By DAVE GUFFEY for GoGriz.com
THE GAME: The 9th/10th/-ranked ( FCS Coaches’/Sports Network polls) University of Montana Grizzlies (5-1/2-1 Big Sky Conference) continue league play, hosting the first-place (tie) Cal Poly Mustangs (3-3/2-0) Saturday, Oct. 12 in UM’s Washington-Grizzly Stadium (25,217). Kickoff is at 1:37 p.m. (Mountain Time).
GRIZ LAST GAME ( Montana 42, at UC Davis 7) : Halfback Jordan Canada rushed for two TDs and wide receiver Ellis Henderson had two scoring receptions, and the defense was stellar, as the Grizzlies defeated UC Davis in a homecoming contest in Aggie Stadium.
Canada rushed 24 times for 126 yards. Canada has now rushed for 100 or more yards in four of six games this season, and six times in his career. Henderson had 3 catches for 63 yards and two touchdowns. Griz junior quarterback Jordan Johnson was 12-of-20-0 for 163 yards and 2 TDs.
The Grizzlies racked up 418 total yards, rushed 51 times for 255 yards and 3 TDs, and picked up 25 first downs. Montana executed flawlessly, as they had zero penalties.
Montana’s “D” held UC Davis to 237 net yards and 14 first downs, and registered four sacks. The Griz defense also intercepted two passes. Brock Coyle led UM with 7 tackles and also had a pick, while fellow senior linebacker Jordan Tripp added 5 stops, as did sophomore LB Kendrick Van Ackeren. Senior safety Bo Tully had UM’s other interception.
CANADA MOVES UP CAREER LISTS: Canada is now ranked seventh in career touchdowns (19) and 13th in career rush yards (1,637). (See add 2-2-2).
TRIPP MOVES UP LIST: Linebacker Jordan Tripp is now ranked 14th in career tackles with 273. All three senior linebackers: Tripp, Brock Coyle (28th, 217), and J.P. Kanongata’a (31st, 210) are ranked on the Grizzlies’ all-time tackles list. (See add 3-3-3).
GRIZ POW NOMINEES: Canada, a junior from Duarte, Calif., was UM’s nominee for Big Sky “Player of the Week” honors on offense. Coyle, a senior from Bozeman, was the defensive nominee. The Griz did not have a special teams nominee.
CAL POLY SCORES TO DATE: at Cal Poly 38, San Diego 16; at Fresno State 41, Cal Poly 25; at Colorado State 34, Cal Poly 17; at Cal Poly 38, Portland State 34; Yale 24, at Cal Poly 10; at Cal Poly 47, Weber State 0.
SERIES/LAST MEETING: The Griz lead the series 14-2. The Mustangs beat the Grizzlies 35-21 in Missoula the first and only time in 2005 in a first-round FCS playoff game. Montana, which finished 8-4 in 2005, had defeated Cal Poly 36-27 at home in a regular-season contest which had been played about a month earlier that season. The Mustangs went 9-4 in 2005.
LAST TIME THEY PLAYED (Sept. 10, 2011): The Grizzlies out-scored the Mustangs 23-6 in the second half en route to a 37-23 homecoming win that featured seven lead changes and a tie. Cal Poly rushed 64 times for 265 yards and two TDs . Johnson passed for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns, and he also led the Griz with 54 yards rushing.
GRIZ RADIO: Veteran Mick Holien is now in his 21st season as the “Voice of the Grizzlies.” Former Griz (1991-94) wide receiver Scott Gurnsey provides in-booth color, while Greg Sundberg serves as the sideline reporter. UM’s flagship station is KGVO Radio, 1290 AM/KVWE 101.5 FM. (The Grizzly Football Radio Network listed on add 1-1-1 of the weekly release).
VIDEO & AUDIO STREAMING: gogriz.com/all-access.
LIVE STATS: gogriz.com/all-access.
TWITTER: @umgrizzlies_fb & umgrizzlies_sid.
TV: The Montana-Cal Poly game will be televised by Max Media of Montana’s on its ABC affiliates. Chris Byers of KULR-TV in Billings calls the play-by-play, while former (1988-90) Grizzly quarterback Grady Bennett will provide in-booth color, and Shaun Rainey is the sideline reporter.
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