By DAVE GUFFEY for GoGriz.com
THE GAME: The #13-ranked University of Montana Grizzlies (5-2 BSC/7-4) conclude their regular season, hosting the first place (tie) and the #12-Montana State Bobcats (6-1 BSC/8-3) in the “Brawl of the Wild” game. It is also “Senior Day” and the 114th meeting between the long-time rivals, in yet another must-win Big Sky Conference game for the Griz, Saturday, Nov. 22. Kickoff in Washington-Grizzly Stadium is 3:15 p.m. (Mtn.).
SENIOR DAY: UM’s 16 seniors will be introduced prior to the game. Those players are: Jamaal Anderson, safety; Kevin Berland, WR; Jordan Canada, RB; Joshua Dennard, CB; Sean Haynes, WR; Matt Hermanson, FS; Jordan Hines, OG; Logan Hines, OC; Jordan Johnson, QB; Trevor Poole, OT; Trevor Rehm, DT; Mitch Saylor, TE; Shay Smithwick-Hann, QB; Tonga Takai, DT; Travon Van, RB/WR; and Zack Wagenmann, DE.
SERIES/LAST MEETING: The Griz lead 71-37-5. Montana has won 23 of the last 28 The Griz lost 16-7 to the Cats in Missoula in 2012. (Year-by-year scores are listed on add 26 of the weekly release).
GRIZ LAST GAME: (Montana 35, at S. Utah 17): Senior running back Jordan Canada rushed for a career-high 211 yards and two TDs to lead the Grizzlies to the crucial Big Sky win, which kept UM’s FCS post-season playoff hopes alive. The Griz out-scored the T-Birds 17-3 in the second half and rushed for a season-high 316 yards on 49 carries.
ANOTHER WINNING SEASON: The victory last Saturday at SUU gave Montana its 28th winning season in the past 29 years.
GRIZ POW NOMINEES VS. SUU: Offense: Canada, who rushed 29 times, and had scoring runs of 14 and 56 yards. Defense: Junior linebacker Jeremiah Kose, who had 9 tackles, 2 TFLs, and a sack. Special Teams: None.
LAST MEETING: (Montana 28, at MSU 14): The 5th-ranked Griz played great “D” and made key plays when it needed them to defeat 13th-ranked MSU in Bozeman.
COACH DELANEY TO RETIRE: Griz head football coach Mick Delaney announced that he will retire at the conclusion of the 2014 football season.
WAGENMANN ON THE BUCHANAN WATCH LIST & SETTING SCHOOL RECORDS IN THE PROCESS: Zack Wagenmann, a 6-3 1/2, 255-pound senior defensive end and a Buck Buchanan Award candidate from Missoula, Mont., now has 62 total tackles, 12.5 sacks, and 17.5 TFLs so far this season.
“WAGS” RANKED IN THE FCS: Wagenmann leads the Big Sky and is ranked sixth in the FCS in sacks (1.14 pg), 18th in TFLs (1.6 pg), 21st in forced fumbles (0.27 pg), and 31st (tie) in fumble recoveries (3).
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MEDIA COVERAGE:
TELEVISION/STREAMING: The game is on ROOT Sports, with Tom Glasgow calling the play-by-play, Jason Stiles is the analyst, and Jen Mueller is the sideline reporter. It can be seen on DirecTV channel 687; Dish channel 426; and Bresnan channels 560/60. The game will not be streamed.
GRIZ RADIO: Mick Holien has been the voice of Grizzly football the past 22-plus seasons and is in his 30th year overall. Scott Gurnsey is in his 17th year as analyst, and Greg Sundberg is on the sidelines for his fourth season. (The 2014 Grizzly Football Radio Network is located on add 6 of the weekly release).
GAME SPONSORS: The “Brawl of the Wild” series is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana and Town Pump. Karl Tyler is the Griz-Cat game sponsor.