BIG SKY PREVIEW : MONTANA HAS LINE ON TITLE MASSIVE FRONT IS KEY TO GETTING TEAM MOVING MONTANA GRIZZLIES.Byline: Kevin Acee Are they good?: Yes. Definitely. The defending Division I-AA champions return seven starters on offense, nine on defense and both kickers. Players who matter: Sophomore quarterback Brian Ah Yat's best hope is that maybe people won't say ``He ain't Dave Dickenson David Dickenson (born January 11, 1973 in Great Falls, Montana) is a professional Canadian football player. He is the current starting quarterback for the Canadian Football League British Columbia Lions and wears number 12. .'' Right guard Jeff Zellick (6-5, 296) runs a 4.9-second 40-yard dash and is key on an offensive line that returns four starters. Linebacker Jason Crebo (6-4, 225) is someone you don't want to meet in the middle of the field. Senior receiver Joe Douglass Joe Douglass (born:January 21, 1974) is an Arena Football League wide receiver/linebacker for the Las Vegas Gladiators. High School Career At South Salem High School, Douglass rushed for 2,177 yards as a senior. Pro Career
abbr. National Collegiate Athletic Association championship game. QB status: Ah Yat will have a bunch of Grizzlies The name Grizzlies may refer to:
Coach's status: Mick Dennehy, as low-key as football coaches come, said, ``I don't feel pressure. If we were the defending national champions, I was following (legendary) Don Read, and we only had a handful of starters back I'd be nervous. I'd probably be drunk right now.'' How they'll win: With a monster offensive line and experience other teams can only fantasize about, the Grizzlies should be able to power past most teams in the conference. How they'll lose: New coach. New quarterback. If things start to go bad, how will they handle it? Probably not a concern. Schedule: They open at Oregon State, then host Cal Poly Cal Poly may refer to:
 `ĭs ōbĭs`pō), city (1990 pop. 41,958), seat of San Luis Obispo co., S Calif., near San Luis Obispo Bay; inc. 1856. and have a bye week before beginning conference play. Their toughest conference games - Northern Arizona, Idaho State and Montana State - are at home. The key game: The Oct. 26 home game against Northern Arizona could be for the conference championship, though the 96th meeting between the Grizzlies and Montana State on Nov. 23 will draw a bigger crowd to Washington-Grizzly Stadium Washington-Grizzly Stadium is an outdoor football stadium on the campus of the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana. It is home to the Montana Grizzlies of the Big Sky Conference, a dominant program in Division I-AA. . That's when Montana goes for its 11th straight victory over its intrastate rival. NORTHERN ARIZONA LUMBERJACKS Are they good?: Yes. But they are young, sort of, with only seven senior starters. Players who matter: Offensive lineman Dan Finn (6-4, 305) anchors a mammoth front that will make the adjustment period for the new quarterback easier. Running back Archie Amerson Archie Amerson (born 1974) was a running back in the Canadian Football League, spending most of his career with the Toronto Argonauts. Amerson played high school football at Samuel F.B. Morse High School in San Diego, California, from which he graduated in 1993. , who was the team's starting cornerback a week before last season started, then switched positions and gained 1,117 yards, has bulked up. All-America defensive tackle Ben Petrucci (6-2, 275) has played in 33 straight games. If junior cornerback Samaji Akili (5-9, 165) becomes the dominant player coach Steve Axman ax·man n. 1. One who wields an ax. 2. Slang One assigned to perform a task involving ruthless reduction, as of a work force or budget. 3. thinks he will, it will be an important step toward beating Montana and winning the conference. As for a receiver who will make a difference, pick one and teach him how to catch. QB status: Redshirt freshman Travis Brown Travis Brown is a common name shared by multiple people. Some of the more notable Travis Browns include:
