Men in maroon knock off rust

While off-season questions have loomed over the Montana football program after graduating 22 seniors, the Grizzlies left no doubt of their big play ability last Saturday in their first scrimmage of fall camp at the Riverbowl field.
Junior wide receiver Marc Mariani provided fireworks in the early stages, following a convoy of blockers on a 93-yard kickoff return for the scrimmage’s first touchdown.

Junior defensive end Jace Palmer also had an outstanding showing, highlighted by a 70-yard interception off sophomore quarterback Andrew Selle that he returned for a touchdown. Palmer complemented his pick-six with a pair of sacks. Idaho State transfer Erik Stoll also had 75-yard fumble return for a touchdown on a day when Montana’s young defense looked sharp.
“Jace had a productive day,” coach Bobby Hauck said. “Obviously with losing Kroy Biermann at the defensive end spot, we need to have production at that position, so it was really encouraging to see Jace have a nice day.”
Biermann won the Buck Buchanan Award last season, given annually the Football Championship Subdivision’s top defenders, and now plays for the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL.
While much of Saturday’s storylines belonged to the defensive and special teams units, Hauck said he was pleased with the way his veteran offense moved the ball. Senior quarterback Cole Bergquist engineered an eight-play, 65-yard scoring drive in the first series, which was capped off with a three-yard scoring scamper by sophomore halfback Chase Reynolds.
“Offensively I thought the run game and screen game looked pretty good,” said Hauck, who added that the special teams unit has progress to make. Montana faces the daunting task of replacing All-American kicker Dan Carpenter and punter Tyson Johnson.
“We had a kickoff return, which was great,” Hauck said. “That’s really coming together. But I thought our special teams were about 50-50.”
Redshirt freshman Brody McKnight and true freshman Russell Schey both had 23-yard field goals on Saturday.
There are 17-to-20 redshirt freshmen who will be in the fold following Saturday’s scrimmage, and Hauck said a crop of young talent has pushed position battles on the roster.
“You’re only as good as your last practice, and during the season you’re only as good as your last game,” the sixth-year Montana coach said. “Nobody is safe, never. Competition really breeds improvement in my mind.”
Montana will hold their second and final scrimmage on Friday, slated for a 3:30 p.m. start at Riverbowl. The season gets underway with the Griz heading on the road to face Cal Poly on Saturday, Sept. 6.
roman.stubbs@umontana.edu