Big Sky Notebook: Grizzlies get one more crack at NAU's Bauman
Following a runaway victory over a feeble Division II opponent, the Grizzlies turn their attention to a more familiar, more irritating adversary this week.
While Montana accomplished several goals in Saturday’s 47-14 win against Oklahoma Panhandle State -- not the least of which was emptying its bench to allow second- and third-stringers the chance to play -- the goal now is to do something it’s never done: contain Northern Arizona running back Zach Bauman.
In the past three games against NAU, the Grizzlies’ defense surrendered 528 rushing yards and five touchdowns to Bauman, including a 253-yard, three-TD performance in a 41-31 loss last Sept. 22 at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula.
Bauman has carried the ball 81 times in his career against Montana, and averages 6.5 yards per attempt. Though the Griz have won two of those previous three games, they haven’t been able to get their paws on the runner from Chandler, Ariz.
Flagstaff is great
They also have a ski area called Snow Bowl
Difference
If they get tried of winter they can drive a few hours and be golfing
We drive a few hours and we're en Butte
Pain or damage don't end the world. Or despair or fucking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man... and give some back. Al Swearengen http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/childr ... bronco.wav" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Ibanez wrote:Hvev you been to Flagstaff? The NAU campus is wonderful. I was there in 2009.
I haven't, but I've heard it's similar to Missoula in a lot of ways (i.e. awesome).
I bet you there are a lot of hippies there too.
"What I'm saying is: You might have taken care of your wolf problem, but everyone around town is going to think of you as the crazy son of a bitch who bought land mines to get rid of wolves."
grizzaholic wrote:
I bet you there are a lot of hippies there too.
Probably. But hey, hippies are people too.
No they are not.
"What I'm saying is: You might have taken care of your wolf problem, but everyone around town is going to think of you as the crazy son of a bitch who bought land mines to get rid of wolves."
uofmman1122 wrote:Based on what I've seen from both teams so far, if Montana doesn't score at least 40, and NAU scores more than 17, I'll be extremely shocked.
I don't think the Griz will score 40. NAU may have the best defense in the league.
Their offense, on the other hand, appears to have Bauman & little else.
uofmman1122 wrote:Based on what I've seen from both teams so far, if Montana doesn't score at least 40, and NAU scores more than 17, I'll be extremely shocked.
I don't think the Griz will score 40. NAU may have the best defense in the league.
Their offense, on the other hand, appears to have Bauman & little else.
I wouldn't call UCD and USD barometers for who has the best defense.
"Ah fuck. You are right." KYJelly, 11/6/12
"The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam." Barack Obama, 9/25/12
Mvemjsunpx wrote:
I don't think the Griz will score 40. NAU may have the best defense in the league.
Their offense, on the other hand, appears to have Bauman & little else.
I wouldn't call UCD and USD barometers for who has the best defense.
I'm not just basing that on their games so far. They also returned 10 (I think) starters from one of the best defenses in the Big Sky last year. Their D also single-handedly won the Davis game, getting two pick-sixes in the fourth quarter.
Jacks defense has played well. A few bounces go their way and they may be able to keep this one close. Maybe?
Jacks offense has been the exact opposite. They haven't played well at all up until a few moments in the U South Dakota game. Inept so far. Multiple injuries on the offensive line, stagnant passing game with no ability to stretch the field and throw deep and conservative "vanilla" play calling through the first 3 games. I have seen no signs that will change this week with a tough Griz defense coming to town. What does it take for Cartright to get a shot at leading the team if Poe's struggles continue?
Flagstaff isn't quite as "hippy" as Missoula. They're definitely a part of the fabric of the community, though.
dbackjon - I wish I shared in your optimism. This is the first time in four years that I don't see NAU being competitive vs. the Griz. Hope I'm wrong.
The stakes get higher starting this week for the seventh-ranked Montana football team.
The level of competition also ramps up considerably, with 24th-ranked Northern Arizona awaiting the Grizzlies’ arrival for a Big Sky Conference opener Saturday night at the Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff, Ariz. Montana (3-0) will have a chip on its shoulder after dropping a rare 41-31 home decision to the Lumberjacks in 2012.
“Last year was last year, but we definitely have redemption on our minds for sure,” Montana defensive tackle Caleb Kidder said Tuesday.
Northern Arizona (2-1) has nine starters back on offense and defense from a team that went 8-3 last year and finished second in the Big Sky. Topping the Jacks’ list of veterans is senior running back Zach Bauman, who shredded Montana for a career-high 253 yards and three touchdowns in Missoula 12 months ago.
