Grizzlies, Weber State pit top 2 D's
Saturday's showdown between the University of Montana and Weber State University football teams is shaping up to be a defensive struggle.
The Grizzlies (4-0 in the Big Sky and 5-1 overall) and the Wildcats (1-2, 2-4) have the top two defenses in the Big Sky Conference.
WSU is ranked first in total defense, first in passing defense and third in scoring defense. UM is ranked second in total defense, second in passing defense and second in scoring defense.
Game time is 1:05 MST from Stewart Stadium in Ogden, Utah.
"Weber is playing extremely well on defense," UM coach Bobby Hauck said. "They've got a shutdown kind of defense."
The teams are also very comparable in special teams. They feature the top two punt-return specialists and the top two kickoff-return specialists in the league. WSU has one man doing both in slippery sophomore Bryant Eteuati. The Griz have Tuff Harris on punt returns and Rob Schulte on kickoff returns.
Eteuati is ranked No. 19 in the nation in both punt and kickoff returns. Harris is ranked No. 3 in the nation in punt returns and Schulte is ranked No. 26 in kickoff returns.
"Any time you are playing a team that is ranked in the top 20 in the return game, you've got your hands full," Hauck said. "They've got a good returner who is daring and picks up big yards for them consistently."
What the Grizzlies do have a bonus in is on offense. They lead the conference in scoring offense, averaging 30.8 points per game, while WSU is tied for seventh in the same stat, averaging 14.5 points per game.
"They (the Griz) are every bit as good as their high ranking," WSU coach Ron McBride said. "Offensively, they execute and don't make mistakes. They take care of the ball and control the clock. Defensively, they are extremely physical and quick up front. Obviously they have a great football tradition and they play that way every game with purpose and heart."
Montana is Weber's oldest continual football rival, along with Idaho State. Dating back to 1962, UM holds a 33-11 series record. The 33 wins is the most by any school against WSU. The Griz have a lot of success in Ogden, where they are 16-5. Ironically, WSU has won more games in Missoula (6) than in Ogden against the Griz. The Griz have a seven-game winning streak against the Wildcats.
McBride, who has been coaching since 1965, was the head coach at I-A's Utah from 1990-2002 and posted an 88-63 record there. This is his second year at Weber and coming out of the team's open date, he made a switch at quarterback.
Ian Pizarro - a 6-foot-3, 210-pound senior - will return to his starting role. He started the first three games of the season and was 16-for-37 for 185 yards and no touchdowns, but had two interceptions. Senior Shawn Woods took over the next three games and went 63-for-108 for 685 yards and five TDs, but had eight interceptions.
"We put Ian back as the starter because he's played well in practice the last two weeks and has worked hard to compete," McBride said. "Probably 90 percent of the time when a senior loses a starting job like that, they regress and basically give up. But Ian has worked hard and been extremely positive."
Pizarro had a career-high game versus Montana last season. In a 24-19 loss, he completed a career-high 26 passes on a career-high 43 attempts for a career-high 373 yards.
"He played very well against us last year and was honorable mention all-conference," Hauck said. "And as a competitor, I'm sure he thinks he can replicate that.
"They are going to line up in the I-formation and run the ball at us. They will use play-action on first and second downs. We need to be able to hold up.
"With them being very sound in the kicking game as well, this game is shaping up to be a battle all the way. Especially with us on the road."