Good stats, a great record and home field advantage. That’s what No. 1 Montana has in its favor going into Saturday’s game against the Bearkats. But, will that be enough for the Grizzlies to overtake one of the most talented teams SHSU has ever seen?
It could be, but like most games, this one could go either way.
The Bearkats will face a team in the midst of its ninth playoff berth in as many years with a 12-1 overall record this year.
The Grizzlies offensive line can definitely move the ball, and they can do it by air or by ground.
Montana’s running back Yo Humphrey picked up his 12th 100-yard rushing game this season in the Grizzlies’ come- from-behind win last week against Northwestern. Humphrey has 1,853 yards on the books this season and accounts for 18 of the Grizzlies’ 56 touchdowns.
The team of quarterback John Edwards and receiver Eta Molden have accounted for 14 more TDs.
Edwards, who is currently listed on the Grizzlies’ injured list and is listed as probable to play in the quarterfinal show- down, is 176 of 309 passes for 2,261 yards. Molden, Edward’s favorite target, has caught 81 passes for 1,192 yards.
The Grizzlie D-line is equally impressive. It has racked up 49 sacks for a loss of 334 yards and recovered 19 opponent fumbles.
But that is all in the past.
As these two teams walk onto the field for what will end one team’s season and send the other into the semifinals, they enter with clean slates. So, if both SHSU lines show up for this contest, the Bearkats could prove the Grizzlies’ growl is worse than their bite.