MISSOULA — As Montana’s defense has shown its potential to dominate in the Grizzlies’ first two games of the 2018 football season, it still requires points to win games.
Quarterback Dalton Sneed has been the man doing much of the scoring for the Griz so far, but it’s been a difficult journey for him to end up at Montana.
“Definitely a bumpy road. That’s for sure, nothing came easy,” Sneed said.
Sneed was recruited by Bobby Hauck to play at UNLV in 2015. After the 2014 season, Hauck resigned, but Sneed still attended UNLV, redshirting in 2015 and starting six games in 2016.
The following season Sneed transferred to junior college in Kansas. After the 2017 season, Hauck was hired back at UM and brought offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Timm Rosenbach with him. Rosenbach and Sneed stayed in contact over the years, and Sneed knew there was a possibility of a reunion in Missoula.
“When I heard that Coach Hauck got hired and then Coach (Rosenbach) was following him there, it was always in the back of my mind I was hoping that they would recruit me,” Sneed recalled.
A day later Rosenbach called Sneed to see if UM would be the right fit for him. Now two weeks into the season with two wins, it looks like the right choice.
“I just want to be in a place where I fit, the system that I fit, and especially more so with coaches that I fit with,” Sneed said. “I didn’t want a promise I was going to play, I didn’t want a promise that I was going to be the guy, any of that. I just wanted a chance to compete, and that’s what Coach Hauck and Coach (Rosenbach) gave me, so I‘m just forever thankful for that.”
And after two home starts in Washington-Grizzly Stadium, Sneed says he’s been more than impressed with the fans.
“Honestly, there’s no words for it,” he said. “I’ve never played in a stadium like that at the FCS level. I’ve played in big-time schools, and there’s no environment like Washington-Grizzly Stadium.”
