Griz prepare without Murphy
Not another secret injury.
The University of Montana football team may be without a key cog Saturday when it hosts Sacramento State to open its Big Sky Conference schedule.
This time, it's Buck Buchanan Award candidate Mike Murphy. But no UM official is saying anything about his status. The senior defensive end reportedly had an appendectomy sometime during the open week. But all UM coach Bobby Hauck is saying is that he is ill. News of the surgery first showed up on Internet message boards and was confirmed independently.
So just like two weeks ago against South Dakota State, when quarterback Josh Swogger surprised everybody except the team by walking out onto Hoyt Field in Washington-Grizzly Stadium in jeans, there could be a surprise starter.
As for Swogger, he was listed as the Grizzlies' No. 1 QB two weeks ago but still didn't play. He is expected to start on Saturday, though. He broke his pinky finger on his non-throwing hand in the Iowa game but was taking first-team snaps Tuesday in practice, albeit in a splint.
"I'd just as soon not see him play in a cast," Hauck said. "How long he's got to be in that, I don't know."
Sac State's fourth-year coach Steve Mooshagian said he expects to see Swogger in uniform.
"Bobby (Hauck) is like the Mike Shanahan of the Big Sky," said Mooshagian, refering to the constant manipulation of the Denver Broncos' injury report by its head coach. "He is never going to tip his hand on injuries until after the kickoff. We're anticipating (Swogger) playing. We're anticipating everyone playing."
The Hornets come to Missoula having never beat the Grizzlies in 11 tries. They have also lost seven straight games dating back to last year. They will also probably start their third different QB in three games. But things are on the rise for the Hornets - and it starts with Mooshagian's first trip into Montana before November.
"I haven't been to either place (Missoula or Bozeman) when there hasn't been snow on the ground," Mooshagian said.
Mooshagain said the team hasn't practice in weather colder than 88 degrees since its season opener.
As for the Hornets' QB, junior college transfer Marcel Marquez will likely get his first start. The junior missed Sac State's season opener against Boise State because he had not been cleared by the NCAA. He was declared eligible a couple days before last week's game against Cal Poly and came off the bench to show why he was a second-team All-American and conference offensive player of the year at College of the Canyons last season. He rushed for 38 yards and passed for 40 yards to guide the team to a near-upset of No. 3 Cal Poly. But for the second straight week, the Hornets completed ony six passes.
"With Marquez in at quarterback, they appear to move the ball much better," Hauck said.
While junior Reggie Bradshaw has taken over the starting running back duties for the Griz, the Hornets feature senior Kris Daniels and Gerwin Williams. Daniels leads the Hornets with 78 yards on 33 carries. Bradshaw has 87 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.