And we wonder why NFL quarterbacks get paid so much.
In his day, Taylor was a ferocious linebacker for the New York Giants. He would be very proud of these Montana Grizzlies.
The defensive line is very good against the run and is able to generate a four-man pass rush that frees up the linebackers and secondary. Senior ends Mike Murphy and Dustin Dlouhy and junior Kroy Biermann are speed rushers that can collapse the pocket and chase down running backs trying to run wide. Biermann is particularly adept against the run, and has forced a number of critical fumbles this season.
The interior of the line, with Kerry Mullan, Craig Mettler, Jesse Carlson and Kelly Kain, has improved tremendously. The four are nearly interchangeable and have made the sledding tough inside for opposing runners.
Starting linebackers Tyler Joyce, Kyle Ryan and Loren Utterback are disciplined, fast and rarely miss tackles. There is little, if any drop-off with backups Shawn Lebsock, Muckie Foreman and Alex Hawthorne.
Cornerbacks Tuff Harris and Jimmy Wilson have developed into solid cover men, and their ability to provide support against the run is impressive. Both are fierce hitters, particularly Wilson, who has delivered some jaw-poppers this season. His smack last Saturday against Montana State quarterback Jack Rolovich took the air out the stadium, not to mention Rolovich.
Backup corners Quinton Jackson and Qwenton Freeman have shown their cover skills, as well. Jackson is tied with Wilson for second on the team with three interceptions, including a big pick against MSU.
Free safety Torrey Thomas leads Montana with four interceptions, and teams have rarely been able to throw over the top against UM thanks to his support. Sophomore Colt Anderson has been a revelation at strong safety. The Butte product has quickly drawn comparisons to Tim Hauck, the safeties coach for the Griz who made a living blowing up ballcarriers at UM and in the NFL. The fact that Montana can bring in former starter Van Cooper Jr. and the experience of senior Matt Lebsock off the bench shows how deep the secondary is.
That this kind of defense would emerge at Montana is no big surprise. The team clearly reflects the personality of its head coach, Bobby Hauck. Hauck handled every aspect of a defense during his years as an assistant at Montana, UCLA, Northern Arizona, Colorado and Washington.
Hauck, who was the recruiting coordinator at NAU and Colorado, knows what he is looking for. Along with his assistants, Hauck has built and maintained one of the premier defenses in I-AA (OK ... Football Championship Subdivison).
He has an aggressive, no-nonsense approach with an emphasis on teamwork that is admirable. No one takes a play off, everyone helps out.
Now in his fourth season at UM, Hauck and his assistants have proven themselves as recruiters, often a vastly underrated job. Considering only four starters on the defense are seniors, it is staggering the talent the coaches have compiled in just four years.
While Hauck's time in Missoula has been marked by success, it has also been a difficult adjustment for some Grizzly fans. When Hauck semi-jokingly said after the MSU game that only a 2-0 victory could be more exciting, you had the feeling he really meant it. For those weaned on Grizzly football in the 1990s when touchdowns were scored at a record rate, words like that are tough to swallow.
What was once a Corvette has become a dump truck. Grizzly football is a laborious event, with a smash-mouth defense and a stodgy offense that, against a quality opponent, seems to be stuck in neutral much of the time.
When Montana sandwiched its trip to the 2004 championship - a defeat to James Madison - with first-round home playoffs losses in 2003 and 2005, it made some fans even more restless.
Simply put, Montana has become the Ohio State of FCS football. Expectations are enormous. Fourteen straight trips to the playoffs will have that effect.
Just beating Montana State doesn't really have the impact that it did when Marty Mornhinweg was tossing the football around in the 1980s. And that goes for both sides of the Continental Divide. MSU coach Mike Kramer made that clear last week when he said his team's focus was on a national championship, not just on upsetting Montana.
And that's the way it should be. If coaches, players or fans don't like the pressure that comes with success, well, there is always Wyoming.
But it only seems fair to let Hauck and his staff have an opportunity to do things their way - without too much grumbling. Clearly, under Hauck, this is going to remain a defense-oriented team.
And, to some extent, the offense deserves a pass for this season. Injured All-American running back Lex Hilliard hasn't played a down, and quarterback Josh Swogger is operating behind a very young and banged-up offensive line that has struggled mightily to protect him.
If Montana's offense were to scuffle against next season with Hilliard back, a more mature offensive line, Cole Bergquist behind center and all of its receivers returning, then Griz fans will definitely have something to beef about.
But that discussion is for another day.
For now, buckle up and enjoy the ride. Even if it is a bit bumpy, it's the destination that matters. Just don't forget to wipe the snot bubble from your nose.
John Smithers is the assistant city editor. He can be reached at 523-5257 or at jsmithers@missoulian.com.
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