Cal Poly’s triple option is next test for Grizzlies

And now for the encore.

Fresh off one of the most memorable victories in program history, the Montana Grizzlies take on the Cal Poly Mustangs Saturday night at 7 (KFBB-TV) in Missoula.

Cal Poly and UM are both in the Big Sky Conference, but this will be a nonleague affair. The Grizzlies are seeking their second such triumph of the season after last week’s 38-35 victory over four-time defending national champion North Dakota State.

Montana got a 1-yard touchdown run from Joey Counts with two seconds left to cap a memorable 80-yard drive and hand the Bison a rare loss before a record crowd of 26,472 at Washington Griz.

It was a doozy of a debut for new Montana head coach Bob Stitt. But, he said, it’s all history now.

“There’s not been a lot of talk about last week, and that’s what we stress as a coaching staff,” said Stitt. “Enjoy this thing on Saturday and Sunday, then Sunday night we’re going to turn the page. The team has been very focused so far in practice.”

This is the season opener for Cal Poly, which defeated Montana 41-21 last year in California. Chris Brown rushed for a record 226 yards and the Mustangs’ triple-option attack amassed 421 yards on the ground and 528 yards overall.

“They’re a very good team and their scheme really causes our defense some problems,” Stitt said.

Montana’s defense was impressive against North Dakota State. Starting defensive tackle Caleb Kidder is sidelined after suffering a leg injury that caused internal bleeding last week. He had surgery this week and is expected back in the lineup in a few weeks. Linebacker Herbert Gamboa, meanwhile, will return to the starting lineup after missing last week’s game for disciplinary reasons.

The UM defense was led last week by linebackers Kendrick Van Ackeren and Jeremiah Kose, who combined for 11.5 tackles. Cornerback Nate Harris had a pair of fourth-down pass breakups.

“Giving up just one score in the second half to the four-time national champions was huge,” Stitt said.

Brown is among 16 returning starters for a Cal Poly team that finished 7-5 in 2014. The swift QB ran for 1,265 yards and 17 scores, and passed for 1,465 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Mustangs are coached by Tim Walsh, who has had considerable success both at Cal Poly, where he is 39-30 in six seasons, and Portland State, where in 14 years his Vikings were 90-68.

Junior quarterback Brady Gustafson was a spectacular performer in his first game as a starter last week for the Grizzlies, passing for 434 yards. The 6-foot-7 former Billings West star took a lot of shots from the tough NDSU defense but stood tall at the end.

“He understands where we want to go with the ball and he gets it off quick,” Stitt said. “He’s a Montana guy. He can handle a couple of hits.”

Stitt said the Cal Poly defense is a disciplined bunch.

“We’re going to have to be patient on offense,” he said. “You can’t try to take too much at once because it will bite you and you’ll turn the ball over.”

Montana’s receiving corps was outstanding last week, led by veterans Jamal Jones and Ellis Henderson. Newcomers Ben Roberts, Chase Carlson and Josh Horner also had their moments. Carlson’s reception on fourth down kept the game-winning touchdown drive alive.

“He’s a great player,” Stitt said. “I wasn’t around to recruit him and he doesn’t seem young to me. He just seems like a heckuva player. For a redshirt freshman to be making catches like he made is really exciting for the future.”

Horner, a Great Falls native, plays the same position.

“They’ve got unbelievable hands and they’re fearless running down the middle,” Stitt said.