Hard-running Demons invade Missoula

It's another chorus of the 21st century playoff song for Montana today, as Northwestern State visits Washington Grizzly Stadium for the third time in four years.

The Griz won each of the previous two encounters, but this year the Demons leave Natchitoches, La., with the top-ranked rushing and total defense in Division I-AA.

Both of Montana's losses so far this year have come against tough, physical defenses. They also came on the road, at Sam Houston State (which lost to the Demons 45-27) and at Portland State. Home field advantage will likely play a big part in determining the outcome.

"They're awfully talented," UM coach Bobby Hauck said. "They're a very athletic group. They've got the No. 1 defense in the country statistically.

"They do a bunch of different things. We'll have a pretty comprehensive game plan" and will have to adjust based on what they do.

Northwestern State has a run-oriented offense, keeping the ball on the ground at a more than two-to-one ratio.

"It's an offense that's physical," Hauck said. "They rushed the ball for over 400 yards against Sam Houston. They can do it everywhere. They have good athletes at every position and it's showing up in the statistics.

"They're going to be hard to slow down on offense."

To be fair, the Griz defense has been a work in progress all season. And while its best overall games have come in the closing weeks, stopping the run has been its strength throughout the year.

"It has," Hauck said. "But we haven't played anybody like these guys either."

The Demons ball-control, running attack aids their defense, too. Northwestern State wins the time of possession battle almost eight minutes a game on average. It's a pretty simple formula - the other team can't score if it doesn't have the ball.

"When a team runs the ball as much as they do they're going to most likely win the time of possession battle," Hauck said. "We need to find ways to move the ball."

That has not been a problem most of the year, especially since the loss at Portland State. In three games since then - all at home - the Griz have picked up more than 400 yards of offense, over 500 in the last two.

It will no doubt be more challenging against the top-ranked Demons defense, but it will be a critical area. Should the game develop into some sort of defensive struggle, it's unlikely the Griz can match up with Northwestern State.

Kickoff from Washington Grizzly Stadium is scheduled for noon. The game can be seen locally on KAJ-TV, cable channel 8, over the air 18.