Mansch: Griz fans better get used to Stitt’s gambles

Bob Stitt’s reputation was made by his innovative, fast-paced offense.

But here’s what Montana fans better also know about the new Grizzly head coach: He loves to roll the dice.

Stitt’s Grizzlies rallied for a 38-35 victory over North Dakota State on Saturday that many in the record crowd of 26,472 will recall for the 1-yard touchdown run of Joey Counts in the final seconds.

What should really linger in the memory is the image of the new UM head coach and his rambling, gambling philosophy.

The Griz went for it on fourth down no less than six times, including a few eyebrow raisers with the ball still in Montana territory. Several came in the first half and went against what has long been considered conventional wisdom.

What the heck does Mr. Stitt have against punters?

“Everybody’s gotta get used to that,” Stitt said with a smile. “We were 4-of-6 (conversions on 4th down). Fourth downs give us a chance to win. People have to understand that when you convert those in the first half and keep drives going, that that’s why we had a chance to win in the fourth quarter.

“Those guys had to defend 92 plays. When’s the last time North Dakota State had to defend 92 plays? It’s all a process. Everybody’s gotta stay calm and the defense has to go out and bail us out once in awhile. But it will help us win ballgames.”

The triumph seemed improbable most of the day, and not just because of North Dakota State’s reputation. Early on the Bison appeared to be the better team, thanks to a marvelous quarterback, huge offensive line and hard-hitting defense.

Montana hung around thanks to the big plays of its passing game — and perhaps because of the moxie of its new head coach.

“You’ve got to have faith,” said Stitt. “If you don’t have faith you’re never going to win games like this or have comebacks like this.”

The Griz settled for a field goal late in the fourth quarter prior to their game-winning drive. Had they scored to come within a point with a touchdown — about 2:30 remained — would Stitt have considered a 2-point conversion?

You bet.

“We’d already talked about it,” he said. “We were going to win it right there. There’s no overtime. You’ve got one play to beat the national champions and you’re going to do it.”

Riverboat gambler? Swashbuckler? Big-time poker player?

Maybe not. But Bob Stitt made a dazzling debut as a Montana Grizzly head coach on Saturday. Certainly the Grizzly fans hit it big, and we’re not just talking about the one lucky person who took home a record $15,722 in the Split-The-Pot contest.

In fact, truth be told you can’t put a price on a victory like this one.

“It was pretty emotional,” Stitt said of his first run through the tunnel prior to the opening kickoff. “I was trying to put my tough game face on, but it was exciting. I was waiting for a long time for something like that.”

Grizzly fans are used to big victories, especially at home. But a victory like this, before a national ESPN audience and a record crowd, doesn’t come around very often.

“We didn’t come to play today to be second,” Stitt said. “We came to be aggressive. When we failed on fourth down our defense came up big.”

Stitt won more than 100 games at the NCAA Division II level and is now unbeaten as an FCS coach. He was asked what the big upset means to him.

“It’s getting us on our way to where we want to be,” he said. “We’re here to get the swagger back. We don’t lose in our own stadium. Our kids fought today. We didn’t win the national championship. We won a ballgame. We’re 1-0.

“We’re going to keep chipping away until we’re a championship football team and this was a great start.”

Scott Mansch is Tribune Sports Columnist and can be reached at 791-1481 or smansch@greatfallstribune.com. Follow him on Twitter @GFTrib_SMansch