Griz ready for second scrimmage

Quarterback position hotly contested

The Daily Inter Lake

MISSOULA - The University of Montana Grizzly football team will hold its second scrimmage of spring drills today beginning around 3:45 p.m. in UM's Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

It is free to the public.

This will be the Grizzlies' final scrimmage in Missoula. Montana has its annual Spring Game on April 14 at Daylis Stadium in Billings.

UM head coach Bobby Hauck said today's scrimmage will be an abbreviated one, consisting of short yardage and move-the-ball situations, and will run about 40 plays.

When asked what aspects of spring drills have stood out at this point, Hauck lauded the play of the offensive line and running backs.

"I really like how our offensive line has played and how well we've run the ball," Hauck said. "I am excited about their progress for this time of the year. They've done a great job of picking up the blitz, running the ball into line movement, and all those things that are difficult for them. I think that we are miles ahead on the offensive line compared to this point last spring."

Hauck noted that the starting berth at quarterback is still up for grabs.

"We need to find a quarterback by Sept. 1 (UM's season opener against Southern Utah)," Hauck said. "We've had great work by those players. One of the reasons why we continue to play at live speed during spring practice is that our quarterbacks need that work.

"It's heated competition, and it's way too early to name a starter, and our depth changes on a daily basis. All four of those players, Cole (Bergquist), Andrew (Selle), Clint (Stapp), and Jeff (Larson) have done a good job in their own right. Since spring break, the competition there has really started to heat up."

Hauck praised the play of several players on both sides of the football.

"We've played (junior) Colin Dow at center a bit and he looks like the real deal in there," he said. "I think that (sophomores) Tyler Palmer and Marc Mariani are making a move up the depth chart at wide receiver. (Redshirt freshman) Rob Overton, one of our young tight ends, is challenging for playing time.

"On defense, one of the guys who is making a move is (sophomore) Jace Palmer at defensive end, who's becoming a pretty proficient pass rusher. (Sophomore) Shann Schillinger has done a nice job at safety. (Junior) Tyler Corwin is really showing up at linebacker, and (senior) Chris Clark is playing the best football of his career right now at corner."

Hauck added that junior end Mike Stadnyk is also playing well, and (senior) Tyson Johnson started punting again and looks better than ever. Stadnyk and Johnson both redshirted last season because of injuries.

Next Saturday's Spring Game in Billings starts at 11 a.m. Tickets for the scrimmage are $5 for adults and $3 for kids.