Coach's status: Axman is 33-33 in his six season at NAU (1) (Network Access Unit) An interface card that adapts a computer to a local area network. (2) (Network Addressable Unit) An SNA component that can be referenced by name and address, which includes the SSCP, LU and PU. , but he is 21-12 in the past three seasons and the Lumberjacks have become a perennial presence in the Top 25. But how much longer can they go without actually making the playoffs? How they'll win: A stronger Amerson will have a bigger line making holes for him. How they'll lose: While Axman said this is the most-talented team he's had at Northern Arizona, it is also a team without much real experience. If a team is able to stop Amerson, the Lumberjacks might be hurting. ``The good news is that all our receivers are back and more experienced,'' Axman said. ``The bad news is that they're all back.'' Schedule: Their tough preseason game is at New Mexico New Mexico, state in the SW United States. At its northwestern corner are the so-called Four Corners, where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah meet at right angles; New Mexico is also bordered by Oklahoma (NE), Texas (E, S), and Mexico (S). . In conference, the Lumberjacks play at Montana and Montana State. The key game: Unlike Montana, Northern Arizona can't afford to look past anyone, but they are already thinking about Oct. 26 in Missoula. IDAHO STATE BENGALS Are they good?: Yes. But the Bengals' road to the conference championship is the most difficult of any of the contenders. Players who matter: Running back Alfredo Anderson, who rushed for 1,192 yards last season, could win the Payton Award (Division I-AA's version of the Heisman Trophy Heisman Trophy Annual award given to the outstanding college gridiron football player in the U.S. The trophy was instituted in 1935 by New York City's Downtown Athletic Club and was officially named the following year for the club's first athletic director, the player-coach ) if his team wins enough. Offensive guard Steve Burch (6-5, 290) was moved from tackle in the spring specifically to strengthen the Bengals' inside running game. Defensive end Josh Hayes Joshua Kurt Hayes (born April 4, 1975 in Gulfport, Mississippi), is a professional motorcycle roadracer who turned pro in 1996 [1]. He currently races in the AMA Supersport and Formula Xtreme series' for Erion Racing. (6-2, 235) led Division I (yes, even I-A) with 16-1/2 quarterback sacks last season. Outside linebacker Eric Johnson
Eric Johnson (born August 17, 1954) is a guitarist and recording artist from Austin, Texas. (6-4, 215) was bothered by an ankle injury last season, but against Cal State Northridge had two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and five tackles in less than two quarters of action. Cornerback Marcus Jackson blocked four kicks last season and leads an impressive secondary. Wide receiver Justin Young led the conference with 11 touchdown receptions last season, including three in a game. QB status: Junior Gary Anderson
Gary Anderson (born July 16, 1959 in Parys, Free State, South Africa) is a former American football placekicker. (6-1, 180) started the final game of the 1995 season and threw for 234 yards and four touchdowns (three of them to Young) in a 35-25 victory over Weber State. His backup is a freshman and his running back is the best in I-AA. He'll be fine. Coach's status: It's time It's Time was a successful political campaign run by the Australian Labor Party (ALP) under Gough Whitlam at the 1972 election in Australia. Campaigning on the perceived need for change after 23 years of conservative (Liberal Party of Australia) government, Labor put forward a for the Bengals to win. This is Brian McNeely's fifth year, and he was lucky to make it this far. He clashed big-time with former athletic director Athletic director (commonly, "athletics director") is a position at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, which oversees the work of the coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic Randy Hoffman, was fired last year and then was reinstated. Everyone on this team is a product of McNeely's recruiting, and new athletic director Irv Cross Irvin Acie Cross (born July 27 1939 in Hammond, Indiana) is a former professional American football cornerback and commentator. In 1961, Cross was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of the National Football League (NFL) draft. expects a winner. How they'll win: An experienced offensive line will help Anderson run all over most opponents. Likewise, most opponents will find passing against the Bengals to be difficult. How they'll lose: McNeely acknowledges a lack of discipline among his defensive players and a lack of depth everywhere. Injuries would hurt the Bengals more than most. Schedule: They open Saturday at Mississippi. And they play Montana, Northern Arizona and Montana State on the road. The key game: The Sept. 28 conference opener at Monatana State will set the tone. WEBER STATE