Mark D. Robertson

Mick Delaney coached the Montana Grizzlies to just the kind of rebound season they needed in 2013, going 10-3 and earning yet another trip to the FCS playoffs.

Last year's success seems to have put the Griz back on the map in FCS football, as well, as they enter 2013 ranked No. 5 in the country in both the coaches' poll and The Sports Network's preseason tally.

Delaney also managed to keep his coaching staff intact from a year ago and said the team's progress reflects that stability.

"We hope that we're a little bit ahead of where we were a year ago," Delaney said. "… The kids are comfortable now with where we're at and what we're doing."

That comfort certainly shows on defense, where the return of preseason All-American Zack Wagenmann at defensive end anchors a strong defensive front. The Griz sent two of their three senior linebackers from a year ago to NFL camps, but Delaney is happy with what he's seen from a few strong juniors in the middle of the UM defense.

The graduation of three all-league offensive lineman has created questions, but Delaney doesn't seem to be worried about his big guys on O after seeing them through the preseason.

"Our whole defensive front is so big and so strong … I think anybody is going to struggle going up against those guys," Delaney said, refuting some Griz fans' pessimism surrounding the run game.

That run game should be strong with the three top rushers back and a dual-threat at quarterback in All-Big Sky selection Jordan Johnson, who had a strong bounce-back year after missing 2012 due to legal issues. He's 20-6 in two seasons as the Grizzlies' starter.

Depth at wide receiver may have been a concern coming into camp, but thanks in part to several preseason injuries in the receiving corps, those questions have been answered by several unexpected standouts.

As long as the line holds up, the Montana offense should pack much of the same punch that saw them score more than 37 points per game a year ago.

And it's not as though they won't need it; Montana squares off with three-time reigning FCS champion North Dakota State in Week 4. FCS coaches put the Bison atop their preseason poll this summer. Eastern Washington, ranked second by the FCS coaches and No. 1 in The Sports Network's survey, topped all Big Sky teams, followed by Montana at No. 5, Montana State at No. 19 and Northern Arizona (not on the Grizzlies' Big Sky schedule this season) at No. 25, billing the Big Sky Conference as tough a test as ever.

Quarterback

Johnson (6-1, 195) returns under center with two years starting experience for the Grizzlies. The senior was named to the Walter Payton Award watch list, the highest honor available to an FCS player. The Eugene, Ore., native threw 32 TDs last season and accrued 3,387 yards through the air. Johnson was third-team all-Big Sky last season and enters 2014 fifth all-time on the Grizzlies' career touchdown pass list with 53.

Another senior, Shay Smithwick-Hann (6-4, 219) will fill the backup role. The Kalispell Glacier graduate started three games in 2012. Sophomore Brady Gustafson (6-7, 235) and redshirt freshman Makena Simis (6-2, 205) will battle for the third spot on the depth chart.

Running Back

The Griz welcome back 1,000-yard rusher Jordan Canada (5-9, 190) at tailback. The senior begins the season ranked fourth in school history in both rushing yards (2,228) and rushing touchdowns (29).

Senior Travon Van (5-11, 195) was the Grizzlies' second-leading rusher (523 yards, 6 TDs) in 2013 and is slated to get plenty of touches this year as well.

Sophomore John Nguyen (5-7, 180) also brings experience in the form of two end zone trips and 267 rushing yards in 2014, and redshirt Treshawn Favors (5-9, 190) will be another option among old faces. True freshman Lorenzo Logwood (5-8, 190) has made some early noise in intrasquad scrimmages as well.

Junior Jamal Wilson (5-11, 245) returns as a starter at fullback.

Offensive Line

O-line is certainly the biggest question mark on offense for the Griz, as Delaney will have to replace three all-Big Sky starters lost to graduation. Couple that with the loss of returning starters Trevor Poole, to a back injury, and John Schmaing to academic issues, and the Griz could have little experience on opening day.

Battling spinal stenosis, Poole's future is a uncertain.

"We're trying to manage that and take care of the swelling so that he can get back to working out," Delaney said, but the coach couldn't put a time-table on the senior's return.

