2008 Woodie Awards
Football team to clash with Montana
Alex Rice
Issue date: 10/17/07 Section: Sports
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Already in the middle of a rough year for the program, the 0-7 University of Northern Colorado football team has yet to face its toughest opponent.
That team is the Montana Grizzlies, who are 6-0 this season and ranked No. 3 in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly known as I-AA.) The Bears will face the Grizzlies on Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula, Mont.
The Bears are coming off last week's 23-0 Homecoming loss to Weber State, while the Grizzlies defeated Sacramento State 17-3 to remain unbeaten on the season.
Despite last week's shutout and the difference in win-loss records between the two teams, UNC coach Scott Downing insists his team isn't scared to play a nationally-ranked team like Montana.
"These guys are Division I college athletes, and they're here because they've proved themselves to be competitors," Downing said. "And when you're a competitor, you like to measure yourself against the best. Part of playing in the Big Sky Conference is playing at Montana in a wild atmosphere of 25,000 people, with loud music and loud noises."
If the Grizzlies first seven games of the season are any indication, the Bears will have more on their hands than loud noises. The Grizzlies are led by junior quarterback Cole Bergquist, who has already thrown for 1,056 yards this season, along with seven touchdowns against just three interceptions. Senior running back Lex Hilliard has also come up big for the Grizzlies this season, rushing for 458 yards and eight touchdowns.
Junior quarterback Dominic Breazeale will start the game under center for the Bears. During last Saturday's game he became the first Bear quarterback to play an entire game this season, but Breazeale said he was in no way pleased with his or the offense's performance against Weber State, in which he went 11-for-26 on pass attempts for 92 yards and an interception.
"Everything can be improved," Breazeale said. "If I can make quicker decisions, I think we'd be better offensively. We need to tighten up the mistakes and play mistake-free football."
That team is the Montana Grizzlies, who are 6-0 this season and ranked No. 3 in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly known as I-AA.) The Bears will face the Grizzlies on Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula, Mont.
The Bears are coming off last week's 23-0 Homecoming loss to Weber State, while the Grizzlies defeated Sacramento State 17-3 to remain unbeaten on the season.
Despite last week's shutout and the difference in win-loss records between the two teams, UNC coach Scott Downing insists his team isn't scared to play a nationally-ranked team like Montana.
"These guys are Division I college athletes, and they're here because they've proved themselves to be competitors," Downing said. "And when you're a competitor, you like to measure yourself against the best. Part of playing in the Big Sky Conference is playing at Montana in a wild atmosphere of 25,000 people, with loud music and loud noises."
If the Grizzlies first seven games of the season are any indication, the Bears will have more on their hands than loud noises. The Grizzlies are led by junior quarterback Cole Bergquist, who has already thrown for 1,056 yards this season, along with seven touchdowns against just three interceptions. Senior running back Lex Hilliard has also come up big for the Grizzlies this season, rushing for 458 yards and eight touchdowns.
Junior quarterback Dominic Breazeale will start the game under center for the Bears. During last Saturday's game he became the first Bear quarterback to play an entire game this season, but Breazeale said he was in no way pleased with his or the offense's performance against Weber State, in which he went 11-for-26 on pass attempts for 92 yards and an interception.
"Everything can be improved," Breazeale said. "If I can make quicker decisions, I think we'd be better offensively. We need to tighten up the mistakes and play mistake-free football."
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