WILDCATS Are they good?: Yes. And they surprised everyone last year, finishing second after being projected last. Players who matter: If cornerback Max Mitchell doesn't make a tackle or deflect a pass or intercept a ball - which he will - any guy who comes back to start after breaking his neck is amazing a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. . Right tackle Kyle Stephens (6-7, 295) is stronger and is the best player on an absolutely huge offensive line. Senior running back Clemente Sainten led the Wildcats with 625 yards rushing last season, and he can catch too. Cornerback Jami Webb started six games at Stanford and was an honorable-mention All-Pacific 10 honoree last season. Sophomore Scott Shields Scott Shields may refer to:
QB status: Roger Cook is a 25-year-old senior, who waited out a Mormon mission and Brad Otton to be Weber State's starter. He'll keep this job. Coach's status: Dave Arslanian saved this program. Now in his eighth season as head coach and 16th on the staff, Arslanian is an institution in Ogden. He played three seasons at Weber under his father, Sark, the school's all-time winningest coach. How they'll win: They Wildcats will throw like they always do, and all the unproven receivers Arslanian wonders about will catch the ball. Opponents will be surprised to find out that the Weber defense is much improved. How they'll lose: All the unproven receivers Arslanian wonders about will not catch the ball. The much-improved defense won't be improved enough to stop Montana, Northern Arizona and Idaho State. Schedule: The nonconference schedule is not imposing. The Wildcats are at Northern Arizona but get Montana and Montana State at home. The key game: Season-opener is a conference game at home against Eastern Washington
MONTANA STATE BOBCATS Are they good?: Yes. Good enough to beat the top three? No. Players who matter: Left tackle Rob Brandland (6-4, 300) and right guard Monty Wilson (6-2, 299) need to be consistent to show the way for the rest of the offensive line. Tailback tail·back n. Football The back on an offensive team who lines up farthest from the line of scrimmage. tailback Noun Brit a queue of traffic stretching back from an obstruction Matt Engelking (5-10, 189) is a slow kid who found enough holes to rush for 1,176 yards last season. Coach Cliff Hysell says he wants to join the rest of the nation and perhaps throw a pass or two this season, so quarterback Rob Compson is important, huh? Cornerback Omar Turner had five interceptions last season. Defensive end Neal Smith is the team's best pass-rusher and one of Hysell's favorite players. QB status: Compson started the last three games of last season after Jeff Tuss broke his wrist and played well enough to still be the No. 1 guy. But Tuss is back and did win five games last season. Coach's status: Hysell, a lineman at Montana State in the mid-1960s, has brought the program back to national prominence since his hiring in 1992. But his teams have also had a tendency to slide late in the season. His Montana State teams are 1-7 in November. Last season the Bobcats were 5-2 before losing their final four games. And, darnit, when are the Bobcats going to beat Montana? How they'll win: They'll run. They'll run. They'll run. How they'll lose: They'll run. They'll run. They'll run. Schedule: Some have picked the Bobcats to challenge for the title, and they do get to play Idaho State and Northern Arizona at home. They open the season at defending-Big West champion Nevada on Sept. 14 and do not have a bye. The key game: Need you ask? There is only one game in Montana. Though, it would be nice for Hysell to finally beat Eastern Washington (Oct. 5) and Northern Arizona (Oct. 12). He is 0-8 against them. EASTERN WASHINGTON EAGLES Are they good?: No. But they're better. Players who matter: Running back Joe Sewell
