By DAVE GUFFEY for GoGriz.com
THE GAME: The 7th-ranked University of Montana Grizzlies (3-2/1-0 BSC) continue their Big Sky Conference slate on the road, playing the University of North Dakota (2-3/0-1 BSC) in Grand Forks for the third season in a row, on Saturday, Oct. 4. Kickoff in UND’s Alerus Center (12,283) is at 12:37 p.m. (Mountain Time).
SERIES/LAST MEETING: Montana leads 12-8-1. The Griz defeated UND 55-17 in Grand Forks last season in a non-league game. (2013 stats & game story on add 14).
GRIZ IN HOMECOMING GAMES IN WGS: Montana is 23-4 in Homecoming games since 1987 in Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The Griz and Bears have played in one Homecoming contest, UM winning 55-28 in 2011. UM has won 20 of its past 21 Homecoming games.
LAST WEEK: (At Montana 38, N. Colorado 13): Quarterback Jordan Johnson threw 3 TD passes and ran for another, and halfback Travon Van rushed for 127 yards and a TD to lead the Griz to Big Sky and homecoming wins. UM scored 28 first-quarter points and led 28-7 after the first 15 minutes of action.
POW NOMINEES vs. UNC: Offense: Johnson, who was 11-of-20-1 passing for 181 yards and 3 TDs. Defense: Zack Wagenmann: 6 TT, 2 TFLs, a sack, a FF, and a FR. Special Teams: Junior defensive end Addison Owen: blocked punt and a tackle.
JOHNSON UPDATE: Johnson is third in career touchdown passes with 59; fifth in TDs responsible for with 64; and seventh in career passing yards with 6,512.
CANADA UPDATE: Senior halfback Jordan Canada is ranked fourth in career rushing yards (2,547) and career scoring runs (30).
HENDERSON UPDATE: Junior wide receiver Ellis Henderson remains 23rd in career receiving yards with 1,478, and 10th in career receiving TDs with 16.
WAGENMANN UPDATE: Wagenmann is now tied for fourth in career sacks with 27, and he’s ranked sixth in career tackles for loss with 38.
HERMANSON UPDATE: Senior free safety Matt Hermanson remains 15th in career tackles with 281.
JOHNSON PAYTON WATCH LIST UPDATE: Johnson, a 6-1, 195-pound senior from Eugene, Ore., and Walter Payton Award candidate, is 66-of-121-2 for 681 yards and 6 touchdown throws so far this season.
WAGENMANN BUCHANAN WATCH LIST UPDATE: Wagenmann, a 6-3 ½, 255-pound senior defensive end and Buck Buchanan Award candidate from Missoula, Mont., has 31 tackles, 7.0 sacks, and 8.5 TFLs this season. He is currently ranked fourth in the FCS in sacks (1.40 pg) and 29th in tackles for loss (1.7 pg).
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MEDIA COVERAGE
GRIZ RADIO: Mick Holien has been the voice of Grizzly football the past 22-plus seasons and 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.
TELEVISION/STREAMING: The Grizzly-UND game will be televised by many Cowles Montana Media stations. Dan Hammer calls the play-by-play, Ryan Kasowski serves as the analyst, and Greg Stemen is the sideline reporter. It will be aired on Charter channels 10/510; DirecTV channel 24, and Dish Network channel 17. KXGN-TV in Glendive; KFBB-ABC in Great Falls; KLMN-FOX, Great Falls; KMTF-CW in Helena; KTMF-ABC, Missoula; TMF-FOX, Missoula; KWYB-ABC, Butte / Bozeman; and also on SWX-TV, Billings. The game will be streamed on gogriz.com/allaccess and on WatchBigSky.com.
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