MISSOULA – Through two weeks the 2-0 Montana Grizzlies look like they could have a dominating defense. They’ve only given up 33 points in those two contests, and they forced five turnovers against the Drake Bulldogs, which helped turn the tide on Saturday.
“Defense is playing well,” said head coach Bobby Hauck. “The best thing we’re doing is tackling. We’ve tackled really well the first two weeks. I’m impressed with our effort level and our tackling. I like the way the defense played, obviously.”
“I feel like since training camp the way we practice, our mental toughness, our physicality, coaches preach it every day,” said sophomore cornerback Dareon Nash, who had two interceptions and a fumble recovery versus Drake. “We say it every day. Coaches are strict on us. And everyone is in for one goal.”
The questions for the Grizzlies remain on the offensive side of the ball, where they struggled out of the gate against Drake with six punts and a fumble among their first nine possessions.
They also lost two starters. Both senior wide receiver Keenan Curran and starting center Cody Meyer left the game with what appear to be shoulder injuries. Now Montana faces its first road test, heading to Western Illinois next Saturday.