1. ACL - Access Control List. 2. ACL - Association for Computational Linguistics. 3. ACL - A Coroutine Language. A Pascal-based implementation of coroutines. ["Coroutines", C.D. surgery, is the team's physical and emotional leader and coach Mike Kramer's all-time favorite player. Kramer said that when left guard T.J. Ackerman (6-6, 285) went down with an ACL injury ACL injury See Anterior cruciate ligament injury. last season, ``he took our offense with him.'' Left end Steve Mattson, a two-time Big Sky All-Academic Team member, leads the pass rush on an experienced defensive line. Kramer saw linebacker Derek Strey on tape three years ago and then burned those tapes sono one else would take him, and Strey has become one of Eastern's best linebackers ever. Steve Correa was a redshirt last season and now it's time for him to use that 4.55 speed. QB status: Junior Harry Leons, who started the final four games of 1995, is consistently inconsistent. Kramer does not want to rush freshman Griffin Garske, but the Eagles' quarterback of the future could find the future is now. Coach's status: In 1995, Kramer saw five of his players undergo ACL surgeries, a suicide by a former player, two starters quit during two-a-days, five babies fathered by his players, two players accused of rape and one player with a broken neck. Kramer also was accused of assault by a player. ``I was the happiest guy in America when the clock struck 11:59 on Dec. 31,'' he said. How they'll win: The Eagles always have a great line - offensive and defensive. The entire defense looks stronger. And Joe Sewell will make the most of his final year. How they'll lose: Leons, who threw 13 interceptions in five starts last season, will have a hard time. There is certainly a history of injuries with this program. Schedule: Tough games at former Big Sky members Boise State (Sept. 14) and Idaho (Nov. 2). Montana and Northern Arizona visit Cheney this season. There is no bye week. The key game: The season-opener at Weber State. ``We can't look any further than the Weber State game,'' Kramer said. ``We can't look any further than halftime of the Weber State game. Last year (Bryan) Martin had 570 yards against us and had 400 at halftime. Our goal for the season is to go in at halftime of the Weber State game not having given up 400 yards passing.'' SACRAMENTO STATE HORNETS Are they good?: No. Though how not-good is almost as big a question as it is for Northridge. Players who matter: Quarterback Tony Corbin is the heart and soul of this gusty gust·y adj. gust·i·er, gust·i·est 1. Blowing in or marked by gusts: a gusty storm. 2. Characterized by sudden outbursts. team. Senior tackle Steve Wright
Stephen Richard (Steve) Wright (born August 26 1954 in Greenwich, London) is a radio broadcaster in the United Kingdom. (6-6, 270) transferred from Pacific and is the Hornets' biggest defensive lineman in years. Right tackle Mike Henry (6-5, 275) is the best player on an experienced offensive line. Strong safety Chad Johnson
QB status: Of Corbin, coach John Volek says: ``Any team in the conference would love to have this cat coming back.'' With limited talent supporting him, Corbin passed for a school-record 2,532 yards. Coach's status: Volek's situation is similar to Baldwin's. He's safe because he's stepped up the recruiting with even less resources and no one expects a conference title out his team anytime soon. How they'll win: They won the American West on heart alone. With no coach and questions about the program's future, players held their own spring drills in '95 then went 4-6-1. With more talent, they might surprise a mid-level Big Sky team or two. Both lines are experienced. How they'll lose: You can't have a weak secondary in the high-flyin' Big Sky. Schedule: It's not as bad as Northridge's. The Hornets open at Division I-AA power Hofstra and play at UC Davis. The conference opener is a home game against Montana. The key game: Three straight losses to rival UC Davis. It has to stop on Sept. 21, or the strongest team along the American River
PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS Portland State Vikings is the moniker referring to the intercollegiate athletic teams representing Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA. Portland State, being situated in the downtown district known as the "Park Blocks", has also sometimes been referred to as the "Park Are they good?: No. They were a good Division II team that lost a lot of players to NCAA requirements when they made the jump to Division I (Also, they are not eligible for a conference title until 1998.) Players who matter: It is critical that center Alano Ciliberto (6-3, 285) and his offensive linemates open holes for the new running backs. Gary Clemmons' speed reminds coach Tim Walsh of graduated All-American running back Steve Papin. Cornerback Paul Bradford Paul Bradford (born 1964) is an Irish politician and member of the 23rd Seanad Éireann for Fine Gael. Paul Bradford was born in Mourne Abbey near Mallow, County Cork in 1964. He was educated at the Patrician Academy in Mallow. (5-11, 190) benches 400 pounds but can he break up a pass? Linebacker Tim Matijacic (6-2, 225) went to the University of Washington out of high school before coming home, and Walsh expects him to be an All-Conference performer. Senior defensive end Oleg Lytchanyi (6-5, 255) started four games last season. He's still learning the game, and he needs to learn fast. QB status: Eric Kiesau, out of Glendale High School Glendale High School can refer to:
