Mollohan, Hilliard on opposite sides
Two former Flathead standouts will be key players on the field today for Montana, Montana St.
The Daily Inter Lake
Two players from Kalispell could play key roles in the outcome of today's 105th football meeting between Montana and Montana State in Bozeman.
Mac Mollohan is a senior middle linebacker for Montana State and a two time All-Big Sky performer.
Lex Hilliard, who also has gained All-Big Sky Conference honors, is a junior running back for Montana.
Hilliard, 6-foot-0, 220 pounds, last week ripped off 155 yards on 20 carries and scored a touchdown in Montana's 31-24 road win at Sacramento State. It was the fourth straight victory for Montana (5-1 Big Sky, 8-2 overall).
That victory also guaranteed UM at least a share of the Big Sky Conference title.
Montana has either won or shared the Big Sky trophy now for eight straight seasons and for 11 of the past 13.
Hilliard has started all 10 games for the Griz. He has rushed for 1,153 yards on 210 carries for a 5.5 yard per carry average.
Hilliard has scored 10 touchdowns.
He has a season long gain of 69 yards and is averaging 15.3 yards per game. He has also caught seven passes for 50 yards and a TD.
Hilliard last year rushed for 120 yards on 25 attempts and scored two touchdowns in Montana's 38-22 victory over MSU at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
Mollohan, 6-0, 205, who has started seven games for the Bobcats (4-2, 6-4), is fifth on the team in total tackles with 47. He has recorded two sacks, has broken up four passes and forced one fumble.
"Mac Mollohan is playing some superior football," said MSU coach Mike Kramer.
"We've been pretty active up front. Along with playing hard, we've really played with confidence on defense in recent weeks."
He shared the team high in tackles versus Northern Arizona with 13. He also led the defense in tackles for loss, sacks and fumbles forced in that contest.
"They are sound on defense and defend the pass well," said Montana coach Bobby Hauck of the Bobcats in a weekly press release.
"They have very good linebackers and play hard."
Mollohan, a team captain, missed three games with a hip injury that was thought to be season ending.
Another Kalispell athlete who will see action today is Pete Sloan, 5-9, 180. The junior handles the kickoff duties for Montana.
Kickoff is slated for 12:07 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium. The game is sold out (13,500), but will be televised by KAJ-TV, CBS, air 18, cable channel 8.
Montana, ranked No. 3, leads the all-time series with MSU, ranked No. 22, 65-34-5. The Griz have won 18 of the last 20 meetings, including 16 straight from 1986-2001.
The last time Montana won in Bozeman was 2001 - 38-27.
The Bobcats have been nationally-ranked for all 11 weeks in 2005. This is the first time since 1976-79 that MSU has posted four straight winning seasons.
MSU can gain a share of the Big Sky Conference with a victory.
The Bobcats are coming off a tough 35-14 loss at Eastern Washington. It was MSU's fifth straight setback in Cheney, Wash.
If Montana wins, the Griz will likely be the Big Sky lone postseason participant.
Eastern Washington could advance to the postseason with a Montana State victory. The Eagles would also tie for the league crown.
Big Sky Conference
Conference All Games
W L PF PA W L PF PA
Montana 5 1 167 93 8 2 279 167
E. Washington 5 2 251 151 6 4 358 233
Montana St. 4 2 178 169 6 4 260 245
Portland St. 4 3 230 182 6 5 313 273
Weber St. 4 3 172 171 5 5 250 267
Idaho St. 3 4 184 215 5 5 288 269
N. Arizona 1 6 125 236 3 7 216 287
Sacramento St. 1 6 128 218 2 9 192 352
Today's Games
12:07 p.m. - Montana at Montana St.
3:05 p.m. - UC Davis at E. Washington
3:05 p.m. - Weber St. at S. Utah
3:05 p.m. - N. Arizona at N. Iowa
7 p.m. - Idaho St. at Cal Poly-SLO