Around Montana: No. 12 Griz play at No. 23 EWU

By Chronicle Staff

Big Sky Conference preseason favorites Montana and Eastern Washington meet today in Cheney, Wash., where both teams will be trying to regroup after costly league losses.

More than 10,500 people are expected at Woodward Field for the game between No. 12 Montana (4-1, 0-1) and No. 23 Eastern Washington (2-3, 1-1). The game kicks off at 3 p.m. MDT.

"I expect the atmosphere to be incredible this week with a lot of fans in the stands," said EWU coach Beau Baldwin. "Montana always travels well, and them coming off a loss makes it that much tougher for us.

"It's a fun, challenging situation, but it's going to be difficult for us to get a win," Baldwin said.

Montana is coming off a 45-28 loss at Weber State, while Eastern Washington gave up 623 passing yards in a 47-36 loss at Portland State.

"Montana is a different outfit than Portland State. There won't be a lot of carry-over scheme-wise," Baldwin said. "We'll just have to be ready to play and play better football."

The Griz are also looking to improve a few things after giving up nine turnovers in the past two games.

"We need to stop the run and we need to have a low error percentage on offense," said Montana coach Bobby Hauck.

EWU quarterback Matt Nichols is averaging nearly 344 yards passing and has 12 touchdown passes this season, five to Aaron Boyce, who averages 88 yards receiving. Dale Morris leads the running backs with a 57-yard average and three touchdowns.

"They're a gifted group," Hauck said "I'm impressed with their defensive line. I'm also impressed with their production on offense. They've really gone up and down the field.

"We know we're going to have our hands full," he said.

Montana quarterback Cole Bergquist averages 239 yards passing and has 11 touchdowns, including seven to Marc Mariani, who averages 115 yards receiving. Mike Ferriter averages 69 yards receiving and has four touchdown catches. Chase Reynolds is averaging 35 yards rushing and has four touchdowns for the Griz.

"They do everything well," Baldwin said of the Griz. "They are very solid on special teams and in the red zone and over the years they've mixed it up well between the run and the pass. Defensively they are physical and they play hard — they've always played with great effort.

"They're one of those teams where having the lead on them doesn't really matter, and that's the biggest challenge," he said.

Skating

PUBLIC SKATING BEGINS TODAY: The Haynes Pavilion at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds is open for public skating at the following times: today from 1:30-2:50 p.m.; Sunday from 1:30-2:50 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 18 from 12:30-1:20 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 19 from 2:00-2:50 p.m. 

The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for youth age 12 and under. Deposit your fee in the yellow post in the West entryway.  There will also be a free public skating session and Termite/Mite youth hockey signup on Oct. 19 from 12:00-1:50 p.m. 

The early season ice schedule is online at www.bozemanhockey.org.

Basketball

HOOPFEST BEGINS HALLOWEEN NIGHT: The 2008 Bozeman Fall Ball 5-on-5 Hoopfest will be held Friday, Oct. 31 through Sunday, Nov. 2 at Bozeman High School. A minimum of four games are guaranteed and there are divisions for boys and girls in grades 6-8.

The entry fee of $150, made payable to the Bozeman Lady Hawks, must be received by Friday, Oct. 24. For entry forms, contact Mike McLeod at 406-580-7052 or mjmcleod@bresnan.net.

Skiing

BSF AUCTION SLATED FOR OCT. 25: The Bridger Ski Foundation Nordic Auction, is scheduled for October 25th at the Rockin TJ Ranch beginning at 6 p.m.

A few auction items this year include: Bridger Bowl Season Pass, lift tickets and lodging at Huntley Lodge in Big Sky, lift tickets to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, a backcountry ski trip, a winter trip to Old Faithful Snowlodge, a ski package from Solomon, gift certificates to local restaurants and more.

Tickets are for the event are available online at www.bsfnordic.com or by contacting Sharyn Anhalt at ska@bresnan.net, or 599-2095. The event last year was sold out, so it is recommended that tickets are purchased early. Classic Limo has donated a car and driver to make sure that all of our patrons get home safely.

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