Watch the Fritz Blitz.Everything they tried offensively in the first half seemed to work against the Montana Grizzlies, in a 24-7 Spiders' victory in the Football Championship Subdivision title game at Finley Stadium.
A throwback pass into a man-to-man defense that left the quarterback uncovered. Correct audibles in response to “stems,” or shifts, by Montana's defensive line. Runs into Griz blitzes that turned into second-effort big gains.
It figures that Montana was every bit as hungry to do something great on offense to match the Spiders' fast start. But the execution and magic that carried the Griz over top-ranked James Madison 35-27 the week before went missing, along with the timely turnovers.
Methodically, Richmond rolled to a 21-0 halftime lead.
While UM's defense fought back after halftime and forced four Richmond punts, the offense had trouble getting to paydirt. The bread-and-butter drive-blocking for Chase Reynolds was put aside for pass protection, and Cole Bergquist threw for 207 yards after halftime.
But aside from a 69-yard drive that ended with a 4-yard TD run by Reynolds - highlighted by darts of 15 and 21 yards to Marc Mariani, plus a shovel pass to Reynolds that seemed to hang in the air forever but gained 14 yards - the Spiders didn't break.
Which of course has been their M.O.
“There is a saying that if you keep them off the scoreboard, they can't win,” said linebacker Eric McBride, a thorn in Bergquist's side - or leg - with an interception and a hard first-quarter hit that resulted in a game-changing thigh bruise. “We have a bend-but-don't-break defense. We as a defense have each others' backs.”
Over in the Grizzly locker room, the vanquished were coming to grips.
“We shouldn't feel as bad as we do right now, and in a couple days I think that'll change,” said senior guard Colin Dow. “But Š you know, we played football when other teams didn't think we could. Players made plays when other people didn't think they would.”
Much has been made over the years of the vast number of Montanans who suit up for the Griz - 15 starters, with 10 more in reserve, come from the Treasure State. But everybody was hurting, after a dream season ended with a tough loss.
“It's meant a lot to everybody in the state and out-of-state,” said tackle Brent Russum, a Lewiston, Idaho, product who transferred to UM from Arizona State. “I bill myself as an Idaho boy, and it means as much to me as the Palmer brothers or anybody else.
“Seeing the faces after the loss - it was pretty empty throughout the locker room, with the pain, and all the time we put in, and this outcome.”
The Griz were a banged-up squad after playing 16 games in 16 weeks. Linebacker Shawn Lebsock made 13 tackles - including a couple big hits - a week after injuring his left elbow against James Madison. His arm was mostly purple Friday.
Bergquist joked going into the game that the most damaged part of his body was probably his liver, thanks to many doses of Advil. Then he got nicked Friday. He played gamely, though his mobility was obviously hurt. That coupled with an offense forced to throw made him an easier target, and Bergquist was sacked seven times.
“All I can really say is it took us out of some of our game plan,” said the senior, who ended up 31-6 as UM's starter, No. 4 on UM's career passing list (with 7,405 yards) and No. 3 in career total offense (8,434). “I wasn't performing at my best.”
The offensive line took a couple hits against Richmond, with tackle Chris Dyk at less than full speed and Terran Hillesland leaving with a leg injury late in the second quarter.
After halftime J.D. Quinn moved from center to Hillesland's spot at right guard, and Russum, a starter before injuries hampered him at midseason, played the rest of the way at right tackle. Alex Verlanic, a sophomore from Drummond, took over at center.
“Again, it would've been better for us, had we been a little more in touch with Richmond and not down 21-0,” Griz coach Bobby Hauck said. “We could've been a little more balanced. The guys did a nice job. Richmond has good players.”
Again, that was small consolation.
“Personally I've had some injury and played through it today, and tried to win it for Missoula and everybody else,” said Russum. “And we didn't get it done. It hurts, you know?”
Richmond's defense started just two seniors, so the Spiders are likely to be around awhile. Whether Ron Huesman stays is another matter.
In his fifth season as defensive coordinator for the Spiders, Huesman was interviewed for the job to coach the University of Chattanooga on Saturday. He played for the Moccasins, and graduated in 1982.
QUICK KICKS: Hit of the game belongs to Montana safety Colt Anderson, who drilled Richmond's Tre Gray for a 1-yard loss on a third-quarter screen. ... Anderson finished with 313 career tackles, which puts him ahead of Tim Hauck (306 from 1987-89) and alone in fifth in UM history. Š Receiver Marc Mariani's 1,308 receiving yards in 2008 are the second-most for a single season by a Grizzly. Joe Douglass had 1,469 in 1996, and Jefferson Heidelberger had 1,240 in 2004. Š The Grizzlies' Mike Ferriter finished his career 11th in UM history for catches (147) and receiving yards (1,369). Š Senior receiver Rob Schulte finished with 3,086 career all-purpose yards, ninth in UM history. Š The Griz are 27-17 all-time in FCS playoff games.
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