MISSOULA — The Montana Grizzlies are coming off their first loss of the season to most likely the toughest opponent they’ll see all year in the Oregon Ducks.
Headed into Week 4, Montana is looking to get back in the win column in its final non-conference game.
“Seems to be the year where we’re playing senior quarterbacks and veteran O-lines. I mean, that seems to be the case every week," UM head coach Bobby Hauck said before the Grizzlies' matchup with Monmouth.
“If you get a rookie O-line and a rookie quarterback, they’re easier to manipulate to a degree, and guys that have this much experience are hard to, you don’t fool them much. They’re composed and don’t let bad plays bother them. So, it’s just a matter of having your hands full every week when you have guys with that kind of experience,” Hauck added.
Montana will have its hands full with that offense led by Kenji Bahar, a four-year starting quarterback who’s on the Walter Payton Award watch list and was named the Big South Conference preseason offensive MVP.
“We know he’s a pretty good quarterback, as well, give him credit there. But we’re just going to make sure we swarm and keep him in the pocket and make sure we get around and give him no open lanes to run and get him down on the ground,” said sophomore defensive tackle Eli Alford.
The Hawks can do it on the ground, as well, with their every-down running back, Pete Guerriero, who’s averaging 26 carries and 131 yards per game.
“They’re feeding him the ball, he’s running well behind that big veteran offensive line. I can see why they’re scoring the points that they are, why they’re rushing for as many yards as they do and what his numbers are what they are,” said Hauck.
Montana and Monmouth kick off at 1 p.m. Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
