Now it's the Grizzlies turn to see if they can hang on to No. 1
The Daily Inter Lake
The Montana Grizzlies are back on top this week, ascending to No. 1 in Division I-AA in the latest Sports Network poll.
But to avoid becoming the third straight No. 1 team to lose - Delaware started the year on top and lost its opener, then last week's No. 1, Southern Illinois, dropped a close game at I-A Northern Illinois - the Grizzlies will have to be careful.
"It's nice to get that respect," said UM coach Bobby Hauck during a phone interview from his office Tuesday.
"I'm just hoping we can hold up under the burden. There's a lot of expectations being the No. 1 team in the country. Your opponents step up their play, I believe.
"And you have to guard against complacency. We're not ready to play our best yet."
Montana claimed No. 1 after a 41-23 win over Hofstra at home last Saturday, one week after opening the season with a 27-20 over No. 15 Maine.
It's Hauck's first stint as coach of a No. 1 team and the Grizzlies' first visit to the top since Nov. 11, 2002.
Montana's first defense of its new ranking comes Saturday at Sam Houston State in Huntsville, Texas.
- EX-BRAVE GIVES GRIZ A BOOT: Former Flathead Brave Pete Sloan made his Montana debut against Hofstra, handling kickoff duties.
"He walked on the team and did a nice job last spring," Hauck said. "He was beat out as the field goal kicker last spring, but he's our best kickoff guy and he did a great job last week."
Sloan kicked off nine times with two touchbacks and a third that reached the end zone but was run back. Hofstra had an average starting field position of its own 21-yard line after Sloan's kicks.
- FLATHEAD REDUX: Another former Brave, running back Lex Hilliard, made his season debut against Hofstra. Hilliard had 45 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries, good for a 4.1 average.
He and starter Justin Green combined for 93 yards and two scores, and showed signs getting the Grizzly ground game rolling.
- VERY SPECIAL TEAMS: A week after Maine deliberately kicked away from dangerous return men Levander Segars and Jefferson Heidelberger, Hofstra coach Joe Gardi gambled and gave Heidelberger a chance.
Ninety-six yards and a touchdown later, Gardi was regretting the decision. Heidelberger was on his way to Big Sky special teams player of the week honors.
If the rest of Montana's opponents this year hadn't already learned the lesson, they probably have now. Will anyone let Segars or Heidelberger have a chance in a close game again?
"That's not really a question for me," Hauck chuckled. "That's a question for guys on the other side of the field.
"We're prepared to handle them not kicking to us, and we're prepared when they kick it deep."
- EDWARDS PICKING HIS SPOTS: Cornerback Kevin Edwards intercepted his third pass of the season Saturday, returning it 38 yards for Montana's first touchdown of the game. He had four all last year.
"He's playing well right now," Hauck said. "And hopefully he'll continue to do that."
Edwards' nose for the ball might make opponents think twice about throwing his way, though Hauck pointed out an inherent flaw in that plan.
"There's only two sides of the field," he said. "So I don't believe that will be the case."
- HURRICANE OUTLOOK: While powerful Hurricane Ivan isn't expected to make a direct hit on the Texas Gulf Coast, it could spawn some adverse weather Saturday - rain, wind or perhaps thunderstorms. It all depends on how fast Ivan moves up the Gulf.
Huntsville is about 70 miles north of Houston.