Coach's status: Walsh took the Vikings to the Division II playoffs in each of his three years at Portland. Now that they are in Division II, the Vikings are on a three-year mission - to be competitive about the time being competitive will get them something. How they'll win: They know how. Winning is one thing the Vikings have done that Northridge and Sacramento have not. In fact, in addition to beating Eastern Washington last year, Portland beat Sacramento. In the past 10 years, the Years, The the seven decades of Eleanor Pargiter’s life. [Br. Lit.: Benét, 1109] See : Time Vikings are 10-6-1 versus the Big Sky. And Portland does have a defense that should be able to play with the top teams and give the weaker schools trouble. How they'll lose: A lot of new people that weren't around in the spring means a lot of getting to know each other early in the season. Lack of speed on offense means the Vikings won't be dazzling anyone. Schedule: They open at former Big Sky member Boise State. Two other nonconference games are at home against Sonoma and Davis. Conference opener is Northern Arizona at home. The key game: After getting squashed by Northern Arizona on Sept. 21, how will the Vikings bounce back against Eastern Washington (at Cheney) seven days later? Northridge is next on Oct. 5. BIG SKY CONFERENCE DAILY NEWS PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM OFFENSE WR - Justin Young, Idaho St., Jr., Puts it in overdrive to complete big plays WR - David Romines, CS Northridge, Sr., Great hands, will make things happen RB - Alfredo Anderson, Idaho St., Sr., Has had three A+ seasons behind C+ OL RB - Archie Amerson, NAU, Sr., Beefed up, ready for records QB - Roger Cook, Weber St., Sr., Finally his turn at QB U.; no other stars TE - Chad Mayer, Montana St., Sr., Motivated by NFL NFL abbr. National Football League NFL (US) n abbr (= National Football League) → Fußball-Nationalliga ; needs top-notch season OT - Dan Finn, NAU, Sr., Can do it all when it comes to blocking OT - Kyle Stephens, Weber St., Sr., Hard worker; will be rid of underrated ta C - David Kempfert, Montana, Sr., Has added needed weight; no one works harder OG - Mike Agee, Montana, Sr., 4-year starter is big reason for Griz's success OG - Jeff Zellick, Montana, Sr., Sorry, but this O-line is awesome K - Scott Shields, Weber St., Soph., 16-18 last season with long of 47 Ret - Joe Douglass, Montana, Sr., Returned two punts for TDs in '95 DEFENSE DE - Brandon Smith Brandon James Smith (born February 10, 1986) is a Canadian Professional Wrestler, who wrestles as "Epic" Arick Idle on the Atlantic Canadian Independent Circuit. Brandon grew up as a fan of wrestling, yet never imagined he would one day become a wrestler. While attending St. , Weber St., Sr., Came up big in big games last season DE - Josh Hays, Idaho St., Sr., Has 30 sacks over past two years DT - Ben Petrucci, NAU, Sr., Returning All-American had 7 sacks in '95 DT - Steve Wright, Sacra sa·cra n. Plural of sacrum. . St., Sr., Hornets need big UOP (micro OPeration) The "u" is the substitute letter for the µ symbol. See microinstruction. transfer to be good LB - Jason Crebo, Montana, Jr., Crushing tackler; 5 sacks, 9 tackles in '95 LB - Mike Bouchee Noun 1. bouchee - shell of puff paste patty shell pastry - any of various baked foods made of dough or batter , Montana, Sr., Montana's Mr. Steady had 97 tackles last year LB - Marc Goodson, CS Northridge, Jr., Always where the action is CB - Marcus Jackson, Idaho St., Sr., 1995: 13 defl., 4 blocked kicks, 2 int. CB - Omar Turner, Montana St., Sr., Had five interceptions despite bad knee FS - Neil Fendall, Portland St., Sr., He'll be big reason if Vikings win SS - Telly Lockette, Idaho St., Jr., So he's a LB; He's had two brain surgeries P - James Ferrell, Idaho St., Jr., Avg. of 40.5 in '95; put 14 punts inside 20 Offensive Player of the Year - Alfredo Anderson, Idaho St. Defensive Player of the Year - Jason Crebo, Montana Newcome,r of the Year - Travis Brown, QB, NAU, Fr. CAPTION(S): Box, Chart Box: BIG SKY CONFERENCE DAILY NEWS PRESEASON ALL-CONFE RENCE TEAM (see text) Chart: 1996 SCHEDULE |
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