Griz release '08 schedule

Can't get enough University of Montana football?

Well here's your December (non-playoff) fix: The 2008 Griz schedule has been released. And there's something exciting in it for the Northwestern Montana contingent of Griz Nation.

Central Washington University is coming to Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

Normally a "huh?" reaction would follow in reference to the NCAA Division II school, but Central Washington is led by former Flathead High School standout Mike Reilly.

Reilly, fresh off a national player of the year-caliber performance, led Central Washington to its first two NCAA playoff victories. His season concluded last week in a loss to two-time defending national champion Grand Valley State. The junior quarterback finished his season with 3,386 passing yards and 30 touchdowns.

The Wildcat-Grizzly game will be the final non-conference tilt for UM, on Sept. 27.

Other non-Big Sky opponents include Cal Poly, Southern Utah and UC-Davis. All three schools belong to the Great West Football Conference, with South Dakota and South Dakota State.

Surprisingly, the Grizzlies have an open date during the first week. They open their season on Sept. 6 at Cal Poly. Then they host the next three non-conference games.

The Griz hit the road for their first two Big Sky games, against Weber State and Eastern Washington.

EWU is going to be so good it could be picked to dethrone the Grizzlies in the Big Sky. Sophomore quarterback Matt Nichols led the Eagles to an 8-3 record while passing for 3,125 yards and 30 touchdowns. He was named the conference Offensive Player of the Year. The Eagles upset No. 2 McNeese State 44-15 in the first round of the playoffs. Then lost 38-35 in the quarterfinals to two-time defending national champion Appalachian State last week.

Montana's first conference game on the road will see the conference's Newcomer of the Year: redshirt freshman quarterback Cameron Higgins. The Weber State signal caller led the Wildcats to a 5-2 record down the stretch. He passed for 1,959 yards and 17 touchdowns in the final seven games.

Later in the schedule, UM will also travel to Northern Colorado and Portland State.

The Griz will host Sacramento State, Northern Arizona, Idaho State and Montana State.

The big Grizzly names coming into the season will be offensive linemen Brent Russum, J.D. Quinn and Colin Dow, along with quarterback Cole Bergquist, defensive tackle Craig Mettler and safety Colt Anderson.

Grizzlies 2008 Schedule

Aug. 30 Open

Sept. 6 at Cal Poly TBA

Sept. 13 Southern Utah 1:05 p.m.

Sept. 20 UC-Davis (Homecoming) 1:05 p.m.

Sept. 27 Central Washington 1:05 p.m.

Oct. 4 at Weber State* TBA

Oct. 11 at Eastern Washington* TBA

Oct. 18 Sacramento State* 1:05 p.m.

Oct. 25 at Northern Colorado* TBA

Nov. 1 Northern Arizona* 12:05 p.m.

Nov. 8 at Portland State* TBA

Nov. 15 Idaho State* 12:05 p.m.

Nov. 22 Montana State* 12:05 p.m.

*-Big Sky Conference game