Font ResizeWeber State will play in one of the toughest atmospheres in the FCS today at 1 p.m. and have to do what few teams have ever done -- beat Montana at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
The Grizzlies are almost unbeatable at home. Their last loss in Missoula was to Wofford in the first-round of the FCS playoffs on Nov. 24, 2007.
The Wildcats know just how difficult it is to win there. Weber State had to play at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in the quarterfinals last year and came home with a 24-13 loss.
"It's hard but fun. The best crowds are [there]. They're the Utah or BYU of Montana," said running back Trevyn Smith. "I've played at Hawaii, Boise and Utah and I'd rather play there than anything."
The second-ranked Grizzlies come into the game with a 7-0 overall record and are 4-0 in conference play. Montana tops the league in scoring offense, averaging 38 points a game, and rushing offense with a 160.9 average.
That isn't a surprise with the lineman they have. The average height and weight of a player on the line is 6-foot-6 and 304 pounds.
"They have huge NFL-size offensive line which opens a lot of big holes for their running backs," coach Ron McBride said. "And gives great protection to their quarterbacks."
Despite Montana's daunting record at home -- Weber State is 1-11 against the Grizzlies in Missoula -- this is a team Weber State knows how to beat.
The Wildcats gave Montana its lone conference loss last year
And even though Weber State came up short against the Grizzlies in the playoffs, the Wildcats found success in some aspects of that game. Smith had 19 carries for 104 yards and one touchdown to go along with seven catches for 129 yards. Cameron Higgins finished that game completing 19 of 40 passes for 270 yards and an interception.
Weber State knows it will take its best game to beat the Grizzlies.
"They know how and what it takes to win games," McBride said. "They have what all teams strive for -- belief in self and team and they're confident in any situation."
At Washington-Grizzly Stadium, Missoula, Montana
Kickoff » 1 p.m. MDT
TV » Altitude
Radio » 1430 AM
Series history » Montana leads 36-12-0
Last meeting » Montana, 24-13 (Dec. 6, 2008)
About the Wildcats » The Wildcats are coming off their third-straight win after pulling out a 28-20 win over Northern Colorado last week. ... Freshman running back Bo Bolen got his first start of the season and rushed for 207 yards on 37 carries. ... Weber State is now ranked No. 14 after the win over the Bears. ... Defensive back Thyrell Lewis was named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the week after five tackles, two pass break-ups and a crucial interception in Saturday's win.
About the Grizzlies » Montana is ranked No. 2 in the nation in the Sports Network and FCS Coaches poll this week. ... The Grizzlies are 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the Big Sky Conference. ... After beating Weber State in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs last season, the Grizzlies went on to play in the national championship game before losing to the University of Richmond. ... The Grizzlies are ranked first in the Big Sky in scoring offense.
