The top-notch Missoulian research staff set about finding the last time the Montana Grizzlies gained less than 100 yards rushing and passing, yet won a football game.
We're still looking. We did find a game where the offensive totals matched perfectly - 80 yards rushing, 93 passing, for a total of 173 - that of the Grizzlies' offense in their 17-3 win at Sacramento State Saturday.
Beyond that the Missoulian records are sketchy, and game-by-game results didn't enter the UM media guides until 1990. Within that time frame the Grizzlies' lowest yardage totals in a win came on Nov. 4, 1989. They rolled up 104 yards rushing and 88 passing in a cold, 17-2 victory over Montana State.
As they prepare for their Saturday 1:05 p.m. game against Northern Colorado, the No. 3-ranked Griz know they can pull out just about any manner of victory. But they also know they have things to work on.
“I'm not into numbers other than the W on the left-hand column,” said fifth-year coach Bobby Hauck. “But we didn't play well enough on offense last week, and that's my job to make sure that improves this week.
“I need to do a better job coaching. We need to play better this week. And that's in my job description, for us to play better on offense when we don't play well.”
The offense managed just nine first downs in Sacramento, but defense and special teams helped UM stay unbeaten (6-0). Yet all three league wins have been physical struggles. The question is whether this is status quo.
“Anybody's capable of beating anybody,” offensive tackle Cody Balogh said Tuesday. “They (the opponents) have been coming with their A game against us. That said, offensively we haven't really done what we're capable of doing these past couple weeks.”
Next for UM is a winless Northern Colorado team. The Bears have some talent but haven't put the pieces together either. The Griz could conceivably sharpen their claws for the meat of their schedule with their game against the Bears.
“Northern Colorado is a good team, but we're going to focus on us this week, because we've got some stuff we need to take care of,” Balogh said. “It's about us this week and getting our stuff straight, so we can help the defense out and repay the favors they've been giving us.”
The Payton and Buchanan Award watch lists have been updated, and while senior running back Lex Hilliard was one of eight players dropped for Payton consideration, Griz defensive end Kroy Biermann remains in the hunt for the Buchanan Award.
Biermann, a 245-pound senior out of Hardin, has 38 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and nine sacks this season. At this point last season, Buchanan Award candidate Mike Murphy had half a sack.
That can be symptomatic of being banged up or drawing more attention. Biermann is getting attention in that many opponents eschew the drop-back pass for the sprint-out and bootleg, to avoid him.
“We haven't had anyone in my memory that has his combination of explosiveness and size,” Hauck said. “He's around 250 pounds; he runs fast, he's a good technician, his weight-room numbers border on freakish.
“And that's why he's making plays.”
Three players were added to the 16-man Buchanan watch list, MSU linebacker Bobby Daly among them. Among the eight added to the Payton list were Cal Poly receiver Ramses Barden, who has 11 touchdown catches, and North Dakota State running back Tyler Roehl.
Northern Colorado has had one tough schedule, playing the likes of Cal Poly and Hawaii to go with mid-major San Diego and Division II power Chadron State. It is one reason the Bears are 0-7.
Vinny Pallone, a senior defensive tackle for the Bears, rates San Diego's quarterback - Payton Award candidate Josh Johnson - favorably with Hawaii's Heisman hopeful, Colt Brennan.
“To be honest with you, that cat from San Diego - honest to God it was like watching Michael Vick. It looked like this guy could go on any surface and do what he did.”
What Johnson did against the Bears was throw for 281 yards and six touchdowns and run for another 147 yards, in a 49-13 San Diego victory.
QUICK KICKS: The forecast for Saturday calls for a high of 49 degrees with a chance of showers. Š There is still room on the two booster buses the Montana Grizzly Scholarship Association is taking to Griz-Cat game on Nov. 17. Cost for the day trip is $125 per person, which includes lunch, beverages and a seat in the Grizzly section at the game. Fans can reserve in person at the GSA office at the Adams Center, or by calling Brynn Molloy at 406-243-5405. Š Wednesday is the deadline for fans with remembrances to contact Christie Anderson, either by phone at 406-243-4336 or by e-mail at christie.anderson@mso.umt.edu. Please include name, dates of birth and death, hometown and photo with your e-mail. There will be a moment of silence during Saturday's game for Griz fans that have passed away in the past year. Š Quinton Jackson's two interceptions against Sac State were the fourth and fifth of his career.
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