A little side note. Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher's son plays linebacker for the grizzlies.
http://www.montanagrizzlies.com/pag...100jr21464376yes214632824292100875219314&m=18
http://www.montanagrizzlies.com/pag...100jr21464376yes214632824292100875219314&m=18
Just read some articles about this game and it appears (hard to have a real strong opinion when you've never seen either team play..) to me the wrong team is favored.
Richmond seems like a nice underdog story who were hopeful of making the playoffs under their first year head coach while Montana is a big time program who was expecting to challenge for the title.
Anyone close to either school with an opinion on this game tonight?
Richmond seems like a nice underdog story who were hopeful of making the playoffs under their first year head coach while Montana is a big time program who was expecting to challenge for the title.
Anyone close to either school with an opinion on this game tonight?
I have been going to Grizz games since I can remember. I went to 3 of them this year including the 1st round playoff game against Texas State.
I can tell you that no one except the team expected to get this far. This is actually a rebuilding year with the exception of a few postions including quarterback Cole Bergquist, who is a senior.
Without winning the turnover margin by atleast 2, the Grizz are not capable of blowing anyone out. Their offense if going to score 21 to 28 points everytime. The only way this number goes up is if they get turnovers.
Their offensive line is big and running back Chase Reynolds is playing better than I would have ever expected. Grizz know how to control the ball and will.
Grizz defense is stout and they have kept this team in several games this year including last week against JMU, where I thought the Grizz didn't have a chance in hell.
This line caught me by surprise as I thought Montana would be more than a 3 point favorite and then only go up. If this line stays where it is at, I will be on Richmond.
I'm not good at write ups, hope this helps.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Tonight is the night. It's the Montana Grizzlies against the Richmond Spiders for the Football Championship Subdivision national title.
And the teams are similar in many ways.
Montana (14-1) is led by sterling senior quarterback Cole Bergquist, powerful sophomore running back Chase Reynolds and big-play junior receiver Marc Mariani. And don't forget about the Grizzlies' hulking offensive line, which has paved the way to one of the best rushing seasons the program has ever produced.
On defense, the Grizzlies have morphed into a ball-swarming unit that keeps teams guessing with superior personnel and tricky schemes.
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Richmond (12-3) is guided by junior quarterback Eric Ward, senior tailback Josh Vaughan and speedy sophomore receiver Kevin Grayson.
Defensively, the Spiders love to take the ball away: The team has forced 41 turnovers, including a school-record 28 interceptions.
It all sets up for a memorable championship game at Finley Field. Montana will win its third championship in six title-game appearances, or Richmond will be crowned on its first visit.
When Montana has the ball
No team has been able to slow Reynolds since the Drummond native hit his stride at midseason. Since then, Reynolds has rushed for 1,263 yards and 17 touchdowns. In all, Reynolds has produced 1,536 yards and 21 scores.
Look for Reynolds, behind his line, to get plenty of carries tonight in all situations.
When the Grizzlies don't hand the ball off, they will rely on the efficient right arm of Bergquist. The San Clemente, Calif., native has thrown for 2,889 yards with 28 touchdowns. Against a ball-hawking Richmond secondary, Bergquist will try to limit mistakes as he has done all year. Bergquist has thrown just seven interceptions.
Receivers Mariani and seniors Mike Ferriter and Rob Schulte, coupled with tight end Steven Pfahler, give Bergquist a stable of potent receivers. Mariani has the ability to stretch the field, and Ferriter gives the Grizzlies a great possession option. All are terrific route runners, and they'll have to be precise tonight against the Spiders' secondary, which feasts on errant pass plays.
When Richmond has the ball
There's no way around it: Vaughan is a load. At 232 pounds, Vaughan has run over, around and through opponents to the tune of 1,725 yards and 19 touchdowns. Vaughan had just 17 carries last week at Northern Iowa, but that's only because the Spiders had to rally - and thus throw - to win.
If the Spiders get an early lead, look for Vaughan to get the ball many times in an attempt to drain out the clock and the Grizzlies' chances.
