Griz gear up for first scrimmage

The Daily Inter Lake

MISSOULA - The University of Montana Grizzly football team will have the first of its three spring scrimmages today at about 3:45 p.m. in Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

There is no admission charge.

After six practices, fifth-year UM head coach Bobby Hauck said he is pleased with his 2007 football team's overall performance.

"The best thing that has occurred is that we've had great competition at every position on the field, from quarterback to safety, and at defensive tackle," Hauck said. "That breeds success and improvement for our team. I like our progress. We are far ahead at this point in time than we've ever been at Montana at this point of the year."

Hauck singled out several players who are making good strides in spring drills.

"At running back, Reggie Bradshaw, Greg Coleman, and Thomas Brooks-Fletcher have all done a very nice job during heated competition," Hauck said. "Certainly we expect Lex Hilliard to be our starter next year, but those guys are knocking on the door.

"At wide receiver, (sophomores) Ty Palmer and Marc Mariani have done a real nice job moving up the depth chart. At safety, Shann Schillinger (Baker) is making a lot of plays.

"Tyson Johnson should have a big year. When you consider that we were ranked third in the nation in net punting last season without our punter, although Dan (Carpenter) was very solid in that area; the goal for us with Tyson back is that we want to lead the nation in punting.

"Our young tight ends (Dan Beaudin, Steve Pfahler and Rob Overton) look great. There have been a lot of good performances.

"At defensive end, opposite (senior All-American candidate) Kroy Biermann, we are anxious to scrimmage and to see who will emerge there. Mike (Stadnyk) has done a good job this spring at end, we are hoping that more depth can be developed; that's the biggest question mark on the team."

Hauck noted that Dan Carter, a 6-foot-5, 308-pound sophomore from Bellingham, Wash., has been moved back to offense during spring drills and is "doing a very good job for us at guard."

Injuries have taken their tolls so far in spring practice as well.

Hauck said that wide receiver Ryan Bagley will more-than-likely miss the remainder of spring drills because of an injury, while fellow senior wide out Craig Chambers will also be out for awhile due to injury. Senior cornerback Qwenton Freeman will also miss the remainder of spring drills with an injury.

After the scrimmage, the team will take a week off for spring break, then will conduct a team meeting and conditioning drills on Monday, April 2, resuming practice the next day. UM's final scrimmage in Missoula is Friday afternoon on April 6 in Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Its final spring scrimmage will be in Billings.