He sees a No. 3-ranked team that is due to explode.
“We're just afraid that they're going to come out and be able to do things to us that they haven't done so far this season,” said Downing, whose winless Bears face the Grizzlies at 1:05 p.m. inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium. “I know they're looking to close out the season with a bang as they head into their last five games.”
That Northern Colorado team ended up 1-10. This version is 0-7, though the players feel the team has improved everywhere besides the scoreboard.
“I've watched every game they've had in some form or fashion, and their coaches have them playing hard,” fifth-year UM coach Bobby Hauck said. “They've not come out in the win column like they wanted to. The big deal for us is to come out and improve this week. We want to get better at everything we do.”
The Bears post talent at receiver, led by Nebraska transfer Andy Birkel and tight end Ryan Chesla, and at running back in David Woods, who has 501 rushing yards in seven games. That's the fifth-best total in the Big Sky Conference.
Northern Colorado lists junior Mike Vlahogeorge, at 245 pounds the smaller of its two quarterbacks, as the starter. But 260-pound Dominic Breazeale went the distance in the Bears' 23-0 loss to Weber State last week. The two split time in the first six games.
Meanwhile, Montana has had its hands full in league play. Senior Lex Hilliard's production has fallen off of late, though he still has a league-best eight touchdowns to go with 460 rushing yards. Cole Bergquist's passing totals have followed roughly the same curve.
One Griz receiver ranks among the top 10 in the conference - Mike Ferriter with 24 catches. Ryan Bagley and Eric Allen have combined for 30 receptions and six TDs.
The Grizzlies keep winning - six straight this season, 18 of 20 dating back to last season - though they have slipped from No. 1 in the Sports Network Division I FCS poll to third. Character-building victories have been the norm, and wins are wins.
Yet Montana's offensive production in league play has been comparable to Northern Colorado's. Left tackle Cody Balogh wouldn't mind seeing more points.
“We continue to put up touchdowns on our first drive or first couple drives, and it looks good, and then we just fizzle out,” said the senior. “This week we can hopefully keep momentum going when we get it, and keep those guys (the defense) off the field and let ourselves get a few more plays.”
“I think a thing that probably catches up to a team like Montana is they've got a big target on their chest,” said Downing. “Obviously being No. 1 or No. 3, week-in and week-out, you have a target.
“People are designing things especially to play Montana.”
Last season against UM the Bears went no-huddle and stayed close for a time, trailing just 16-14 with 5:04 left in the first half. The Griz scored two touchdowns in the final 1:39 of the half to kick-start that rout.
If the offense has been spotty, the special teams and defense have been consistently productive.
Dan Carpenter's field goal provided the winning points in Montana's last-minute 24-23 escape on Eastern Washington; senior safety Torrey Thomas scored his third career touchdown to clinch last week's 17-3 win over Sacramento State.
The Grizzlies' Marc Mariani, who returned from an ankle injury last week, leads the league in punt returns. Montana is second in the league in net punting and tops in kickoff coverage.
“I think the sign of a good football team, which is what Montana clearly is, is you have three elements to the game and they can win two elements at any time,” said Downing.
Northern Colorado clearly isn't there yet, but is excited about taking a shot at UM.
“I heard its crazy,” said Chesla, who has four touchdown catches. “I hear it's a great atmosphere, that the fans talk to you a lot, but that just motivates you more.”
“When you're playing in an electric atmosphere, it affects the kids that are playing. They're excited,” said Downing. “And there's the matter of getting to measure yourself against the best.
“Quite frankly, when you play the No. 1 team in the country, or the No. 3 team or whatever they are, teams are going to give their best effort. Kids want to test themselves against Montana.”
Northern Colorado at No. 3 Montana
Kickoff: 1:05 p.m., MDT
Venue: Washington-Grizzly Stadium (23,183, SprinTurf).
Forecast: High of 44 degrees, 40 percent chance of rain.
TV: Live on KPAX (Phil Buck, Bob Hermes).
Radio: KGVO 1290 AM (Mick Holien, Scott Gurnsey).
On the net: www.bigskytv.org and www.montanagrizzlies.com
Records: Montana is 6-0, 3-0 in the Big Sky Conference. Northern Colorado is 0-3 and 0-7.
Series history: Montana leads 6-1.
Coaches: Bobby Hauck is 47-13 in his fifth season at UM. Scott Downing is 1-17 in his second season at Northern Colorado.
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