The quarterback, Ward, is a winner. He has 12 victories against 17 top-25 opponents, including winning 11 of his past 12. Ward is not an exceptional passer, but he can rally the offense when needed. A lead by the Grizzlies will not be necessarily safe when Ward is on the field. In addition, he owns a career 6-1 playoff record.
Grayson could be an X-factor. Because of Richmond's run-heavy offensive plan, Grayson and the rest of the receiving corps don't see the ball too often; Grayson led the Spiders with 59 catches. But play-action pass has been a key to Richmond's offensive success all year, especially with the threat Vaughan poses.
Coaching and special teams
Montana's special-teams unit, headed up by head coach Bobby Hauck, is one of the best in the nation. The Grizzlies are perhaps best in the coverage and return game. Montana rarely finds itself losing the field-position battle. In terms of game management, Hauck has few superiors. Every button he has pushed this season has been the right one.
Richmond kicker Andrew Howard hopes to turn an unfavorable tide. Howard has missed nine of 26 field-goal attempts this year, including three from 20 to 29 yards, two from 30 to 39 yards and three from 40 to 49 yards. Three of his kicks have been blocked.
As far as coaching, first-year head coach Mike London did a masterful job of getting Richmond to the title game one year after the Spiders lost in the semifinals. He also dealt deftly with a potentially season-wrecking the situation: The Spiders lost three of their first seven games.
But they haven't lost since.
Grizzlies and Spiders by the numbers
Comparison between the University of Montana and the University of Richmond's 2008 season statistics
MONTANA RICHMOND
33.5 Points per game 32.1
17.3 Opponent points per game 16.2
184.2 Average rushing yards 185.6
214.9 Average passing yards 183.9
130.7 Opponent rushing yards 97.7
200.4 Opponent passing yards 168.7
</PRE>
I can tell you that no one except the team expected to get this far. This is actually a rebuilding year with the exception of a few postions including quarterback Cole Bergquist, who is a senior.
Without winning the turnover margin by atleast 2, the Grizz are not capable of blowing anyone out. Their offense if going to score 21 to 28 points everytime. The only way this number goes up is if they get turnovers.
Their offensive line is big and running back Chase Reynolds is playing better than I would have ever expected. Grizz know how to control the ball and will.
Grizz defense is stout and they have kept this team in several games this year including last week against JMU, where I thought the Grizz didn't have a chance in hell.
This line caught me by surprise as I thought Montana would be more than a 3 point favorite and then only go up. If this line stays where it is at, I will be on Richmond.
I'm not good at write ups, hope this helps.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Tonight is the night. It's the Montana Grizzlies against the Richmond Spiders for the Football Championship Subdivision national title.
And the teams are similar in many ways.
Montana (14-1) is led by sterling senior quarterback Cole Bergquist, powerful sophomore running back Chase Reynolds and big-play junior receiver Marc Mariani. And don't forget about the Grizzlies' hulking offensive line, which has paved the way to one of the best rushing seasons the program has ever produced.
On defense, the Grizzlies have morphed into a ball-swarming unit that keeps teams guessing with superior personnel and tricky schemes.
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Richmond (12-3) is guided by junior quarterback Eric Ward, senior tailback Josh Vaughan and speedy sophomore receiver Kevin Grayson.
Defensively, the Spiders love to take the ball away: The team has forced 41 turnovers, including a school-record 28 interceptions.
It all sets up for a memorable championship game at Finley Field. Montana will win its third championship in six title-game appearances, or Richmond will be crowned on its first visit.
When Montana has the ball
No team has been able to slow Reynolds since the Drummond native hit his stride at midseason. Since then, Reynolds has rushed for 1,263 yards and 17 touchdowns. In all, Reynolds has produced 1,536 yards and 21 scores.
Look for Reynolds, behind his line, to get plenty of carries tonight in all situations.
When the Grizzlies don't hand the ball off, they will rely on the efficient right arm of Bergquist. The San Clemente, Calif., native has thrown for 2,889 yards with 28 touchdowns. Against a ball-hawking Richmond secondary, Bergquist will try to limit mistakes as he has done all year. Bergquist has thrown just seven interceptions.