Senior Logan Hines (6-4, 290) has three starts under his belt at center, and his twin brother, Jordan Hines (6-4, 270), tops the depth chart at left guard. A sophomore out of Bozeman, Ben Weyer (6-4, 270), is the apparent starter at right guard.

The tackle situation is a bit more prickly. Sophomores Clint LaRowe (6-5, 190) and Max Kelly (6-7, 290) have both shown promise, but they will be challenged by sophomore transfers Jackson Thiebes (6-5, 240) and Jared Clark (6-5, 270).

"All four of those guys are battling for some playing time and doing a nice job," Delaney said. "They're young and inexperienced, but they're getting experienced quickly going against our defense. … We're coaching the heck out of them."

Tight End

Mitch Saylor (6-5, 235), a senior, and redshirt freshman Mike Ralson (6-5 ½, 245) will split time between the H-back and Y-end positions, respectively, as the Griz replace their top two tight ends from a year ago.

Former C.M. Russell High star Josh Horner (6-5, 215) will be involved in the passing game from the H-back position and should contribute this season.

Transfer Jermaine Jones (6-2, 225) and redshirt freshman Cooper Sprunk (6-4, 250) will compete for playing time at the Y-slot.

Wide Receiver

With exception to the offensive line, no Grizzly position has suffered as many preseason problems as the receiving corps. Ellis Henderson (6-0, 185), a returning All-Big Sky second-teamer, has sat out most of the preseason battling a bacterial infection in his stomach. There is no timetable for his return, but Delaney hopes to have the speedy receiver back during the season.

Jamaal Jones (6-1, 188), second on the depth chart, has also battled injury in August but has since returned to practice and should be ready for opening day.

The coaching staff has Van working out with the receivers to help strengthen the corps. The senior caught a 70-yard touchdown pass at North Dakota last season and seems to be enjoying the challenge of a new position.

Junior Chase Naccarato (5-7, 165) has shown flashes of brilliance in the preseason, and youngsters Ryan Burke (6-4, 190) and Marq Rogers (6-4, 180) impressed coaches in the spring. Redshirt senior Sean Haynes (6-3, 195) is returning from a springtime injury, but looks to contribute.

Loyola Sacred Heart graduate Josh Janssen (6-0, 195) has burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman as well. Another LSH product, senior Kevin Berland (5-9, 175), should see snaps as well after some promising preseason scrimmage performances.

Defensive Line

No player on the Montana roster comes as highly touted as Wagenmann (6-3 ½, 250). He's on the Buck Buchanan Award watch list, an honor bestowed on the best defensive player in the FCS, after leading the Griz in sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (16.5) last season.

"He's doesn't take days off, and he doesn't take plays off," Delaney said. "That's why he's such a great football player."

The senior, who hails from Missoula, returns after an all-league selection in 2013. Griz linebacker Jordan Tripp passed the legacy No. 37 jersey down to the preseason All-American.

"Wags is wearing that with a lot of pride and in the same turn stays very humble," Delaney said. "It's a target, really. Everybody knows what it means."

Wagenmann will be joined on the defensive front by fellow senior captain Tonga Takai (6-2, 301) at nose tackle and Tyrone Holmes (6-4, 245) at defensive end, both of whom started in 2013.

Helena Capital product Caleb Kidder (6-5, 275) is the favorite to start alongside Takai at tackle.

Another strong defensive end, Derek Crittenden (6-3, 240), returns as the team's eighth leading tackler (41) and fellow junior Addison Owen (6-2, 225) should add depth at end. A senior, Trevor Rehm (6-3, 265), adds experience with 24 tackles in 2013.

Another local product, Fairfield grad Bo Harris (6-3, 280) has battled injury in the preseason but hopes to vie for playing time in the season.

Linebacker

If Delaney and the Griz staff were worried about the linebacker position heading into camp, those fears have been put to rest.

A strong class of juniors, highlighted by speedster Herbert Gamboa (6-1, 220) on the strong side. Jeremiah Kose (6-3, 230) and Kenderick Van Ackeren (6-1, 220) are juniors slated to start as well.

"Our linebackers have played very, very well in pre-fall," Delaney said. "You start with Miah and Van Ackeran and Herbert Gamboa. Those guys are all fast, they're not real big guys but they run really well."

