Griz to host dangerous Wildcats - Montana Kaimin


 Two teams controlling their destinies will battle to keep playoff and conference championship hopes alive Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.


 The University of Montana football team is riding a four-game win streak and currently sits in second place in the Big Sky Conference standings, one spot higher than visiting Weber State.


 Both teams enter Saturday with just one loss in conference play, but Montana holds a slight edge with five BSC wins against Weber's three.


 The No. 11-ranked Grizzlies (6-2, 5-1 BSC) are coming off two consecutive come-from-behind victories against Portland State and Northern Arizona, and are hoping to avenge a 30-21 loss to the Wildcats suffered a year and one day prior to Saturday's meeting. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m.


 "They were the one team last year that pushed us around a little on both sides of the ball," second-year UM head coach Robin Pflugrad said. "They are a very physical team, maybe the most physical team in the conference."


 Montana held a 21-13 halftime lead in last year's contest before being overpowered and shut out in the second half.


 The Grizzlies will look to avoid another ill-timed loss to the Wildcats with a Big Sky title still within reach.


 In fact, neither team can theoretically afford to lose this weekend's game. Despite an overall record of 3-4, Weber State is also in the running for a conference crown. If either team wins each of its remaining BSC games, and both schedules include a matchup with conference-leading Montana State (7-1, 5-0), that team would be named Big Sky champion.


 "I don't believe our players will take Weber lightly at all," Pflugrad said. "We know where we stand and we know what's at stake."


 Wildcats head coach Ron McBride is anticipating a grudge match as well. McBride has become familiar with preparing for the Grizzlies over his six years at Weber State.


 "With Montana, you always know exactly what you're getting," he said. "Their kids play hard. They play tough. You know you've played your best if you can win against them, especially in Missoula."


 The Wildcats are coming off a 35-28 loss to Southern Utah the previous week. It marked the first loss Weber has suffered at home this season.


 After taking a 21-10 lead early in the third quarter, Southern Utah outscored the Wildcats 25-7 the rest of the way.


 "We need to improve on what we didn't do a week ago," McBride said. "I'm extremely upset with last week and our real challenge will be to get away from what we did in that game."


 In order to fulfill its coach's wishes, Weber State will look to senior linebacker Nick Webb.


 "Nick's a big play guy and he's very athletic," McBride said. "He's really the silent leader on our team. He's very productive in what he does."


 Although McBride is looking for leadership from the defensive side of the ball, it is what the Wildcats offer on the offensive side that worries the UM coach.


 "You don't have to hear about their O-linemen, you can just see it on tape," Pflugrad said. "They do make a statement. They're big, strong, physical blockers. When you add in a large tight end and a large full back to that mix, it's very challenging for a defense."


 It is clear the carry-overs from the 2010 Grizzly team vividly remember Weber State's offensive line that overpowered Montana's D-line in last year's contest.


 "We felt like we got pushed around," UM senior defensive tackle Bryan Waldhauser said. "This is football. There's no excuse for getting pushed around."


 Waldhauser sacked Northern Arizona quarterback Cary Grossart on a fourth down with one minute and two seconds left to seal the 28-24 win for Montana last week.


 The 6-4, 270-pound Waldhauser, along with the rest of the Grizzly defensive line, will look to win the battle at the line of scrimmage Saturday.


 mark.weston@umontana.edu