Receivers Mariani and seniors Mike Ferriter and Rob Schulte, coupled with tight end Steven Pfahler, give Bergquist a stable of potent receivers. Mariani has the ability to stretch the field, and Ferriter gives the Grizzlies a great possession option. All are terrific route runners, and they'll have to be precise tonight against the Spiders' secondary, which feasts on errant pass plays.
When Richmond has the ball
There's no way around it: Vaughan is a load. At 232 pounds, Vaughan has run over, around and through opponents to the tune of 1,725 yards and 19 touchdowns. Vaughan had just 17 carries last week at Northern Iowa, but that's only because the Spiders had to rally - and thus throw - to win.
If the Spiders get an early lead, look for Vaughan to get the ball many times in an attempt to drain out the clock and the Grizzlies' chances.
The quarterback, Ward, is a winner. He has 12 victories against 17 top-25 opponents, including winning 11 of his past 12. Ward is not an exceptional passer, but he can rally the offense when needed. A lead by the Grizzlies will not be necessarily safe when Ward is on the field. In addition, he owns a career 6-1 playoff record.
Grayson could be an X-factor. Because of Richmond's run-heavy offensive plan, Grayson and the rest of the receiving corps don't see the ball too often; Grayson led the Spiders with 59 catches. But play-action pass has been a key to Richmond's offensive success all year, especially with the threat Vaughan poses.
Coaching and special teams
Montana's special-teams unit, headed up by head coach Bobby Hauck, is one of the best in the nation. The Grizzlies are perhaps best in the coverage and return game. Montana rarely finds itself losing the field-position battle. In terms of game management, Hauck has few superiors. Every button he has pushed this season has been the right one.
Richmond kicker Andrew Howard hopes to turn an unfavorable tide. Howard has missed nine of 26 field-goal attempts this year, including three from 20 to 29 yards, two from 30 to 39 yards and three from 40 to 49 yards. Three of his kicks have been blocked.
As far as coaching, first-year head coach Mike London did a masterful job of getting Richmond to the title game one year after the Spiders lost in the semifinals. He also dealt deftly with a potentially season-wrecking the situation: The Spiders lost three of their first seven games.
But they haven't lost since.
Grizzlies and Spiders by the numbers
Comparison between the University of Montana and the University of Richmond's 2008 season statistics
MONTANA RICHMOND
33.5 Points per game 32.1
17.3 Opponent points per game 16.2
184.2 Average rushing yards 185.6
214.9 Average passing yards 183.9
130.7 Opponent rushing yards 97.7
200.4 Opponent passing yards 168.7
</PRE>
bullets,
I'm on Richmond tonite. Nobody expected the Spiders to get on this stage either. This is their first championship exposure, and they'll get the job done tonite.
Offensively, Richmond and Montana put up similar numbers in the Running game about 185ypg. And Montana outgains Richmond about 30ypg in Passing ( 185 to 215 yds) .
However, Richmond will be able to neutralize that edge by their defense with the ability to penetrate, causes hurrys, and tackle for loss, and sacks allowed, the Spiders pass defense averages 168 ypg vs 200 ypg for Montana.
I'm on Richmond tonite. Nobody expected the Spiders to get on this stage either. This is their first championship exposure, and they'll get the job done tonite.
Offensively, Richmond and Montana put up similar numbers in the Running game about 185ypg. And Montana outgains Richmond about 30ypg in Passing ( 185 to 215 yds) .
However, Richmond will be able to neutralize that edge by their defense with the ability to penetrate, causes hurrys, and tackle for loss, and sacks allowed, the Spiders pass defense averages 168 ypg vs 200 ypg for Montana.
Im sure the smart money on this one is going to be on the under. I am not personally playing the game. But you know when no one knows anything about hte game the just pick the over. Vegas knows this and will put the number where the under will hit.....like i said i am not playing the game but i think under will hit
