After sputtering through the first half of last week’s 38-24 win over Houston, the Ducks found their stride on both sides of the ball and appear to be in mid-season form going into their home opener against Division I-AA Montana. The game is the first of three consecutive at home games for Oregon, a team that looks to tune-up one last time before its highly anticipated home games against No. 24 Fresno State and No. 1 USC. The only recipe for a Grizzly upset includes a combination of a flawlessly played game by Montana and oversight by Oregon.
The sky’s not the limit
While playing in the Big Sky
Conference, the Grizzlies have been a constant juggernaut under third-year head coach Bobby Hauck. Montana has held a share of the conference title for the past seven seasons. At Tuesday’s press conference, Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti noted Montana’s consistent success.
“They’re a contender year in and year out,” Bellotti said.
Conference championships are just the beginning for Montana. They have advanced to the Division I-AA playoffs in 12 consecutive seasons including last year, when the Grizzlies played for the national title for the fifth time in 10 years, amassing a 12-3 season record.
The best defense is a good offense
There’s no question about it, Montana can run the ball. The Grizzlies get it done on the ground with their all-conference junior tailback Lex Hilliard, who had 14 carries and three touchdowns en route to eclipsing the 100-yard mark in last week’s 55-0 win over Fort Lewis.
Montana ground out 206 rushing yards total. Hilliard earned All-American honors and tied a school record for most rushing touchdowns in a season with 17 last year. He may be a far cry from the likes of USC’s Reggie Bush or Cal’s Marshawn Lynch, but he will be a solid test for Oregon’s rush defense. Montana has a formidable passing game to match, meaning the Ducks should be in for a balanced threat. Junior quarterback Jason Washington completed 10 of 17 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown against Fort Lewis. The majority of Montana’s receivers are not experienced, but senior wide receiver Jon Talmage is. He returned this year after making 55 receptions for 819 yards last season. Oregon cannot afford to underestimate Montana’s offense, which racked up 530 yards of total offense the last time these two schools played in 1993.
The thin red line
As a Division I-AA unit, Montana’s crimson-clad defensive line may be undersized compared to Oregon’s, but it makes up for its lack of size with superior speed. A trio of talented defensive ends lead the Grizzlies’ defense, including four-year starter senior Lance Spencer and junior All-American Mike Murphy.
Spencer began the season ranked among Montana’s top leaders in career sacks with 17.5 and tackles for losses with 23.5. Depth is no problem for Montana on the line, backing up Spencer and Murphy is junior honors candidate Dustin Dlouhy.
No BCS about it
Playing in Division I-AA has its advantages, including not having to deal with computers to reach the national championship game. Montana can credit its multiple national finals appearances for the last decade to a playoff system.

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