Griz complete first week of drills
Starting QB unnamed, first scrim Saturday
Even though University of Montana football coach Bobby Hauck hasn't named his starting quarterback, there's plenty of buzz coming out of fall drills in Missoula.
And why not?
The defense that ranked in the top 10 last season returns seven all-conference selections, including first-team all-Big Sky defensive end Kroy Biermann of Hardin, Dillon free safety Torrey Thomas and Butte strong safety Colt Anderson.
On offense, former Flathead High School star Lex Hilliard returns at running back and will try to become UM's all-time leading rusher. Plus, the top four wide receivers from last year return and the line is anchored by two first-team all-conference selections.
The second-ranked Grizzlies completed their first week of 2007 fall drills Thursday and Hauck is happy with his team's progress. The season opener is on Sept. 1 at home against Southern Utah.
"We've had good work and I like where the team is right now," Hauck said. "We are on track to be prepared for our first game."
Hauck said UM's veteran players are performing well and some new names have surfaced and could play key roles this season.
"Most of the vets are doing what we expect of them," Hauck said. "There are a few guys who are making a move up the depth chart. Those are players who we were wondering if we could count on, and they look like they will help us this season.
"Guys like (offensive lineman) Dan Carter (Bellingham, Wash.) and (offensive tackle) Brent Russum (Lewiston, Idaho) have played really well in camp. Our quarterbacks have played well. And (wide receivers) Mike Ferriter (Helena) and Ryan Bagley (Great Falls) have put in some great days of practice."
The fifth-year head coach is in no hurry to name a starting quarterback. He's expecting several of them to contribute this season.
"We will name a starter (at quarterback) for our first game at some point," Hauck said. "We do have numerous players at that position who will see action. What we want to see is one of those players putting together a string of great practices and having some consistency."
Montana's first of two fall camp scrimmages is Saturday in Washington-Grizzly Stadium, starting around 10:10 a.m. Fall scrimmages are free to the public.
Even with all the good news, there have been some setbacks.
Junior center Colin Dow (Billings), a projected starter, is still recovering from an offseason accident, but he has resumed practice on a limited basis.
Junior linebacker Shawn Lebsock (Billings) will redshirt this season due to injury. He played as a true freshman.
Senior receiver Craig Chambers, one of UM's 2007 honors candidates, continues rehabbing an injury and has yet to join the team for fall camp. He may not do so until school begins.
Sophomore safety Erik Stoll (Sandpoint, Idaho), a transfer from Idaho State, will redshirt in 2007 due to NCAA transfer rules, but he has a redshirt year available, too, as he started the last seven games for the Bengals as a true freshman last season.
UM's three recent cornerback transfers - junior Ciarre Campbell (Colorado State), and sophomores Joe Smith (Mt. San Antonio College) and Mike Vandenberg (New Mexico) - are concentrating on developing their skills.
"They are not game-ready yet," Hauck said. "But as with most of our transfers we don't expect them to be in top form by the first week, we want them to keep coming along as the season progresses."