Connor Lebsock (6-2, 205), another junior, will see plenty of time at the outside positions, but there's even more competition behind Lebsock.

Redshirt freshman Connor Strahm (6-1, 235) has turned heads in the preseason, and Malta graduate Tucker Schye (6-4, 225) should compete for playing time at middle linebacker.

"There's a lot of competition for those three linebacker spots that is making those guys better every day," Delaney explained.

Cornerback

Nate Harris (5-10, 180) is a lock-down defender at field corner and took home honorable mention all-conference honors a year ago. The junior from Chino, Calif., ranked sixth among the Grizzlies in tackles in 2013.

Joining Harris in the defensive backfield will be senior Joshua Dennard (5-11, 195) at boundary corner. JR Nelson (6-0, 177), a sophomore, and Ryan McKinley (6-1, 188) and Chris Parker (6-0, 185), both redshirt freshmen, are expected to see time as well.

Safety

A three year starter at free safety returns in the form of senior Matt Hermanson (6-1, 202). Hermanson drew second-team All-Big Sky honors after ranking second on the team in tackles in 2013.

He'll be joined by Justin Whitted (6-1, 195) or Jake Dellaserra (5-11, 190) at strong safety.

Another pair of upperclassmen, senior Jamaal Anderson (5-11, 195) and junior Eric Johnson (6-2, 190) will also compete for time on the field.

Special Teams

Stephen Shaw (6-3, 245) returns to start a third year touted as one of the top punters in school history. His career average of 42.8 yards-per-punt would top the UM record books, and the Fullerton, Calif. native averaged 43.9 yards-per-punt last season.

After starting kicker Ben Worst transferred to Idaho in the offseason, the heir apparent is Chris Lider (6-1, 200), who started in the 2012 season. Harrison Greenberg (5-8, 170) and Daniel Sullivan (5-10, 185) will challenge Lider for the starting nod.

Aaron Held (6-1, 193) will be the long snapper when healthy, but the sophomore has been battling a shoulder injury. Burke and Schye have been handling the duties in the meantime, Delaney said. Takai handles snaps for place kicks.

Henderson is as explosive as any return man in the Big Sky, but Delaney said the Griz are not without options while the senior is sidelined. Jones, Canada and Nguyen all returned kicks at times last season, and all are very capable.

Coaching Staff

Delaney is excited to return his entire staff intact for the 2014 season, saying it will benefit the players not to have to get used to new personalities associated with coaching turnover. The head coach enters his third season with an overall record of 15-9.

Defensive coordinator Ty Gregorak returns for his third season as well, looking to have one of the top defenses in the Big Sky Conference.

Scott Gragg and Kefense Hynson remain the co-offensive coordinators with Gragg handing the line and Hynson coaching up the quarterbacks.

Associate Head Coach Lawrence Suiaunoa, Jake Cookus and Aric Williams round out the defensive staff. Kade Rannings and Ross Brunelle are assistants on offense. Cookus and Brunelle handle the special teams.

Schedule

Montana opens the season with one of its toughest tests, a road game at FBS foe Wyoming. Delaney said his team is excited about the challenge, but he's not without concerns heading into the opener.

"You're always concerned when you open with an FBS school that you've got enough depth and you're in good enough cardiovascular shape that you can hang with the FBS school," the coach said.

The two coaching staffs are certainly familiar with one another. First-year Cowboys coach Craig Bohl ran the program at perennial FCS power North Dakota State the past 10 seasons.

"You put on North Dakota State's stuff from the last 10 years," Delaney said. "… It won't be too different from what they had so much success with."

The Griz take on Bohl's former school – ranked tops in the land in the preseason coaches' poll after three straight national titles – in Fargo on Sept. 20. Home bouts with Central Washington and South Dakota round out the non-conference schedule.

Montana will open Big Sky play Sept. 27 at Washington-Grizzly Stadium against Northern Colorado. Its other home games are Oct. 18 vs. UC-Davis; Nov. 1 vs. Sacramento State; and Nov. 22 vs. Montana State.

It'll take on North Dakota, Cal Poly, Eastern Washington and Southern Utah on the road.

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