Playing in his first game since the rule change that pushed kickoffs back 5 yards to the 30-yard line, the Montana Grizzlies' kicker still booted the ball over the goal line five times in eight tries on Saturday, forcing Southern Utah's return team into four touchbacks.
His secret? As Bill Parcells might say: This is why you lift all them weights.
The idea of tacking the extra distance onto kickoffs came when NCAA football officials met last winter to discuss ways to shorten games and cut down on the dead time resulting from plays like touchbacks.
According to published reports, the group even briefly discussed doing away with kickoffs entirely and simply starting each offensive possession from the 20-yard line. In the end, the rules committee went for the less extreme measure of retreating to the 30, a switch already adopted by the NFL.
The NCAA contends this will increase returns and make for more thrills for fans. Critics say it also ramps up the potential for injury.
“On kickoffs you've got big bodies flying down the field and there are big collisions,” said Southern Utah coach Wes Meier. “So you've got the chance for injury ... But I think for the fans it's better to see returns.”
When the Thunderbirds managed to get off a return against Carpenter, the Griz cover team did its part. Southern Utah's returners never crossed the 30, forcing the T-birds' run-first offense into an uphill battle.
“The coverage was real impressive,” Montana coach Bobby Hauck said. “We had several tackles inside the 20.”
Carpenter's big kicks earned him co-player of the game honors after he went 3-for-3 on field goals, all of them over 40-yards.
Returners make hay
Sophomore Marc Mariani got his first action as a kick returner and wide receiver, setting the tone for the UM victory when he took the opening kickoff back 53 yards.
Mariani caught Steve Pulver's kick at the 6-yard line and broke it open up the right side of the field before he was stopped by Pulver and Tui Silva at the Thunderbirds' 41.
“It was set up real, real well,” Mariani said. “I just ran behind those big, huge guys trying to get up field ... They did their job and as a result there was a huge hole and I ran through it up the sideline.”
“I thought he was going to get it into the end zone,” Hauck said. “But as it happened, it set up a score. A big play like that to start the game - I wish we could do that every week.”
Three plays after the return, Mariani nabbed his first career catch for Montana, a 12-yarder from quarterback Cole Bergquist that took the Griz to the 28-yard line.
Mariani handled two early punts for Montana, but eventually gave way to Rob Schulte in the return game. Schulte also shined, busting a 13-yarder in the second half that might've gone the distance had he not stumbled.
FCS pride?
Appalachian State may be the only team standing in the way of the Grizzlies ascending to the top of the Division I FCS rankings, but news of the Mountaineers' 34-32 stunner over Michigan elicited a loud cheer from the faithful at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
The two-time defending champs of what used to be Division I-AA led most of the game, but word that the Wolverines had edged ahead 32-31 in the fourth quarter likewise brought a groan from Griz Nation.
Running back Kevin Richardson and quarterback Armanti Edwards combined to rush for 150 yards and Appalachian State took the lead for good on a field goal with 26 seconds left, sealing one of the biggest upsets in recent memory.
“Good for them,” Hauck said. “I can't wait to call (ASU coach) Jerry Moore and tell him nice job.”
Griz run deep
One of Montana's acknowledged strengths headed into the season included depth at the skill positions and the Grizzlies showed it off against Southern Utah.
All three front-line quarterbacks saw action, including backup Jeff Larson leading UM on a sustained drive to begin the second half and freshman Andrew Selle mopping up the closing moments.
Five different running backs carried the ball and nine Grizzlies caught passes.
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