They're big up front and physical and strong and fast.
“We're going to have to play a perfect game to play with Montana.”
Which is what the Grizzlies expect from the Bears.
“They definitely have some good athletes,” said Montana linebacker Tyler Joyce, who is from Aurora, Colo., about 80 miles from Greeley. “I know that because I've played against them. You can't take them lightly. They beat Texas State (14-13 back in September) and they played the Cats close last week. We expect a good game.”
So does Hauck, from the Bears and his Grizzlies. His team has a lot to play for.
“It's a chance to win our ninth straight Big Sky championship this weekend,” he said. “I think we're in the playoffs - I can't imagine we won't get in. We've got a chance to win the Big Sky championship in Greeley. I would think winning Saturday would get us a home playoff game for sure.
“It's an important game. Plus, we like to play.”
Reporter Fritz Neighbor can be reached at 523-5247 or at fneighbor@missoulian.com.
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